"Xia You?" Dawn's voice brought him back to reality. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing." Xia You shook his head. "Come on, let's head into the city."
They continued along the road, gradually approaching the edge of the city.
The outskirts were not as bustling as the city center, but even so, shops more interesting than those in other cities began appearing on either side of the street.
Some sold antiques, some sold archaeological tools, and others sold new travel gear. They even spotted some of the latest Poké Ball designs in a few shop windows.
Then they heard music.
It was not music playing from speakers, but real music performed on instruments.
Flutes, strings, drums... their sounds intertwined, forming an ancient, lilting melody.
Looking toward the sound, they saw several people in traditional clothing sitting together at a street corner, concentrating on their instruments. Their playing was practiced, their expressions absorbed, as though they were immersed in another world.
A circle of listeners surrounded them. Some listened with their eyes closed, some gently kept time, and a few curious children crowded close, staring unblinkingly at the instruments in their hands.
Dawn could not help stopping to listen for a while.
"It sounds so beautiful," she said softly, afraid of disturbing the performance.
Cheryl nodded. "Everyone plays fast-paced popular music these days. Classical pieces like this are getting harder and harder to hear, and... hardly anyone settles down to appreciate them anymore."
"That's true," Makomo added with a smile. "Just like how restless people's hearts are these days."
The performance lasted more than ten minutes, finally ending on a long, lingering note. The audience applauded, and the musicians smiled and bowed.
Xia You left some money, and the group continued on.
After a few steps, Dawn suddenly remembered something and