The wild Zoroark gave a soft cry, its voice quiet, carrying a little uncertainty and a little anticipation. It glanced at Hisuian Zoroark, then at Xia You, and nodded.
Compared to yesterday, the wild Zoroark's amber eyes were no longer so full of aggression, instead holding a cautious, probing look.
Dawn's eyes lit up. "It wants to come with us!"
Xia You crouched down, looked at the Zoroark, then glanced at the women beside him.
"Which of you would like to catch it?"
"Huh?" Dawn was a little surprised by Xia You's question. "You're not going to catch it yourself?"
Xia You shook his head. "I already have a Zoroark. I won't catch a second one."
Knowing he wasn't the sort who liked collecting them all or catching multiples of the same Pokémon, none of them minded.
They exchanged glances, and Dawn was the first to shake her head. "I'll pass. I have just the right number of Pokémon now, and I'm a Coordinator. I don't need to catch that many Pokémon, and I don't have the energy to raise them."
Makomo shook her head too. "Same here. My mind is entirely on my research. Having Munna and Musharna is already enough for me."
As she finished speaking, all three turned their eyes to Cheryl.
Cheryl was holding the freshly cooked porridge and froze under their gazes. "Me?"
"You're the best choice." Xia You nodded. "You're good-tempered and patient, you were a Pokémon Trainer before, and besides-"
He glanced at Hisuian Zoroark, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "We're all family anyway. It makes no difference who it goes with."
Cheryl's face reddened slightly, but she didn't decline. She set down the bowl of porridge, took an empty Poké Ball from her backpack, walked over to the Zoroark, and