Helping the Beautiful

Xia You took out a Poké Ball and slowly reached toward Gastly.

Gastly did not hesitate; its body touched the switch of the Poké Ball, a red flash of light shone, and it drilled inside the Poké Ball.

The Poké Ball wobbled slightly, and with a soft pop, it came to a complete stop.

It actually succeeded in catching it?!

Yet before Xia You could celebrate, the Poké Ball he had just successfully caught suddenly opened, and Gastly flew back out by itself.

"I really can't stand the environment inside, it's so dark and cramped," Gastly shook its body, complaining. "I'm used to being free and unfettered, I still like staying outside without any restrictions."

"Then you don't have to go into the Poké Ball," Xia You said indifferently. "Actually, I don't like traveling all alone either. Having Pokémon accompany you left and right couldn't be better."

Gastly nodded and floated back in front of Maiden Rock.

"This year's summer festival has already ended. Your legend will probably continue to be passed down from now on."

A woman's phantom drifted out from Maiden Rock-it was actually a genuine woman's Ghost type!

The Ghost type said softly, "Thank you, Gastly."

"Not at all, you're welcome," Gastly smiled. "I just wanted to make this legend, which people are gradually forgetting, revive in people's memories once more."

The Ghost type pressed her hands together. "For so long, I have been in this place, waiting for the day of my reunion with him. No matter how long it takes, I will keep waiting."

Gastly stepped aside to make room, letting the Ghost type see Xia You, and said, "I'm sure you heard everything that happened just now. From now on, I'm going out to travel. Who knows, perhaps in some place I might meet your lover. When the time comes, I will definitely convey your feelings to him!"

"Thank you so much!"

A bit of cheerfulness crept into the woman Ghost type's tone. As she spoke, she drifted backward and dissipated over Maiden Rock.

When they returned to the Pokémon Center, the sky was already growing bright. Xia You, who had been forcing himself to stay awake, stepped into the warm room and instantly felt his eyelids grow extremely heavy.

Ash was sleeping soundly, while Brock, because he had slept too much during the day, opened his eyes upon hearing the noise.

His complexion at that moment, after a full rest, was much better than before.

"Why are you back so late?"

Giving a yawn, Xia You said, "Taking advantage of the night, I went to wrap things up with the Ghost type."

"Oh, right," Xia You suddenly remembered something, and said to Brock, "Gastly was rather offensive before, why don't we let it apologize to you."

Brock said in surprise, "You caught it?"

Xia You didn't speak, but from within his shadow, a black sphere wreathed in purple Qi suddenly floated out.

"Wah-ah~"

Brock was startled and let out a cry. Hearing the sound, Pikachu rubbed its eyes, poked its head out, and peered curiously in this direction. Only Ash rolled over and continued sleeping deeply.

"You narrow-eyed man, besides being lecherous, you aren't all that bold either," Gastly laughed with a spooky hehe. "What happened before was a joke I played on you, please don't mind it, okay?"

Brock's temper was naturally extremely good. Originally, he hadn't cared much about that incident anyway, and now upon hearing Gastly's apology, his irritation vanished completely.

Xia You took out his phone and glanced at the time.

"I don't know how long I'll sleep once I fall asleep. When Ash wakes up later, you guys go ahead and leave first. I still need to stay here for another day or two. If there's a chance in the future, we'll meet again."

"Didn't matters already end? Why stay here any longer?" Brock was stunned, but seeing that Xia You didn't intend to offer much explanation, he still nodded. "All right then, we'll be heading out first."

After a hurried wash, Xia You hit the pillow and fell fast asleep, and by the time he opened his eyes again, it was already afternoon.

These past two days of overexertion, sleeping by day and operating by night, had thrown his biological clock into complete disarray, so much so that even now, his mental state still wasn't fully refreshed.

Ash's group of three had already left a long time ago. Originally, when Misty heard that Xia You wanted to stay here a few more days, she also wanted to stay behind with him, but because Xia You didn't take the initiative to speak up, she could only let it go, looking back with every step as she set off again with Ash and the others.

As for why Xia You wanted to stay here, it was naturally because he hoped this beautiful legend would be passed down even better.

Personally participating in this event made him believe that a type of love known as Undying Love truly existed in the human world.

However, a method like Gastly's previous one was not advisable; not only was it low in efficiency, but it also failed to achieve effective dissemination at all.

Now, since Gastly had become his Pokémon, Xia You believed that he too could do his utmost to help complete this matter.

He wrote down what had happened after arriving at Maiden's Peak, and went to the Maiden Shrine to learn about some of the bitter hatreds and deep loves of this place over the past two thousand years from the Old Shrine Priest. He melted all of this together, made cuts and trims with a bit of polish, and compiled a six-thousand-word, tragic yet heartwarming little story.

Recalling how he had once heard in a chat with Chloe that her mother Yoshino not only taught herself painting but also dreamed of becoming an illustrator, he sent this story to Chloe's email and asked her to pass along his request, hoping Yoshino could add some illustrations for the story.

Chloe replied with an OK emoji.

Soon, an unfamiliar number called him.

Answering the call, on the other end came a woman's brisk voice: "Hello, this is Yoshino Cerise. Might you be Mr. Xia You?" (The Yoshino here is not a common surname, but her given name, originating from the Yoshino cherry, a type of sakura.)

Knowing this was Chloe's mother, Xia You hurriedly said politely, "Hello Auntie, I am Xia You."

Yoshino Cerise said, "I just heard from Chloe about your matter. That story is written very well. I'd heard the legend of Maiden Rock before, but I never expected it to actually be true!"

Xia You smiled. "Although it's a bit hard to believe, I did indeed witness the phantom of that woman with my own eyes. However, I must ask you to keep this matter confidential, Auntie; otherwise, that Maiden Rock will very likely attract the attention of people with ill intentions."

Yoshino Cerise: "I know that. Just like some of my husband's research, it all needs to be kept confidential, right? From what Chloe meant, you need my help to do some illustrations?"

"Yes." Xia You hesitated. "Sorry for the trouble, Auntie. After deeply understanding this matter, I also feel it's necessary to pass down this legend."

Yoshino Cerise smiled. "It's nothing, and you don't need to be so polite. After all, you're also a member of the Cerise Laboratory! However, I think rather than illustrations, making it into a manga would have a better effect."