"Grandpa, that Professor Monkey you mentioned is here!"
In the courtyard, the little girl leading the way shouted toward the main house as she walked, completely ignoring Professor Elm's beet-red face behind her.
"You idiot!!!"
Hearing the girl's shout, an old man hurried out of the house and scolded her, "Don't spout nonsense in front of other people!"
"Huh?" The girl blinked at the old man and asked innocently, "But... wasn't that the name you told me before?"
"Ahem..."
The old man choked, then hurried over and clapped a hand over the girl's mouth. He gave Professor Elm an embarrassed smile. "Sorry, Elm. How embarrassing. This is my granddaughter, Chie. She's too young to know any better and just spouts nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."
Professor Elm scratched his cheek, pretending not to mind. "I-it's fine... Long time no see, Mr. Steel..."
Seemingly trying to move past their mutual embarrassment, the old man turned his attention to Xia You and Erika.
"And these two are?"
Xia You was studying the old man as well.
The old man wore a simple, traditional kimono and had gray-white hair. His thick, dark eyebrows tilted slightly upward, and his eyes shone brightly. His sagging skin made him look very stern.
In short, any child who happened to pass in front of him would definitely be so frightened by that face that they wouldn't even dare breathe too loudly!
Professor Elm said, "I asked these two to help study the GS Ball. This is Xia You, the Champion of this year's Indigo Conference, and the young lady beside him is the Gym Leader of the Celadon Gym in Kanto."
"Oh?" The old man looked Xia You and Erika up and down. "Quite the impressive pair. It's remarkable that you managed to get them