The hand that led the way

"I'll explain the schedule and what you need to keep in mind when you participate."

Pengola handed Cynthia a sheet of paper. It listed the water race schedule, along with some notes.

Kaim peeked at the paper from behind her, but the special rules didn't seem particularly strict.

"There's nothing especially complicated to explain. We hold it every year, and plenty of tourists participate, so feel free to join in."

"I understand, but why are you holding an exhibition event ahead of time this year?"

"It seems to have been the organizers' idea. This city has a lot of festival lovers, so sometimes someone comes up with an idea like this when they have nothing else to do."

Indeed, the town as a whole had plenty of cheerful, bright people. That was far better than having a foul atmosphere hanging over the entire city, but the fact that they could act on a whim and hold a small festival still surprised him.

"It's essentially practice for the summer water race, isn't it? I suppose they figured prizes would draw participants."

"Hehe, doesn't that sound fun? I don't mind spur-of-the-moment things like this."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"If you come tomorrow morning, I'll let you try one of the boats used in the water race."

"Oh, thank you. I'll come back tomorrow morning."

"Please do."

With that, Cynthia left the workshop.

Kaim, however, stayed behind, turning his attention to Pengola.

"Can I help you?"

"This won't take long. There's something I'd like to ask."

"Of course, if it's something I can answer."

As Pengola answered with a smile, Kaim's expression stiffened slightly.

"I saw the defense mechanism that protects this city in the museum. That device is meant to protect Alto Mare, right?"

"According to tradition, yes."

"Then what 'powers' that machine?"

Pengola's eyes widened at those words.

"Why do you want to know?"

"A machine that large would need an enormous amount of energy to run. There's a component that could provide it. In other words, that device is-"

Kaim cut himself off.

If possible, I hoped my interpretation was wrong.

But when he saw Pengola's expression, Kaim became certain. His interpretation was correct.

I suppose I found the right answer.

"...I'm sorry."

"No. On the contrary, I'm glad you're someone who makes that face upon arriving at the 'answer.'"

"You're kind, Kaim, and you understand the limits of your own power. So, at the very least, don't let yourself become trapped in the past. I hope you'll turn that gentle 'heart' toward those who once walked alongside you."

"...Excuse me."

Kaim, who had still been looking down, raised his head, looked straight at Pengola, and left.

Pengola thought Kaim was a kind person. Few people could make such an expression upon learning the secret his family concealed. Most would ultimately regard it as someone else's problem, even if they knew. But Kaim's heart had ached. Perhaps that pain came not from pity, but from imagining the weight of her resolve.

Pengola smiled sadly as he spoke into the empty air.

"They're good people. Do whatever you want."

The air rippled, and "something" flew up.

"Ah, I'm exhausted."

"We walked all day. I'm tired."

That evening, after exploring the city and having dinner, they returned to the hotel.

After a whole day of walking, his legs felt worn out.

"Still, as you'd expect from a coastal area, the seafood was especially good."

"There was some material you don't normally get to see, too. It wasn't bad."

Facing the sea, Alto Mare was famous for its seafood.

Cynthia had particularly enjoyed the carpaccio she ordered, which featured plenty of seafood.

"Still, it's nice. The sea is different from the one in Mio City, and even the sea breeze feels different. It's the same sea, yet there's such a big difference."

"I suppose that's because the regions are different."

"And the atmosphere of the people living there. People are living like this in places we know nothing about. It feels strange when you think about it."

Cynthia spoke as she enjoyed the sea breeze blowing through the window.

Kaim watched her absently from behind, but Cynthia suddenly turned around and questioned him with a serious expression.

"What did you hear from Mr. Pengola?"

At Cynthia's question, Kaim let out a deep sigh.

"Isn't it exactly what you expected?"

"You mean that big machine in the Grand Cathedral?"

"...Yeah."

"That machine is a defense mechanism that protects the city, isn't it? Kaim, what did you learn about it?"

"I asked Mr. Pengola what 'powered' that machine."

"What did he say?"

"He didn't answer anything. But it turned out my prediction was correct."

Kaim rolled his eyes.

"Could you tell me your prediction?"

Cynthia sat down in front of Kaim and took his hand.

"When I was at Celadon University, I knew quite a few people in other departments. I heard their stories, so beyond archaeology, I know more about machinery and drugs than the average person. Or rather, when I saw that machine, instead of wondering how it functioned as a defense mechanism, I wondered what its 'power source' was."

"And?"

"That machine has a structure designed to hold something. Put something inside, and the machine runs. Then I realized what that something might be."

Kaim's hand tightened a little.

"After all that, you probably understand."

"Yes. The machine's power source is Latias and Latios."

"Possibly. That machine uses Latias or Latios as a 'living battery' to operate."

Perhaps it was predictable that it would use the biological energy of a Legendary Pokémon to run. But when that thing was fully activated, Latias-or Latios, serving as a living battery-probably wouldn't be safe.

"Mr. Pengola didn't deny it. Maybe he's related to that person, or someone who keeps the machine's secret."

"Yes..."

"This place is rich in resources, so it could become a target for outside attacks. It's a device meant to protect them from those threats. A half-baked energy source wouldn't do. That's why they turned Pokémon into batteries."

"How did you feel when you learned that, Kaim?"

At Cynthia's words, Kaim raised his eyes to hers. A trace of sadness flickered in them.

"It still made me sad. A machine that magnificent must have taken tremendous effort to build. And using Latias and the others as batteries must have been a last resort. That's why this town is filled with reverence for Latias."

"Yes."

"It's sad, but it isn't a history to despise. It's probably no different from other stories throughout human history. I understand that it isn't a history they can make public. But when I think of the people who conceal the truth and bear that sin on their shoulders, I feel helpless."

That machine, Alto Mare's defense mechanism, was managed by the Pengola clan. Kaim had no way of knowing that, but the thought of someone bearing that sin for their entire life left him feeling helpless.

"The resolve of those who committed that sin, and the resolve of the Pokémon who protected the city by becoming its power source, both deserve praise. I won't say it aloud, but even so, this beautiful work of art..." As archaeologists, they couldn't forget that someone had given themselves for this city.

Earlier, Cynthia had told Kaim, "Studying archaeology means learning the history of humans and Pokémon. And it isn't necessarily all glorious. Some of it is bloody, and some of it is dark. But we must know that there were those who gave themselves for it. Don't forget them. We must leave records for future generations. That's why we exist."

That lesson had formed the foundation of Kaim's archaeological studies. Because of it, learning Alto Mare's history and remembering the lives dedicated to it made his heart ache.

Cynthia spoke to Kaim.

"I agree with you on that. Anyone can study something and record it. I can do that. But thinking about those people afterward isn't something everyone can do. Ultimately, it's someone else's problem. Surprisingly, not everyone can spare a thought for someone from the past they never knew. But you can, whether the history is good or bad, and you keep it in your heart. I bet you've been putting yourself down because all the bad things immediately came to mind. But you can recognize that something was 'bad' and accept it. That's one of your virtues."

Whatever their history might be, they would record it and pass it down. That was the duty of those who studied archaeology. Even with a negative legacy, they must never forget that "such a thing" had happened.

However, those keeping records shouldn't merely record things. They had to understand those records and learn from them. Cynthia believed anyone who couldn't do that couldn't become an archaeologist.

In that respect, Kaim had been able to do it from the beginning. Because he lacked natural talent and couldn't make instinctive guesses, he was sensitive to what others gave him.

But he was too sensitive.

That was why learning such painful history sometimes wounded his heart. What mattered wasn't simply what had been done, but how it had been done and what those who did it had thought. Those thoughts broke Kaim's heart.

Cynthia didn't stop at dwelling on the past, even though she thought it was enough to break her heart.

"You can remember the past as much as you like. When you get so caught up in it that you can't move forward, I'll take your hand."

Cynthia gently stroked Kaim's hand.

Even if Kaim became trapped in the past and stopped progressing in his studies day after day, Cynthia would take his hand and start walking.

He could look back. Remembering the past was a good thing. But no matter how late it grew, she wouldn't let him stop moving. "That's what it means to be your mentor," Cynthia said.

"...Yeah."

"As long as you understand!"

Cynthia tapped Kaim's forehead with her finger, stood up, and once again looked out the room's window at Alto Mare's nightscape. The sea breeze tousled her long hair.

Rubbing the spot on his forehead she had poked, Kaim turned toward Cynthia.

"Cynthia."

"Yes?"

Kaim spoke with a peaceful expression he showed no one but Cynthia.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Just seeing that expression felt like a reward to Cynthia.

"This really feels new."

"You're the sort of person who gets used to it in a few minutes?"

The next day, after breakfast, the two went to Pengola's to practice handling the boats used in the water race. Kaim hadn't needed to take part, but Cynthia wanted to do it together, so he reluctantly joined her.

Yet Cynthia grew accustomed to being on the boat within minutes. Even Pengola, who had watched water races for years, had never seen anyone adapt so quickly.

Incidentally, Kaim couldn't manage it at all.

"I wonder if it's entirely a matter of intuition."

"Well, it doesn't matter. I was forced into it, and all I did was expose my ignorance."

"Hehe, that was fun."

Kaim sighed as he watched Cynthia chuckle. Lucario, walking beside him, patted his back to comfort him.

"Damn it, whatever. Could you at least show me what you're good at?"

"Leave it to me. I'm aiming for the championship."

Cynthia spoke with a confident expression.

"It's about time, though. What about lunch?"

"Right. I wonder if there are any good places nearby."

Cynthia took out her smartphone and began searching for nearby restaurants.

Just then, Lucario turned around.

"Lucario?"

Kaim followed Lucario's gaze, but there was only a crowd of people there.

"Hm?"

Cynthia, absorbed in listening, turned her gaze as well, but nothing seemed to have changed.

"That girl."

"Kaim?"

Amid the bustle, he picked out a girl's figure. She was the only one looking at him.

She had brown hair and wore a green top and a fitted white skirt. There was something strange about her.

"Lucario."

Lucario nodded and closed its eyes.

As its vision shut off, the vibrations of the surrounding living creatures registered in Lucario's mind.

Among them was one giving off particularly powerful waves.

Lucario opened its eyes and nodded to Kaim.

"I see."

"Kaim, could that child be..."

"Yeah. No doubt about it."

When he turned his gaze toward the girl again, she beckoned to him and walked into a back alley.

"Hehe, we've been invited."

"Let's go."

The two ran after the girl. The streets were narrow and winding, so Lucario ran past the buildings and led the way to keep her in sight.

"This is the right way."

"She's fast, isn't she?"

"She is, but that's all."

While chasing the girl, they reached a waterway. She leaped across it effortlessly and beckoned from the other side.

"It isn't very wide, so I think I can jump it."

"Maybe you can, Kaim, but I'm not so sure I can."

The canal was not wide, but unlike Kaim, Cynthia did not exercise often, so making a jump that far might be difficult for her. She was wearing sandals. They were barely manageable for running and hardly suitable for jumping. Still, there was no bridge nearby, and taking a detour would cost them time.

"I'll jump first."

With that, Kaim took a short running start and leaped across the canal.

After landing without any trouble, Kaim turned and held out his hand to Cynthia.

"You should be fine."

"I'm counting on you."

Cynthia took a running start just as Kaim had.

Then she ran as fast as she could and jumped. Compared with Kaim, she had a little less momentum. At this rate, she would not quite reach the other side.

But Kaim firmly caught Cynthia's outstretched hand and pulled her into his arms.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, thank you."

Once he had made sure Cynthia was safe, Kaim let her go.

"All right, let's go."

Kaim started running again, with Cynthia close behind.

Kaim did not notice the slightly pleased expression on Cynthia's face.

After they had followed the girl for a few minutes, just as Cynthia began to run out of breath, the girl turned into a place normally hidden from public view and headed farther in.

Lucario decided to stop pursuing him from above and descended to Kaim's side.

"Can't you do it from above?"

"I have no choice but to stay down here."

The path ahead was dark and narrow. It was so cramped that one person could barely squeeze through.

"Let's go."

"I don't know."

There was no way to follow them back here.