I just wanted to know.
"When I saw Kaim digging up diamonds and gems, I became interested. Also, I wondered whether the Sinnoh Region had many coal mines, but they never had any."
"I see. As someone who makes a living from this, I'm happy when people take an interest in my work, whatever the reason!"
Hearing Shirona's words, Toogan nodded, then stood up.
"Then let's get started right away. Heita, give Miss Cynthia her exploration kit."
"Yes, Dad."
Takita handed Cynthia a bag filled with all sorts of things. It was fairly heavy, and she swayed a little when she took it.
"This is a complete set of essentials. A helmet, a map, work gloves, a pickaxe, a hammer, and so on. There shouldn't be anything missing, since I checked beforehand, but please check the contents against the list later."
"Understood. Thank you, Kota."
"No, no, it's a friend's request, and a good opportunity for the Champion to discover the appeal of mining."
Kota said this with a happy laugh. His pure smile stirred admiration in Shirona's heart. You really do love mining. His smiling face looked very much like Toogan's.
"We can leave whenever you're ready, so please change in the changing rooms over there. The men's room is on the left, and the women's room is on the right."
"Got it."
"Understood."
Cynthia and Kaim entered their respective changing rooms, changed clothes, put their belongings in locked lockers, and came back out.
"Sorry for the wait."
Kaim wore a long-sleeved turtleneck T-shirt beneath a thick, sturdy outer layer, along with trousers made of a material similar to workwear.
Cynthia, meanwhile, wore mostly clothes borrowed from Kaim. First came a V-neck undershirt, then Kaim's athletic T-shirt, and a thick outer layer she had also borrowed from him. She