As the two chatted, three figures appeared inside the Stadium.
A slightly taller young man walked between two boys of roughly equal height, chatting with them.
"Ah! Red! Green!"
"Hm? Oh, Leaf?"
Red and Green came from the same Pallet Town as Leaf, and the young man between them was someone Cynthia knew very well.
"Kaim."
"Poor Cynthia. Have you finally let me find you?"
"Yes. But never mind that. You're with Red Jun and Green Jun."
"Oh, we met by chance."
It was a little surprising that they had unexpectedly become good friends, but Cynthia felt relieved to see that nothing had happened.
"Leaf, you're with Miss Cynthia."
"Yes, I was looking for the person next to you."
"Oh, you mean Kaim?"
Green pointed at Kaim beside him and spoke calmly.
"I'm older than you."
"Then do something worthy of respect."
"I have nothing to say to that."
At least Green's record as a Pokémon Trainer was far superior. Kaim had done nothing to earn Green's respect as a Trainer.
"I've been helping you fine-tune things as your practice partner. Doesn't that deserve a little respect?"
"I do that out of love."
"You lying bastard."
Kaim poked Green's forehead with a wry smile. Green laughed and lightly tapped Kaim's chest with the back of his hand. Watching them interact like friends, Shirona felt that Green's manner had softened considerably since their battle in the Sinnoh League.
"Green, you've changed since then."
"I've seen a lot since then. Things I lacked, and things I should throw away."
Cynthia didn't know what Green needed or what he didn't. But that change was undoubtedly driving his growth. Even Cynthia could see that.
"I still haven't found the answer. But I won't stop until I do. I made that vow to these Pokémon."