The Birthplace of the Sacred Beasts

At the inn's exit, the landlady called out to me.

"Yes. I'm going to look around this historic town."

"Do come and see all the different things we have."

"Oh, right, is there anywhere you recommend? I plan to visit all the famous spots, but I'd also like to see places only a local would know about."

"Would you recommend this place?"

The landlady's eyes sparkled. For some reason, Kaim had a bad feeling and decided to hurry outside. He knew women could mean trouble at times like this.

"Is that companion of yours your lover?"

Watching Kaim's retreating back as he went outside first, the landlady asked in a whisper.

"Oh, he's my assistant, someone I can trust."

"I see. Ah, somewhere I'd recommend. It's a shop, actually, run by an acquaintance of mine."

"What kind of shop?"

"It's somewhere I absolutely want both of you to visit!"

A few minutes later, Kaim's premonition came true.

I asked the landlady where the shop was, then left the inn.

"Did you hear anything good?"

"Yes."

"For some reason..."

"Hmm."

The note the landlady had handed over gave the location of a shop very close to the inn.

"Where is this?"

"It's a restaurant run by someone the landlady knows."

"So what sort of shop is it, exactly?"

"It's a clothing shop."

"A fabric shop?"

"Yes. A clothing shop with deep ties to this town."

"I don't look the part. I was only introduced to you."

Kaim wasn't particularly interested in fashion. Of course, whenever he stood beside Cynthia, he took care not to diminish her image, but he mostly wore simple, plain clothes. When he went to a clothing shop, he never knew what to buy and ended up choosing something simple, as usual.

Besides, going with Cynthia might turn him into a dress-up doll, so he wasn't very keen. Given the circumstances, that was very likely to happen this time, but Kaim had never had a say in the matter.

"You should get going."

"Yes!"

Kaim gave up and let Cynthia half drag him toward the shop.

"Welcome."

The shop I had been brought to specialized in kimonos.

"I heard from the landlady. You must be Lady Cynthia?"

"Yes."

"I understand you'd like the yukata rental and dressing service. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

Kaim looked around the shop, ignoring Cynthia as she spoke with the owner.

The spacious shop displayed all sorts of traditional Japanese clothing. Its selection ranged from long-sleeved formal kimonos worn at ceremonies to casual yukatas for summer festivals. There was also a separate area displaying sashes and belts. It seemed to be quite a well-known shop.

They're not as expensive as I imagined. I thought they'd cost a little more.

As expected, the kimonos were quite expensive, but the other yukatas cost less than one might think. At least, Kaim could afford them relatively easily on his income.

As I looked around, I stopped at a display devoted to hairpins.

"This..."

Gold patterns adorned a black-lacquered base with exquisite craftsmanship. The decoration was elegant yet strikingly bold, drawing the eye.

"Does that one interest you?"

"Ah!"

At the sudden voice behind him, he turned to find the owner standing there.

"This hairpin was made by a craftsman I've been close to ever since I opened this shop."

"The colors aren't especially flashy, so tourists rarely notice it, but it seems to have caught your interest."

"It's wonderful."

"Hehe, this is the only one I have in stock at the moment. I could reserve it for you if you like. What do you think?"

"No, that's all right. I'll take it now."

"Hehehe, understood. Shall I wrap it as a gift?"

"I'll give it to her right away, so it's fine as it is."

With that, Kaim paid and received the hairpin.

"Domo"

"No, thank you. Now, shall we go?"

Kaim froze when the owner prompted him to move.

He looked around the shop, but Cynthia was nowhere to be seen.

"No way."

"Yes. Lady Cynthia is getting dressed."

"Me too?"

"Yes."

Kaim buried his head in his hands.

"It suits you very well."

Having been urged to change by the owner, Kaim stared off into the distance.

After trying various colors, he ended up in an indigo kimono with a black overcoat. The overcoat was embroidered with navy-blue designs featuring a moon motif.

"What do you think?"

"...Not bad."

"Oh, my."

As expected of a professional, the owner had chosen a kimono and overcoat that suited Kaim's air.

It was Kaim's first time wearing a kimono, but somehow, it felt rather nice. The clothing naturally straightened his spine, a refreshing sensation that also made him feel a little tense. Moving felt somewhat awkward, but he would soon get used to it.

"Very good. I thought subdued colors would suit you, and it seems my eye hasn't failed me."

"Domo"

"Not at all. It's my job. Ah, Lady Cynthia should be ready soon. Women have so many things to prepare."

"I know."

Women took great care over their appearance. Before meeting Cynthia, Kaim had lived with his younger sister, so he knew that well.

Kaim's older sister was relatively quick to get ready, but even then, from a man's perspective, she seemed to take quite a while. As a result, Kaim was fairly accommodating when it came to women's personal preferences.

"She should be finished about now. Speak of the devil."

Just as the owner said that, the sliding door at the back opened.

There stood Shirona, carrying a dignified air quite unlike her usual one.

Floral patterns adorned her navy-blue kimono, the dark background setting off the flowers' beauty. Her white sash complemented the kimono. Her beautiful, knee-length blonde hair had been gathered behind her head, perfectly matching the outfit. She also wore light makeup, and her small lips, brushed with pink lipstick, looked wonderfully elegant.

"-"

Kaim was speechless.

She was simply too beautiful.

"...Kaim?"

Cynthia smiled gracefully at him, but Kaim remained frozen.

That smile and those words brought him back to life.

"You look completely different."

"Isn't it lovely? I really like this kimono."

Cynthia turned around on the spot.

"Really."

"Well? Wouldn't it be nice if you told me what you thought?"

Cynthia said that knowing it was something Kaim struggled with. She had meant to tease him as he mumbled under his breath, but her plan backfired.

"It suits you very well. You're beautiful."

At Kaim's words, Shirona was the one who stiffened, feeling her cheeks grow hot. Her naturally fair skin made her blush conspicuous even beneath her makeup.

"Ah..."

"That's my honest impression."

"Uh, yes."

"What a shame. Also, this."

Kaim handed Cynthia the hairpin he had bought earlier.

"What's this?"

"I bought it because I thought the colors suited you, Cynthia. I'd like you to wear it."

Cynthia looked at the hairpin he offered her.

The hairpin was coated in black lacquer and decorated with gold designs. Its colors resembled those of Cynthia's usual clothes and also suited the kimono she wore now.

"It's beautiful..."

"The colors are similar to what I usually wear, so I thought it would match."

"Thank you. I'm so happy."

Cynthia carefully held the hairpin against her chest.

"Could you put it in for me?"

"Gladly."

Although Kaim had bought the hairpin, he didn't know how to put it in. Cynthia wanted him to do it, but he decided to ask a professional for help.

The hairpin Kaim had bought was slipped into the hair gathered behind her head. It gave her an even more dignified air.

"H-how does it look?"

Facing her blushing cheeks, Kaim spoke with his usual expression.

"It's beautiful. It suits you perfectly as you are now, Shirona."

Just a few words. That was all Kaim said. Yet those words made Cynthia happier than anything else.

Cynthia turned her face away so Kaim couldn't see it, but with her ears glowing red, the gesture wasn't very effective.

"...Thank you."

Kaim said nothing in response to her whisper, but let out a satisfied sigh.

"Can I go out into town wearing this kimono?"

"Yes. That's what the rental is for."

"I'll head outside first. Come out when you're ready."

With that, Kaim left the shop.

Shirona remained behind, her face bright red, while the owner watched her with a smile.

"My, my. He's quite direct, isn't he?"

"He doesn't usually say things like that."

"Isn't that why? He saw how beautiful you looked, Lady Cynthia, and felt he ought to tell you honestly."

Kaim rarely lied, but he wasn't very forthcoming. That was why Cynthia was so vulnerable to his frank words and impressions.

Kaim knew that too. He wouldn't play along, and even knowing that, Cynthia still teased him. He felt a little embarrassed expressing his true feelings, so he didn't say much.

But this time, he had been captivated by Cynthia's beauty. Shirona was already beautiful, and seeing her in a lovely kimono had left him speechless. He had simply been interested in seeing Cynthia wearing a kimono, but she had wanted Kaim to see it too. Understanding her feelings, Kaim had decided to tell her honestly what he thought.

"I wish he'd be honest with me."

"Hehe, it's lovely to be young."

"Even the hairpin..."

"Does Lord Kaim understand the meaning of giving someone a hairpin?"

"If he did, I don't think he could have been so calm."

"So he gave it to you without knowing."

"Probably. I think so."

"Hehe, are you still happy?"

"Yes, very."

Cynthia touched her hairpin as she cast a slightly resentful glance at Kaim outside, where a shop assistant was showing him something.

"Where should we go first?"

"First, I'd like to see whether the Burned Tower is nearby."

"A burned tower? What's it like?"

Apparently, the Burned Tower had once had the same shape as the Tin Tower in Ecruteak City, but no trace of that remained now. You could see the exterior, but not the inside.

"Kaim, what are the most famous Pokémon in the Johto Region?"

"Ho-Oh. Or Lugia?"

"Both. Those two are a pair. Doesn't it seem strange that Ecruteak City has the Tin Tower, a tower dedicated only to Ho-Oh?"

"Uh, if the legends mention the Silver Feather, doesn't that mean the Burned Tower must have been dedicated to Lugia?"

"There's no doubt about that. What I'm curious about is why it burned down, and why it wasn't rebuilt."

"!"

Shirona wanted to know why a tower dedicated to a Pokémon had burned down, and why it had never been rebuilt. Did they simply not want to rebuild it, or was there some reason they couldn't? As an archaeologist, she found the place fascinating.

"So it burned down after being struck by lightning. That might have been a coincidence. But they could have rebuilt it. Why didn't they?"

"Only the chosen can enter and climb the Tin Tower. Maybe we can get inside, but we won't be able to go up. So I'd at least like to learn about the other things."

"I see. Then let's get going."

"Yes, I'd like to, but..."

It was difficult to move in a kimono. Especially when it was worn as tightly as Cynthia's, it greatly restricted the movement of her legs and made walking difficult.

"I asked the shop assistant earlier. Apparently, they have a rickshaw ready for people in that situation."

Looking in the direction Kaim turned, she saw a rickshaw with a Machamp standing in front of it.

"Wow, they even have something like that."

"Wouldn't it be nicer to tour the city in that outfit?"

"Yes."

With so many similarly dressed tourists in Ecruteak City, kimonos and rickshaws were a common sight. They drew a little attention, but with other tourists doing the same thing, they seemed quite ordinary here.

The two decided to take a rickshaw and spoke to the man looking after the shop.

"Would you like to rent a rickshaw?"

"Yes. Could I ask you a favor?"

"Of course! Machamp can pull it for you."

"No, that's all right. Blaziken's already itching to move."

Kaim threw a ball and released Blaziken.

Blaziken, who hadn't battled much lately, wanted some exercise. Recognizing a chance to stretch those muscles, Blaziken volunteered to pull the rickshaw.

"We haven't had many battles since coming to the Johto Region."

"Hehe, I'll let you battle my Lucario later."

"Sorry for the trouble. Blaziken, we're counting on you."

Once the two had climbed aboard, Blaziken began pulling the rickshaw.

The vehicle rolled forward, giving them a gentle jostle.

"Hehe, this is a comfortable ride."

"Yes, old-fashioned transportation isn't bad either."

There wasn't much room inside. Inevitably, the two sat close enough for their shoulders to touch. Kaim's usual expressionless face, as though nothing was on his mind, stirred resentment in Shirona. It's not fair if I'm the only one who's conscious of this.

"That's right."

Noticing Cynthia's gaze, Kaim turned toward her and spoke.

"It's nothing."

"Were you really serious about what you said about my kimono?"

"Yes, perhaps I was."

"You're always teasing me. Do you think this is a suitable way to get back at you?"

"Even once matters, Kaim."

"I see. Uh, maybe what I said earlier was a bit much."

"That's right."

"I really did think that. That's why I said it. Nothing more."

"Can't you be a little more agreeable than usual?"

"That's impossible."

Cynthia gently nudged Kaim with her elbow, and he immediately reacted.

"Stop."

"Honestly."

"I'll try. I don't want to apologize, but I'll try to be a little more agreeable."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not so coldhearted that I wouldn't be conscious of sitting beside a stunning beauty."

For a moment, Cynthia didn't understand what Kaim meant, but it soon sank in. His expression hadn't changed, but his ears had turned red, making his blue earrings stand out even more.

Seeing that, Shirona let out a satisfied sigh. At the same time, though, Kaim's words had made her blush too.

"Kaim."

"What?"

"You look good in a kimono too, Kaim. Very dignified."

"Domo"

Carrying its two blushing passengers, the rickshaw headed toward the Burned Tower.

"So this is the Burned Tower."

Before them stood a collapsed building, battered and ruined everywhere they looked.

"It's painful to think that it was originally built almost exactly like the Tin Tower."

"I can't see any trace of that."

"They say Entei, Raikou, and Suicune were born here."

"Does that make this something like a sacred place?"

As they spoke, the two entered the building.

It was quiet inside, with very few people around. Since entry was restricted, there probably weren't many ordinary visitors.

"Apparently, this tower was originally called the Brass Tower."

"Tin and brass. I wonder what they have in common."

They looked around, but there was nothing else.

There was only a sign in front of the tower, making for a rather sparse sight.

"The sign explains it clearly, but it's just what was written in the brochure."

"I wanted to hear from the caretaker, but I didn't expect there to be only one security guard."

"Not many people come here. It can't be helped."

"We can't go inside, of course, and there doesn't seem to be anything else here."

They had come all this way, but with no apparent way to investigate or hear any stories, they made to leave the Burned Tower and head back.

"Oh? Aren't you the Sinnoh Region's Champion?"

A man appeared before them. He wore a white cape over a pale purple suit.

"And you are?"

"My name is Minaki. I'm one of the guardians of this Burned Tower."

"The caretaker?"

"Not originally, but I'm close to the tower's caretaker, and I'm helping manage it now. He's personally entrusted me with that authority for the time being."

"I see. I'm late introducing myself. I imagine you know already, but I'm Cynthia, and I'm an archaeologist."

"It's an honor to meet you. And who are you?"

"Kaim. My assistant."

"I'm Kaim."

"I see. Nice to meet you."

Kaim shook the hand offered to him.

"So what brings you two here? We don't get many visitors."

"Oh, I wanted to do some research on the Burned Tower. I'm simply curious about it as an archaeologist."

"Is that so? Then please, come inside and take a look."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It would be another matter with an ordinary visitor, but if the Sinnoh Region's Champion is interested in this tower, I'm delighted."

They entered the tower under Minaki's guidance.

The interior had collapsed, leaving a large hole in the floor. Perhaps a lightning strike had made it.

"It's in rough shape inside."

"It's been like this ever since the fire was put out. Strangely enough, though, it hasn't deteriorated any further."

"Even with all the heavy rain?"

"Yes."

Everything deteriorated eventually. Even something as vast as society itself. Yet this Burned Tower supposedly never deteriorated any further. It might have been difficult to tell, given how dilapidated it already was, but considering how long it had remained in that state, it was an exception.

"So some kind of divine protection really is at work."

"Yes. At first, I thought it was Ho-Oh's, but apparently not."

"It seems Lugia was once enshrined here. Could that have something to do with it?"

"Probably. I thought it might be Entei, Raikou, and Suicune, but they were only born here. They may have bestowed some blessings, but I believe Lugia's blessing is the strongest."