This liquor tastes awful

Just as Miki had said, the tower had a distinctive atmosphere inside. It was not merely because it was deserted; it felt as though something else was at work.

"Miki, why do you keep coming here?"

"Oh, right. You're curious, aren't you?"

"If you don't mind, could you tell me?"

"I once saw Suicune here. I can't forget how excited I was then, so I've come back many times, hoping to see Suicune again."

Perhaps realizing how curious she sounded, Miki scratched her cheek as she spoke.

"I think I like things that are real. But I also work as a fitness instructor."

"A fitness instructor! You're a fitness enthusiast too, then."

"I don't have any particularly impressive records."

"Results aren't what matters. As someone who runs a Gym, I know its instructors need a certain degree of strength and flexibility. Not everyone can do it."

"Thank you."

"Let's battle next time. I definitely want to compete with you."

"Even if a martial arts Gym instructor challenged a Ghost-type Gym Leader, the outcome would be obvious."

"If that's your only type."

"Mother."

Fighting-type attacks were essentially ineffective against Ghost-types. However, a Gym Trainer's abilities were not so limited that they would neglect preparations against opponents with unfavorable type matchups. Even against Ghost-types, Kaim had enough strength to fight.

"Speaking of which, the Sinnoh Region's Pokémon League is being held this year, right?"

"Yeah."

"It goes without saying that Miss Cynthia is the Champion, but will Miss Kaim be appearing too?"

"No, I don't want to leave."

"Hmm? Is that so?"

"You're still inexperienced. Besides..."

Kaim paused and smiled as he looked into Morty's eyes.

"There's a match I want to watch."

Hearing that, Morty smiled, understanding Kaim's true intention.

"I see. I don't mind whose match it is, but I hope we can put on a better battle."

"Yeah, I'll be cheering you on."

Morty left the Tin Tower with a cheerful smile. On his way back, he said only that things could return to the way they had been, then resumed his duties as the Gym Leader.

"Kaim."

"Yes?"

After Morty left, only the two of them remained, and Shirona asked Kaim a question.

"You said you'd be cheering, but who will you be cheering for?"

"Do you even need to ask?"

"I want to hear you say it."

Cynthia spoke as she looked into Kaim's eyes. There was a hint of mischief in her gaze, but more than anything, she looked at him earnestly.

"...Really?"

"Yes. Let me hear it."

"Cynthia, this year's Pokémon League is bound to be another fierce battle. You may be an undefeated Champion in official matches, but facing the Elite Four and the Gym Leaders will be tough. I can't help you directly in battle."

"That's why, at the very least, I want to support Cynthia so that she and her Pokémon can give it everything they have."

Hearing Kaim's earnest voice and seeing his gaze, Shirona held out her hand to him.

"Your presence is indispensable if I'm to win the championship again. I'm asking you, too. Will you help me and my Pokémon get through this battle?"

"Of course. I'll support you so Cynthia can become Champion again."

Kaim took her outstretched hand, gently enclosing it in his.

At that, Cynthia smiled softly. She would make it through the Pokémon League with Kaim once again. She swore it.

That day, a Pokémon bearing the Rainbow Wing was confirmed in the sky above the Tin Tower.

"It's getting dark."

After leaving the Tin Tower, the two continued strolling through Ecruteak City.

Summer was approaching, and the evenings were growing cool. They still had some time before their rented kimono had to be returned. Having visited all the places they had planned to see that day, they decided to take a walk.

They parked the vehicle outside the kimono shop, then returned it.

"Thank you, Blaziken. Good work."

Blaziken seemed pleased to have been active all day, and Kaim gently patted Blaziken's back.

He recalled Blaziken to the ball and decided to wander around until it was time. A small river flowed through the middle of the stone-paved streets, and weeping cherry trees cast shadows beneath the streetlights.

"The way the rivers run through the city is similar to Alto Mare."

"Now that you mention it, yes. Both have stone streets. The difference is that Ecruteak City's bridges are wooden."

"Alto Mare's bridges are made of stone too."

"There are stone bridges here as well, but there are more wooden ones."

"Is the Tin Tower a good example?"

"They're all precious examples of an old townscape preserved intact."

"This trip has been more fulfilling than I expected."

"Hehe, it certainly has. Next time, let's discuss it properly."

They chatted as they walked in their kimono.

This trip had originally been unplanned. Yet they had experienced so much along the way. Not only had they met legendary Pokémon, they had also learned about the history and culture of other regions. Battles along the way had shown them that their skills were improving. It had been a fulfilling journey of a kind they could never have imagined before.

"It's been a good experience."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Thinking about going back to the Sinnoh Region the day after tomorrow makes me feel a little lonely."

"Yes. Especially after meeting Latias, Celebi, and Towa."

"I'd like to see Towa again."

"Yes. I'm sure we'll get to meet Towa's family."

"That person's genes seem pretty strong."

"Which of your parents do you resemble, Kaim?"

"My father. Mostly my eyes and hair."

He seemed to have inherited his father's coarse black hair and slightly sharp eyes.

"Your parents are teachers, aren't they, Kaim?"

"My father is a schoolteacher, and my mother works at the Nanjō Department Store."

"Nanjō City is a very urban place, isn't it?"

"Maybe. Traveling so often, I suppose it is."

"I'd like to go there someday."

"To Lilycove City?"

"Yes. I want to see the town where you were born and raised."

"It's fine to go when my older sister isn't around, too."

"Hmm? Why?"

"If I brought Cynthia along, the fuss would definitely get louder."

They had known each other for almost three or four years, but Cynthia knew little about Kaim's family. She had learned more about Kaim himself, yet she still knew very little about his relatives. Cynthia did not talk much about her own family either, so in a sense, perhaps that was inevitable.

"What is your younger sister like?"

"Free-spirited in every way. Certainly more talented than I am."

"What sort of talent do you mean?"

"Mostly battling. It took me about three months to collect all the badges in the Hoenn Region. After that, I traveled from one region to another."

"Hehe, this might be the first time I've heard you talk about your family."

"Maybe. It's not that we get along badly, but it's not that we're particularly close either."

"Right. What is your older sister doing now?"

"What is she doing? I haven't been in touch for a while, so I don't know. The last time I saw her was before I started university."

"How old is she this year?"

"Older than Cynthia."

"Then there's still quite a distance between you and your older sister, isn't there?"

"Yeah."

Keep talking. Don't stop. Kaim had not spoken much about himself before, so being able to talk like this made Cynthia rather happy. She felt that their long acquaintance had brought them closer, but even so, they were both grown adults who had experienced a great deal. There was no reason to be surprised by things they did not know.

That was why Cynthia wanted to hear about Kaim's childhood, which she was only now learning about.

You don't talk about it because you hate it.

But Kaim did not say it, and she thought he surely never would.

"Ah."

Kaim suddenly raised his voice. Following his gaze, she saw a back alley. Although it was an alley, it was fairly spacious, wide enough for two people to walk side by side without difficulty. Its stone paving looked somewhat mysterious under the streetlights.

"Anyway, this road looks nice."

"Oh, I think I understand a little. It feels like a secret passage."

"We still have a little time. Why don't we go?"

"All right."

They entered the back alley.

There were streetlights, but they were rather dim. The stone paving was old as well, making it a little difficult to walk.

Yet the place alone had an atmosphere that made them feel as though they had stepped back into the past. The whole town had retained something of its old appearance, but this street was not merely something left over after modernization. It had truly preserved the way things had once been.

"Hehe, it looks as though you got lost before."

"Actually, I have gotten lost before."

"Oh, I see."

Few people in the world had truly experienced being lost like that. Cynthia and her companions' experience could be called extremely precious. Of course, Cynthia had not forgiven Giovanni, who had caused it all.

"How do you think Celebi is doing?"

"Fine, I'm sure."

"Yes, a little-"

When she tripped over a slightly raised paving stone and nearly fell, Kaim caught her.

"Sorry. Thank you."

"Be careful. The atmosphere is nice, but it isn't very well maintained. My usual clothes would be one thing, but I'm still not used to what I'm wearing now."

"Yes. I'll be careful."

Kaim held out his hand to Cynthia.

Not understanding what he meant by the gesture, Cynthia widened her eyes.

"Your hand."

"My hand, but...?"

"Hold out your hand. This is the easiest thing to hold on to. It'll help keep you from falling, too."

"Yes. Thank you."

Kaim was right, and Cynthia decided that relying on his help was the safest choice in this situation. She was conscious of it, but Kaim remained calm, looking as though he was already accustomed to this. Though she felt a little disgruntled, the happiness of being cared for overwhelmed her, and Cynthia obediently took his arm.

She could feel Kaim's well-trained arm through his kimono. She found herself walking with greater peace of mind than before.

"I've already needed your help."

"As usual."

"Hehe, yes. You're always supporting me."

"That's what an assistant does."

At the Tin Tower, she had made him put it into words, but Cynthia herself knew why she was here now. Without Kaim's support, she could never have come to the Johto Region like this. Even now, her work as Champion would probably still be unfinished, and she might not even have completed her paper. With Kaim beside her, her work efficiency had improved beyond measure.

Perhaps Cynthia could have become both Champion and archaeologist without Kaim. But if asked whether she would have been living as fulfilling a life as she was now, she would certainly have answered no.

She touched the hairpin fastened in her hair.

Kaim did not know what giving Kami-za meant. He surely thought it was nothing more than a gift.

I don't want you to know what it means. But if Kaim felt even a little of the same way, she was certain he would be happy. That was what Cynthia thought.

Her hand tightened around Kaim's arm.

"What's wrong?"

"No, nothing."

"Really?"

She hoped this happy time could last a little longer, but she never put that wish into words.

"Whew."

After returning their kimono and going back to the inn, Kaim let out a weary sigh.

"Oh, good work."

"We've been away for almost a month. I'm getting a little tired."

"Yes."

Cynthia was a little tired too. During the day, she conducted research and took walks. In her spare time, she trained her Pokémon to keep their skills and senses sharp, and at night, she carefully studied her research materials. Being away from home not only limited what she could do, but also meant moving frequently, leaving little time to relax. Even Cynthia was tired, just as she had expected.

Besides, she had spent the whole day walking for sightseeing and research. Cynthia was not so superhuman that she could avoid growing tired from that.

"This inn seems to have a hot spring where you can bathe with your Pokémon."

"Seems to."

"You already booked it, didn't you?"

"Well, yes."

I had booked it along with the room. He was as shrewd as ever.

"If you've gone this far, you're practically a manager already."

"It's pretty similar, isn't it?"

"Is it?"

"Shirone. I'm heading to the hot spring now. What about you, Shirona?"

"I'm going too."

"See you later."

"Yes."

After parting with Shirona in front of the curtains, Kaim passed through the one marked Men's Bath and entered the changing room. I took off my clothes and folded them neatly so they wouldn't wrinkle, released the Pokémon from their balls, and opened the door with a bath towel in hand.

It wasn't spacious, but it was a peaceful, beautiful hot spring. Steam rose from the bath, which was solidly built and large enough for the Pokémon to enter.

"Heh, this is nice."

After thoroughly washing himself with the provided soap and shampoo and rinsing off the suds in the shower, Kaim began washing the Pokémon.

Once he finished bathing Blaziken, he covered Staraptor in suds, turning the Pokémon into a snowman, and began playing around. Staraptor barely moved, amused by being covered in bubbles. Lucario washed with a towel like a samurai, and Kaim thought the Pokémon must have been a samurai in a past life. Little Black, naturally, let Kaim do the washing and seemed quite satisfied.

Once everyone was clean, they settled into the bath.

"Ahh."

Kaim rested his head against the edge of the bath and relaxed. With the warmth came the feeling of all his accumulated fatigue melting away through his body.

The warmth of the hot spring relaxed the Pokémon too, and each enjoyed the bath in their own way. Staraptor deftly placed a towel on top of the head and submerged halfway, while Blaziken, being a Fire-type and uncomfortable with water, only bathed the lower half of the body. Lucario sat shoulder-deep in the water, eyes closed in meditation. Umbreon melted into relaxation beside Kaim.

I smoothed my hair and looked up at the ceiling.

All I could do was sigh. The fatigue, the soothing hot spring, and Shirona in her kimono still lingered in my mind.

I thought she looked beautiful. I had told her what I honestly thought. My older sister had told me to sincerely compliment women who made an effort to dress up, but what she had meant was entirely beyond my imagination back then.

"Ah, this isn't good."

Even now, the sight of Cynthia in her kimono refused to leave my mind. I knew the hot spring wasn't the only thing making my face feel hot.

"You're not very friendly, but I'm sure you'll find someone nice. Maybe I'm old enough now. I like taking care of people, so perhaps someone a little careless would suit me better?"

I remembered what my older sister had said before I started university. It was irritating, but she was pretty much right.

"Tch. Damn you, sis."

Kaim cursed, then went limp again.

After drying her hair and changing into a yukata, Cynthia passed through the curtain.

Kaim was in the hallway, drinking coffee milk from a bottle.

"Sorry for the wait. Sorry I'm late."

"I knew this would happen, so I took my time too."

"Thank you."

Kaim hadn't put on the inn's yukata. Instead, he wore black sweatpants and a short-sleeved undershirt.

Cynthia didn't miss the way a passing female guest looked at Kaim's body, his muscles now well developed.

"How about putting on a jacket?"

"It's hot."

"Then you should wear a yukata."

"All that flapping fabric makes me restless."

"But you wore a kimono during the day, didn't you?"

"It felt uncomfortable, but it was good enough quality that I could bear it."

"Hmm."

"What?"

"You're a Fighting-type Gym Leader, Kaim, so there are probably plenty of people dressed like that around you, but there aren't many in an inn."

"True. I'll put on a T-shirt, then."

He took a black shirt out of his bag and put it on.

I stood, placed the bottle in the designated crate, then turned my gaze to Cynthia.

"No complaints about this, then?"

"No."

Completely oblivious to Cynthia's true intentions, Kaim nodded in satisfaction.

After returning to their room, the two ate the food that had been brought to them and drank pure-rice sake brewed in Enju City.

"Delicious..."

"It goes down so easily. Looks like someone will be passing out soon. Mainly me."

"You're a lightweight."

"Give me a break."

I drank the clear liquid poured into my sake cup. A fruity fragrance accompanied the taste of alcohol as it slipped down my throat.

"Good sake is hard to handle."

"I feel like I'm going to drink too much."

"I'll stop soon. It'll affect me tomorrow."

"Then I'll take the rest."

"What?"