The Pokémon League

When he set down his sake cup, Kaim let Little Black out of the ball and settled the Pokémon on his lap. Little Black was the only one left, wriggling happily.

"How are things looking for the next Pokémon League?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your Pokémon's condition, yours, and so on, Cynthia."

"Oh, what if I get my preparations wrong?"

"Was that a stupid question?"

"It's fine. I'm definitely going to win this time."

"I'll look forward to it."

"Honestly, what worries me right now is something outside the Pokémon League."

Kaim frowned. Cynthia rarely worried about anything. She always kept an eye on things like her Pokémon's physical condition, and would try to do something before she had time to worry. Kaim couldn't immediately figure out what was troubling her.

"What is it?"

"Kaim, do you know Team Galactic?"

"Those people with the ugly clothes and hairstyles?"

"Yes. Their behavior has started getting a little extreme lately."

"Huh."

"The other day, they occupied a power plant in a valley and did whatever they pleased."

"What's their goal? What are they working toward?"

"Apparently, their goal is to develop cosmic energy."

Team Galactic had a large membership. However, since their current goal was merely to develop cosmic energy, people regarded them as nothing more than "weird people doing research."

But what if an organization that large had another goal?

"What do you think of joining Team Galactic, Kaim?"

"Well, I can't really say much, but if developing cosmic energy is just a front, and there's a real objective that even the members don't know about, that could be trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"Unfortunately, sheer numbers are a powerful weapon. A hundred assorted opponents against one elite Trainer-the outcome is easy to see. Both people and Pokémon have limited stamina. It would be brutal."

Seen that way, the reigning Indigo Plateau Champion, who had single-handedly destroyed Team Rocket, was truly a monster. Cynthia might be able to do it if she wanted to. But that was Cynthia as she was now. The thought of a boy with, at most, a year's experience as a Trainer dismantling a mafia organization all by himself was frightening.

"Sounds like you'll have to be careful."

"I'll let my network know about it."

"Please do. I've got a bad feeling."

"Your instincts have kicked in, huh, Cynthia."

There was no telling what Team Galactic would do now. Still, looking at their recent actions gave Shirona a bad feeling.

"I hope they don't do anything strange before the Pokémon League."

"That's what you call raising a flag."

"That's right."

A few weeks later, that flag would be taken down.

"Time for bed."

"Yes."

Kaim turned off the light and lay down on the futon he had laid out.

His legs were terribly tired after walking all day in unfamiliar shoes. The hot spring had helped considerably, but the fatigue lingered. Yet despite his exhaustion, he felt wide awake and couldn't sleep. Cynthia was the same.

"Hey, Kaim."

Amid the silence, Cynthia suddenly spoke to him.

"Yes?"

Kaim answered with his eyes closed.

"Could you tell me about your family?"

"Mine?"

"You rarely talk about yourself, so I don't know much about your family either. But you told me about your older sister today, didn't you? It made me want to know more about them."

Kaim knew about Cynthia's family because she had told him a little about them. Her family consisted of her grandparents, the mayor of Celestic Town, and her younger sister. Apparently, her parents had passed away.

"My family, huh? There isn't much in particular to say about my father and mother. My father was strict because he was a teacher. My mother was gentle, so things balanced out pretty well."

"And your sister?"

"Aneki-you know about her. I suppose you could call her a genius. She's smart, and her skills as a Trainer are top-notch."

"What do you mean by having too much freedom?"

"She raised my father's Pokémon herself and used them to beat the Gyms."

"That's amazing."

Pokémon received from someone else would not necessarily obey at first. From a Pokémon's perspective, it would not want to follow instructions unless they came from someone it could trust. Thus, even within a family, it took considerable talent to raise Pokémon borrowed without permission and clear the Gyms with them.

"That's what she's like."

"Yes. I'd like to meet her someday."

"I don't want you to meet her."

"Why?"

"I told you before. It would definitely be trouble."

"Hm?"

"You don't need to understand."

Kaim picked up Umbreon, who had curled up beside him.

"I know how to contact her, but I don't know where she is or what she's doing now. I never get to see her."

"I see."

"If possible, I'd rather you didn't meet her, Cynthia."

"What if I do?"

"Give me a break. My stomach would hurt."

Kaim smiled wryly as he recalled his sister's retreating figure. The image of his endlessly free, gifted older sister. Perhaps she resembled Cynthia in some small way.

Silence fell again for a while.

"Saiki, are you asleep?"

Kaim didn't answer. In fact, by then he had already drifted off to sleep. But he slept so quietly that it was difficult to tell whether he was asleep or awake.

Perhaps because Shirona had drunk a little too much, she still felt somewhat alert. Little Black, who had been curled up in Kaim's futon, walked over to Cynthia as though sensing it.

"Oh, hehe."

Little Black licked Cynthia's face, making her expression soften.

"Your husband is a very good person."

Perhaps, for better or worse, what Kaim had said about his sister's freedom meant that she followed her own impulses.

"I'm a little happy, because he rarely talks about himself."

As she spoke, Cynthia stroked Little Black beside her.

Clearly, those words were not directed at Little Black.

Little Black fell asleep under her hand. Sure enough, drowsiness overtook Cynthia as well, and the moment she closed her eyes, she drifted off.

"Have you forgotten anything?"

"No."

Two days later, they loaded their luggage into the car and left Enju City.

They had originally planned to return to the Sinnoh Region, but the two decided to take a detour.

"That's your final destination."

"...Yeah."

"Hateno Forest is a good setting for 'Journey's End.'"

They didn't know when they would next be able to visit the Johto Region. So they decided to go to Hateno Forest together while they had the chance to see the people there.

"It's been forty years since then."

"Don't say that."

"I see."

"Are you worried?"

"A little. Will they still remember me?"

"They will."

"You sound so sure."

"Because they're someone who values relationships."

Hateno Forest was rather remote, so they couldn't drive all the way there. There was a village deep in the forest, which meant they would have to park along the way.

Since there was a paid parking lot outside the forest, they decided to park there and head into Hateno Forest.

"What will it be like?"

"It's a village, so maybe it hasn't changed much."

"Yeah. I want to see them soon."

Hateno Forest was close to Tohto City. Before long, they reached the paid parking lot they were looking for.

The two entered the forest and headed toward the village. They followed a map, but since the path was used daily, it was well maintained and not particularly difficult to walk along.

"It's as beautiful as ever. It makes me feel calm."

"Maybe I feel that way because I've mostly lived in cities."

"Perhaps. Enju City is quite urban."

After walking for a while, they came to a clearing.

A village stood there, with familiar tree houses lining both sides.

"I suppose I should say it's been a long time."

"Some things have changed after forty years."

They stepped into the settlement.

Cynthia spoke to a woman near the entrance.

"Excuse me, could you spare a moment?"

"Yes, yes. What is it?"

When the woman looked up, Cynthia was left speechless.

The woman's face looked exactly like Juwa's.

"Hm? Is there something on my face?"

"Towa?"

"Hm? Do you know my grandmother?"

"Oh, sorry. We're acquaintances of Towa's. We came to see her. Do you know where she is now?"

The woman before them called Towa her grandmother.

That meant this girl must be Towa's granddaughter. Considering that forty years had passed, it was hardly surprising that she had a grandchild.

"Grandma's gone home!"

"Home. All right, thank you."

"You're welcome!"

With that, Shirona and her companion headed to Towa's house.

The girl they left behind, Miku, pondered as she went back to work.

"Hm? Did I tell them where Grandma's house was?"

"It hasn't changed."

"Yeah."

Compared with when Shirona and the others had stayed there, Towa's house had aged considerably, but it was still just as it had been before.

"Miss!"

Just as they were about to knock, the girl from earlier came running over.

"Oh, good! You knew where Grandma's house was."

"...Yes."

"Have you been here before?"

"Yes, I've been here before."

"Oh, right! Then come in, come in!"

"Oh, that reminds me, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. I'm Cynthia."

"I'm Miku! What about you, mister?"

"Kaim."

"Nice to meet you!"

The girl who had introduced herself as Miku opened the door, took off her shoes, and ran toward the back of the house.

"Grandma!"

"What is it, Miku?"

"Guess what? You've got visitors, Grandma!"

"For me? Did I arrange to see someone today?"

An elderly woman appeared, accompanied by Miku.

Then, at the sight of Cynthia and Kaim, she let go of the staff in her hand.

"Ah, no, this won't do."

"From our perspective, it only happened recently, but under these circumstances, I don't know whether I should act like this."

"It's been a long time, Towa."

"Ah, are you really Miss Cynthia?"

"Yes."

"Kaim, is that really you too?"

"Yeah."

"I see. I'm so glad to see you again."

Towa covered her wrinkled face with her hands as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"We've met again."

Cynthia gently took Towa's hand and smiled at her.

"I never thought you'd really come to see me."

Sitting in a chair in her room, Towa spoke happily.

"Oh, you didn't believe me?"

"No, I thought you would come. But you know, forty years is longer than you think."

"I knew right away. The look in your eyes never changes, Towa."

"Hehe, thank you."

Cynthia sipped the tea she had been served and chatted with Towa. Even after forty years, Towa was still Towa, and she warmly welcomed Cynthia and the others.

As usual, Kaim was left out. When he happened to turn his gaze toward the window, he saw the photograph he had given Towa when they parted displayed there.

"...That photograph."

"Ah, I've always treasured it. Our time together was brief, but those days were precious to me. My memories of my dear friend and his partner are still vivid."

"Grandma, is that Cynthia in the picture?"

"Yes. These two appeared in this forest forty years ago as part of Celebi's journey through time. They healed Celebi and lived here for a while."

"That's amazing! I got to experience the passage of time!"

Towa smiled and spoke affectionately with her granddaughter Miku, looking delighted.

"I'm truly glad to see you again."

"Me too."

"We talked about so many things on this balcony!"

"Yes, you figured me out, Towa."

"Ahahaha! Rest assured."

"Hehe, I wasn't angry. It was fun."

"Miss Cynthia, you're just as I remember you."

"Your granddaughter surprised me. She looks exactly like you did."

"Hehehe, my genes are strong."

After laughing for a while, Towa set down her cup.

"I've been waiting for this day for forty years."

"To me, it was only a few days ago. How have the past forty years been?"

Hearing that, Towa took a deep breath and began to speak.

"A lot has happened."

"Yes."

"And now you have an adorable granddaughter."

Towa stroked Miku's head and continued.

"I'm the village chief now. Hehe, you have to do your best to live a long life."

"Hehe, you still have a long way to go, don't you?"

"You don't have to tell me. Yes, I still have plenty of life ahead of me."

"Oh my, this one's going to live a long time."

"Of course!"

Shirona was delighted to see Towa laughing as cheerfully as ever and couldn't help laughing herself.

"They've been forty wonderful years."

"Yes. All in all, I'm very satisfied."

"That's good."

"What about you? It seems not much time has passed for you, but has anything changed?"

Towa turned her attention to Kaim, who was playing with Miku.

Noticing her gaze, Kaim answered with his usual expressionless face.

"Things don't change that easily. But I had a good time before coming here."

"Hehe, you've had some good experiences."

"Yeah."

Towa nodded, satisfied with Kaim's answer.

"What are you two doing today? If you have time, why not stay the night?"

"Huh?! You're staying over?"

"Well, now that I've seen you, I don't know when we'll meet again, so I'll take you up on your offer."

"I see. Today will be fun."

"Yay!"

Cynthia gave Kaim a slightly apologetic look, then glanced at the excited Miku. She had originally planned to spend some time in Hateno Forest, but she felt bad about changing their plans without asking.

However, Kaim had expected something like this, so he neither thought much of it nor said anything. After returning to the Sinnoh Region, he wouldn't be able to visit the Johto Region again for a while. The next Pokémon League wasn't far off. His next free time would be after the Pokémon League at the earliest, and he had already made all sorts of plans for that vacation. So he didn't know when he would be able to come here again.

"Come on, Kaim. Could you help me prepare the food today?"

"My front and arms haven't changed, but sure."

"You're very welcome."

That day, Towa's family held a grand party to celebrate their reunion.

Those attending were Towa, her husband, her daughter and her daughter's husband, Miku, Cynthia, and Kaim.

The food was lovingly prepared by Towa's daughter, Towa, and Kaim. Watching Miku eat happily, Towa looked content.

Cynthia grew closer to Towa's family and enjoyed chatting with them. Kaim joined in too, but he spent much of his time with Miku, who was fascinated by the Pokémon of Hoenn and the Sinnoh Region, which she rarely saw in the Johto Region.

"Thank you for all your hard work. Your cooking is as good as ever."

As I stood on a rock at the village entrance with Little Black, feeling the night breeze, Towa stood behind us.

"Thanks."

"Miku missed you too. Thank you."

"Sure."

"Hehe, you're as unfriendly as ever. That's part of who you are."

"I don't know about that."

"Has anything good happened to you lately?"

I couldn't help looking at Towa.

Seeing Kaim's expression, Towa became certain of something.

"Hehe, just as I thought."

"Hey, how did you know?"

"Hahaha! Only about a month has passed for you two, but I've lived another forty years!"

"Age is frightening."

"Isn't it? Well, I won't ask about that good thing. It would be rude to pry."

"What a shame."

Slightly relieved that she hadn't pressed him further, Kaim looked at the moon hanging in the sky.

"A lot has changed."

"Yes."

"I hope your kind heart never changes."

Kaim didn't answer.

Even so, one look at his face quickly reassured Towa that she had nothing to worry about.

"Come out. Are you there?"

As Kaim spoke, a small light appeared.

Then Celebi emerged from the light.

"Hey, good to see you again."

Celebi flew happily around Kaim. According to Towa, Celebi had visited the village several times since then.

Celebi had come here after sensing the presence of the Power Crystal previously given to them.

"You look well. That's a relief."

"Celebi has come back many times since then."

"I'm honored."