The next day.
Kaim put on a dress shirt, fastened his ball holder to his belt, and checked his appearance in the mirror.
"The day's finally here."
Cynthia spoke to Kaim, wearing her usual jacket.
Kaim turned and nodded.
"Ah. Yeah."
"I guess I'm nervous."
"Well, that's all the more reason not to look uncool in front of the Pokémon."
I put on my watch, slipped my ID card and admission ticket into my jacket's inside pocket, and picked up my tie.
Cynthia took the tie from Kaim's hand. He turned his attention to her, wondering what was going on, but she gave him a friendly smile.
"I'll put it on for you. Turn up your collar."
"Ah, okay."
Surprised, Kaim raised his shirt collar. Cynthia draped the tie around his neck and knotted it.
"A little help for someone who's about to work hard."
"...That's true."
There wasn't much difference in height between Cynthia and Kaim. That inevitably brought their faces closer together as she tied his tie. Although our current relationship wasn't one where we could face each other at such close quarters, this situation felt a little like a glimpse of our future relationship, and it was somewhat awkward.
"There, all done."
Kaim checked his neatly knotted tie in the mirror and nodded.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Cynthia gave Kaim a firm slap on the back.
Kaim let out a small breath at the impact, then patted his cheeks to pull himself together.
"I'll be back."
Cynthia smiled gently, sensing the resolve and ambition in his firm voice.
The written examination was held in a conference room. With only a single table inside, it looked rather bare, but I supposed that was how examinations were. Since Kaim was the only candidate, that bareness was inevitable.
"Please take a