Kaim Battles Cynthia

He could not accept it and collapsed to the ground.

"Rentler is unable to battle! Therefore, the winner of this match is Champion Cynthia!"

Cheers erupted, and Cynthia waved to the spectators.

Tanguy recalled Rentler to his ball, then walked over to Cynthia.

"I lost completely."

"You've gotten stronger. You defeated Lucario."

"Not enough yet."

"Hehe, you need real strength to enjoy the game. You've gained that strength. Now you just need to make it last."

"Yes. Let's do this again."

"I'd like that."

The two shook hands and left the field.

Not far from the entrance, Kaim greeted Cynthia.

"Well done."

"Thank you."

"Just as expected."

"But if I'd made even the slightest mistake anywhere, the result might have been different."

"Maybe."

"I did my best. So did Byron. I won by making the best choices, one after another. If I'd made a less-than-ideal move anywhere, the result would have changed. Byron is very strong. That's what I think."

"Really."

Kaim paused and looked at the earrings on Cynthia's ears.

"So? Why did you borrow my earring?"

Before the match, Cynthia had borrowed Kaim's earring and put it on. As a result, she wore red and blue earrings. Of course, the blue one was hidden behind her hair, so he could not see it.

"Didn't I tell you? I always battle by myself, but I'm not alone. I wanted to feel stronger by fighting alongside you."

Cynthia spoke with an elegant smile.

"...Really."

"Thanks to it, I could concentrate better than usual, you know?"

"That changes depending on how you feel. An earring alone can't change it."

"Maybe. But it was a good opportunity to make a change."

"Well, I can't actually help you battle."

"Hehe, then I'll love you instead."

With that, Bairo took Kaim's hand and began walking.

"Hey."

"What?"

"I agreed to hold hands."

"Don't you like it?"

"I don't."

"Then that's good!"

Kaim sighed as Cynthia happily pulled him along by the hand.

"Hey, you're right on time, Green."

"Yeah."

That evening, when Kaim went to the place he had been summoned to, he found Green, the boy he had met a few days earlier.

"For now, congratulations on winning the second round. You'll face the Champion in the semifinals next."

"Hmph. With my abilities, that was only natural. Still, facing the Champion won't be so easy."

Judging by his tone, he must already have devised some countermeasure against Shirona. Green did not know that Kaim was Cynthia's supporter. That was why he had called Kaim out the day before his battle with Cynthia.

"I didn't expect you to call me."

"I don't mind."

"No, but you know, how much can I really do against a Trainer at your level?"

"A little fine-tuning is enough. Besides, that's not the main point."

"Hm?"

"Help me warm up for now."

"Yeah, yeah."

"All right, that'll do."

"Could you not say that while you're beating me up?"

"Too bad you're so weak."

After finishing their warm-up, they both returned their Pokémon to their balls.

Then Kaim asked Green what was troubling him.

"So? What's the main topic?"

Green had not called Kaim out primarily for a warm-up. Whatever the subject was, now that they were finished, Kaim wanted to get to the point.

"You know my record at Shirong Plateau, right?"

"Yeah."

Green Team had lost to the current champion, Red Team.

He had reportedly traveled around, training as a warrior, too.

"Back then, my grandfather, Professor Odo, told me, 'Do you know why you lost? It's because you forgot your love for your Pokémon.'"

"...Really."

"I still don't understand what he really meant. So I've faced Trainers known as tough opponents in all sorts of competitions, but so far, I haven't met anyone stronger than me."

"Someone told me something similar in the first round. What do you think? I beat him, but nobody approved of my methods. Was I wrong?"

"I don't know."

Kaim dismissed Green's earnest words.

Green stared at him, stunned.

"To me, your battles seem to leave emotion out of it as you calmly control the field. But I don't know whether your methods are wrong. There are as many ways of approaching battles and Pokémon as there are Trainers. I don't know which one is right."

"Then why did I lose to Red Team when I had the advantage in both condition and strategy?"

"Who knows? I just don't think feelings alone can do that. They might be one factor, but Pokémon battles aren't so forgiving that you can win on feelings alone. You're living proof of that, aren't you?"

Kaim bought coffee from the vending machine beside the field and tossed it to Green.

"Then the old man was wrong."

"Were you listening to me? First, leave me out of whether you're right or wrong. You should do what you want."

"You don't look convinced."

Kaim pulled open his coffee can and took a drink.

"Feelings alone can't decide who wins or loses, but sometimes their strength does decide the outcome."

"Huh?"

"When our abilities are evenly matched, or the gap isn't very large, what we feel can decide the result."

"Then the reason I lost to Red was..."

"It might not be the only reason, but it could be one factor. Think about it: a man who only sees you as a piece on a board, and a man who sees you properly and treats you with love. If it were you, which one would you want to give your all for?"

Kaim turned his back on Green, who gave no answer, and threw his empty can into the trash.

"What does battling mean to you? Only when you understand that can you become Champion."

"Well, I'll be going. Good luck tomorrow."

"Wait."

"Yes?"

"One last question. How did you get so strong? Your abilities as a Gym Trainer are pretty good. I'd like to hear how you developed them."

Judging from their warm-up, Kaim was not quite there yet, but he seemed like someone who could become stronger in the future.

That was why Green wanted to ask. What unwavering conviction did Kaim hold that would make him stronger in the future?

"I don't think about anything that complicated."

"Then what's your philosophy?"

"I've just always loved Pokémon."

"That's all?"

"Yeah. I've thought about it too, but why did you become a Trainer in the first place?"

"Why?"

"What do Pokémon battles mean to you?"

Green did not answer.

Seeing his reaction, Kaim realized he could not answer right away, so this time he said goodbye and left.

Left alone, Green pondered Kaim's words for a long time, but could not find an answer.

"You're late."

"Were you eavesdropping?"

On the way from the training grounds to the hotel, Cynthia was sitting on a bench.

"Just for the record, I'm not stalking you, you know?"

"I'm not worried about that."

"Of course. You know me well."

"It's been a long time."

Cynthia rose from the bench and walked beside Kaim.

"I didn't expect you to meet up with Green."

"He doesn't know I'm your supporter."

"So? What were you doing?"

"Helping him warm up and giving him a little life advice."

"Life advice?"

Hearing something so unexpected, Shirona involuntarily widened her eyes.

"Losing that final match at Shirong Plateau seems to have a lot to do with it. For some reason, he doesn't really understand Professor Odo's words about forgetting his love for Pokémon."

"I see."

Green was said to be a genius. He had a balanced team and excellent leadership skills. With no bias toward any particular type, his lineup might appear to lack finesse, but conversely, it could handle any situation. Green's ability to overwhelm opponents on top of that truly made him a genius.

Still, that coolly commanded team had left a somewhat cold impression on her. Cynthia realized that Green's own image might be part of it, but more importantly, it was a team whose approach differed completely from the Pokémon's wishes.

"I'm only a little older than him, and I'd definitely lose in a real battle, so I didn't say anything arrogant."

"I see. So he's struggling with that."

"I hope he notices it during his battle with Shirona."

"Then I'll have to work hard tomorrow."

Kaim returned to the hotel with Cynthia, who was smiling happily.

On the day of the semifinals.

From the opposite entrance, Kaim watched Green walk onto the field.

Cynthia was already on the field. Today, she wore a white blouse with a black jacket draped over her shoulders, a rather simple look compared to yesterday's outfit.

As he watched Cynthia's back and thought about Green, who seemed somewhat out of balance, someone suddenly called out to him.

"Mr. Kaim!"

"What are you doing here, Suzuna?"

It was Susana who had called him.

"Today's the last match, so we'll do maintenance afterward!"

"Is that so? Sounds like hard work."

"Why are you here, Mr. Kaim?"

"It's not as if a student wouldn't watch his master's match."

"Then you really are Ms. Shirona's student!"

"Were you doubting me?"

"No! I'd just never heard about it!"

"I see. What do you want?"

"Nothing! But I saw the two of you walking together last night, so if you don't mind, I'd like to know what your relationship is!"

Suzuna was a young girl, too. As expected, she seemed very interested in romance.

"It's nothing like that. Master and student. Researcher and assistant."

"Really?!"

"Quiet."

"I want to hear!"

"The match is starting."

Kaim looked away from Suzuna, who was still asking about their relationship with sparkling eyes, and turned his attention to Shirona on the field.

"...That man."

Standing on the field, Green was slightly startled to see a man with his arms crossed at the Roserade entrance. Generally, only staff and supporters could access the entrances. Since Kaim was a staff member, he ought to have been near the entrance.

He had held the Champion title for more than ten years straight.

"Has it already been ten years?"

I'm proud of my Champion title, and I want to keep it as long as possible. Yet there was no telling when a young, powerful prodigy like Green or Hikari would emerge and take over as Champion. That future might not be far off. Cynthia had brought Kaim into the world of archaeology to attract young talent to the field. The same thing happened in the world of battling.

Of course, even if he was no longer Champion, the battles would continue. Pokémon battles went on because they wanted to walk alongside their Pokémon.

However, Cynthia had a reason to want to win this match.

Thinking of that reason made her heart flutter.

She could feel a heat different from the warm water surrounding her body. Cynthia knew the water was not why her face felt hot.

"Hehe, it's not like me to get nervous."

She stretched her slender legs in the bathtub and gave a slightly self-deprecating laugh. She scooped up some hot water and moved her hands, letting it wash over her skin. A hand rougher and stiffer than most from battle training and research stroked her skin.

What consequences would that decision have?

Would I get the result I wanted?

Many things made her uneasy, but Shirona had already made up her mind.

Whatever happens, I'll win this League to see this resolve through.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

No one answered Cynthia.

Whoever my opponent is, I'm sure winning won't be easy.

That's why I can enjoy it all the more.

And to see this resolve through, I can't lose.

Cynthia closed her eyes and sank into the warmth of the bathwater.

Hikari was alone on the beach, listening to the waves.

After defeating Gaoyou, one of the Elite Four, in the League semifinals, she had finally reached the final. I'm going to battle Cynthia herself.

Cynthia had looked after her many times during her journey. She had offered advice as an experienced Trainer and acted as a leader during the Giratina incident. Tomorrow, Hikari would battle that powerful, beautiful Cynthia. Hikari still did not know what to do. For some reason, she could not settle down, so she had gone for a walk.

About a week had passed since she crossed Victory Road and arrived on this little island. Battling different Trainers had been fun and fulfilling. She had never thought she would make it this far, but she was still enjoying herself.

"Tomorrow's the last day."

She murmured to herself as she gazed at the sea at night.

After staring absently at the ocean for a while, she heard footsteps in the sand behind her.

"Lovely evening."

It was a voice she had heard many times.

When she turned around, Cynthia and Kaim were standing there.

"Miss Cynthia, Mr. Kaim."

"What are you doing out in the middle of the night? It's too dangerous for a girl to be alone."

"Hehehe, I was feeling a little restless."

Cynthia sat down beside Hikari, who looked rather embarrassed. Kaim sat on a piece of driftwood nearby.

"Tomorrow, I'll finally battle you, Miss Cynthia."

"Are you nervous?"

"Yes. You're someone I look up to, Miss Cynthia."

"Oh, that makes me so happy."

"You're cool and beautiful, and you're really strong in battle, but you're also so kind to me and my Pokémon."

"Oh, you're saying such lovely things."

In reality, Cynthia never cleaned and generally did no housework, so she could not maintain a decent private life without Kaim.

"Kaim?"

"Don't say a word."

Kaim shrugged at the faintly threatening tone.

"Honestly..."

"You two really are good friends."

"You couldn't have someone you don't trust as your assistant, could you?"

"Hehe, that's true."

While Kaim idly stayed out of the women's conversation, the smartphone in his pocket began to ring.

"I'll step away for a moment."

"Work?"

"Yeah."

"Go on, then."

Kaim answered the call and walked away.

Watching him go, Hikari continued.

"Where did you meet Mr. Kaim?"

"At Celadon University in the Can Tho Region. I knew a professor there, and I was in his laboratory."

"Wow! Mr. Kaim must be smart!"

"Yes, he seems quite good at using his head."

"Wow... I don't like studying."

"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses."

"You two are such good friends, but have you ever had a fight?"

"Yes."

"Huh?! You have?!"

"Of course. We're different people."

She still remembered.

When Shirona's research hit a wall and her battling took a downturn, even trivial things had hurt her. Back then, she had no room to breathe, and sometimes she got angry for no reason simply because she wanted to vent everything that had built up inside her. Kaim had argued back in all sorts of ways, but Cynthia had not listened.

"That's really surprising. Even you have problems, Miss Cynthia."

"I'm human too. Sometimes things go wrong."

"So how did you make up afterward?"

"Actually, that went on for about three days."

"Really?!"

Kaim had only just arrived in the Sinnoh Region then, so Cynthia was not living with him yet. It had been something like a cold war.

"Kaim didn't come over to my house during that time, either."

"Even though I knew it was my fault, I couldn't bring myself to apologize honestly. Looking back now, it was ridiculous."

"So how did you make up?"

"Kaim suddenly came over and started cooking."

"?"

"He set out the food and said, 'Let's eat.' But then he suddenly started talking."

In his usual tone and with his usual expressionless face, Kaim said to Cynthia, "I'm sorry."

"'I know you've been dealing with a lot. It was my fault for saying some awful things back then. I'm sorry.' Funny, isn't it? There was nothing wrong with what Kaim had said. I should have been the one apologizing."

"...So what happened?"

"I apologized too, and that was that."

That was not all Kaim had said.

"I know I'm not capable enough as an assistant. I'll do everything I can to make you feel you can rely on me, so I hope you'll keep guiding me."

At the time, she had known Kaim for less than a year. He had been even less experienced than he was now, not yet someone she could depend on as an assistant. Yet that was when Cynthia finally understood that, when someone close to her was struggling, both those who could not rely on her and those who could not rely on her felt miserable.