The Elite Four-Caitlin

The owner of the mansion, Caitlin, greeted Cynthia. She had once been one of the leaders of Sinnoh's Battle Frontier and was now a member of the Unova Elite Four.

"I'm so glad we could meet again."

"So am I. Seeing you looking well puts my mind at ease."

"I'm no longer at the mercy of my psychic powers like I used to be."

Caitlin smiled softly, and Cynthia smiled back.

"Thank you for letting us use your villa again."

"I don't mind. We have plenty of rooms, and inviting people over makes it more enjoyable for me."

"I'm happy to help."

"Where's Kaim?"

Unable to see Kaim, who was always at Cynthia's side, Caitlin asked where he was.

"He's carrying the luggage in. He told me to come see you first."

"Oh, I didn't expect him to be so considerate of me."

"Hehe, Kaim really has grown up, clumsy as he is."

The last time she had seen him, her impression had been that he was good-natured but immature. He hadn't struck her as someone who looked out for others. He had seemed to have little room to spare, focused only on whatever was right in front of him.

"He's grown a great deal since then."

"I've been training him."

"I'm envious that he gets to train under you, Cynthia."

"I think you're already plenty strong, Caitlin."

"But I've never managed to beat you."

"Hehe, I won't let you win that easily."

Laughing, Cynthia sat down on the sofa opposite Caitlin.

"Oh, right. Congratulations on defending your title as Champion of the Sinnoh League, Cynthia."

"Oh, thank you. It was a tough one this time."

"That girl in the finals was an incredible talent."

"She was amazing. I never expected to be pushed that far."

"An incredible kid appeared in the Unova League recently, too. Champion Alder retired, and that boy is the Champion now."

"Hehe, the strides these children are making are astonishing."

"Of course, I have no intention of losing. I put in the work every day, too."

"Of course."

"Please."

As she spoke with Cynthia, Caitlin noticed something different about her demeanor. Compared with their previous meeting, she seemed gentler and warmer. It wasn't that she had been cold before, but there was a certain happiness about her now.

Of course, Caitlin had no idea where that change had come from.

"Caitlin?"

"Ah! Yes, what is it?"

"Is something wrong? You seem distracted."

"No, nothing in particular."

"Is that so?"

Her tone hasn't changed. What is this feeling? Why am I so confused?

Unaware of the relationship between the two, Caitlin had no way of knowing the true source of Cynthia's changed demeanor.

"You must be tired after such a long journey."

"Oh, how have you been?"

Once Kaim had finished bringing in the luggage and was resting in the living room, Cochran poured him a cup of tea.

"It was a long trip, so I'm a little tired. There's the time difference, too."

"Ish is quite far from Sinnoh, after all."

Kaim drank his tea and took a breather.

Only the waves and the cries of seagulls echoed softly, and time passed peacefully. It wasn't noon yet, and the sunlight was intense, but the villa's interior was pleasantly cool. Little Black, who had come out of the ball alone, curled up comfortably on the sofa.

"Thank you for letting us use this place again."

"You should thank Lady Caitlin."

"Of course. I'll thank Caitlin herself later, too."

"Lady Caitlin has been looking forward to seeing you both. To her, the two of you are-"

"Cochran, don't say anything unnecessary."

Caitlin and Cynthia entered the living room together.

"Hello, Kaim. I'm glad to see you're well."

"Hey, long time no see, Caitlin."

"Have you gotten any stronger? You couldn't have completed all three with Lance alone, could you?"

"If I haven't, just leave it alone."

Caitlin was younger than Kaim, but as one of the Unova Elite Four, she was a stronger battler. Their exchanges were consequently rather prickly. Of course, Kaim counted her as a friend, but his greater age didn't make him her superior.

"Is that so?"

"Hey, you were about to say you'd beat me up just now. You almost said it."

"You're imagining things."

"You little bastard."

He wanted to say he would make her cry, but unfortunately, Kaim couldn't beat Caitlin.

"Caitlin, don't tease Kaim too much."

Cynthia stepped in when the annoyance started showing openly on Kaim's face.

"If you say so, Cynthia."

"You may be happy to see him after so long, but if you overdo it, Kaim will get fed up."

"Sorry, he's just so funny."

Caitlin was both a member of the Elite Four and a young lady from a wealthy family. That made a companion who spoke so candidly to her precious, and she tended to get carried away around someone who was blunt but treated her with easy familiarity.

"Stop treating people like toys."

"But your reactions are so funny."

"Tch."

"Hehe, I'm glad you get along so well."

Watching Caitlin puff up her cheeks and Kaim click his tongue without hesitation, Cynthia laughed happily.

"By the way, Shirona."

Caitlin turned to Cynthia with a question.

"Has something happened recently?"

At that question, Cynthia stiffened.

She didn't know how to answer Caitlin's question about whether anything had happened.

After all, if asked whether something had happened, she could only say yes. She didn't want to deny that her relationship with Kaim had changed from assistant and pupil to something much closer: lovers. That mattered deeply to Cynthia, and she didn't want to dismiss it, even to conceal something important.

"What do you mean?"

"You feel different from the last time we met."

"I see."

She had thought she was hiding it well, but Caitlin seemed to have noticed. Was it at least a relief that she didn't know any specifics?

"Something has."

It had indeed happened, and Cynthia answered honestly.

Cynthia didn't mind talking about it. Caitlin and Cochran were trustworthy people who wouldn't carelessly spread the news.

But she didn't know how Kaim felt about discussing the details. Since it concerned him as well, he might be too embarrassed to talk about it.

With that thought, Cynthia turned her gaze toward Kaim. He noticed immediately and spoke in his usual tone.

"Do whatever you want. I'm not so petty that I'd make you uncomfortable over it."

Kaim hadn't made his relationship with Cynthia public. It mattered deeply to him, too, so he intended to avoid announcing it to anyone he couldn't trust.

But Caitlin and Cochran were trustworthy. Deciding that telling them would be fine, he said those words to Cynthia.

There was another reason as well: Caitlin sincerely admired Cynthia, and there was no way to hide this from her. He simply decided that if she was going to find out anyway, they might as well tell her sooner.

"All right. I understand."

"Hm?"

"So, what happened?"

"Well."

"To put it simply, I'm dating Kaim."

This time, Caitlin froze.

"Dating?"

"Yes."

"As lovers?"

"Yes."

"I see. So that's what it was."

Her words sounded accepting, but Caitlin was clearly unhappy. Kaim looked away from her as she puffed out her cheeks and stared at him.

"Is that so? Congratulations."

"Try looking a little more congratulatory when you say that."

He couldn't help pointing out that her face said she had no desire to congratulate him.

Caitlin's mood didn't improve, however, and she remained sullen.

"Uh, Caitlin?"

"It's nothing."

Kaim grimaced at Caitlin, who was plainly dissatisfied.

"Are you that unhappy about me being Cynthia's boyfriend?"

Kaim's tone was unchanged.

His face remained as expressionless as ever, but the air around him had grown somewhat strained.

Of course, Kaim was a weaker battler than Caitlin. But he knew that, and he worked every day to overcome it. Cynthia acknowledged his efforts, but he didn't know what the rest of the world would say. Some people would direct cruel words not only at Kaim, but at Cynthia herself. He was working harder than ever to silence those people.

"I'm-"

"Let me make this clear first: I have no objection to Kaim being Cynthia's partner."

"Huh?"

Just as he was about to tell Caitlin that he was working hard in his own way, Kaim let out a strange sound at her unexpected answer.

"On the contrary, if Cynthia had chosen anyone other than Kaim as her partner, I would have doubted my ears."

"Oh. Thanks."

"Despite appearances, you do acknowledge your shortcomings, don't you? You're still immature, but I like that you recognize your weaknesses, face them, and work to overcome them."

"Oh, uh..."

"And I've heard about your accomplishments as an assistant. That alone is enough to earn my approval."

"Uh, oh. Right."

Kaim found Caitlin's behavior suspicious. Though she often annoyed him, she kept offering him praise.

Caitlin simply watched Kaim.

"What's that look for?"

"This is unusual."

"Perhaps it is."

Caitlin looked away as well, as though something had occurred to her.

After clearing her throat, she began speaking again.

"Anyway, I have no complaints about Kaim being Cynthia's partner."

"Then why are you in a bad mood?"

"...I'm not in a bad mood."

Despite her words, Caitlin was clearly sulking, clutching a cushion. She looked much like a petulant child, so rather than genuinely upset, she seemed a little dissatisfied.

"Then stop puffing out your cheeks."

"Ugh."

"Will you talk to me, Caitlin? I want us to get along, too."

At Cynthia's appeal, Caitlin hesitated briefly, then made up her mind and began speaking with a sigh.

"I just wanted you to tell me yourselves."

"Hm?"

"I didn't want you to tell me something important only because I asked. I wanted you to tell me yourselves. If you'd let me know, I could have prepared properly and congratulated you."

The two were important friends to Caitlin. She had imagined that one day they might enter a relationship like this. If that happened, she wanted to congratulate them properly, and she had also planned to give them a little surprise.

Yet this time, despite seeing them for the first time in ages, she had known nothing about how their relationship had progressed. Caitlin was unhappy because she hadn't been able to congratulate them. That was all.

"...I see."

"In other words, I'm being selfish. I apologize if I've offended you."

Caitlin lowered her gaze in embarrassment.

Cynthia and Kaim exchanged a look.

Then Cynthia drew in a sharp breath, while Kaim let out an exasperated sigh.

"Hehe, I never expected you to be so considerate of us. Thank you, Caitlin."

"What a shame."

Though she held a position among the Elite Four, Caitlin was a sheltered girl who had yet to reach adulthood. Compared with the mature Cynthia and Kaim, who were around her age, she inevitably had a childish side.

"I'm grateful. Also, I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away."

"It's all right. I'll give you a proper blessing later. But..."

"But?"

"Please look after me, too."

To Caitlin, it felt as though she had found a boyfriend for an older sister she respected. Honestly, that was fun, but it was no fun if all the attention went to Kaim.

"You're really adorable right now."

"I don't want you treating me like a child."

Caitlin was simply too endearing. Cynthia hugged her without thinking and stroked her head.

I don't want you treating me like a child, yet happiness spread across her face.

"Kaim."

"Yes?"

Held in Cynthia's arms, Caitlin looked into Kai Mu's eyes.

"If you ever do anything to make Cynthia sad... you understand what I mean, don't you?"

Caitlin's dark eyes seemed cold, and a certain aura seemed to emanate from her.

Yet Kaim answered Caitlin without flinching.

"Oh, I'll never make you sad."

Apparently satisfied with Kaim's calm response, Caitlin let her aura fade.

"Cynthia."

Caitlin stepped out of Cynthia's embrace and smiled at her.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"And you too, Kaim."

"Hehe, just as an afterthought?"

Everyone laughed at Kaim's quip.

"So, do you have any plans for today?"

Only after calming down did Caitlin break in with that question.

"I haven't given it much thought. I've been thinking about tomorrow and afterward, but I don't have any plans for today."

After the League ended, he had immediately wrapped up his work and come to the Unova region, so he still hadn't fully shaken off his fatigue from the League.

That was why he had wanted to avoid doing anything special on the first day and take it easy, as a way of thanking the Pokémon who had fought alongside him in the League.

"Is that so? Then I have a suggestion. How about a walk along the beach?"

"Oh, that sounds good."

There were a few clouds, so the sunlight was weaker and the temperature wasn't too high. It might have been a little too cold for swimming, but it was just right for a walk.

"The weather is very mild today, so I thought it would be nice."

"Yes, shall we?"

"Yes. Cochran, get my clothes out."

"Understood."

"I'll change too. What about you, Kaim?"

"Just my top."

"All right. Then we'll leave once you're ready."

Kaim glanced at the clock. The hour hand pointed to twelve, and the minute hand was between twelve and one. He had eaten breakfast on the plane, and his stomach was due to be empty by now.

"Mr. Cochran, could you show me the kitchen?"

"I see. So that's what you have in mind?"

"You're far too good at guessing what I'm thinking."

Cochran immediately understood everything from Kaim's words, and as Kaim rose, he refocused his attention as well.

"Please feel free to use the ingredients and utensils."

"Thanks."

"Hm?"

"Don't worry about it. Go get changed. I'll change too."

Caitlin didn't understand Kaim's true intentions, but Cynthia had a vague idea of what he was thinking.

"All right, let's go, Caitlin."

"Oh, yes."

Once he had confirmed that the two had left the living room, Kaim quickly went to his room to change and put on the apron Cochran had handed him.

Cynthia and Caitlin changed and returned to the living room.

Touching up their makeup had taken a little time, but considering what Kaim was doing, taking their time was no problem.

Just as Cynthia had expected, Kaim was still working, even after all that time.

"Kaim, what are you doing?"

"Making lunch."

"Packed lunches?"

"It's only noon, and I haven't had lunch yet. If we leave now, we're bound to get hungry."

"Ah, I see."

"I'm making food for the Pokémon too, so it'll take a little time. Please wait a bit."

"Thank you."

Ten minutes later, Kaim emerged from the kitchen carrying a rather elegant lunch box.

"There's a portion for everyone's Pokémon, so it ended up being quite a lot."

"You managed to make so much in such a short time..."

"Mr. Cochran helped me too."

"I guarantee it'll taste good. Kaim made it, after all."

"Why are you so proud, Cynthia?"

Kaim took off his apron with a wry smile.

Kaim had changed into a black shirt and fitted pants that were easy to move in, while Cynthia had changed into a black off-the-shoulder shirt and skinny jeans. Caitlin wore a pale pink long skirt and a white short-sleeved top instead of her usual white dress and shawl.

"That's just right."

Caitlin gazed at Kaim's outfit as she packed the lunch box into a bag.