A night after drinks

"A little while ago, I met a girl who was traveling."

"Oh?"

"She was about twelve or thirteen, too. We only talked briefly, but she'd already earned six badges less than a year into her journey."

"Less than a year? That's impressive."

It was quite a contrast to Kaim's four years.

"She looks like she might enter the next Pokémon League."

"There are so many talented young people lately. Come to think of it, the current champion at the Sekiei Plateau is about that age, too, right?"

"That boy of Professor Oak's. Wataru, who managed to beat Wataru-quite something."

"Indeed. I heard there's someone strong in the Hoenn Region, too. Do you know who?"

"Steven."

If the news came from Steven, the current champion of the Hoenn Region, it was very credible. As a fellow champion, Cynthia had some ties to him, and she didn't think he would casually spread unreliable information.

"It's amazing how unstoppable these young people are as they grow stronger. It really feels like a golden generation, doesn't it?"

"Maybe. But in that respect, you're not much different yourself, Cynthia."

"Am I?"

"When did you become champion? You were about the same age as the current Sekiei Plateau champion, weren't you? And you've held on to the title ever since. That's genuinely impressive."

"You're being surprisingly direct with your praise."

"I still can't beat a Gym Leader who's taking things seriously, while you've kept your champion title all this time. That's impressive. That's all I meant."

Kaim meant it from the bottom of his heart as he stir-fried the food.

Besides being a champion, Cynthia was also a renowned archaeologist. As both an archaeologist's assistant and a Gym trainer, Kaim knew very well how remarkable it was to juggle those two roles.

"You're much the same, Kaim."

"It's on a different scale. What I do is just a lesser version of what you do. But I've never thought there was anything wrong with that."

"Really?"

"Becoming champion is my goal, but I know I'm not cut out to place near the top of the Pokémon League. So I'll do something worthwhile in my own way. That's all. You told me that even an ordinary person without talent could reach a certain level if they worked hard."

Kaim spoke as he sprinkled salt and pepper over the food.

Cynthia looked a little surprised by his answer, but soon smiled in satisfaction.

"Besides, I'm not content with where I am. I'll keep working hard. At the very least, I want to beat a Gym Leader who's fighting seriously once."

It would probably take a long time to become strong enough to win consistently. But as long as he reached a level where winning was possible, he could find a way.

"I'm sure you can do it."

"I'll keep improving. All right, it's ready."

He turned off the stove and served the food onto plates.

He reheated the soup he had prepared earlier and poured it into deep bowls.

"Food is the foundation of a healthy body. Don't forget that everything you do depends on good health."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Cynthia smiled as she carried the soup over, grateful for Kaim's usual care.

His blunt words couldn't hide his warmth. Cynthia liked that awkward side of him.

They released their Pokémon from their Poké Balls and poured Kaim's specially made Pokémon food onto plates.

"Sorry it's a little late."

"It's fine. A delay this small hardly matters."

"It's a good thing I got back before you went into the kitchen again."

"Shall we have some serious training tomorrow?"

"Please, spare me."

Even these trivial exchanges carried the feeling of everyday life.

It wasn't anything extraordinary. It was this ordinary daily life that made Cynthia happy.

"Let's eat."

"All right."

Sitting on the wooden terrace in the garden, Cynthia poured the liquid into a glass.

The distinctive bitterness of alcohol and its rich aroma filled her mouth. When she swallowed, a faint warmth spread down her throat.

Looking up, she could see stars faintly twinkling in the sky. The light from the house drowned out most of them.

"It's unusual to see you drinking."

Kaim had just finished his bath. Wearing a thin, long-sleeved shirt and a sweatshirt, he casually sat down beside Cynthia.

His face was still flushed from the bath, but his hair was already thoroughly dry. That meticulousness was typical of Kaim.

"I've just finished my paper, after all. I thought I'd indulge a little."

"Oh? Have you submitted it already?"

"I'm waiting for the academic society to review it. I can relax a little now."

Cynthia picked up the bottle on the nearby table and showed it to Kaim. The golden liquid inside glimmered in the light from the house.

"Want a taste?"

"Just a little. I can't handle much alcohol."

"You really can't hold your liquor."

"It's just how my body is. Training won't change that."

Kaim took the glass Cynthia offered, added ice, and poured in some whisky. The ice cracked at the change in temperature, making a pleasant sound. He then added soda water and stirred the ice in the glass with his finger.

"Here's to your hard work."

"Thank you."

They gently clinked their glasses in celebration.

"This really is good liquor. It goes down smoothly."

"Doesn't it? Professor Nanakamado recommended this brand to me a little while ago."

"It's nice. Let me know the next time you hear about a good drink."

"Even though you can't handle much?"

"I still like the taste of good liquor. Even if I only have a little."

Kaim tipped his glass again and took a sip.

It was very easy to drink and tasted excellent, but its high alcohol content made him decide to slow down.

A sound came from behind him. Turning around, he saw Umbreon, who had come out of a Poké Ball, walking over. Umbreon sat beside Kaim and looked up at the crescent moon.

Time passed quietly.

All they could hear was the rustle of trees in the wind and the soft cries of nocturnal Pokémon.

"What a lovely night."

"."

Umbreon pressed its face against Kaim's leg, then lay down with his leg as a pillow.

"Hehe. Umbreon really loves you, Kaim."

Cynthia stroked Umbreon as it nestled against Kaim. It wriggled contentedly and gave a soft cry, as though saying that went without saying.

"You're quite popular."

"Hard to say."

"No need to be shy. That's a talent, you know."

Cynthia believed that being loved by Pokémon was a talent in itself. To Pokémon, it was proof of trust that could be conveyed without words or actions.

"Maybe."

Watching Kaim stroke Umbreon's head with a bashful expression, Cynthia felt the urge to tease him.

"Hey."

"⁈"

Suddenly, Cynthia moved closer and rested her head on Kaim's shoulder.

"What are you trying to do?"

"Umbreon isn't the only one allowed to be mischievous, right?"

"Your heart's pounding."

"Leave me alone."

His expression hadn't changed, but his ears had turned red.

He had turned his face away, so she couldn't see it clearly, but he was surely wearing a sour expression.

Delighted to have flustered the usually impassive Kaim, Cynthia grinned like a child whose prank had succeeded.

Of course, Cynthia couldn't say that her own racing heartbeat was Kaim's fault.

"Are you drunk?"

"A little."

"Then stop there. It'll affect you tomorrow."

"All right. That's enough."

Cynthia set down her glass and moved even closer to Kaim.

Kaim sighed, looking a little irritated, but didn't push her away.

"Hey."

"What is it?"

"It's been two years now. How does it feel?"

"How does what feel?"

"Are you happy?"

Kaim looked up at the sky.

Cynthia had invited him to become her assistant, teaching him archaeology while also coaching him in battle. Then she had introduced him to a Gym, where he continued training. Now, he had become its second-best trainer.

I never could have imagined these two years when I started university.

Looking back, there had been plenty of hardships. But more importantly, this was how Kaim felt now.

"Yeah. I'm really happy."

Meeting Cynthia changed my life. If I hadn't met her, I'd never have been able to lead such a fulfilling life.

Kaim expressed his gratitude as he spoke.

"I'm glad."

"What about you, Cynthia? Are you happy with your life now?"

"Yes."

Cynthia closed her eyes and thought back over the past few years.

While serving as the champion protecting the Sinnoh Region, she also conducted research as an archaeologist. It wasn't easy. Challengers would inevitably devise strategies to counter her, and as a young scholar with limited achievements, she was easily underestimated. Ordinary effort wasn't enough to overcome all that.

Still, Cynthia had her precious Pokémon partners. They were the reason she could give it her all and keep going.

But as her achievements grew, she began to feel somewhat estranged from the people around her. She didn't know whether they intended it, but she often sensed a certain distance.

"Just what you'd expect from a genius."

"What astonishing talent."

"A great achievement only a genius could accomplish."

Those comments weren't unpleasant. Knowing they were compliments, she accepted them sincerely. Yet she felt uncomfortable having all her efforts summed up as "talent."

Of course, there were also people who understood and acknowledged her hard work. Those close to Cynthia knew how much effort she put in. That was precisely why they respected and praised the results she had achieved.

She knew that, but those people weren't always beside her. As a result, the people who truly recognized her weren't there with her.

Honestly, at first I thought Kaim would be just like everyone else.

I asked whether he wanted to be my assistant because I could tell at a glance that his intelligence and love for Pokémon were genuine. I knew that conducting in-depth investigations and research alone would be extremely difficult.

So when I was asked to give a lecture at Celadon University, I had a little hope that I might find a promising student.

The students who attended were all excellent. Even so, none of them met my requirements for an assistant.

Then, as I was about to stop by the lab of a professor I knew to say hello, I met Kaim.

His report showed me that he had an excellent perspective, but wasn't making full use of it. And his words showed how much he cared about Pokémon.

Seeing that made me want Kaim as my assistant. I thought it would be such a waste to leave a fine mind like his unused, but more than that, I wanted to help this young man live for Pokémon.

I invited him right away, and Kaim accepted.

After spending some time coaching him in battle and research, I noticed that Kaim, who seemed to have no interest in people, had become unexpectedly attentive and organized.

He started bringing up tidying the rooms and our meals, and even stopped using the polite language we'd always used with each other.

I was happy that Cynthia saw me as an individual and genuinely worried about me.

I began to hope I could stay with her.

So they found a way to tidy up the spare room and gave it to Kaim.

Although I looked bewildered, seeing Cynthia willing to put in the effort to clean and organize a room for me moved me, and I decided to move into her house.

Every day had been enjoyable since then.

Someone was by her side.

Someone ate with her.

Someone waited for her to come home.

And she could wait for that person to return, too.

For Cynthia, that everyday life had become warm and precious.

"Yes. It's very happy, and irreplaceable."

"Really? That's good, then."

"It's thanks to the Pokémon, these little ones, and your help."

Kaim didn't answer.

I shifted my gaze slightly to Kaim's face and noticed that his ears were even redder than before.

"You're blushing, you know?"

"I just drank too much."

Kaim spoke as he tilted his glass.

"Then you're blushing too, Cynthia?"

"The alcohol's just kicking in."

I gently rested my warm cheek against Kaim's shoulder and lowered my head a little.

My face was indeed a little hot, but that was only because of the alcohol.

Although I told myself that, I didn't move my head.

"Hey."

"?"

"Can we stay like this a little longer?"

Kaim's words made me happy, and my lips involuntarily relaxed into a smile.

The night breeze brushed across my burning cheeks.

It was a little cold, but for Cynthia, who was feeling flushed, it was just the right amount of coolness.

How nice it would be if Kaim could enjoy this breeze too, I thought, but I didn't say it aloud.

The light in the room illuminated the two of us and Umbreon's shadow on the wall.