The rising sun and a lover

"Then let's have Miss Cynthia tell us how she first met Mr. Kaim!"

Cynthia gave Seimi, who was wearing pajamas and looking at her with sparkling eyes, a wry smile.

I'd escape too if I could, but with not only Caitlin but even Iris caught, there's nothing I can do.

"We started getting used to each other about three years ago. We first met at Celadon University."

"Why did you hire Mr. Kaim as your assistant, Miss Cynthia?"

Alice asked an innocent question, dressed in childish pajamas.

"He showed promise, both as an archaeologist and as a Trainer. Unfortunately, he's very intelligent, but he can't put it to good use."

"Did you like him even back then?!"

"Of course not. I wouldn't fall in love that quickly."

"Then when did you start realizing you liked Kaim?"

Cynthia's face turned bright red at Caitlin's question.

Caitlin watched Cynthia gleefully, Shimi looked curious, and Iris gazed at her with sparkling eyes.

"When?! When?!"

"Um..."

"What about when we met last year?"

"Uh, well, back then..."

"Back then?"

"I don't think I'd realized it yet."

"Then when?"

"Honestly, I don't really remember. By the time I realized it..."

Just as she was about to say, "I'd fallen in love with him," Cynthia grew embarrassed and stopped.

But even without her saying it, all three knew what she meant.

"...Are we done yet?"

"Not yet."

"I want to hear more!"

"Your private life isn't very well known, Miss Cynthia. I'd really like to hear more."

"Is teasing someone older than you that much fun?"

"Yes."

"Yes!"

"Relatively speaking."

"Honestly..."

Kaim was good at escaping this sort of thing, but even if he had been there, he wouldn't have gotten away.

"At my age, I don't want to say too many girlish things."

"But those are your true feelings, aren't they, Miss Cynthia?"

She had devoted most of her life to battling and archaeology and had never dated a man. Of course, men had approached her before, but none had met Cynthia's standards. That was why she hadn't experienced romance until this age.

Having her first boyfriend at twenty-five was a little embarrassing, but saying things to him that hardly suited someone so inexperienced was even more embarrassing.

Still, since those were Cynthia's true feelings, there was nothing she could do. No clumsy deception would work against Caitlin's psychic powers.

"Hey, Miss Cynthia, why do you like Mr. Kaim?"

Iris's question came purely from her innocence. Yet, in a sense, it was more important than anything else-the most important question at this girls' gathering.

"What do you like about him?"

Unable to escape, Cynthia thought of Kaim and decided she had no choice but to talk.

"I don't think this sort of thing is particularly logical. But in this situation, I suppose I'd better give a proper reason."

"I can understand it not being logical."

Cynthia considered it, then honestly voiced the answer in her heart.

"I suppose it's his sincerity and dedication."

He wasn't outstanding at either battling or archaeology. But Cynthia liked how he accurately identified his shortcomings and worked to overcome them. It would take time, but his steady determination was more sincere than that of any other Trainer she had met.

That sincere attitude extended beyond battling and archaeology to his relationships, too. Kaim's appeal lay in how earnestly he treated everyone, never doing anything to betray their trust.

"It's not unusual for someone to approach people and things sincerely and keep working hard. But I don't think many people can keep it up."

"Well, forgive me for being rude, but Kaim really doesn't have a talent for battling."

"But Mr. Kaim seems strong, doesn't he?"

"He has the potential to become stronger because he can identify exactly what he's lacking. But he can't figure out what kind of effort would help him overcome his weaknesses."

That was the one thing Kaim lacked most. He didn't know what he could do to overcome it. So he tried all sorts of methods, only to waste time in the end.

"But understanding that and continuing to work hard is very difficult. Everyone's afraid to face their own weaknesses. I don't know whether I could overcome that fear and keep going."

Cynthia herself had a talent for both battling and archaeology. Besides, she found them fascinating and enjoyable, which allowed her to keep pursuing them.

But without those talents, could Cynthia have come this far? She would have done something. Yet, if asked whether she could have poured the same passion into it, she couldn't readily give an answer.

"Hmm. When you put it that way, I really don't feel confident."

"There's no doubt that I've always loved Pokémon. But if you asked whether I could devote as much passion to them as I do now, I couldn't say for certain."

"I don't know much about battling, but it's fun whether I win or lose. I think the good thing about it is that clashing lets you understand your opponent and your Pokémon. Of course I want to win, and I get really upset when I lose."

"Right? Whatever form it takes, unlike Kaim, we all have talents and aptitudes. All along..."

Once, when he entered university, he seemed to have given up. But ever since becoming Cynthia's student, he had continued working without the slightest compromise. Sumo had piled up a frightening number of losses, but Kaim would surely draw on every one of them, even a little, to sustain his progress.

"He's awkward and a little inconspicuous, but I think that's why his sincerity drew me to him."

The three unconsciously stared at Cynthia's beauty, their faces faintly reddening.

"Hehe. You're more in love than I imagined."

"Isn't she?"

"Wow! That's wonderful!"

"...Is that enough?"

Embarrassed by their reactions, Cynthia pleaded for an end.

Of course, whether they listened was another matter.

"I want to ask more until I get sleepy."

"Not yet! Let's talk some more!"

"I want to hear more about you too, Miss Cynthia!"

"Um, I told you to take it easy..."

For about two more hours, Cynthia was bombarded with questions until the three finally fell quietly asleep.

Utterly exhausted at last, Cynthia headed to Kaim's room, where the light was still on, to replenish her lost energy.

Feeling the rising sun, Cynthia opened her eyes.

For a moment, the first thing she saw through her hazy vision was the sleeping face of the man she loved. His brows were usually furrowed, but now she gazed absentmindedly at his peaceful sleeping face.

She checked the clock. It was still early.

It wouldn't have been surprising if Cochran, the butler, was awake, but at least Caitlin hadn't gotten up yet.

She could go back to sleep, but Kaim usually rose earlier than Cynthia, so she rarely had a chance to see his sleeping face. Making the most of the opportunity, she watched his unusually peaceful expression.

Cynthia stroked Kaim's head as she had before falling asleep. His slightly stiff hair brushed her palm, shifting to fit beneath her hand. She stroked his somewhat long hair, then his cheek.

"...Ah."

Kuroko, nestled between Cynthia and Kaim, opened his eyes.

He must have woken when he noticed Cynthia moving. She thought she had disturbed him, but Kuroko didn't seem to mind and licked her face.

"Hehe. Good morning."

She gathered Little Black into her arms and sat up, careful not to wake Kaim.

The villa was quiet. It seemed Cochran wasn't awake yet, either.

Perhaps it's too early.

She felt she hadn't slept very long, yet her body wasn't tired or sluggish. She felt relaxed and had slept more deeply than usual. As expected of Cattleya Villa, even the guest-room beds were excellent. Cynthia thought that was only natural for Caitlin, who loved sleeping. Perhaps the quality of the bed had given her such deep, restful sleep.

No, that's not it.

Of course, that was one factor. But it wasn't the biggest one.

She stroked the head of Kaim, who was sleeping beside her. Having someone so important to her nearby put Cynthia at ease and helped her relax even more.

Cynthia thought it might be a good idea to consider buying two single beds and sleeping together in the future. Of course, she didn't think Kaim would readily agree without getting embarrassed.

"Thank you."

After whispering her thanks to Kaim, Cynthia quietly left the room with Kuroko.

The four of them finished the breakfast Cochran and Kaim had made. Caitlin had overslept, and Iris and Shikimi planned to go shopping once she woke up.

Meanwhile, Shirona and Kaim finished preparing for their investigation and headed to the Pokémon Center.

"Does the Pokémon Center handle admission?"

"Yes. We're going inside because we're conducting an investigation, but ordinary visitors can only view the ruins."

According to Cynthia, everything seemed to have been prepared for them except cameras and other recording supplies. All they had brought were a camera and swimsuits to wear beneath their diving suits.

"That's simple enough. Whatever works."

"It leaves you with fewer unnecessary worries before the investigation. By the way, have you ever dived with Pokémon? I've heard you've done some light diving."

"My sister dragged me along once."

"Ah..."

Seeing Kaim's uncomfortable expression, Shirona wondered whether he had been caught off guard or utterly overwhelmed, and didn't press him.

When they entered the Pokémon Center and reached the designated location, the guide was already waiting.

"Miss Shirona?"

"Yes."

"I'll be taking you to the entrance of the ruins today."

"All right."

"Understood. Here are your diving suits. There are changing rooms up ahead, so please change there. Instructions for putting them on are posted inside, too. Please put on the other necessary diving items along with your suits. I'll give you..."

"Thanks for your help. See you in a bit, Kaim."

"Yes."

After receiving their diving suits, the two entered the changing rooms.

When Cynthia put on her diving suit and headed to the harbor, Kaim had already changed and was talking with the guide.

"Sorry. Have you been waiting long?"

"No problem."

"Everything's ready. Now, here's your diving equipment. You don't need to put it on until you enter the sea, so I'll briefly explain how to use it."

"Yes, please."

Both had some experience diving with Pokémon, but they decided they should listen carefully to this sort of explanation.

Once the explanation was over, the guide turned to them.

"Do you have any questions?"

"We're all right."

"Then let's head out. I'll take you to the diving spot."

With that, the guide released Lapras from a ball and climbed onto Lapras's back.

Then Cynthia put on all her diving equipment, released Milotic into the water, and held on to Milotic's back.

"Come on, Kaim. You too."

"Yes."

Following Cynthia, Kaim entered the sea and took hold of Milotic's back.

"A Milotic! That's rare."

"Isn't it? This one's my pride and joy."

"That's a fine bond of trust. You may already know this before diving, but I'll explain just in case. The Abyssal Ruins are a complicated maze, and I believe there are still several unexplored routes. Also, there's a limit to how long you can stay inside. You'll hear a clicking sound when you enter, so that may be the signal that it has begun. Even if your time runs out, you'll simply be expelled from the ruins by a current. If that happens, you'll be fine as long as you don't panic and keep hold of Milotic. Do you have any questions?"

"We're all right."

"Then I'll lead the way. Please follow me."

Milotic followed the guide's Lapras, with the two holding on.

Before long, they reached a place where the water was noticeably deeper than elsewhere.

"It's down here."

"Yes."

After confirming they had put on their equipment as instructed, the guide told Lapras to dive.

"Milotic, dive."

Cynthia also instructed Milotic to dive, and the two descended into the sea.

The seawater was so clear that it remained bright, and they could see the seabed. Even there, one area was particularly deep, and ruins were visible within it.

Those were the Abyssal Ruins.

The atmosphere was somewhat desolate, yet there was an unfamiliar presence about the place.

Compared with the sites she had investigated so far, these ruins were large and remarkably well preserved. Perhaps being beneath the sea protected them from exposure to air, while their position in that deep recess sheltered them from erosion by the currents.

Just what sort of being was that king?

The being called the "king" that Kaim had mentioned yesterday. She knew little about that figure. She guessed it had been the owner of the ruins, but beyond that, she knew nothing.

The guide gestured for them to enter.

After confirming the signal, Cynthia looked at Kaim. He noticed her gaze and nodded.

Cynthia pointed to direct Milotic into the ruins, and Milotic obeyed.

The interior of the ruins was brighter than I had imagined, and I could clearly see where I was going.

Was it really this bright? I didn't need a flashlight.

Kaim had brought a flashlight just in case, but he felt it was unnecessary with this much light and slipped it into the leather holster at his waist.

When I had made my way fully inside the ruins, I heard a click.

That was the sound of it starting. I wondered how exactly it worked.

I didn't know how they had confirmed that Cynthia and the others had infiltrated the place, and even thinking back on it now, I couldn't figure it out. So Shirona shifted her thoughts and immediately turned her attention to exploring the Ruins.