Cynthia's assistant and butler

After successfully graduating from university, Kaim set off for the Sinnoh Region and became Cynthia's assistant and butler.

At first, Kaim had always spoken to her formally, but as he nagged the unguarded, lazy Cynthia every day, he gradually dropped the formalities, eventually settling into their current relationship.

"Two years already. Time really flies."

Kaim enjoyed the breeze as he watched Infernape and Lucario practice. Umbreon lounged on Kaim's lap, gazing idly at the scenery.

After watching for a while, Kaim suddenly glanced at the clock and realized it was almost nine.

"I'd better make food for Cynthia's Pokémon."

Kaim stood up and headed to the kitchen.

Not long afterward, Cynthia woke up too.

"Morning~"

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Much better."

Her complexion looked much better than it had at breakfast. She seemed to have recovered.

"Thanks for looking after everyone."

"No problem. I enjoy it."

Kaim smiled faintly as he watched Cynthia's Pokémon frolic and play together.

Cynthia sat beside him and peered at the papers in his hands.

"Oh, is that a new paper?"

"It was only published recently. You helped me get it sent under your name, Cynthia."

"You used my name again?"

"It's fine. An assistant's privilege. Besides, you said I could, Cynthia. You don't get to complain."

"True. It's not like you're doing anything wrong, so I'll let it slide."

"Are you still not fully awake?"

"Of course I am. Anyway, what's the paper about?"

"It's about the newly discovered Sinto Ruins. Apparently, it's quite an unusual site. They dated it by determining the age of the stones used in the ruins."

"It's an old-fashioned method, but it's the most accurate."

"They also examined issues relating to the symbols and writing used in the ruins. It's only a preliminary report, so there isn't much information yet, but it might attract more attention in the future."

Kaim took a drink from his water bottle and handed the paper to Cynthia.

Cynthia immediately skimmed through it. As expected of a scholar, she picked out the key points more quickly and accurately than Kaim and understood the contents faster too.

"Oh, this person wrote it. That makes it quite reliable."

"I never noticed before becoming your assistant, but some people really do write this stuff without much care."

"Of course. The archaeology community isn't exactly united."

"For better or worse, wherever people gather, you get all sorts."

Kaim stood up, stretched deeply, and took off his glasses.

"Umbreon."

Umbreon, who had been playing with Cynthia's Glalie, immediately turned and ran over upon hearing Kaim call.

"Where are you going?"

"Shopping. I'm heading to the Gym later, so I want to buy ingredients for dinner. Lucario, Infernape, what about you?"

"Rowlet's completely settled into nap mode, so I'll let that one sleep. Besides, they're sparring with your Lucario and Sharpedo."

The sparring seemed to be going well, so he decided to let them continue.

"They really are giving it their all."

"Those two love a fight. Battling our Pokémon gives them a good push."

"It certainly does."

Cynthia's Pokémon had been trained by a Champion, and their strength truly exceeded anything most people could imagine. For his battle-loving Pokémon, fighting stronger opponents and growing more powerful was an ideal opportunity. Cynthia was busy and couldn't always be home, so chances to spar with her Pokémon were rare. They wanted to make the most of opportunities like this, and Kaim could sense that too.

"Well, keep an eye on things at home for a bit."

"You're going shopping? I want to come too."

"Huh?"

"Hm? Can't I?"

Kaim gave Cynthia a sidelong look as she tilted her head in confusion.

"Whenever you come along, we always draw so much attention."

Cynthia simply stood out.

She was tall, with blonde hair that reached almost to her knees. She also had a lovely figure and face. Everything about her drew attention, and on top of that, she held two very famous titles: Champion and archaeologist. With Kaim beside her, he inevitably stood out as well.

"It's fine. I don't care if the weekly magazines write about us again."

"I don't mind either. It's not as though our relationship needs hiding. And if they make up nonsense about nothing, I'll just crush them."

"How scary."

Kaim listened to Cynthia with a cool smile as he wrote down what they needed to buy.

"Let's just have a simple vegetable stir-fry today."

"If I don't keep an eye on you, you hardly eat anything decent."

"Oh, that's so mean. I do put some thought into what I eat."

"You'd eat ice cream for breakfast if I didn't say anything, so you don't get to say that. I'm already busy enough. You need to at least keep your diet balanced, or you'll run yourself into the ground."

"You're such a busybody."

"Oh, leave me alone."

Kaim put on his jacket and picked up a reusable shopping bag, ready to head out. Instead of her usual heavy black coat, Cynthia put on a lightweight black cardigan.

"Let's go."

"."

Just as expected, Kaim and Cynthia became the center of attention as they walked down the street.

Naturally. Very few people in the Sinnoh Region didn't know who Cynthia was. Anyone would notice a celebrity like her walking down the street.

Those gazes also fell on Kaim as he walked beside Cynthia. Although he had grown somewhat used to it, Kaim was just an ordinary person. He had neither Cynthia's charisma nor the patience to deal with so many staring eyes.

Despite feeling a little troubled under all that attention, Kaim continued toward the supermarket.

"All this staring really gets to me."

"Oh, surely the people of Meiao City are used to us by now."

"It's not as obvious as it was at first, but I'm still not used to being stared at."

For someone like Kaim, who had spent his student years living an ordinary life, all that attention still felt unfamiliar. Sometimes, mixed in with the curious looks, he could feel envious ones too. Although those gazes were unlikely to lead to anything, Kaim took no pleasure whatsoever in them.

"I'm not some celebrity's accessory."

"You're a Gym Trainer now. Doesn't that make you a little famous too?"

"If I were a Gym Leader, maybe. But who remembers the Gym Trainers?"

"Well, I do."

"Not everyone has a memory like yours."

Talking about things that had nothing to do with romance, they walked to the supermarket together.

They put vegetables, meat, some food to stock up on, ingredients for pet food, fruit, and seasonings into their shopping basket, then paid at the register.

As they left, Cynthia gave the woman at the register an elegant wave, while Kaim merely nodded, though that was another matter.

After putting their purchases away in the refrigerator, Kaim did some simple dinner preparation. Once he finished, he had lunch with Cynthia.

After lunch and a short rest, Kaim got himself ready and returned his Pokémon to their Poké Balls.

"All right, I'm off. Dinner will be a little late tonight, but don't you dare go into the kitchen. I left some rice balls there, so eat those if you get hungry. Got it?"

"I know. Just how little do you trust me?"

"The last time I left the housework to you, you made a bigger mess than some incompetent layabout."

"Ugh."

"Just behave yourself. Spend some more time with the Pokémon."

"All right, already."

"I'm off."

"Have a safe trip."

Cynthia watched Kaim fly into the sky on Talonflame, then let out her own Pokémon and spent time with them, each enjoying themselves in their own way.

"Congratulations! The winner is Gym Trainer Kaim!"

The battle ended with Gym Leader Shi Momo's announcement.

Kaim returned his Pokémon to their Poké Balls and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

The dejected challenger recalled his injured Pokémon and walked over to Kaim.

"I lost."

"You did well. Get a little more experience, and you'll collect all your Gym Badges soon."

"What exactly should I do?"

"I think you'd benefit from more battles where you let your Pokémon make their own decisions. Instead of directing everything from start to finish, give them some advice during the battle and call out moves at crucial moments. Pokémon are smart, so even without instructions from us Trainers, they can make decisions to a certain extent."

"I see. Maybe I haven't fully trusted my Pokémon yet. Thank you for the advice."

With that, the young challenger left.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Kaim."

As Kaim tended to his injured Pokémon, Gym Leader Shi Momo came over.

"Thanks. You don't have to be so formal, you know? You're older than me, Mr. Kaim."

"You outrank me in this Gym, Shi Momo. It's only natural to be respectful. Besides, I keep losing to you."

"But I'm still stronger."

Kaim shrugged at the cheerful girl.

He had joined this Gym through Cynthia's introduction and had been honing his battling skills here ever since. He could fight tough battles against the other Gym Trainers and was now stronger than them. Yet against Shi Momo, he kept losing time after time.

When he first joined the Gym, he had been weaker than the other Trainers, but through Cynthia's guidance and his battle experience, he eventually became the Gym's second strongest.

At first, the other Trainers hadn't thought much of the cold, unfriendly Kaim.

But when they saw how seriously and diligently Kaim trained, they worked hard at their own training too, determined not to lose to him.

Before he knew it, Kaim had become part of the Gym. Although he wasn't cheerful or friendly, the Gym's members thought of him as a kind, considerate person.

"That was the last challenger for today. You can head home."

"I was just about to leave. Thanks for your hard work."

"Thanks for yours."

As Kaim headed toward the changing room, a Gym Trainer came to stand beside Shi Momo.

"Kaim really has gotten strong."

"Yes."

Shi Momo nodded in agreement with the Trainer.