Recaps

Kaim and Cynthia prepared New Year's dishes while discussing Team Galactic and reflecting on the places they had visited during the year. They recalled their friends and experiences in Alto Mare and Ilex Forest, and left open the possibility of visiting those places again.

• Kaim and Cynthia discussed Caitlin's return to Sinnoh and learned that she had handed her Elite Four work to someone from the Cochran Family.
• Kaim began preparing New Year's dishes with Lucario's help while he and Cynthia talked about Team Galactic's continued operation under League supervision.
• Kaim and Cynthia considered Cyrus's motives and wondered how his painful past and hatred had shaped his rejection of the heart.
• Cynthia and Kaim reviewed their visit to the Holy Ruins and recalled their time in Alto Mare, where they met Latias, Latios, Karon, and Pengola.
• Cynthia and Kaim discussed Celebi's journey through time and their arrival in Towa's forest, where Cynthia had met her longtime friend Towa.

Kaim and Cynthia reminisced about their year together as they prepared for New Year’s Eve, sharing memories of their travels, the Pokémon League, and their feelings for each other. After dinner and a quiet evening at home, Kaim fell asleep on the sofa, leaving Cynthia beside him with his guard down.

• Kaim and Cynthia discussed their trip to Ecruteak City, the kimono they wore, and the hairpin Kaim had given her.
• Cynthia recalled deciding to confess after winning the Pokémon League, and Kaim admitted he might have confessed to her too.
• Kaim and Cynthia cooked together, shared a New Year’s Eve meal, and thanked each other for the year they had spent together.
• Kaim and Cynthia relaxed at home, discussed visiting their families, and watched their Pokémon rest and play.
• After Cynthia bathed, she found Kaim asleep on the sofa with Little Black curled on his lap and sat beside him.

Cynthia and Kaim shared New Year’s Eve and welcomed the new year together before arranging for Caitlin to visit for Cynthia’s birthday. As Kaim prepared for his Gym Leader examination, Caitlin arrived at Cynthia’s home the day before the celebration.

• Cynthia accidentally put her finger in Kaim’s mouth while waking him, then Kaim dried her hair and gently teased her about pranking him.
• Cynthia and Kaim held hands with Little Black as the new year arrived, exchanged declarations of love, and promised to stay together.
• Cynthia asked Kaim if Caitlin could attend her birthday, and he agreed; they planned Caitlin’s stay and Kaim adjusted his birthday preparations.
• Kaim studied the Gym’s Trainers and Pokémon to prepare for his Gym Leader examination while Cynthia supported him.
• Caitlin arrived at Cynthia’s house with a butler, greeted Cynthia’s Pokémon, and joined her for coffee.

Caitlin visited Cynthia and Kaim, teasing Cynthia about her relationship with Kaim and enjoying sweets he had made. After Kaim returned from the Gym, Caitlin assessed his Metagross and battled it, recognizing its rapid progress and Kaim’s improving training methods.

• Caitlin ate Kaim’s strawberry tartlets with Cynthia and teased her about her relationship and possible future marriage to Kaim.
• Cynthia recalled how Kaim had wrongly accused her of eating his Poffins before discovering that Kuroki had taken them.
• Kaim returned from the Gym and joined Cynthia and Caitlin, while Blaziken helped carry dishes.
• Caitlin examined Kaim’s Metagross, praised its training, and challenged it to a battle with her own Metagross.
• Caitlin won the match but praised Kaim’s Metagross’s moves, and Cynthia noted its growth and Kaim’s progress in finding his own training approach.

Kaim prepared a Japanese dinner at Caitlin’s request while Cynthia and Caitlin chatted and teased each other. Over dinner, Caitlin raised Kaim’s possible appointment as Myo City’s Steel-type Gym Leader and suggested he add more Steel-type Pokémon; the meal was ready, but their discussion had not yet continued.

• Caitlin asked Kaim to make Japanese food, and he planned a balanced menu and began cooking with Lucario’s help.
• Cynthia brushed Caitlin’s hair as they talked about hair care, and Caitlin teased Kaim about giving Cynthia camellia oil.
• Cynthia called Kaim Caitlin’s big brother, making Caitlin blush before she hid her face against Kaim.
• Caitlin asked Cynthia whether Kaim should add more Steel-type Pokémon if he became Myo City’s Gym Leader, and Cynthia said he was already considering suitable choices.
• Kaim served grilled fish, a simmered dish, rice, miso soup, and salad, then helped Lucario and Little Black join the Pokémon for dinner.

Kaim shared dinner with Cynthia and Caitlin, who teased him about how absorbed he became when talking with Cynthia, before asking whether he would add another Pokémon to his team as a Gym Leader. He considered three Gym Pokémon as candidates and agreed to spend time with them before choosing; after dinner, the three played a party game, where Kaim was beaten.

• Cynthia and Caitlin praised Kaim’s yuan-yaki, and Cynthia recalled that he had promised to make it for her.
• Caitlin pointed out how close Kaim and Cynthia seemed and reminded them that she was there with them.
• Caitlin asked whether Kaim planned to expand his team as a Gym Leader, and Kaim named Scizor, Steelix, and Bisharp as candidates.
• Kaim explained that he cared more about how a new Pokémon would fit in with his team than about balancing the team’s strengths.
• Kaim agreed to spend time with the candidate Pokémon before choosing, and the three finished dinner and played a party game that Kaim lost.

Kaim and Cynthia planned to bake her birthday cake together, then exchanged a surprise kiss and affectionate teasing. After their baths, Caitlin noticed Cynthia’s flushed, lovestruck expression and pressed her to reveal what had happened.

• Cynthia told Kaim she wanted to help him make her birthday cake, and he agreed to teach her.
• Cynthia kissed Kaim on the cheek, and he retaliated with a kiss on the lips that left her blushing.
• Kaim and Cynthia cuddled with Little Black, who settled between them contentedly.
• Caitlin and Cynthia discussed the sleeping arrangements in Cynthia’s room, where Kaim had set up two beds and a futon.
• Caitlin noticed Cynthia’s lovestruck expression and moved closer, grinning as she tried to find out what had happened.

Cynthia told Caitlin about her love for Kaim while they talked during bath time, and Caitlin reflected on whether she might fall in love someday. The next day, Cynthia and Kaim made her birthday chocolate cake together, leaving Caitlin happy to share their peaceful time.

• Cynthia told Caitlin that Kaim had kissed her, then explained how much she loved and trusted him.
• Caitlin wondered whether she would ever fall in love and thanked Cynthia for helping her learn to control her emotions and psychic powers.
• Cynthia teased Caitlin by describing what she loved about Kaim until Caitlin grew embarrassed.
• The next day, Cynthia and Kaim began making her birthday chocolate cake while Caitlin took pictures and watched them work together.
• Caitlin felt happy seeing Cynthia and Kaim enjoying a peaceful moment, something she had longed for amid her demanding upbringing.

Kaim, Caitlin, and Cynthia shared a birthday dinner prepared with help from Lucario and Little Black, and discussed Kaim’s upcoming Gym Leader certification exam. Caitlin teased Cynthia and Kaim about their relationship, and after dinner Kaim brought out the finished cake.

• Kaim explained that Lucario and Little Black had helped prepare the feast using Confusion, and Cynthia thanked the Pokémon.
• Cynthia praised Kaim’s cooking, and the group discussed his Gym Leader certification exam scheduled for mid-March.
• Caitlin teased Cynthia and Kaim by calling them lovers and suggesting they were nearly newlyweds, leaving both embarrassed.
• Kaim and Caitlin joked about settling their teasing through a Pokémon battle, and everyone laughed together over dinner.
• After dinner, Kaim announced dessert, and Cynthia and Caitlin eagerly waited to see the finished cake.

Kaim, Cynthia, and Caitlin celebrated Cynthia’s birthday with a homemade chocolate cake and exchanged gifts. After Caitlin gave Cynthia a limited-edition scarf, Kaim handed her another present, leaving its contents unrevealed.

• Kaim served the decorated chocolate cake he had made with Cynthia and Caitlin, including Garchomp and other Pokémon-shaped icing cookies.
• Caitlin took a commemorative photo of Cynthia and Kaim together beside the cake.
• Cynthia tasted the cake and praised its chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and crushed chocolate filling.
• After they finished eating and washing the dishes, Caitlin gave Cynthia a limited-edition scarf as a birthday present.
• Kaim handed Cynthia a pale yellow bag with an envelope attached, but the chapter ended before she opened it.

Cynthia celebrated her birthday with Kaim and Caitlin, receiving thoughtful gifts from Ishana and Kaim before Caitlin returned home. Kaim then considered which Pokémon to add to his Gym battle roster, while Togen reassured him that he was ready to become a Gym Leader.

• Cynthia read Ishana’s birthday letter and received cosmetics Ishana had selected for her.
• Kaim gave Cynthia a ball holder, a pen, and a handmade metal Garchomp holding a garnet he had mined and polished.
• Caitlin left after spending three days with Cynthia and Kaim, and the couple shared a quiet moment together at home.
• Kaim watched his Pokémon bond with three roster candidates and worried he would not have enough time to care for them all.
• Togen advised Kaim that he could take all three candidates and said Kaim already understood the responsibilities of a Gym Leader.

Togen told Kaim that Gym trainers wanted to give him Valentine’s chocolates, and Kaim decided to accept them despite worrying about Cynthia’s feelings. Meanwhile, Cynthia practiced making chocolates with Suzuna, Sumo, and Fantina, then waited at home with a gift she had made for Kaim.

• Togen told Kaim that the personal trainers had chocolates for him, and Kaim chose to accept them after considering his relationship with Cynthia.
• Togen worried that a female trainer interested in Kaim might complicate matters, though he could not tell whether she had romantic feelings.
• Cynthia practiced making chocolate truffles with Suzuna, Sumo, and Fantina in Yusuga City.
• Cynthia and the others discussed Kaim’s skill as her supporter, and Cynthia said he suited her exceptionally well.
• On February 14, Cynthia waited at home with chocolates she had made for Kaim while he was at the Gym.

Cynthia gave Kaim handmade chocolates for their first Valentine's Day as a couple, and they shared an affectionate evening together. Over dinner, Kaim revealed that he planned to adopt Chillachile, leaving Cynthia to ask why he had chosen it.

• Kaim came home with store-bought chocolates from a Personal Trainer and worried that accepting them might look improper because he had a boyfriend.
• Cynthia gave Kaim six handmade chocolate truffles, and he praised her for overcoming her difficulties with cooking.
• Cynthia fed Kaim the chocolates he had received from the Trainer, wanting him to focus on her for the rest of Valentine's Day.
• Kaim and Cynthia expressed their love and gratitude, kissed, and then ate dinner together.
• Cynthia asked Kaim which Pokémon he had decided to adopt, and he said he would choose Chillachile.

Kaim discussed choosing Bisharp as his Gym Trainer Pokémon and prepared for the certification exam while sharing a quiet evening with Cynthia. They talked about raising a Jangmo-o together, Cynthia’s future beyond the Champion title, and their plans as a couple, ending the night cuddled together.

• Kaim explained that he chose Bisharp because he understood Evil types, and he planned to develop Bisharp’s Metal Burst for Gym battles.
• Cynthia told Kaim she wanted to raise a Jangmo-o as a future ace, and Kaim agreed to help her train it.
• Kaim admitted he was anxious about becoming a Gym Leader, and Cynthia encouraged him to do his best without belittling himself.
• Cynthia revealed that she had practiced making chocolate with Sunao, Sumomo, and Fantina, but had made the Valentine’s gift only for Kaim.
• Kaim and Cynthia read about the Battle Frontier expansion and discussed Oukan’s possible candidacy as Battle Mountain’s Frontier Brain.
• Cynthia wondered what she would do after leaving the Champion position, and Kaim promised to support her always.

Kaim traveled with Cynthia to Lily of the Valley Island to take the Pokémon League’s Gym Leader certification exam as Tougan’s successor. After learning the exam schedule and discussing the final battle, he settled in for the night while Cynthia quietly encouraged him.

• Kaim and Cynthia traveled to Lily of the Valley Island, where Kaim was scheduled to take the Gym Leader certification exam.
• Natane and Maxie explained that the exam would include a written test, an interview, and three practical battles, with rental Pokémon for the first two and a strong opponent for the final battle.
• Cynthia asked Natane and Maxie to judge Kaim strictly, and they agreed to assess him closely.
• Kaim told Cynthia he could guess who his final opponent might be, but he declined to say who in case he was wrong.
• Cynthia wished Kaim and his Pokémon luck as he slept before the exam.

Kaim completed the written and interview portions of the Gym Leader certification exam, then fought two rental-Pokémon battles in the practical exam. He faced Toogan for the final battle with their own Pokémon, beginning a serious match with Lucario and Steelix.

• Cynthia helped Kaim get dressed for the exam, and he finished the written test quickly before explaining his views on what a Gym Leader should be.
• Kaim told Cynthia that he had passed the first two practical battles with one win and one draw, though the observers noted that he was too passive and stiff.
• Kaim chose to continue without a break, and Toogan entered as his final opponent.
• Toogan challenged Kaim to show his full strength, and the referee began the battle as Kaim sent out Lucario and Toogan sent out Steelix.

Kaim’s Lucario defeated Tugen Oukan’s Hagana with a Focus Sash-backed counterattack, then fell to Empoleon after helping weaken it. Kaim’s Umbreon and Blaziken continued the battle, and Blaziken caught Empoleon off guard with Speed Boost before Oukan called for another Flash Kanon.

• Kaim’s Lucario dodged Hagana’s attacks, endured Body Press with its Focus Sash, and knocked Hagana out with a powerful counterattack.
• Tugen sent out Empoleon, which defeated Lucario after a fierce exchange, though Lucario damaged it first.
• Kaim sent out Umbreon, which used Roar and a smoke-based feint to weaken and confuse Empoleon before Kaim recalled it.
• Kaim sent out Blaziken, which fought Empoleon through Hydro Pump, Aqua Jet, and repeated exchanges of blows.
• Blaziken activated Speed Boost and struck Empoleon with a stronger Flare Blitz, surprising Oukan and sending Empoleon flying.
• Oukan urged Empoleon to respond to Blaziken’s speed, while Kaim ordered Blaziken to use Flash Drive again.

Kaim defeated Toogan in a Gym battle after Blaziken knocked out Empoleon and Umbreon outlasted Tyrantrum in a hard-fought final match. The battle ended with Kaim and Toogan discussing Kaim’s techniques and how he had adapted ideas from Sinnoh’s history.

• Blaziken used the Special Attack drops Blackie had inflicted to overcome Empoleon’s Hydro Pump and knock him out with Close Combat.
• Tyrantrum read Blaziken’s approach, used its high defense to withstand Close Combat, and defeated the exhausted Blaziken with Earth Power.
• Blackie discovered that Tyrantrum’s Soundproof ability nullified Barkout, forcing Kaim to switch to an offensive strategy with Umbreon.
• Kaim used Wish to help Blackie recover, while Toogan’s Tyrantrum used Metal Burst and a Black Iron Ball-boosted Heavy Bomber to wear him down.
• Blackie survived Tyrantrum’s Heavy Bomber with Protect and defeated it with Foul Play, giving Kaim the victory.
• Toogan congratulated Kaim and asked about his defensive choices and powerful Heavy Bomber, and Kaim explained that he had drawn inspiration from historical Sinnoh battle techniques.

Kaim passed the Gym Leader qualification and was appointed the new leader of the Myo Gym. Cynthia celebrated both his appointment and his birthday with him at a luxury restaurant, where they reflected on their gratitude for each other.

• Togen announced that Kaim had passed his exams and battle evaluation and would become the Myo Gym Leader, while Maxie prepared to take over Togen's Gym.
• Kaim completed the paperwork for his appointment, and Cynthia called someone while looking at the Red Ring on her hand.
• Cynthia greeted Kaim in a dress and took him to a luxury restaurant to celebrate his new position and his birthday on March 16.
• Kaim and Cynthia toasted his appointment and birthday, discussed his new responsibilities, and expressed their gratitude for one another.

After a romantic evening, Kaim told Cynthia he wanted to wait until he finished writing a book before answering her feelings, and she agreed to wait. They shared a kiss, while the bonus scene followed Sonia and Nessa at a boutique in Hulbury before an elderly man arrived.

• Kaim showed Cynthia Professor Rowan's assessment of his thesis and Professor Sycamore's request for him to write a book of hypotheses about Regigigas and Pokémon.
• Cynthia gave Kaim a Key Stone chain for when he obtained a Mega Stone and a handmade Blaziken ornament set with the garnet he had once given her.
• Kaim asked Cynthia to wait until he finished writing his book before he responded to her feelings, and Cynthia agreed while saying she would tell him if she waited too long.
• Cynthia kissed Kaim, and he held her close as they looked over the stadium; the lounge staff watched their sweet exchange and talked about them.
• In Hulbury, Sonia and Nessa chatted with their friend Ishana at her boutique, where Nessa agreed to model for Sonia's upcoming fashion magazine interview.
• An elderly man with graying hair entered Ishana's shop.

Ishana told Kabu, Nessa, and Sonia that her younger brother Kaim had become a Gym Leader in Sinnoh, and they realized they all had connections to him. The group discussed Kaim’s past, while a photo of them together later left Kaim confused.

• Kabu visited Ishana’s shop to order uniforms and joined Ishana, Sonia, and Nessa for tea.
• Ishana shared that her younger brother Kaim had passed his Gym Leader certification after years of struggling and persevering.
• Kabu recalled a determined boy who repeatedly challenged a Gym Leader in Hoenn and recognized him as Kaim in Ishana’s photo.
• Nessa and Sonia revealed they had also met Kaim, and Ishana explained that Kaim was Cynthia’s lover as well as her supporter and assistant.
• Ishana told the group about Kaim’s past, and a few days later Kaim received a photo of the four together that he could not understand.

Kaim settled into life as the Myo Kaim Gym Leader and learned that Jasmine, the Olivine City Gym Leader, planned to visit. At home, he trained with his Pokémon and shared a quiet evening with Cynthia, who wanted more of his attention.

• Kaim defeated a challenger with Kirimoyama and advised him to review the battle carefully.
• The Gym manager told Kaim that Jasmine of the Olivine City Gym would visit in two days, and Kaim invited her to battle if the schedule allowed.
• Cynthia told Kaim that Jasmine was a Steel-type specialist whose longtime partner was Steelix, but she knew little about Jasmine personally.
• Kaim and Cynthia shared dinner and affectionate teasing before Kaim washed the dishes while Cynthia played with Little Black.
• Kaim stopped Blaziken and Kirimoyama's sparring so they would not overwork, then petted Milotic and the two Zweilous.
• Cynthia and Little Black looked jealous when Kaim focused on the other Pokémon, so Kaim joined them on the sofa and hugged them.

Kaim and Cynthia enjoyed an affectionate evening while discussing his research into Regigigas myths and the work he needed to write a book. They parted with Cynthia promising to support his goals as he took on more duties and pursued his research.

• Cynthia cuddled with Kaim and Little Black, and Kaim explained that he was building a structure for his Regigigas book with Professor Sycamore and his editor.
• Kaim and Cynthia discussed why so little folklore about Regigigas survived, and Kaim considered whether Arceus's followers had erased its worship in Sinnoh.
• Kaim planned to ask Steven for material from Hoenn and to contact Sonia about research materials from Galar, but Cynthia took his phone and asked him to focus on her.
• Kaim and Cynthia exchanged declarations of love and talked about how their time together might shrink as he took on more Gym Leader duties and writing.
• Cynthia pulled Kaim down onto the floor with Little Black, and she promised to trust and support him in pursuing his dreams.

Kaim met Jasmine, the Olivine Gym Leader, while eating lunch in Myo City and learned she had come to Sinnoh to train and study. He showed her around Myo Gym and ended by recalling a Gym Leader whose oversized facility caused a citywide blackout.

• Kaim finished a report about a sailor's son who had awakened from nightmares after Hikari used a Lunar Feather from Fullmoon Island.
• Kaim left Myo Gym to find lunch and unexpectedly met Jasmine, the Olivine Gym Leader, eating a huge meal.
• Jasmine explained that she had come to Sinnoh to train, enter competitions, and help people discover the appeal of Steel-type Pokémon.
• Kaim welcomed Jasmine to Myo Gym and showed her its battlefields, recording cameras, basement training room, and challenge layout.
• Kaim explained that his predecessor's Gym design reflected his work in a mine, then mentioned a Gym Leader whose massive Gym had caused a citywide blackout.

Kaim showed Jasmine around the Mio Gym, explained his approach to training its Pokémon and Gym Trainers, and asked her about an earlier case involving a boy trapped in sleep. After Jasmine battled two Gym Trainers, Kaim invited her home for dinner, where she met his roommate, Cynthia, and entered their spotless house.

• Kaim showed Jasmine the Gym's elevator, training areas, and records room, then explained how he tailored training to each Pokémon.
• Kaim asked Jasmine about a boy who had slept for days, and she recognized Hikari as the girl who had solved the incident.
• Jasmine told Kaim she had missed visiting the Sunyshore Gym because Byron's remodeling had caused a citywide blackout.
• Kaim arranged for Jasmine to battle two Gym Trainers, who were selected by drawing lots, and they discussed the battles afterward.
• Kaim invited Jasmine to dinner at his home, got Cynthia's approval, and revealed that his roommate was the Sinnoh League Champion.
• Cynthia welcomed Jasmine into her clean and tidy house.