"Who was that just now?"
Xia Chi came out of the kitchen carrying the dishes and asked Cynthia.
Cynthia was silent for two seconds before saying, "I forgot to ask her name. But she was a very pretty girl."
"Oh, that must have been Lin Lange."
Hearing the description he had expected, Xia Chi said in realization, "That battle maniac was probably here to ask me to spar. It's fine. I'll get in touch with her in a few days."
Naturally, what he meant was, I'll focus on spending time with you these next few days.
Cynthia's thin lips curved slightly as she nodded. "Don't worry. I won't take up too much of your time. My vacation is almost over, too."
"Aw, that's a shame," Xia Chi said regretfully. "I was hoping you'd stay a little longer, Cynthia."
Cynthia's expression remained unchanged, but her index finger began tapping the table unconsciously. She said softly, "Well, going back a few days late wouldn't really-"
But then Xia Chi added, "I feel like Floragato, Misdreavus, and the others could learn more if you stayed a few more days."
Cynthia looked up at Xia Chi without betraying any emotion and pressed her lips together. "Going back a few days late would leave me with quite a backlog."
Xia Chi: "..."
Wait.
Did I just say something wrong?
After spending half the day together, the atmosphere at dinner was noticeably warmer than it had been at lunch.
Except between the two Trainers, Xia Chi and Cynthia.
Sensing something was wrong, Xia Chi told several jokes about Legendary Pokémon before he finally managed to lighten the mood again.
"Why are you always making fun of Groudon for not being able to fly?"
Now in a better mood, Cynthia couldn't help asking.
"Uh..."
Xia Chi thought