At first light, Fang Yan got out of bed, stretched, and walked out onto the balcony.
Gengar was doing radio calisthenics along with a video on the tablet he had bought for him.
Leaning against the balcony doorway, Fang Yan watched Gengar hop about on his little legs. Since his hands couldn't meet above his head, he clapped them in front of his chest instead.
"A disciplined little fatty."
Gengar finished that set of movements, then stopped and looked at Fang Yan.
"Gengar-"
Fang Yan thought for a moment, then nodded.
"All right, I'll give it a try too."
Gengar made room for him, and the human and ghost started doing radio calisthenics together on the balcony.
After being knocked flying by him for the umpteenth time, Gengar finally couldn't take it anymore and chased him away.
Shrugging, Fang Yan left his room. Cynthia's room was right next door. Yesterday, she had picked a room with a view of the backyard, and he had helped her tidy it up. She had moved her luggage right in without standing on ceremony.
He checked the time. It was a little past six in the morning, and she hadn't woken up yet. Fang Yan shook his head and headed downstairs.
Mime Jr. had already prepared breakfast. Ever since Mime Jr. arrived, cooking had become much easier for Fang Yan. Mime Jr. was so capable.
After he went downstairs, a sound came from the door of the neighboring room. Then it opened, and Cynthia stepped out with a yawn.
"Good morning, Fang Yan."
"Good morning, Uncle."
Voices came from upstairs and outside the door at the same time. Sitting at the counter eating breakfast, Fang Yan raised his head, first glancing at Cynthia, then turning to Shauna.
"Good morning, Cynthia. Good morning, Shauna."
Cynthia walked straight downstairs, while Shauna came behind the counter with Chingling. After a glance at Cynthia, she slipped behind Fang Yan with practiced ease.
Cynthia gave him a questioning look.
Is this the girl?
Fang Yan nodded, swallowed the egg in his hand in one bite, wiped his hands, then patted Shauna's little head.
"It's all right, Shauna. This lady is your big brother's... your uncle's friend."
Shauna peeked out and looked curiously at Cynthia, only to be utterly captivated.
"Hello, my name is Cynthia."
Cynthia gave her a gentle smile. Not only Shauna but even Fang Yan was stunned.
Fang Yan soon recovered, though, and encouraged Shauna to step out.
Shauna emerged from behind Fang Yan and walked up to Cynthia.
"H-hello, my name is Shauna."
Looking at the little girl whose voice trembled slightly, Cynthia remembered what Fang Yan had told her yesterday, and her heart ached. Then she bent down and, copying Fang Yan, patted the girl's little silver-haired head.
"You're so cute, Shauna."
Shauna looked up at the face so close to hers, at gentle eyes like spring water and a captivating smile.
Her face flushed red in an instant.
"You're so pretty, Cynthia."
With that, she threw herself into Cynthia's arms, hugging her leg tightly.
She was too shy to lift her head.
Cynthia glanced at Fang Yan, caught between laughter and tears. Fang Yan shrugged.
Seeing that they were getting along well, Fang Yan called them over for breakfast. Mime Jr. came out of the kitchen with their meals.
Leaving them to eat in peace, Fang Yan returned to the kitchen and made them two glasses of honey water.
"Thank you."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"You're welcome."
With that, Fang Yan went back to the backyard, cleaned Torterra up a little, then took out the lawn mower.
It was time to mow again.
Having finished his breakfast, Gengar came through the wall, shoved past Fang Yan, and started driving the lawn mower himself with a rumble.
With his hands on his hips, Fang Yan watched Gengar drive away and called out a couple of reminders.
Then he went to find some usable pieces of wood and carried them back to the counter. Cynthia and Shauna had just finished breakfast.
"Are you going to the backyard, or staying out front to watch TV?"
Cynthia didn't hesitate. "I'm going to the backyard."
Then she took Shauna with her, pushed open the door, and headed out back.
Fang Yan nodded, hung up the open sign, then sat at the counter, picked up his tools, and got to work.
In the backyard, Cynthia took Shauna straight to the swing. Once Shauna sat down, Cynthia looked it over and found there was no room for her. She patted the girl's little head, told her to be careful, then returned to the parasol and lay down with practiced ease.
The scent of freshly cut grass drifted to her nose. Not far away, her Pokémon were discussing something with Fang Yan's Pokémon. Sensing the aura around Gengar and the others, Cynthia nodded inwardly.
Fang Yan had raised them very well. The bond between Trainer and Pokémon tied them closely together, and Cynthia really liked that.
After a moment's thought, Cynthia took out her phone and snapped a photo of herself.
Then she opened a group chat and tapped send.
Caitlin: So pretty.
Diantha: Looking lovely as always, Cynthia.
Shauntal: Judging by the background, are you on vacation again?
Cynthia paused when she saw that message, then looked up into the distance. Her lips curved into a smile, and her slender fingers began tapping away at the screen.
Cynthia: I found a really nice place for a vacation.
Shauntal: I knew it.
Caitlin: I wish I could go on vacation with Cynthia too.
Cynthia: Let's go together next time.
Diantha: Isn't your Sinnoh Region's League Conference about to start? You still have time to run off on vacation?
Remembering that the League Conference was about to begin, Cynthia pouted, then tapped at the screen.
Cynthia: I'm in Sinnoh.
Cynthia: I'm at a really nice Pokémon Day Care in the Sinnoh Region. The owner is a very skilled Breeder.
Caitlin: A Pokémon Day Care? You'd be better off coming here to vacation with me.
Shauntal: Really?
Diantha: Is that really okay, though? The League Conference is almost here. Aren't you going to train a little? It'd be awful if Caitlin beat you.
Caitlin: Hehe, just wait until I beat you!
After sending her last message, Cynthia turned off her phone's screen and looked at Lucario instructing the Machamp, and Gengar learning from Togekiss nearby.
"Training, huh? All right, Garchomp, let's train!"
Cynthia stood, her gaze firm and fierce.
"Garchomp!"
"As thanks, I'll personally train you too, Gengar."
Cynthia looked at Gengar and the others. Fang Yan was a very skilled Breeder, so he had raised them well, but he didn't seem to have trained them much. In that case, she would help train them to express her thanks to him.
"Gengar!"
"Machamp!"
They stood at attention on the spot!
Cynthia nodded, then led them off into the distance.
Boom!
The loud blast from the backyard startled Fang Yan into dropping the wooden sign in his hands, and he hurried outside.
He found them all gathered in front of the kitchen window.
Fang Yan walked over and discovered that the window glass had been shattered.
Seeing Fang Yan, Cynthia nodded and said, "They have excellent potential."
Fang Yan was a little dazed, then looked at Gengar and the several Machamp.
One of the moves in their move lists was flashing.
Gengar and the others all looked as though they had done something wrong.
Fang Yan sighed, then tugged at the corner of Gengar's mouth and said:
"It's fine. I'll just get someone to fix it. Remember to go farther away next time."
"Gengar-"
Hee-hee.
Checking the time, Fang Yan looked at Cynthia. "Stay safe, all of you. I'm going to make lunch. What would you like to eat?"
Cynthia thought about it, then gave up thinking.
"Anything is fine."
Fang Yan nodded and took Mime Jr. back to the kitchen, while Cynthia led the Pokémon farther away to train.
After lunch, Cynthia and Shauna sat in the lounge area watching TV, which was building anticipation for the upcoming Sinnoh League Conference.
Fang Yan brought them soda and a Berry platter. Cynthia accepted hers and took a sip, then said, "The League Conference will start soon. I'll have to head back then."
"The League Conference?"
"Yes. Would you like to come watch? I can get you tickets with really good seats."
Fang Yan thought for a while, then shook his head.
"If I leave, there'll be no one to look after the Pokémon Day Care."
Cynthia nodded in understanding.
"But Gengar and I will watch on TV and cheer you on. Right, Gengar?"
"Gengar-(◦˙▽˙◦)"
"All right."
Cynthia smiled and nodded.
Back at the counter, Fang Yan continued working when something suddenly occurred to him.
"Oh, right, Cynthia. Do you know a Trainer named Ash?"
Before you continue