"She actually has a surname!"
This was the second person Ryuuske had encountered in this world who had a surname. The first was Professor Oak. Having a surname signified something special—either a unique ability or, like Professor Oak, immense fame and influence in this world. In this world, surnames weren't passed down by bloodline from parents; instead, they symbolized a person's uniqueness.
And the uniqueness of the little girl in front of him—Tokiwa Lilac—Ryuuske had just witnessed.
"Tokiwa Lilac... it represents the power of Tokiwa, huh..."
Thinking this, Ryuuske's expression turned serious. He looked at the shy, head-lowered Lilac and said, "...Next time you meet someone, don't go around casually saying your surname. Just say your name is Lilac."
"Huh? Why?"
The little girl looked puzzled. She tilted her head and blinked those clear, sparkling eyes.
"There's no particular reason. Just remember it. That surname could bring you trouble."
Ryuuske's expression softened. He ruffled the golden hair of the little girl, who grinned like a happy little squirrel.
He had once been a victim—oppressed to the brink of death because of his surname and abilities. If it hadn't been for his soul transmigrating here, this body might have already been a corpse on some remote island in the South Seas.
This world wasn't safe. It had all kinds of darkness. Ryuuske didn't want this kind, gentle-smiling little girl to get dragged into the abyss.
"Okay, I got it, big brother~~"
Lilac nodded obediently. She might not have understood why Ryuuske said that, but with her sensitivity to Pokémon's emotions, she could vaguely sense his concern.
"Gible's body is fine now. Saved us a trip to the Pokémon Center. Lilac, where are your parents? Why are you out here alone?"
Ryuuske glanced around. Despite all the commotion earlier, no one had come over.
"My parents work away from home. They're not in Viridian City. I live with my uncle."
"Then where's your uncle?"
"He went back to the Johto Region a few days ago for some business."
"So you're living alone right now?"
Ryuuske looked at Lilac in surprise. Should he be impressed by how mature kids are in this world, or be disappointed by how irresponsible her parents and uncle were—to leave a girl not even nine years old living alone?
"Yup, I'm used to it. I just learned how to cook fish recently, so I came here to try out my uncle's fishing techniques and catch a couple for dinner."
Lilac shyly lowered her head, fiddling with the hem of her clothes.
She wasn't wearing a skirt like most girls her age but a plain, countryside-style outfit resembling a dojo trainee's uniform, exuding a simple elegance.
"That's amazing!"
Ryuuske praised her sincerely. A girl only eight or nine years old, cooking for herself and living alone—it was beyond imagination. And it wasn't like she was forced to fend for herself because she'd lost her parents. Her maturity surpassed even that of many adults.
"So, did you catch any fish?"
Ryuuske walked with Lilac toward the river, with Gible following closely behind.
"Hehe~ Not yet. I did catch a Goldeen on my first try though."
Her ponytail swung behind her like a bunny's ears, pure and adorable.
"It's getting late. It'll be dangerous at night. You should head home soon, little girl. To thank you for healing Gible, let it catch two fish for you!"
Ryuuske gave Gible a look, and the well-trained Pokémon nodded in understanding. It dashed to the riverbank, its fierce eyes locking onto the swimming fish below. With a powerful leap, it dove straight into the water. Under Lilac's amazed gasp, it resurfaced moments later with a lively, wriggling fish in its mouth.
"Big brother, you're amazing!"
Lilac cheered and jumped with joy, her innocent voice lifting Ryuuske's spirits. He smiled, snapped his fingers again, and Gible tossed the fish onto the bank before catching another with ease. For a Gible who could snatch a Goldeen mid-air, regular fish were no challenge at all.
"Two should be enough. I'll carry them for you and walk you home."
Ryuuske dropped the fish into the basket Lilac had brought and smiled at her.
"Thanks to you, I can have fish for dinner tonight! Is its name Gible? It's so strong!"
Lilac gazed at Gible with admiration—not because it was rare, but simply because she admired those who had Pokémon.
"If you want, you can become a Trainer too someday. You have the talent, Lilac."
Though Ryuuske thought being a Trainer was too dangerous and not a path he'd recommend, seeing the yearning in her eyes, he chose to encourage rather than discourage.
"No way, I can't do it. I'm no good at catching Pokémon. Whenever I see them hurt, I don't know what to do. I've tried catching some before, but I never succeeded."
Lilac shook her head like a rattle drum.
"That's okay. Even if you're not a Trainer, as long as you love Pokémon, you can still work with them in the future. Honestly, most jobs are connected to Pokémon nowadays. With your abilities, becoming a doctor or a nurse would be great."
"Mhm mhm, I've thought about that too."
Lilac followed Ryuuske like a little tail. She picked up her fishing rod from the ground, packed it away, then strapped on the fish basket. Though small, and with the basket quite heavy, she showed no intention of troubling Ryuuske with it.
Seeing such a considerate little girl, Ryuuske sighed softly. He had thought all lolis were either tsundere or spoiled. A gentle and thoughtful one like her was rare.
"Is this yours?"
Ryuuske noticed some scattered items near the riverbank. He picked them up and brushed off the grass—turns out, it was a sketchbook.
Lilac blushed instantly and shyly admitted, "...Yeah, besides fishing, I like drawing the most. I always bring my sketchbook when I go out."
Ryuuske curiously flipped it open. Inside were landscape sketches and drawings of Pokémon. The art was still immature, but flipping from the front to the back showed a clear improvement in her skills.
"I'm not very good at drawing, big brother, you really don't have to look~"
She stood in front of Ryuuske, her big eyes darting everywhere and her little body swaying like a hamster caught in a secret—adorably flustered.
"I think they're really good. Definitely better than anything I can do."
Not wanting to invade her privacy, Ryuuske closed the sketchbook and handed it back to her.
"...The sun will set soon. You live in Viridian City, right? I'll walk you home."
...
"Thank you, big brother~"
Lilac picked up her things. They looked heavy for her, but she didn't ask for help. Ryuuske didn't want to be pushy either—this young girl's maturity made her incredibly considerate.
"Big brother, did you just come back from traveling?"
As they passed through a wooded area and emerged to see people walking on the road, Ryuuske felt a little out of place after a month without signs of civilization.
"Yeah, I just came out of the Viridian Forest. Heading to Viridian City to rest."
"Then..."
Lilac hesitated, then looked up hopefully. "...Big brother, why don't you come to my house? To thank you for saving me and helping me catch fish, I'll cook dinner for you. My parents always told me to repay kindness."
"Eh? I mean, I do want to try your cooking, Lilac, but I need to find a hotel and clean up first. After a month in the forest, I'm filthy."
Ryuuske thought for a moment and turned her down.
"No worries! You can wash up at my place too. If you don't mind, you can even stay over!"
"Little girl, didn't your parents ever teach you not to invite strangers into your home, especially not boys?"
"They did say that... but I think you're a good person, big brother."
Lilac tilted her head, thinking earnestly.
"…"
So I'm a "good person," huh. Even a little loli has no guard around me.
For a moment, Ryuuske didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
To be continued…