Knocks came from the door, along with Lilac's clear, childlike voice.
This was a guest bedroom in Lilac's house. The decor was simple, but as a place to stay, it was already quite decent. Most importantly, staying here for a night saved Ryuuske ten thousand in lodging costs—enough to buy a week's worth of food for Gible.
"Just about to sleep. What is it, Lilac?"
Ryuuske had just finished looking up some information and was preparing to go to bed. Upon hearing Lilac's voice, he got up and opened the door. Gible, who had been lying on the floor with its eyes half-closed, also stirred and followed Ryuuske.
As the door opened, he saw Lilac standing there, holding a comforter in her arms.
"Big brother, this is your blanket."
The blanket was rather large compared to the little girl carrying it. Lilac was trying her best to hold it up and hand it over. Ryuuske quickly reached out to take it.
"Thank you so much, Lilac. You're really thoughtful!"
Ryuuske chuckled as he accepted the blanket, and the little girl shyly lowered her head, giggling with an
"Ehehe."
It was then that Ryuuske noticed she had changed out of her dojo-like clothes. Now she wore pajamas with strawberry prints. The little girl's frame was petite and slim; her pajama pants revealed her slender, snow-white ankles. Her small feet were tucked into fuzzy slippers, and her golden hair draped over her back. Her delicate, doll-like appearance instantly explained why so many people in this world were lolicons.
(T/N: I feel like that's only you gang)
"You should get to bed soon, Lilac. Kids need plenty of sleep. Or… are you scared and want me to sing you a lullaby?"
Ryuuske raised an eyebrow and joked with a smile.
"N-No need for that! I'll head back now. Good night, big brother—and good night to Gible too~"
The little girl understood the difference between boys and girls. She shyly waved, greeted them both, then turned around and ran off, leaving only the soft tap-tap of her slippers echoing down the hallway.
"Little girls are just too cute, huh? Don't you think so, Mewtwo?"
Patting Gible on the head and signaling that it could sleep without standing guard, Ryuuske yawned and turned off the light.
"I don't understand what you're talking about."
Mewtwo's airy voice came from its Pokéball by the bedside.
"Hahaha, better that way. Good night, Mewtwo!"
He took the Pokéball and hung it near his chest. Only when Mewtwo's Pokéball was close did Ryuuske feel truly safe.
"Good night, Ryuuske."
The next morning, after washing up and putting on the freshly laundered clothes, Ryuuske stood in front of the mirror and fixed his hair. Clean clothes and a well-rested body instantly transformed him from a road-weary traveler into a stylish and modern youth.
"You're really leaving so soon, big brother? Can't you stay for a few more days?"
As they sat at the table eating the breakfast Lilac had made, the little girl asked, clearly a bit downcast. Even though she always acted mature, it was easy to see that she felt lonely, being so young and often without her parents.
"I'd love to stay longer too, but I can't afford to delay here. My journey is just getting started."
Ryuuske thought to himself how a gentle haven truly could be a hero's grave. Even if this "haven" was the gentleness of a little girl, staying too long might sap his will to move forward, leaving him content with the status quo.
Lilac was sensible—just like how she never complained about her always-absent parents. She quickly perked up and said with a sweet smile, "Then big brother, you have to come visit me often, okay~?"
"Of course! Once I make a name for myself, I'll return home in glory."
Ryuuske grinned as he rubbed her head, promising her.
"Then… can you leave after lunch? I have something I want to give you~"
Lilac quickly suggested after thinking for a moment.
"Hm? You want to give me something? Sure, I'll leave after lunch. I'm expecting a delivery anyway—I used your home address."
Even though they had only known each other for a day, Ryuuske had grown deeply fond of the little girl in front of him. She was so mature, adorable, and pretty—what man wouldn't like her?
He even asked for her home phone number. The technology in this world was advanced enough that even if they weren't nearby, a call or message every now and then wasn't a problem.
The rest of the morning was spent researching. Close to noon, the doorbell rang:
"Excuse me, is Mr. Ryuuske staying here? You have a delivery!"
"I'm coming, just a sec!"
Ryuuske set down his laptop, slipped on his slippers, and quickly answered the door. A delivery man in a Flame Ponyta-logoed uniform stood there with a package in hand. Behind him was a Ponyta carrying more goods.
"This is your package. Please sign here."
He handed over the receipt, and Ryuuske signed his name. After bidding farewell, he watched the delivery man hop onto the Ponyta and ride off to the next house.
"Here's your food for the week."
Ryuuske patted the Gible that had run to the door with him and had it carry the bag of kibble-like food back inside.
They had lunch together at Lilac's house again, and in the afternoon Ryuuske finally learned what she wanted to give him: several bento boxes, enough to last a week. Packed into his high-tech utility pouch, they wouldn't go bad.
"When I come back next time, I'll catch a rare Pokémon just for you!"
Ryuuske sighed softly. All he'd really done was help the little girl a bit and catch two fish, yet the gratitude and care he received in return felt overwhelming.
"Pokémon don't really matter to me. I just want you to be safe, big brother~ I heard being a trainer is really dangerous. You have to do your best, okay?"
Before parting, Lilac stood at the door waving with all her might, even clenching her little fists to cheer him on.
"With Gible by my side, it'll protect me. Besides…"
Ryuuske held the Master Ball at his chest. With Mewtwo around, he was probably safer than most trainers.
Gible cried out in agreement at his feet, echoing Ryuuske's confidence.
With one hand in his pocket and Gible following close, Ryuuske turned and walked away. It wasn't a final farewell—they had plenty of time to meet again in the future. Originally, he had planned to spend a few more days touring Viridian City, but when his financial crisis became apparent, he scrapped that idea. Now he was heading straight for the next city—Pewter City.
Because he'd discovered something surprising: challenging Gyms actually paid money. The Pokémon League allocated funds to each Gym annually, and trainers who defeated them could earn a prize of one million yen. It was the League's way of encouraging trainers.
Only when Ryuuske's figure disappeared down the road did Lilac finally lower her waving hand. She closed the door and returned to her room, opening her sketchbook to a blank page. Guided by her memory, she quickly began sketching on the clean paper—
A sunny-smiling boy with his hands in his pockets, casual and carefree, and a fierce yet adorable Pokémon by his side.
"Big brother will definitely become an outstanding trainer."
Lying on her bed, kicking her feet in the air, the little girl thought this with a smile quietly blooming across her face.
To be continued…