Chapter 243: Gauging the Timeline
Xiu observed Gary Oak with a detached interest, who was the spitting image of the childhood photos of Professor Oak he'd just seen – same intelligent, slightly arrogant eyes. The girl beside him, slightly older, with a gentler but equally self-assured demeanor, could only be Daisy Oak, Gary's sister.
"I should go greet them," Xiu excused himself and headed back towards the Professor's house.
As he approached, a large, impeccably dressed man emerged from the driver's seat of the black car. The man – clearly a professional bodyguard and driver – positioned himself between the car and the house, politely stopping Gary and Daisy as they got out.
"Excuse me," the man said, his voice deep and formal, "but may I ask who you are?" He then spotted Xiu approaching from the side.
"Hello," Xiu called out, his tone friendly and unassuming. "No need for alarm. I'm Professor Oak's assistant. He had to step out for a moment, but he asked me to meet his grandchildren and show them inside to wait." He offered a polite smile. "You must be Gary and Daisy, correct?"
The man in the suit remained impassive, his gaze wary and assessing. He was responsible for the children's safety and had previously escorted them here before, and Professor Oak himself had always been present to receive them. Xiu, an unfamiliar face, was an unknown.
Gary, who had been observing Xiu with an openly disdainful expression, finally spoke, voice laced with the arrogance of a privileged child. "And who are you supposed to be?" he demanded, making no effort to hide his displeasure.
Xiu had to suppress an actual laugh. This was Gary Oak, in the flesh, behaving exactly as his anime counterpart would have. He maintained his polite smile, though it felt a little strained.
"Uncle," Daisy interjected, her voice calm and surprisingly mature. She had been studying Xiu quietly, a thoughtful expression on her face. "This is Pallet Town. We're perfectly safe here. Let's just go inside and wait for Grandpa."
The bodyguard hesitated, then nodded curtly. "Very well, Miss Daisy." He stepped aside.
Xiu gestured towards the house. "Please, after you. The Professor should return shortly." He then turned and led the way back towards the front door. Cautious fellow, Xiu noted.
Inside, Xiu didn't bother offering refreshments. He knew the bodyguard wouldn't accept anything from a stranger. He simply pointed towards the living room. "Please make yourselves comfortable. I have a few things to finish up."
He then retreated towards the kitchen, leaving them to their own devices. No point forcing interaction now. It would only make them more suspicious. Best to wait for Professor Oak to smooth things over.
This was, after all, their grandfather's house. They weren't about to sit quietly like guests. After a few minutes, Daisy wandered into the kitchen, where Xiu was attempting to coax a spark from the long-unused stove.
"The house is so clean," Daisy remarked, her voice bright. "Did you tidy it up for us?"
Xiu, preoccupied with a stubborn gas valve, hadn't heard her approach. He glanced up, surprised. "No, it was the Professor. He did most of the cleaning. I just… assisted."
Daisy smiled, a genuinely warm, pretty smile that reached the corners of her eyes. "Grandpa isn't such a person," she chuckled. "When Gary and I visited in previous years, the place was always... cluttered. He really needs someone to look after him properly."
Her smile, Xiu noted, was disarmingly genuine, eyes sparkling with a playful intelligence. A striking resemblance to the woman in the photograph, but with a youthful vibrancy.
Xiu, however, remained politely distant, turning back to the stove. "The Professor was expecting you. He wanted everything to be ready."
"Can I help with anything, Mr… Xiu, was it?" Daisy offered, stepping closer.
"No, thank you, Miss Daisy," Xiu replied quickly, perhaps a little too sharply. "It's not really a big deal."
Undeterred, Daisy simply moved to the nearby counter, where a stack of freshly washed dishes were air-drying. She began to neatly put them away in the cupboards. "Well, at least let me do this."
Xiu glanced over, then shrugged inwardly. Her house, her dishes.
He soon became aware, however, that Daisy was attempting to draw him into a conversation, asking questions about Pallet Town, and about his work with the Professor. Why is she so interested in me? An ordinary, temporary assistant?
"Do you come to visit your grandfather every year?" Xiu asked, deliberately trying to shift the focus of the conversation back to her.
"Yes, usually," Daisy replied readily. "Gary and I spend most of our summer holidays here with Grandpa."
"That's nice," Xiu commented absently. "You're in school, I presume? And your brother… is he old enough for school yet?"
"Of course," Daisy laughed. "Gary is seven now. He started school last year."
Seven. Xiu processed the information. That means Ash is also seven. Three years. Three years until they both start their Pokémon journeys. The timeline, which had been somewhat hazy, snapped into sharper focus.
This world, while sharing many similarities with the anime and games of his past life, was also different, harsher, and more complex. However, the core characters whom the story revolved around… they seemed to be aligning.
Which means those world-ending disasters, the rampaging legendary Pokémon… they're all potentially on the horizon. The thought sent a familiar chill down his spine.
"Mr. Xiu?" Daisy's voice pulled him from his dark reverie. "Are you alright? You seemed to space out for a moment."
"Ah, yes. Fine," Xiu replied, quickly regaining his composure. "Just thinking. And you, Miss Daisy? If you don't mind my asking, how old are you?"
Daisy giggled, a playful glint in her eyes. "My, my, Mr. Xiu. Is it your habit to ask young ladies their age so directly?"
"My apologies," Xiu said, offering a sheepish smile. "Just curious. It doesn't matter, of course."
They chatted for a few more minutes, consisted mostly of Daisy asking questions and Xiu offering brief and perfunctory replies. Even Xiu, not known for his social graces, could feel the awkwardness mounting. Daisy, however, seemed oblivious, or deliberately chose to ignore it, maintaining a relentless, cheerful enthusiasm.
Just as Xiu was contemplating on a sudden, urgent need to check on Pidgey, he heard Professor Oak's familiar voice from the living room. "Daisy, my dear! You're back!"
Saved by the bell, Xiu thought with profound relief. But before he could finish the thought, Daisy was already rushing out of the kitchen, her voice bright and joyful. "Grandpa! You're back!"