"Renjiro, I'll go back first," Shu Wan said softly, her voice as gentle as the afternoon breeze. The exam had just ended, and with no tests scheduled for the afternoon, most students were already on their way home, their faces filled with either relief or anxiety.
Renjiro raised his hand and waved. "Alright, take care. Get home safely."
As Shu Wan turned and disappeared into the dispersing crowd, Renjiro's sharp eyes caught sight of another familiar figure. Among the sea of students and parents at the school gate, Zhong Ling stood out easily in her clean, crisp uniform. She leaned casually against her sleek cavalry motorcycle, arms crossed, watching him with an expression that was half amusement, half impatience.
"You actually showed up," Renjiro said as he approached her.
Zhong Ling smirked. "I said I would, didn't I?"
Her gaze flicked in the direction Shu Wan had gone. "That girl... is she your girlfriend?" she asked, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
Renjiro paused, following her line of sight, watching Shu Wan's retreating figure. There was a softness in his expression that he rarely showed. "Not yet," he admitted quietly. "But she's important to me."
Zhong Ling raised an eyebrow, studying him. "Not yet? Hmph. Alright, lover boy. Let's go. Lunch is on me."
Renjiro shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "No way. I should be the one treating you. I've already troubled you so much—driving me around, helping me out. It's the least I can do."
Zhong Ling gave him a playful smirk. "Oh? And how do you plan to afford that? You don't exactly look like a billionaire to me."
Renjiro tapped her motorcycle lightly. "Just take me home so I can change. Then you'll see."
Intrigued but not arguing, Zhong Ling gestured for him to hop on. "Alright, alright. Let's see what you've got, Renjiro. But don't expect me to be impressed so easily."
The wind whipped past as Zhong Ling expertly maneuvered through the city streets. In no time, they arrived at Renjiro's modest home. The building was old, its paint faded, its walls weathered by time. But to Renjiro, it was still home—a place full of memories.
"Come in, make yourself comfortable. I'll just change my clothes," Renjiro said as he opened the door.
Zhong Ling stepped inside, glancing around. She'd been here once before, but it still surprised her how small the space was. The furniture was sparse but neat, and though the room was cramped, it felt warm. A single bed, a small table, and a few photos on the wall—reminders of a simpler time.
"Hard to believe you and your grandfather shared this room," Zhong Ling muttered, half to herself.
Renjiro didn't hear her as he disappeared behind a curtain. A few minutes later, he emerged wearing a crisp, clean outfit that instantly transformed his appearance. His messy hair was smoothed down, and his sharp features seemed even more striking.
Zhong Ling blinked, then chuckled. "Wow. You actually look like a decent human being when you try."
Renjiro rolled his eyes, grabbing his wallet. "Thanks for the glowing compliment. Let's go. I owe you a meal."
---
The restaurant they chose wasn't fancy, but it was well-loved by locals. It was called Ludicolo's, named after its head chef—an actual Ludicolo who could cook up a storm in the kitchen. The place was cozy, the smell of fresh ingredients filling the air.
Over plates of steaming food, Renjiro raised his glass of milk tea. "Zhong Ling, thank you for everything these past few days. Really. I owe you big time."
Zhong Ling sipped her tea, eyeing him over the rim. "If you want to thank me, stop being so infuriating all the time."
Renjiro laughed. "I'll try. No promises, though."
She set down her cup. "Speaking of infuriating—you still won't tell me how you commanded that Salamence the other day?"
Renjiro shrugged innocently. "What Salamence? I don't know what you're talking about."
"Renjiro!" Zhong Ling glared at him, half-exasperated, half-amused. "You're impossible."
"Officer Zhong," he teased, "you should eat before I finish everything."
Feigning anger, she dropped her chopsticks. "How can I eat when you're being so secretive? No appetite."
Renjiro softened. He picked up her chopsticks and handed them back. "I really can't tell you now. But one day, I promise."
Zhong Ling held his gaze for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. But I'm holding you to that."
The conversation drifted to lighter topics, until Zhong Ling set down her chopsticks and leaned forward slightly. "Renjiro, the man who attacked you... his name was Qiu Guocheng. He was one of the most wanted Pokémon hunters in the Yanhuang Region."
Renjiro's eyes widened slightly. "A Pokémon hunter?"
"Yes. A dangerous one. That Salamence belonged to him," she explained. "And by taking him down, you're entitled to a substantial reward."
Renjiro fell silent, processing the information. A Pokémon hunter… No wonder the man had been so ruthless.
Zhong Ling watched him. "How did you manage to defeat him?"
Renjiro shook his head. "Luck. He was already weakened—poisoned."
Zhong Ling didn't push further. Instead, Renjiro leaned back and asked, "Tell me something. Why is it legal to sell Pokémon in Century City, but Pokémon hunters are treated as criminals?"
Zhong Ling's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "The Pokémon sold in licensed markets are approved by the Alliance. They're usually bred Pokémon or ones whose sales are carefully regulated and taxed. Hunters like Qiu Guocheng, on the other hand—they'll catch anything, anywhere. Even rare or protected species. They smuggle them, sell them across borders, and cause ecological damage."
Renjiro nodded slowly, understanding dawning. "So it's about control—and protecting the balance."
"Exactly. Hunters operate outside the law. They don't care about conservation, ethics, or stability. That's why we go after them so hard."
As she spoke, her expression turned serious. "And that's also why I'm telling you—be careful around certain people."
Renjiro frowned. "Who do you mean?"
"The Liu family," Zhong Ling said quietly. "Stay away from Liu Shuyun."
Renjiro blinked in surprise. "Why? What's wrong with the Lius?"
Zhong Ling hesitated, then continued in a low voice. "The Liu family's influence has grown dangerously large. Too large. They've been linked to underhanded dealings—illegal sales, smuggling, even ties to hunters like Qiu Guocheng. The Alliance is building a case, trying to gather enough evidence to bring them down for good."
Renjiro sat back, stunned. He thought back to his encounters with Liu Shuyun, to the kindness she'd shown him. Had he been too trusting?
"I see," he said at last, his voice low.
Zhong Ling gave him a sharp look. "Just be careful, Renjiro. Don't get dragged into something you can't get out of."
He nodded, though inside, his thoughts churned. Too late for that, he thought with a wry, bitter smile.
---
By the time they left Ludicolo's, the afternoon sun was dipping low in the sky. The streets of Century City bustled around them, full of life and color. Renjiro walked quietly beside Zhong Ling, his mind busy with all she had told him.
He felt the weight of responsibility settle heavier on his shoulders—but also a renewed determination. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them head-on.
Because that's who he was.
Renjiro. The trainer who would defy the odds.
---