May 11th, Monday
A black-haired young man wearing a mask sat silently in the corner of a plane bound for Jubilife City, his gaze drifting through the clouds toward the landscape below.
Though Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh were geographically adjacent, Sinnoh itself was a solitary island—surrounded by sea on all sides, with the narrow, towering Mt. Coronet cutting through its center as its most defining feature.
"Sylveon——"
Sylveon, curled in his arms, also peered downward—its expression softening with quiet nostalgia.
"In a sense… this trip feels like a homecoming," Aiden murmured, glancing at Sylveon.
Though he and Cynthia had briefly stayed in Celestic Town during their previous visit to the region, those days had mostly been spent relaxing at her home.
This short trip was different. He'd been formally invited by Cynthia and Professor Carolina to assist Sinnoh's League in deciphering the mysteries of the Spear Pillar ruins—an official "consulting assignment" arranged through proper channels.
Well… he hadn't expected it to become this formal. After all, he'd only agreed to Cynthia's casual invitation at first.
The shift happened because of Chairwoman Geeta's reaction the next day—
"What? You're going back to Sinnoh?"
"And Cynthia invited you?!?!"
In that moment, Chairwoman Geeta felt the sky collapse.
What do you mean Aiden's actually running back to Sinnoh to become a son-in-law?!?!
It must be because I accidentally voiced my inner thoughts yesterday—wanting to pile more tasks on him! He must've realized how overworked he'd be under me!
Unlike Larry—who "thrived" on overtime—Aiden might actually quit if pressured too hard!
And such a reliable (scratch that—indispensable) future Champion candidate… if driven away to Sinnoh over a careless joke—
No. Absolutely not!
What followed was thirty minutes of near-pleading from Chairwoman Geeta—detailed explanations about how "Paldea has already set its sights on you as the star of the next generation" and "if you're gonna get a sugar mommy, wait until you're Champion—it'll be even better then!" left Aiden utterly bewildered.
Still, he grasped the gist:
Chairwoman Geeta had mistaken his trip for an escape—and panicked accordingly.
Hence this two-week "business trip"—which, in practice, felt more like a mini-vacation.
Likely the Chairwoman's greatest concession.
'How strange… does Chairwoman Geeta really think I'm one impulsive decision away from becoming a Sinnoh son-in-law?'
Aiden shook his head with a wry smile.
For now, at least, he had no intention of abandoning his duties as Sunshine Gym Leader. In this fascinating Pokémon world, he still had countless goals left unfulfilled.
So… probably not anytime soon—right?
---
Jubilife City Airport, Second Floor
A golden-haired woman in a black trench coat and sunglasses sat alone in the nearly empty arrivals hall, leisurely savoring a triple-scoop ice cream cone.
The sweet, icy sensation made her lips curl slightly upward as she unconsciously licked a stray drip from the corner of her mouth.
"Should've just gone with vanilla after all…"
"But since I'm here to pick someone up, lingering too long would be unbecoming."
"Hmm… this shop's flavors are excellent. After meeting Aiden, I'll bring him back for another round~"
With Aiden here… he'd have helped me decide before I even started overthinking, wouldn't he?
As Cynthia mused, her peripheral vision caught a familiar figure approaching.
"I told you not to come pick me up. As Sinnoh's Champion, getting spotted would cause you trouble, wouldn't it?"
Aiden's tone was gently exasperated as he instinctively scanned the surroundings.
But as expected for a weekday afternoon—the terminal was nearly empty, and Cynthia's "disguise" had gone unnoticed.
All part of your calculation, wasn't it?
"No worries. This trip went through official channels."
Cynthia rose with a warm smile.
"You're here on an important mission—to help the Sinnoh League decipher the Spear Pillar ruins. It's perfectly normal for the Champion herself to greet you."
"Isn't that right… Teacher Azure from Paldea?"
She teased lightly.
"Besides—Flint and Aaron wanted to come too. Flint even grumbled something about it being 'unfair' that only Lucian's met the real-life Teacher Azure."
"If Granny Bertha hadn't suddenly appeared and dragged them off on a mission… you'd be facing a whole welcoming committee right now~"
"Hmm—definitely sounds like Flint."
Aiden nodded seriously.
Thinking about it—if those three boisterous Sinnoh Elite Four members had shown up… staying unnoticed would've been impossible.
Wait… is Cynthia picking me up alone actually the better option?
Ah—the art of compromise.
"Let's go, Aiden."
As Aiden inwardly mused, Cynthia stepped forward—gently taking his wrist.
Moving half a step ahead, she shifted to make space beside her—and held up the ice cream cone now reduced to just the wafer.
"Let's get ice cream together. There's a wonderful shop nearby!"
"And—"
"Welcome home~"
Just like last time, Cynthia led Aiden to a sleek black sedan—courtesy of Caitlin's generosity.
Even when she's not in Sinnoh… Caitlin still finds ways to contribute, huh?
Aiden suddenly pictured the occasionally prickly golden-haired Psychic-type specialist—and for some reason, a cliche movie plot popped into his head. His gaze instinctively dropped toward the car's undercarriage.
No… even a Psychic-type couldn't possibly be hiding under the car!
As Aiden shook his head, a half-eaten ice cream cone suddenly appeared before his eyes.
"Since I'll be driving… you hold this for me, okay?"
Cynthia said this before slipping into the driver's seat.
Shouldn't you just finish it before driving?
Aiden almost voiced the thought—but seeing Cynthia already starting the engine, he swallowed the words.
And so…
"Ahhh—"
Focused on the road, Cynthia suddenly turned her head—eyes glinting mischievously as her pink lips parted slightly.
Instinctively, Aiden—seated in the passenger seat—extended his hand, offering the last fragment of wafer.
Crunch—
The crisp snap of the cone was followed by Cynthia's contented sigh, her eyes crinkling with delight.
Clearly, this little ritual had repeated countless times during the drive back to Celestic Town—so often that Aiden now reacted automatically the moment Cynthia turned her head.
Watching her savor each bite with audible crunches, Aiden averted his gaze.
To be honest… the first time she'd turned to him in the car, he'd briefly wondered if she was doing it on purpose.
But after observing her several more times—that utterly unguarded, ice-cream-craving look in her eyes—convinced him he'd overthought it.
This was Cynthia, after all—the girl whose natural warmth had even softened prickly Caitlin into friendship. Hard to imagine her scheming over something so trivial.
And while such gestures might seem slightly intimate between ordinary opposite-sex friends…
Between childhood friends? Perfectly normal.
Sharing food, bathing Pokémon together, even sleeping in the same bed—these had all been routine in their youth.
Though… after all these years, Cynthia's love for ice cream remained unchanged.
He still remembered the hilarious expression on her face when her Gabite once devoured the ice cream he'd bought her with his allowance—
Just as Aiden was about to reminisce further, Cynthia spoke again—sighing wistfully:
"What a shame… it's all gone."
"Ice cream really is the world's most perfect dessert, don't you think?"
She turned to him again—clearly seeking agreement.
But—
Perhaps due to muscle memory from earlier feedings… or the jarring shift back to reality…
Aiden, interrupted mid-thought, instinctively extended the hand holding his own melting triple-scoop cone toward her.
The moment he realized what he'd done, he tried to retract his hand.
But Cynthia was quicker.
Though initially startled by his gesture—her smile faltering for a split second—she seized the opportunity before he could withdraw.
Leaning forward almost challengingly, she bit off most of the final scoop—leaving a distinct tooth mark on what remained.
"Vanilla's lovely… but chocolate isn't bad either."
"Still—better stop here. If I eat more, I won't have room for dinner tonight."
Only after swallowing and delivering her verdict did Aiden snap back to reality—staring in mild shock.
Wait… didn't I already take a bite of that?
But since Cynthia hadn't minded… he decided not to mention it.
He retracted his hand—and silently studied the ice cream cone now back in his possession.
Cynthia had said she was full.
And wasting food is a sin!
After a long pause—his cheeks faintly flushed—he finally steeled himself. Glancing at Cynthia to confirm she wasn't watching, he quickly popped the remainder into his mouth.
Mmm… still sweet.
Aiden gave it a high internal rating.
What he didn't know—
From the moment he'd withdrawn his hand, Cynthia had been watching him from the corner of her eye.
Every tiny movement had escaped her notice.
But she merely smiled softly—redirecting her attention to the road ahead.
Such an adorable reaction, Aiden~
---
Approximately an hour later—Mt. Coronet looming large in the distance—Aiden and Cynthia arrived in Celestic Town.
After parking on the lawn before the building marked "Celestic Town Historical Research Institute," Aiden stepped out of the car—and immediately noticed an elderly woman observing him from nearby.
Professor Carolina—Cynthia's grandmother.
Though advanced in age, her frame slightly stooped, she carried herself with the same scholarly vigor as Professor Oak—sharp-eyed and spirited despite her years.
"We meet again, little Aiden."
"It has been a while… Professor Carolin—er, Grandma."
Aiden had intended a more formal address—but cut himself off as the elderly woman shot him a warning glare.
Fortunately, he corrected himself in time. Professor Carolina's expression immediately softened—she nodded in evident satisfaction as she approached.
"Cynthia and I have always considered you family. No need for formality at home."
"But—" her eyes twinkled with academic curiosity, "it's been months since we last saw you. Let me check how your Pokémon are developing. I heard Paldea's practically pushing to make you Elite Four?"
A request from an elder—Aiden had no reason to refuse.
Though Professor Carolina specialized in mythological history, her expertise in Pokémon was undeniable—and her judgment impeccable.
He promptly retrieved several Poké Balls from his pocket.
Before he could even press the release buttons, the Balls sprang open on their own—seven crimson beams flashing simultaneously.
In an instant, seven Pokémon materialized around him.
Even Professor Carolina—accustomed to Champion-level teams—was momentarily taken aback.
Less than half a year… and that Bagon has already reached its final evolution?
And—doesn't it resemble a Mega Evolved Salamence more than the standard form?
Sylveon and Lucario—the two she'd watched grow from infancy—now radiated formidable presence.
Not to mention Miraidon, Ogerpon, the extraordinary Mewtwo…
Even the ordinary female Indeedee had grown nearly twice the size of her species under Aiden's care.
No wonder Paldea sought to fast-track him to Elite Four. Aiden truly deserved it.
But—
Professor Carolina's gaze lingered on Miraidon standing beside Salamence.
Last time he brought this one… it had zero combat ability. All I remembered was how much it ate.
To think it's grown this strong upon our next meeting…
A warm smile graced her lips. Noting Cynthia had joined Aiden's side, she turned toward the institute.
"Dinner's ready."
"Let's go home—and eat!"
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