The next morning, Lillie woke up with dark circles under her eyes.
She'd tossed and turned half the night, unable to sleep until nearly four in the morning. Every time she closed her eyes, she'd see him—that flawless figure, the sculpted muscles gleaming with sweat under the gym lights—
She buried her face in her pillow. What's wrong with me…?
A knock sounded at the door.
"Young lady, breakfast is ready," James called politely from outside.
"Thank you, James," Lillie replied, stifling a yawn as she slipped out of bed.
James, ever attentive, frowned when he saw her tired expression.
"You look rather fatigued this morning, young miss. Did you not rest well last night?"
Lillie nodded weakly.
"A little… I couldn't sleep."
Of course, she couldn't possibly tell him the reason—how could anyone admit that out loud?
"Where's Mr. Bai?" she asked quickly, trying to change the subject. "Is he still asleep?"
James's expression shifted into something strange—a wry, helpless smile.
Lillie blinked.
"What's with that look? Did something happen to him?"
"Oh, no, miss. Mr. Bai is… quite fine," James assured her. Then he hesitated. "In fact, I'd say too fine. You see—he's been in the gym since last night."
"Since last night?"
"Yes," James said gravely. "He hasn't stopped. It's been… thirteen hours."
Lillie's eyes widened.
"Th-thirteen hours!?"
James nodded again, resigned.
"Without rest."
By the time she reached the basement gym, she could already hear the rhythmic whoosh of something heavy slicing through the air.
She stepped closer—and froze.
Even James stopped beside her, speechless.
There, under the pale lights, Bai Chen lay on the bench press, muscles taut, arms bulging as he pushed a six-hundred-kilogram barbell up and down as easily as if it weighed nothing at all. Each repetition sent a gust of air rolling through the room.
They stood there for a few seconds in stunned silence before Lillie wordlessly turned around.
"Let's… leave him be," she murmured. "Anyone who can bench six hundred kilos isn't someone we need to worry about."
After breakfast, Lillie instructed James seriously,
"No matter what, take good care of Mr. Bai."
"Of course, miss," he said with a bow.
Then she left for school.
When she returned home that afternoon, the first thing she saw upon entering the dining hall was Bai Chen—freshly bathed, his golden eyes bright as ever.
"Welcome back," he greeted her with a faint smile.
He had changed back into his hunter's gear, the iron katana strapped across his back.
Lillie blinked.
"Mr. Bai, are you… going somewhere?"
"Ah," he said, rubbing his neck. "I've already imposed on you for a whole day. I figured I should be leaving. But I wanted to say goodbye properly first."
Lillie froze.
Leave? Already?
She hadn't even had the chance to thank him properly for saving her life!
"Wh-where will you go?"
"No idea yet," Bai Chen admitted. "I'll probably find a job first."
"A job?" she repeated softly.
James, standing nearby, raised a brow. Lillie's eyes brightened—an idea forming.
"What kind of job are you looking for, Mr. Bai?"
Bai Chen folded his arms, thinking.
"Hmm… I don't really have a plan. I know a bit of everything, but my strength is probably my best asset. Maybe I'll look for a dojo, offer myself as a sparring partner. As long as it covers food expenses for me and Nergigante, I don't mind what kind of work it is."
"A sparring partner…?"
Lillie and James exchanged glances.
Given Bai Chen's power, that sounded like asking a dragon to be a blacksmith's apprentice.
Alola didn't even have many dojos, and those that existed would hardly match his level.
Then, a sudden thought struck Lillie—bold, ridiculous, but somehow perfect.
Her hands clenched together nervously.
"Mr. Bai," she began softly, "would you… consider becoming my bodyguard? I could ask Mother to pay you a very generous salary."
"Bodyguard?" Bai Chen echoed.
Lillie nodded, though she couldn't quite meet his eyes.
"If I request it, Mother will definitely agree."
Bai Chen paused, weighing it over in his mind.
Originally, he had planned to stay in this world for a month—train, capture some Pokémon, gather useful skills, and then return to the Monster Hunter world to continue his path toward becoming an Azure Star.
But over the past few days, he had made a troubling discovery.
Because of Titan's Physique and Elder Dragon Blood, both he and Nergigante ate—a lot.
Together, they could devour enough food for ten people in a single day.
Even Bai Chen, shameless as he was, couldn't keep freeloading after that realization.
But being officially hired? Paid? That was different.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"And what exactly would the job involve?"
Lillie's voice grew softer with every word.
"Just… keeping me safe. Maybe driving me to school, walking me home. And, um… accompanying me if I go out on weekends."
Her cheeks were pink by the time she finished.
Bai Chen considered it carefully.
He didn't like owing people favors—and this arrangement was fair. Generous, even.
"All right," he said finally. "I'll accept the bodyguard job. But—"
Lillie blinked, hopeful.
"But?"
"I only take pay that matches my effort. And my meals—and Nergigante's—need to be included."
Realization dawned on Lillie's face. So that's why he wanted to leave.
She smiled, relieved.
"That's no problem at all! Feeding you both isn't a big deal."
To the Aether family, feeding two bottomless stomachs was nothing. It was like keeping a couple of Snorlax around—expensive, but manageable.
"Then I'll go ask Mother right now!" she said eagerly.
"Wait—one more thing," Bai Chen added quickly.
Lillie turned.
"Yes?"
He pointed a finger, expression solemn.
"I never do unpaid overtime."
"Overtime…?"
Lillie tilted her head in confusion.
"Of course you'd be paid extra. Who wouldn't pay for overtime? Are there actually people who don't?"
Bai Chen's lips twitched.
"You'd be surprised."
Lillie nodded quickly, holding up a hand as if making an oath.
"Then it's settled! If you ever have to work extra, I'll pay you double."
Bai Chen smiled, satisfied.
"Deal."
A few minutes later, Lillie returned, phone in hand and eyes sparkling.
"Mother agreed!" she said happily. "But… she has one condition."
"What condition?" Bai Chen asked.
"She wants to test your strength herself. In seven days, she'll personally evaluate you. If you pass, she'll officially hire you as my bodyguard."
Seven days.
Bai Chen's golden eyes gleamed.
Perfect timing.
He had already planned to push Titan's Physique and Spirit Blade Breathing to the next stage within a week.
"No problem," he said confidently. "Tell your mother I accept."
He adjusted the strap of his greatsword and added,
"But until then, I'll need to stay here. Once I pass the test and start earning, I'll pay back every expense."
Lillie smiled softly.
"There's no need for that, Mr. Bai. But… welcome aboard."
Bai Chen chuckled.
"Then it's a deal."
For the first time since arriving in this peaceful world, Bai Chen had something that resembled a job.
But as far as he was concerned, it was also something more—
A chance to sharpen his blade before the next hunt.