The edge of the Hiyori Forest.
The breeze blew, and the leaves in the bushes swayed gently, making rustling sounds.
Rustle—
Suddenly, a hurried sound broke through the quiet rustling.
"It seems... we're lost again~"
Gently parting the bushes blocking the way, an older sister with an emerald-green side-ponytail looked at the complex paths ahead, tilting her head in a slightly dazed manner.
According to the map in her hand, there should be several tall cedar landmarks here.
Why were there only...
"Wuu~"
Looking at the path covered in bushes, a Pokémon with a pink, egg-shaped body echoed her sentiment innocently.
Three days ago, as Treasure Hunters, they set out from Hearthome City, following the map through Hiyori Forest, intending to reach the foot of Mt. Coronet to find the treasure cave.
Unfortunately, they didn't know which step went wrong; they hadn't found the cave filled with precious stones, but they had managed to get stuck here.
"Mmm... wait~"
The side-ponytail beauty, still agonizing over which path to choose, sniffed slightly, and her beautiful eyes suddenly flashed with a look of surprise.
"Happiny, do you smell the scent of fresh cream?"
"Wuu~"
After setting out from the farm, because they couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the cave, even with the move [Teleport], Gardevoir couldn't use her psychic power to take the Trainer directly there.
Thus, only one method remained—follow behind Skitty and walk the old-fashioned way.
The frustrating part was that the little cat seemed to have forgotten the route almost entirely because it had been so long.
Looking at this clearing which he felt he had passed several times already, Hakuya sighed helplessly.
"Forget it, let's take a short break here and get ready for lunch."
Although cave treasure hunting was important, the necessary lunch break could not be skipped.
"Meow-meow!~"
As soon as the words fell, Skitty, who was leading the way, lit up and pounced into the Trainer's arms to rub against him joyfully.
Well, this little one forgot every route she was supposed to remember, but her head is full of delicious food.
"When we get back to the cabin, you'd better stick your butt up obediently and let me give you some 'special training'."
Hakuya rubbed her furry cat ears and pronounced her sentence.
"Meow-meow!~"
The greedy Skitty, forced to accept her punishment, looked at the cold and heartless Trainer with eyes full of tears.
Wuuu-wuuu, no—
She could already imagine the tragic scene of being ravaged so hard in a few days that she wouldn't be able to get out of bed.
"Tinka!~"
Beside them, Tinkaton, who was eavesdropping, blinked her beautiful amber eyes.
Wha... What! The Trainer is giving Sister Skitty private lessons?!
Suddenly, she remembered the "slap-slap" sounds she had heard outside the door all night a few days ago, and she pouted in dissatisfaction.
Damn it, I want that kind of special training too—
After intimidating the cute Skitty in his arms, Hakuya turned around with satisfaction and began preparing lunch.
"Gardevoir, please go gather some firewood."
"Sa~"
A moment later, dozens of branches controlled by psychic power flew slowly out of the forest.
Taking out the food from his backpack, setting up the pot, lighting the fire... once the water he had filled earlier came to a boil, Hakuya slowly lowered the noodles into the pot.
"Nai~"
On the other side, Alcremie brought out pre-cut Oran Berries and decorated the plate with sweet, delicious fresh cream.
In an instant, the entire clearing was filled with a mouth-watering aroma.
"Hello, excuse me, do you know how to get out of here and reach Mt. Coronet?"
Just as Hakuya was about to call the Pokémon to eat lunch, a soft female voice suddenly came from not far away.
Then, a graceful and tall figure emerged from behind the tall bushes.
Perhaps worried that her inquiry was too abrupt, the gentle woman, looking like a "big sister next door," bowed slightly. A faint pink flush appeared on her exquisite, snowy face as she began to introduce herself.
"Pardon the intrusion. My name is Cheryl, and this is my partner, Happiny."
Hearing this, Hakuya couldn't help but take a few extra looks.
Her face was snowy and exquisite, her emerald-green eyes like a spring pond without a ripple—gentle and beautiful.
Looking down slightly, he could see her light-green silken clothes wrapping her curvaceous figure, her slender waist gently gathered by a moon-white silk belt.
Her hip line was as plump and ripe as a full moon; with just a slight step, the hem of her silk dress tightening over her snowy buttocks could be seen trembling and swaying.
Of course, the most eye-catching thing was her "dangerous" side-ponytail hairstyle.
Her cascading emerald-green hair was braided into three strands, hanging diagonally below her white, exquisite collarbone, further highlighting her gentle and elegant temperament.
"I'm Hakuya, a local Farm Owner."
"As for your question... as you can see, we happen to be lost right now too."
After a brief pause, Hakuya replied.
Although they could return to the farm via Gardevoir's Teleport, he really didn't know how to walk through this Hiyori Forest.
"Mmm... I see..."
Hearing this, the gentle beauty with emerald hair lowered her head, her snowy face full of disappointment.
According to her knowledge, many people had their eyes on that cave from the treasure map these past few days.
If she didn't find it soon, someone else would likely get there first.
Suddenly, Cheryl noticed the blue-and-white figure beside Hakuya. Seemingly remembering something, she hurried to pull a worn-out map from her backpack.
"Mr... Mr. Hakuya, may I ask a favor of you?"
"Hmm?"
Looking at this gentle older sister who was suddenly pleading in a low voice, Hakuya was stunned for a moment.
Then, he scanned the paper she had handed over, becoming slightly surprised.
The terrain and landmarks drawn on it... why did they look so much like...
While Hakuya was still thinking, Cheryl began to explain gently.
"My profession is a Treasure Hunter. My daily work involves collecting treasure maps and searching for treasures everywhere."
"Three days ago, I accidentally obtained this treasure map. The destination it points to is at the foot of Mt. Coronet—a cave full of precious Evolution Stones. If possible, could I ask your Gardevoir to take us there?"
Since the specific coordinates and location were clearly marked on the map, a Psychic-type Pokémon like Gardevoir could reach it directly via [Teleport].
"Once it's done, I only want one Oval Stone; you can have everything else."
Seemingly worried that the black-haired youth would refuse outright, Cheryl bit her lip and added quickly at the end.
"..."
Looking at the map, then at this piteous yet hopeful gentle beauty, Hakuya first had a moment of realization, then couldn't help but chuckle.
"Mmm... strictly speaking, I came here for that cave as well."
"Eh?!"
Almost visibly, Cheryl's beautiful eyelashes trembled, and her eyes lit up.