When Shi Momo was first introduced by Sirona, Shi Momo's impression was that it was "inconspicuous". In terms of combat, he only has basic abilities, does not show special talents, and most importantly he is not enthusiastic at all. As Shi Momo, he initially found it difficult to get close to him.

However, even so, Kem didn't slack off on his efforts, actively talking to other trainers and asking for advice, which made Shi Momo have a good impression of him.

Seeing Kem's posture, the other gym trainers also worked harder, and the level of the entire gym was improved.

"He's still not enthusiastic."

"That's one of the characteristics of Kem."

"yes. However, I really didn't expect him to be surpassed in a year. ”

"Although he has the foundation, he can become so strong in just one year, he must know that he still has shortcomings. Moreover, he is good at thinking simply. ”

"After all, it's a disciple of Sirona. It's enviable. ”

"What is the relationship between the two of you?"

Shirona says he's an "assistant and disciple", but it looks like Shirona and Kem live in the same base.

Although Shi Momo is not interested in other people's emotional affairs, because the other party is that Sirona, Shi Momo is also very concerned.

In the private life of the mysterious Sirona, only she knows about the existence of Kem, and only she knows about that private life, which makes anyone curious.

Shi Momo had casually asked him about life before, but Kem just covered his head and sighed deeply without answering.

Shi Momo realized that maybe he shouldn't ask again, so Shi Momo didn't ask again, but he still cared.

"Oh, I'm concerned about that, I've asked Kem before."

"How did he answer?"

"He said 'assistant' with a painful expression."

Why is this "assistant" relationship so painful, Shi Momo thought about it for a while, but no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure it out, so Shi Momo decided not to think about it anymore.

What is the relationship between the two, only they know.

"Ah, I'm so tired."

Kem muttered to himself as he rode on the back of the Hawk and flew through the air towards the Mystery City. Although the seasons have begun to get warmer, it is still cold high at night, so Kem inwardly praises himself for wearing a thick coat wisely.

Trained today and fought several challengers at the same time.

The number of badges varies from challenger to multiple, while others have not yet earned them.

The Gym Trainer adjusts the Pokémon and battle strategy used based on the number of badges held by the challenger.

Normally, trainers don't change the Pokémon they use, and they don't have too many battle strategies.

Unless it's a top trainer, that's the case with trainers in general.

As a result, gym trainers need to have the same flexibility as top trainers. Gym trainers need to be flexible.

Kem himself has no talent for fighting. So he took Sirona's instruction and practiced his experience in the gym.

As a result, the level of his Pokémon has also increased, and his strength has also increased, allowing him to engage in a fierce battle with the true Gym Lord.

"Maybe I'm getting stronger as a mortal."

Kem muttered to himself, and the Hawk chirped high-pitched, as if to say that it was a matter of course.

Kem was stunned for a moment, but quickly smiled and stroked Mukhawk's head.

"Thanks to you being around."

Kem listened to the cheerful call of the Hawk and looked ahead.

"Alright, let's go back quickly. Shirona is waiting for us. “

In the darkness of the night, Kem put on his goggles and the Hawk sped up.

After proofreading the paper, Sirona reviewed it to see if there were any errors or typos, and waited for Kem's return.

The time for the previous communication is almost up. If he's late, then Kem, who cares about details, should be in touch. If there is no contact, it means that he will come back on time.

"It's almost there."

The Gotha duck beside him seemed to chirp with certainty.

Sirona looked out of the window, which was already completely dark, and although it was difficult to detect in the night, she could still see a small shadow in the air.

"Ah, he's back."

The Muckhawk landed in front of the door, and Kem dismounted from its back.

Sirona opened the window to greet Kem.

"Welcome back."

"Ah, I'm back."

Although Kem was expressionless, the Muk Eagle next to him pressed his face up and smiled slightly.

"Wow, I'm hungry. Let's go eat. Thank you for today. “

Kem patted the Hawk as he opened the door and walked inside.

Shirona came down from the second floor to greet Kaim.

"Good work. How are you today? “

"There's a potential challenger coming. I won this time, but I'm afraid I won't be able to win next time. “

"Really? There are talented children again. “

"It's a guy in a red beret. I'm probably only about 13 years old, and I already have 4 badges. He's going to get stronger soon. “

"Great. The next Pokémon League looks like it's going to be fun. “

Out of the corner of his eye, Kem caught a glimpse of Sirona smiling happily, washed her hands, and tied her apron.

"I'll cook right away."

"Take your time."

"My Pokémon are hungry. They worked hard today as well and I will do it right away. “

————————————————

"Ruins survey?"

While Kem is working on a laptop in the living room of Sirona's home and research room, Sirona brings up the topic of ruins investigation.

"Yes. I'm going to investigate the recently discovered ruins of Sinto. “

The Sinto Ruins are a recently discovered site between the Sinnoh region and the Johto region. It is said that it is a relic left behind by the migration of the people of the Sinnoh region to Johyo.

"Although the excavations are not yet complete, experts and people with special qualifications have been allowed to investigate the location of the main temple. So I'm going to check it out right away. “

"Follow me."

"Of course. Kem is my assistant, so I'm sure there will be a lot of interesting things for you. “

"Although I always wanted to go, I didn't expect it to be so soon. Of course, I will go. “

"Then let's go the day after tomorrow. Preparations will begin tomorrow. “

Shirona left such words and returned to her room.

““

Kem interrupted his work and picked up his phone.

First check the traffic between your current location and the Sinto ruins, and then confirm the route to get there.

"It should be possible to drive to Johto. It is impossible to go directly to the ruins themselves. In that case, it's a good idea to find a place to stay. “

He looked for accommodation in the town closest to the ruins of Sinto. Although I heard that there was a hut nearby where you could stay overnight, it was impossible to stay there all the time. I don't know how much effort will be put into the investigation, so I can ask Sirona about this later. For the time being, you need to make sure you have a base.

Kem found a good-looking accommodation in the town closest to the ruins of Sinto and booked it on his phone.

For some reason, Lucario, who was meditating nearby, suddenly sneezed.

-- Two days later --

"Are you ready?"

“。“

Shirona said to Kaim, who was packing her luggage.

Kem packed the various items into a larger bag, then easily took his and Sirona's bags from Shirona and placed them in the trunk of the car.

"Thank you."

"It's more convenient for me to do this kind of manual work."

At one time, he was just an average level of physical ability, but in the training at the Tubali Gym, Kem improved a lot. Now, even compared to the average person, his physical fitness is quite high.

"You didn't forget to bring anything, did you?"

"No problem."

Sirona gently tossed Keim's car keys.

Keim easily took the key and sat in the driver's seat. Sirona sat in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.

"Let's go."

With the sound of the engine, the car started.

"Which route are you going to take?"

"Start with nearby Mio on the highway. Because the distance is a bit far, in order to save time, it is the safest choice to go on the highway. “

"yes. Anyway, leave your luggage at the hotel when you get there, and then go to the ruins right away. I've already said hello to my acquaintances stationed over there, so I'm going to take a tour today. “

"Understood."

"How long do you expect to arrive?"

"It's not 8 o'clock yet, and I hope to arrive before noon, including the break."

"There should be time to investigate in the afternoon."

"If there is no traffic jam."

"No problem. I always feel like I don't feel stuck in traffic. “

"Really?"

The two sat in the car and drove onto the highway.

"It's hard work, bring it."

On the way, they entered the service area to take a break.

Kem stretched and stretched his body, stiffened by the long drive, as Sirona handed him a bottle of tea.

"Thank you."

"After all, if you want to go to another place, it will definitely take a lot of time."

"I can't help it."

He opened the cap and poured the tea.

Finally halfway through, but it already took two hours. Although there was no traffic jam along the way, the drive went smoothly, but the time was inevitably spent.

Shirona looked around at the shops in the service area and stopped.

"Hey, there's an ice cream seller over there, shall we check it out?"

"You can go, but don't hesitate for as long as you used to."

"I see. Come, let's go. “

Sirona hummed a little tune with pleasure and walked over with a cheerful look, while Kem sighed deeply.

That being said, no matter what, he already understands that Sirona will definitely spend a long time choosing ice cream.

And then, as Kem had predicted, Sirona was confused about the type of ice cream she had chosen.

"Hurry up and decide."

"After all, it's going to be a long drive after that, so it's not good to have two goals. But it's so hesitant to like both. “

"That's how it turned out."

Narrowed down to two options at once, it can be seen that she understands that she can't spend much time. But in the end, she hesitated on these two options, and she really liked ice cream.

"Alas, forget it. Sorry, please give me this and this. Please put them separately in cups. “

"Okay."

“？“

"Aren't you struggling with these two? Divide it in half and eat it, and you can taste both. Just bear with me about the portion. And then there's a long trip. “

Kem said with a straight face as he paid.

"Is that okay?"

"Fool. If not, you'll definitely spend an hour there choosing. Hurry up and finish eating, let's go. “

Taking change and ice cream, Kem walked away briskly.

“… I didn't say which two flavors I struggled with. “

Perhaps considering Sirona's vision and tastes, Kem accurately guessed the two flavors she was struggling with.

It is precisely because Kem usually pays attention not only to Pokémon, but also to observe people's affairs, that he can notice this.

Sirona was a little happy at the fact that he had noticed it, and she happily followed behind Cam's back.

"Hey, this one is delicious."

"It's a great flavor to pair with coffee."

"Ah, give me a little bit of that flavor too."

"Okay, okay."

Afterward, the two sat on a bench in the service area eating ice cream, looking at the contented Sirona, and Kem breathed a sigh of relief while drinking tea.

＊

"It's finally here~"

"Ah, it's so far."

The two arrived in the northern part of the Sinnoh region and arrived at a hotel in a town near the ruins of Sinto.

"Check in first. Take a break and head to the ruins right away. “

"By the way, it must be all snow over there."

“。 I brought shoes for cold areas or something, no problem. “

"Then you go to the front desk first, and I'll put my luggage down."

"Okay, got it."

When I was taking my luggage out of the suitcase, the hotel staff came to help carry it.

After thanking the staff, they moved all their luggage into the room.

"The room is not bad."

"It's not too high, but it's not too low. The most comfortable relaxation at this level. Mainly for me. “

"Take you as your standard."

"Shirona, too."

“。 As long as it's with you, it's okay to go anywhere. “

“… Is it? “

To hide his embarrassment, Kem scratched his head and turned his back.

Behind Keim, who was packing his luggage, Sirona watched happily.

Kem carried a packed backpack containing the items needed for the investigation. He wears a lightweight, slim-fitting down jacket with a focus on warmth and comfort.

Sirona wears her usual black jacket and leggings, but considering that snowy places are not suitable for high heels, she wears non-slip boots suitable for cold regions.

"How long does it take to walk from here?"

"About an hour."

"Because it should be about the same in the mountains."

"Okay, let's go."

The two left the hotel.

The luggage was all carried by Kem alone, including Sirona's share. Of course, it wasn't Sirona who forced him to carry it, but Kem's own will.

Sirona is a high-profile archaeologist despite her youth, and her passion for research is no less than her passion for Pokémon battles. Her passion for research often leads her to become overly focused and lose track of time. Although she may have lost track of time in her head, her body will bear the burden accordingly. At one point, she was immersed in her research until she was about to faint because she was trying too hard.

From then on, Kem always helped Sirona carry her luggage when she went to the scene to investigate. Doing so preserves Sirona's stamina to concentrate on the field investigation.

In addition, as a martial arts type gym trainer, Kem can also train his body. While Kem also enjoys investigating and researching, he is not as immersed in it as Sirona. His concentration is relatively long-lasting, but he doesn't lose track of time like Sirona.

"Don't you think it's heavy?"

"Dumbbells are heavier."

"Hehe, of course."

With a helpless expression on his face, Kem followed closely behind Sirona.