"Whew"

"Oops, is it a break?"

When I returned to the mountain house, I was greeted by the old man, the manager.

Casey was sleeping by the fire.

"By the way, I will take a break by sorting out the information"

"That's really hard. So, what about Miss Sirona? “

"She was so engrossed in her own thing that she couldn't hear anything now. Once she does that, she can't see her surroundings."

"That's right. Her concentration is truly amazing."

"I told her to rest for a while, but she probably didn't listen at all."

The old man smiled at the way Cam shrugged.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. You have a good relationship of trust."

““

"Since you didn't stop her, it means that you still believe her in your heart, right? Judging by the tone of your voice just now, if you really want her to rest, you will even force her to rest."

"Because I'm a nosyman. I can't just ignore things like that."

"It also has to do with your personality. However, Miss Sirona also believes in Mr. Khem. She knows you're going to stop her "before she gets over it" so she can immerse herself in it. It's a good relationship of trust."

“…“

Kem didn't know how to answer, but took a sip of warm tea.

"She's your important person"

"Yes. He is my mentor. I am where I am now, thanks to Sirona."

"It's important to be honest about how you feel"

"Yes"

"The subject has changed, was Mr. Keim born in Sinnoh?"

"No, I'm from Hoen"

"Oh. So where did you and Miss Sirona meet? “

"We went to Maize University. There's a professor there that Shirona knows, so"

Strictly speaking, it's a little different, but Kem doesn't feel the need to explain in detail here, so he casually and briefly.

“？“

Sensing movement behind him, Keim turned his head to find Casey grabbing his clothes.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, yes, that's rare. Casey is rarely close to others."

"Oh"

Kem placed his hand on Casey's head and stroked it gently. Although it doesn't look as comfortable as the Dark Raven, it doesn't have a particularly annoying expression either.

"Mr. Kem, Pokémon seem to like you"

"Shirona said the same thing to me, hey, be careful"

Casey uses teleportation and stands on top of Kem.

"It's a little heavy."

"Hahaha. I've never seen Casey be so coquettish to you."

"Can you get it?"

"Very few people come here, so how about playing with it for a while?"

"It's just a break"

During the rest of the break, Kem played with Kathy for a while, but he didn't expect Kathy to be mischievous and cause a lot of trouble to Kam, which is another story.

A few hours have passed since the investigation began.

Shirona has been preoccupied with the investigation. Normally, a human can't concentrate for too long, but she barely gets distracted and keeps going.

"Sure enough, this is it"

"Hey"

"Wow!"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind, and Sirona turned her head to see Kaim standing there with a blank expression.

"Kem, what's wrong?"

"You're too focused. It's been like this for a week, it's been too hard to get started"

"Ah, time flies. Sorry didn't notice"

“。 Take a little rest."

Kem motioned for Sirona to come with him.

They walked to the entrance to the ruins, where Sirona sat on a large rock, while Kem leaned against the pillar.

It was still snowing when I came, but now it's gone. Keim judged that it should be okay to take a break outside, and poured a warm cup of tea from the thermos.

"To you"

"Thank you"

Sirona took the cup and took a sip of her tea.

She felt her cold body warm up from within. Although precautions have been taken to protect against the cold, surveying in a cold environment for a long time can still make the body cold.

The exhaled breath condensed white in the cold. Shirona only looked at Kaim, his cheeks flushed slightly from the cold.

"Breathe warmth"

"Can you control yourself a little bit?"

"Hehe, yes. Indeed, I knew that I had a tendency to be overly focused, and I had considered correcting it, and although I didn't take action, I at least found a way to control myself"

She once overworked her body to the limit, and even collapsed at one point.

At that time, she hadn't met Kaim yet, and luckily the Pokémon helped her a lot and kept her safe, but it caused her unnecessary worry and distress, and it was a painful memory for her.

"Then you can put it into practice."

"It's okay now."

"Why?"

"Because you're here."

"What?"

"You're going to stop me when I'm unconsciously pushing myself, right?"

"You're really going to tease me."

"Actually, now you're going to let me rest. Look, you've stopped me. “

Keim neither affirms nor denies.

For Kem, worrying about others has become a habit. Therefore, he did not do it consciously. Even if the other party was not Sirona, he would definitely do the same thing.

"You're gentle. So you can't silently watch the people around you do something without regard to themselves. You're that kind of person. “

"Maybe."

"You're going to stop me. I know this, so I can devote myself to research and fighting. “

"If you're conscious, make yourself a little bit more self-controlled."

"Nope."

"Hey, don't do that."

"Because I like it when you take care of me like this."

Looking at Sirona with a mischievous smile on her face, Kem had nothing to say but sighed.

The ears aren't just red because of the cold.

"I'm able to do it all at the same time because of your help. I am grateful to you. “

"Nothing. I don't do it to be grateful. “

"Oops, then why are you taking care of me?"

Kem is basically a worrisome person, but not for everyone. He's not nosy with everyone, and Kem isn't a good guy either.

But after building a certain friendship with someone, he will start to worry about it. It was his inability to let his personality take its toll, and Sirona knew it, and she asked the question, even though she didn't actually know why.

Of course, also to tease Kaim.

"Let's put it this way."

"You're a worried person, but you don't interfere too much. But for me, you're very interfering. Why? “

“。 Maybe it's because I'm your assistant, that's the most common reason. Although I also considered deliberately saying a different reason, I really couldn't think of a special reason. “

Cam crossed his arms and twisted his neck in thought, but still couldn't find a reason. He couldn't even think of a plausible excuse.

"Oops."

"It doesn't matter what the reason is."

"Are you being nice to me for no reason?"

Sirona asked Kaim urgently, but when she heard Cam's answer, her words came to an abrupt halt.

"Ahh Because I love doing it. “

“？“

"It's almost time for me to go back and continue my investigation."

"Ah, wait, wait"

Kaym grinned in revenge and headed straight back into the ruins.

Sirona, who had been left behind, sat down again, covering her face with her hands.

"Woohoo"

Sirona's face was red as it peeked through her fingers.

Probably if someone who doesn't know Kem hears what he just said, he will interpret it as "like to worry about it".

But while Cam was worried, he never openly declared that he liked to worry. In fact, he doesn't like to worry about it, it's just that the people he cares about behave like that.

In other words, what he just said really meant.

"It's only when that's the time to be frank."

Usually he is full of love for Pokémon, but basically indifferent to humans. It's not that he hates humans, it's that he can't treat them sincerely.

So it was rare for Kem to confide in Sirona because he understood this, so he chose to express his sincerity frankly at this time.

"Oh yes, it feels like it's all messed up."

Feeling the slack at the corners of her mouth and the heat on her face, Sirona took a deep breath and shifted her attention by slapping her face.

"Good!"

While deciding to take revenge somewhere, Shirona also returns to the work of the investigation.

"Good work, see you tomorrow."

"Thank you. Please take care of me tomorrow as well. “

After nightfall, the two were sent back to town by the old man and his Casey.

After witnessing the old man and Kathy teleport home, Sirona turns to Kem.

"It's hard work~"

"Ahh

"It's a relic that has just been discovered. There are still many unsolved mysteries waiting for us. Anyway, back up this data first, and then go to dinner. “

"Definitely. It's not too late, the store should still be open. “

The town isn't huge, so there aren't many shops to choose from, but they found a couple of shops that looked good on their smartphones.

Sirona stole a glance at Kem's smartphone and turned the screen towards her.

"Which one is better?"

"Ahh How about this? “

"Washi. Not bad. “

"Then let's go right away. I am hungry. “

"I feel the same way."

Even though she should be tired from the long hours of investigation, Sirona's pace is brisk.

"Do you want to book in advance?"

Even at such times, Kem's secretarial spirit remained.

After sorting out the data and backing it up, the two went to the restaurant they had booked.

"This is it."

"Very nice. It's a bit like the atmosphere of the Johto area. I like it. “

"Sirona, you still like the Johto area."

"Each region has its own characteristics. Among these characteristics, I think the Johto area is the most suitable place for me after the Sinnoh area. “

"Since Shirona thinks so, that's right."

"Next time, I want to visit the Toyomi area."

"Take me there."

"You know a lot, don't you?"

"Ahh

When I entered the store, I was reminded of the events in the Toyomi area.

The atmosphere is quiet, but there is a constant stream of customers.

"Welcome."

"I'm Mr. Keim on appointment."

"Welcome. Please go this way. “

Guided by the clerk, they arrived at a private room.

It's not too spacious, but it's just right for the two.

"Here's the menu. If you've already decided, press the button over there to call us. Please enjoy it slowly. “

The clerk just said these words and closed the door.

"That's amazing. The clerk is wearing a kimono. “

"Ahh Despite the price, it feels premium. “

"It's good to find a store like this. But why a private room? “

"You, think about your popularity. The clerk may be fine, but if the customer suddenly appears as a champion, it may be a little panicked. “

"Yes."

In fact, the two people who were alone were a little happy, but because of what had just happened, Sirona couldn't express her joy calmly.

If Kem had said something like "I want to be alone with you" to her at this moment, I'm afraid she wouldn't have been able to keep her calm. So Shirona chose not to continue talking about it and instead opened the menu.

"I'm going to have a sashimi to eat."

"I want a pomelo grilled set."

"What is Yuzu-an grilling?"

"Grilled fish in a sauce made from yuzu, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar."

"It looks delicious."

"Would you like a bite?"

"No, thank you."

This came as a surprise to Kem.

Usually at such times, Shirona will ask for a bite. But she didn't say so, suggesting that she might not be too interested in the dish, and Kem came to this conclusion.

However, this idea was quickly erased.

"Next time, make it for me."

Sirona's words made Kem stunned.

The mind paused for a moment, but soon restarted.

"Do what?"

"That yuzu-an."

"Surely you can do it, right? I'm very concerned. “

"Then I'll give you a taste. And then you judge. “

"No, I'd like to eat the yuzu-an grilled by "Keim". “

Sirona said with a smile that would make everyone look back, while Kem looked at her bitterly. But soon he sighed as if in submission.

"In that case, you don't have to ask me at all, you."

“。“

"Alright. I'll check the recipe. “

"Great."

In this way, Sirona was glad that she had more fun when she returned.

After that, the two left the store after eating, but when they left, a clerk asked Sirona for an autograph, which is another matter.