As he put down the sake glass, Kem pulled Black out of the ball and placed it on his lap. Xiao Hei was the only one left, writhing happily.

"How's the next Pokémon League?"

"What do you mean?"

"Pokémon's condition, Shirona's condition, and so on."

"Oh, what if I make a mistake?"

"Is this a stupid question?"

"It's okay, I'm going to win this time."

"I'll look forward to it"

"Honestly, I'm worried about something other than the Pokémon League right now."

Kem frowned. Shirona was basically not worried about anything. Because it always pays attention to things like the physical condition of the Pokémon, it doesn't worry too much because it tries to do something before it gets worried. Keim didn't immediately figure out what Shirona was worried about.

"What?"

"Kem, do you know Team Galaxy?"

"Those guys with ugly clothes and hairstyles?"

"Yes. Their behavior has recently started to get a bit extreme. ”

"Ugh"

"Last time, they seized a power plant in the valley and did whatever they wanted.

“”

"What is their purpose? What do they work for? ”

"It seems that the purpose is to exploit cosmic energy."

The Ginga group has a large number of members. However, since their current goal is only to develop cosmic energy, the world thinks that they are nothing more than "strange people engaged in research".

But what if such a number of organizations have other goals?

“”

"What do you think of Cam joining Team Galaxy?"

"Well, I can't say anything, but if the development of cosmic energy is just a façade, and there is a real purpose that the members don't know, then it's troublesome."

"What do you mean?"

"It's a pity, the number of people is too violent, a hundred hodgepodge, an elite trainer, it's easy to see the opponent, both people and Pokémon's physical strength is limited, it will be cruel."

From this point of view, single-handedly destroying the current champion of the Rockets' Shirong Plateau is really a monster. If Sirona wanted to do it, she might be able to do it. But this is only the "current Sirona". It's scary to consider that a teenager with at most a year of experience as a trainer would single-handedly destroy a mafia group.

"Looks like you're going to have to be careful"

"I'll let Kem's network know about it."

"Please. I had a bad premonition. ”

"Because Sirona's kang hit."

Not sure what Team Ginga will do now. However, when Hakunai saw their recent moves, he had a bad premonition.

"I hope you don't do anything weird before the Pokémon Alliance."

"It's called a flag."

"That's right."

In a few weeks, the flag will be withdrawn.

*

"It's time to go to bed"

"Yes"

The lights were turned off, and Kem lay down on the paved futon.

After walking all day in unfamiliar shoes, my legs felt very tired. I recovered a lot in the spa but it is still there. However, although I was tired, my eyes were clear and I couldn't sleep. It's Shirona too.

"Hey Kem"

In silence, Sirona suddenly said to Kem.

"Yes?"

Kem replied with his eyes closed.

"Can you tell me about the Kem family?"

"Mine?"

"You don't talk much about yourself, so I don't know much about your family either. But you told me about your sister today, didn't you? So I want to get to know your family. ”

Kem knew this because Sirona had talked something about her family. Shirona's family consists of her grandparents, the mayor of Kaminagi, and her younger sister. It seems that his parents have died.

"My family. Even so, my father and mother didn't say anything in particular. My father was strict because he was a teacher. My mother was gentle, so I was able to balance things well. “

"What about your sister?"

"Agnèki, you know. I guess you could say she's a genius. She's smart, and her skills as a trainer are top-notch.

"What's it like to have too much freedom?"

"I raised my father's Pokémon myself and used it to break through the Gym."

"It's amazing."

At first, people don't listen to the Pokémon they initially received from people. As a Pokémon, I don't think I will listen to instructions unless the person receiving them is someone I can trust. Therefore, even family members can't do it without considerable talent, such as raising Pokémon borrowed from people without permission and breaking through the gym.

"That's how it feels."

"Yes. I hope to see you one day. ”

"I don't want you to see me."

"Why?"

"I've said it before, it's definitely going to be a hassle."

“？”

"You don't have to understand"

Kem picked up Blakey, who was huddled beside him.

"I know her contact details, but I don't know where she is or what she's doing now. I will never see you. ”

"Yes"

"If I can, I hope Sirona doesn't meet."

"I want to see you?"

"Let me take a break. My stomach will hurt. ”

Kem smiled wryly and remembered his sister's back. The image of an infinitely free and talented sister. Maybe there's something a little bit like Sirona.

A moment of silence reigned again.

"Aki, are you asleep?"

Kem did not reply. In fact, by this time, Kem had lost consciousness and had fallen asleep. However, Kem sleeps very quietly, and it is difficult to tell if he is asleep or awake.

Maybe it's because Bai Nai drank a little too much, but her eyes are still a little clear. Kuroko curled up in Kem's futon, as if she had guessed, and walked up to Sirona.

"Oh, hehe"

Kuroko licks Sirona's face and breaks her face.

"Your husband is a very nice person.

Perhaps, for better or worse, what Kem said about his sister's freedom was to say that she was obedient.

"I'm kind of happy because I rarely talk about myself."

As he spoke, he stroked the sunspot beside Sirona.

Obviously, this sentence was not said to Kuroko.

When I stroked him, Blackie fell asleep. Sure enough, drowsiness also struck Sirona, and she lost consciousness as soon as she closed her eyes.

*

"Did you forget something?"

"Nope."

Two days later, they loaded their luggage into the car and left Yuanzhou City.

Originally, they planned to return to the Sinnoh region, but the two decided to take a detour.

"That's your final destination."

“… Ahh

"The Hatno Forest is a good location for 'The End of the Journey.'"

I don't know when I'll be able to come to the Johto area next time. So the two decided to take advantage of the time they could meet and go to the Hartno Forest together.

"It's been forty years since then."

"Don't do it"

"I see"

"Are you worried?"

"A little. Do you remember me? ”

"I remember"

"Let me be clear"

"Because he's a guy who values relationships."

The Hartno Forest is a bit remote, so can't get there by car. There is a village deep in the forest, so you need to stop on the way.

Since there is a coin-operated parking lot in front of the forest, I decided to park there and head to the Hartno Forest.

"What's going on?"

"It's like a village, so maybe not much has changed."

"yes, I want to see you soon."

Hartno Forest is a short distance from the city of Yuanzhu. It didn't take long to arrive at the target coin parking lot.

And just like that, the two entered the forest and headed towards the village. I followed the map, but since it was a road that people use every day, it was relatively well maintained and it wasn't particularly difficult to walk.

"This is a beautiful place as always. It calmed me down. ”

"Maybe I feel that way because I live in a city relatively speaking."

"Maybe. Round Pearl City is quite an urbanized city. ”

After walking for a while, they came to a clearing.

There is a village lined with familiar treehouses.

"Long time no see, I guess I should say"

"After 40 years, things have changed a bit."

Set foot in the settlement.

Shirona talks to a woman near the entrance.

"Excuse me, can you give me a moment?"

"yes, yes, what's that~?"

Seeing the woman who looked up, Sirona was speechless.

Because this woman's face is exactly the same as Shiwa's.

“？ Is there anything on my face? ”

"Mr. Towa?"

“？ Do you know grandma? ”

"Ah, I'm sorry. We are acquaintances of Donghe's classmates. I'm here to see you, but do you know where he is now? “

The lady in front of her calls Donghe his grandmother.

In other words, the girl in front of her must be Donghe's grandson. Considering it's been 40 years, it's no surprise that he has grandchildren.

"Grandma is back!"

"Home. Ok thanks. ”

"You're welcome!"

After speaking, Bai Nai and the others went to Donghe's house.

Miku, a girl who stayed, was thinking about it while going back to work.

“？ Did I tell you where my grandmother's house was? ”

"Unchanged"

"Ahh

Compared with when Bai Nai and the others lived, although Donghe's house is much older, it is still the same as before.

"Sisters~"

Just as I was about to knock on the door, the girl ran up.

"Oh, that's great, I know grandma's house."

“… Yes"

"Have you ever been here?"

"Yes, I've been here before.

"That's right! Then come in, come in! ”

"Oh, come to think of it, you don't have a name yet. I'm Sirona. “

"I'm Mijiu! What about your brother? ”

"Keim"

"Nice to meet you!"

The girl who calls herself Miku opens the door, takes off her shoes, and runs into the back of the house.

"Grandmother!"

"What's wrong, Miku?"

"Did you know that grandma is a customer!"

"Me? Did you promise to meet someone today? ”

An old woman appears in the company of Miku.

Then, seeing Sirona and Kaim, I lowered my staff.

"Ahhh

"From our point of view, it's just recent, but in this case, I don't know if it should be like this."

"It's been a long time, Tohe-san."

"Ah, are you really Miss Sirona?"

"Yes"

"Kem, are you real?"

"Ahh

"I see. It's nice to see you again. “

Shiwa covered his wrinkled face with his hand and burst into tears.

"We meet again."

Shirona gently shook Towa's hand and smiled at him.

"I didn't expect you to actually come to see me."

Shiwa sat on a chair in his room and said happily.

"Oh, you don't believe me?"

"No, I thought you would come. But you know, forty years is longer than you think.

"I knew it right away. Towa-san's eyes will never change. “

"Fufu, thank you."

Sirona drank the tea she brought and chatted with Towa. 40 years later, Towa is still Towa, and Shirona and others are warmly welcomed.

As always, Kem was always left behind, and when he suddenly turned his gaze out the window, the parting photo of Towa was there.

“… This photo"

"Ah, I have always cherished it, although the time is short, but the time with you is precious to me, and I still remember the memory of my good friend and his partner."

"Grandma, is it Shirona in the picture?"

"Yes, these two men appeared in this forest forty years ago as part of Sherabi's time migration, so they healed Sherabi and lived here for a while."

"Great! I experienced the passage of time! ”

Juwa smiled and talked to his grandson Miku cordially, looking very happy.

"I'm really happy to see you again."

"Me too"

"We talked a lot on this balcony!"

"Yes, Tohe-san, came up with me."

"Aha! Rest assured. ”

"Whew, I'm not angry, it's fun."

"Miss Sirona and I have the same last memory.

"Granddaughter, I'm surprised that you look exactly like your old lady."

"Huhuhu, I'm genetically strong."

After laughing for a while, Towa put down his glass.

"I've been waiting for this day for forty years."

"It seems to me that it was just a few days ago. How has the last 40 years been? ”

Hearing this, Shiwa took a deep breath and began to speak.

"There's a lot going on.

"Yes"

"You have a lovely grandson."

Towa touched Miku's head and continued.

"I'm the head of this village now, hehe, you have to work hard to live a long life."

"Huhu, there's still a long way to go, right?"

"Don't tell me, yes, life still has a long way to go."

"Gee, this guy is going to live a long time."

"Of course!"

Hakuna was so happy to see Juwa smiling cheerfully as before that she couldn't help but laugh.

"It's been a wonderful 40 years."

"Yes, in short, very satisfied."

"It's good"

"What about you? It seems to you that time has not passed much time, but has anything changed? ”

Juwa turns his attention to Cam, who is playing with Miku.

Noticing this, Kem replied as expressionlessly as usual.

"It's not going to change so easily. But it was a wonderful time before I came here. ”

"Hehe, you've had a good experience."

"Ahh

Tova nodded, satisfied with Kem's answer.

"What are you going to do today? If you have time, why don't you stay overnight? ”

"Huh?! Are the sisters going to stay overnight? ”

"Well, I've already seen you, and I don't know when I'll see you again, so I'll take your word for it."

"I see. It's going to be interesting today. “

"Yay!"

Shirona apologized a little to Keim and glanced at Miku, who was excited. Originally, I was going to stay in the Hartno Forest for a while, but I apologized for changing my itinerary without permission.

However, Kem expected this to happen, so he didn't think about anything in particular and didn't say anything. After returning to the Sinnoh region, there was a time when I couldn't go to the Johto area anymore. The next Pokémon League is not far away. My next free time was as early as after the end of Pokémon League, and I already had various plans in place for that holiday. So I don't know when I'll be able to come here again.

"Come on, Kem, can you help me prepare food today?"

"The front and arms haven't changed, but it's okay."

"A warm welcome"

On that day, the Donghe family held a grand party to celebrate their reunion.

The participants are Towa, Towa's husband, daughter and husband, Miku, and Shirona and Kem.

The food was made with the heart of Towa's daughter, Towa and Kem, and Towa looked satisfied to see Miku eating happily.

Shirona deepened her relationship with Higashi and her family and had a pleasant conversation with them. Kemu U is also involved, but he spends a lot of time with Miku, who is fascinated by Pokémon from the Hoenn and Sinnoh regions, which he rarely sees in the Johto region.

ーー

“”

"Thank you for your hard work, your cooking skills are still as good as ever."

As Hei and I stood on the rocks at the entrance of the village and felt the night breeze, Tova was right behind us.

"Domo"

"Miku misses you too. Thank you. ”

"Okay"

"Hehe, you're as unfriendly as ever, and that's what characterizes you."

"I don't know."

"Have you had anything good happen lately?"

I couldn't help but look at Donghe.

Seeing Kaim's expression, Towa was sure of something.

"Huhu, sure enough."

"Hey, how do you know?"

"Hahaha! You've only changed for about a month, but you've lived forty years longer! ”

"I'm afraid of age."

"Isn't it? Well, I'm not going to ask you that good thing, because it's rude for me to ask. ”

"It's a shame"

Kem breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't asked for more, and he looked at the moon floating in the sky.

"A lot has changed.

"Yes"

"I hope your kind heart doesn't change."

Keim didn't answer.

But even so, upon seeing Cam's face, Tova quickly realized that there was nothing to worry about.

"Come out, are you there?"

As Kem spoke, a small light came on.

Then Sherabi emerges from the light.

"Yo, it's nice to see you again."

Sherabi happily flew around Kem. According to Towa, he has been to the village several times since then.

And he only came here after feeling the existence of the power crystal that Sherabi had given them.

"It's great that you look good."

"He's been here many times since.

"I'm honored."