"I'll have to learn from you, too."

I've been running away until now. I've always avoided facing Kem because I'm afraid he'll visibly hate me.

But a girl around ten years old sees and accepts the light and darkness of the unknown world. Then it was embarrassing that I was getting older, but I couldn't face my brother anymore. I'm touted as a genius, so at least I have to do it right.

"That kind of greed for the top is very similar to the imperial kitchen."

"Isana-san, you know your uncle. What kind of person is your old uncle? ”

"Old Mikuri~?

After that, the two chatted for a while, which caused the flowers to bloom and fall.

"You guys get along very well."

Sirona said this from the stern of the boat as she saw Lucia and Isana chatting in the cabin.

"That's because you're my sister."

"I'm glad that the person driving this ship today is Miss Isana."

“… Ahh

Kem wiped his face with a towel that was sticky from the sea breeze.

Sirona took a breath and asked Kem.

"Hey, Kem. Can you tell me what you're looking for? ”

The hand wiping Keim's face stopped.

"Did you notice?"

"Yes.

"She's sharp."

Kem put the towel back in his bag and replied as he stroked Glecia from Sirona beside him.

"What are you looking for?"

"Dr. Oketo spoke of the old man in Zion."

"About the owner of that chart."

"I saw that sign and connected it to a lot of things."

He added that he didn't think they would be in touch and started talking to Shirona about his research results.

"Dr. Odo said that the person who gave us this map was an old man in Zion Town, so I started researching the inhabitants of Zion Town."

I showed Shirona the table I had put together on my tablet.

Sirona looked at them, her gaze resting on a name.

"This man's name is 'Fuji'"

"yes. The people in the town seem to call me 'Old Fuji'. He is the landlord of Pokémon House. ”

"So this guy gave Dr. Odo a chart?"

"Well, well, 'Fuji', 'Old Man', and 'Island Signboard'. It's almost decided. I don't know why I became the landlord of the Pokémon House. ”

For unknown reasons, it has now taken on the role of protecting Pokémon. The people of the town seem to love him.

"You've done a lot of research."

"Anyone who knows how to use the internet can understand this."

"So? There's more, right? “

Kem nodded, and opened a page on his tablet. That page is the page of an article written by Team Rocket a few years ago when they occupied Zion Town.

"Is this Team Rocket?"

"yes, it's not written in this article, but someone did get kidnapped by Team Rocket."

"Never"

Old Fuji

Bai Nai opened his eyes slightly.

"Kidnapped by Team Rocket."

"Nothing seems to have been done.

Shirona put her hand on her chin and thought for a moment.

Genetic research: Meow Rocket, Team Rocket, replicating Pokémon

Hypotheses are formed based on some information. I make a not-so-pleasant hypothesis.

“… I see."

"Did you make assumptions?"

"Thank you."

Shirona took the hand of Kem, who was sitting next to her. The hand was just a little shaky.

"I'm glad I didn't tell Lucia about it."

"What do you understand?"

"Most likely, Dr. Fuji created a clone of Meow under the leadership of Team Rocket.

"In other words, Dr. Fuji's sponsor is Team Rocket."

"Maybe. He may have been associated with a rather deep darkness. At Team Rocket, he learned something. Or he 'created' something. It must be something he shouldn't know, or something he can't handle. ”

In any case, unlike the other residents, Old Fuji was not confined, but kidnapped. Otherwise, they don't bother to limit it individually.

"I didn't expect that the former world authority would have a connection with the mafia."

"I can't say for sure, but it's very likely."

"That's all for today."

"There's no way around it. It has not been confirmed. ”

I grabbed Sirona's hand, and she pursed her lips childishly.

Shirona lowered her eyes and continued.

"No matter who you are in this world, there is darkness in your heart. You never know what will bring out the darkness in your heart. And the elongated darkness will make you lose your mind and drive you crazy. Maybe Dr. Fuji had some very important purpose, and maybe his genetic research was also involved. ”

"Thoughts belong to him alone. I do not know. ”

"I see."

Sirona rested her head on Cam's shoulder.

The sun was setting on the horizon, and a faint reflection light illuminated the faces of Sirona and Kem.

"Do you regret going to that island?"

"Nope. That's where I wanted to go, and I got to know a lot of people, and I learned about the secrets of the world that I didn't know before. Whatever it is, if it's a history that does exist, that's not a reason for me to turn a blind eye. ”

Even if it was dark, it was a history full of people's thoughts, so Sirona was determined to record it and look at it properly. So I don't regret going to that island today. I don't regret not being able to take Miu with me. But even so, I was a little scared when I thought about Dr. Fuji's research on Mew.

Dr. Fuji is trying to get results even with the help of criminal organizations. I don't know what the reason behind this is, but since I'm also a researcher in a different field, I can't say for sure that I won't be trapped in the dark like Dr. Fuji.

The darkness in people's hearts. And Kem and I are also in danger of being devoured.

Shirona and Kem are good people in nature. But I know that people's minds are easy to change. When she loses something important, won't the current Bai Nai be swallowed up by the darkness in her heart? Are you relying too much on Kem? Ever since I saw that sign and came up with a hypothesis, the idea has been simmering in my mind.

"Sirona, are you afraid of becoming like Dr. Fuji?"

Kem said as if he had seen through Sirona's thoughts.

In response, Shirona nodded slightly.

"Yes, I'm sure. Anyone who takes the wrong step can easily go astray and never go back. There are many such records in history, but this time it is my own hypothesis. So I think that's probably possible for me as well. ”

"I see, that's how it is. Shirona isn't the only one doing this.

"Everybody has it. Me and you. ”

"Sirona wouldn't do that."

Kem said as he stared at Graceia.

"How can you say that?"

"As long as I'm by your side, you won't go the wrong way."

It is equivalent to implicitly saying "I will always be by your side in the future". Hearing this, Bai Nai smiled slightly.

"What? Is it a marriage proposal? ”

Shirona said in a mocking tone, but the words that followed surprised Shirona.

"That's a long way off."

“”

"Still ahead" means we're going to do it one day.

This means:

"Hey, hey, then, Kem with me"

"Started?"

"Hmm"

Sirona didn't like this answer a little, but when she answered the "marriage incident" that she thought of a few days ago, although she didn't say anything, her heart was warm.

"Hey"

"Yes?"

"From now on, I will definitely rely on you. Maybe sometimes I'm too dependent on you, but will you still be there for me? ”

"I'm here. I will also rely on you, so I am Aiko. “

"Thank you"

Anyone can go astray, not just you. But I figured it would be nice as long as Kem was by my side.

The sun is setting on the horizon and the night is spreading.

In stark contrast to the dim sky, Sirona's heart became bright.

Whatever happens in the future, I will believe that the two of us will be able to overcome it.