"It's almost a private room, but relax."

Susuna poured hot water from the pot and poured tea for the two.

"Thank you"

"No, no"

After taking a sip of tea, Suzuna began to speak.

"Even so, it took a lot of hard work to come to Kizaki Temple."

"It's hard to say, but I can do it because I like it."

"If you love what you do, you can put your heart and soul into it! If you put your heart and soul into what you love, you can do anything! ”

Suzuna is very mentally focused in everything she does. According to himself, "fighting, fashion, love were ignited". Keim didn't quite understand, but through the years of training, he understood the importance of having such a philosophy.

"This time, though, it's not my problem, it's Kem's."

"Ah, it turned out to be about Mr. Kem."

"Isn't that weird?"

"Nope. And there's nothing surprising about that. But if it's Miss Sirona, it's easier to understand! "

Suzuna was even more impressed by Kem's image as a gym leader. Ever since he heard that he was Sirona's assistant, he knew that Kem was also a scholar. More importantly, however, Suzuna has a strong impression of Kem, who is an excellent supporter and dojo leader who supports Hakuna.

"I'm sorry"

"People who aren't students usually serve as leaders of gymnasiums.

"Can't you imagine it?"

Hearing Bai Nai's words, Suzuna nodded with a wry smile.

"Yes. Now all I want to do is fight. I'm also an instructor at a trainer's school, but I can't do it forever. So I'm a little worried about what I'm going to do in the future. "

"Are you worried about your career? I understand how you feel. Sometimes you worry about what your future holds. ”

"Did Miss Shirona have such a period?"

"Yes. I've had it too. ”

Bai Nai used to feel uneasy about wearing two pairs of straw sandals: one was Xiucai and the other was the champion. Sirona is talented, but not genius. As a result, I initially felt very anxious about balancing the two and struggled several times.

But every time I was troubled and thought, I chose to take a path that I was satisfied with. There are a lot of difficulties waiting for me along the way, and even if I can't achieve my goals, I don't want to regret what I didn't do.

"Worrying is not a bad thing, I believe that if you think about it and make a decision, you will definitely be able to make a better choice."

Hearing Shirona's answer, Suzuna's expression softened a little and let out a reassuring voice.

"Hey, hey. I was relieved to think that someone as powerful as Miss Sirona had such a period. "

"Yes?"

"Yes, I don't think it's going to be decided right away, but it makes me feel like I should think about it before I decide. I don't think hesitation is a mistake. ”

Suzuna smiled and scratched her cheek embarrassedly.

"I'm sorry.

"Don't worry. Suzuna-chan She is now a sophomore in high school. "

"Yes"

"Then it's time to think hard about your career path."

"Yes. That's why I'm thinking about it. ”

Hearing Suzuna's words, Hakuna nodded.

Then Susuna turned to Kem as she remembered.

"Oh yes. Have you ever heard of sumo? ”

"Which story are you talking about?"

Keim kept in touch with Sumomo, who was studying abroad. So I listened to all kinds of stories, but I didn't know which story Suzuna was telling.

"They said they'll be back next month!"

"Oh, by the way, I heard you'll be back at the end of next month."

Aimo will return to the Sinnoh region after completing his studies in the Galar region around the end of next month.

"Yes! You're finally back! I'm so happy! ”

"Sumo is your sister."

"Yes! I was surprised to hear that I was going to study abroad, but that was what the girl came up with. ”

"Oh, when he comes back, that's the end of my Dao Curator's business."

Hearing this, Susuna raised her voice.

"I see! Mr. Keim is a sub! ”

"Yes, if the director of the Shodo Pavilion comes back, there will be no need for the deputy director to be the curator."

Before sumo came back, Kem was only a substitute. is only a temporary substitute who did not pass the Pokémon Alliance Gym Curator Approval Test. So, if someone has been properly tested, then that person should go for it.

"I see, although I have become the head of the gym, everything is over."

"It's been decided. I'm not going to say anything about it. ”

"Mr. Keim would say so. What are you going to do after that? ”

Now that I know I have what it takes to be a leader in a gym, it would be a waste to go back to being a gym trainer. If you have the strength of a gym leader, you can be an immediate force wherever you work in a combat environment.

"I don't have that idea yet. For the time being, I plan to go back to being a regular gymnastics coach, but even though I'm a regular gymnastics coach, I can go back and be a gymnastics coach. "The leader of the gym."

If sumo goes back to the dokan director, then the Tobari dokan actually has two dokan masters. In that case, the operation of the gym will be easy, but as a human resource it is difficult to say that it works perfectly. And sumo will come back stronger than before. If that happens, Kem's existence will become more and more wasteful.

"I'll think about it when Sumo comes back. Currently, I am the director of Tobari Dokan. ”

"Yes.

I don't know what position this guy named Kem will be in the future. But Keim thought it would be like this and didn't take it too seriously.

"If it's Mr. Kem, it's not surprising that he became the head of the Gym somewhere! There are exams, but Mr. Keim will definitely pass it now! ”

"Okay.

"I don't know what it's like, but my skills and brains are high."

"I'll tell you."

"Of course, over the years, I am the one who has seen you grow up close, and there is no reason not to believe it."

"Yes. That may be true, but I still don't consider myself on the same level as other gym leaders. ”

"？ Is that so? Mr. Keim, I won sumo, so I don't think it's a problem to think that way. "

There aren't many trainers who can defeat the Gym Leader with all their might. Suzuna believes that as long as Kem can do this, Kem will be proud of him as the leader of the gym.

"I don't want you to get me wrong, but I do believe in my own strength. If I belittle my ability here, I'm belittleing sumo as my opponent. Not on a level means you are not recognized by the world. ”

Keim has little to no tournament experience. As a supporter, he always accompanied Shirona to competitions, but Kem himself never participated. As a result, Kem's existence is almost unknown to the general public.

"Then why don't you participate in some kind of competition next time?"

"When I'm done with my dissertation"

"Then hurry up and get it done, you can do it, right?"

"Hey, don't say that to someone writing a paper for the first time. How hard do you think you write? ”

"It's okay, I've trained enough to write my thesis."

"Ignore my opinion? Didn't I make you do something very difficult the next time you cooked? ”

"I—I'm sorry"

The two people talking in front of her seemed to be too close, and Suzuna watched the situation with a smile. Kaim, who noticed this, said to Suzuna with a frown.

"What's that face?"

"No, no! You two are good friends! ”

I don't know if he's being ridiculed or if he really thinks so, but Keim, who can't say anything, remains silent. Sirona's cheeks flushed slightly, and she smiled distressedly.

"I'd like to hear about your relationship, but it's almost time, shall we go to dinner?"

Hearing Suzuna say this, I looked at my watch, and it was indeed time for dinner.

"Oh, it's this time, okay, let's go before there's a lot of people in the store."

"It's not the final snow season yet, there are not many people, but it's still a little crowded, I'll show you what good shops are!"

"Huhu, then I want to ask you for something. Is Cam okay? "

"It's okay"

"Then let's go!"

Suzuna struggled to her feet and walked along, followed by Hakuna and Kaim.

ーー

It is a seafood course restaurant that is brought to Suzuna. I checked it on the Internet, and it seems that there are not only set meals, but also sushi, seafood bowls, hot pots, etc.

"This is where I go! There is a wide variety of dishes, ranging from affordable to expensive prices for students! ”

Suzuna sat down and said happily. When I actually looked at the menu, I found that there was a wide variety of dishes, from affordable prices for students to slightly more expensive dishes. Also, although it is not yet the snow season and Keizaki City is already sparsely populated, the store is crowded with many customers.

Also, I don't know if it was Suzuna's concern, or the arrangement of the store, or both, so she deliberately let me use a few seats in the private room. Suzuna is a regular customer, but when champion Shirona joins, it's a different story. Sirona is also glad that she has a private room that doesn't disturb other guests.

Each person chooses a dish and completes the order. After the clerk confirmed the order and left, Suzuna spoke.

"And how long have you two been dating?"

“”

Suzuna suddenly asked a stupid question, and Shirona was stunned. Since he didn't hide his relationship with Kem, Suzuna wouldn't be surprised if she knew or guessed it, but she didn't expect such a story to suddenly appear.

"You two are dating."

"yes, yes"

"Ah, you hid it?"

"I'm not hiding it, but I don't think I'm going to spread it too much."

"Sure enough! Truth be told, I think a lot of people can guess from the atmosphere of the conversation between the two of you! ”

Kem looked back to see if he had such a sweetheart conversation, but he didn't know. At least he shouldn't have that kind of conversation and attitude in front of Suzuna.

"Ah, Mr. Keim. You don't seem to know! ”

"Am I that easy to understand?"

"Yes!"

"Roughly"

From the point of view of Hakuna and Suzuna, this is obvious. Indeed, there is hardly any movement of the face. But it's understandable, because the air around you changes instantly.

"Really"

"I think so! It's so much better than not knowing what you're thinking! ”

"Domo"

"And then! How long have you two been dating?! ”

Suzuna asked with sparkling eyes, Hakuna smiled wryly, and Kem looked away. A beautiful high school girl. He seems to enjoy this kind of story.

"Since when? Since the last Pokémon League? ”

"Ahh

"You said the last Pokémon Alliance, it was summer, right? It's a little shorter than I thought. "

We are now in the autumn and winter season. Considering it's summer, it's only a few months.

"Strange?"

"yes, I thought it was a long time ago, because the friendship between the two of you is famous."

"It won't be that long to wait."

Shirona didn't miss Suzuna's words mixed with disturbing words.

"Do you have a good relationship, are you famous?"

"Yes. The two of us often spend time together in the Pokémon League, and we are often seen together in other tournaments and surveys. ”

“… I see."

Neither of them knew that there were such rumors. Such rumors are often ignored by the people themselves. In addition, the insider did not blindly spread it and did not confirm it to himself, so it is not unreasonable for the two not to know.

"Yes, but now that we're dating, I won't hide it, so that's it."

"Miss Sirona is also famous, and Miss Kaim has been growing in popularity lately."

“？ I? ”

Kem had always thought in his heart that "Shirona is a celebrity, and there is nothing to be done about being in the limelight", as if it was someone else's problem, but when his story was told, he was a little shaken. Suddenly came up.

"Why me?"

"It has a great reputation among gym challengers.

"Not many other gym leaders do that much, do they? I don't do that much either. ”

"Not everybody will do that. If you ask me, I'll teach you. That's all. ”

Kem is now able to serve as the director of the gym or even a substitute, after all, it all started with the presence of Sirona by chance, not by his own strength. Without it, Keim wouldn't be where he is today. I wouldn't be a mentor to them, but at least I wanted to help them grow, so I would mentor those who asked.

"That's right! The instructions are accurate and have become a hot topic among the challengers! There aren't many people who are so empathetic! 'The owner of the Dobari Dokan not only fights, but also teaches. said.

"Except for those who adopt a licking attitude."

"It's said that your accurate and calm guidance is cool, isn't it?

Clearly, Kem is slowly making a name for himself as a gym leader. Of course, being able to coach your gym leaders may be rare. If you think about it, it can be said that being a rumor is self-evident.

"The guidance is accurate, so naturally I came up with it."

"Why is Sirona so proud?"

"Didn't my coach get credit for Kem? Isn't that great? ”

"Is that so?"

"That's right."

When I thought to myself that this was a feeling that Kem didn't quite understand, Sirona smiled softly and said that maybe she understood.

"To me, you are an 'achievement' in and of itself. Wouldn't you be happy if you were praised for what you did? And, when your significant other is praised, you feel proud. ”

“… I see."

If you say that, Kem will understand. I would be happy if the Pokémon I raised and the results of my research were praised. For Sirona, she is the disciple who teaches her, and the result of her teaching. Also, I can understand the feeling of pride when an important being is praised.

"Wow, it's so nice to have someone who is important to you! I can see that you trust each other so much! ”

Sirona spoke calmly, but she felt quite embarrassed to listen to Kem's words. Since he had never said such a thing in front of anyone and had never spoken to anyone, Kem had no choice but to remain silent.

"Mr. Kem?"

Suzuna stared at Cam's silent face, but Cam looked away. I don't know if Suzuna doesn't like to be teased, so I looked at Shirona with a worried expression. But Shirona said to Suzuna with a smile.

"It's okay, I'm just embarrassed, don't worry."

"Why are you so calm?"

"Just Telling the Truth"

"If you're embarrassed, Kem will shut up. You don't know how to respond. ”

"Noisy"

Kem looked away as if he didn't believe Sirona's words, but his face moved slightly as he looked away. As a result, Kem's ears were revealed, and I could see that his ears were dyed bright red.

I couldn't help but laugh because I think it's typical for Kem to show emotions other than facial expressions.

"Hehe~. Mr. Kem, you also have a cute side. "

"Shut up"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I talked to Kisakiji this time, so let's take it as a joke."

"I see. But only this time. "

"What happens next?"

"It's impossible to collide in battle. It's going to be a good fight. ”

Suzuna's strength is higher than Kem's purely numerical level, but Kem's hand is excellent against Suzuna's ice-type Pokémon. Therefore, even if you lose numerically, you will be able to fight a great battle that will not make you feel the numerical gap.

"Uh, I don't know how to get revenge"

"Alright! I won! ”

"I'm not going to win, and I'm not going to lose!"

"West——! You win because you can't fight back! "

"Fuck..."