"So, it's good for you to come this time."

"Oh, let's go together."

"Thank you"

"In that case, let's find a place to live."

Sirona stopped Kem, who immediately began arranging accommodation and transportation.

"Wait, you don't have to make that arrangement this time."

"Why?"

"I'm going to my hometown this time, you can go by car normally, or you can stay at my parents' house."

"I see"

When I went to Nancheng before, I was in the Hoenn area, so I arranged transportation. Because of this, he tried to reflexively arrange this time, and Kem smiled bitterly in his heart, thinking that he had become a habit of being a manager.

"Speaking of which, Kem, how much do you know about Shennaji Town?"

Sirona asked, sitting down next to Kem, who was sitting on the couch. Although Kem lived in the Sinnoh region for a while, Kem himself was from the Hoenn region. I don't know how much I know about the peculiarities of all cities.

"Somewhat, to be honest, I don't know much. It's about telling the story of the old town and the area around Cheonansan. "

"Uh, I don't know. The town of Kaminagi has no special features other than ruins, and it is very rural. "

When I visited Keizaki City the other day, I had a cursory glimpse of the city's exterior and gave me the impression that the town was built on basin-like land. I didn't see it inside, so I don't know what kind of atmosphere it was, but as Sirona said, it seems to be an unexplored so-called country town.

"It's not as developed as Southtown, but it's also a nice place to be quiet."

"Really"

"Development is a good thing, but I learned about the past and felt it was necessary to leave it behind. And it's very similar to the situation in Kaminagi Town. Maybe it's because I grew up in that town, so I'm researching this town. "That's what archaeology is like now."

"It's just the origins."

"Yes"

With that, Sirona entrusted her body to Kem next to her and rested her head on her shoulder. Then I stared at the screen of the laptop operated by Keim. On the computer's monitor, the battle data of the current Kanto Champion Watari is displayed.

"Involving classmates' data?"

"For the championship."

Championship. When I went to the Hoenn area the other day, I heard from Daigo that not long ago, Shirona was invited to participate in the championship competition. Shirona naturally agreed, and the decision to participate in the competition was just that.

Tournament administrators told me that the presence of the championship would be announced in a few days. At the same time, the list of participating trainers was also sent, so Sirona's supporter Keim was gathering their information.

The participating coaches are all well-known coaches.

The current Kanto League champion Watari

Daigo, the current Hoenn League champion

Former Hoenn League Champion Mikuri

Alice, the champion of the First Repair League

Carlos League Champion, Kahn

Galel Union Champion Dande

Sinnoh League Champion, Sirona

There is also Red, who is said to be the strongest legendary trainer.

It's no surprise who wins and who loses this game. Even though they are the strongest trainers in their respective regions, they are all trainers who are proficient in Pokémon combat. They are top-notch trainers who can gather information and develop countermeasures, but also react to them. Kem gathers information as a supporter so that Sirona can adjust herself as best she can.

"There are only really good trainers. If I could, I would like to fight with all of you. ”

"Maybe everybody thinks so."

Even so, the management managed to contact Hongjun.

After winning the championship in the Kanto League, Red participated in countless tournaments and became famous, but at some point, he suddenly disappeared and never appeared in the Pokémon League again. Wataru is now the Kanto champion, as Green, who finished runner-up when the red team wins, refuses to be the champion.

Red participation. Of course, it was a great opportunity, so I definitely wanted to fight, but for Sirona, I thought it was amazing to be able to connect with such a missing person.

"I wonder how you did it. I do not know. ”

"I wonder if it's through Mr. Green. I think it's possible. ”

"It's a last-minute battle no matter who the opponent is, and collecting data can help improve the win rate, even if it's just a little bit."

"I was saved in the last tournament, so thank you for playing with me again this time."

"Ahh

Of course, Keim won't be competing in this tournament. Although she participates as a supporter, it is Shirona who actually fights. Kem's job is to make sure that Shirona can fully demonstrate her abilities.

But even so, Sirona said, "We will fight together." This fact, although he didn't say it, made Keim happy.

Sirona leaned back in her chair and watched as Kem's hands operated the keyboard. Compared to the first meeting, I noticed that he had more scars and calluses on his fingers due to the long time he used the pen. Waiting for the moment the operation stopped, Shirona put her hand on Kem's.

"Yes?"

"You've accumulated a lot."

“… Ahh

Compared to Sirona's hands, Kem's hands were thick, large, and cold. As can be seen from the octopus and the small scars on his hands, Kem works his Pokémon.

"Not applicable"

"What are you laughing at?"

“？ I am happy. ”

Sirona whispered as she stroked Kem's hand. By spending time together, we learned things we didn't know about each other. Of course, it's not all good. For example, Sirona is extremely sloppy, and Kem is very servile.

As long as we are human, there is no one without flaws. According to Sirona, the most important thing in spending time together is "how to tolerate those shortcomings". If you can't accept that, you can't spend time together. Sirona and Kem repeatedly talk about each other's shortcomings, which they tolerate by spending time together. We exchanged ideas with each other and we became intimate. It's not something anyone can do.

"Time spent with you like this, I love such ordinary times, and I want to make this time last forever."

"Yes. Sometimes it just scares me. ”

"Why?"

"It's scary to think that you might lose this time."

People can't spend the same amount of time forever. In any case, people get older and change. Kem says that his fear is not getting old, but that Sirona is going somewhere else.

"You think I'm gone."

"Ahh Shirona is a renowned archaeologist and a champion. She is an amazing person who has been recognized all over the world. If someone approaches Sirona, then it is not surprising that he is more suitable for Sirona than I am. "

"Don't you have faith?"

"No, I don't think so. I like me more like me now. But if Sirona wanted to do that, I don't think I could keep her in check. "

Kem muttered to himself while laughing at himself for being pitiful.

However, as if she could see through Kem's heart, Bai Nai let go of the hand she was holding, put her face against his chest, and gently hugged him.

"Sirona?"

"Don't you know this?"

“？”

"It's the best 'I love you' expression I can do right now."

"I see, I see"

Kem also responded to Sirona's hug, wrapping his hands around Sirona's back and embracing her tenderly.

"As you say, if I travel the world, maybe there will be someone more suitable for me than you. No one can take away the time I spent with a guy named Kem. I don't know what the future holds. However, "I'm the only one in the future who has 'Kem'. I want to live my life. I think so. ”

"I'm so happy"

"You said, 'I want to be by Shirona's side,' 'I want to support Shirona,' I am human, and I understand your uneasiness. However, I would very much like to be with you. I hope you understand that."

Sirona has similar concerns. Worried that Cam would leave her. Naturally, Sirona was also upset by the thought of the other party. However, this anxiety is about Kem going somewhere, not Shirona herself leaving Kem.

"I have no intention of leaving you, only I can control my feelings. So, as long as you don't doubt that the best destination is by your side, that's fine. ”

"yes, that's right."

Kem pressed his arms and hugged Sirona tightly. They were so close that they could feel each other's heartbeats, but there was no change in their heartbeats.

… Calm down

When I'm near them, I often get my heart pounding and feel uneasy. But now, the fact that they are close to each other calms them down.

I want to stay here forever

Think about it and close your eyes. Feeling each other's breath, smell, heartbeat, touch, I can't help but be glad to be there for you.

The two hugged each other, and their consciousness fell into a deep sleep.

Ten minutes later

When Sirona's Lucario and Kem's Basamo enter the living room, they find Kaim and Sirona cuddling and sleeping.

Seeing the two of them, Lucario and Bashamo exchanged a look and sighed softly. Lucario brought a large blanket and gently draped it over Sirona and Kaim.

Lucario hid beside Sirona and Bashamo hid beside Kem, both with their eyes closed.

*

After passing through the tunnel, you can see the mountains from the window.

And the letters written on the highway sign are the names of the destinations. It is a sign that the destination is near.

"It's almost time, isn't it?"

"yes, I don't think it will take more than 15 minutes."

Sirona in the driver's seat answered Kem's question. Usually Kem drives, but this time Sirona is going back to her hometown, so she offers to drive herself. And Cam, who usually drives, has nothing to do, just sits in the passenger seat, stares blankly outside, and talks to Sirona.