After eating, the two of them checked out and left the restaurant.

“！ It's delicious. ”

"It's a high-end restaurant, and it tastes worth the price."

"Really? I'm glad you liked it. ”

Sirona smiled happily and draped her shawl over her shoulders. Even though it was indoors, it was still a little cold in the hallway in Sirona's clothes. It felt a bit cold as it was a warm corridor for the store.

"What do we do after this?"

"There's a break room over there, let's stop by."

The place that Sirona is referring to, there is indeed a lounge. The lounge is basically indoors, but it seems that it can also be outdoors, and there is a structure overlooking the Pokémon League stadium.

The two walked into the lounge, and there were few other customers except for a few staff members. It's low season, but it's also a little late. No one is taken for granted.

"Has Sirona been here?" \"

As with the restaurant before her, Sirona seems to know the structure of this hotel well. At least he hadn't been to the hotel since Kem started working as Shirona's assistant. Kem asks Sirona if she's been here before.

"yes, I've come every time I defend my title before, but since you've come, I'm not coming."

"Why?"

"Because I love the food you cook."

For Sirona, when defending her title, she was happier with the dishes that Keim had prepared with heart than with the fine food. Of course, there are also some reasons that they are busier than before, and Kem is not used to such restaurants, but the main reason is that they want to try Keim's cooking.

“… Really"

"Are you shy?"

"Noisy"

Kem's ears were red, and he scratched his head and looked away. Her red ears make her blue earrings even more eye-catching.

Shirona smiled happily and led Kem into the lounge outside. The wind wasn't as strong as I thought it would be, but it's still March, so the nights are cold.

"It's nice to see the stadium from here."

Shirona looked at the unfolding stadium below and whispered. The stadium was brightly lit, and the field, which had previously looked rugged due to the battle between Keim and Togan, was maintained.

"yes, I was there just now."

"Yes. That's where I fight. ”

"Really"

Cam paused, then whispered.

"It's a movie story worth watching."

“？”

Sirona couldn't understand Cam's words and asked him rhetorically.

"I met Shirona that day and I've come this far. I'm full of mistakes and trying to force my Pokémon down the path they don't want, but thanks to Shirona, I can now live my life that Pokemon can be proud of. It's awesome to see a movie where I was originally a gangster and suddenly become the main character. ”

Cam's life has been so dramatic in the past few years, it seems like that. There have been times of difficulty and pain, and there have been times when I wanted to give up. However, the reason why I am the way I am is is also because of Sirona. Keim now thought that if it was just him, no matter how many times he tried, he would not have gotten this far.

"Maybe so, but, you are the only protagonist in your life, I just teach you what is good and what is bad, you are not a supporting character."

"Now I understand. I came here thinking that this shouldn't be the case, but I couldn't do it at all, and sometimes I gave up and thought about quitting. Maybe"

I can't do anything, I can't accomplish anything. I've been working hard and dreaming of the day when I can shine like the protagonist of the story.

But it was a mistake from the start. In your own life, you are the only protagonist. Not understanding this, I strive to be a memorable protagonist in someone else's life. In the past, it was impossible to grow without looking at yourself and looking at others without looking at yourself.

"But now I'm the gym curator, and I'm in charge of instructing the trainers. I'm a guy who doesn't know anything about combat, right? It's like a movie, isn't it? \"

"Whew, yes, the story that starts from the bottom is so exciting. \"

Hearing Sirona's words, Kem smiled slightly. Because Shirona's phrase 'a story from the bottom up' is too apt.

"Shirona. I want you to see this. \"

Kem turned to face Sirona and showed her his smartphone screen. I know what it says.

"What is this?"

"This is the evaluation and consultation of Dr. Qizhongmen, who read the paper I wrote the other day."

Previously, when I met Dr. Rowan, we discussed the issue of evaluating papers. Cam's smartphone now shows Dr. Rowan's assessment.

But it's not just about assessments. Another note is given at the end of the sentence. Bai Nai, who finished reading the content, opened his eyes slightly.

"This is not a request to write a book about the assumptions of cash register Pokémon!"

"Ah, it seems that this paper is very popular in the industry, and Dr. Rowan saw it and asked me if I would be interested in sorting out the existing artifacts and literature and publishing a book."

"Isn't that amazing!"

"It was Dr. Platan who brought it up."

Naturally, Cam has nothing to do with Dr. Sycamore, but through this paper, Cam has formed an indissoluble bond with Dr. Sycamore. Dr. Sycamore liked Cam's paper and contacted him to write a book.

"Yes. Dr. Platanu. ”

"No matter how many Shirona names there are on it, I'm still a bit of a nostalgic in the community, and that's a good thing. Dr. Platanu said it was a waste, and apparently he came to me this time to solve the problem. ””

Anonymity is one reason why people don't follow you. Sirona's name may temper this, but it remains anonymous.

"Then, I would use all sorts of techniques to work with publishers to write the book. It's still in the planning stage, but it'll be busy soon. ”

"Whew, that's good. I'm sticking with you. ”

"Hello. I think I might need Shirona's help somewhere. In this case, I would appreciate your help. ”

"Of course. I will do everything to help you. ”

“… Thank you"

Then, as if remembering something, Sirona took a wrapped bag from her bag and handed it to Kem.

"Yes, it's a bit early, but it's a birthday present."

"Oh, seriously? Thank you. Can I turn it on? ”

"Yes"

After receiving Shirona's approval, Kem untied the ribbon and opened the bag.

Inside the bag was what looked like a brooch with a chain hanging from it, and a box with something inside.

Kem takes out the chain first. It looks like a pendant, but the chain is too big for a pendant.

"What is this?"

"It's a chain with a keystone attached to it."

"Keystone?"

Indeed, the brooch-like thing that hangs from the chain, something shaped like a circle, can fit in. I wondered what it would contain, but even Kaym didn't expect it to be the cornerstone.

"The last time I saw Dr. Rowan, you received a trapezoidal stone too, right? But Kem doesn't have the Super Stone yet, so it's still in the box, so one day he can use it when he gets it. It will come true. ”

"Got it"

Kem agreed with Sirona's words.

In fact, Kem didn't carry the cornerstone with him because he didn't have a boulder yet. That's why I say it's so that one day I'll be able to get it, but giant stones are very rare. I don't know when I'll get it.

"But superstones aren't easy to come by."

"That's right, I have a hunch that I'm going to need it soon."

"Intuition?"

"Yes, it's a gut feeling."

"Sirona's instincts were right.

Kem put the chain back in his bag and pulled out another box.

"What about this?"

"Turn it on."

Kem opened the box at Sirona's urging.

Then, a metal object of black and bashamo appeared, protecting a pale blue stone.

"Hey, hey, this"

"Yes, almost exactly the same as the Gabria you gave me."

"This stone is"

The pale blue stone is beautifully polished, but the shape is not as beautiful as it sells. It has a bit of a handmade feel to it.

"You've mined with Tugan before, right? That's what you found out at the time. ”

"I mean, that's it."

"Yes. It's the garnet you gave me earlier. ”

"Haha, are you serious?"

Unsurprisingly, Kem laughed when he heard this. I didn't know they were all in the same place and thinking about the same thing at the same time.

I don't know when they started this work, but when Kem gave them Gabriel as a gift, Shirona probably felt the same way as Kem now. Thinking of this, I was both happy and a little embarrassed.

"So you asked someone you know, Mr. Positive?"

"Yes, the reason why we haven't been in contact is probably because the other party takes care of us."

"I'll be sure to thank you next time."

Kem looked at the little black and Bashamo things in his hand. It's well-made and well-made.

"Thank you, I'm so happy"

"I'm glad you liked it. I hope this year has been a great one for you. ”

\"Ahh It's going to be a great year. For me and Sirona. \"

Kem stopped at that moment. Then he scratched his head and looked around, a little embarrassed on his face.

When Sirona looked at him suspiciously, Kem opened her mouth with a bitter expression.

"Sirona"

"What happened?"

"Do you remember what I said to you on Valentine's Day?"

Hearing this sudden words, Sirona's head pounded for a moment, but she quickly remembered what she had said.

"Oh, I see."

"I haven't prepared anything about that yet, I'm going to be busy from now on. I'll be sure I'll be prepared, though. Can you wait for me? \"Is the book I said earlier finished?? ”

Even Kem thought it was pathetic. I understand Sirona's feelings, and I want to respond to them personally.

However, he wasn't ready and being a gym leader and writing books would keep him very busy. Keim, who is not very dexterous, may be difficult to parallel. It's going to be tough, at least until the book is finished.

Keim, who understands this, tells Sirona to wait until the book is finished. If it's true, I want to say it right away, but because I only do it once in a lifetime, I shouldn't say it by force or atmosphere. I decided that it was polite and considerate for Sirona to be fully prepared and face that moment in perfect condition.

As a result, although I was a little sorry, I still asked Sirona to wait for me.

"Okay"

“…？”

Cam involuntarily asked the usual answer again. Even as Kem, I didn't expect it to be so easy to be accepted, so I was left with a blank.

Sirona smiled at Kaim, who had an unusual expression, and continued.

"Of course, as Kem said, I feel that way. However, I'm not in such a hurry. I have my own situation, and Kem has his own situation. Even if they were more important than they are now. Even when we become intimate, this will never change. If you say that after you've thought about it, I'll wait forever. ”

Sirona at least knew that Kem wasn't letting him wait without thinking. Serious and clumsy, Kem knew that he was just trying to seize the moment in a way that would please both himself and Sirona.

Kem is doing everything he can for Sirona. It is enough to understand what I can understand now.

"If I wanted you to wait without thinking, I might have nagged you a little, but I can see you don't want to."

\"That's not good. I'll help you. \"

"It's okay, ah, I said I'd wait forever, but if you made me wait too long, I'll tell you, okay?"

"Don't be rude, say it well."

Hearing this, Sirona smiled happily and reached out to put her arm around Kem.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Ahh

Hearing Kem's words, Bai Na nodded, her body trembling from the cold wind blowing.

Seeing Sirona's appearance, Kem took off his coat, draped it over Sirona's shoulders, and said in his usual blunt tone.

"Because of such a cold weather, the clothes I wear are all off-the-shoulder, and you will catch a cold."

"Isn't Kem cold?"

"Unfortunately, the cold measures were perfect. It's not cold, but it's okay. ”

Even if you feel cold, you don't?? It's going to be as cold as Sirona because you're wearing a highly insulated inner layer underneath your shirt. In addition, the scarf that Sirona gave her was also wrapped around her neck. This is a set of clothes that can be said to be enough to keep out the cold.

"Thank you"

"Yes"

Sirona thanked her as she stroked the jacket on her shoulder, and Kem replied nonchalantly. Although it was an ordinary exchange, Sirona's heart was full of the feelings she had just mentioned.

Bai Nai opened her mouth slightly to express her thoughts.

"Keim"

"No"

Shirona gently tugged at Kem's scarf, pulling Kaim's face towards her. Then, I put my face close to Kem's face in front of me and put my lips on it. There was no one in the indoor lounge, but from the inside of the room, the place where the two lips touched was covered by Kem's scarf that Sirona was pulling.

Slowly move your face away. Both blushed, but Sirona smiled softly at Kem.

"I'm waiting."

\"Ahh Please wait a minute. \"

Kem hugged Sirona's body and looked down at the stadium.

For the day to come, and at the same time to strengthen their determination.

On that day, the staff at the lounge were all furious when they saw Shirona and Kem creating a sweet atmosphere.

"Hey! Miss Sirona is flirting with the curator of the new gym! Does she have a boyfriend!? \"

"Famous, right?

\"Why, are you surprised that Miss Sirona has a boyfriend? \"

"No, it's not like that! There's nothing wrong with having a boyfriend! What's going on with that sweet atmosphere and that expression! The dignified Miss Sirona has a girlish expression! It's precious, isn't it? \"

"Ah, I see."

"But these two are a good couple. They look like a cool couple and also look great in the photos. ”

"Of course. They are probably a couple that I can recommend. But I don't know anything about the new Gym leader. ”

"I want to stand on the wall and look at those two guys."

"I'm an otaku"

"I see. I also want to think of you as a wall or a houseplant. ”

“？ Am I in the minority? ”

Neither of them knew that such a conversation was going on.

bonus

Galar region

Baudon

Two women are chatting in the water lagoon, a boutique in Bowton.

\"Lulina ~ Did you watch the game the other day? You can't beat Yaro-kun! \"

"Type compatibility is a big problem, isn't it? We did a lot of prevention, but in the end we fought a battle, right? ”

"yes, it's also suspenseful when I watch it."

The woman who said this and smiled brightly was Sonya. And the dark-skinned beauty who talks to Sonya is none other than Lulina, the curator of the Gym in Bowton.

The two of them were on vacation at the same time, so they went to an acquaintance's store to buy clothes. Sonia leaned back at the cash register and spoke, while Lulina sat cross-legged in the chair provided.

The two were chatting when the shopkeeper poked his head out of the back of the shop.

"Yes, you two are waiting! Lurina-chan is wearing the skirt she ordered, and Sonya-chan is wearing a top! ”

"Oh! It's here! ”

"Thank you as always, Isana-san."

"It's okay! They are all my customers! ”

The owner's name is Isana Isana and he talks to them very friendly. She is a stylist from the Hoenn region and a good friend of Lulina and Sonya.

"I really like the design of Isana. It's simple, but it's really cute. ”

"Hehe, I'm so happy, please continue to patronize me."

"Yes, of course"

\"Ah, yes, Lulina-chan. Next time I'm going to be interviewed by a fashion magazine, would you like to be my model? \"

"Yes, no problem, I'll discuss it with the manager, and you decide on the itinerary."

"Okay. Thank you as always. ”

Isana (Isana) talks to model Lulina with the same enthusiasm as ever. Lulina and Sonia open up to Isana, who treats them equally, and they often visit them during the holidays and have a good chat.

The three of them chatted for a while, and the door opened.

When the three of them looked back, they saw an old man with gray hair standing there.