"It's a beautiful house."

"Mr. Kem?"

Mikan tilted her head and saw Kaimu quietly listening to Mikan's words. Kem noticed this and said with a wry smile.

"Nothing. I'll go prepare dinner right away, you wait a minute, talk to Sirona. \"

"Ah, yes. Thank you. ”

Kaiki told Mikan what had happened, and then she sat down on the couch in the living room. Shirona sat down in front of him, and Kem put on her apron and walked to the kitchen.

"Mr. Keim, do you cook?"

"Yes, the food cooked by Kem is very delicious, please look forward to it."

Mikan couldn't help but be shocked by the smile on Sirona's face.

But Mikan felt that it would be a waste to remain silent any longer, so she spoke.

"Miss Sirona, do you two live here together?" \"

"Yes, the two of us have been together for several years."

"You two bought it, or what?"

McCann didn't know exactly how much the champion earned, but he knew that he had more than the gym leader. In addition to her income, Shirona is also known as an archaeologist. Also, considering Kem's income, it wouldn't be surprising if he could buy the house.

"Oh, I built this house in the first place, and I wanted an environment where I could both study and fight."

I said it calmly, but I can't do it unless I have a decent income, like building a house at this age. McCann shuddered at the words, which made Sirona realize how active she was.

"This garden is a place where you can fight, right?

\"That's right. In order for Pokémon not to feel cramped, this is a necessary investment. \"

A way of thinking based on Pokémon and not his own. It's easy to say, but there are very few people who can do it so well. McCann felt like he could see some of Sirona's strength as a champion.

"It feels like Kem just got here."

"To be clear, I'm not a pimp. I am now in charge of all the management of the house and I pay all the utility and water bills. ”

Kem, who was cooking, said this to Sirona's words. In response to Kem's words, Shirona responded with a wry smile.

"Nobody thinks so."

"What if"

"It's already distorted."

"Who would fall in love with such a twisted person?"

"Yes, yes, it's me~"

He says nothing, but Kem calmly says "I'm in love". I've heard about it before, but when I saw it again, I was convinced that it was true.

"Oh, you two are dating, aren't you?"

"Yes, yes."

\"Wow! That's great! \"

"Huhuhu, thank you. But we've been dating for a year. ”

\"I—Is that so? \"

From the communication between the two, I thought that they would be like they had been dating for several years, but it didn't seem to be the case.

"We started dating during the last Sinnoh League."

"So it's been about eight months now."

"yes, it's early."

Sirona still remembers that day vividly. I told him about my feelings on the roof of the Pokémon League stadium that day. I'll never forget the moment when I was able to exchange ideas with Kem in the middle of a fierce battle.

"McCann also came to see the league last time."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. I watched Miss Sirona fight up close. \"

Unlike Sirona, but Mikan can also remember the last league game clearly. Sirona's fight showed her opponent's superiority and then overtook her opponent. I remember that I couldn't take my eyes off the International League champion because he was facing a completely different force than himself.

"When I watched it up close, I was really moved! It's so cool to have a fight that plays to your opponent's strengths and then outperforms them! ”

"My Pokémon would be happy if I heard you say that. It was because of the hard work of those girls that I was still a champion. ”

"Yes, I can become the director of the gym, thanks to my Pokémon, I want to remember to be grateful for my Pokémon."

Trainers can only exist if they have Pokémon. "It's a matter of course, sometimes we almost forget, but because of that for granted, we can't forget it and cherish it." After hearing Sirona's words, Mikan swore in her heart again.

Meanwhile, Mikan asks Sirona what she wants to ask.

\"Ah、uh Bai Nai-san.。 \"

"What happened?"

Mikan asked timidly in a formal tone, and Bai Nai replied kindly. Seeing this scene, Mikan opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.

\"Y-What do you think I should do to get stronger in battle? \"

Mandarin orange originally came to the Sinnoh region to practice. As a curator, I feel that I am not only immature in terms of ability, but also in teaching. So when I had the opportunity to speak directly with the champion, I asked him some questions that I had always wanted to ask.

Sirona smiled and answered Mikan's question.

"I can't say anything specific, but I can tell anyone that I will always love Pokemon."

"You've always loved Pokémon, haven't you?"

"Yes. Combat is not something you can do alone. This is something you can only do if you communicate with your Pokémon. So whatever the form, the important thing is to face your Pokémon correctly and cooperate with each other in the best possible way Of course, the relationship between trainers and Pokémon is different. ”

There are many ways to treat him with genuine love, like with Shirona and Kaim, sometimes like with Green, and he treats her like a colleague. As Sirona said, coping varies greatly depending on the trainer. It is impossible to generalize.

"So we should face it correctly and look for it, but in order to face it correctly, we trainers should at least like our Pokémon. You can't really face something you don't like, right? ”

That's why Shirona says you have to love the Pokémon you have. You can't face things you don't like in any way. In order to face them properly, Shirona believes that loving the Pokémon she owns is the first step to becoming stronger.

"For Xiao Mikan, who is the director of the gym, this is self-evident. \"

"No, it's important. I will face Pokémon again. That way, I might be able to see something new. ”

"That's a good thing."

At the end of the story, Keim brings the plate to the table, and the timing is just right.

"I may be talking, but it's time for dinner."

Keim served the vegetables, meat and potatoes on a plate. White rice, soup, and Japanese sushi are served as side dishes. Although it was the usual menu, there was one thing that made Shirona feel uncomfortable.

"Hey Kem"

"Yes?"

"Isn't it a lot?"

There are obviously more side dishes on the platter than three. Sirona eats only as much as an adult woman, and Kaim is not a big eater by any means. Because Sirona doesn't seem to be the type to eat oranges, I think this amount is obviously too much.

"No problem, the rest will be tomorrow's lunch."

"Really? But "

"It doesn't matter. Hey? ”

Kem said meaningfully as he looked at Mikan. McCann's face turned red when he heard this.

However, Bai Nai, who did not understand the situation, could not understand Kem's words and eyes, and tilted his head. I shook my head, as if to tell Shirona not to worry, and sat down.

"Come, let's eat."

\"yes. And the little mandarin. \"

"Yes, yes!"

"Don't be shy, eat a lot. White rice is also refilled. ”

"I—I want it."

The three of them held hands and began to eat.

After about ten minutes, Sirona understood the meaning of Kem's words and gaze.

"I thought you made a lot of money."

Kem couldn't help but mumble as he looked at the empty plates. A lot of food was eaten.

"Uh, sorry, it's delicious"

"Hehe, I didn't expect Xiao Mikan to eat so much."

Actually, I was still in a state of skepticism at the time. Sirona didn't know what was in her slender body. McCann eats too much, and it looks like she has a connection to another dimension.

"I'm sorry. That's embarrassing."

"It's okay, Kem's cooking is delicious, I'm going to eat a lot."

"yes, it's delicious."

"That's all that matters."

Placing the after-dinner tea in front of the mandarin, Kem placed the plate in the kitchen. Then, I put the apple I had just peeled on another plate and placed it on the table.

"But so skinny, you can't eat that much."

"I've always loved to eat"

Despite saying that she likes to eat it, the mandarin orange is very thin. Compared with girls of this age, her figure looks a little thin. Keim gave the three-toothed dragon an apple and thought that it was strange to eat so much of it.

McCann listened as he watched as Cam fed the apples to Tritoron.

"Mr. Kem, aren't you the head of the gym who specializes in steel grades?"

Triodontosaurus is a water/ground type. Not a steel type.

If Mikan remembers correctly, the head eye of the previous generation was a gym curator who specialized in steel, and the gym trainer who is fighting today is also a gym master who specializes in steel. That's why I thought Kem would be the same, but I was curious about the concept because the three-toothed dragon was there, so I asked.

"I've got Lucario, the Golden Monster, and Mount Celik on my hands, but I don't use steel. Masamo or something. \"

\"yes. I wonder if you're a steel expert like the previous generation of Mr. Toyan. \"

"As a gym director, I mainly work with steel grades, but as an individual, I do a wide range of things. I'm too ordinary to grasp one thing. ”

Then Kem turned to Mikan and said to Mikan with a serious expression.

"But since I have become the director of the gym, I don't want to be half-hearted, so, as a senior who specializes in the steel system, can you teach me some knowledge about the steel system?"

"About steel grades?"

"Yes. I think I've learned this in my own way, but I want to easily know what kind of person Mikan is from the eyes of Mikan. May I ask you? ”

After becoming the director of the gym, it is not good to be an ordinary person, and I don't want to use it. So, in order not to embarrass the people who are the leaders of the gym, Kem thought that he still wanted to ask McCann, who was a senior and influencer, about the steel system, which is a specialized type. As long as I'm going to be a gym leader of any kind in the future, I'm sure I'm going to face my depth of understanding of the professional genre somewhere. That being the case, it is an action that thinks that taking the first step is for the sake of one's future self.

To be honest, I thought he would be a little reluctant, but McCann smiled and accepted Cam's offer.

"Yes! I can say anything about steel grades! ”

"That's good. Will you talk to me as long as McCann's time allows? ”

"Of course! Speaking of me, Mr. Keim, I want Mr. Shira to know the charm of steel! \"

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it. I'm also curious about the story of Little Mandarin. \"

So, let's talk about the charm of steel first! Shajin! ”

McCann talks about the charm of the steel model as tension rises and the sound effects are unclear. The story is full of passion, enough to understand how obsessed McCann is with steel grades.

Before I knew it, it was already past ten o'clock.

As soon as the conversation ended, Bai Nai glanced at the clock and involuntarily raised her voice.

\"Ahh Little mandarin, is the time okay? \"

"It's okay, this is the hotel, I already told you, I'll be late. Also, I'm sorry to bother you so late, I'll be home soon. ”

Mikan immediately got ready and stood up. Sirona shouted to Mikan, who was about to go home.

"But it's too dangerous for a girl to go out alone at this time, I'll take her back to the city."

"Ugh, but I have to ask you to go that far"

"It's us who stopped you. Don't worry. It's okay, Kem. ”

Kem nodded at Sirona's words.

"Ah, please send me well."

"Of course."

\"But then Miss Hakuna will come back\"

"It's okay, I have such a strong bodyguard."

With that, Sirona turned her gaze to Gabriel and Lucario in the garden. The two animals noticed his gaze and words, and let out a whisper of affirmation.

Pokémon trained by champions. Even darkness does not pose an obstacle as long as Lucario is good at sensing signs, while Gabrias will crush everything even if he comes from the front. Unfortunately, his defense is better than Keim's.

"So, can I ask you something?"

Since this is an unfamiliar place for Honey Mandarin, she feels a little nervous about going alone. Also, I wanted to talk to Sirona more, so I agreed that Sirona would send me there.

"Yes, of course. Let's go, then. ”

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Keim, today. ”

"No, my people take care of me. I think it's a good stimulus. ”

"It was also a good experience for me. Next time, Mr. Keim will be your partner! ”

Kem smiled at her scrappy eyes.

"Ahh If you don't mind, I'll deal with you. ”

"Absolutely!"

When Kem remembered that he didn't believe her, he couldn't help but smile wryly. I smiled wryly and advised him to go home early, it was getting late.

"Well, look, you should hurry home."

"Yes. See you then. ”

"Oh, see you later."

In this way, Mikan was sent home by Bai Nai.

Keim, who had been left behind, took a deep breath and took the remaining three teacups on the table into the kitchen to clean. I poured the water out of the washed teacup and handed it to Lucario, who was standing next to me with a rag. After wiping the teacup, Bashamo put it back in the cupboard.

"Thank you for helping me, now, let's go take a shower"

Kem stretched, gently stroking Lucario and Bashamo.

At that moment, my consciousness was enveloped in a black mist, and I felt like I was falling. At the same time, I lost my strength and almost fell backwards.

Beside him, Bashamo and Lucario supported Cam's body. For a moment, Kem was propped up and didn't understand what was happening, but he did realize that he was about to fall.

"What?"

At least so far, I don't feel good. Still, I suddenly felt like I was unconscious, and I felt like I was about to collapse.

Dizziness and fatigue? No, I don't have any problems with my physical condition. Now, I suddenly feel like I'm going to collapse. What's wrong with my body?

Kem felt like he was going to fall. Although I didn't feel this way before, now I suddenly feel this way.

Noticing that Bashamo and Lucario looked at Kaemu with worried expressions, Kaemu stood up, smiled slightly, and patted them on the head.

"I'm sorry to worry you, I just feel a little dizzy, I'll go to bed early today, don't worry."

Bashamo and Lucario looked at each other. Even though Kem takes great care of his Pokémon, he tends to neglect himself a bit. The problem had been solved since he moved to Sirona, but he feared that he was being reckless again.

"Don't go too far, don't worry."

In fact, Kem didn't put too much pressure on himself. It's true that I'm busy with gym captaining and writing, but I'm just more focused than usual during working hours, and that's it. Bashamo and Lucario also knew this, so they didn't force their feelings.

But I'm more worried because I know I'm not overdoing it. I guess there might be another reason.

"I'm fine, I'm going to take a shower."

Kem patted both animals on the head and left the kitchen. Bashamo and Lucario could only look cautiously behind their backs.

Bashamo looked out the window and saw that there was not a single cloud in the sky, and there were many stars floating in the sky.

However, Keim's ace Blackkey is not in the window. I just curled up on the couch and hugged the three-toothed dragon.

Almost at the same time

Sirona's goal is to travel to the city of Maio with McCann. Gabriel and Lucario followed him.

"Thank you so much today, Miss Sirona. \"

"It's okay, I'm having a lot of fun too."

For Sirona, the opportunity to talk to trainers from other regions was valuable, and I think it was a good stimulus for Kem as well. For trainers like Sirona and Keim who don't have a specific type, it's interesting to hear about mastering one type of trainer.

"Actually, there aren't many opportunities to hear expert opinions. I talk to the top four a lot, but I still don't know them well enough. I'm the only one who can hear the opinions of the people above. "Gym leader." It's been a blessing for me and Kem. ”

"On the other hand, I'm glad to hear about an all-rounder like Miss Sirona. After all, my specialty is steel, but knowing types other than steel will expand your combat range. \"

"Huhuhu, thank you. What did you talk to Kem about in the gym? ”

"I heard a lot about gym management from Mr. Kaimu. Mr. Kaiki is the new director of the gym, so I'm curious to see how well he manages the gym now. ”

\"Oh, as the director of the gym, Xiao Mikan is your senior, right? \"

Shirona wonders if McCann, a senior, asks the newcomer Kem about management.

"Yes. I'm confident in my ability as a gym leader, but the gym coach still has a long way to go, so I want to know how the other gym leaders are doing. ”

"In terms of teaching, Keim's teaching is really surprisingly good."

"Yes! So after listening to Mr. Keim's story, I was able to find something I could do in my own way. I don't think it's going to work right away, but I'll try what I can."

McCann was still a teenage girl. Compared to the adult Keim, he is also deservedly inferior in teaching.

However, McCann didn't want to just say, "No way. "If that's not possible, I want to take action and continue to improve. I don't think I'll be able to teach well just by listening to Kem's class this time. However, since I couldn't progress without experience, I decided to start with what I could.

"That's a good thing. You don't need to go through anything. ”

"Yes, I'll do my best"

At the same time, I arrived in Mio City and arrived at the hotel where Mikan was staying.

"Ah, here it is."

\"yes. So, little mandarin, thank you for today. \"

"Thank you, it was a good experience for me too, if you have the chance, please come again!"

"Of course. I look forward to seeing you again. ”

"Good Night"

"Good Night"

With that, Mikan returned to the hotel. Sirona looked back at Gabriel and Lucario and smiled.

"Let's go home, Kem is waiting for us."

Gabriel and Lucario nodded and followed behind Sirona.

Walk away from Mio. Shirona walked home safe and sound, but she suddenly felt a strange feeling. Gabriel and Lucario also seemed to notice something unusual, and quickly looked behind them. The current one, of course, is just a town there. Nothing special.

It's just my imagination no. Gabrias and Lucario reacted. But nothing happened. What happened?

As long as nothing happens, there's nothing I can do.

Sirona felt like she was stuck somewhere, but she sighed softly and returned home.

Gabriel looked up at the sky. Sirona and Lucario followed Gabriel to look up at the sky, but could see nothing but shining stars.

"I see, is it a new moon today?"

Shirona muttered silently.

Shirona and her friends walked home along a path that was not lit by moonlight, but only by street lamps.

On the other side of the sea stood a black shadow, and a lonely human stared at it, but Bai Nai and the others did not notice.