Sunlight streamed through the spring air, willow catkins drifting lazily in its glow.
Pushing open the door, Cynthia was greeted by a familiar figure, the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen, mingling with the warmth of sun-dried laundry.
Unconsciously, a smile tugged at her lips. "You're up early today."
"Didn't have to stay up gaming with you." Natsume shot her a glance. "Naturally woke up earlier."
"Garchomp!" Garchomp's eyes narrowed, scythe-like arms twitching.
Little buddy, you better explain yourself.
"We're ready to head out." Natsume grinned. "Packed lunch for two, plus their favorite pancakes and Pokéblocks."
Garchomp froze, drool betraying it. "Garchomp... (ˉ﹃ˉ)"
Garchomp a glance at Cynthia's profile, the dragon took a half-step back and nodded solemnly.
This isn't surrender—it's just accepting tribute first!
Hands tucked into her elegant black coat pockets, Cynthia chuckled:
"I'll change, then we'll go."
She'd slipped into Celestic Town dialect with that "we." The realization made her pause briefly.
A quick check confirmed Natsume hadn't noticed—he was untying his apron, waving her off with those pale, slender fingers.
"Hurry up." Natsume feigned sternness. "You get thirty minutes."
"Okay~" Her eyes curved like crescent moons.
...
Mountains near Sandgem Town
"Gengar~ (～￣▽￣)～" The Purple Fatty floated leisurely, picnic basket in tow.
Natsume pushed his Rotom Bike at a stroll.
"Sylveon~?" Sylveon strutted proudly, ribbons coiled around Natsume's arm.
In the bike basket sat a wing-tucked Sirfetch'd, gaze sharp.
"Wait, isn't this Togepi's spot?" Natsume blinked.
"Sirfetch'd?" Sirfetch'd gave him a deadpan stare.
Natsume: "...Never mind. Keep lounging."
"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi squirmed in Cynthia's arms, peering around excitedly.
Natsume glanced back. Cynthia wore a white tee under a navy checkered shirt, black wide-leg pants accentuating her figure.
Sunlight gilded her hair as it cascaded over pale shoulders. Cradling Togepi, she tilted her head questioningly.
Today's Togepi is so... big. Wait, no—so white.
Letting the thought dissolve into spring air, Natsume basked in the warmth seeping through his clothes.
The scent of cherry blossoms nearby nearly lulled him into a nap.
"I recall a shrine around here."
Petals swirled as they walked. Cynthia surveyed the path.
"According to the market grannies," Natsume said, "it once enshrined Mesprit, the Emotion Pokémon of Lake Verity. Rangers maintain it now."
Cynthia nodded softly, lifting her chin to murmur:
"Emotion Pokémon... Mesprit..."
A weathered torii gate came into view, accompanied by Starly's wingbeats and the faint hum of Kricketot.
Sunlight pierced the mist as they ascended the stone path, revealing a sea of cherry blossoms.
Hillside Clearing
Fifteen minutes later, at precisely 2:00 PM, they arrived beneath the blooming canopy.
Cherubi nestled in branches, Budew unfurling leaves shyly. Elderly picnickers chatted on vibrant blankets laden with snacks.
"How's the family?"
"Bless you—my son's business thrives."
"Look at my Shinx! So well-behaved, tsk tsk."
A massive Arcanine drew admiring glances as it sniffed cherry blossoms, golden fur rippling.
"Arcanine~"
Sipping barley tea, the elders resumed their conversations.
"Forgot the picnic mat." Cynthia facepalmed.
"Got it." Natsume deadpanned. "Also brought an induction cooker, oven, and mini-fridge."
"Eh?" Cynthia blinked.
"Rotom can power them with Charge Beam."
Honestly, with Gengar's pocket dimension, I could've packed a portable bar too—
Wait, that sounded suspiciously like a certain spatial storage trope...
"Togepi doo-ee~ ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ" Togepi hopped down, tugging the mat's corner.
Kneeling together, they spread the blanket.
Pancakes in the thermal box stayed crisp, slathered in blueberry jam. Rare Berry Pokéblocks glistened.
(System-supplied Berries never disappoint, Natsume mused.)
System:[?]
Out came ceramic plates and the terrine—freshly chilled, wobbling enticingly.
Cross-legged on the mat, Cynthia rested her chin on one hand, gray eyes studying Natsume.
"What?" Natsume asked.
"You look quite handsome today," Cynthia said with a smile.
"As always." Natsume slid a ceramic plate toward Cynthia. "For the lovely lady."
Cynthia's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the colorful vegetable terrine on the plate. "This dish is beautiful."
"Though it has one flaw," Natsume remarked.
Cynthia tilted her head slightly, earnest. "I think it's already perfect."
"It pales in comparison to the one tasting it. A failure—and an honor—for the chef."
Cynthia paused mid-reach for her fork, shot Natsume a sidelong glance, and chuckled. "But I haven't even tried it yet."
Natsume pondered for a moment, then pointed at Gengar and Garchomp nearby.
The two Pokémon hadn't bothered with utensils—they simply upended their plates into their gaping maws, the bouncy terrine vanishing into the void.
Gengar & Garchomp: (￣～￣)
Gengar & Garchomp: ╰(￣▽￣)╭
A delicate smile graced Cynthia's lips. She tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear, lifted the fork to her lips, and closed her eyes to savor the flavor.
Clink. The sound of the fork returning to the plate.
After a long moment, Cynthia exhaled softly, her cheeks faintly flushed. "It's… delicious."
For a fleeting second, she remembered her grandmother holding her small hand as they walked down the rural paths of Celestic Town.
The world had been silent then, bathed in the golden glow of dusk.
Young Cynthia swung a stalk of foxtail grass, singing loudly alongside Gible.
Gible: "Gible Gible!"
Cynthia: "Pfft—ha! You're terrible at singing!"
"Gible Gible!" Gible stomped its feet in protest.
The memory faded. Cynthia opened her eyes, her gaze meeting a certain black-haired young man's warm smile.
For a heartbeat, she felt something strike her chest—yet her expression remained serene, her smile gentle.
"Falling for me?" Natsume asked abruptly.
"I've always liked you," Cynthia replied, amused.
Natsume: "…"
"Why are you blushing?" Cynthia teased, eyes twinkling.
Dammit… Too cute! I've been counterattacked!
"Full of energy… Ahem, that's an old joke," Natsume coughed.
"Gengar~ ヾ(≧▽≦*)ヾ" Gengar patted Natsume's shoulder.
Natsume pressed a hand atop Gengar's head and forcibly shoved it back into the shadows. "There. Problem solved."
"Gengar~ glub glub." Bubbles floated up as Gengar 'drowned' itself.
Cynthia stifled a laugh. Behind the curtain of her hair, her lips curled into a smile—graceful and tender.
The two resumed their picnic. Forks clinked against plates; their eyes met intermittently. Around them, sunlight and sakura-scented air seemed to levitate, wrapping the scene in a radiant haze.
The moment froze, pristine as a world-famous painting—
"Lucian at Work."
…
"Speaking of which," Cynthia mumbled around a mouthful of pancakes, cheeks puffing like a squirrel's. She took another bite. "Lucian mentioned needing backup."
"For what?" Natsume handed her a glass of iced juice.
Cynthia took the condensation-beaded glass, frowning slightly. "The Sinnoh volcano incident. He's already sent Flint, but the International Police are involved. It demands higher priority."
International Police?
Natsume blinked. Aren't those basically my underlings?
A volcanic eruption… Could it be Heatran-related?
Worth investigating, he mused. His nominal position in the International Police had yielded zero resources all year. If this was tied to Heatran, maybe he could wrangle benefits for Arcanine.
"Which officer?" Natsume asked.
"Codename: 'Handsome,'" Cynthia said. "An inspector who cracked multiple major cases in Sinnoh."
It is my underling! Natsume nearly choked.
Thanks to reckless solo missions and constant rule-breaking, Handsome's rank was now three tiers below Natsume's.
A tragedy that would move anyone to tears!
"So I can't stay home long," Cynthia sighed, stretching lazily. Her checkered shirt slipped off one shoulder, which she absently readjusted. "I'll relieve Lucian tomorrow… Ahem, the day after."
Natsume: "You just tacked on an extra day, didn't you?!"
Cynthia tilted her head, smiling sweetly.
What possible ulterior motives could the Sinnoh Champion have?
Natsume looked skyward.
His mind conjured an image of Lucian standing in Snowpoint City's blizzard, shoulders dusted white.
Snow. So much snow.
Decision made: he'd contact the International Police soon.
Bathed in sunlight and sakura, Natsume yawned. "Let's go nap."
Cynthia's head snapped up, eyes gleaming.
Natsume: "…Too tired. No."
Cynthia smiled wordlessly.
Natsume: "…One round."
Cynthia held up a finger. "Best of three."
Who wouldn't love lazing at home with games, then rampaging outdoors with Garchomp? Adorable.
Natsume chuckled, fishing Gengar out of the shadows mid-'swim.'
"Pack up. We're heading back."
Gengar morphed into a household chores expert, thumping its chest proudly.
"Gengar!"
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