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Being able to enjoy peace and quiet in a bustling, prosperous city like Sun Heart City and owning a vast manor on its outskirts was a dream come true for countless people.
On the lush green land stood the large house with which Mai had been familiar since childhood. From a distance, the manor's outer walls seemed to reflect a dazzling glow under the sunlight.
Passing through the marble archway, Mai, holding Eevee, returned home for the first time in a year.
The moment she stepped through the gate, a chubby figure flew over from afar.
Dusknoir had sensed Mai's presence first and had come out to greet her. Gengar, who had gotten a free ride on Tailwind, emerged from Dusknoir's shadow just then. Before it could leap into Mai's arms, Dusknoir grabbed it and tossed it straight behind him.
Seeing that Dusknoir and Gengar were still the same, Mai laughed.
"Help me gather everyone," She said, gently placing her hand on Dusknoir and looking serious. "I have something important to announce. No matter where they are, bring them back."
Dusknoir froze for a moment. He had never heard Mai speak in such a serious tone before. Then he quickly understood and left with Gengar to search for their companions, who were probably playing outside somewhere.
Dusknoir and Gengar's movements were soon noticed by the servants working outside, raising and breeding Pokémon at Mai's home. Shortly afterward, they saw Mai greeting the Pokémon resting in the pasture, holding Eevee.
Seeing the servants who had taken care of her since childhood, Mai greeted each of them, expressed her gratitude, and handed out the small gifts she had prepared.
That was also the reason she had returned to Sun Heart City the previous night but hadn't come home.
Not only had she borrowed Pokémon from Bertha and Cynthia, she had also borrowed money to buy gifts.
These servants had carefully protected and looked after her since she was young. Some were local residents who worked there part-time, while others were professional staff. Mai still remembered them trying their best to cheer her up.
They had worked there for over ten years, providing the backdrop to Mai's childhood, a time filled with illness and monotony.
They were among the most beautiful colors in her childhood memories.
Although Mai said nothing, the few servants who had served only her for a long time already understood that they might soon have to find new jobs.
The conflict between Mai and the owner of the house had become irreconcilable.
Just as Mai embraced the servants, the butler, who had gone out, finally returned home.
Not daring to delay, the shocked butler hurriedly informed Kukui Tetsu, who was still in Sun Heart City.
Mai quietly watched the butler notify Kukui Tetsu while she calmly enjoyed the tea and snacks the servants had carefully prepared for her.
Footsteps from above made her slowly set down her teacup and shift her gaze toward the staircase covered with a red carpet in the center of the hall.
A young woman wearing a loose white top came down the stairs. She held a small handbag and wore light, delicate makeup, as if she were about to go out.
When she saw Mai sitting on the sofa, she froze.
Their gazes met, and they stared at each other without blinking.
"Madam, this is Miss Mai..." The elderly butler was sweating profusely and looked extremely embarrassed. "Miss Mai, this is Madam Rongmei."
Even someone as composed as the butler didn't know how to start, so he could only introduce them to each other in this awkward manner.
The new mistress of the Kukui family stood on one side, and the daughter of the family head stood on the other. Logically, the two shouldn't have needed such a formal introduction.
Yet, when the old butler announced their names, it had a faint classical elegance, like the formal announcements recorded in books about old aristocratic gatherings.
Contrary to the butler's expectations, he thought Mai had returned to cause trouble over Kukui Tetsu's marriage. So, when he saw Rongmei come downstairs and run into Mai, he became extremely nervous.
However, Mai said nothing.
Her expression didn't change in the slightest. After looking away, she picked up her teacup, took a sip of tea, and ate a bite of her favorite pudding.
Rongmei had no idea what to do or say. Mai's presence was so strong that Rongmei felt intimidated.
Embarrassed, Rongmei walked over to the seat opposite Mai and sat down.
Seeing how carefully Rongmei sat down, Mai glanced at her stomach. When she noticed the slight swelling, she sighed softly.
The butler was still worried that something might happen between Mai and Rongmei. Instead, one of the maids standing behind Mai quietly pulled the butler away, giving the two women space to talk.
"Do you like my dad?"
In the silent hall, which felt uncomfortable because it was so quiet, Mai's voice rang out, completely devoid of emotion.
After hesitating for a moment, Rongmei nodded. "I like him very much."
Mai had looked in the mirror before. When Luther ran out at night to train, the silly smile she wore while thinking about him looked exactly like the expression Rongmei had right now.
It was an expression of happiness.
Mai elegantly lifted her teacup and took another sip before smiling faintly.
"I can tell. In that case, I wish you happiness."
Upon hearing Mai's words, Rongmei instinctively protected her stomach, stood up quickly, and anxiously explained,
"I didn't lie to you. What I said is the truth."
A woman in her twenties who was about to become a mother was humbly explaining herself just to comfort Mai and integrate into the family. Mai could sense her kindness. In this household, Mai's presence was like a thorn, reminding everyone of the previous mistress.
Whether the family could live in harmony depended on Mai's attitude, so Rongmei was deeply worried that Mai might not accept her.
"If all those messy things hadn't happened, maybe we could have lived together happily," Mai murmured softly.
Rongmei didn't hear what Mai said clearly, but she didn't dare ask. She simply watched Mai quietly.
"I didn't lie to you either. I really believe what you said. I've seen that expression on your face," Mai said with a smile. "That look can't fool me."
While the two were talking, Dusknoir had already returned to the house. After being stopped by the servants, he could only peek around from the side.
Mai stood up and gave Rongmei a relaxed smile.
"From now on, you'll be the mistress of this house—of this family."
Rongmei froze, unable to immediately grasp the meaning of Mai's words.
Seeing Mai walk toward the front door, the butler hurried after her. He explained that Kukui Tetsu was already on his way home and hoped that Mai would stay and meet him.
"Don't worry. I'll wait for him to come back," Mai reassured the old butler before heading into the courtyard.
Dusknoir and Gengar had split up and spent quite some time gathering all the Pokémon that Mai had raised:
Aggron, Chinchou, Natu, Shiny Lopunny, Gengar, Deerling, and Vivillon, when they saw Mai, they tried to rush toward her, but Dusknoir stopped them.
The others were Pokémon that Mai had caught before she even began her journey, except for the shiny Lopunny.
She counted them and suddenly realized that Joltik was missing.
Just as she was about to ask Dusknoir and Gengar about it, she saw a small yellow dot rapidly approaching from the distant pasture.
Joltik had been collecting berries in the forest and had only recently learned from other wild Pokémon that Dusknoir had come looking for him. The moment he saw Mai, he sped up even more.
With Joltik back, everyone was finally there.
These were all the Pokémon in her courtyard that truly belonged to her. The others were either wild Pokémon attracted by these little ones or Pokémon that the family allowed to roam freely.
Looking at the Pokémon in front of her, Mai smiled.
"I'm leaving this place. I came back specifically to take all of you with me."
Her words made all the Pokémon widen their eyes.
"The place I'm taking you to might not have as good living conditions as here, and the food might not be as good..."
Before she could finish, Aggron gently hugged her.
Taking Aggron's lead, the rest of the Pokémon rushed forward all at once.
They had all gathered because of her. They were Pokémon that belonged only to her. Wherever she went, they would follow.
Surrounded by the clinging Pokémon, Mai grabbed Joltik, who had jumped onto her neck, and placed him on top of her head.
"I promise you this: wherever we live from now on, it definitely won't be worse than here."
Seeing Mai reach out her hand, Aggron lowered his head slightly.
She patted his rock-hard head.
"Now then, let's start moving."
(End of Chapter)