Hoenn Region, Rustboro City.
A private jet slowly descended onto Devon Corporation's private airstrip.
Chen Shi stepped out of the cabin with an Eevee perched on his shoulder, followed by Steven, Cynthia, and Phoebe.
"Old Chen, it's almost noon. Want to grab a meal together before you head out?" Steven asked.
Chen Shi shook his head and declined politely.
"No, I've got things waiting at home. Next time."
"Alright then. I'll head off first—see you again in a bit."
Steven understood that Chen Shi was bound to be busy these days and didn't push it. He waved to the three of them, got into a stretched luxury car, and drove away.
"Let's go too. Petalburg City isn't far from here—we'll be home soon," Chen Shi said.
As he spoke, he took out a Luxury Ball, released Dragapult, and jumped onto its back.
Cynthia followed suit, releasing Garchomp.
The moment the shark dragon appeared, it shot Chen Shi an unmistakably resentful glare—like he'd committed some unforgivable crime.
Chen Shi coughed awkwardly and said with a straight face,
"Little Shark Shark, there's no holding back in official matches. You can't hold a grudge in real life."
"Garchomp!"
Garchomp snorted, but didn't argue.
Cynthia gently patted her head. "Alright, don't be mad. We'll win next time."
"Gar~chomp."
Garchomp shot Chen Shi one more fierce look before finally nodding.
She would never forget that day on the battlefield—how Chen Shi had commanded Swampert to beat her down from start to finish without giving her even a sliver of opportunity.
Do you have any idea how much damage that did to her pride?
She, Garchomp, had always been the one bullying others. Since when had she ever suffered such humiliation?
Seeing her like that, Chen Shi could only shrug helplessly.
This shark was easy to appease anyway—give her some good food, throw in a massage or two, and she'd be fine again.
Just as the two were about to leave, Phoebe suddenly panicked.
"Hey—wait! You're just leaving like that?"
Chen Shi looked down at her, confused. "If we're not leaving, what are we staying here for?"
Phoebe puffed up angrily. "What about me?!"
"I don't have a Pokémon that can carry me! Are you just going to abandon me?"
Chen Shi froze for a moment, then grinned teasingly.
"Don't you have Gengar? It can fly. Just have Gengar carry you."
Phoebe clenched her teeth. "Gengar's covered in spikes! How is it supposed to carry me?!"
"Alright, alright. Ride my Charizard."
Not wanting to waste any more time, Chen Shi released Charizard.
"Charizard, take Phoebe with you and keep up with us."
Charizard glanced at Phoebe, nodded, and turned its back toward her.
"Char~!"
Phoebe happily hopped onto Charizard's back and wrapped her arms around its neck.
"Alright, let's go, Dragapult."
With both riders ready, Chen Shi pointed the direction forward.
...
A little over an hour later, the three of them landed in front of the Chen family villa.
Just as they were about to head inside, Cynthia suddenly stopped, hesitating.
Chen Shi turned his head, puzzled.
"What's wrong? You've been here before, haven't you?"
"You've met my grandparents already."
Cynthia's ears reddened slightly. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of her coat as she remained silent.
She didn't know why either.
The last time she came, she'd felt nothing unusual—but this time, her heart was racing uncontrollably.
Before she could mentally prepare herself, the front door suddenly opened from inside.
"Garde~voir!"
Gardevoir called out happily when she saw them, followed by Grandma Chen's voice from within.
"Who's here, Gardevoir?"
Chen Shi smiled, grabbed Cynthia's hand, and pulled her inside while calling out loudly,
"Grandpa, Grandma—I'm back!"
Grandma Chen, who had been eating, froze for a moment before reacting. Her wrinkled face immediately broke into a warm smile as she hurried over.
"Good, good—so long as you're home."
Seeing her grandson holding hands with a blonde girl, with Phoebe following behind, Grandma Chen was so happy she could hardly close her mouth. She immediately turned around, insisting on cooking a couple more dishes.
"Don't bother, Grandma. This is already plenty—we probably can't even finish all of it," Chen Shi said quickly, stopping her.
Looking at the table filled with seven or eight dishes, he really didn't want the old lady exhausting herself.
Grandpa Chen chuckled approvingly.
"Your grandma's been making big meals every day, just in case you suddenly came home hungry."
Grandma Chen shot him a glare. "Just eat your food and stop talking."
Then she turned back with a gentle smile, taking Cynthia's hand.
"I remember you—you're Professor Rowan's granddaughter, right?"
"You visited once before, but didn't stay long. This time, you must let Grandma Chen take good care of you."
"Y-Yes… thank you, Grandma Chen," Cynthia replied softly, her cheeks tinged pink.
She hesitated for a moment, then still addressed her as Grandma Chen.
By then, Gardevoir had already brought over three sets of bowls and chopsticks. Once they sat down, Grandma Chen immediately began piling food into Cynthia's bowl.
"You must be tired from the trip. Eat more—this one's good."
"I grew up with your grandma—old friends from childhood. Don't be shy at all. Treat this place as your own home."
As she spoke, her hands never stopped moving. Before long, Cynthia's bowl looked like a small mountain.
Seeing Cynthia completely at a loss, Chen Shi couldn't help but interrupt,
"Grandma, that's enough—her bowl can't even hold anymore. Don't scare her."
Grandma Chen waved it off.
"You're all still young—eat more, grow strong."
Then she leaned closer, still holding Cynthia's hand.
"Girl, you and our Xiao Shi… how far have things gone?"
The room fell into a brief, stunned silence.
Cynthia's beautiful face instantly flushed red, the color spreading all the way down her neck.
She didn't answer—but Grandma Chen understood immediately.
The smile on her face grew wider and wider.
On the other side, Grandpa Chen gave Chen Shi a long, meaningful look, as if to say:
So this is what you meant by 'just friends'?
Chen Shi let out a long, defeated sigh.
…This was truly karma.
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