Rei Akagi chose a high-end battle restaurant and sent the location to Cynthia.
Don't ask why.
If he was the one treating, the bill would conveniently be waived anyway.
By the time Gastly finished its match on the battle platform and floated back, Rei Akagi had already ordered a luxurious "free meal."
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
A pleasant voice like flowing spring water sounded from behind him.
Cynthia was wearing a simple yet elegant cream-colored trench coat. Her golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, dazzling as always and drawing plenty of attention from the restaurant guests.
Beside her stood Garchomp, still radiating an intimidating aura, though it restrained its sharp presence.
"Not at all. I just got here too."
Rei Akagi smiled in reply. Then he took something from Gastly in his arms and handed it to her.
"Passed a shop on the way and picked this up. I didn't know your taste, so I chose strawberry and matcha double flavor."
"Thank you."
Cynthia accepted it generously and sat down elegantly in the chair that Garchomp had carefully pulled out for her with one of its blade-like arms.
She parted her lips slightly and took a gentle lick of the pink strawberry scoop on top.
The cool sweetness made her squint in satisfaction, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
"It tastes great. I like it very much."
"The credit mostly goes to this little guy."
Rei Akagi pointed to Gastly, who was currently trying very hard to curl itself into a harmless black ball while hiding in his arms.
"It kept the ice cream cold with its icy aura the whole way here."
In reality, Rei Akagi had deliberately bought the ice cream and stored it in the system storage space during the trip. Only after arriving at the restaurant did he let Gastly handle the cooling.
"Oh? The little prankster?"
Cynthia leaned forward with interest and looked at the Gastly in Rei Akagi's arms.
"It looks very lively. Are you planning to build a new team?"
"Gastly—!"
Exposed in its fake obedient act, Gastly broke free from Rei Akagi's arms and floated in front of Cynthia, pulling a ridiculously exaggerated ghost face.
Cynthia covered her mouth and laughed softly, her cheeks flushing slightly, making her even more charming.
"To be precise…"
Rei Akagi grabbed the troublemaker again and squeezed its big intangible face while saying seriously,
"This is the first Pokémon I've ever trained."
Cynthia rolled her beautiful eyes at him playfully but didn't respond. It was impossible to tell whether she believed him or not.
Rei Akagi smiled.
He was telling the truth, after all.
After finishing the ice cream gracefully, Cynthia accepted a delicate handbag from Garchomp, which carefully held it out with its sharp arm blade.
She took out two items.
One was a deep-blue velvet box tied with a silver ribbon.
The other was an old notebook with a worn cover and slightly yellowed pages.
"Last time, you took good care of me. It took a little time to find a suitable item for Gastly…"
Cynthia gently pushed both items across the table toward Rei Akagi and explained:
"As for this notebook, Professor Oak asked me to give it to you as compensation."
"Took care of you?"
Rei Akagi froze.
When had he taken care of Cynthia? Why didn't he remember that?
With confusion, he opened the box.
Inside lay a crystal-clear orb glowing with deep purple light, resting quietly on the velvet cushion.
Unlike items in the game from his memories—
Items that could grant positive enhancements to Pokémon in the real world were always extremely rare and valuable.
Rei Akagi took out his phone and searched for its price.
Searching item…
Toxic Orb
Description:
A strange orb condensed from pure Poison-type energy. It inflicts badly poisoned status on the holder while gradually nourishing and strengthening the physique of Poison-type Pokémon.
Official Pokémon League Price: — (Out of stock)
Rei Akagi inhaled sharply.
His first instinct was to refuse.
"This is too precious. I can't—"
"This is also a gift for Gastly."
Cynthia had clearly anticipated his reaction.
Resting her cheek on one hand while leaning lazily against the table, she interrupted him with a smiling gaze directed toward the Gastly nearby—whose eyes were already shining brightly.
"Gastly? (Is this tribute for His Majesty?)"
Gastly froze.
It had been about to celebrate—but suddenly remembered something.
It quickly suppressed its excitement and looked up at Rei Akagi.
Seeking his permission.
After all, it was a well-mannered ghost with integrity. Without approval from the "Boss," it would never accept someone else's goodwill for free.
Even if it really wanted it.
Rei Akagi pinched Gastly's serious-looking face and helplessly nodded.
Receiving the imperial decree, Gastly happily floated out of his arms and approached the Toxic Orb.
It extended its thick pink tongue and gently curled the orb up.
Like a graceful emerald paired with a pink cherry—
It began licking it enthusiastically.
Lick lick lick....
The flavor was rich.
Five-star review.
Seeing this, Rei Akagi sighed.
What else could he do?
If the child liked it, that was enough.
Although he felt like it might cause stomach problems someday…
"I'll return the favor."
Rei Akagi said seriously to Cynthia.
"Mhm."
Cynthia nodded and gently patted Gastly's head.
Suppressing the sudden urge to immediately book a flight to the Galar Wild Area to scavenge items and repay the favor, Rei Akagi picked up the old notebook beside the box.
Opening the first page, several powerful handwritten characters came into view.
"From Gastly to Gengar — Written by Agatha."
Rei Akagi froze.
Professor Oak… you really…
I'm moved to tears.
Everyone knew that Professor Oak and Agatha, the current Kanto Elite Four Ghost-type specialist, had always been old rivals with a complicated past.
For Oak to swallow his pride and ask Agatha for her training notes on Rei Akagi's behalf showed just how much he valued him.
Even his own grandson Blue had never received treatment like this.
Professor Oak, don't worry.
From now on, you're basically my real grandfather.
Blue is my little brother.
I can't promise anything else—but I'll definitely take care of you in your old age!
After carefully putting away the box and notebook, Rei Akagi turned to the real matter.
"According to the scattered intelligence I've gathered, a group of people will be gathering this afternoon at the Lost Tower . That might be a good entry point."
He lowered his voice.
"I plan to meet their leader and see if I can extract some information about the more secretive local forces behind them…"
Cynthia rested her chin on her hand and watched Rei Akagi speak confidently.
After a moment of thought, she suddenly asked:
"So… what do you need me to do?"
The question instantly stunned Rei Akagi.
Cold sweat broke out on his back.
Oh no.
He had forgotten about that.
In his original plan, Cynthia wasn't included at all.
Because with her fame and strength, she simply couldn't infiltrate criminal groups to gather intelligence.
If Cynthia appeared and the enemy leader recognized the Champion, the whole operation would be over before it started.
But it wasn't a huge issue.
He could just let her enjoy some free time.
After all, who doesn't enjoy relaxing a little?
"This small matter can be left to me. How could I trouble Miss Cynthia to act personally? You could take this opportunity to do something you enjoy—like shopping…"
Halfway through his sentence—
Rei Akagi suddenly stopped.
Because across the table—
Cynthia had narrowed her beautiful golden eyes, her lips curving into an extremely gentle, perfectly elegant smile.
She was looking at him warmly.
A familiar chill—one he had only felt when standing on the edge of life-and-death danger—shot straight up Rei Akagi's spine.
Alarm bells rang wildly in his head.
His survival instincts exploded instantly.
He corrected himself at lightning speed.
"I absolutely do need your invaluable assistance, Miss Cynthia! I'm worried that unexpected factors might arise while gathering intelligence, so I require your tactical support and deterrence!"
"Really, Mr. Rei Akagi?"
Cynthia still smiled sweetly.
The final tone of her voice lifted slightly—
carrying a faint hint of amusement.
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