Chapter Ninety-Five: Gathering Together

Chen Ou dialed Cynthia’s number and told her everything without embellishment.

“So that’s how it is? What an interesting little girl. It’s good that she’s with you; you really are too careless to look after yourself properly.” Cynthia’s voice came through the phone, tinged with amusement. She seemed quite pleased that Chen Ou had taken the initiative to report this matter.

“And am I really so petty in your eyes?” Her words carried a hint of complaint. Chen Ou scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. “Not at all. I just felt I should tell you. If I kept it from you, it would feel as though I had something to hide.”

Everyone knew, whether he told her or not, that if Chen Ou ever harbored ill intentions, it would spell disaster for their relationship. Living apart meant they could not be together every day. And besides the longing, the lack of security was unavoidable.

“Don’t worry. I’m confident that as long as you love me, you won’t fall for anyone else!” Cynthia’s voice was full of confidence and determination, like a commander capable of standing against thousands.

And indeed, her confidence was justified. While love isn’t decided by Pokémon battles, Cynthia believed that as long as Chen Ou cared for her, she was the best choice among all possibilities.

Chen Ou chuckled at that. “Alright, alright, I get it, Lady Cynthia. Take care of yourself. I’ll handle things on my end first.”

“By the way, I sent Volkner to bring you something. Has he arrived?”

“He has. This morning Lance messaged me to say he’d picked up Volkner. They’re on their way to Saffron City, so they should be here soon.” Chen Ou nodded, then asked in confusion, “What did you have Volkner deliver? It must be important to send a Champion to bring it personally.”

“A Pokémon egg. It’s quite a precious item, so be sure to hatch it properly. As for Volkner, I wanted to give him some time off. He’s been working as much as Lance lately.” Cynthia’s tone carried a hint of helplessness and embarrassment. Technically, she should have the heaviest workload, but Volkner’s sense of responsibility was so strong that he always volunteered for extra tasks. This meant Cynthia, Aaron, Lucian, and Bertha had plenty of time to slack off.

Aaron was always afraid Volkner would work himself to death, which would end his days of idling, so he often helped Volkner with his duties. This time, Cynthia used the opportunity to force Volkner to take a vacation, even specifying when he should arrive in Kanto. Otherwise, he’d hurry through the trip and rush back to work again.

Hearing that Volkner’s workload rivaled Lance’s, Chen Ou realized just how leisurely the other four members of the Sinnoh League were.

But that was good; otherwise, Cynthia wouldn’t have time to chat on the phone with him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Lance treats Volkner well. How about letting Lance take him to Silver Mountain for a hot spring soak?” Chen Ou pondered for a moment before suggesting.

“That’s a good idea. He could use some relaxation.”

“Alright, let’s do that. I’ll go handle Professor Oak and the others, and talk to you later.”

“Bye!”

“Bye!”

He reluctantly ended the call with Cynthia. Though they joked about slacking off, Cynthia’s workload was heavy, and their conversations only happened about three times a week—pitifully few.

This only strengthened Chen Ou’s resolve to make Sinnoh his next travel destination. He was truly tired of days spent longing for her but never seeing her.

Yet Chen Ou had his own issues; he was always busy, darting between major events, trying to avoid them.

The result...

He never once managed to avoid trouble. It was almost absurd.

Just after putting away his phone, Chen Ou’s head began to ache as he wondered, “What kind of gift should I give Cynthia?”

He was truly at a loss. Cynthia had given him an egg; he couldn’t just give her a research paper in return.

If Cynthia called it “quite precious,” just how rare was the egg? Was it a mythical Pokémon egg?

Chen Ou stroked his chin.

Should I send Cynthia that pink cat, Mew?

He was already considering selling Mew...

No, Mew wouldn’t work—it’s tied to the World Tree. The three golems are too ugly. The legendary beasts? Suicune? Too low-tier—a legendary caught with a single ball; even Red used two balls to catch Mewtwo! The legendary birds? Hmm, that would require some networking in the Orange Islands, and Articuno is the only one that looks good. Diancie would be perfect, but it can’t leave its group...

While Chen Ou was racking his brains for the perfect gift for Cynthia, a call snapped him from his reverie.

“Chen Ou! You’re daydreaming again!” Lance, accompanied by Volkner and Nurse Joy from Saffron City, came around the corner and spotted Chen Ou standing there, his eyes unfocused. At first, Volkner thought Chen Ou was deeply contemplating something important and refrained from disturbing him, even lightening his steps.

Nurse Joy did the same.

But Lance was different. He knew Chen Ou could drift into daydreams at any moment, only truly thinking while lying in bed.

If Chen Ou was standing or sitting with a vacant look, it meant he was definitely lost in thought. Calling to him at such times was usually a good idea.

“I wasn’t... never mind, I won’t explain.” Chen Ou shot a glance at Lance, who was grinning mischievously. Then he reached out to Volkner, walking toward him as he spoke, “Honestly, Champion Volkner, I’ve heard so much about you. Cynthia often tells me how much you help everyone with their work.”

Volkner quickly shook Chen Ou’s hand. “No, no, it’s nothing—it’s just what I should do.”

Chen Ou looked at Volkner, then at Lance, and laughed. “I never expected the two model workers of the League would have time to show up together. If we got Leon here, the three of you could play cards as the League’s best laborers!”

Lance’s eyes sparkled instantly, while Volkner asked in confusion, “What’s ‘playing cards’?”

“Haha, just let Lance teach you later—it’s lots of fun.” Chen Ou turned to open the door, smiling as he said, “Professor Oak and Professor Elm are inside. You’re here at just the right time; let’s all go in and talk.”

“I’ll go fetch some snacks for everyone,” Nurse Joy said with a smile and a bow to Chen Ou.

“Thank you, Nurse Joy.”

“It’s my pleasure.”