Although Ojō-sama kept saying she was sleepy, she didn't actually go to bed.
Forcing down her drowsiness, she put on a strange pair of glasses—claiming they were for burning the midnight oil more effectively—and, unusually, chose not to write with psychic power. Instead, she copied and organized everything by hand.
What we brought back from the ruins was one thing; turning it into a formal report—or a readable paper—was another.
Fortunately, Caitlin had privately read many of Cynthia's drafts. She had even pored over Cynthia's published academic papers word for word.
She might not fully grasp the profundity of many passages; but that was only because she didn't yet understand the true weight of those ruins.
The steaming dinner sat to one side while Ojō-sama poured herself into the writing, stifling yawns and refusing to let sleep win.
She seemed full of drive and dreams—perhaps one of the changes bestowed by the King's Heart.
Hikaru, meanwhile, stayed beside Caitlin, sorting the Plates, using future-tech to study the Soul-Heart, and preparing to repair Genesect. The Poké Ball that held the Steel/Bug "god" rested quietly on the table.
He also needed to prepare a letter of recommendation for N-sensei. Hikaru felt his own status might not carry enough weight—after all, he was a special hire.
But the Ranger Union had a virtue: they were approachable.
And they actually got things done—thoroughly and reliably.
Unlike certain regional Pokémon Leagues: either collectively phoning it in, or acting like hands-off managers… or occasionally displaying startling wisdom.
In that, the Ranger Union and the International Police were quite similar.
"Help me check how to write this part…" Caitlin passed over a draft; she wasn't entirely sure about portions of it.
Although she had transcribed many of the Seafloor Ruins' inscriptions verbatim, she wasn't yet adept at interpreting them further—let alone developing analysis and extended commentary.
"The history of the king is plain-spoken; record it as you understand it. But please keep certain details of the Ancient Crown's 'dialogue' off the page."
"For geography and natural setting, you can extend into why the ancient king built his realm in the seas off Undella Town… Unova's ringed towns also have meaning to their arrangement."
"Historical context, cultural value… protection status, future planning… Those stone statues from the ruins are also important research specimens."
"You've actually written it quite well. Still, it's best not to mention the Plates within the paper."
Hikaru added softly, "Share that part to Cynthia-san privately."
Caitlin blinked, then understood.
"You mean that strange organization active in Sinnoh Cynthia mentioned? I see—Unova's enigmatic group searches for a king, while the one there seeks a god."
"My, the world is busy."
"Of course, I kept all artifacts brought from the ruins. These research samples won't be sold to antique dealers."
After a few more edits, Caitlin happily scanned, uploaded, and sent the file to Cynthia.
"Why not type it up on the computer from the start?" Hikaru asked.
"Because handwriting is more precious—and has ceremony." Ojō-sama wore a proud "I'm very clever" look.
Even near midnight, Cynthia apparently wasn't asleep. Her reply arrived promptly—and as Caitlin read it, she perked right up; a flush tinted her cheeks and her eyes shone with delight.
"Cynthia's amazed! She asked how I discovered all this. The Seafloor Ruins in Unova were still at the myth-hunting stage—yet we've already worked out seventy to eighty percent!"
"She praised me!"
Like a child receiving a mother's praise, Caitlin paced the living room in excitement, no longer floating.
Planting her feet on the floor seemed to make her feel safer, letting her soak in that bubbling joy more fully.
When Cynthia followed up—asking how she'd pulled off the exploration—Caitlin replied with airy confidence:
[You and Tenchō went to the Sinjoh Ruins, so I took Tenchō with me to the Seafloor Ruins. If he's there, nothing's a problem, right?]
A pause came from Cynthia's side.
Then, slowly, an answer:
[Hikaru's with you? He went to Unova… Right—he did say that.]
[Caitlin, don't tell me you dragged him along to the Seafloor Ruins because I didn't visit Undella this year?]
"I did not." Caitlin's heart skipped inexplicably. She denied it, fingers unconsciously pinching her skirt hem. "I simply grew interested in ruins, that's all."
[Come now—I know what you're thinking.]
Cynthia's reply was a touch weary:
[I truly can't get over there to see you right now. Sinnoh's showing… unusual movements.]
[Also: don't trouble Hikaru.]
"What do you mean I trouble him? You're both 'Divine-Threshold people'—you've only met him once, yet act like family already?"
"I was the one who met him first. And I'm no longer the kind who burdens others—don't treat me like a little girl."
Caitlin knew there were three among the Divine-Threshold people. She had met two.
As for the last… it didn't matter who.
A childlike thought rose quietly in her: it would be best to take that spot—then it would feel complete.
Then the three of us… could keep going on like this, couldn't we?
Perhaps… that would be a kind of happiness.
[Humans are born to explore the unknown. In the hidden corners of the world, legends sleep. After the Sinjoh Ruins, I'm even more sure.]
[Your report is well written—and this is a major discovery. You should be praised. Caitlin, you've grown—and changed a lot. Come to the next research summit; this will surely win an award.]
[Those on the front line secure the first-hand data. But in our world, sometimes the right person is needed to solve a ruin's mystery.]
[And I may need to 'borrow' Hikaru from you later. The Cloudmist Ruins remain unsolved—]
Borrow?
Caitlin wanted to object to the phrasing, but an indescribable heaviness stuck in her chest—as if something precious had been casually pre-booked.
She didn't dwell on it. She knew Cynthia was half-joking—and as a fellow Divine-Threshold person, if Cynthia called, Tenchō would go.
They were neither lovers nor family—just a slender bond at the source of their blood.
Was it because they both served a god?
Unbidden, a strand of envy and jealousy surfaced in Caitlin's heart. Yet under the glow of her dream, it quickly melted away.
Right—how could I think like that?
Even if I'm envious… as long as I become someone better—someone who draws them in—
"He'll be setting off soon," she murmured, not hearing the softness in her own voice.
"Tenchō keeps seeking rare materials; he'll be traveling all over… Thinking about it now, I… slightly regret it."
[Regret?]
Leaning against the window, Caitlin's gaze seemed to pierce the wall, reaching for a distant, warm somewhere.
"His journey is what I once imagined mine should be."
Her voice softened, colored by a hint of yearning; yet her lips curved with a small smile:
"Full of serendipity—like flecks of light skipping through a forest, like rainbows rounded at a corner. He always finds what others can't—carrying such pure joy and vigor, warming everything like sunlight."
"And I—" she looked down at her slender fingers, hands that should have been scarred, smoothed clean by psychic power—
"To suppress my power, to temper my will, my travels were nothing but monotonous practice, cold psychic restraints, nerves wound tight."
"Each step heavy and dim—like walking an endless gray corridor."
"That lightless road only brightened when I became an Elite Four member. The world grew lively and cheerful. I became strong—but I may have lost something important on the way."
"And then Tenchō brought it back to me—the curiosity for the world and the simple joy. So… I'm grateful to him."
"But… please don't tell him."
Caitlin's expression turned very gentle. She hid herself in her room; no one would enter here.
She burrowed deeper into the soft bed—her absolute safe fortress.
"Cynthia, I've found a new dream," she whispered, eyes shining with a newly firm yet hazy light.
"In the Seafloor Ruins, I saw the soul of an ancient king—and received something there."
"I want to become Champion. Perhaps that's the piece my personality lacks: if I become Champion, I'm sure to obtain something—and see a different world. To still hold curiosity through the long road…!"
"I will become a better person than I am now."
"I will become the wind!"
"A warm, free wind that blows through the hearts of the people I love."
(End of Chapter)
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