Watching Luther step into the field to pick up Kirlia, Cynthia began to hum a tune.
Bertha leaned back on the sofa, still relishing the battle between Hakuya and Luther.
"I think I understand why you're so interested in him now. He's not as dominant as you were in your prime, but you can see his battle sense and progress with the naked eye."
Cynthia, humming cheerfully, seemed to be in excellent spirits as she spoke. "Just think of it as me finding a hidden gem. I've got two other kids I'm watching, too. Who knows? Maybe this Lily of the Valley Conference will give me a big surprise."
"By the way, what do you plan to give Luther as a reward? Hakuya's bound to gain a lot from this battle. He looked dazed afterward, as if he'd just had a breakthrough. With the new year around the corner, you can't not give them something."
That left Bertha stumped. After a moment of calm reflection, she asked, "What does he even want?"
"A big house with all the amenities, tastefully decorated. A ranch with land for fruit trees and a herd of Mareep and Tauros. Plus, a large pond or a running stream nearby."
If Luther had been there, he would have protested to Cynthia, saying that he had never said "a whole herd" of Tauros. But he wasn't there, so he couldn't defend himself.
Bertha cut Cynthia off. "Are you sure that's what he wants now? Honestly, even my retirement plan isn't that fancy. I'm just starting to think about expanding my courtyard. What's a traveling Pokémon trainer doing trying to buy land and settle down already?"
Cynthia spread her hands. "No idea. But he seems desperate for a place of his own: a house and land. I can't make sense of it either."
"Land has never been the issue," Bertha said. "As long as it doesn't harm Pokémon habitats, there are plenty of places to choose from. In fact, we even encourage Trainers to establish new communities where humans and Pokémon can live together in harmony. His urgency makes no sense. Is the land he wants overpriced and still rising in value?"
Bertha simply couldn't understand Luther's thinking.
"What does he need most right now?" Bertha asked again.
"Money," Cynthia answered instantly.
"He and Mai probably already burned through the wages they earned working in Hearthome City. Remember when they dove underwater to scavenge lost items and ended up running into a group of treasure hunters with criminal records? Even after selling that necklace, he didn't make much. By now, he's surely strapped for cash. New Year's is coming. You won't let them go without being able to buy supplies, will you?"
Seeing that Cynthia was angling for Luther's benefit, Bertha decided to be generous. "Fine. I'll give Luther and Mai a shopping card they can use at Pokémon League–affiliated businesses."
Satisfied, Cynthia gave the Wooper at her side a playful squeeze, then rubbed its head before standing up.
"Leaving already?"
"I only stopped by to check on you. I should get back to my own work. The League has a lot planned before the new year. I'm swamped."
Bertha nearly laughed. "The whole year round, and now's the one time you actually act responsible?"
"Do you think Hakuya can stand out among the Elite Four candidates in six months?" Cynthia asked.
"I have high hopes for him, but how far he goes is entirely up to him."
"Six months..." Cynthia murmured. "If Luther keeps improving at this pace, maybe he'll make it in at the last moment. Bertha, the grindstone you found to sharpen your blade has become a blade in its own right."
With that, Cynthia waved, then leapt onto the back of the Garchomp waiting in the courtyard.
The sound of rushing wind echoed as Cynthia left.
Hippowdon watched Garchomp's silhouette disappear into the sky, then sank back peacefully into the sandpit.
Bertha's courtyard grew quiet again.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the lounge of the Whitewind Town Gym was noisy. Just minutes earlier, they had been at each other's throats on the field, yet now Marill and Kangaskhan laughed together as they shared a big block of cheese.
Hakuya had handed out the cheese. Kangaskhan said that she was still recovering from the battle and couldn't eat much so the chivalrous Marill stepped up to help her.
Kirlia split open a sandwich cookie and noticed Dunsparce drooling beside her. She decided to give him a piece.
Jumpluff sipped the berry juice that Ursaring had passed along, while Ursaring happily munched on the cream puff that Jumpluff had traded over.
Trainers waiting their turn in the lounge rubbed their eyes several times, half convinced that the scene before them wasn't real.
In a private room, Junna dabbed medicine on Hakuya's lips. The grueling battle had left them cracked and raw.
Luther sipped juice, eyeing Hakuya with concern. "Can you really accept challengers like this?"
Hakuya smiled as he quickly sketched something, raising his notebook. "Looks like I can't."
Junna huffed. "It's not just looks; you absolutely can't. If you keep playing the ocarina, you'll be wincing in pain at dinner too. Switch instruments already. You've been practicing with another one for ages. Give it a try."
Luther and Mai jolted. "Hakuya, can you use a different instrument to convey battle commands?"
Junna opened a black case in the cabinet and pulled out a violin.
"I'm not too skilled, but good enough."
Luther gave him a thumbs-up. What else could he say but "amazing"?
Training his Pokémon to understand two different instruments, each set of melodies tied to battle instructions, it was mind-boggling. The harmonica alone was impressive, but Hakuya had expanded to the violin.
"Thank you. Battling you made me realize what I've been lacking, or maybe what I've gradually lost."
Luther grinned. "Don't mention it. You taught me how to control the rhythm of battle. Honestly, I think I'll receive some reward messages soon. Between us, I'm the one who profited here."
Hakuya didn't understand the second part, but he smiled, stood up, and held out his hand.
A white, cloud-shaped badge dropped into Luther's palm.
"You've earned it. At the Whitewind Town Gym, we don't just hand out badges based on wins and losses; we also judge performance. And you've passed the gym's assessment."
Luther accepted it without hesitation and tucked it away.
Today's battle had tested the results of his Pokémon's recent training. All four who had fought showed remarkable growth. Compared to the badge itself, that knowledge was the day's greatest reward.
Whitewind walked out of the lounge with a violin in hand while the gym's speakers announced the next challenger.
When Luther stepped out of the private room, the waiting challengers looked at him with deep respect. Not a single one saw him as the loser.
Seeing the Whitewind Badge in Luther's hand, his Pokémon erupted in cheers. Oddly enough, Hakuya's Pokémon joined the celebration as well.
Watching them, Hakuya chuckled and called over Kangaskhan to begin his next battle.
Marill sidled up to Luther, fidgeting and hesitant to speak.
Luther knew exactly what Marill wanted: some credit.
"I know you did great today. Don't worry; an extra meal is definitely coming your way."
But, surprisingly, Marill shook his head. Wait, what? No extra meal?
Had Kangaskhan knocked him silly?
Marill shyly pointed toward Milcery, who was playing with Chikorita, and then dove into Luther's arms.
Luther smacked his forehead. "So that's what you're after."
"I'll say this now: If Milcery refuses, you drop it. Understand?"
Marill nodded furiously.
Luther walked over to Milcery. Milcery, held high in Chikorita's arms, looked at Luther and stretched out her hands, clearly wanting to jump onto him.
Luther explained the situation. Milcery tilted her head toward Marill, then looked down at herself.
"If you don't like the idea, we'll forget about it," Luther said.
Unexpectedly, Milcery agreed.
Overjoyed, Marill dashed over, carefully scooped up Milcery, and, unable to hold back, opened his mouth and began to lick her.
(End of chapter.)
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