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Bertha was remarkably efficient. By the time the lunch break was over, she had delivered two shopping cards to Mai and Luther.
The cards could be used at any Pokémon League–affiliated business and came with a 20% discount. Each card had a limit of 20,000.
They were truly a gift in a time of need. Rather than giving miscellaneous items, Bertha had chosen the most useful option: straightforward and practical. With the new year approaching and no supplies prepared yet, they finally had something to count on.
Mai happily led the Pokémon out, clutching her shopping card, and didn't return to the Whitewind Town Gym until just before dinner.
Taking advantage of the discounts, Mai went on a genuine shopping spree. She bought things she normally wouldn't buy and things she usually wouldn't use. After all, it was the new year. Who doesn't deserve a proper feast?
With her arms full of big and small bags, bottles, and jars, Mai looked like a triumphant general returning from the front lines.
Even Eevee, Slowpoke, and Pachirisu came back carrying little bundles on their backs. Luther and Hakuya hurried Mai into her seat so they could start eating.
Dinner was prepared by Luther and Hakuya together. They teamed up to pin Junna on the sofa with her games, ignoring her puffed-up protests while they worked in sync to finish cooking.
Junna was baffled. They had only met today, yet they were already so coordinated.
She couldn't make sense of it.
After all, Luther's and Hakuya's Pokémon wolfed down their food; the day's battles had drained them, especially Hakuya's team, which had gone on to defeat six more challengers in the afternoon.
Throughout the day, the Whitewind Town Gym awarded only one Badge, which went to Luther.
Only three days remained before the new year. Hakuya said that challengers would likely come again tomorrow, but after that, the gym would enter its holiday break.
Though the gym was technically open during the festival, few trainers came by.
While eating, Luther glanced at the Marill beside him and sighed as he pried Milcery out of her arms.
"Eat properly. I told you one lick was enough, but you've been holding Milcery and licking nonstop. Look at her; she hasn't eaten a single berry, and her whole face is red from you."
Realizing she had gone overboard, Marill ducked her head in embarrassment and finally started eating from her bowl. Jumpluff kicked her for good measure.
"New Year's is almost here. Do you still plan to set out?"
The thought struck Hakuya mid-bite. He pulled out his notebook and started writing.
"Ahem, no writing during meals." Junna snatched the notebook away.
Luther stifled a laugh and answered, "Nah, we're staying put. Traveling during the holidays just feels miserable. With gyms mostly halting challenges, barging in would ruin the festive atmosphere anyway."
"Besides," Mai added, "we have a hotel VIP card. I love that hot spring. Let's enjoy it a bit longer, and then we can head out after the festival. It won't be too late."
Her Pokémon cheered in agreement, especially Corsola, who bounced high in celebration of the decision.
To everyone's surprise, Hakuya pulled another small notebook out of his pocket.
"Perfect! I usually spend New Year's alone at the gym. This year will finally be livelier."
Junna frowned and waved her chopsticks. "Eat. No talking. Finish dinner, and then you and Luther can chat all you like."
Luther and Hakuya sped up their eating and slipped out into the courtyard.
Slaking was still lying in the snow, buried almost completely under the drifts, just as he had been that morning.
Hakuya struggled to brush the snow off of Slaking's head and found him fast asleep. With no other choice, Hakuya sent Cinccino to wake Slaking up.
Cinccino repeatedly dangled its fluffy tail in front of Slaking's nose. Slaking's face twisted with irritation until he finally couldn't stand it anymore. With a huff, he sat up and glared at Cinccino.
Cinccino pointed at Hakuya, signaling that it wasn't her fault.
Hakuya just laughed and held up his notebook.
"Go sleep on the battle stage. You may be resistant to the cold, but you should still take care."
Slaking lazily scratched his head, then his neck. With heavy, swaying steps, he finally stood up. Led along by Cinccino, he shuffled slowly back toward the gym.
Stepping into the snow, Hakuya stood in silence for a moment before writing:
"Thank you… for today."
Luther blinked, then quickly realized what Hakuya was referring to.
"I said it before, but it should be me thanking you. Battling you taught me so many incredible things. Before today, I never imagined that anyone outside the Champion and the Elite Four could command Battle Rhythm with such mastery."
Dunsparce's heavy body wriggled across the snow with Kirlia perched on his back as if she had hailed a ride.
As he watched the two slide past him, Hakuya wrote again:
"Did Senior Bertha send you here?"
So, there was no hiding it after all.
Luther nodded. "I only realized it during our battle. I saw your record against Bertha in your battle history. When I thought about her directing me to Whitewind Town, I understood what she wanted me to do."
"Senior Bertha is strong."
Hakuya hesitated, then crossed out "strong" and replaced it with:
"Her strength is terrifying."
Luther had never faced Bertha directly. His only impression of her came from her brief appearances in the anime.
But since arriving in this world, he'd discovered that these figures were far from the simple portrayals in the show. Take Bertha, for example. Who would have thought that she was once the champion who shook the entire Sinnoh region?
While chatting with Cynthia, she described Bertha's battle ability with one warning: "Don't think of her as one of the Elite Four. She is a Champion."
This was the highest praise Cynthia had ever given a Pokémon Trainer in Sinnoh.
Meanwhile, Marill chased a reluctant Milcery through the snow. Chikorita and Jumpluff ganged up on her, pinning her down and tossing her toward Ursaring. Ursaring caught her perfectly and slapped her toward Noctowl.
Noctowl smacked her with a wing, sending Marill tumbling to Luther's feet.
Looking at the messy, snow-covered Marill, Luther scooped her up.
He pinched her tail hard and hugged her tightly so that she couldn't run away.
"She once asked me a question."
Hakuya finished writing the line, then looked up at the snowy sky as if recalling something.
"Do you think I have what it takes to become one of the Elite Four?"
Hakuya stared at Luther, nervously waiting for his answer.
Luther looked back at him, slowly set Marill down in the snow, and packed a snowball in his hands.
He hurled it hard at Hakuya.
Caught completely off guard, Hakuya was stunned as the snowball hit him square in the chest.
"Asking me that question means you already know you don't have what it takes."
Luther made another snowball and hit Hakuya again.
"Wake up! Bertha wasn't asking you a question; she was giving you a chance and pointing you in a direction!"
After getting hit with two snowballs in a row, Hakuya finally snapped out of it. He hurriedly grabbed some snow and threw it back at Luther.
However, his movements were stiff and awkward, allowing Luther to pelt him mercilessly. Snowballs flew left and right as Luther ambushed Hakuya without pause.
"Now I understand the second reason Bertha wanted me to come here. Hakuya, whatever happened to the confidence you had in battle? Where's the persistence that carried you and your Pokémon from obscurity to becoming the top Gym Leader under the League?"
"Go out there and try for it!" Luther wound up and smashed another snowball straight into Hakuya's face. "Don't you dare shrink back or lose yourself now, at a time like this!"
(End of Chapter)