As the echoes of laughter and lightning faded from the Oak Laboratory, Gary stretched with a confident smirk and picked up his travel bag.
"Tch, what a circus," he scoffed, glancing at Ash—still smoldering from Pikachu's zap. "Well, I've got badges to earn and fame to claim."
Turning to Professor Oak, Daisy, and Akg, Gary gave a quick wave.
"See ya, Grandpa. Daisy, don't miss me too much. Akg—try not to fall behind."
Then, looking at Ash with a mocking grin, "And Ash… try not to get fried before your first badge."
With that, Gary turned and walked out of the lab, his journey beginning with smug energy in each step.
Akg, meanwhile, turned to Daisy. The emotions of the morning, the energy of the lab, and the significance of their bond all settled quietly between them.
He stepped closer, gently wrapping her in a hug.
"You were amazing today," he whispered. "I'll miss you."
Daisy looked up with tender eyes. "I'll wait for you. Just… come back safe."
Akg leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. "I promise I'll return—again and again. Wherever I go, this place is always home."
Then he stepped back, smiled at Dr. Oak and Ash, and gave them a respectful nod.
"Take care of each other."
Ash, still recovering from Pikachu's electric greeting, gave a thumbs-up. "Yeah. And you too, Professor Akg!"
Oak gave a warm smile. "The world is open to you now, Akg. Go leave your mark."
But Akg didn't turn toward the routes.
Instead, as everyone assumed he'd set off on his grand journey…
He turned toward home.
Not for rest.
Not to pack more.
But because something—someone—was still waiting.
An answer that mattered to him deeply.
Delia.
Her warmth, kindness, strength, and quiet support through the last two years had taken root in his heart. A bond not of sudden impulse, but of steady, gentle love.
Now that everything else was in place—his Pokémon, his license, his professor title—there was only one thing left undone.
He needed to know how she truly felt.
He needed her answer.
And this time, he wouldn't leave Pallet Town…
Until he had it.