"The truth," Cynthia replied instantly.
"Of course we're friends. I've never considered Coronet Breeding House a rival, so naturally, I wouldn't ask you for help."
At that moment, Cynthia felt an immense confidence radiating from Wayne.
It reminded her of how Garchomp felt when standing in the arena.
Cynthia thought about it and realized that Wayne could create perfect-quality Energy Cubes, and even Garchomp was satisfied with his care.
Why would he need to fear Coronet Breeding House?
"Speaking of which, I've always had some questions. Aren't you curious about anything regarding me?"
"What do you mean?"
Cynthia was somewhat curious about the changes in Wayne.
She had a vague feeling that the progress Garchomp and the others had made was connected to Wayne's cooking.
Cynthia wondered how Wayne had improved so much in such a short time.
But Wayne never asked her anything.
"We haven't seen each other for four or five years, yet I'm always the one asking questions. Aren't you curious about anything at all?"
Wayne shook his head. "It's not that I'm not curious, but I was afraid of bothering you, so I didn't show it."
A big question mark appeared above Cynthia's head.
"Bother?"
She couldn't understand what that had to do with anything.
Wayne said thoughtfully, "This might be my problem. I was thinking, if I ask too many questions, would it be considered intrusive?"
"Not wanting to cause you trouble, I simply didn't ask."
Cynthia looked a bit exasperated.
"It wouldn't go that far, would it?"
"That's why I said this might be my problem—or rather, a flaw."
After they had eaten their fill, Cynthia made a suggestion.
"Want to go see a movie?"
As she said this, Cynthia's eyes sparkled with a joyful gleam.
Before being asked by Celeste to visit the Breeding Center, they actually hadn't seen each other for four or five years.
But in this world, some people just naturally click when they talk, even without discussing battles or ancient history—the topics Cynthia was most interested in.
Was this what Diantha called having good chemistry?
Cynthia couldn't help but recall something Diantha had once said.
"Chemistry has nothing to do with hobbies or personality. There's nothing more wondrous in this world than natural chemistry between people."
Wayne looked a bit surprised. "This late?"
After dinner, it was already eleven o'clock.
At this hour, Wayne had no problem staying up, but it was different for Cynthia.
She was a public figure, and with her fame, she could easily be recognized.
Although Cynthia had appeared at the Breeding Center and Wayne had provided care for Garchomp, no one thought Cynthia and Wayne were in that kind of relationship. At most, a small number of people thought they made a handsome couple.
Watching a movie with Cynthia was certainly very appealing—it would be hard for anyone to refuse.
But Wayne didn't want to cause Cynthia any trouble because of it.
"Not a regular movie theater, but a drive-in theater, the kind where you watch from inside the car. I've never tried that before."
When talking about such novel experiences she hadn't tried yet, a smile naturally appeared at the corner of Cynthia's mouth.
She was completely unaware of what it typically meant for two single people to watch a movie together at eleven o'clock at night.
Though she called it a drive-in theater, it was the type where the car itself served as the seating.
Wayne thought about it—at least it was indeed safer than Cynthia going to a regular movie theater.
"Okay."
Cynthia had her own car, a rugged off-road vehicle large enough for Garchomp to sit in.
Garchomp and Lucario sat in the back seat, but then both chose to return to their Poké Balls.
Even Wayne's Lucario did the same.
The two got into the car. Cynthia put on a baseball cap, buckled her seatbelt, and pulled out her phone.
Because Wayne was much taller than Cynthia, he adjusted the seat for a while before finding a comfortable position, then adjusted the rearview mirror to the proper angle.
"For a drive-in movie, do you have any preferences?"
If Wayne threw Cynthia's question back at her, they probably wouldn't end up watching anything at all.
"I prefer movies with good special effects. As for the plot, as long as it's not terrible, it's fine. But I guess drive-in theaters don't offer much selection, right?"
The silver-gray eyes beneath the brim of her cap gazed at Wayne's profile, and she nodded softly. "You're right. Then we'll go to this one."
Uncharacteristically, Cynthia didn't have trouble making a decision.
A drive-in theater naturally wouldn't be showing movies currently in regular theaters.
But even so, Cynthia still seemed very enthusiastic.
Because watching a movie was a rare experience for her.
"Is it too unreasonable for me to ask you to accompany me to a movie this late?"
"You're mistaken."
Cynthia looked somewhat taken aback.
"Go ask anyone on the street—who wouldn't want to watch a movie with Cynthia?"
Cynthia couldn't help but smile. "It seems my fame isn't all bad."
As the Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia was extremely popular, which inevitably brought her some difficulties.
She didn't feel discouraged by this. After all, this was the path she had chosen.
By the time Wayne drove to the drive-in theater Cynthia had located, it was almost midnight.
This place served as a Pokémon exchange plaza during the day and transformed into a drive-in theater at night—quite an efficient use of space.
There were still quite a few people here, but fortunately, tickets could be purchased without getting out of the car.
If one were to look down from above, various cars were parked in front of the large screen, yet the atmosphere remained peacefully quiet.
This was the impression Hearthome City gave Wayne—it was indeed a pleasant place to live.
Cynthia was genuinely there to watch the movie, especially since the film being shown was quite interesting to her.
Perhaps because the light from the screen was so bright, Cynthia's eyes seemed exceptionally luminous.
...
Wayne hadn't seen this movie before, and even when it ended, he still wasn't entirely sure what it had been about.
The movie itself was mediocre, but his mood throughout was joyful enough.
Cynthia's tone was very light. "Let's go."
The movie was indeed average, but it had been a very novel experience for her.
Two-thirty in the morning, watching a movie with a man around her age at a drive-in theater.
This kind of unique experience would likely be hard to replicate.
Although Wayne was younger than Cynthia, because of his remarkably mature demeanor, Cynthia never felt that Wayne was actually younger than her.
The memory of that thirteen or fourteen-year-old innocent figure gradually faded, replaced by the profile of the man currently driving.
For safety, Wayne was always very focused when driving and didn't realize Cynthia was currently studying the contours of his profile.
At this hour, Wayne naturally couldn't drive back to Jubilife City, so he stayed overnight at Cynthia's villa.
...
The next day.
After eating breakfast together, Cynthia had to leave.
"I need to go to Mt. Coronet. There have been sightings of Pokémon Hunters there."
As the Champion, Cynthia bore many responsibilities.
Among the Pokémon Hunters, there were individuals like Hunter J, whose strength rivaled that of an Elite Four member.
Only Cynthia, Riley, and a few others could effectively deal with them.
"Be careful. I also need to return to Jubilife City and get back to work."
Cynthia waved with a smiling expression.
"Let's keep in touch by phone. I'll visit again when I have time."
"Mm."