The next morning, as the sun rose, the door of the Yorozuya was pulled open from the inside, and sunlight streamed in, bringing a warmth with it.
Hoshino checked the weather, took out the washed clothes to dry them, then returned inside to prepare breakfast for the Pokémon.
The two Tandemaus ran around the living room, playing with Gengar and Cyclizar, having completely bonded. However, in two days, the Tandemaus would also be sent away, back to their homeland in the Paldea region.
After breakfast, Hoshino, Cyclizar, and Gengar were ready to go out for a commission, while the two Tandemaus stayed home to look after the Pokémon Egg. It had been shaking more and more lately, indicating it was about to hatch.
…
"The young lady is really fast, she took the first bus?"
Hoshino saw the message from Lillie and then remembered being seriously lectured by her last night, and his face immediately showed an expression of not knowing what to say.
"How am I supposed to face her later? Or should I just continue being my old self without changing… Speaking of which, I haven't encountered those Meowth these past few days. Have they finally given up? Or are they planning something big?"
He changed the subject himself. Gengar, sitting on his head, didn't understand what he was muttering and continued to enjoy the breeze and scenery.
It had snowed lightly all night, but as the sun rose, the accumulated snow had mostly melted. He was very familiar with the route to the hospital and could find it without needing a map, arriving quickly.
"Over here!"
When Lillie saw Hoshino, she smiled and waved, shouting. Today, she had changed into a more comfortable short skirt outfit, and she wasn't wearing her white sun hat. Instead, her long hair was tied into a single ponytail, making her look full of energy.
"Alola~"
"Alola…"
Hoshino walked over and responded, still feeling a bit awkward and unaccustomed to it. Gengar and Cyclizar also came over to say hello; they were always indifferent.
"Gengar~"
"Cycli~"
"Alola~ You're all looking great today! Let's do our best later!"
Lillie was very much looking forward to the upcoming commission, as this was also crucial in determining whether she could officially join the Yorozuya.
Hoshino tried not to look at her to avoid awkwardness. He hugged Gengar, who was trying to float over to play with her, and then said, "Let's wait a little longer. It's almost the agreed time, and Decidueye should be here soon."
"Mm."
Lillie nodded lightly, then sat down with him on a park bench, intentionally keeping some distance between them.
During the wait, Hoshino was the first to break the inexplicably awkward silence, slowly saying, "As, uh… friends? Can you tell me about yourself? I'd like to get to know you…"
"Huh?"
"Like, why are you afraid of Pokémon? There must be a reason for that, right?"
Hoshino was curious about this. He instinctively felt that this stubborn young lady might be inseparable from him in the future. To avoid being unintentionally put in a difficult situation by her later, it was better to inquire about the reason now.
When this was brought up, the smile on Lillie's face gradually faded. She shook her head gently and replied softly, "This… I'm actually not sure. I just feel like I might have forgotten something."
"I don't know when it started, but whenever I touch a Pokémon, I instinctively react with extreme fear, both physically and mentally."
Hearing this, Hoshino thought for a moment and guessed, "Perhaps your brain selectively forgot something for protection, but your body still remembers, which is why this happens?"
"Everyone says that, but I still can't remember what happened, nor can I overcome this fear. And Mother… No, never mind."
When her mother was suddenly mentioned, a flicker of pain crossed Lillie's eyes, but it vanished instantly. She shook her head, her voice becoming much softer.
She didn't continue, but instead changed the subject, turning to look at him and asking, "What about you? There must be a reason for your personality, too, like a lack of family companionship…"
"I've been an orphan since I was little; I don't have a family."
"I'm sorry…"
Lillie just realized she should have known this already, yet she brought it up again.
However, Hoshino shook his head and replied, "It doesn't matter, and that's in the past. Don't I have family now?"
As he spoke, he stroked Gengar's head, who was in his arms, and then looked at Cyclizar, who was playing with a wild Pikipek in a nearby grove.
Lillie instantly understood his meaning and murmured, "Treating Pokémon as family… Is that why you had the idea to establish the Yorozuya?"
Hoshino smiled, stood up, and replied, "The only thing I can do and am good at is Pokémon. If I can't succeed in what I'm best at, then I don't know what meaning my life has."
"It doesn't seem like you're particularly good at it, though. Didn't you fail all your exams…?"
"Say one more word and I'll break!"
Seeing his sudden reaction, Lillie chuckled softly. But the next second, Hoshino suddenly placed Gengar on her, and her smile abruptly stopped, her hair instantly bristling.
"!!!"
"If you're afraid of Pokémon, just keep interacting with them, and interacting, until you completely overcome and adapt. Your purity as a Trainer will greatly increase!"
"Gengar~"
Gengar even smiled and stretched out a hand to rub Lillie's face. It already knew that this adorable young lady might be a future member of the Yorozuya, so it naturally treated her kindly and affectionately.
Just as they were playing, the green canopy above rustled, and a Decidueye flew down, landing in front of them, almost stumbling.
"Goo…"
"It's here."
Hoshino straightened his posture, Gengar returned to his shoulder, and Lillie, looking resentful, also recovered. Although she was a bit angry, it wasn't the time for that; work was about to begin!
…
"Goo…"
"Is your Trainer in the ICU of this hospital? I understand… Your relationship must be very good, right?"
"Goo!"
"Hmm… Because your Trainer's health has worsened over the past two years, and they've been hospitalized frequently, you haven't seen each other much anymore?"
Watching Hoshino converse with Decidueye based on its growl and actions, Lillie, who was beside him, felt it was very impressive. She also wanted to learn that.
But putting that aside for now, after hearing the translation, she subconsciously asked, "If that's the case, why not spend more time together in their final moments? Did you two have some kind of conflict?"
Lillie asked the question Hoshino wanted to ask, but Decidueye shook its head, indicating that its relationship with its Trainer had always been good, but then this suddenly happened.
"That is indeed a bit strange…"
Hoshino made a note and continued to ask, "Does your Trainer have other Pokémon? Since they traveled for so many years, there shouldn't be just you, right? Did the others also…"
"Goo…"
Decidueye shook its head again. As it moved, some feathers fell from its body. Lillie noticed and was about to speak but was interrupted by Hoshino's wave, signaling her to speak later.
"Encounters and partings with Pokémon during your journey, until only you remained by their side…" Hoshino pondered for a moment, then nodded lightly and replied with a smile, "I understand. Leave the rest to us to investigate. We'll notify you as soon as we have any news. You're definitely nearby anyway, right?"
"Goo…"
Decidueye nodded, then flapped its wings and flew away, but it seemed to struggle and its takeoff speed was not fast at all.
After it left, Lillie's expression was a bit sad. She placed her hand on her chest and whispered, "Its body is also failing. Perhaps some injuries from its youth weren't properly healed, and now that it's older, it's finally…"
"There are no outsiders here; feel free to elaborate."
"This Decidueye probably only has about a year or two left…" Lillie paused slightly, looking at the feathers floating down from mid-air, and continued, "Feathers falling off easily, without any vitality at all, it's very obvious…"
"Indeed…"
Hoshino had noticed Decidueye's unusual state last night. It turned out that not only was its Trainer nearing death, but the Pokémon was as well. Even with its Ghost-type attribute, it ultimately couldn't change anything.
"Let's go, we'll head to the hospital first to investigate the target of this commission."
"Mm."
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