Chapter 428: Is This a Meet-the-Parents Situation?
“So, Mr. Lu, why did you come to Eterna City?”
“To visit the Eterna City Museum.”
Erika looked surprised. “I didn’t expect you to be interested in Sinnoh’s history!”
“Of course. I’ve always been a huge history buff.”
Being cute isn’t the point. The point is loving to learn!
Lu Ye tucked his little notebook back into his coat pocket.
As they chatted, the lush and old-fashioned Eterna City was already in sight.
“Need a tour?” Erika offered proudly. “I grew up around the Eterna Museum and herbal pharmacy!”
“No need for a guide…”
Lu Ye grinned. “But if I say your name at the pharmacy, can I get a discount?”
“Uh?” Erika hesitated, then said softly, “I… I don’t think so…”
“Well, you go ahead then. I’m planning to take Gengar around.”
Erika nodded, placed her hands on her knees, and bowed deeply before waving.
“I’ll head back to Eterna Gym then. See you, Mr. Lu!”
Lu Ye nodded.
“Geng~ (￣▽￣)/” Gengar waved goodbye and curiously looked around.
“Let’s go find Cutie.”
Lu Ye glanced at his phone, then said, “Loto-kun, navigate to the Eterna Museum!”
“I’m a special-edition Pokédex, not a navigation app! Roto!” Rotom grumbled.
“Same thing, same thing.”
Fuming, Rotom floated ahead, its voice box broadcasting:
“Rotom, continuing navigation…”
Eterna Museum.
The exhibits sat in glass cases, while murals and ancient carvings lined the walls.
The atmosphere was thick with history, and visitors were sparse.
An elderly couple sat together, quietly admiring the carvings—they themselves looked like part of history.
Cynthia folded her arms, resting a finger against her chin as she slowly walked past the displays. A contemplative look rested on her pale, beautiful face.
When she saw the old couple, she nodded with a gentle smile, and they returned the gaze kindly.
The museum was absolutely silent.
Sunset light poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over Cynthia’s golden hair. Just then, Cynthia turned—and saw a handsome young man who looked like he had stepped out of a painting.
The young man was tall and neatly dressed, wearing a white jacket and tailored pants. His sleeves revealed his wrists and elegant hands.
Cynthia was momentarily dazed.
“Sorry, got a bit held up on the way,” Lu Ye said in a low voice.
Cynthia smiled gently. “Let’s talk outside.”
Lu Ye nodded, glancing around curiously.
Sunset spread orange hues across the museum dome and floor. The air was so heavy with history, it made one’s breath catch—like stepping into another world.
Outside the Museum.
Lu Ye let out a long breath.
“How do you like Sinnoh so far?” Cynthia asked with a breeze in her voice and a soft smile.
“It’s great. Especially…” Lu Ye paused.
“Especially what?”
“Feels like I’m closer to you.”
“I’m heading back to Masago Town in a few days,” Cynthia said with a faint smile. After a pause, she added,
“But I’ve always been close to you.”
“Won’t you get sick of me though?”
Cynthia looked a little surprised. “Do you get tired of being around Gengar?”
“Of course not.” Lu Ye replied without hesitation.
“Same goes for me and Garchomp.”
Her shoulder-length golden hair carried a pleasant scent.
Cynthia’s smile lit up like a clean Gracidea flower or a blazing red nandina.
Its meaning: My love only grows.
Oh no!
Lu Ye’s heart skipped a beat.
My sweet little cabbage is just too adorable!
Blushing, Mr. Lu cleared his throat.
“So… are the artifacts being shipped today?”
“No rush,” Cynthia thought for a moment. “It’s a three-day trip to Sendoff Town. We can leave tomorrow.”
“No problem.”
Lu Ye didn’t really care what the artifact was.
Three days, two nights—maybe there’d even be a mixed bath at a hot spring village.
“Let’s go eat first,” Cynthia said. “There’s a nice restaurant in Jubilife City—I’ll take you.”
“I was thinking of stopping by the herbal shop first,” Lu Ye murmured,
“To see if they have anything… good for Blastoise.”
“Sure.”
Cynthia smiled.
“There’s also the Twin Dragon Statue along the way—you might like it.”
Like a normal couple, the two strolled down the sunset-drenched streets of Eterna.
Most passersby were elderly, and the city felt steeped in time and peace, far removed from noise and chaos.
After a light touch, their fingers naturally intertwined, bringing strength and calm.
At the Herbal Shop.
Lu Ye lifted the quaint curtain.
Inside, an elderly woman with white hair was wearing an apron and grinding medicine.
A little girl slumped over the counter doing homework, mumbling:
“Paras, what’s 5 plus 7? Lend me your claws!”
“Ssss…” Paras pitifully stretched out both pincers.
“Oh! A customer!”
An energetic old man came out from the backyard. “Welcome!”
White light shimmered as a Poké Ball opened by Lu Ye’s waist.
“Ka-meh…ヾ(⌐■_■)”
Blastoise scanned the Revival Herbs carefully with aura and then shook his head slightly.
No good… I need something even stronger!
“Sorry to trouble you,” Lu Ye coughed. “I was wondering if you have anything more potent than Revival Herbs.”
The old man pondered. “Well, there’s a legendary herb that can bring the dead back—Revival Grass. But it’s so rare, you’ll never see it in a pharmacy.”
Lu Ye blinked and felt a chill down his spine.
Looks like Blastoise’s meds still have room for upgrades.
Revival Herbs for now.
Someday, maybe Revival Grass… and a side quest to schmooze Ho-Oh for Sacred Ash…
While lost in thought, the little girl looked up, recognized him, and exclaimed in delight,
“Mr. Lu!”
“Help me with this math problem!”
Lu Ye quickly passed the buck. “Rotom, your turn!”
“I don’t understand it either, Roto! o(TヘTo)”
After Leaving the Herbal Shop.
“Why didn’t you buy anything?” Cynthia asked curiously. “Blastoise seemed pretty interested.”
“Oh, that quality? He can grow it himself.”
“Huh??”
As Cynthia looked at him in surprise, the two strolled into the center of Eterna City.
The soft twilight bathed two ornate statues—Dialga and Palkia—in golden hues.
Beneath the bronze statues, the plaques bore inscriptions of the time-space dragons.
Cynthia’s fingers lightly brushed over the metallic plate as she whispered:
“The meeting of time and space… It really is a miracle.”
“Just like meeting you.”
Cynthia smiled. “You’ve probably said that a hundred times.”
“Yep.” Lu Ye nodded sincerely. “To Gengar, Sylveon, Blastoise… Everyone’s heard it once.”
Cynthia’s smile deepened, and her steps turned light.
She truly loved Pokémon from the bottom of her heart.
This shared passion created a bond—a natural and mutual attraction.
Lu Ye suddenly recalled the question Professor Oak had asked him during the Pokédex exam:
‘What does Pokémon mean to you?’
He closed his eyes in thought, then opened them slowly.
Cynthia walked gracefully ahead, her silhouette stretching long in the sunset.
Lu Ye followed unhurriedly behind.
“Where to next?”
Cynthia looked back with a soft smile.
“Dinner first, then back to the museum!”
Dinner was at an upscale restaurant in Eterna City.
It seemed to operate by reservation only—at the moment, just one table was occupied.
On a white-tableclothed dining table, a bottle of rare Berry wine chilled in an ice bucket.
“Geng~ (￣～￣)”
Gengar munched through his meal with a look of disdain.
Pff, it’s tasty, sure—but nothing compared to what we get at home!
Lu Ye didn’t seem too picky.
Using knife and fork, he tasted the so-called molecular cuisine and fell into deep thought.
“Hmm…”
Trying other chefs’ cooking occasionally…
Not only was it a good lesson, it also boosted his confidence in his own cooking.
If Lu Ye ever joined Hell’s Kitchen, he could probably roast the other chefs into submission.
The waitress pouring wine looked at the couple, stunned by their identity.
Without any glitz or glamour, the “couple” before her radiated like stars.
So beautiful, so harmonious… She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.
A normal date, a normal dinner.
But with Sinnoh’s unbeatable Champion Cynthia by his side, Lu Ye felt like he was dating a superstar.
Just as he was lost in thought, Cynthia asked softly:
“What’s your favorite dish?”
“Cabbage.”
“Huh?”
“All kinds of cabbage.”
As night fell, a pianist began playing, and a beautiful Bellossom danced to the tune.
They turned their attention to the performance.
“That’s probably a type of Coordinator performance,” Cynthia said uncertainly.
Lu Ye nodded. “Costume, talent, decorations… They’re all scoring points for Coordinators.”
“You really know a lot about Coordinator shows.”
Cynthia suddenly asked curiously, “Is there anything you’re not good at?”
Lu Ye furrowed his brows and fell into a long silence. Eventually, he said seriously:
“Yeah. I’m really not good at battling.”
That was the honest truth.
With his current team, facing off against Red would be a one-sided beatdown.
“Okay, okay.” Cynthia couldn’t help but smile. “I know you’re amazing—no need for more compliments.”
“Please do compliment me more. Preferably with something about how handsome I am.”
“Why don’t you let Gengar handle that?” Cynthia teased.
“Geng!” (*⊙~⊙) Gengar put down his utensils and gave Lu Ye a big ol’ tongue whip.
Lu Ye froze in place.
“You okay?!”
“I’m fine.”
He wiped his face and said shakily, “I-I'm used to it.”
Cynthia blinked and glanced at her untouched Cloud Ice Cream.
Then, making a tough decision, she pushed the glass cup toward him.
“Here. This should help with the paralysis.”
Lu Ye had basically developed a resistance to being “paralyzed” by now.
Still rubbing his face, he looked at her in surprise. “You’re not eating it?”
“I don’t like that flavor,” Cynthia said, cheeks blushing.
“That’s a lie.”
“…Just drop it.”
Cynthia scooped a spoonful of ice cream and held it out seriously:
“Open up—ahh.”
“Mm!” Lu Ye’s eyes widened as the ice cream melted in his mouth, and the numbness faded.
“How is it?” Cynthia asked with a smile.
“Tastes great.”
“Really?” Cynthia glanced regretfully at the missing spoonful in her glass.
“Want to order another one?”
Cynthia frowned and seemed torn for a long time.
“Let’s just ask for another spoon and share.” Lu Ye decided.
Cynthia smiled warmly. “Okay~”
In the distance, the head chef, the waitress, and the owner all dabbed at their eyes with napkins.
So sweet! How can this champion couple be this sweet?!
That ice cream’s way too sugary—d*mn it!
Night had fallen over Eterna City.
They passed by the statues of Palkia and Dialga again.
Gengar stood between them, glanced at both sides, and flashed a grin.
“Geng!”
Thanks for your service, gentlemen!
According to the original plan, Lu Ye and Cynthia were to transport the museum’s artifact to Sendoff Town Museum.
Lu Ye vaguely remembered the name “Sendoff Town.”
But more important right now—get the artifact.
Inside Eterna Museum.
“Thanks for your hard work!” the security officer saluted them.
“You too,” Cynthia nodded with a smile. “We’ll take it from here.”
The officer nodded and entered the code into the lock.
Click—
The alloy doors opened, revealing a glass case at the center surrounded by infrared beams.
Lu Ye couldn’t help but grumble.
This setup’s practically inviting someone like Kidd to come steal it!
Thankfully, no incidents occurred.
Cynthia officially received the safe from the guard.
Sitting atop the red cushion was a powerful, domineering presence.
The moment Lu Ye’s Aura made contact, his heart pounded wildly.
It felt like time had slowed.
He looked at the irregularly shaped, crystal-clear gem and his eyelid twitched.
【Adamant Orb: A crystal with eternal brilliance, embodying the power of time. A symbol of Dialga, the god of time. (Whether we laugh or cry, time flows equally—granted by Dialga, according to ancient Sinnoh script)】Even the usually snarky system turned uncharacteristically solemn.
Lu Ye gulped.
“We’re delivering this to Sendoff Town?”
Cynthia nodded seriously. “Yes.”
Something’s definitely going to happen on the way!
This feels like a textbook setup for a high-risk mission!
Lu Ye took a deep breath.
At least Cynthia was coming along—safety was pretty much guaranteed.
And since this timeline’s Team Galactic was already out of the picture, there shouldn’t be any major problems.
Just need to get the Adamant Orb to Sendoff Town ASAP.
Lu Ye vaguely remembered—
“Is there another orb at Sendoff?”
“The Lustrous Orb, symbol of space, is kept at Sendoff Town Museum,” Cynthia explained.
“The curator there is Professor Carolina, a leading expert in mythology and legends.”
“I’m planning to consult her for my upcoming research summit.”
“Professor Carolina…” Lu Ye rubbed his chin.
“Sounds familiar, right?”
Cynthia beamed. “She’s my grandma~”
“???”
…