Chapter 431: Was That… a Confession Just Now?
Night of February 27th, Lantern Festival.
Kizuna City, Hot Spring Resort.
After an entire day of driving, there was no better way to ease the fatigue than soaking in a hot spring.
But obviously—that wasn’t the real focus here.
As Lu Ye stepped into the tastefully decorated lobby, his mind began to wander.
Could this be… one of those legendary fanservice chapters!?
“The dinner will be prepared by a Michelin 3-star chef from Kalos. The bedrooms and baths are separate. Pokémon are also allowed into the hot spring…”
The hostess guided them ahead, past woodblock prints of Gyarados lining the hallway.
Hearing that, Lu Ye’s enthusiasm instantly dipped.
Until Cynthia leaned toward him and said softly:
“Come to my room later.”
“…That might not be appropriate.”
“It’s just for co-op play, don’t overthink it.”
“Oh. I thought you wanted to study ancient scripts together.”
Lu Ye looked at her, feigning surprise. “What did you think I’d be thinking?”
Cynthia gave him a soft smile, her deep gray eyes resting calmly on him.
“I know. You weren’t thinking anything.”
Lu Ye nodded earnestly.
There weren’t many guests at the resort. Artificially planted palm trees swayed softly in the night.
As they passed through a pebbled walkway, bamboo fountains echoed against stone, their rhythm serene and distant.
“Some resorts use Swinub’s sense of smell to locate new hot springs,” Cynthia said, glancing at a snoozing Swinub lying on the stone path. She smiled. “Pokémon really are amazing creatures.”
“Looks like the guests feed him a lot,” Lu Ye commented. “He’s practically a Piloswine now.”
The night breeze gently brushed past as they arrived at the hot spring entrance. “See you in a bit,” Cynthia said.
“Don’t soak for too long.”
“Because I’ll get dizzy?”
“Because I’ll be lonely, waiting in your room.”
Cynthia rolled her eyes, mimed a few air gestures with her fingers, and walked off elegantly with Garchomp.
Lu Ye muttered to himself, “It’s fine. I can bring Sylveon in with me.”
“Vee! (〃＞皿＜)” Her Poké Ball wiggled furiously.
“Too late. Come on, you’re soaking with me!”
In the changing room, a wooden tray with six slots was prepared for Poké Balls.
Lu Ye removed his shirt, revealing defined pecs and a firm set of abs.
“Not bad for a guy with Fighting Lv. 4,” he said to the mirror.
“If I level up one more time, maybe I could beat Gold barehanded…”
He’d never beat Red, and even beating Professor Oak required “field swapping.”
Picking on Gold was about all he could manage to maintain his trainer pecking order...
In the Hot Spring.
On the misty edge of the stone bath, Buizel floated lazily on its back in a floaty.
Snorlax Junior sat at the water’s edge, kicking at the water while chomping on macarons made by the star chef.
“Don’t bother anyone,” Lu Ye reminded the crew, heading for a quieter corner.
He eased into the water alongside Gengar, wearing identical relaxed expressions.
“Geng~ (′▽`〃)” Gengar had a towel resting on his head.
Blastoise sank under the surface and reemerged with a splash, adjusting his shades.
Lu Ye’s lip twitched.
Figures—the sunglasses were the real identity!
“Ka-meh…ヾ(⌐■_■)” Blastoise’s eyes gleamed.
He might’ve looked like he was chilling, but he was secretly practicing diving techniques.
“Vee~” Sylveon hummed a tune as she waded in. Her soaked fur gleamed silky-smooth.
“I’ll help dry you off later,” Lu Ye said with a grin.
“Vee! o(´^｀)o”
“Arrooᕦ(･ㅂ･)ᕤ” Arcanine sprawled along the side, shaking his big head as if to say, Me too!
“Do it yourself!” Lu Ye huffed.
“Arroo
! (ㄒoㄒ)”
“Quack quack~” Sirfetch’d floated in the spring, feathers tucked in tight, giggling like a weirdo.
No more training today! So comfy, quack~
A snow-white duck drifting around was oddly hilarious to look at.
Lu Ye shook his head, arms resting on the edge of the bath.
He tried picturing Cynthia in the bath next door, but all that came to mind were holy light images.
Holy Light… you betrayed me!
He grit his teeth in frustration, causing Sirfetch’d to shudder instinctively.
“Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ”
I’m just a peaceful duck! Don’t involve me in this!
Half an hour passed.
A full moon appeared through the thin cloud layer—bright, round, and shining.
Lu Ye suddenly remembered: it was the first full moon of the new year—Lantern Festival.
His parents were probably vacationing in Alola’s warm climate, while he was going to meet her family…
Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Lu Ye stood and let his skin adjust to the night chill.
“Gengar,” he said thoughtfully, “you want some tangyuan?”
“Geng! （¯﹃¯）”
“I’ll ask the chef. If they don’t have any, I’ll make some—glutinous rice, sesame filling, the works.”
“Geng! （๑`▽´๑)۶”
After drying off a tsundere Sylveon and patting her bow ribbon (earning a furious glare),
Lu Ye grinned—then panicked. “Wait, don’t use Iron Tail—”
“Rotom Dryer, save me!”
The wind-blown Rotom came flying in from a swap:
“Thank you, Rotom… Fire resists Steel, probably.”
“This is a workplace injury, Roto! o(TヘTo)”
In Cynthia’s Room.
Lu Ye sat on the tatami mat, casually starting up his game console.
Soon, he repositioned to lean back on Arcanine’s soft belly.
Now this was living.
Slide—
The door opened.
Wearing a robe and geta sandals, Cynthia stepped in.
Her exposed skin at the neckline was milky white, collarbones delicate.
Golden hair spilled down like a waterfall to her waist.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed; she lazily dried her hair with a white towel.
Lu Ye froze for two whole seconds.
“What?” Cynthia glanced his way.
“You’re way too dangerous.”
“You mean… Garchomp?”
Garchomp had a towel draped over her shoulder, looking mighty pleased: “Graa~!”
“Uh… let’s go with that.”
“Out. I need to change.”
“Want me to help pick something?”
“No need. I only brought one style.”
“Tsk.”
“You don’t have to sound so disappointed…” Cynthia smiled helplessly.
Lu Ye stood. “Want some tangyuan? I’ll cook.”
Cynthia blinked, then smiled. “If you’ve got some, I’d love a bowl.”
In the Kitchen.
Borrowing the chef’s kitchen, Lu Ye boiled glutinous rice flour, kneaded and rested the dough.
The Kalos chef watched in stunned awe, gasping “Magnifique!” as sesame-filled tangyuan were plated and steamed.
The rich aroma filled the kitchen.
“M-May I try one? Just… one?” the chef asked nervously.
“Go ahead.” Lu Ye found it odd. It’s just tangyuan, not Imperial Cabbage Soup or something...
Still, with Cooking Lv.5, his technique had clearly surpassed the chef’s realm of comprehension.
The Kalos chef popped one into his mouth like it was a national treasure.
Tears streamed down his face.
“My hometown! I see the flowers of Asaka Town… the chirps of Fletchling!” he sobbed operatically.
Lu Ye was too stunned to reply.
At least someone else did the taste test…
Under the cool, moonlit sky, Lu Ye carried a wooden tray to the veranda. It was nearly 11 PM.
“Geng~ (*⊙~⊙)” Gengar slurped down a whole bowl and instantly froze.
Crap—too sticky!
“Tchagi dooyi~ (❁´◡`❁)✲ﾟ”
Togepi took a dainty bite, sesame spilling from its mouth, little feet kicking in bliss.
Lu Ye picked Togepi up and glanced beside him.
Cynthia held her spoon delicately, blowing gently before taking a small bite.
Moonlight kissed her golden hair, adding a soft glow.
The round moon of the 16th night hung high, brilliant and full. The little ones couldn’t help looking up.
“So beautiful,” Lu Ye murmured, hands behind him as he looked up.
“If you’d like,” Cynthia said, gazing at the moon, “I’ll stay and watch the sunrise with you. As a thank-you for the tangyuan.”
“I meant you, Cynthia.” Lu Ye blinked. “What did you mean?”
“I meant the moonlight.”
Cynthia turned, her eyes clear and bright—eyes that could reflect him.
Their expressions remained calm, but their heartbeats quickened.
Lu Ye’s gaze lowered—her ankles, toes barely inside her slippers, looked like fine porcelain in the moonlight.
The wind stopped.
Everything fell silent.
The Pokémon all sat quietly, blinking at the scene.
“Was that just now…” Lu Ye asked, “a confession?”
Cynthia’s eyes sparkled as she smiled and asked in return:
“What do you think?”
“Not official enough.”
Lu Ye looked at her seriously.
“For something official—that’s my job.”
From this angle, her profile curved into a soft smile as she stared out at the moonlit garden, feet in slippers.
“I might not say yes.”
“Then I’ll keep going until you do,” Lu Ye declared firmly.
Under the brilliant moon, Cynthia’s cheeks tinged pink.
She looked at him, her gray eyes glimmering, her lips the color of sakura petals.
With a calm, restrained smile, she said:
“Then I’ll be waiting.”
It was a moment too vivid to forget, even years later.
It wasn’t that the moonlight was tender—
It was that Cynthia made the moonlight feel dazzling.
“Alright then.”
Lu Ye stood up with a smile.
“Let’s clean up. Tomorrow—we go meet your grandma!”
“That’s not exactly an official meet-the-family, you know.” Cynthia remained seated in the corridor, speaking slowly.
“Don’t worry—I’ll totally win her over!”
Back inside, Lu Ye’s voice rang out confidently, “Time to sleep!”
Cynthia shook her head, golden hair brushing her cheeks, smiling gently—then paused.
She suddenly stood up and chased after him.
“Wait—what do you mean win her over?! Show some respect!”
In the quiet courtyard,
Gengar and Garchomp clutched handkerchiefs, bawling.
“Geng!! ﾍ(;´Д｀ﾍ)”
“Graa!! (இωஇ)”
So pure… so sweet…