Chapter 565: Cynthia's Major Announcement
The Sinnoh region is a large island surrounded by sea on all sides.
When traveling from here to Kanto, aside from flights, ships are the best option.
Teacher Lu mentioned in the chat group whether anyone was heading to Kanto for travel.
Ash said regretfully: "Pikachu and I are preparing for the Lily of the Valley Conference, so we can't return to Kanto right now."
Lily, with a band-aid on her nose bridge, sighed softly: "I have time, but I can't go either..."
Traveling is too expensive, and Lily would rather stay at the gym to challenge trainers, as it relates to her gym leader performance and the league stipend.
Compared to other gym leaders who frequently "run away from home" or neglect their duties, Lily is exceptionally responsible.
Ami was traveling in Sinnoh and said softly: "I... plan to watch the Grand Festival..."
Melisa said with a smile: "That's perfect, Miss Ami. Let's go together."
Ami replied somewhat shyly: "Ah, of course, no problem!" After asking around, Flint was training with Volkner, while Gardenia was guarding the Eterna City Museum.
Lucian... Lucian was working overtime.
"Seems like I'll have to go alone."
Teacher Lu scratched his head, muttering in confusion: "When did the Eterna City Gym Leader join the group...?"
In the chat group, Marshal said he could come to Sinnoh first and then return to Vermilion City with Teacher Lu.
Lu Ye: "Using official ships for personal trips?"
Marshal crossed his muscular arms: "Isn't that normal?"
Lu Ye paused, then nodded in agreement: "Well, that's true..."
According to Marshal,
The "Waterflow" at full speed could make the round trip between Sinnoh and Kanto in just one day.
At Canalave City's dock, Marshal proudly introduced his snow-white beloved ship, the "Waterflow," to Lu Ye.
"A ship is a captain's wife, and the ocean is a man's home!" Marshal declared proudly.
Lu Ye nodded righteously: "I'm boarding now!"
Marshal: ?
As he climbed the gangway, Lu Ye asked curiously: "What about your ex-wife?"
"I'm not married yet."
"Oh, I meant the S.S. Anne."
That ship modeled after the "Titanic," appearing in both anime and manga as the "cursed ship."
"It sank..." Marshal looked weathered, as if missing only a cigar between his fingers, "It sank in the cold waters of Vermilion Bay..."
Seems the plot aligns with the original setting.
Lu Ye comfortingly patted Admiral Marshal's shoulder: "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up."
Marshal sighed, then grinned:
"Let's head back to Vermilion City first. We can chat while fishing!"
**
The sea rippled gently as a Wailmer surfaced, leisurely swimming by.
Marshal brought two ice-cold beers from the captain's quarters, opening them with a military knife.
"Wow, you've already got results!" Marshal exclaimed, looking at Teacher Lu fishing on the deck.
"Magikarp, Magikarp, and more Magikarp!" Lu Ye sighed, resting his chin on his hand.
Marshal blinked at the Magikarp flopping energetically on the deck.
Should this be praised as exceptional fishing skill... or just terrible luck...
On deck, Togepi lay on an oversized beach chair, wearing frilly sunglasses and sipping iced cola:
"Togepriii~~"
Sylveon sat primly on another beach chair, wearing shades with an aloof expression: "Eevee!"
Larvitar stared at the deck, sucking its fingers: "Yogi... (¯﹃¯)"
Fortunately, Ducklett, who was babysitting today, intervened just in time: "Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ" (You can't eat that!)
Thus preventing Marshal's "wife" from meeting another sinking fate...
Haunter was playing cards with Marshal's Electivire and Raichu.
Floating beside Haunter was the Rotom Pokédex, shamelessly cheating:
"Detected 99% probability of Raichu holding bombs, Rotom!"
Electivire and Raichu were stunned: (⊙ˍ⊙)
"Gengarrr! ヽ(￣▽￣)ﾉ" Haunter played all its cards with the hint, grinning.
Sorry, I win! Hand over your held items!
These two Pokémon were also broke, carrying only a [Pomelo Fruit] and [Electric Gem].
Haunter stuffed them into its dimensional pocket: "Gengarrr! (⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)" (Next game!)
Electivire and Raichu exchanged glances, on the verge of tears.
This Haunter... who does it take after?
The worst part is, even together, we might not beat it!
The two shared a look and fled in perfect sync: ﾚ(ﾟ∀ﾟ;
)ﾍ=З=З
Turning into red beams, Electivire and Raichu retreated into their Poké Balls.
Haunter: Σ(っ°Д°;
)っ
You two are way too practiced at running away, Gengarrr!
With the sea breeze blowing, Lu Ye accepted the cold beer from Marshal and asked:
"Weren't you drinking sake with Old Man Siebold on Cinnabar Island?"
"Nothing but elderly folks soaking in hot springs together." Marshal smirked. "So I left early."
"Haven't seen Old Man Siebold around lately."
Marshal scratched his head: "Maybe he thinks... he kills the mood too often?"
With the generation gap, awkward silences are unavoidable!
Lu Ye sighed in agreement as Vermilion City appeared on the horizon at dusk.
The setting sun dyed the sea and city orange, its shimmering reflection dancing on the waves as Pidgeys flew overhead.
"Haunter, you can visit Nassi at the Saffron Gym tonight," Lu Ye mentioned casually.
"Gengarrr!（๑`▽´๑)۶"
**
"Boys are made of oceans, ships, and sunsets."
"Girls are made of sugar, spice, goose down, and such."
Fumiko wrote these opening lines in her novel, pushing up her thick glasses as she murmured:
"Then Bamboo Lan must be made of amber champagne, colorful strawberry ice cream, and spices like bay leaves..."
Cynthia entered, hanging her elegant black coat to reveal a thin blue shirt beneath.
"What were you just saying, Fumiko?"
"N-nothing!"
Fumiko hurriedly hid her notebook behind her back, face flushing.
"I heard something about ice cream—"
Cynthia's eyes curved like crescent moons as she said cheerfully:
"Where's the ice cream?"
Fumiko paused, then laughed softly: "Never mind, let's go out for ice cream later."
Caitlin sat kitten-like on her princess bed in pink loungewear, golden hair cascading loosely.
"No."
Her face was expressionless. "I don't want to go out."
"B-but Bamboo Lan rarely visits! We should go out together!" Fumiko protested.
"No." Caitlin burrowed into the blankets, indifferent. "Let the ice cream come to us."
Diantha sat elegantly on the sofa, her straight back adorned with white decorations as she flipped through a hardcover book.
"I'm fine with either. You decide."
The lavishly decorated room carried a faint fragrance, further convincing Fumiko of her novel's opening premise.
"Then..." Cynthia tilted her head thoughtfully. "How about staying in and playing games?"
Caitlin emerged from the blankets, revealing dull gray eyes: "I won't play."
Games always brought back unpleasant memories...
"There's a new game coming out soon!"
Cynthia said brightly: "Play with me, okay?"
Caitlin whimpered like a small animal, wrestling with internal conflict.
"Then it's decided!" Cynthia clapped her hands, eyes crinkling beneath her golden hair.
"Speaking of which."
Diantha closed her book, lifting her gaze to Cynthia:
"Sinnoh seems unstable lately."
Cynthia's eyes shimmered slightly as she sighed.
"Yes... So after this break, I'll return to Sinnoh promptly."
"Also, I came to tell you all something important."
Caitlin and the others looked up at Cynthia's serious expression.
"Hmm..." Caitlin seemed to think of something, irritably burrowing deeper into the blankets.
Diantha's eyes showed restrained curiosity.
Fumiko's cheeks flushed as her breathing quickened.
Could it be... that matter!
Cynthia took a deep breath, her droplet-shaped pendant rising with her chest, her exquisite face tinged with faint pink.
"I."
Cynthia announced with a smile:
"Have someone I like."
The room's air froze for a second, as if all oxygen had been sucked out.
In this vacuum, Fumiko reacted first, covering her blazing red face with her notebook.
"Eek!"
"Hmph..." Caitlin muffled herself in the blankets, making angry noises.
Diantha seemed to have anticipated this, resting her hands on her elegantly crossed legs.
"Lu Ye from Celadon City?"
Cynthia smiled slightly and nodded: "Mm."
Fumiko hid her flushed face behind the book, breathing rapidly.
Is this the sour taste of romance novels... eek!
Caitlin bit her pillow inside the blankets: "Hmph!"
Diantha nodded gracefully with a faint smile.
"I must admit, even in Pokémon Hollywood, no male star compares to his looks."
"That's not what matters to me." Cynthia shook her head gently.
"Then what is?" Diantha asked curiously.
Cynthia crossed her arms, resting her chin on slender fingers as she pondered intently.
The fireworks at summer's end, wheat fields swaying in the wild breeze, beautiful moonlight, and that cool kiss in White Poplar Town.
These memories felt so real—if people are made of their past, then mine is already intertwined with his.
"It's..."
After a long pause, Cynthia blossomed into a radiant smile, her long-lashed eyes curving happily.
"The precious things that happen when one life meets another."
……
Lu Ye stood before Silph Co., looking up at the towering building.
Marshal had disembarked at Vermilion City to work on his rap at the gym.
Lu Ye rode Arcanine and reached Saffron City within an hour.
"I'll come back later."
Lu Ye turned around.
With the official launch tomorrow, employees were working overtime—perfect timing to treat them to late-night snacks.
"Gengarrr~(￣～￣)" Haunter licked an ice cream scoop while nodding.
Lu Ye also had one, slurping as he walked toward the Saffron City villa.
Having Mengmengda around was great—
Housing was never an issue anywhere!
……