[T/N: I will release 50 chapters if we get 200 power stones by the end of this week.]
The next morning, as the sun rose, the door of the yorozuya (odd job's office) slid open from the inside, letting in a wave of warmth with the sunlight.
Hoshino checked the weather, then took out the freshly washed clothes to dry in the sun before heading back inside to prepare breakfast for the gang.
Tandemaus were running around the living room, playing with Gengar and Cyclizar, completely used to the place now. But in just two days, the pair would have to be sent back home to Paldea.
After breakfast, Hoshino and Cyclizar, with Gengar in tow, headed out for the job, while Tandemaus stayed behind to look after the Pokémon egg. The egg had been shaking more and more lately—looked like it was about to hatch soon...
"Damn, the princess really got here early. Did she catch the first bus or something?"
Hoshino glanced at the message Lillie had sent, then immediately remembered how she'd lectured him last night. His face twisted into an expression he couldn't even put into words.
"…How am I supposed to face her later? Should I just act like nothing happened and keep being my usual self? Ugh, whatever. Also, those Meowths haven't shown up for a while. Finally gave up? Or are they plotting something big again?"
He changed the topic with himself, and Gengar, sitting on his head, had no idea what he was mumbling about. She just kept enjoying the breeze, watching the scenery go by.
The night's snowfall had mostly melted under the morning sun. Hoshino was so familiar with the route to the hospital that he didn't even need a map. In no time, they arrived.
"Over here!"
Lillie waved at him with a bright smile. Today, she had dressed in something more practical—a short skirt for easier movement. She'd also ditched her usual white sunhat and tied her long hair into a single ponytail, making her look full of energy.
"Alola~"
"…Alola."
Hoshino responded, though it still felt a little awkward. He wasn't used to this at all. Gengar and Cyclizar greeted her too, completely unfazed.
"Gengar~"
"Cyclizar~"
"Alola! You two look full of energy today. Let's do our best for the job!"
Lillie was excited about the mission ahead. After all, this was the final test to determine if she could officially join the Odd Jobs Office.
Hoshino avoided eye contact to dodge the awkwardness and scooped up Gengar, who had been floating toward Lillie to mess with her. Then he said, "Let's wait a little longer. It's almost time. Decidueye should be here any minute now."
"Got it."
Lillie nodded and sat down on a bench with him. They kept a little distance between them, as if deliberately.
After a while, Hoshino was the one who broke the awkward silence. He slowly said, "So... since we're, uh… friends? Can you tell me more about yourself? I want to know more."
"Huh?"
"I mean, why are you afraid of Pokémon? There's gotta be a reason for it, right?"
Hoshino was curious. He had a gut feeling that this stubborn princess wasn't going away anytime soon, so it was best to understand her now before she unknowingly dragged him into trouble later.
Hearing this, Lillie's smile faded a little. She shook her head and softly replied, "Actually… I don't know. It feels like I forgot something important."
"One day, I just started being terrified of Pokémon. Every time I touched one, I'd instinctively react—both physically and mentally."
Hoshino thought for a moment and guessed, "Maybe your brain is trying to protect you, so it made you forget something traumatic? But even if you don't remember, your body still does, which is why you react that way."
"Everyone says that too, but I still don't know what happened or how to overcome it. And my mother… No, never mind."
At the mention of her mother, Lillie's eyes darkened for a moment, but she quickly shook her head and lowered her voice.
She didn't continue and changed the subject instead. She turned to Hoshino and asked, "What about you? There must be a reason why you act like this, right? Maybe... a lack of family?"
"I've been an orphan since birth. No family."
"…I'm sorry."
Lillie immediately realized her mistake—this was something she should've already known but still ended up bringing up.
But Hoshino just shook his head and replied, "It's fine. Besides, that was in the past. I have a family now, don't I?"
Saying that, he patted Gengar's head and glanced over at Cyclizar, who was busy chasing a wild Nacli in the nearby trees.
Lillie immediately understood what he meant and murmured, "So you see Pokémon as family… Is that why you started the Od- yorozuya?"
Hoshino chuckled, stood up, and said, "The only thing I'm good at is dealing with Pokémon. If I can't succeed in the thing I'm best at, then I don't know what the hell my life is even for."
"…Didn't you fail every single one of your school exams?"
"Say one more word, and I'm breaking down."
Seeing his reaction, Lillie giggled, but the next second, Hoshino suddenly placed Gengar on her lap. Her smile froze. Then—
"!!!"
"If you're scared of Pokémon, you just have to keep interacting with them until you're used to it. That's the best way to level up as a trainer!"
"Gengar~"
Gengar grinned and rubbed her hands against Lillie's face. She already liked this cute, flustered girl and figured she might as well get along with her early.
As they were messing around, the leaves above them rustled, and Decidueye swooped down from the treetops. It nearly stumbled on landing.
"Hoo…"
"He's here."
Hoshino straightened up, Gengar returned to his shoulder, and Lillie—despite still being a bit annoyed—composed herself. It was time to get to work!
"Hoo…"
"Your trainer is in the ICU at this hospital? Got it… You two must be close, huh?"
"Hoo!"
"…I see. Ever since your trainer's health got worse, they've been in and out of the hospital, so you haven't seen them much these past two years?"
Hoshino listened carefully, deciphering Decidueye's hoots and gestures. Lillie, watching from the side, was impressed. She wanted to learn this too.
But for now, she focused on the conversation. Hearing the translation, she asked instinctively, "If that's the case, why aren't you staying by their side? Did something happen between you two?"
Lillie voiced the question Hoshino had been about to ask. But Decidueye shook his head—he and his trainer had always been on good terms. The sudden distance was as confusing to him as it was to them.
"…That is strange."
Hoshino took notes and continued, "Did your trainer have any other Pokémon? They've been traveling for years—surely you weren't the only one, right?"
"Hoo…"
Decidueye shook his head again. As he moved, a few feathers drifted down. Lillie noticed but was about to speak when Hoshino gestured for her to wait.
"So, after all the encounters and separations on your journey, only you remained by their side…" Hoshino murmured. Then, after a moment of thought, he nodded and said, "Alright, leave it to us. We'll investigate. You'll be nearby, right?"
"Hoo…"
Decidueye nodded, then struggled to take off, his flight visibly weaker.
As he left, Lillie's expression turned somber. She placed a hand over her chest and quietly said, "He doesn't have much time left, either…"
"Let's go. First stop—the hospital."
"Right."
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