As the late afternoon sun poured golden light into the lab, Akg stood at the entrance with Rena perched lightly on his shoulder.
"Well, Miss Daisy, thank you for the tour," he said politely. "I learned a lot today. I'll come back tomorrow to start helping with your research."
Daisy smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're welcome, Akg. I'm glad you enjoyed it. You're… pretty sharp for your age."
Akg grinned. "I try. See you tomorrow!"
He turned and walked off, Rena waving a tiny hand as they disappeared down the hill road from the lab.
Daisy stood in the doorway for a few seconds longer than necessary, watching him leave. When she finally stepped back inside, her grandfather was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, with an unmistakably amused smirk.
"You seem to like that boy."
Daisy flinched, her cheeks coloring. "G-Grandpa!"
"What?" Professor Oak chuckled. "You were smiling an awful lot during that tour. I haven't seen you this animated since we got that shiny Eevee in last spring."
"It's not like that!" she huffed, turning away. "He's just… interesting. Really smart. And mature for his age. You don't meet many kids like that."
Professor Oak leaned forward, chin resting on his hand. "Hmm. Interesting, smart, mature… sounds like someone has a little crush."
"Grandpa!" she snapped, now fully red in the face. "I'm going to organize the lab notes now—alone!" she added, already turning on her heel.
Professor Oak laughed heartily as she walked away, flustered and trying to ignore him.
"Well, well," he muttered to himself. "That boy's going to shake up more than just the Pokémon world, it seems."
And with that, the lab returned to its peaceful rhythm, the air carrying the soft hum of machinery and perhaps—just maybe—a bit of fate beginning to stir.