Want to read ahead. You know where
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The Collection in Hearthome City was in full swing, and Cynthia appeared as a guest on behalf of the Pokémon League.
Her presence alone elevated the event, adding prestige, drawing crowds, and stepping up the entire Conference's atmosphere.
It was all that was needed.
After fulfilling their public duties, Sam and Cynthia slipped away to relax and explore the city together, strolling through markets and quiet streets, taking in the sights without the pressure of the spotlight.
Even in their absence, stories about the two of them swirled through the venue like wildfire.
Earlier that day, Sam's performance had stunned the crowd.
His themed showcase, "Four Seasons For You," had set the bar impossibly high.
No act that followed could hope to match it.
The rest of the performances fell flat in comparison, beautiful, perhaps, but forgettable.
The crowd grew restless.
Some even drifted off, eyes glazed over.
With the local TV station broadcasting the event live, the scene quickly made its way across the region.
Online, countless self-made content creators clipped the highlight reel and reuploaded it.
The performance exploded in popularity.
Social media lit up. Trending tags popped up instantly:
#SamuelAndCynthia#FourSeasonsForYou – Romantic to death
#HotProfessorHistory – Love love love
To add fuel to the fire, the reigning champion of the Collection circuit, Wallace himself, dropped a comment under one of the videos:
"Four Seasons, it's you!"
That single line sent forums into chaos.
"I never understood how Professor Samuel managed to win over our goddess Cynthia… Now I get it."
"He's handsome, intelligent, powerful, and romantic. What chance do we have?"
"No woman can resist that combo."
"From this moment on, Sam is my life goal."
"Forget the romance, did anyone else see the LUGIA next to him?!"
"Lugia. That's a legendary Pokémon, right?"
"What's a Lugia?"
"Hoenn native here. Sootopolis City. Let me break it down."
"There was a battle not long ago between Groudon and Kyogre. The League called in Samuel, and he summoned Rayquaza."
"Yes, the Rayquaza."
"The legend. The sky sovereign. The one that silences ancient gods."
"He rode it. He rode Rayquaza. Like a knight on a dragon."
"I'm screaming. This man is unreal."
"Sam is insane. In the best way."
The next morning, sunlight streamed softly into their hotel suite.
Cynthia lay sprawled across the bed, still sound asleep.
A pair of bunny-shaped earrings dangled faintly from her ears, and her pale gold hair was tousled across the pillows.
She wore a loose one-piece pajama shirt, one long leg casually draped over
Sam's waist, evidence of last night's playful roleplay still lingering in the air.
Sam gently shifted out from under her and moved quietly toward the bathroom.
But even that small motion stirred her awake.
"Mmhh…" Cynthia let out a sleepy yawn and squinted toward him.
Her voice was thick with sleep, but her eyes were already tracking him with lazy affection.
"You're up early…"
Sam smiled and leaned over, giving her nose a playful pinch.
"Morning."
She smiled back, still half-asleep but visibly content.
"Nooo~"
"I still want to lie down a little longer~" Cynthia said in a soft, coaxing voice, clearly using her charms.
"Come keep me company~"
Sam smiled, shaking his head.
"Alright, alright. You win. You always do."
There was no helping it. He lay back down beside her.
Cynthia immediately snuggled in, resting her head comfortably on his arm.
Her small nose pressed gently against him as she took a deep breath, like she was memorizing his scent.
"Hey, baby…" she murmured.
"Let's get married."
Sam turned his head, eyebrow raised and a teasing smirk on his lips.
"So eager to be my wife?"
Cynthia didn't flinch.
She looked at him straight on, eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.
"What? You think I'd let someone else steal you away that easily?"
"Oh?" Sam chuckled.
"And if I were kidnapped?"
"Then I'll have you tied down before that happens. Married or not."
He laughed again.
"That's how it works? Have you ever watched football?"
"What does football have to do with this?"
"Even with a goalkeeper, people still score."
Cynthia rolled her eyes, then turned away with a dramatic little "Hmph~", giving him her back like she was pouting.
Message received.
"Alright, alright," Sam said with a laugh.
He leaned over and brushed his chin, just rough enough to tickle, along her arm.
"Ack, stop! It tickles!" Cynthia squirmed, laughing despite herself.
"You know I can't take that!"
He grinned.
"Then answer me seriously… when do you want to set the wedding date?"
The mood shifted, just slightly.
Cynthia turned back to face him again, this time her expression earnest.
"After I finish the Champion ranking match," she said.
"As soon as that's done, we get married. No delays."
Sam didn't hesitate.
"Deal."
Her cheeks flushed pink.
"Then I guess… I'll have to start calling you something different."
She leaned in and whispered,
"Husband~"
He answered with a low smile.
"Wife~"
The way she looked at him, soft and sincere, her face still glowing, Sam couldn't help himself.
He leaned in and kissed her.
They stayed like that a while, warm and close, tangled in each other's presence, until reality called.
It was time to part ways again.
Cynthia had to return to Lily of the Valley to focus on her final preparations for the world ranking match.
Meanwhile, Sam would resume his travels, continuing his journey and, along the way, preparing to capture his fourth Pokémon.
At the door, as she zipped up her bag, Cynthia gave him a teasing glance.
"Don't miss me too much, okay?"
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Define too much."
"You're only allowed to think of me 86,400 times a day."
He laughed. "That's very specific."
She smirked.
"Because any more than that would mean you miss me more than I miss you, and that's not allowed."
When she finished packing, she held her arms open wide like a child asking for a hug.
"Come on, don't just stand there."
"Of course."
He wrapped her in a warm embrace, holding her a little tighter than usual.
After a long moment, Cynthia finally stepped out the door, slinging her backpack over one shoulder.
But just a few steps down the hallway, she stopped again, turning back with a familiar sparkle in her eyes.
"…Husband~" she called sweetly.
Sam looked at her, already knowing what was coming.
"I want a kiss~"
With a soft sigh, but a fond smile, he stepped forward and met her lips once more.
After all, she was his wife.
Spoiling her a little was part of the job.