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Mesagoza, Seafood Fresco.
This is a chain restaurant in the Paldea region specializing in seafood. The flagship store located in Mesagoza has consistently ranked among the top five on the list of best food reviews.
However, today, with so many visitors in Mesagoza, this shop was unusually closed for business.
The reason was simple—
A wealthy woman who was generous with her spending simply waved her hand and booked the entire day's use of the restaurant.
"Thank you for treating me again, Caitlin."
Gracefully twirling her fork, Cynthia looked at Caitlin, who had already finished eating and was quietly admiring her, revealing a gentle smile.
"It's okay, I have no shortage of money."
Caitlin waved it off, her casual remark left Aiden, sitting beside Cynthia, speechless.
Although he knew that what this little heiress said was true, he couldn't help but feel like she was showing off, which made him quite annoyed...
Originally, Aiden planned to take a casual stroll with Cynthia, but after encountering Caitlin, that small idea obviously became almost impossible.
So, all Aiden could do now was—
"Boss, bring another serving of seafood pasta, and more smoked fish slices and crayfish!"
Transform anger into appetite!
When people are extremely angry, they can devour ten plates of crayfish in one breath!
Aiden savored the smooth texture of rice pudding in his mouth while shouting toward the kitchen.
"Gao!"
"Lu!"
"Bui~"
At another table not far from him, Pokémon led by Garchomp were wolfing down plate after plate of delicious food.
Among them, Miraidon, whose eating speed was unmatched, making people suspect whether it secretly performed Dragon Dance, already had a pile of plates in front of it.
Even the Indeedee sister responsible for serving dishes was startled by the sight before her, as if they had fallen into the hungry ghost realm.
Do these Pokémon usually live very harsh lives?
Why does it feel like they've never had a full meal...
An inexplicable pity arose in Indeedee's heart for them, and she felt grateful for her good fortune in meeting a good boss.
Indeed, the boss was right; the outside world is truly cruel...
Therefore, being able to have food and lodging covered is something to be very thankful for!
"By the way, Caitlin."
Silently observing Aiden taking revenge by indulging in food with satisfaction, Cynthia suddenly remembered something and turned her gaze towards Caitlin.
"Since you've left Battle Castle, it means—"
"You've already gained complete control over your psychic powers, right?"
Because psychic powers are easily influenced by emotions and thus prone to losing control, Caitlin rarely leaves Battle Castle.
To maintain a calm state of mind, she needs a lot of sleep every day, earning her the nickname "Sleeping Beauty" in the Battle Frontier.
However, it seems that issue has been resolved now?
"Mm-hmm, there's no problem now!"
Under Cynthia's earnest gaze, Caitlin nodded heavily, feeling much happier.
She cares about me!
Sure enough, Cynthia still has a place for me in her heart!
Initially, Caitlin wasn't very certain if she could resolve this hidden danger.
But after watching an exhibition match that sent her blood pressure soaring, even with her emotions repeatedly on the verge of going out of control, her psychic powers remained stable.
"So, there will be opportunities to challenge you at Battle Castle in the future, right?"
Cynthia smiled faintly.
After becoming Champion, recently she feels surrounded by good news.
The new Elite Four members are all reliable candidates, and Lucian even shows potential to become the backbone of the League;
Aiden, whom she hadn't contacted for half a year, finally recovered from that incident and chose to stay in Paldea to take on the responsibilities of the Sun Gym Leader;
Caitlin can finally control her psychic powers and is no longer confined to the small Battle Castle.
Thinking about this, she suddenly felt a bit sentimental.
Perhaps encounters between people are sometimes truly fated.
Five years ago, due to a coincidence in Celestic Town, she met Caitlin, and the three quickly became good friends.
Five years later, thousands of miles away in Paldea, the three once again reunited fatefully...
Indeed, whether between humans and Pokémon or between people, there seems to be a special force guiding us to meet time and time again until our bonds blossom.
Bonds also have another term—
Fate.
Thinking about this, Cynthia's gaze towards Aiden quickly softened.
The surrounding sounds suddenly became quiet, with only the occasional soft chewing sound coming from the nearby Pokémon table.
In those few silent seconds, Caitlin's pupils, who had been in high spirits just moments ago, suddenly began to tremble violently.
Following her gaze, Cynthia, who had been calmly watching Aiden while resting her cheek on her hand, suddenly reached out and wiped off the sauce that had unknowingly gotten on Aiden's lips.
Caitlin's pupils widened sharply.
???
I was only absent-minded for two seconds, how did their relationship become something I don't understand again?
Due to the sudden unusual sensation on her face, Aiden's body suddenly paused, and he instinctively looked at the other side with a confused expression.
"There was something on your face."
Cynthia smiled gently, not continuing any intimate actions often seen in TV dramas but instead wiping her fingers with a napkin from the table.
It seemed that her earlier action was merely an instinctive reaction.
"Oh..."
Aiden was momentarily stunned.
He felt that the atmosphere was a bit strange but couldn't figure out what was wrong.
With Caitlin as the third wheel, he didn't know what to say either.
If that's the case, then let's eat first.
Hmm, how to put it...
From Caitlin's perspective as a "pure passerby," although it seemed slightly intimate, considering their childhood friendship, it didn't seem too unreasonable...?
Even so, Caitlin still felt a slight itch in her nose.
She felt like she had inexplicably become the extra...
Such a terrible feeling!
Caitlin, whose mood had slightly calmed down, immediately slumped again.
Indeed, her decision to go to Unova was the right one!
Out of sight, out of mind!
...
After finishing the meal, Caitlin for some reason got sulky and left hurriedly after saying goodbye to Cynthia.
Aiden was a bit puzzled.
He understood the principle of "eat someone's food and keep your mouth shut," so apart from initially deliberately teasing Caitlin with Pachirisu, he really hadn't done anything else!
Why did she get upset on her own?
Aiden shook his head.
Are psychics really a bunch of emotionally unstable people?
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