Chapter 252: Departure for Cinnabar Island
November 22nd, Sunday. Minor Snow.
Atop Mt. Silver, mist rose from the hot springs, curling into the cold morning air. A Venusaur, its presence restrained yet exuding an undeniable pressure, lay on the ground with its eyes closed, basking in the warmth.
From within the steaming water, Red called out toward the fog, "Thanks, Green."
"No big deal."
Although Aerodactyl was his usual ride, Red often borrowed Green's Charizard. Since Green was free today, he brought Red to Mt. Silver for continued training. Leaping down from Charizard's back, Green scanned the surroundings. "It's been a while… is your hand still not healed?"
"Yeah…" Red gave a helpless smile. "Whenever it gets cold, my wrist still aches."
Back during his match against the Elite Four, Lorelei's Jynx had left him with an enduring injury. Despite that, Red had still claimed the title of Champion. It was only after he retired that a rising star took over the title. Lorelei had always felt guilty about it, but Red himself remained optimistic—it just meant he had to visit hot springs for treatment.
Green's gaze flickered. "I heard the hot springs on Cinnabar Island are great for healing too… you should give them a try."
Red looked slightly surprised.
"Cinnabar has an active underground volcano. Blaine even built one of Kanto's most famous resort spas there," Green sighed. "You really have been out of touch with the world for too long!"
"Ahaha, well… The hot springs here work so well that I never felt the need to look elsewhere," Red admitted, scratching his head.
"Even the best treatments lose effectiveness over time," Green said. "You should check out other healing spots before your old injury flares up again."
Red nodded. "Thanks."
"Hmph." Green waved a hand and hopped onto Charizard's back. "I'm heading out first."
Watching Green fly off, Red fell into thought. Cinnabar Island, huh… Since I'm leaving Mt. Silver anyway, I might as well bring the gang along for a trip!
"A trip to the resort?" Lu Ye blinked at the message in the group chat. "Why the sudden idea?"
"Mainly to see if other hot springs help with healing," Red smiled apologetically. "I guess it's a bit troublesome, huh?"
"No, no trouble at all!" Yellow's face turned bright red. "I—I want to go!"
As the culprit behind Red's injury, Lorelei's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That sounds amazing!" Lovers in a snowy hot spring retreat… The image is too enticing!
Gold: "I don't think anyone actually invited you, Lorelei-senpai…"
A vein popped on Lorelei's forehead. Changing how you address me doesn't mean I won't write your name in my little blacklist!
Misty, currently training on the Seafoam Islands, was only a half-hour away. She was about to say something but sighed and stayed quiet.
Sapphire: "Oh! Mt. Chimney in Hoenn has hot springs too! Red-senpai, I can book a spot for you!"
"Sounds good," Red replied. "But since we've set our destination, I'll check out Cinnabar first."
Ruby: "Such a shame… Sapphire and I are still traveling the world, or else we'd join you."
Lu Ye's expression turned strange. "Traveling the world," huh? More like a honeymoon!
In the end, Red and Yellow became the ones heading to the resort.
"How long are you staying?" Blue asked with a sly grin. "If you book through me, I can get you a group discount~!"
"No need for a group deal…" Red coughed lightly. "Just two days, one night. We should be back by Tuesday."
Gold: "Can I come? I've never been to a resort before."
Crystal: "No!"
"Huh?"
Crystal's face turned red as she quickly switched to private chat. "I-If you want to go, I can go with you next time… Just don't interrupt Red-senpai and Yellow!"
"Really? Feels like they'd be more awkward alone…" Despite his cluelessness, Gold nodded thoughtfully.
Traveling alone with Yellow, Red felt a bit nervous.
Red: "@Green, wanna come along?"
Green: "I have to watch the gym."
"Lu Ye is free, you could ask him," Sabrina suddenly suggested.
Lu Ye's heart skipped a beat. If I go along… wouldn't Yellow hate me forever?!
But to his surprise, Yellow also sent him a private message, blushing as she hesitated. "T-Teacher Lu… Could you come too? Otherwise, I… I don't know how to act…"
Lu Ye silently gazed at the sky. So this is… two romance rookies needing a third wheel to bridge the gap?
Lu Ye tossed the dilemma into a private chat with his "love detectives."
Lu Ye: "What do I do? Any good ideas?"
Lorelei: "Lock them in a room for two days and one night!"
"That might actually get someone killed!" Lu Ye grimaced. Lorelei… what kind of weird shoujo manga have you been reading?!
"Patience is key," Erika pondered. "Teacher Lu, perhaps you could casually nudge things along?"
Lance: "I think that's a solid plan."
Lorelei: "Lu Ye, whether or not we get the good gossip depends on you!"
"B-But I have class on Tuesday…" Lu Ye muttered weakly.
"No worries," Erika smiled. "I'll cover for you."
Lu Ye's expression turned complicated. The Gym Leader of Celadon City… is her heart just pure darkness?! But as a group leader, he was responsible for his friends' love lives. Taking a deep breath, he opened the main chat.
Lu Ye: "Alright, count me in for the resort trip!"
Both Red and Yellow let out a long sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Sabrina frowned, sensing something was… off. If Lu Ye goes to Cinnabar Island… wouldn't that mean three whole days without Gengar? Her mood suddenly dipped.
With the trip finalized, Lu Ye prepared for his departure. Meeting Red soon, he felt a small sense of excitement. Plus, with the heavy responsibility of gathering gossip, he had to stay alert. "Two days and one night… I still need to make it back for Tuesday's class." Lu Ye rubbed his chin. "Ah, whatever. I'll just let Erika sub for me… Can't let this trip go to waste!"
Opening his laptop, he updated his livestream status: [Out gathering inspiration, BRB in three days! Will discuss new tactics when I return.]
With that, he packed his bags and set off for Cinnabar Island.
[Inorin Note:
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