Paul's encounter with Ash was unknown to Victor.
At this moment, he was at the Breeding House, chatting with Gary.
With Cynthia, a knowledgeable researcher in her own right, present, she would occasionally interject, discussing topics with Gary and offering him guidance.
Shana lay on Cynthia's lap and yawned.
She turned, trying to see Big Sister Cynthia's face, but she couldn't.
She had been playing all day, and listening to Victor and the others talk, her eyelids grew heavy.
Soon, she drifted off to sleep.
Cynthia gently stroked Shana's small head.
Seeing that she was asleep, the group lowered their voices.
...
"Mmm—"
Shana opened her eyes. The light in the room no longer bothered her.
She sat up and rubbed her small eyes, her silver hair falling messily around her.
She looked around, her heart full of confusion.
Strange, how did I get back to my room? Wasn't I with Uncle and Big Sister Cynthia last night?
Her movements woke up the Tinkerbell beside her bed.
Ching-ching~
The Chingling gently bounced onto the top of Shana's head, letting out a pleasant sound.
"Tinkerbell, do you know how I got back to my room?" Shana asked drowsily.
Ching-ching~ Tinkerbell shook its body.
Shana thought for a moment, but couldn't figure it out, so she stopped thinking about it.
She climbed out of bed, put on her small slippers, and went to the bathroom to get ready.
After washing her face and brushing her teeth, Shana put on a long, warm princess dress.
She then grabbed a hair tie from her nightstand and, with Tinkerbell on her head, pushed open the door and ran downstairs.
Passing Victor's room, she quietly turned the doorknob.
She found it was unlocked and poked her small head inside.
"You're up?"
Victor, holding Vulpix, poked his head out of the bathroom and smiled at the small, sneaky head in his doorway.
"Hehe."
Ever since coming to the Breeding House, Shana had learned Gengar's signature grin.
She would grin widely, showing all her white teeth.
"Come on in."
Hearing Victor, Shana pushed the door open and ran in, plopping down on his bed.
She looked curiously at the photos and items on his dressing table.
Gengar came to her side.
Shana pointed at Gengar's piggy bank and asked what it was.
Gengar brought it over for her to see.
When Shana saw the money inside, she understood.
She ran back to her room, took the allowance Victor had given her from her drawer, and ran back.
"For you."
Gengar stared, mouth agape, at the money Shana was holding out.
It took the money, looked at Shana, and then put it back into the pocket of her dress.
It even took some money from its own piggy bank and stuffed it into her pocket as well.
"Gengar—"
This is for you to buy candy.
Shana grinned.
Victor, holding a clean towel, walked out just in time to see this.
Yoho, the big brother is giving his little sister an allowance?
"Do I get any, Gengar?" Victor teased, glancing at it.
"Gengar!" Gengar clutched its piggy bank and shook its head frantically.
No way!
Victor rolled his eyes. "You little miser."
He ignored Gengar and placed the warm, damp towel on Shana's face.
"Uncle— I alrea'y wa'hed!" Shana's voice was muffled.
"Then you can wash it again."
After her face was clean, Victor handed the towel to Gengar and reached for the hair tie in Shana's hand.
"You don't have to tie my hair today, uncle."
Shana ducked away, and with that one simple sentence, Victor's heart shattered.
Victor: ?!
Shana ignored him and ran out the door.
"Gengar?"
Where'd Shana go?
Victor didn't answer. He was still heartbroken.
Gengar gently nudged him.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of shattering porcelain.
"Gengar?! Σ(òДó|||)"
Victor, finally pulling himself together, followed Gengar downstairs.
He found Gary, tying Shana's hair.
Gary, busy with her hair, suddenly felt a murderous aura.
He looked up and saw Victor squinting at him.
Not knowing what he'd done, Gary just greeted him.
"Good morning, Owner. And Gengar."
"Gengar—"
"Morning."
Victor decided not to stoop to a child's level.
"By the way, Owner, I'll be leaving in a little while."
"So soon?" Victor was surprised. He just got here yesterday, and he's already leaving?
"Yes. I was thinking last night about what you and Champion Cynthia said, and I've decided to head to the cities that have records of ancient Pokémon. I'll also challenge the Gyms along the way."
Victor nodded, supporting his decision.
"I'll be sure to mail the badges back to you."
Victor was stunned. He was only kidding, but he didn't expect Gary to take it seriously.
But since he had said it, it meant he truly wasn't interested in participating in the League Conference.
It's fine if I hold onto his badges for him. If he ever changes his mind and wants to compete, I can just send them to him.
Thinking this, Victor replied, "Alright."
"If you don't know which city to go to first, Oreburgh City is a good choice."
"Oreburgh City?" Gary paused. He remembered that the Rock-type Gym was there, and he'd heard the Gym Leader also had an ancient Pokémon.
Gary nodded.
"Okay, I understand."
He finished tying Shana's hair.
"Thank you, Big Brother Gary!" Shana's voice was crisp and clear.
Gary smiled and patted her small head, then headed to the backyard to check on the condition of the boarded Pokémon for Victor.
I have to say, with Gary here, I don't have to do these things myself. He's so self-motivated.
As expected of Professor Oak's grandson.
Victor took the report Gary had compiled and looked it over.
Soon, it was lunchtime. Victor and Shana had lunch with Gary, and then they all saw him to the door.
"I'm off, Owner. And you too, little Shana."
Victor nodded.
"Good luck, Big Brother Gary!" Shana cheered, pumping her small fist.
Gary smiled and waved.
Just as Gary was about to mount his Arcanine, Victor suddenly spoke.
"I'll be looking forward to the day you become an outstanding Pokémon Researcher."
"If you run into any trouble, remember to let me know."
After all, I'm friends with the Champion, and my own strength isn't half-bad either.
Gary was touched and nodded.
He then rode off on his Arcanine.
"Gary's gone?" a lazy voice came from behind him.
The second Shana was free from her sadness over Gary's departure, she threw herself into Cynthia's arms.
"Big Sister Cynthia~"
Cynthia bent down and picked her up.
"Yes. He has his own goals to pursue, after all."
Hearing this, Cynthia smiled.
"I'm starving. Is there anything to eat?"
"I saved you some food. It's the knife-cut noodles from last night. Do you want them?"
"Yes!"
Watching Cynthia, whose attire was starting to look more and more like casual home-wear, Victor laughed.
"Go on, then. Dessert is a new-version ice cream."
(Cynthia's eyes lit up.)
...
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