The spring sunlight was radiant outside, with willow catkins drifting hazily through the golden beams.

Pushing open the door, Cynthia saw a familiar figure with the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen, backed by glorious sunshine and the unique fragrance of freshly laundered clothes.

A smile naturally bloomed on Cynthia's face. "You're up early today."

"Didn't have to stay up all night gaming with you," Lu Ye glanced sideways. "Of course I'm up early."

"Grrrrowl!" Garchomp widened its eyes, its scythe-like arms twitching with energy.

Listen here punk, you better explain yourself clearly!

"We can get ready to head out now," Lu Ye smiled. "Packed lunches for two, plus their favorite pancakes and Pokémon blocks."

Garchomp froze, drool involuntarily dripping from its mouth: "Grrrowl...(¯﹃¯)"

Stealing a glance at Cynthia's profile, Garchomp took half a step back and slowly nodded.

This isn't surrender - it's just letting him offer tribute first!

Cynthia rested her hands in the pockets of her elegant black coat, smiling gently:

"I'll change clothes, then we can go."

She used the dialect word for "we" from Celestic Town, pausing momentarily when she realized it.

Her gaze flickered to confirm Lu Ye hadn't noticed.

He was untying his apron, turning to wave with his pale, slender fingers.

"Hurry up," Lu Ye said firmly. "I'm only giving you half an hour."

"Okay~" Cynthia's eyes curved into crescents.

......

Near Masago Town, in the mountains.

"Gengarrr~(～￣▽￣)～" The round purple ghost floated leisurely through the air carrying a lunchbox.

Lu Ye pushed his Rotom bike along unhurriedly.

"Eeef-fuu~♪" Sylveon stretched its ribbon to wrap around his arm, prancing proudly on all fours.

In the bike basket sat a Sirfetch'd with folded wings and sharp eyes.

"Isn't this Togepi's spot?" Lu Ye blinked.

"Quack?_(:3」∠)_" Sirfetch'd gave him a flat look.

Lu Ye: "...Nevermind, keep lounging."

"Togepriii~" Togepi squirmed restlessly in Cynthia's arms, looking around excitedly.

Turning back, Lu Ye saw Cynthia wearing a white T-shirt under a navy plaid shirt with tailored black wide-leg pants.

Her golden hair cascaded over pale shoulders and along her slender waist as she tilted her head questioningly while holding Togepi.

'Today's Togepi is so big... no, so white.'

Lu Ye let his thoughts drift with the spring breeze, feeling the sunlight permeate through his clothes everywhere it touched.

The warmth made him drowsy, especially with the faint cherry blossom fragrance in the air prompting a yawn.

"I remember there's a shrine nearby," Cynthia remarked as they walked through falling cherry petals.

"According to the granny at the local market," Lu Ye said, "it originally enshrined Mesprit, the Emotion Pokémon of Lake Verity. After being abandoned, rangers and volunteers maintain it now."

Cynthia nodded slightly, lifting her face to reveal her delicate jawline as she murmured softly:

"The Emotion Pokémon... Mesprit..."

Their view opened to a weathered torii gate, with Starly wings fluttering and Kricketot chirping faintly.

The trees grew taller as they followed the gravel path, sunlight dispersing the mist to reveal sprawling cherry blossom groves.

On a flat mountainside clearing,

They arrived with the cart in just fifteen minutes at precisely 2pm, the temperature pleasantly mild.

Under the cherry blossoms where Cherubi nestled on branches and Budew quietly unfurled leaves,

Numerous elderly folks in bright clothing had spread picnic blankets laden with snacks.

"How have you been?"

"Thanks for asking... my child's business is doing well."

"Look at my well-behaved Shinx, tsk tsk, so obedient."

The massive Arcanine drew curious looks as it sniffed the low-hanging blossoms with a goofy smile.

"Arrrooo~"

The elders sipped barley tea, continuing their cheerful conversations.

"Forgot to bring a picnic mat," Cynthia realized with a palm strike.

"I packed one," Lu Ye said calmly. "I even brought an induction cooker, oven, and mini-fridge."

"Hmm?" Cynthia blinked.

"Just have Rotom use Charge Beam for power," Lu Ye explained.

Given the chance, Lu Ye could probably fit an entire cocktail bar into Haunter's extradimensional pockets—

It gave dungeon inventory vibes... though the space expanded with Haunter's growing power, which made sense.

"Togepriii~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ" Togepi jumped from Cynthia's arms to tug at the mat's corner.

Cynthia knelt to help Lu Ye spread the mat smoothly.

The pancakes in the insulated box were still crispy and warm, spread with blueberry jam;

the glowing energy blocks were made from rare berries.

Lu Ye mused: "The berries from the system store are quality guaranteed."

[?]

Taking out cutlery and ceramic plates, Lu Ye produced a container of [Nine-Vegetable Terrine]... freshly chilled with perfect jiggle.

Cynthia sat cross-legged on the mat, revealing pale ankles as she rested her chin on one hand, her deep gray eyes quietly observing Lu Ye.

"What?" Lu Ye asked.

"You look very handsome today," Cynthia smiled.

"Always do," Lu Ye slid a plate toward her. "For you, milady."

Cynthia's eyes sparkled at the colorful terrine. "This dish is beautiful."

"Though it has one flaw," Lu Ye said.

Cynthia tilted her head seriously. "I think it's perfect already."

"It's not as perfect as the person tasting it - both the chef's failure and honor."

Cynthia paused with her fork, giving Lu Ye an amused look before smiling. "But I haven't tasted it yet."

After a thoughtful pause, Lu Ye pointed at Haunter and Garchomp nearby.

The two Pokémon weren't using utensils at all, just upending plates into their bottomless mouths.

Haunter &

Garchomp: (￣～￣)

Haunter &

Garchomp: (✪ω✪)

A delicate smile graced Cynthia's face as she tucked golden strands behind one ear, bringing the fork to her lips and closing her eyes to savor it.

Clink—the sound of cutlery on porcelain.

After a long moment, Cynthia exhaled softly with faint pink cheeks. "It's... incredibly delicious."

For an instant, she remembered her grandmother holding her small hand along Celestic Town's country paths.

Back then, the world was silent as twilight painted the fields gold.

Young Cynthia swung a foxtail grass while singing loudly with Gible.

Gible: "Waka waka!"

Cynthia: "Pfft... you sound terrible!"

"WAKA WAKA!" Gible stomped indignantly.

The memory faded as Cynthia opened her eyes to see a dark-haired young man smiling warmly back.

Her heart seemed to skip a beat, though her expression remained gently composed.

"Have you fallen for me?" Lu Ye suddenly asked.

"I've always liked you," Cynthia replied cheerfully.

Lu Ye: "..."

"Why are you blushing?" Cynthia teased with a blink.

Dammit... Mengmengda's too adorable, got counterattacked!

"Just... invigorated... cough, that reference is ancient," Lu Ye cleared his throat.

"Gengarr~ヾ(≧∇≦*)ヾ" Haunter patted Teacher Lu's shoulder.

Lu Ye pressed Haunter's head down into his shadow. "Alright, crisis averted."

"Geng... glub glub." Haunter blew bubbles as it 'drowned' in darkness.

Cynthia couldn't suppress her laughter, the hidden side of her face curving into a noble yet tender smile.

They picnicked facing each other, cutlery clinking as their gazes occasionally met amidst floating golden light.

The scene crystallized into something resembling a world-famous painting—

"Lucian at Work"

......

"Speaking of which," Cynthia munched on pancakes like a squirrel before taking another bite, "Lucian mentioned needing reinforcements."

"What's up?" Lu Ye handed her a glass of iced juice.

Cynthia held the dewy glass, frowning slightly after some thought:

"Related to Sinnoh's volcanic activity... he already sent Flint, but the International Police Headquarters is sending agents, so it requires more attention."

International Police?

Lu Ye paused—wasn't that basically his underlings?

Volcanic activity... could it involve Heatran...

Worth looking into, Lu Ye pondered. He'd been on the International Police payroll for a year without claiming benefits. If this involved Heatran, maybe he could get Arcanine some perks.

"Which agent is coming?" Lu Ye asked curiously.

"Codenamed 'Handsome'," Cynthia said. "An inspection chief who's solved major cases across Sinnoh."

That really is my subordinate! Lu Ye realized.

Due to his habit of reckless solo operations and repeated rule-breaking—

Handsome's current rank was three levels below Teacher Lu's.

A tragedy that would move listeners to tears!

"So I can't stay home for long," Cynthia stretched lazily, pulling her slipped shirt back onto her shoulder. "Tomorrow... well, the day after, I need to relieve Lucian."

Lu Ye: "You just secretly gave yourself an extra day off!"

Cynthia tilted her head with an innocent smile.

What bad intentions could the Sinnoh Champion possibly have?

Lu Ye looked skyward, imagining Lucian standing in Snowpoint City's snowfall, shoulders dusted white.

Snow, so much snow!

Resolving to contact the International Police later, Lu Ye yawned drowsily in the cherry blossom-scented air:

"Let's go home and nap."

Cynthia's head snapped up, eyes gleaming.

Lu Ye: "...Too tired, no."

Cynthia smiled wordlessly.

Lu Ye: "...Just one round."

Cynthia held up a finger. "Best two out of three."

Who wouldn't love staying home gaming with Mengmengda before going out to let Garchomp wreak havoc?

With a resigned smile, Lu Ye fished Haunter out from its shadow swimming.

"Pack up, time to head home."

Haunter transformed into a diligent housekeeper, confidently thumping its chest.

"Gengarr!"

......