It was Steven's second day in the Sinnoh Region.
Carolina gave Steven some "reassuring" advice, then grabbed the sandwich Steven had made and hurried out the door.
Steven first prepared breakfast for his Pokémon, then headed upstairs to knock on Cynthia's door.
"Cynthia, time to get up!"
After a long moment, a soft, drowsy voice drifted from inside the room.
"It's only seven-thirty..."
"But breakfast is going to get cold."
"Let me sleep a little longer..."
Steven smiled helplessly, leaning against the doorframe as he called out, "Remember to heat up that sandwich before you eat it, okay?"
"Okay~~~"
Steven didn't disturb her further and slowly made his way downstairs.
With a sandwich in his mouth, he sat on the grass in the backyard, tinkering with his Energy Cube maker.
"Piplup! Give me a small Ice Beam!"
"Pfft—"
After swallowing the Energy Cube in its mouth, Piplup released a tiny icy breath with a small puff—like someone spitting on the ground.
Steven waited for the cooling process to finish, then extracted the freshly made Energy Cube.
"Come on, open your mouth."
"Piplup! (⊙x⊙)"
Hearing this, Piplup quickly clamped its beak shut, practically sealing it completely.
Steven smiled helplessly and popped the Energy Cube into his own mouth instead.
"Hmm... some improvement, but it's still not good enough to show off to anyone."
Steven sighed softly and put the maker away.
"Yo~"
Skarmory, having finished breakfast, approached Steven and lowered its head.
Steven raised his hand and gently stroked Skarmory's metallic head.
"Wait just a little longer. You can warm up here after you've rested," Steven said with a light chuckle.
"Kao!"
Aggron walked over, clutching its stomach, and pointed a massive finger at its open mouth.
My trainer must feed me!
"Piplup!"
Piplup's round blue head dove into Steven's backpack, and its two small flippers immediately pulled out a mineral chunk as large as its entire body.
Eat up quickly, my best friend!
Don't go hungry!
Steven smiled indulgently, placing a hand on Piplup's head and rubbing it affectionately.
"You little guy knows the organization of items in my backpack perfectly!"
"Piplup! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o"
I'm keeping it low-key!
If you praise me more, I'll get even more full of myself!
Actually, I'm already full of myself without the praise!
"I'm not praising you!"
Aggron was overjoyed, taking the mineral with one hand and using the other to lift Piplup onto its head.
Best friends, forever!
"Piplup! q(≧▽≦q)"
The Best Friends Duo has arrived!
Piplup standing proudly atop Aggron's head gave off a distinct sense of nostalgia—like something from an old hero anime.
"Metagross?"
Metagross approached, holding its book about Hoenn's myths and legends, and curiously pointed at a dragon pattern illustrated within.
"This one..."
Steven looked closely and realized it depicted Rayquaza!
"This is the Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza."
"Legend says that when the Continent Pokémon and the Sea Basin Pokémon battle each other, the Sky High Pokémon will appear to stop them."
"You can think of it as a teacher breaking up a fight between children in kindergarten."
"Metagross..." Metagross nodded thoughtfully.
I understand now...
Steven glanced up at Scizor, who had already begun training Riolu some distance away.
He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out to them:
"Scizor, it's better to rest a bit after eating!"
Scizor raised its leg to block Riolu's attack, then turned its head and nodded acknowledgment to Steven.
It then swept Riolu's legs out from under him, knocking him down, before sitting down itself.
"Uh..."
That's not exactly what I meant by 'taking Riolu down'!
Riolu quickly got back up and sat down just like Scizor.
He really is an obedient little student.
Wait a minute!
Shouldn't I be the one building friendship with Riolu?!
Or... could Riolu potentially evolve once its friendship with Scizor reaches the required threshold?
After all, Steven clearly remembered from his past that a Pichu had lived together with a Kangaskhan mother for a long time, and the Pichu had evolved into Pikachu when they parted ways.
That scene was truly unforgettable.
However, should the Key Stone be given to Scizor so they could undergo Mega Evolution together?
But if Riolu grows closest to Scizor, how would it be able to Mega Evolve with Steven in the future?
Oh no, Steven just realized this potential problem!
Still, Riolu enjoys getting stronger, so providing resources and assistance to help it improve should also increase their bond.
That should work too.
The proper approach for cultivating a bond with Riolu has been determined!
After resting, Steven strapped on his green Macho Brace.
He began training alongside his Pokémon.
Although Steven wanted to grow closer to Riolu, Riolu's high-level strength meant Steven couldn't possibly compete with it during physical training.
"Steven~ Good morning~"
Hearing Cynthia's lazy greeting, Steven stopped his movements and looked up toward the second-floor window.
Cynthia leaned on the windowsill with one hand while rubbing her eyes with the other.
Her messy golden hair had a special kind of beauty to it.
The top button of her pajamas had somehow come undone.
This revealed a small glimpse of skin below her fair, swan-like neck, along with a hint of her delicate collarbone.
Steven was grateful that he had perfect vision and no nearsightedness.
Otherwise, he would have missed this beautiful sight.
Steven carefully scanned the window area, not spotting Garchomp with her intimidating glare anywhere.
He immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Come downstairs and have breakfast! I'll heat it up for you!"
"Okay~"
Steven removed the Macho Brace and called out to Riolu, who was training with Scizor:
"Riolu, you can wear this!"
Fortunately, the Macho Brace was adjustable in size, so there was no concern about it not fitting properly.
Of course, it couldn't be used by massive Pokémon like Aggron.
As the saying goes, everything has its limits.
Steven returned to the kitchen, washed his face and hands, then reheated the sandwich.
Although it wasn't quite as delicious as a freshly made one after being reheated.
After washing up and changing into comfortable, well-fitting clothes, Cynthia bounded downstairs.
The two hair ornaments on her head bounced up and down, making the young woman's vitality all the more evident.
Among other things, Cynthia, much like Steven, preferred wearing black clothing.
"Next time, I'll make your portion later so it'll be fresh," Steven said, handing Cynthia the plate with the sandwich.
Cynthia playfully stuck out her tongue and accepted the plate.
"Do you always wake up this early to train?" Cynthia asked curiously while taking a small bite of her sandwich.
"Yes, I'm used to it," Steven nodded, answering with a light chuckle.
"Eh~ You don't like sleeping in?" Cynthia seemed a little surprised.
Is there really anyone in this world who doesn't want to sleep in?
"After all, the morning is the best time of the day."
"Who said that?"
Steven paused—it seemed no one in this world had actually said that phrase.
"Then let's say I did."
"Alright. Are you planning to train on the mountain behind the house again today?" Cynthia didn't press the matter further and changed the subject.
"Yes, an open space is much better for training," Steven nodded in agreement.
"It wouldn't be good to accidentally damage the houses around here."
In other words, out in the wilderness, Metagross and Aggron could use controlled Earthquake attacks to reshape the terrain as needed.
"Alright... cough, cough, cough!"
Cynthia's face suddenly turned red as she began coughing violently.
Steven quickly poured a glass of water and handed it to Cynthia, who was patting her chest.
Gulp, gulp...
"Ah! I'm alive again!"
"Pfft—"
Steven couldn't help but laugh at Cynthia's dramatic reaction and gently advised her:
"Next time, don't talk while you're eating."
"I know, I know!"