Lightly swallowing the food in her mouth, Cogita still wore an expression of wanting more.
Besides the dish itself being delicious, that familiar taste left her a little intoxicated.
She smoothed her expression and turned her gaze back to the Diancie before her.
Diancie was also looking at her—her small mouth slightly open, her face distinctly aggrieved.
Seeing this, Cogita narrowed her eyes, her doubts deepening.
If this pot of food had been made by Diancie, then for just a single piece of berry, she shouldn't be so stingy as to make that face, right?
That almost-teary look was more like someone watching a treasure being snatched away right under her nose.
"Did you make this?"
She pointed at the pot and asked Diancie.
At the question, Diancie froze for a beat, then slowly nodded.
She couldn't let the other know of Elias's existence, and there wasn't anyone else around—so for now, she could only claim it herself.
Even though, when it came to cooking… she knew absolutely nothing.
But surely Cogita wouldn't be able to call her bluff?
Sure enough, after hearing her answer, Cogita gave a soft "I see…"
Drawing out the last syllable, she gave Diancie a contemplative look.
She could feel this Pokémon wasn't telling the truth.
But after looking around, she really didn't see anyone else—there weren't even other Pokémon nearby.
It made her feel as though a kitten's paw had risen in her chest, gently scratching at the softest part of her heart.
"It's about to burn."
Suddenly, she pointed at the simmering pot.
"Ah!"
Diancie jumped.
She had thought Elias was keeping an eye on the conversation with Cogita, and had forgotten to watch the pot.
So as not to waste the food Elias had specially made for her—she gave the contents a quick glance, then hurriedly whisked the pot off the fire.
She moved so fast Elias didn't even have time to stop her.
"Diancie, the stew… needed a bit longer…"
Watching her, Elias spoke helplessly.
Only then did Diancie realize, too late, that Cogita had toyed with her.
She puffed out her cheeks and shot Cogita a disgruntled look—and sure enough, saw a meaningful smile on the other's face.
"Apologies, I must have misjudged."
"But I didn't expect Diancie to misjudge too."
More than the smile, the words held deeper implication.
Diancie's performance just now had unmistakably exposed the fact that she couldn't cook at all.
Hearing this, Diancie's cheeks flushed.
She hadn't expected to be teased by a human woman—much less in front of Elias.
"All right then, Diancie, can you tell me who made this pot of food?"
"I'm a little curious about it."
Seeing her guess confirmed, Cogita bent slightly, looking into Diancie's eyes as she spoke.
If she didn't get to the bottom of this now, she felt she wouldn't sleep a wink tonight.
On the other side, realizing her secret had been cleverly coaxed out, Diancie felt a stab of regret—yet she began to speak, slowly:
"It's Elias helping me…"
As she said it, she pointed at the empty air beside her.
Cogita followed her gesture. There was nothing there but open ground.
And yet—just hearing the name Diancie uttered was enough to put her wholly on alert.
Elias… Elias…
Both with the name "Elias." If she tried to wave that away as coincidence, it would be far too forced.
"Where is he?"
"Can you tell me?"
Cogita's tone turned a shade urgent as she pressed Diancie.
Now she needed an answer.
At that, Diancie cast another wary glance at her.
She suddenly hesitated over whether she should reveal Elias's existence to a human like this.
But when she sought Elias's opinion, he also gave her a slight nod.
Clearly, Elias himself wanted to know what Cogita's purpose was.
Seeing that, Diancie could only nod and continue:
"Elias is a ghost body—only I can see him…"
"And after this I'm not answering anything else you ask!"
To keep Cogita from digging further, Diancie added that on purpose.
But upon hearing Diancie's explanation, Cogita no longer had the headspace to care about these little maneuvers.
Too coincidental… far too coincidental…
The same handwriting, the same cooking, and now even the name so strikingly similar—and existing as a ghostly form.
Cogita felt a bold thought take shape:
—Perhaps Elias hasn't died?
But had turned into a ghost in some special way, attaching to Diancie's side, quietly waiting for her to arrive.
Thinking this, Cogita's breathing grew a touch rapid.
Even though she couldn't see the ghost's form, she turned toward where he should be, pointed at herself, and asked:
"Elias… Elias, do you have any impression of me?"
After asking, Cogita's face was full of unease.
It was the first time she had ever felt this nervous.
She couldn't be sure whether her guess was right or not.
To the side, when she heard Cogita address Elias like that, Diancie's expression darkened.
She regretted it—she should have just dragged Elias away earlier.
What worried her most was how Cogita acted like she knew Elias.
What if it's true…
She was afraid Cogita would reach out and try to take him.
Elias, meanwhile, was also surprised by Cogita's directness.
He hadn't expected her to ask him so bluntly—and from the look of it, she knew him?
But after thinking a moment, he couldn't find any trace of her in his memory.
Even if she did give him that nagging feeling of familiarity.
In the end, Elias shook his head. "I don't really have any impression."
Cogita couldn't hear him, but Diancie faithfully relayed every word.
As she did, Diancie herself let out a breath.
Thank goodness… thank goodness…
During those two seconds when Elias had fallen into thought, she felt her own breathing nearly stop.
Fortunately, he hadn't said anything terrifying.
Cogita, on the other hand, felt a wave of disappointment.
He had denied it…
Which put a dent in her earlier line of thought.
But soon she wondered if she'd been thinking too simply.
From a physical body to a ghost—perhaps… the memories of before would be lost?
It didn't seem impossible.
"Do you know how to make him show himself, Diancie?"
Collecting her expression, Cogita asked politely.
It had been many years since she last felt a thrill in her heart like this.