Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Hau'oli City was a place filled with joy and peace. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant — truly a vacation paradise.
On the beach, wearing sunglasses, Mamen lounged on a beach chair, completely at ease. A straw stuck out of a coconut. After taking a sip, he looked at the people laughing and playing along the shore.
Not bad. The world of Pokémon really did have a lot of beautiful girls — Mamen confirmed that once again.
"Hey! What a great day! Kid, how about a refreshing Pokémon battle with me right here on the beach?!"
Suddenly, a young man in swim trunks, swim cap, and goggles appeared in front of him, flashing a wide, bright smile.
It was a Swim Trunks Guy — yes, one of those classic NPCs from the original games.
"?"
Mamen tilted his head, a question mark practically floating over it, simply staring at the guy without saying a word.
One second, two seconds, three seconds…
The once-sunny smile on the Swim Trunks Guy turned awkward. Why was this kid just staring without answering?
"You're blocking my view. Could you move aside?"
Mamen's smile was charming, but paired with the faint purple gas rising behind him… it was downright terrifying.
"S-sorry for disturbing you! I'll go right away!"
The Swim Trunks Guy bowed deeply and hurried off. What a scary kid!
"All right, Gengar, that's enough." Mamen lay back down, and the eerie gas faded.
"Sha-ka-ka~"
From the shadow on the ground, two crimson eyes glowed. A chubby arm reached out from the shadow, snatched a slice of cake from the table, and retreated. Those red eyes curved happily.
Mamen set down his coconut and reached out — but grabbed nothing.
"Where's my strawberry cake? Gengar!!"
He froze for a moment, then instantly looked down.
"Sha?"
Gengar poked half his body out of the shadow, palms up, looking completely innocent.
"You little thief…"
Mamen twitched as he looked at the crumbs at the corner of Gengar's mouth.
"Go buy me a few more slices." He tossed his wallet at Gengar.
"Sha-ka-ka!" Gengar's eyes lit up. His round gray-black body floated upward, then shot toward the shops at top speed.
Ka-ka~ little cake, my little cake~
Watching Gengar fly off, Mamen couldn't help laughing in exasperation. That glutton — he ran faster than anyone when food was involved.
On another part of the beach—
"Wow! The ocean is so pretty!"
A girl wearing a flowered sunhat sparkled with excitement.
"Right? Alola's sea is clear, blue, and gentle. Mizuki, if you're traveling in Alola, I think the signature Mantine Surfing is something you absolutely have to try."
Another blonde girl in a white dress held onto her bag, smiling softly as she made the suggestion.
"Emmm…"
Mizuki hesitated, staring at the people surfing on Mantine out on the water. Too cool!!
"Okay! I'll try—"
"Hey! Today is really a great day! Girl, how about a refreshing Pokémon battle with me right here on the beach?!"
The Swim Trunks Guy popped out again, beaming and giving a thumbs-up.
"Sure!! I love Pokémon battles!" Mizuki lit up instantly.
"T-then let's wager our pocket money for this match!"
"Huh?"
The guy froze. Why would a battle require betting pocket money??
"Wait, girl! I don't have any money on me!"
"Then bet your swim trunks! True Trainers don't worry about trivial things like that! Come on! Go, Dratini!"
"??!!"
The Swim Trunks Guy felt like his luck was awful today. First he met that creepy boy, and now this seemingly innocent girl… who turned out to be a bandit!
As Mizuki and the Swim Trunks Guy began battling, Lillie watched with a gentle smile.
She hadn't known Mizuki for long. According to Mizuki, she had moved from Kanto to Alola to train and become a strong Trainer — a promise she made with her boyfriend.
Though Lillie had never met him, Mizuki's Dratini had been a gift from that boyfriend.
That alone showed how important Mizuki was to him.
Even though Lillie wasn't a Trainer, she knew Dratini was a very rare and precious Pokémon.
A breeze blew through, lifting her blond hair. Lillie quickly held down her white sunhat.
But at that moment, her bag suddenly popped open, and a little creature shaped like a small nebula floated out.
"Wait! Nebby, don't run!"
Lillie called anxiously to the Pokémon known as Nebby, but it didn't seem to hear and quickly drifted off.
Lillie had no choice but to chase it through the crowded beach — but in just a short time, she lost sight of it.
Worried, she asked nearby people as she scanned the area.
"Do you like this?"
"Moh~ Moh~"
Hearing Nebby's familiar sounds, Lillie immediately turned toward the voice. Sure enough, not far away, Nebby was resting in a boy's arms.
The boy was feeding Nebby candy, and Lillie finally relaxed.
"Such a cute little one."
Mamen let the candy melt into Nebby's mouth, gently patting its small body. Nebby closed its eyes, happily nibbling the sweet treat.
Lillie pressed her lips together, momentarily dazed by the scene.
A handsome boy sat cross-legged, feeding the tiny Nebby in his lap. Soft light washed over him. The faint smile on his face made the whole moment serene and beautiful.
Sensing someone approaching, Mamen lifted his head.
"Is this your Pokémon?" His clear voice snapped Lillie back to reality.
"Ah, yes. I'm sorry, Nebby must have bothered you."
She apologized quickly.
"It's fine. It's very cute. But be careful — don't let it run off again."
Mamen stood and handed Nebby back to her.
"Thank you very much." Lillie accepted Nebby.
"Nebby seems to like you a lot. It rarely gets this close to people."
She glanced curiously at Nebby, who seemed eager to float back into the boy's arms.
"It might be because of my ability. Pokémon tend to like me."
"Ability?" Lillie blinked. Pokémon-attracting abilities… did those count as abilities?
"By the way, this strawberry cake is pretty good. Let it have some too." Mamen smiled and gestured to the cake on the table.
"Eh? We really can't accept—"
"Lillie! Lillie, where are you?!"
Mizuki's voice suddenly rang out in the distance, making Lillie stop mid-sentence and turn.
"Looks like your friend is looking for you. Goodbye."
Mamen glanced at Mizuki, who hadn't noticed them, his smile deepening before he turned and walked away.
Mizuki, we will meet again. But not yet. Your journey isn't over. I can wait.
I have plenty of patience.