Crisp footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Everyone turned.
A tall, fair-skinned woman approached gracefully. Her short hair brushed her shoulders, her eyes were sharp and intelligent, and her white-and-striped outfit carried an elegant, commanding style.
She smiled warmly.
"So you're the 'Chen-ge' Yuuko always talks about. I didn't expect the one she admires so much to be the youngest Intermediate Breeder in League history.
It's a pleasure to meet you."
She placed a hand on her chest politely.
"I'm Diantha. Nice to meet you."
Yuuko's head immediately lowered, her face turning crimson.
(…I do not always talk about him…) she protested silently.
Chen Shi's expression stiffened for a brief moment.
Yuuko… knew Diantha?
Not only knew her — but appeared very close with her?
This was Diantha.
Future Champion of Kalos.
Queen of Elegance.
A global sensation.
How in the world did Yuuko end up befriending her?
He risked a glance at Cynthia — thankfully, she looked calm.
Chen Shi nodded politely.
"Just call me Chen Shi. It's an honor, Miss Diantha."
He stepped aside slightly.
"We were about to go for lunch. Would you like to join us?"
Diantha's smile softened.
"I'd be delighted. My match is done as well. If you don't mind an extra companion, I'd be happy to join."
Lance clapped once, cheerful as always.
"Perfect! The more the merrier. Let's go!"
No one objected.
And so, the group grew even larger.
White Silver Town's Largest Hotel — VIP Private Room
Eight people sat around the wide circular table.
After placing orders, the atmosphere relaxed into light conversation.
Chen Shi began with the obvious question.
"Miss Diantha, did you and Yuuko travel together?"
Diantha nodded with a gentle smile.
"Yes. We've been journeying together."
"Then… thank you," Chen Shi said sincerely.
"She's very introverted. Please look after her."
Diantha froze for a full second.
Her gaze drifted toward Yuuko.
That Yuuko.
The Yuuko who, during their battle, had unleashed a borderline berserker assault — fierce, relentless, terrifyingly precise — forcing Diantha to sweat through the finals of the Lumiose Conference?
Introverted?
If Yuuko was introverted…
Then Diantha must be a ghost haunting her own body.
Chen Shi noticed Diantha's strange expression and frowned slightly.
What's with that look?
Yuuko had always been timid around strangers. Social anxiety was practically her middle name.
Diantha eventually composed herself and responded kindly.
"It's fine. Yuuko and I get along very well. She's become one of my few close friends."
Then she casually dropped a bomb:
"We met during the finals of the Lumiose Conference. Honestly, if she hadn't made a misstep at the very end, I would've been the one losing."
The table fell into stunned silence.
Chen Shi stared at Yuuko.
She never said a word about this.
Yuuko wiped at her eyes, voice trembling.
"It… it was because of Chen-ge… and Grandpa Chen… If not for them… I wouldn't be who I am now…"
Daiu exhaled softly, expression softening.
He finally understood why Yuuko held such deep feelings toward the Chen family.
Her parents had died protecting the League.
Her compensation had been stolen.
Her world had collapsed.
And the Chen family had stood up for her — loudly and fiercely.
Furong blinked twice, then—
Opened her mouth at the worst possible moment.
"But why 'thanks to Chen-ge and Grandpa Chen'? What did they do for you?"
The table turned to stone.
Chen Shi wanted to crawl under the table and die.
Furong… REALLY?
Anyone with a functioning brain cell would know this was a painful topic.
If she wants to tell it, she'll tell it herself — DON'T ASK!
Furong realized her mistake, curled into her chair like a scolded Torchic, and covered her mouth.
Thankfully, Yuuko inhaled gently.
And she began telling everything.
The theft of her compensation.
The pressure.
The despair.
How the Chen family fought for her.
How Chen Shi trained with her, encouraged her, and gave her the strength to stand again.
Her voice trembled — but she didn't break.
Diantha squeezed her hand, eyes filled with empathy.
Lance slammed his fist softly against the table, jaw tight.
"Someone dared to steal compensation from a fallen League Investigator's child…?"
His voice shook with fury.
"People like that aren't even human."
As a League Investigator himself, Lance knew all too well what that job meant.
Death lingered behind every mission.
To disrespect the sacrifice of their families was unforgivable.
Even Cynthia's expression softened.
The icy hostility she'd held toward Yuuko quietly melted away.
Chen Shi sighed, placed a hand gently on Yuuko's head, and spoke softly.
"Yuuko… you're strong because of your own effort."
"All Grandpa and I did was give you back what the world tried to steal from you."
"You and Furong are both like little sisters to me. Helping you is only natural."
He sneaked a glance toward Cynthia —
and nearly melted in relief when he saw no trace of jealousy left in her eyes.
Yuuko's eyes shimmered.
"Th… thank you, Chen-ge…"
Chen Shi grinned.
"Well, if you really want to thank me… then why don't you treat us to this meal?"
Yuuko blinked.
Then nodded solemnly like she'd been entrusted with an S-rank mission.
Diantha chuckled softly.
"This is the most luxurious restaurant in White Silver Town.
Be careful — you might go broke."
Yuuko straightened her back, tiny voice firm with resolve:
"…It's fine. I have money."
The contrast between her soft voice and serious expression was too adorable—
Everyone burst into laughter.
Even Lorelei cracked a rare smile.
Yuuko truly was a lovable girl.
And honestly — for trainers of their level, money wasn't hard to earn.
Legally or… creatively.
A lavish meal was nothing in comparison.
Diantha had only been teasing.
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