Small Gifts, Big Bonds
The three of them walked out of the battleground together.
The noise of the crowd faded behind them.
Alex stopped suddenly and took out the Miracle Seed.
He held it out—not to himself—
—but to Euphemia.
"Take it."
Euphemia froze.
"H–Huh? Alex, no… you won it. It's yours."
Alex sighed softly and reached out, gently patting her head.
"Eupy."
She stiffened at the nickname.
"It's not that I lack resources," Alex said calmly.
"And neither do you or Cornelia."
Then he added seriously,
"But among the three of us—you need the Miracle Seed the most."
Cornelia paused, then nodded.
"She's right… Bulbasaur benefits more from it."
Euphemia looked down at the seed in Alex's palm.
Her fingers trembled slightly before she finally took it.
"…Thank you."
Then, without thinking—
She leaned forward and kissed Alex on the cheek.
Chu.
Alex blinked.
Euphemia realized what she'd done—
And instantly turned bright red.
"I–I mean—thank you! I'll treasure it!"
Cornelia froze.
A vein twitched on her forehead.
"…Euphemia."
Euphemia squeaked and hid behind Alex.
Alex chuckled softly.
Then turned toward Cornelia.
"Little pig."
Cornelia flinched.
"At the moment, I don't have anything suitable for Electric types."
She huffed, crossing her arms.
"Tch… figures."
But then she added quietly,
"…Still, thanks."
Alex smiled faintly.
"I'll make it up to you."
Cornelia looked away, cheeks pink.
A Promise to Grow Together
They sat under a tree near the training grounds.
Euphemia released Bulbasaur, gently attaching the Miracle Seed.
Cornelia let out Shinx, watching it paw at the ground energetically.
Cornelia broke the silence first.
"Alex… will you help us train?"
Euphemia nodded quickly.
"You're different now. You see things we don't."
Alex looked at them.
Two girls who, in the original future, lost everything trying to avenge him.
"…Yeah," he said.
"I will."
He added calmly,
"I'll make both of you strong—strong enough that no one can step on you again."
Their eyes widened.
Then both smiled.
System Notification (Ignored… For Now)
As Alex leaned back against the tree—
A faint chime echoed in his mind.
System Notice:
…
Alex frowned slightly.
I'll check it later.
Right now—
He was surrounded by people worth protecting.
And this time—
He wouldn't fail them.