Afternoon.
Aether Paradise — Chairman's Office.
"Faba still hasn't woken up?"
Lusamine frowned as she asked the question.
Wicke shook her head.
"Not yet. His injuries are pretty severe."
Peter and Whitney sat together on the sofa while Stufful rested comfortably in Whitney's arms, looking around curiously.
After spending two days together, the little one had already become deeply attached to Whitney. Naturally, that closeness had extended to Peter as well.
Lusamine looked toward Peter.
"Peter, could you tell me what happened back then?"
Peter shook his head naturally.
"I'm not completely sure myself. At the time, Faba tried to have Hypno hypnotize me, but my Zoroark noticed it. Then Experimental Subject No. 3 suddenly went berserk and attacked him."
He paused slightly.
"Oh, and I vaguely remember hearing Faba saying something… about Lillie and… something like Gladio?"
Lusamine's expression changed immediately.
"Lillie and Gladion?!"
She looked surprised.
"What does this have to do with my children?"
Peter deliberately showed confusion.
"Your… children?"
Lusamine sighed.
"Mhm… But more than a year ago, both of them suddenly changed. They stopped wanting to stay close to me anymore…"
She pouted slightly.
"They were much cuter when they were younger…"
Peter went silent.
Your children suddenly underwent a personality change and you noticed… but never seriously looked into it?
That was some incredible confidence in parenting.
After a brief pause, he asked casually:
"Could there be a possibility that their change has something to do with Faba… and Experimental Subject No. 3?"
Lusamine laughed at first.
"That's impossible~ Lillie and Gladion are good kids. They'd never go to the laboratory."
But despite what she said—
her expression gradually became serious.
Because all signs—
pointed directly at Faba.
And thinking back—
it was true.
She had buried herself in work and trusted Faba more and more.
Without realizing it—
she had drifted further and further away from her children.
Peter stood up.
"Looks like you already have your answer."
He took Whitney's hand.
"From what I observed, Subject No. 3 was a healthy and fully developed individual. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with it."
He smiled lightly.
"So maybe… you should have a proper talk with Faba."
With that—
Peter and Whitney left.
Lusamine remained silent for a long time.
Finally—
she spoke.
"Wicke."
"When Faba wakes up…"
"Bring him to me immediately."
"Yes!"
…
Peter no longer cared about what happened next.
Right now—
he only wanted to find Type: Null as quickly as possible.
Looking at the map projected by Roto, Peter thought for a moment.
"The closest places should be Melemele Island and Akala Island…"
Then he made his decision.
Turning toward Whitney, he smiled.
"Babe, how about we head to Akala Island first and complete the Grand Trial?"
Whitney's eyes lit up.
"Yes yes! I also want to try out the Z-Moves I've been practicing recently!"
With the plan happily decided—
the two rode Braviary northeast toward Akala Island.
Akala Island.
The island protected by Tapu Lele.
Its most famous landmark—
Wela Volcano.
A living volcano.
A sacred place said to nurture life through fire.
Viewed from afar—
the entire island seemed wrapped in soft shades of pink, creating an oddly beautiful scenery.
On the western side of Konikoni City's southern coast lay a resort district called Konikoni Beach, where tourists gathered for entertainment and vacation.
This place served as one of Alola's gateways—
a concentrated resort area welcoming visitors from every region.
"SKREEEE—!"
Braviary descended sharply.
The coat-wearing boy jumped from its back while holding the girl's hand.
Whitney stared at the map on her phone.
"Let me see… the Pokémon Center should be…"
Peter patted her hand.
"Alright~"
"We're not staying at a Pokémon Center this time."
Then he looked toward Roto.
"Roto, navigate to Hano Grand Resort."
"Roger, Rotom~!"
Hano Grand Resort—
the luxurious resort complex east of Konikoni City.
The largest luxury hotel in all of Alola.
Famous for attentive service, extravagant decoration, and complete facilities.
Because it monopolized a huge section of beach—
guests could enjoy ocean views directly from their rooms—
without worrying about crowds or noise.
That was why reservations were booked more than a year in advance.
Whitney's eyes widened.
"Honey!"
"You actually got a room at Hano Grand Resort?!"
"How did you do that?"
Peter smiled.
"Haha…"
"You didn't know?"
"The owner of Hano Grand Resort is Kahili's father~"
Since his Babe wanted a proper vacation—
of course he'd prepare the best.
To make it happen—
he even promised Kahili a battle later as repayment.
After contacting her, he also learned that she had already collected seven Gym Badges over the past half month.
Only Sunyshore City's Electric Gym remained.
Once she got her eighth badge—
she planned to return to Alola and continue her Island Challenge.
Maybe—
Peter and Whitney would still be here by then.
Soon—
their car arrived in front of Hano Grand Resort.
A staff member immediately approached.
"Hello, Mr. Peter?"
Peter nodded.
"Yes."
"Understood."
"Please follow me, distinguished guests."
They entered the elevator—
ascending all the way to the highest floor.
The Presidential Suite.
The attendant bowed.
"This room was specially reserved for the two of you by Miss Kahili."
"If you need anything, please contact me at any time."
Then he quietly left.
Only now did Peter properly look around.
Calling it a room—
felt inaccurate.
This was more like a private luxury estate.
There was a rooftop garden.
A café.
A gym.
A bar.
A billiards room.
One entire side facing the ocean was built from reinforced one-way glass—
allowing a panoramic view of the sea.
Outside—
there was a Pokémon battle field.
A swimming pool.
A private natural beach.
And—
off to the side—
a hot spring built using volcanic rock transported from Wela Volcano.
The ceiling could even open or close at will.
Staying here—
you could experience almost everything Alola had to offer.
Whitney opened the window and took a deep breath.
"It really is Hano Grand Resort…"
She smiled brightly.
"Honey, that means we can watch the most beautiful sunrise every morning~"
Peter stepped forward and hugged her from behind.
Resting his chin against her hair, he spoke softly.
"Yeah."
"Sorry…"
"Because of all the traveling, I've had you running around with me this whole time."
"So for a while…"
"Let's properly relax here."
Whitney blinked.
Her long eyelashes fluttered.
Then she turned and smiled.
"Silly Honey…"
"If I'm traveling with you…"
"I never feel tired."
Such simple words.
Such a casual tone.
Yet they struck Peter directly in the heart.
Just as the atmosphere became sweeter and sweeter—
a pink-and-black little figure crawled beside the bed.
Tiny paws slapped rapidly against the transparent glass wall.
"Nui~!"
Peter and Whitney both froze.
"…Stufful?!"
"Nui?"
The little bear tilted its head.
Then squinted happily—
and launched itself into their arms.
"Nui nui~ (Food~!)"
The two looked at each other.
Peter blinked.
"…How did this little thing get here?"
Whitney slowly turned.
Her bag lay open on the bed.
Everything inside had been pushed out.
She stared blankly.
"…I think…"
"…it climbed into my bag…"
At the same time back at Aether Paradise—
Wicke carried a tray of nutritious lunch into the room.
"Stufful~ Time for lunch!"
She lifted the blanket and froze.
Her expression changed instantly.
Because lying in bed wasn't Stufful.
It was a knocked-out Yungoos.