After returning home to grab his Pokémon, it was already a few minutes past 6:00 PM. Not wanting to miss his chance, Icarus immediately rushed toward the construction site.
About ten minutes later, he arrived at the small restaurant.
The moment he reached the entrance, noisy chatter poured out:
"Old Yuan, your daughter's almost 15 now—have you figured out what to do?"
"Come on, drink! My treat today!"
"Boss! Why do you have so much meat today?!"
"Waiter! Bill over here!"
Unlike the quiet atmosphere earlier in the day, the place was now packed with workers eating, drinking, and shouting.
Squeak—
Icarus pushed the door open and stepped inside. The owner was busy in the kitchen, and none of the workers paid him any attention.
"Hello! You can check the menu on the wall. Once you decide, just tell me!" an older woman called out.
"Got it," Icarus replied with a nod.
He had already eaten—he was here for someone.
Scanning the room, his eyes quickly locked onto a familiar figure sitting alone beside a wooden barrel.
Worn-out gray work clothes full of patches.
Messy hair.
A large bowl in front of him.
He was eating with his head down, devouring food like his life depended on it.
On the table was only a simple dish—stir-fried radish with meat. The radish was almost gone, while the meat had been carefully saved to one side, clearly meant to be eaten last.
And most importantly—
His left hand was missing a little finger.
That finger had been bitten off by a Rattata years ago.
Back then, Icarus had driven the Pokémon away with a thrown knife and saved his life.
That was the moment this boy started following him everywhere.
"It really is him…" Icarus muttered.
But instead of approaching immediately, he walked to the counter.
"One braised pork dish, one roasted chicken, stir-fried green peppers with insect meat, and a seafood soup. Thanks."
After waiting for the food, he carried the dishes over and sat down across from the boy.
The situation was exactly as he expected.
Everyone else sat in groups, chatting and drinking.
Only Stone sat alone, eating quietly.
"Stone. Long time no see. This is on me," Icarus said as he placed the dishes on the table.
"Huh…?"
The boy finally looked up, confused.
He had noticed someone sitting across from him earlier—but out of habit, he avoided eye contact so he wouldn't be tempted by others' food.
"Who… are you?" he asked hesitantly.
"Stone… you've had it rough," Icarus said, his voice softening. "It's me. Your brother—Icarus."
The moment he saw the boy's face clearly, it hit him.
The childlike features were still there—but life had worn them down. Despite being only fifteen, he looked much older.
"Brother Icarus?!"
The boy's eyes lit up—then quickly filled with doubt.
"No… Brother Icarus didn't have that scar…"
Icarus let out a small cough.
"I got this during a Pokémon tide."
Then, without giving him time to think too much, he began listing memories:
"When that Rattata bit your hand…
When we went to the village chief's house…
When you followed me around every day…"
"This… this…"
The boy froze.
Then suddenly—
"It really is you, Brother Icarus!"
His face lit up with pure excitement.
"You're alive! That's great!"
Without hesitation, he pushed the meat he had been saving across the table.
"Here—Brother Icarus, you eat this!"
Icarus didn't refuse.
He took a bite, then pushed the dishes he ordered toward him.
"You eat too. I already ate before coming here. These are all for you."
"Brother Icarus… you're still so kind…"
The boy looked at the food, clearly tempted—but hesitated.
"This is too expensive… you shouldn't waste money. I'm fine with radish and meat… maybe we can return half?"
That made Icarus chuckle.
"Why are you being polite? You're my brother. We grew up together. It's just a meal."
Then he casually showed a Poké Ball at his waist.
"I'm a Trainer now. This is nothing."
"A Trainer?!"
The boy's eyes widened in shock.
But the shock lasted only a second.
His attention instantly snapped back to the roasted chicken.
"…Then I won't hold back!"
And just like that, he started eating.
Watching him tear into the food with both hands, completely focused, Icarus couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
Still the same.
Simple. Straightforward. No pretenses.
Good.
That's exactly what he wanted.
If this boy had acted polite and calculating, Icarus would've left already.
Krrk—crunch—gulp—
The boy even chewed through the chicken bones and swallowed them.
After finishing, he finally looked up.
"Stone, are you full?" Icarus asked with a smile.
"…Brother Icarus, I still want chicken," he replied honestly, scratching his head.
"Hahaha! Good! Boss—two more roasted chickens!"
"I'm making you spend too much…" Stone said awkwardly this time.
But he didn't stop eating.
After all these years, he knew one thing—
Trainers weren't short on money.
And if his brother was treating him…
Then he'd eat.