After about an hour of busy work, the situation in the lobby had finally stabilized.
Those who needed to register had registered, and those who needed medicine had received it.
Although there were still just as many people, at least it wasn't chaotic anymore.
Joy walked over from the front desk, let out a long sigh, and raised her hand to wipe the beads of sweat from her forehead.
The pink bangs on her forehead were soaked with sweat, sticking to her skin.
In fact, she was drenched all over.
Her underwear and undergarments were all sticking stickily to her body.
She had been running back and forth, carrying medicine, comforting Trainers, and working in the treatment room, so she had broken into a sweat several times over.
Her back, waist, and inner thighs were all covered in sweat.
The shoulder straps of her undergarments were soaked with sweat, and the feeling of the wet fabric sticking to her skin made Joy feel a bit uncomfortable.
But it was fine.
Her nurse uniform was quite thick, so it couldn't be seen from the outside.
When she stood in front of Roy, she still subconsciously tugged at the hem of her clothes and pulled at the neckline to keep the fabric from sticking so much.
But her face was still a little flushed.
"Thank you all so, so much."
Joy's voice was a bit steadier than before, though it still carried a hint of the slight panting from her recent busyness.
She folded her hands in front of her and bowed slightly to Roy.
When she lifted her head, her gaze met Roy's.
Her heart skipped a beat again.
That indescribable feeling emerged once more.
Roy carried fifty points of the Joy Family general favorability value.
This value wasn't particularly high, but it wasn't low either.
It wouldn't make Joy fall in love with Roy at first sight, nor would it make her lose her composure.
But it did make Joy feel inexplicably that this person was pleasing and comfortable whenever she looked at Roy.
For the same help, if someone else had done it, she would only thank them politely.
With Roy, she felt a subtle sense of concern in her heart.
In the situation just now, if it hadn't been Roy but some other Trainer who had put an arm around her waist, she probably would have just thanked them with a blushing face and hurried away.
But now, standing in front of Roy, the thoughts flashing through her mind were:
"When I was held just now, did he feel the sensation on my waist?"
"And the sweat on me... even though the uniform is thick, standing this close, will he smell anything?"
"Also, my undergarments are completely soaked; if I sit down or move later, will it show through?"
These thoughts swirled around in her mind.
Her face flushed a little more.
Her heartbeat quickened a few beats.
However, Joy was, after all, from the Joy Family, having worked at the Pokémon Center since she was a child, and she had seen all kinds of situations.
She took a deep breath and quickly pushed these messy thoughts down.
The smile on her face became natural again.
"Thank you all three so much."
As she said this, she nodded to Delia and Misty beside him.
Misty waved her hand carelessly.
"It's nothing, it's nothing!"
"Usually we also receive a lot of help from the Pokémon Center."
"Now it can be considered a small repayment."
Misty said, stretching her arms.
Then her eyes lit up, as if she had thought of something.
"Oh right, right!"
"Joy."
"Now that you're done, can you help the three of us check in?"
Upon hearing this request, Joy's expression stiffened.
She blinked, her lips moved, and she revealed a slightly troubled look.
Delia noticed the change in Joy's expression.
She gently patted the little head of the Togepi in her arms and asked softly, "Joy, what's wrong? Is there any inconvenience?"
Joy pursed her lips, lowered her head slightly, and her voice carried a hint of apology.
"It's not that it's inconvenient..."
"It's just..."
She looked up and glanced at the Trainers lying helter-skelter in the lobby.
"You've seen it too."
"Normally, checking in Trainers is a benefit provided by the Pokémon Center."
"Plus, since you helped me so much today, I should be providing you with even better help."
"But..."
"There are just too many people coming to Cinnabar Island recently."
Joy sighed.
"Look, even in the lobby, there are people sitting down to rest with their Pokémon."
"The rooms inside were all filled up early, based on the first-come, first-served rule."
"There isn't a single vacant room left now."
When she finished, her face was full of apology.
Upon hearing this, Misty's whole body deflated.
Her shoulders slumped, and her head tilted to the side.
"Ah..."
She let out a long sigh, her voice full of disappointment.
"No way..."
"I didn't expect that even after reaching a town, there would still be a day where I have to sleep on the floor."
Misty said, turning to look around the lobby.
People were lying on the floor, under the benches, and the areas in the corners with mats were also crowded with people.
Her mouth twitched.
"But this island is so small."
"I feel like everywhere I walk, it's people."
"If I want to find a place to sleep on the floor, it feels like there are people coming and going everywhere."
"We can't just sleep on the street, right?"
The more Misty spoke, the more dejected she became, her voice dragging on.
Delia stood by without speaking, but her brows were slightly furrowed.
Although she could make do in the wild, who would want to sleep on the floor if they could have a proper room to rest in?
Especially now that Cinnabar Island was full of tourists everywhere, it wasn't even easy to find a quiet corner.
Joy looked at the expressions of the three people.
Then she looked at Roy.
Roy was calm, as if whether or not he slept in a room made no difference to him.
He was rolling down his sleeves, straightening the clothes that had gotten messy while helping just now.
Joy looked at his profile and hesitated in her heart.
A thought popped into her mind.
Her home was on Cinnabar Island, not too far from the Pokémon Center.
There were two bedrooms at home, and the living room had a sofa.
If it were just letting three people stay for one night, it shouldn't be a problem.
But the issue was, inviting Trainers to her own home was a bit embarrassing to bring up.
She had grown up and had never let a Trainer stay at her home.
And he was a man.
Although Delia and Misty were there, Roy was still a man after all.
Joy bit her lower lip and twisted her fingers in front of her.
She hesitated for a few seconds.
Finally, she looked up at Roy.
Her voice was a little lower and gentler than before.
"How about..."
"You all come to my place?"
After saying this, her face flushed again.
She hurriedly added, "My home isn't far from here."
"There are two bedrooms, and there's a sofa in the living room."
"There's also a fairly spacious area."
"The sofa and floor can also be used for resting."
She spoke a bit quickly, as if afraid of being interrupted.
"I mean..."
"At least it might be a bit better than sleeping on the floor outside."
After Joy finished speaking, she regretted it a little.
Letting guests sleep on the sofa and floor sounded a bit inconsiderate.
But she really had no choice; there were only two bedrooms, she stayed in one, and although the other one could accommodate people, it wouldn't be good for three people to squeeze into one room.
She stole a glance at Roy, wanting to see what his reaction was.
Misty's reaction exploded first.
"Oh oh!"
"Really?"
She bounced back from her previously dejected state, full of energy.
"That's great! Joy!"
"Being able to have a room to stay in is simply fantastic!"
Misty had suffered quite a bit following Roy on this journey.
She had slept in caves, on grass, on rocks, and had even made do in sand piles.
Being able to rest in a proper room was simply a huge blessing for her.
Delia also smiled.
She nodded gently and said in a soft voice, "Then I'll trouble you, Joy. We've traveled all the way with Roy and have slept in all kinds of wild places. We are truly grateful to be able to rest in a room."
Togepi also moved in Misty's arms, as if it were happy.
Joy looked at their reactions and felt a sense of relief.
Then she looked at Roy.
Roy happened to be looking at her too.
"Then thank you very much, Joy."
Roy's voice was natural, carrying a hint of casual amusement.
"Having a place to rest is much better than sleeping on rocks or in the desert like we did before in the wild."
He said this offhandedly.
Joy's eyes lit up instantly.
"Wow..."
"Your adventures are so amazing."
"You've even been to the desert?"
Her voice held genuine surprise and curiosity.
Her big eyes looked at Roy, as if waiting for him to say more.
Roy smiled.
"I've been to quite a few places."
"We can chat about it when I have time, Joy."
Joy nodded vigorously.
She didn't know why she was so interested in this Trainer's journey.
But she just felt that listening to Roy talk was very interesting and wanted to hear more.
But now wasn't the time for chatting.
She turned to briefly hand over procedures to her colleague on duty and gave a few instructions to the Chansey.
Then she took a thin casual jacket from the lounge and put it over her nurse uniform.
"Let's go."
"My home is in this direction."
Joy led the way out of the Pokémon Center.
It was already night outside.
The night on Cinnabar Island was completely different from the day.
The daytime heat had dissipated quite a bit, and the sea breeze blowing over carried a hint of saltiness and coolness.
The lanterns along the road had all lit up, casting orange light onto the stone path.
On the distant coastline, scattered fishing lights could be seen, flickering.
Joy walked in front of the three, her pace neither fast nor slow.
As she walked, she pointed out the attractions along the road.
"Look over there."
"That area with the lights is the most famous Hot Spring Street on Cinnabar Island."
"There were hot springs here before, but they weren't really developed."
"It only started being promoted on a large scale this year, and it became popular all of a sudden."
She said, turning her head to look at Roy.
"You really chose the right place to come."
"The hot springs here are especially good."
"After soaking, your skin will become very smooth."
When Joy talked about this, her voice carried a little bit of pride.
After all, this was the place where she lived, and being able to share the benefits of her hometown with others always made her happy.
Misty looked in the direction Joy was pointing.
The Hot Spring Street was brightly lit, and one could vaguely see steam rising from some of the buildings.
The roadside was hung with colorful lanterns, and people were coming and going, it was very lively.
"Wow~"
"This Hot Spring Street looks so atmospheric."
Misty's eyes lit up.
The dejected mood from the Pokémon Center earlier had long since vanished.
Delia was also looking over there.
Her gaze crossed the Hot Spring Street and landed on the further coastline.
The night sea was very calm.
Moonlight spilled onto the surface of the water, paving a band of silver light.
The lighthouse in the distance was flickering.
The sea breeze blew over, blowing the bangs on Delia's forehead.
The corners of Delia's mouth curved slightly.
"After nightfall, the scenery of Cinnabar Island is also quite nice."
Joy nodded happily upon hearing this.
She slowed her pace and walked to the position beside Roy.
"Roy."
She called out, her voice a bit more natural than before.
"Is there any place you particularly want to go while visiting Cinnabar Island this time?"
She asked very casually.
But after asking, her gaze couldn't help but linger on Roy a little longer.
Under the moonlight, the lines of Roy's profile were distinct.
His pace was steady when he walked, neither fast nor slow, giving people a very reliable impression.
Roy turned his head and looked at Joy.
"I don't actually know much about Cinnabar Island."
He said very directly.
"I came to Cinnabar Island mainly to challenge the Cinnabar Gym."
Joy's footsteps faltered.
"Huh?"
"Challenge the Cinnabar Gym?"
She was stunned for a moment, and a cute expression of confusion appeared on her face.
Her pink head tilted slightly, and her brows furrowed gently, as if she were trying hard to recall something.
Roy looked at her expression, and his brows furrowed slightly, but the smile on his face remained unchanged.
"What's wrong, Joy?"
He walked beside Joy, the distance between them neither far nor near.
"If I'm not mistaken..."
"Cinnabar Island should have an advanced Cinnabar Gym, right?"
"Called Cinnabar Gym."
Joy's brows furrowed and then relaxed, then furrowed again.
As she walked and thought, her fingers subconsciously touched her chin.
After a few seconds, she nodded.
"Yes."
"There is an area representing a Cinnabar Gym here, called Cinnabar Gym."
Her tone was certain at first.
Then it became uncertain again.
"But..."
"That Cinnabar Gym collapsed a while ago because of some special geological tremors."
"After it collapsed, they said they would rebuild it."
"Later, some project was approved for planning."
"They said they were going to build a tourist attraction to host..."
As she spoke, her voice trailed off.
"I thought the representative Cinnabar Gym for this area had already been abolished."
Joy looked up at Roy.
Her pink eyes carried a hint of apology and a bit of embarrassment.
"And..."
"I don't think I've ever seen the Gym Leader of this Cinnabar Gym."
"I don't know what he looks like either."
"Cinnabar Island is only this big; if there really were a Gym Leader, I should have bumped into him at some point."
"But I've worked here for so long and have never seen him."
She said, then added, "Could it be that you remembered wrong?"
Joy's words made the three of them, including Roy, show expressions of confusion.