Although he was no longer opposed to other Pokémon, May still adored Torchic for its fiery enthusiasm and adorable appearance.
"Then I'll take this one!"
As she spoke, May scooped up Torchic, but immediately afterward, she cast a slightly anxious glance at Chén Nuò standing behind her.
After all, she wasn't the only one choosing a Pokémon; if Chén Nuò wanted it too, things would get complicated.
Watching May, Chén Nuò couldn't help but inwardly marvel. This girl was clearly far more considerate of others than that blockhead Ash Ketchum.
That blockhead Ash truly never paid attention to anyone else's thoughts. While there was nothing inherently wrong with his way of speaking, he was just hopelessly dense.
"It's fine, ladies first. You pick first, I'm happy with any of them!"
Knowing full well that this Torchic was the very one destined to grow alongside May, Chén Nuò naturally had no intention of snatching it away. Besides, truth be told, he actually favored the other two a little more.
"In that case, thank you so much, Professor Birch. I'll choose Torchic."
May picked up Torchic and said.
"Very well. Here is Torchic's Poké Ball, this is the Pokédex, and here is an empty Poké Ball."
Professor Birch brought out the Poké Ball and the rest of the items.
"Take these with you, and do your best! I'm sure you can become a Pokémon Trainer who surpasses your esteemed father."
Professor Birch praised encouragingly.
"Let's both do our best!"
Ash chimed in from the side.
May was clearly a good deal more awkward, nervously accepting, "Right!"
"Actually, you don't strictly have to become a Pokémon Trainer. I've heard there are Pokémon Contests in the Hoenn region, right? Perhaps becoming a Pokémon Coordinator wouldn't be a bad idea either. People should always chase their own ideals, after all—the path ahead has to be walked one step at a time!"
Observing May's demeanor and knowing the plot well, Chén Nuò knew she didn't actually care much for being a standard trainer. But since she was destined to be the future Maiden of Hoenn, it would be wonderful if she could settle on her path a little sooner.
"Ah, thank you so much, Chén Nuò!"
Hearing Chén Nuò's words, May felt an overwhelming wave of joy in her heart. Ever since she was little, everyone she met had told her to surpass her father; Chén Nuò was the very first person to tell her to forge her own path.
Having grown up listening to the other refrain, May practically clung to this new sentiment with all her heart.
"It's your turn, Chén Nuò. Only Mudkip and Treecko are left."
Taking in the scene before him, Professor Birch couldn't help but admire the young man inwardly. At the very least, when it came to speaking, interpersonal relations, and reading the room, this boy was even better at it than he was.
"Well then, I choose you!"
Chén Nuò extended a finger and pointed at the vibrant green Treecko standing ahead.
He genuinely liked both remaining Pokémon; Mudkip was wonderfully gentle and cute, while Treecko was gentle yet reserved.
Still, since he preferred Grass-type Pokémon over Water-types, he might as well follow his own preference.
"Mudkip doesn't look too disappointed, though—that's just its gentle nature at work."
"Now, here are your Poké Ball and Pokédex."
Professor Birch handed over the Poké Ball and the Pokédex.
"Thank you, Professor Birch."
Chén Nuò accepted the Poké Ball and Pokédex and thanked him.
"Haha, think nothing of it! Do your best, Chén Nuò. I believe you can become an extraordinary Pokémon Trainer too!"
Professor Birch encouraged him warmly.
"Right, let's improve together!"
"That's right, that's right!"
Ash and May chimed in together.
"Do your best, Chén Nuò!"
Lillie said from behind Chén Nuò.
Chén Nuò nodded at everyone—though, of course, Lillie's encouragement meant the most to him.
After everyone had collected their Poké Balls, they each returned to their rooms to rest.
"Chén Nuò, when are we leaving?"
Lillie trailed behind Chén Nuò like a little shadow.
"Don't be in such a hurry, I'm going to show you something."
Chén Nuò figured that witnessing the bond between Ash and Pikachu might inspire and move Lillie, helping her with her condition.
"Ah, what is it?"
Curious, Lillie nonetheless followed along.
"Shh! Right in there, look!"
Chén Nuò led Lillie over to Pikachu's recovery room.
Peering over the edge of the door, Chén Nuò and Lillie saw Pikachu resting on the bed while Ash lay fast asleep right beside it.
"He really cares so much about his Pokémon."
Watching Ash slumped beside the bed, Lillie seemed deeply touched.
"Yeah, he loves his Pokémon very much."
Chén Nuò nodded in response.
"Hey, why are you two all the way out here?"
At that moment, May's voice rang out from behind them.
In perfect unison, the two whipped their heads around and simultaneously pressed a finger to their lips in a hush gesture.
May instantly lowered her voice to a whisper, tiptoed closer, and peeked past the doorway to take in the scene inside, finally understanding the situation.
"So Ash stayed up all night taking care of Pikachu!"
May whispered, a touch of emotion crossing her face before all her thoughts dissolved into a soft sigh.
"Hah!"
Hearing May, Chén Nuò glanced at Lillie beside him. Lillie's eyes were filled with contemplation, and Chén Nuò knew this experience would leave a profound impression on her.
"Journeying really is the best medicine after all!"
Chén Nuò thought to himself.
"All right!"
Deciding they had seen enough, Chén Nuò reached to close the door—they shouldn't disturb Ash and the others' rest.
Just then, however, Ash mumbled a few fragments in his sleep.
"Pikachu... Pikachu, are you okay?"
Seemingly roused by Ash's voice, Pikachu opened its eyes. Hearing Ash's words, it smiled, waddled over to Ash's face, and rubbed its electric sacs affectionately against his cheek.
Ash snapped awake from the contact.
"Pikachu! That's wonderful! That's truly wonderful!"
Seeing Pikachu looking so lively, Ash was so overjoyed that he scooped it up and pulled it into a vigorous cheek-to-cheek rub.
"Fine, I won't hold it against him!"
May whispered softly as she watched Ash and Pikachu.
Lillie's eyes shimmered as she watched the scene inside the room, as if reflecting a gentle light.
Chén Nuò smiled warmly as he looked at May and Lillie. It seemed both girls had grown a great deal.
Amidst the cheerful laughter of Ash and Pikachu, Chén Nuò quietly closed the door.
"Thank you for letting me see this, Chén Nuò."
Lillie knew precisely what kind of scene Chén Nuò had wanted her to witness: a poignant bond of mutual understanding and companionship between human and Pokémon.
"I promised your brother, after all. You need to get better soon!"
Chén Nuò hoped sincerely for Lillie's recovery.
"Mm, I definitely will!"
Lillie nodded with resolute determination, clutching her small hands tightly into fists.