"I've already spoken with Mother. I know what you're worried about, and I know you promised my brother you'd take good care of me. But if I choose to stay cooped up at home and remain a coward instead of going on a journey with you, I'm afraid I'll never have the courage to touch Pokémon again for the rest of my life!"
Lillie spoke her mind with unwavering firmness.
Hearing Lillie's strong words, Chén Nuò found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
"I'm not some fragile flower! I love Pokémon too! I want to be friends with them!"
Lillie's voice grew louder and louder, ending with a slight, trembling quiver.
"Big Brother Nuò, if you and my brother both leave, what will happen to me?"
As Lillie spoke, she lowered her head, and crystalline tears seemed to glisten beneath the brim of her oversized white sunhat.
"Alright, alright. Aren't we just going on a journey? You can rest easy with me leading the way!"
Chén Nuò felt a weight lift from his heart. Since Lillie was willing to travel with him, he hadn't failed Gladion's promise. At the same time, he was determined to help her solve her problem. For someone who loved Pokémon so much to be unable to touch them was such a tragedy. It was as if someone who had dreamed of becoming a pilot or an astronaut since childhood was suddenly told they had a severe fear of heights—what a cruel joke for the universe to play!
Lillie's issue could be resolved; Chén Nuò had watched the anime and knew her condition was purely psychological. Deep down, she truly loved Pokémon.
As if she had just received some incredible, life-changing news, Lillie snapped her head up, her tear-filled eyes sparkling with light.
"Really, Big Brother Nuò? When do we leave?"
Lillie looked anxious and excited, as if she were terrified that Chén Nuò might change his mind.
"Huh? This afternoon. I just hope there's still time to book plane tickets!"
Caught off guard by Lillie's sudden excitement, Chén Nuò couldn't help but find the little girl's adorable enthusiasm rather heartwarming. After all, she was just too cute, wasn't she?
"Butler, check for flights to the Hoenn region. If there aren't any, charter a plane. We're leaving this afternoon!"
Hearing this, Lillie nodded and immediately turned to give instructions to the butler standing nearby.
"Very well, Miss!"
The butler nodded in acknowledgment and immediately went off to make the call.
Seeing this, Chén Nuò's mouth twitched slightly as he silently thought to himself: Ah, the sheer power of capitalism.
***
By the afternoon, at the Alola private airfield—which naturally belonged to Lillie's family.
They hadn't been able to secure regular airline tickets after all, so Chén Nuò could only shed a tear of resignation as he boarded the private jet with Lillie. Oh man, this sure beats commercial!
"Lillie, we're going on a journey this time. Are you really going to be okay without bringing any Pokémon?"
On the plane, a bored Chén Nuò glanced over at Lillie, who was reading a book, and asked softly.
"I still can't really bring myself to touch them, even if they're inside Poké Balls."
Lillie lifted her cute face from her book, but upon hearing Chén Nuò's question, she shrank back a little, too timid to answer fully.
"Then can you handle touching a Pokémon egg?"
Chén Nuò thought about it. A Pokémon egg shouldn't have too strong of an effect. Lillie had this same issue in the anime; while she was hesitant to touch them at first, she eventually managed to accept touching a Pokémon egg. He wondered if the same method would work to help her overcome her condition this time.
Lillie's expression turned complex, as if she were undergoing a fierce internal struggle. She repeatedly weighed in her mind whether she could bring herself to touch a Pokémon egg, reminding herself over and over that it was just an egg and hadn't hatched yet. She tested her own limits to see if she could accept it.
After a brief internal psychological test, Lillie softly replied, "Maybe... I can try?"
Watching her, Chén Nuò burst out laughing. It seemed this girl truly loved Pokémon; overcoming an aversion like that psychologically was no small feat. To have the courage to face and conquer the fear and pain deep inside her—such a girl was truly rare in this world! Her strength and bravery were touching, and her perseverance and determination were nothing short of admirable, especially considering she was only twelve years old.
"Big Brother Nuò, what are you laughing at?"
Lillie stared at Chén Nuò with wide eyes, seeing the corners of his mouth turned up in a bright, sunny smile. A flicker of suspicion arose in her heart. What's wrong with this guy? Is he making fun of me? At that thought, her expression soured a bit, and she puffed out her cheeks in displeasure.
"I was just thinking about how brave you are, gathering the courage to do something you thought you couldn't accept. Besides, since we're going on a journey now, stop calling me Big Brother Nuò like you did back in Alola. Call me Xiao Nuò!"
Chén Nuò reached out and patted Lillie's head as he spoke.
"Mhm, okay!"
Lillie gave a slight nod in agreement, though deep down, she still longed to call him "Big Brother."
***
A silver private jet streaked across the azure sky like a vigorous hawk, leaving behind a trail of white exhaust that bloomed like a gorgeous cloud. It pierced through the cloud layer, heading toward the distant Hoenn region, carrying with it boundless expectations and a sense of mission.
Sunlight danced across the plane's metallic fuselage, casting a dazzling sheen. The captain gripped the controls tightly, fully focused on piloting the aircraft, which was laden with hope. Chén Nuò and Lillie sat comfortably in their seats, their hearts aflutter with excitement and curiosity.
The scenery outside the window was picturesque; rolling mountains, vast boundless grasslands, and sparkling rivers were all laid out below them. The magnificence of nature left people intoxicated, awakening a deep yearning and longing for the unknown world within their hearts.
As the plane gradually drew closer to the Hoenn region, the details on the ground grew clearer. Bustling cities, ancient ruins, and lush forests came into view one by one. This mysterious place was filled with endless possibilities, waiting for brave souls to lift its veil.
Finally, with a thunderous roar, the plane touched down on the runway of the Hoenn region's airport. The cabin door slowly opened, and Chén Nuò and Lillie stepped onto this beautiful land. What wonderful stories awaited the two of them to write from here on out?
"Goodbye, Butler!"
Lillie waved her little hand energetically to bid the butler farewell. The butler, looking teary-eyed, couldn't help pulling out a handkerchief to wipe away his tears.
However, the farewell didn't take long before the butler boarded the plane and flew away.
Honestly, Chén Nuò couldn't quite wrap his head around why butlers in anime were always so multi-talented—driving cars and flying planes alike!
Ah, some things were just beyond comprehension!