Catch Feelings, Not Just Pokemon

After a long and exhausting journey from both academies, students and faculty alike were worn out.

So, on the first day in Kitakami Village, no activities were scheduled. The real outdoor orienteering wouldn't begin until tomorrow.

As a result, Haru found himself with unexpected free time. During periods of unstructured activity, a teacher like him could only be seen as a "nuisance old man"—better to steer clear and let the students enjoy themselves.

Hmm… if he couldn't find Ogerpon today, maybe he should go check out Crystal Pool?

There might be something interesting there too.

Kitakami's Crystal Pool was the origin point of Terastallization in the region. Much like Area Zero in Paldea, the place was filled with colorful crystalline formations.

And all around, Terastallized Pokémon roamed freely.

Unlike Area Zero, however, the Crystal Pool didn't contain paradox Pokémon from the past or future, so it hadn't been designated a forbidden zone.

Even so, to the locals of Kitakami, it remained a dangerous place despite its beauty.

In this real-world setting, Pokémon that maintained Terastallization as their default state were nothing to scoff at.

But there was something else—something much more troubling...

In the games, if you brought Terapagos to the Crystal Pool, the player character would be drawn into an unknown sliver of time.

Within that mysterious timeframe, you can meet the deceased father or mother of "Paldea Batman" himself-Pecharunt's former trainer, Arven.

What was strange was that during this encounter, you could clearly tell that the parents, who should have named Koraidon and Miraidon, didn't even know those names.

And yet, it was the game's protagonist who told them those names.

Which created a paradox—the protagonist's knowledge of Koraidon and Miraidon had originally come from Arven's parents, including the Pokémon's names.

But now those parents were being informed of the names by the protagonist.

All evidence suggested that the Crystal Pool was anything but ordinary. Something might be buried in its deepest depths...

In fact, Freya from Blueberry Academy had been drawn to it too—though her heart truly belonged to Area Zero in Paldea. The Crystal Pool was only a "substitute."

But what made things even more delicate for Haru was that right now, Liko happened to be traveling with a Terapagos...

What would happen if she brought that Terapagos to the Crystal Pool?

Would time travel occur again? Or would nothing happen, since Liko's Terapagos was in a weakened state?

Either way, caution was imperative.

If that little turtle lost control at the Crystal Pool, things could get out of hand quickly.

Thanks to Game Freak's cryptic writing style and the entire Scarlet and Violet DLC focusing on that infuriating "trauma guy" subplot, the base game's quality had been severely dragged down.

As a result, Terastallization still remained cloaked in mystery.

Even Haru, blessed with a godlike meta-perspective, couldn't see its true nature clearly.

Just as Haru was mulling over all this—stuff that would be considered top-secret even to most Paldean natives—his attention was suddenly drawn to a pair of students ahead of him.

They looked like they were from Paldea. On the right was a girl wearing a large round sunhat that cast a soft shadow over her silky, golden hair. She wore a simple yet elegant dress.

Her outfit may have been plain, but it didn't hide her beauty or purity in the slightest.

As for the boy beside her, his clothing was... odd.

Despite the scorching weather, he was wrapped in a thick outfit and carrying a backpack that was practically half his size.

The bulging pack looked like it was stuffed with who-knows-what.

It was hard to imagine how he managed to carry all that and still not seem the least bit tired.

Lillie and... Arven? Why were those two together?

Recognizing them, Haru stowed his thoughts away and subtly moved closer to eavesdrop on what seemed like an argument.

He wanted to hear what they were up to.

"Please help me achieve my ambition. I'll do anything you ask!"

"When I saw you battle that other person before, I immediately understood. With your help, I can make my dream come true."

"So please—I'm begging you."

Arven had clearly pulled out all the stops. He humbled himself completely before Lillie, practically ready to kneel and prostrate himself if she asked.

But Lillie's response was a crisp and firm rejection:

"No. I don't know what exactly your 'ambition' is, but it already sounds suspicious."

Because of her past, Lillie had developed a kind of PTSD around anything to do with obsession or ambition...

Just hearing the word ambition made her think of Lusamine, which in turn made her think of that massive pile of metaphorical hats she was constantly forced to wear.

"What... why?"

Arven's face fell into despair.

His dream, the chance to realize it, was right there—so close he could almost touch it.

But then he thought of his life's greatest wish, of his Pokémon who couldn't even open its eyes anymore... and Arven collapsed to his knees before Lillie.

"Please... I need your help. Without someone like you on my side... I—I—"

"..."

"You really are the kind of person who only ever thinks about yourself."

"Besides, I have to stay with Professor Haru. There's no time to help you chase some dream."

Lillie was now thoroughly exasperated.

If only she were the kind of person who could be tougher—just shut people down outright.

Or better yet, she could kick them away if they came too close.

But unfortunately, Lillie was too softhearted. She couldn't handle this kind of emotional plea. If someone normally asked her for help, she'd probably go along with it.

But now? There was no way she could spare the time.

Didn't he see those wolf-like women constantly staring her down?

The moment she let her guard down even a little, they'd—

"Sigh... Professor Haru, where did you go?"

At that moment, Lillie couldn't help but long for the "Professor" who had earlier slipped away using the excuse of a bathroom break.

It was all those annoying women's fault—if it weren't for them, Professor Haru wouldn't have had to make a run for it.

If they weren't in the picture, the two of them might already be enjoying a sweet little world of just the two of them...

She made up her mind. Tonight, she had to form a mutual summoning bond with Professor Haru.

Those other wild women—each of them had already done this or that with Professor Haru. So why shouldn't she?

Why was it only Lillie who couldn't? No—only Lillie can!

But... just then, Lillie heard a voice that, to her ears, sounded like music from the heavens.

"I'm right here, Lillie."

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