Chapter 27
: If you're unhappy, let's block the evacuation point together and have some fun
"Come to Eurydice, take this and see if it fits."
Xia Ming prepared a bracelet-like amulet for Young Gilas. The bracelet, made of a hundred holy ash crystals, was nested in a transparent metal groove. Its internal flexibility meant that even if Young Gilas doubled in size, it would not break.
He knelt down and put the gift on Young Gilas's wrist. The latter couldn't hide his joy and happiness, and after putting on the bracelet, he raised his wrist and kept showing it off to Sandslash behind him:
"Yukichi Yukichi~"
"Bang~"
Sandslash squinted in response to Young Gilas, reaching out to gently pat its head.
"And there's the Sandslash King one. I modified the badge Grandpa gave you and nested them inside. Here, let me put it on you."
The gift given to Sandslash was a modified old badge. The outer layer remained the same, but the inner layer had been hollowed out and filled with one hundred holy ash crystals, making it appear oval.
The unique structure of this badge allows it to be inserted into the scales on Sandslash's chest, while also carrying the memories and bond between Sandslash and its grandfather.
"Bang~"
The Pangolin was deeply moved. It bent its tall body as low as possible until Xia Ming had put on the badge that belonged to him before straightening up again.
After delivering the gifts, Xia Ming glanced at the sky and said:
"I have other things to do today, so I'll have to prepare dinner later. Larvitar, can we go back to the Poké Ball first? I'm planning to take you somewhere to see someone."
"Yukichi? Yukichi Yukichi."
Although Young Gilas had some doubts, he did not resist entering the Poké Ball, as the environment inside was quite comfortable for him at the moment.
"Bang~"
Pangolin waved his hand, indicating that he would take good care of the farm and preserve the seeds; he hadn't completely forgotten this little bit of knowledge.
Xia Ming felt quite at ease with Chuanshan at home:
"Then I'll leave the house in your care, Pangolin."
As soon as he finished speaking, he took out the Poké Ball he always carried and put Larvitar away. Then he got up and ran towards the place he remembered before it got dark.
We can't keep them waiting!
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Three is a magical number. Anything on a macro level becomes exceptionally vivid when it comes into contact with the number "three," such as justice, neutrality, evil, the sky, the earth, the ocean, and so on.
The same goes for landscapes interspersed within time.
Hu~hu~
The sea breeze along the Stardew Valley coast seems unusually gentle today.
On this beach where almost no Pokémon are found, there are solid cliffs behind and a calm sea in front.
During the day, it boldly displays its beauty, as lively as an innocent child; at night, draped in the veil of night, it reflects the dazzling starry sky, appearing exceptionally romantic.
Now, it is dusk, a time when even the beautiful scenery seems weary and languid.
The waves were so small that the sound of them lapping against the shore was like a gentle song, and the sea breeze was so light that it could soothe one's weariness.
Her pink hair swayed gently in the wind as the girl sat on the rocks, hugging her knees, listening quietly to the waves sing.
The setting sun peeked over the horizon, its rays casting long shadows on her delicate face. The beauty mark on her profile made her look particularly melancholic.
Sha~ Sha~
People are trampling on the sand on the beach.
"Yo~? Yo! Yo!"
The rockhound lying next to the girl turned around and looked warily at the newcomer, while calling to its trainer to be alert.
The girl with pink hair lost all her melancholy. She was about to get up, but at the sound of that familiar voice, she calmly sat back down.
"Sophia, I knew you would be waiting for me here."
“…………”
Sofia didn't speak, but silently buried her head in her knees, while the Rockruff beside her looked at its trainer with a puzzled expression.
"Huh?"
Do you know each other?
Sha~ Sha~
Xia Ming moved closer, the sound of his footsteps on the sand reaching Sophia's ears clearly, along with Xia Ming's muttering to himself:
Uncle Gus told me a lot, but he didn't mention that your mental state seemed to be very bad. Maybe the adults just don't notice these things. But we won't talk about these things today.
Hmm... let me think. I remember the first time I brought you here, you told me you wanted to camp here together, and Aunt Somaline agreed. I remember telling you a fairy tale that night we camped, what was it called?
"Hmm... Little Mermaid..."
Sophia noticed that Xia Ming had come up behind her, but she didn't turn around. She just answered him in a mumbled tone.
Following this answer, Xia Ming continued:
"I remember the ending of the story made you cry for a long time. I said that the Little Mermaid turned into bubbles on the beach at dusk. To cheer you up, we would always make an appointment to come here to watch the sunset."
I'm just kidding, maybe one evening those bubbles will gather together again, and the Little Mermaid will be able to return to the sea and play happily with the Pokémon once more.
"fraud……"
Sofia's tone became more forceful, and a shy blush appeared on her face.
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Xia Ming took out the carefully prepared gift from his pocket, and bent down to extend his hand as he spoke:
"The Little Mermaid is waiting to turn around and see her prince, so my dear Sophia, who are you waiting for here?"
"What...what are you doing?"
Feeling the touch on her neck, Sophia spoke in a flustered manner, but she did not resist and let Xia Ming continue to manipulate her.
Xia Ming reached out and lifted Sophia's head, quickly placing a necklace with a heart-shaped pendant around her neck.
After doing all this, he got up and sat down next to Sophia, putting his arm around her shoulder as they watched the sunset together.
"Xia Ming..." (sobbing softly)
"I am here."
"Mom and Dad...Mom and Dad, they... (sobs)"
"I am here."
"Ughh ...
"Yo! Yo!"
Rockruff was at a loss as it watched its trainer suddenly collapse into a stranger's arms and burst into tears. What happened? What happened!
Having only been born a few days ago, she had no idea what to do and could only nuzzle her trainer with her head to comfort him.
Sophia didn't stop crying until the sun had completely set and the moonlight began to rise, and she smiled again.
After crying, she felt much better.
"How are you feeling now?"
Xia Ming inquired with concern.
Beside her, Sofia reached out and wiped away the tears welling in her eyes, replying with a slightly choked voice:
"I'm not...happy."
"Are you still unhappy after seeing me? I just can't do anything with you. Come on, let's go home, I'll take you to find something fun to do!"
"How vain! But... what's the happy thing?"
Sophia blushed and asked, seemingly thinking of something inappropriate.
Xia Ming simply gave a mysterious smile, then slowly uttered four words:
"Block the evacuation point!"
Between sleeping and taking advantage of the situation, he chose to take Sophia with him to block the evacuation point!