Small clouds form with every breath. My fingers are numb. Yet I feel like I’m melting under the winter coat I’ve bought. The snowball I’m laboriously pushing around with Ying is getting bigger and bigger, and I’m sure that if we carry on like this, we’ll need a Salamence to put this ball on top of the other one, which is probably twice as big.

  December has descended on us like a flood of cold, and the whole of Castelia is buried in snow. Since the temperatures are no longer below zero and we are at least one degree above freezing, some Fire-type Pokémon have begun to clear the streets and pavements of snow. Together with a few Grass-type Pokémon, which soak up the water that is created, it is actually possible to shuffle safely along the pavements.

  “Isn’t winter just beautiful?” Fennel, who has thrown herself into the snow to leave a few prints together with Coro, waves her arms up and down while Conia tries to pull the scarf around Golduck a little tighter. “It clears your head and gives you lots of new ideas about what to do with the year that’s coming up!”

  “I’d rather go inside and watch the cold near a fireplace,” gasps Conia. “Anyway, the sun will set soon, and it’s getting colder and colder.”

  The large snow globe is just reaching its pedestal when I nod at her. Ying doesn’t mind the temperature, but despite thick boots and long trousers, I can feel the damp cold settling into my clothes. “Something hot to drink would be nice.”

  “I’m right there with you!”

  “I think I still have some marshmallows in the cupboard.” Fennel sits up in a flash. “How about some hot chocolate?”

  She doesn’t have to make any more suggestions to get cheerful approval from Conia and me. Even Golduck makes a sound of joy when she returns to her ball, and Ying also seems to agree to stop playing in the snow with me. The others went back into their balls a good hour ago, and only Coro stayed outside with Unfezant.

  Whenever I look at him, it’s clear that he doesn’t mind the cold for a second. Now and then he heats his beak so clouds rise, and he uses it to warm Unfezant. The two have already become so accustomed to each other that they know their mannerisms. Unfezant sings to him whenever he threatens to get upset about something, and he showers her with attention in return.

  They are images that tighten my chest because I know I have no chance against them. I don’t even have to ask him what he would choose if I were to leave Unova tomorrow. Toucannon has found his place, and it’s not by my side.

  Eventually, we all shuffle back into Fennel’s small flat, and although it’s not warm in here, the temperature seems more comfortable than outside. The professor immediately switches on the heating before we take off our thick jackets and leave our shoes at the entrance so as not to bring in any water. Then Conia and I settle down on the sofa while Fennel endeavours to make three cups of hot chocolate.

  “I don’t even want to think about flying to Hoenn.” With her legs pressed tightly together, Conia purses her lips. Looking at the opposite wall, the blush on her nose and cheeks seems to subside all at once. “Winters are harsh in those regions.”

  “Hopefully we’ll get a warmer uniform.” The corners of my mouth twitch downwards. “Otherwise we’ll probably freeze to death.”

  “We will,” Conia confirms. “But that doesn’t make it any better.”

  I don’t know whether I should agree with her or not. Winter in Hoenn is at least as foreign to me as in any other region. It feels like I’m experiencing my first cold season here in Unova, and the strange tingling sensation on my skin makes me pull and stretch my throbbing fingers to ease the pain.

  It’s hard not to wonder what all those winters with my father were like. How did we spend our time in Johto? Were the winters in Harara hard? And were there pleasant moments here in Unova that weren’t characterised by fear? In between, there’s also the question whether I ever celebrated Christmas with my parents or whether there were other festivals to which we devoted ourselves. I don’t know much about religion – it’s a subject that interests me as much as mechanical engineering – but I know there are countless beliefs and views about this world.

  “I’m sure you’ll love Hoenn! And all the beautiful Pokémon you can see in the wild!” As Fennel sets the hot cups down on the table, she can’t hide the cheerful sparkle in her eyes. “And you can look inside the Devon Corporation’s laboratories! Not that you need to, but they always have interesting new techniques for Poké Balls and potions in store!” A pained sigh escapes her. “I wish I could go with you, but the renovations to my lab are almost finished, and I really need to make sure everything is in its place.”

  “We’ll send you a postcard,” I interject in half-humour.

  “With a frosty landscape on it,” Conia adds, before grabbing one cup and taking a sip. The savoury snort escaping from her immediately afterwards tempts me to take a cup with countless marshmallows as decoration, too.

  “When are you leaving?” Raising her eyebrows, Fennel settles on the cushion next to the low living room table.

  “New Year’s,” Conia replies. “We’ll be leaving at the end of the year, and it’ll take us a while with the sub.”

  Part of me wishes we were using the flying ship, but we’re probably better off underwater if only because the Rising Volt Tacklers will head our way as soon as we get moving. That way we can disappear whenever they get too close – or we can use the advantage to follow them stealthily. Of course, after my father’s announcement, I would prefer the former.

  “Let’s hope the coasts down there aren’t frozen, otherwise you won’t have much fun with the submarine.” Fennel’s laugh is so relaxed that for a moment, her thought seems only half as scary as it should be. I don’t want to imagine how dangerous it would be if we couldn’t get to the surface just because everything is frozen. Then again, it’s a crazy thought because the sea can’t just freeze over.

  So I shake off the unpleasant thought and look at Coro, who has snuggled up close to Unfezant, and I have to say they make a fascinating picture. They are far from being anything alike, but their affection doesn’t seem to diminish. They much prefer to enjoy their time together, and Toucannon snuggles up to her while Unfezant lays her head on his. The difference in size gives them a touch of special cuteness.

  But I don’t have time to sit here and watch them for ages. Soon I will go back to headquarters, and then I will slowly prepare to leave. This is my last visit to Coro for the time being, and I have no choice but to ask him this one question to be on the safe side.

  Stolen story; please report.

  While Fennel and Conia continue to talk up Hoenn’s weather, I push myself out of my seat and stroll the three steps over to the lovers. Coro’s gaze is still somehow judgemental, but the gleam in his eyes conveys happiness, which lends him charm. Unfezant, meanwhile, greets me with a gentle cooing, so I smile at her.

  I want to be on the safe side. I don’t want to misinterpret anything, so I let Mirra out of her ball and place her on my lap as I crouch down. She knows her job even before I have to ask her to, so I take a deep breath and get Toucannon’s attention all to myself for a moment.

  “I’m going to leave,” I begin, and his head tilts. “We ... will leave Unova soon, Coro. We will travel to Hoenn to investigate break-ins and see what else is thrown between our legs. Not least because the Rising ... oh ... why am I telling you this? The important thing is ... that you understand I’m leaving. And this is the point at which I have to ask you if you still want to go with me.” I bite my lower lip briefly. “Do you want to keep travelling and see the world, or do you want to stay here?”

  If I had known beforehand that asking a question could be so painful for the throat, I would have spared myself the trouble. After all, I know the answer. If I were in Coro’s position, I would be entertaining the same thought that he is conveying to me in these seconds with a soft, somewhat throaty chirp.

  “He say he love you,” Mirra translates. “He want always you to be safe.”

  I know that too. When I got it – Coro’s Pikipek feather – it was nothing more than a friendly gesture that I stuck somewhere between the pages of my textbooks so as not to lose it. But now I understand it was his way of making me realise I mean something to him.

  “But can’t go with you,” Mirra finishes. “If want, he will come. But if he choice, then he like to stay with Unfezant.”

  As you would expect. I’m losing out to love. The bond between us is not enough to prove to him now that, as his trainer, I would strive to make him an important part of the team. A partner who can also prove to me in battle that he is the greatest. Our path will never reach this point, of that I am now one hundred per cent sure.

  I have no choice but to stroke his soft feathers and give him a trembling smile. “If you want to stay here, you can. I’ll set you free if that’s what you want.”

  His coo is so timid it’s almost reminiscent of Unfezant.

  “You coming to see him, if possible?”

  “I don’t know when we will return to Unova.”

  “He doesn’t care. Even if in years, he happy if you visit him.”

  My entire chest aches as I take a deep breath. Part of me wants to cry and hold him close. But just like with my father, crying doesn’t get me anywhere. It’s nothing more than a waste of energy when instead I can keep walking to see what happens next.

  Just keep going, as if nothing could stop me.

  Just swallow it all and face the consequences when I have to.

  “If you don’t mind waiting for me, then yes ... I’ll come and see you when I find the time and am in Unova.” It’s probably a lie because I don’t even know if I’ll ever be able to bring myself to see him when I get back. Then again, this moment is temporary. Eventually, it will hurt less, and I will certainly have no problem visiting him and his happy life, knowing that I will never be a part of it.

  Still, in these seconds, they are pinpricks that reach the back of my throat as I pick myself up and listen to Coro’s cooing one last time. More words I push away as I call Mimikyu back into her ball and nod to him. “I hope you and Unfezant will be happy together. And who knows, maybe something unique will come from your union.”

  He doesn’t even care that I don’t want to hear his last words. Instead, he fluffs up his feathers and seems to assure me with full pride he will protect this newfound life with all his might.

  Slowly, I walk backwards the three steps I covered earlier and back to the sofa before dropping onto the cushion, and Fennel’s interest immediately swings to me. “So, how are things with you and Toucannon’s passionate love?”

  “He’d like to stay here ... if you don’t mind.”

  Fennel claps her hands happily. “Of course not! I sometimes like to watch the two of them cuddling, and then I realise sometimes you can’t give up. Like with me and Spinel, for example.”

  “I wonder when the day will come when you realise that Spinel is a disgusting rat.” Sighing, Conia throws her head back, while Fennel and I both let out an appalled “Hey”. “And then I remember that he’s deceiving you both.”

  “I really don’t understand why you two can’t get along. Spinel is clever and an asset to anyone who appreciates science," groans Fennel.

  “Besides, he helped me a lot when you were all too busy to take me on any missions. Spinel is nicer than you give him credit for.”

  “Everyone says that, but once you’ve experienced what a twisted character he is, you think twice about it.”

  “Name a single moment when Spinel did something terrible.” Raising my brows, I cross my arms in front of my chest. I’ve heard it said often enough that Spinel can’t be trusted. But there’s not a shred of evidence, except that he and Amethio seem to be permanently busy making each other’s lives hell. And I haven’t even heard anything about that yet.

  It’s a question Conia can’t answer. She knows that most of the things Spinel has done are related to climbing the career ladder – just like Amethio is trying to do. It’s a tough battle that they both fight without going too far.

  Conia shoos the subject away with a wave of her hand. Then she empties her cup and pulls herself to her feet. “It’s time we went back before it’s dark outside.”

  A glance out reveals that the world is slowly turning a fiery red colour. It won’t be long now before evening falls. Considering that Ghetsis is still free and nobody can say what he’s planning, it’s safer not to make a target. Arriving at headquarters before then is a precaution we take for simple reasons.

  So I get back on my feet too and drag myself wordlessly over to the jackets we’ve placed on the side cupboard of the entrance. My fingers cling tightly to the padding that will hopefully keep me halfway warm on the way back. Then I slip inside, notice a brief tug, and detect Coro just in time before I stagger back in shock and bang against the door. He has jumped up at me, a bit like Raya would do, and his tilted head gives him an air of suspicion.

  Without further ado, I bend down to him as I slip into my shoes. “Do you need anything else?”

  He shakes his head, quickly and resolutely. Still, he nuzzles his beak against my proffered hand in farewell. I stroke his colours with my thumb until he jumps away from me. He is ready to let me go, and I have no choice but to do the same.

  What follows is a quick goodbye. Fennel lands briefly in my arms, then in Conia’s. She is another contact we will try to maintain. After all, we both have her number, and I’m sure she’ll write to us to find out what’s new at Devon Corporation after she’s been away for a while.

  Unfortunately, it’s also a goodbye that’s happening a lot quicker than expected. Part of me can’t shake the feeling that it should be different. Then again, it’s not as if we’ll never see each other again, and we’re not a family that lives so closely together that letting go is complicated.

  Still, my throat feels parched as Conia and I enter the pathways of the Join Avenue and head back to headquarters. The cold seems more biting than before, and the sun begins to hide behind the far-too-tall buildings of this city. Some people who have not yet retreated to the shelter of their four walls settle down in cafés or walk faster. In the middle of this hustle and bustle, my time seems to stand still.

  Half in thought, I shove my hands into my jacket pockets and try to block out the stinging of the cold air in my lungs. However, it is the tickling sensation on my almost numb fingertips that draws my attention in another direction.

  I carefully grab what shouldn’t be in my pocket and pull it out. A long, black feather that bends smoothly and feels so silky that for a blink I don’t think I’m holding it properly. Just a single breeze and it would escape my hands.

  Still, as I hold it up to the sky to catch the last glimmer of sunlight on it, Conia’s gaze wanders in my direction. “Is that from Toucannon?”

  I merely let out a murmur of agreement. It must be one of his tail feathers. Another one to make sure I’m okay. His parting gift to me until the day we meet again.

  My next breath quivers as I quickly but carefully slide it back into my jacket pocket. The tightness in my chest is so intense that it makes my nose tingle. But I swallow this moment too, to avoid the tears and tighten my shoulders.

  Today is a terrible day.

  But it is a step forward on my journey.