It’s not the first time we’ve shared a cabin. It is hardly any different from the yacht we used in Alola. However, this time I feel like I can hardly breathe. Or maybe I just don’t dare to try it.

  All I can feel is the pounding in my chest and the restlessness in my body. Endless questions shoot through my head, ready to shatter the silence between us. But Amethio’s gaze hangs somewhere in the middle of nowhere, and this is probably one of those moments when I shouldn’t disturb him.

  Still, I take advantage of the cold to get a little closer to him. Shoulder to shoulder, it almost feels like back then – when I was calmer in his presence and any awareness of romance seemed like a ridiculous thought. I can’t say the same now, and no matter how I turn it, I can’t shake this need to know more.

  Folding my hands in my lap, I chew my lower lip a little before daring a sideways glance at him. He’s still ignoring me. The journey will take a while longer, and I’ve already been silent for half the way. He can’t blame me for being a little curious.

  “Tell me ... do you know anything about Exceed?” I immediately raise my shoulders. The question sounds dumber than it should be. “Conia’s already told me a few things, but I wonder ... if there might be a place for me. You know a bit more about it, don’t you?”

  After all, he is one admin of the Explorers, who collaborate with Exceed. So it’s actually quite logical that I expect to find out more from him. And yet the temporary silence remains uncomfortable, and my doubts about getting an answer increase.

  “Exceed doesn’t accept interns,” he finally replies. “Unless you’re a professor who specialises in an area that is also covered by Exceed, you have no chance of getting a job there.” His attention slowly shifts to me. “Besides, a job at Exceed means you’ll be working in a lab for the rest of your life.”

  No more travelling. No more adventures. I’d be living crammed in a room with others, trying to figure out things I might not even be able to tell anyone in the end. Plus, I’d probably have to leave the Explorers for this. All these things don’t suit me.

  “I thought it would be a little different. Spinel works at Exceed too, right? Or not anymore?”

  “He got special permission from my father to work for Gibeon at the same time.”

  The fact he doesn’t elaborate tells me I’m not good enough in his eyes to get the same as Spinel. I can’t blame him, after all, I’m still just starting out. But thinking about my future is an important step. At least to avoid continuing to live from one day to the next.

  But I’m ready to drop the subject when I’m struck by a completely different piece of information at this point. “Your father?”

  His sigh sounds pained. “He’s the head of Exceed. There’s only one man above him.”

  His words feel like he’s dropping a Voltorb on me that’s about to explode. To make matters worse, it’s one of those things I couldn’t have possibly imagined. His parents are at least as unknown to me as the question of where and how he grew up.

  Amethio seems to notice my horror somewhere between my uncertain hum and wry smile, so he turns to me a little more clearly. “It surprises you?”

  Presumably, this is his invitation to bombard him with questions. Still, it takes everything I have not to spit it all out at once and wait for presents like a four-year-old child. “I didn’t expect you to have grown up so close to researchers.”

  “I didn’t,” he returns. “I spent most of my time with my mum and got to know Galar and later Paldea and Unova better. After that, I dedicated myself to being a trainer.”

  “So you’ve moved a few times?”

  “I was born in Galar and grew up in Paldea most of the time. That’s where the main Exceed base is.” He averts his eyes. “Later, it took me to my grandfather in Unova.”

  “So your grandfather is a ... strong trainer you could learn from?”

  “He’s a brilliant man who made our family what it is. Without him, Exceed wouldn’t exist ... nor the Explorers.”

  I hardly dare to dwell on the fact that Amethio’s grandfather founded both organisations. But it explains why the two organisations work closely together. “I’m sure he’s proud to have someone like you in the Explorers ... to know that you might carry on his legacy one day.”

  “Who knows?” A sigh washes over him. “I wonder what’s going through his head.”

  I could pat him on the back and say that they convey at least the same vibe because I feel the same way about him most of the time. But it would just be a poor joke that wouldn’t help him. His slumped shoulders and distant gaze tell me he longs for more. He wants to prove himself. And I slowly realise who he wants to demonstrate his abilities to. His father and grandfather certainly have a lot of expectations of him.

  “Gibeon,” Amethio finishes, so my attention wanders back to him. “He’s my grandfather.”

  My mouth opens wordlessly. The man everyone handles as ‘Master Gibeon’ is related to Amethio. Basically, I’ve ended up in a family business that will eventually end up on Amethio’s shoulders. Knowing who is at the top of it all also simplifies the thought of why he may be under pressure that I can’t follow. The way he exaggerates with his training; all the seconds he’s been holding onto Rayquaza; the awful competitive behaviour among the admins; even his words to me on Alola – all of this comes together.

  There’s nothing I can say to take that pressure off him. The demands placed on him are significantly higher than what has been placed in my lap. Nobody is interested in me. I can do whatever I want – my future belongs to me. It’s different for him. His future is already set in stone, and it’s up to him to meet the demands.

  Slowly, my gaze drifts to my hands. There is no room for me in this constellation. It’s almost a little ridiculous how I even thought about adding to Amethio’s burden with my feelings. He has better things to do than deal with romance – or with me.

  Pressing my lips together, I look out at the vastness of the sea. I shouldn’t feel like this. It’s not my right to feel this small, bitter emptiness in my chest. And yet, just to think that the gap between us is wider than I had assumed pierces me with a thousand needles. Especially now, when I’m sure I can truly work with him and the other two as a team, Amethio seems even more distant than before.

  “That doesn’t mean I’m better than you or Zir and Conia.” His sudden statement appears straight out of nowhere. “One day I’ll make my grandfather proud, but here and now I’m just an admin of the Explorers. I walk this path in front of me in my way.”

  I don’t want to look at him, and yet I can’t help but turn my attention to him. “You’ll need to make sacrifices. We’ve already seen that with your health.”

  “And it was your advice that I take better care.”

  “So, does that mean you’ll listen to all my suggestions?” Soundless laughter escapes me. “What if I advise you to make more room for other things in your life? To see the world with different eyes or simply ... to do something nice for yourself.” Or me.

  “Then at least I’m willing to listen to you.”

  He probably doesn’t know what he’s saying. At least I can’t imagine he will listen to me when it really matters. Then again, he’s opening a window. Almost as if I could turn to him with all my worries and problems – maybe even with my feelings. What he does with them is his decision.

  Still, should I contribute to him worrying about more things than necessary?

  In the end, I’m the one who gives up and shakes her head before moving on to another topic to avoid falling silent again. “Any news on the Rising Volt Tacklers?”

  “After they arrived in Hoenn, they haven’t moved. They docked somewhere between Littleroot Town and Slateport City.” Amethio takes a quick look outside as well. Dewford Town is now clearly in sight. “It’s not likely that we’ll run into them. They’ll do everything they can to avoid us.”

  Part of me hopes he’s right. After all, this crew has to consider that we’re after Terapagos – more or less. Our last attempts weren’t particularly ambitious in this area. Instead, we made our way to Rayquaza and then gave up for the moment. We’re probably now waiting for the right time to strike. Possibly also because of the Pokémon they have collected elsewhere – especially the Galarian Moltres. Who knows what else has sided with this troop during the time we’ve had our hands full in Unova?

  Whatever it is that keeps our paths from crossing, I’m grateful for it. Otherwise, I’d have to deal with my father, who hasn’t given up yet and certainly hasn’t taken the Rising Volt Tacklers off my heels.

  The worry consumes me until the boat slows down and a noticeable swaying signals we have docked. In fact, the thoughts make me rise before Amethio to get some fresh air and shiver under the sea breeze. The jetty that stretches ahead gives me at least a little security. Yet my world is still shaking.

  Amethio enters the wood shortly after me. He only says a few words of thanks to the old man, but it’s enough to get Takeo into a chatty mood. “If you like, I’ll take you to Slateport City after your mission. Only if you young lads have nothing else to do, of course. Think of it as a thank you for the lady bringing Peko back to me.”

  “Is there anything to see there?” I shouldn’t be so damn curious, but if there’s a chance to discover something new, I’m not missing it!

  The next instant, I almost choke on my breath. This man I met yesterday was no stranger. I just didn’t recognise him, wrapped up to his eyes.

  Takeo, meanwhile, acknowledges me with a cheery nod. “Today is the potions festival. People from all over Hoenn gather there to attend the market. It will last for an entire week, and there are lots of useful things for strong-willed trainers to buy!”

  It sounds like music to my ears. Since I’ve been working for the Explorers, I’ve had a steady income. It also means that this time I might buy something useful for my journey. After everything that’s happened, it would be beneficial to get a few tools to help me in a pinch. And perhaps this market offers something that fulfils exactly this need in me.

  My eyes briefly wander to Amethio, who looks at me as if he knows exactly what’s going on in my head. So I raise my hands in defence. “We could bring you back afterwards, and I’ll go to Slateport City on my own.”

  A faint sigh escapes him before he turns away from me and heads for the sandy, snow-covered ground of Dewford in slow steps. “I’ll be informed of any news. Takeo doesn’t have to take a diversion.”

  For a breath, my heart pounds up to my throat. The next moment I notice the sailor’s broad grin, so I tighten my shoulders and try to look a little more serious. At the very least, I wipe any suspicious expression of joy from my face before addressing another topic to him. “Did Mr Stone mention where his son is hiding?”

  He shakes his head. “But Steven loves to explore new things or deal with old ones. I’d bet all my money he’s investigating the Granite Cave. If you follow the steps down, there’s a lovely old mural there that he likes to devote himself to. He’s probably hoping to find out something new if he looks at it often enough.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  With a curt nod, I note the statement in the back of my mind before following Amethio, who has already gained a good head start. Catching up with him takes little more than a few seconds, and when I pass Takeo’s words on to him, he immediately heads towards the cave. Fortunately, the ground is so hard that it doesn’t give way much under our feet, and strolling so close to the shore is almost romantic. The only thing breaking the idyllic atmosphere is a fisherman, who sits calmly in the cold and tries to convince fish to bite his hook.

  Still, our walk together is beautiful, and even as we enter the far too dark cave, I don’t feel like I have anything to worry about. Here and now, I can give one hundred per cent and be certain that Amethio will be by my side. It makes me think back to our conversation, to the fact he wants to go his own way. He is willing to listen to me when I want to tell him something, and he seems ready to get to the bottom of the world and all its facets. At least that’s a belief I want to cling to. It’s all that gives me hope of one day telling Amethio about my affection for him. Certainly not today. Not tomorrow. Maybe not in the next few years, either. But one day I will get closer to him and tell him openly how I feel.

  Half immersed in my thoughts, I pull out the Rotom Phone to switch on the flashlight. The little amount of illumination allows us to climb the steps down unharmed. We reach an underground cave that echoes our footsteps and in which the brightness of a portable, football-sized lamp on the floor provides more clarity.

  Straight ahead, a few steps rise to a platform where someone is standing, mesmerised, in front of a few lines that are difficult to make out from our position. Only when we get closer do we recognise the mural – a drawing of two Pokémon summoning different things. One of them is breathing fire, while countless volcanoes erupt, their flames hitting the rain and turning it into thick clouds that wrap around the lower part of the other creature.

  There is so much detail that I stumble over one step, causing a noise that also causes the man on the platform to whirl towards us. He puts one hand briefly on his chin and drops it immediately afterwards. “Interested in the mural?”

  “Also,” I reply before reaching into my jacket pocket and pulling out the envelope. “Your father has a letter for you.” I take the last few metres up to him in a few leaps so I can press the paper into his hands right afterwards. “Takeo said we could find you here.”

  All that escapes him is a sound of understanding. In the next blink, he opens the letter in front of me to read the contents and nod a few times. Then he stows it neatly folded in the pocket of his black coat. “So you’re from the Explorers. It’s nice to know that you’re here to help with Maqua.”

  “It’s our duty to help each other,” Amethio interjects. He pauses beside me. “It wouldn’t help any of us if the Devon Corporation was put to shame or destroyed by them.”

  As if they understand each other without words, Steven offers him his hand, and Amethio doesn’t let the greeting pass him by. Instead, they hold eye contact until Stone smiles. “I’ve heard a lot about the Exceed CEO’s son. It’s nice to meet you in person. Amethio de Vere, right?”

  It’s more a statement than a question, so Amethio avoids answering, and Steven turns to me. He greets me in the same businesslike way but with different questions. “I assume you’re one of his assistants?”

  “Domino Simpell. Aspiring professor,” I reply flatly. It’s probably the first time I’ve introduced myself in such a sorted and determined way.

  “Steven Stone,” he returns. “I deal with rare stones. They say that these Pokémon pictured here,” he glances over his shoulder at the mural, “have also been given powers by special gems. Part of me almost wonders whether the gems in question come from our planet or from outer space. The mysteries and speculations about this are still unsolved today.”

  I can’t say I understand what he’s saying in the slightest. However, it’s also hard to say that there isn’t a certain appeal to finding out what connection these Pokémon on the wall have with unusual stones. After all, there are already some that are used for evolution.

  “Anyway, I’m looking forward to perhaps having a conversation soon in order to get closer to the Explorers.” Without further ado, Steven turns the conversation in a different direction. Once again, he turns to Amethio. “I’ll get in touch with you to discuss a few details at a later date. I’m sure we’ll both benefit from it. Until then, I hope you can chase Maqua away.”

  Amethio’s plan takes on a life of its own. He no longer has to bother convincing Steven of his intentions. They’ve obviously thought of the same thing, and although I should be happy for him, the excitement of getting to Slateport sooner than planned outweighs it. I really shouldn’t overstep the mark, but no one can forbid me from secretly calling this brief excursion a date.

  》 WHISPERS 《

  Slateport City is a place with its own unique appeal. While the beach stretches out in front of us, probably crowded with people in summer, almost snow-white buildings rise behind it, looking like glittering winter landscapes in this weather. They are followed by trees that are significantly more massive than what I saw in Alola; and the huge volcano, which throws out endless ash, bathes the sky in oppressive grey in some places. It seems as if you could observe three different worlds from here.

  As my shoes step onto the crunching snow of the coast, it’s hard not to imagine warmer days. In Alola, I took the chance to drive Amethio crazy with my shenanigans once before, and I’d do it again here and now. But the beach stalls are closed. Instead, we are greeted by a lively atmosphere as we climb the few steps to the solid stone ground of the town.

  From the end of the beach, along the side of the dividing wall, there are countless stalls. I can’t tell from here where it ends. Considering all the people crowded here, it’s not surprising that Rustboro looks deserted in comparison.

  “Amazing...” It’s the first time I’ve been able to attend a festival like this and even have the money to afford something. My gaze immediately moves to Amethio. “Potions festival means they’ll be offering lots of medicines!”

  Eyes fixed on his Rotom Phone, he slides his thumb over the display a few times before replying, “Also Poké Balls, which you can usually only buy on order; technical machines that can teach Pokémon new attacks; incense...”

  I don’t want to wait any longer. To find out what this market offers, we have to check out every stall, and for a breath, it’s only natural that I grab Amethio by the hand to make sure we don’t get lost. In the next blink, I stop consciously thinking about it and tighten my grip.

  Amethio matches my pace. His curiosity is sparked, and he is actually tempted to buy a few new healing powders, which are supposed to be especially effective against paralysis. We are also offered some feathers capable of giving a Pokémon more attack power or defence. I can’t imagine crushing one of these and then giving it to my team, but some other trainers seem in great need of such things.

  In between are compact discs advertised as technical machines. Amethio explains them as follows: “You put these discs into readout machines and show them to the Pokémon. They have been recorded in a way that’s easy to understand and imitate.” It doesn’t take much training to memorise the attacks in your partner’s memory. But he also tells me they aren’t very popular because not only are they wildly overpriced but also because as a trainer you can usually do the work yourself to teach a Pokémon certain attacks. As a trainer, you need to establish communication with your team member to do this.

  The colourful offers and possibilities unfolding before us tempt me to buy things myself at some points. Not only do I treat myself to some energy root that they put in little bags, but I also stock up on some max potions in little plastic canisters that I can throw in during battle. Even if I don’t like the circumstances and don’t want to see my team suffer, I won’t be able to avoid fights in my current position. So I have to make sure that my team has everything it needs to avoid suffering any longer than necessary.

  And that’s probably why I’m hooked on the sacred ash, which is on sale in large quantities. According to the seller, it’s an item you can only buy once a year. Still, fifty thousand Pokémon Dollars is quite a lot. And that’s for just one hundred grams.

  “On the other hand, it is said to have good healing qualities. It’s a kind of revitaliser that brings Pokémon back to their feet and makes sure they’re ready for combat straight away.” That sounds tempting, but if I’m honest, I don’t want to think about sending one of my partners back into battle after they’ve already lost consciousness once.

  “It’s an item for gym leaders and all those above them,” Amethio comments. “They often have to send their Pokémon into up to five battles a day.”

  With that, I tick off the miraculous ash. The last thing I want to do is pretend it’s okay to treat my team like this. Gym leaders and their Pokémon have embarked on a different path in life, and I want to be foolish enough today to believe that they’re all happy with that decision – even though I know that’s certainly not the case.

  “Maybe we should eat something,” I interject, trying to shake off the thought for good. As a result, Amethio points over to a stall offering various takeaway treats.

  Reaching the food offerings there is far from easy, but as soon as we get our chance, my eyes glide over a selection that somehow feels familiar. Amethio opts for a load of yaki-imo with cheri sauce, which is supposed to add a certain spiciness. I decide on gyoza with lansat dip.

  It’s almost a little nice to sit down next to him on a bench just outside the market and take a deep breath. I don’t know how long we’ve been on our feet, but the sun is high on the horizon, and its rays warm my skin a little.

  “Do you regret coming here with me?” I’m sure Amethio could do a lot of things right now that have nothing to do with pleasure. After all, he’s also here to do business. However, I would be happy if he admitted to enjoying himself as much as I do.

  “It’s a helpful trip,” he replies. “Keeping an eye out for special offers is part of the Explorers’ job. It allows us to keep track of buyers’ interests.”

  His answer is as stiff as expected, but it’s better than nothing. Still, I push a gyoza between my teeth a little more grumpily, causing Amethio to raise his eyebrows and let out a languid sigh. He knows I expect more. But he turns his gaze back to the stalls and offers in front of us without engaging in my game.

  “Have you ever been here before?” I finally change the subject. There’s no point in letting the silence win. I want to find out more, know more, be closer to him, and calm the fluttering feeling of expectation.

  He shakes his head. “I’ve spent most of my time in Galar and Paldea. Occasionally in Unova and Kalos. I’ve never set foot in other regions.”

  “Except Alola,” I add. “Do you also ... look at the cities and people and cultures?”

  He opens his mouth but pauses for a moment. I suppose he would like to claim that he fulfils the tasks he has to do with a straight face. But the truth is different.

  “Sometimes,” he admits. “It’s impossible to walk through a region without seeing something.”

  I can’t say I’m not surprised by his skill at evasion. It’s almost as if he doesn’t want to talk to me. As if he’s already told me enough about himself. And maybe it’s better to give up for today. I’ll have more opportunities to ask him questions. Until then, I’ll make do with all the information I’ve received from him today.

  So I sit back and relax, just to look at his dish. If I were hungrier, I’d probably try the whole food stall. But this way, my order is enough for me. At least until Amethio notices me staring and wordlessly holds out the yaki-imo. It would be foolish to refuse. I have to grab it before he changes his mind.

  Tasting something he likes seems like another secret that I am slowly unravelling. And indeed, there is a slight sweetness that combines with a subtle spiciness and gives the roasted sweet potatoes something that is both delicious and unique.

  Meanwhile, Amethio watches me for longer than I would like, so I offer him my gyoza, which he declines. Instead, he rummages through his pocket for a moment until he finds what he’s looking for: a handkerchief, which he runs over the corner of my mouth.

  Just like that.

  As if it were perfectly normal to take care of someone like me, whereas with Conia, he probably wouldn’t have said a word. There’s something familiar about these seconds when everything seems ordinary – no palpitations or other worries. As if we’ve been out here together forever and there’s no distance that I’m trying to bridge. Here and now, there is no distance between us, and I can’t help but lift a hand and place it on his cheek. Caught in the violet of his eyes, it seems like the only right thing to do, to stroke his skin with a thumb and wordlessly reassure him I am here and that I will stay. Together we can achieve so much more, and if a relationship looks like this peaceful moment on this bench, then I want to spend every day with him. With him and the warmth in my chest.

  For a blink, it’s as if we agree. The gap closes. We are here, and around us is nothing but the vastness of people in a region we have nothing to do with right now. I can feel his breath on my skin, see his eyelashes up close. Just a little more and I could feel his lips on mine.

  But in the last breath, he grabs me by the wrist and releases my fingers from his cheek. Then he pulls back, far away from a possible kiss, and averts his eyes. The magic breaks. Once again, it’s him running away from me, and although I should just accept it, the only question I can think of at this moment escapes me. “Why?”

  His lips twist barely noticeably. “Why what?”

  “Why ... do you keep backing away...?”

  He takes a deep breath before turning to me. “Why does it matter?”

  I bite my tongue briefly. There seems to be genuine interest in his eyes, as if he can’t understand why I want to be close to him. The door is open here and now. He gives me the chance to explain to him what it is I want. Of course, relationships are something I don’t know a thing about. And it would probably be too much to tell him I love him. After all, that’s not entirely true. I think I do, but I’m not sure. All I know is that I’m smitten and that I want more time. More of everything.

  “I want to be with you, Amethio,” I whisper softly. “I like you. Quite simply. And also ... quite complicated.”

  His hands visibly clench into fists. The meal is forgotten. “You’re telling me you have ... feelings for me?”

  A gentle nod overwhelms me. “For a while now. And ... I thought that maybe you–”

  “No,” he interrupts me.

  “No?”

  “I don’t feel the same.” He immediately turns away. “You’re a member of my team, nothing more.”

  My heart is racing. “And what about all those moments when we got closer? Are you telling me ... that there was nothing? Not when I was with you, not when you were ill, and not when we celebrated Halloween?”

  Did I just imagine all that? A question I can no longer ask him because my voice quivers and sounds thin.

  “Those were moments when we compromised,” he replies curtly. “But none of that had anything to do with ... feelings.”