June 12th, Saturday.

The night was gentle, with a deep purple sky dotted with stars.

A breeze rustled through the palm trees, creating soft whispering sounds.

Lu Ye lay on the balcony's wicker chair, eyes closed as he sensed the Power of Transcendence.

He saw bright white beams of light connecting himself and Darkrai.

And also connecting to the little ones playing in the yard.

Lu Ye could detect subtle differences in each white beam of light.

Bamboo Lan was inside researching mythological historical materials... Her Pokémon had grown increasingly close and trusting with the little ones.

"Yoji..."

Larvitar was carefully building sandcastles in the courtyard, every movement executed with utmost caution.

"Aowu..." Arcanine lay lazily beside the wicker chair, its flaxen mane visible just by looking down.

Roserade danced gracefully in the night, while Togekiss carried Togepi through the air as they played.

"Chaji duyi~ヾ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ"

Sylveon stood proudly with arrogant poise, its snow-white elegant figure using ribbons to push away the Glaceon trying to cling to it.

"Bui~('-')ノ)`-')"

The shy Spiritomb hid on the balcony disguised as a potted plant, blending in with the big leek bonsai.

"Ka-may...ヾ(⌐■_■)"

Blastoise was watering plants with the Squirtle-shaped watering can when its gaze fell upon Spiritomb, freezing mid-action.

A strange potted plant had mixed in...

"Lucario!"

Lucario approached the sharp-eyed Sirfetch'd, inviting it to coach the training content that would follow.

"Ga! (´థ౪థ)σ" Sirfetch'd's hands holding the sword and shield trembled, its whole body shaking.

How am I worthy of this, how am I worthy of this, duck!

Haunter floated nearby, gazing out at the little ones in the courtyard with a pleased, toothy grin.

"Gengarrr~"

We must keep working hard, keep growing stronger!

The Power of Transcendence projected these scenes before Lu Ye's eyes.

A faint smile gradually appeared on Lu Ye's face.

Without realizing it... I've already formed so many precious Bonds.

This sincere emotion doesn't belong to me alone.

Every Trainer, every human who companions with Pokémon, will have their own Bonds.

Even though the dream of becoming Champion remains distant and unattainable for the vast majority of Trainers.

When Pokémon battles conclude.

The daily moments of life with Pokémon still await them.

Young boys and girls pursue dreams of becoming Trainers, only to eventually fall before harsh reality.

But the end of a dream isn't the end of the journey—it's the beginning.

The night breeze blew.

Lu Ye stood up, his thin black sweatshirt featuring a red and white Pokéball pattern at the center.

He had experienced the spacetime turbulence of White Poplar Town, witnessed the tragic grandeur of Michina.

And it was precisely then.

That Lu Ye firmly resolved to confront Arceus.

This was Teacher Lu—underhanded, lacking manners, loving to smash low-level opponents.

This was a Champion—kind, gentle, stepping forward when it mattered most.

He similarly hated trouble, preferred escaping, and wanted nothing more than to enjoy a relaxed and happy life with his Pokémon.

But as a Trainer, Pokémon battles were inevitable.

Even if that meant risking failure, injury, and tears.

『Whenever Trainers' eyes meet, a battle will follow.』

There was no escape.

A faint fragrance drifted from behind.

Bamboo Lan rested her chin on slender fingers, one arm supporting her waist against her black clothing, asking:

"What are you thinking about?"

"The relationship between Trainers and Pokémon."

Lu Ye paused, then said: "And the reason for battling."

"Battles without conflict, without interests, pure Pokémon battles leading to victory... that's every Trainer's dream, right?"

Bamboo Lan looked up at the starry night sky, offering a slight smile.

"When battling another Trainer, you can understand what kind of person they are through competition. What Pokémon they've raised, what moves they've taught them, what items they carry... in those moments, no words are needed for everything to become clear."

"What kind of person am I then?" Lu Ye asked.

Bamboo Lan rolled her eyes, smiling brightly: "Someone who teaches adorable Pokémon unreasonable moves and equips them with underhanded items."

"Then I'm pretty impressive." Lu Ye nodded.

The night breeze lingered as Arcanine lowered its head, lazily baring teeth.

Haunter and Garchomp stood behind the pair, left and right, gazing absentmindedly at the starry sky.

"Gengarrr..." (So beautiful...)

"Ka ao..." (Just average, really just average...)

They stood before the railing in silence for a long time, starlight showering down upon them.

"From the moment I began my journey, my dream was to become League Champion." Bamboo Lan suddenly spoke.

"And then?"

"And then I kept loving Pokémon more and more." Bamboo Lan said: "Before I knew it, I had become League Champion."

"......" Lu Ye felt a tightness in his chest, falling into silence.

"It's true." Bamboo Lan said with a light smile: "Beyond that, there was nothing else."

"From the moment I began my journey, I also had my own dream."

Lu Ye's black hair fluttered in the wind, his face revealing a reminiscent expression.

"What was it?" Bamboo Lan asked.

Lu Ye shoved hands in pockets, sighing deeply: "Not becoming a Trainer."

"And then?"

"And then I kept loving Pokémon." Lu Ye repeated Bamboo Lan's words, sighing emotionally: "You know what happened after that."

Bamboo Lan smiled gently: "You became an excellent and powerful Trainer."

Lu Ye felt that familiar tightness in his chest as he looked back at the little ones.

Somehow, they had already returned from the courtyard to indoors, watching Teacher Lu with hopeful eyes.

"Gengarrr~" Haunter grinned toothily, standing honestly on the floor—an adorable purple round fellow.

"Bui!" Sylveon crouched on hind legs, raising its tsundere little head, azure blue round eyes secretly examining Lu Ye's expression before closing again.

Blastoise carefully adjusted its sunglasses, emanating restrained Aura energy;

Togepi cheerfully waved small hands;

Arcanine raised its head with a mournful cry;

Larvitar chewed on bagged potato chips;

Rotom Pokédex hovered in the air.

"Ga!" Sirfetch'd gazed sharply, raising sword and shield, its V-shaped eyebrows looking heroic and extraordinary.

Looking at these adorable and loyal little ones who felt like family, Lu Ye laughed helplessly:

"Maybe after my next loss, my journey will end."

Immediately, ghostly wails and wolf howls arose, with 'bui' and 'duyi' sounds continuously echoing around them.

Bamboo Lan, similarly surrounded by her Pokémon, looked at Lu Ye with a gentle smile:

"Our journey has only just begun."

Lu Ye fell silent.

Soon departing for Kalos, I would form more Bonds, encounter more lives.

『When lives meet other lives, something precious is always born.』

Haven't seen Ash win a championship yet, haven't proposed to Miss yet, haven't become true Champion yet...

Lu Ye still remembered gazing at the stars in Demon City and Goldenrod City.

The team kept growing, and he was no longer alone.

Lu Ye took a deep breath, smiling as he said: "I like you, Bamboo Lan."

Bamboo Lan's golden hair cascaded down as she rested one hand on her black-clad waist, smiling brightly: "I like you too."

Lu Ye turned around, looking at the eagerly watching little ones, declaring loudly:

"Let's begin a new journey!"

"Everyone, please don't stop!!"

For a moment, chaotic shouts filled Masago Town's night.

Their Pokémon crowded together in lively excitement.

Haunter seized the chance to pull out a microphone and, under the terrified gazes of numerous Pokémon, raised it high with a toothy grin.

"Gengarrr!!（๑`▽´๑)۶"

Finally got my opportunity!!

......

......

[Volume 3: Miss Bamboo Lan Wants Me to Confess - End]