[New Fanfic Poll Start!! These Are The Contestants!!]

[One Piece: Since I Can't Be A Celestial Dragon, Then A Villain It Is!]

[Shokugeki: Starting With The Dark Cooking Society Legacy]

[Yu-Gi-Oh!: Undefeated and Ultra-Meta!]

[How To Make Your Favorite Fanfic Win!?]

[Most Power Stones = 1 Point]

[Most Reviews = 1 Point]

[Most Votes On Poll = 1 Point]

(The Poll Is On P@tr3on! For Free To Everybody!! And It Will Only Last A Few Days!!)

===========

The next day in eastern Unova, Reshiram touched down amid roaring flames—then, of its own accord, reverted into the Light Stone. After sharing a portion of its energy with Kyurem earlier, Reshiram needed a short rest.

To keep a low profile, Hikaru called out Aegislash and took the classic "Fly" route to Undella Town.

"Nice vibes—beach, sea gate, swimmers, bikini ladies…"

"Though there's not much sun today. Fog over the water, a slightly overcast sky… a melancholic mood."

"Mr. Bourgeois's place is here, too." Even from far off, Hikaru could make out a super-sized villa at the foot of the mountain.

"Hoo… are there a few too many villas here? So this is the world of the rich."

Sure, normal vacation homes and inns were everywhere—but no matter where you looked, a couple of massive villas dominated the view, built way up and towering over the town.

Undella Town, in eastern Unova. In the games, it's quiet in spring, autumn, and winter, but swells with vacationers in summer. In reality here, it's springlike year-round, so the crowds never really thin—and thanks to the "Cynthia's villa" effect, the town shows up on screen a lot.

Of course, that villa actually belongs to Caitlin, who lent it to Cynthia. The imperious ojou-sama once said she has villas all over the world—and Cynthia can use them as she pleases.

"But this year Cynthia won't be coming."

All summer long, Cynthia had poured her time into the search for the Sinjoh Ruins. Between vacationing in Undella or exploring Sinjoh, Cynthia had already made her choice.

After challenging Arceus, Cynthia still had to collate documents from everywhere, even investigate the long-lost Foggy Ruins, and maybe visit the Kimono Girls in Johto. The to-do list was a mountain—and she couldn't dump everything on Lucian, could she?

Hikaru looked out over the sea. The Abyssal Ruins are tucked away beneath Undella Bay, but in reality this gulf is huge, and the ruins lie in deeper waters—hard to find on a whim.

"That's right… Cynthia won't be coming. Do you know why?"

Suddenly, a resentful voice—like a vengeful spirit—sounded right behind him.

Hikaru whipped around. A surge of psychic power had bloomed so suddenly that even his heightened perception hadn't caught it in time!

Whoom! Air rippled with Psychic energy, and beside Hikaru appeared a princess sprung from a fairytale—an elegant young beauty in a white long dress and a sheer pink stole, with a cascade of voluminous, radiant blonde hair.

Exquisite and resplendent. Noble and poised. That was the first impression of this golden-haired Trainer.

Of course—it was Caitlin.

"Cynthia isn't coming to Undella this year—and it's all because of you. She should have been vacationing here, but a certain someone made her very busy…"

"The weather's nice enough today… Hajimemashite, shopkeeper. Though it isn't my first time watching you—your Unova journey is going rather well. But as your Psychic power grows, it's getting harder for me to locate you."

Caitlin's gaze was frosty—her mood clearly off.

"Lady Caitlin, yes? Truly a first meeting… You're as graceful as you are beautiful."

A bit abashed, Hikaru offered a compliment to the displeased VIP, then added a careful check-in:

"How's your mental state lately? Feeling all right?"

"Of course. I feel splendid." Caitlin folded her arms.

She still looked somewhat girlish—she hadn't yet reached the more mature bearing she'd show in the events of Black & White.

Her tone drifted, cool and soft.

"Thanks to the shopkeeper's help, I finished my Elite Four trials ahead of schedule and gained fast control over my Psychic power. So…"

"I've been waiting for the day we met."

"But then I saw you design an 'art outfit' for Elesa, didn't I? Where's my piece?"

Caitlin's expression turned oddly triumphant, as if she'd caught Hikaru red-handed.

"You promised to make me a piece first. Those works you exhibited in Mistralton City—not sold in your workshop? And you didn't tell me?"

"That's because the shop's temporarily closed," Hikaru said, a little sheepish. "Traveling Unova is my chance to collect rare materials—and drum up reputation."

"Hmph." Caitlin sniffed, mildly scornful. "No need for such trouble. All you had to do was ask me. I know every notable name here. If you present art, fame is a non-issue."

Hand to her breast, she showed rare confidence and hauteur, like a regal golden swan.

"Anything I collect sends people into a frenzy. Money, wealth, renown—I have no shortage."

"Well, that's perfect." A spark flashed across Hikaru's mind. "I was planning a new exhibition of art pieces. Ojou-sama—would you like something bespoke?"

"Hmph." At that, the corner of Caitlin's mouth curled up.

"Now you're talking."

"Statue, painting, a musical score… which to choose?"

"Either way, I'm one of your earliest clients, remember? Hah… but that's still not enough."

"Mmm, you and Shauntal seem to be getting along. Not that I particularly mind—"

"…"

"As a friend, I should've been the first you visited, no? Abandoning your top client to visit someone else—what do you call that? I introduced you to Shauntal in the first place… Hmph, forget it."

Caitlin's brows knit. "The point is Cynthia. I know everything, shopkeeper!"

"Cynthia told me some things about the Sinjoh Ruins. I don't care about whatever history of the People of Shenhe—the point is I don't get to see Cynthia this summer!"

Hikaru rubbed his chin. "Ojou-sama, are you getting a little… impatient? Are you sure your mental state is okay?"

As he remembered, Caitlin's baseline was drowsy and aloof—except where Cynthia was concerned. But something felt off now.

His goods had fixed her Psychic outbursts… and maybe wound her up a tad too energetic?

Caitlin looked puzzled. "No, I'm fine. I'm just… not very happy right now."

She explained simply:

"In the past I suppressed my emotions to keep my Psychic in check, which made battles dull and joyless. With the items from your shop, I can battle happily while freeing my feelings."

"If you think my personality's a bit different, that's probably why."

"Even if I lose, I won't explode emotionally, and my Psychic won't go berserk. It feels really good."

Yes—because the emotions show up in everyday life now, Caitlin thought.

And that felt right. It made her feel truly alive, normal—not some kind of monster.

"Phew… enough. You said you'd make me a bespoke piece—then come to my villa."

"And…" Caitlin's gaze turned puzzled—and a little dangerous. "Cynthia said she has an 'unfinished item' at your place too?"

"Oh, that." Hikaru sensed the shift in her eyes and steadied himself, clearing his throat.

"It is a special piece. I've been combing Unova for materials to make it. I've gathered most of what I need."

Caitlin's eyes lit, but her voice went oddly plaintive. "It's clothing, isn't it."

Hikaru: "…"

To head off any misunderstandings, he laid it out seriously:

"It's a special self-fitting outfit. No measurements needed—it conforms the moment you put it on. So, no, I have not measured Cynthia's three sizes. Ahem. This is a proper topic."

Caitlin closed her eyes and said, softly, "I want one too."

"That won't do—the materials are far too costly," Hikaru refused.

"I'll pay you. Handsomely." Caitlin puffed her cheeks, annoyed.

Isn't a craftsman's shop meant to make money? I'm your number-one client and I don't get priority?!

Caitlin was not pleased.

"It's still a no. This outfit is special—it requires passing a trial. And the trial has been suspended."

Hikaru shook his head and refused again.

Caitlin's chest rose and fell—her mood slipping.

"The Sinjoh trial, then? I don't know the details, but aren't you one of the Shenhe people?!"

"Annoying! Annoying! Annoying!"

"Fine, then battle me! If I win, you make me the outfit!"

"Aren't you challenging the Unova League? I'm Elite Four. Beat me and you can skip challenging me during the League. Good deal, right?"

Hikaru finally saw it. "Ojou-sama… you're just venting."

"I am not." Caitlin blinked and huffed.

"Forget it. If you insist on seeing it that way, we won't battle now—I don't want you thinking I'm unreasonable."

"…Also—this is for you."

Caitlin pulled a TM from her small pouch. Seeing the shopkeeper momentarily blank out, she shut her eyes and leveled out her breathing.

"I foresaw this. Didn't you want to go buy the TM for Dive?"

Hikaru blinked. "But I'm resistant to Psychic power. How did you foresee that?"

Caitlin looked aside, evasive.

"…I was idly predicting local shop trends and happened to glimpse that future. Mm. Pure coincidence."

She changed the subject:

"You'll be staying in Undella a while, right? Let me be your guide."

Hikaru thought a moment, then said seriously, "Even so—that outfit is still off the table."

Caitlin squeezed her eyes shut, flustered, her fists clenching.

After a long beat, she relaxed her hands; the faint flutter of Psychic around her stilled.

She turned to face Hikaru, gaze intent—though her voice came a touch halting.

It firmed quickly, as though she'd made up her mind.

At last, with a helpless yet relieved little smile:

"…It's not about the outfit."

"I just want to thank you."

"Thank you for giving me a new life."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter; even Hikaru could barely hear. Realizing her own state wasn't quite right, Caitlin hurriedly cleared her throat.

"Since Cynthia didn't come, you're responsible, shopkeeper."

"In any case—"

"I have a lot to talk to you about."

(End of Chapter)

[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]

[Every 500 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]

[Thanks for Reading!]