Why is my Pokémon acting a little weird?

"Lilia is already doing fine, but you still deliberately said that."

"...If you had just taken the initiative to be nicer to Lillie, things wouldn't be like this now."

Mitsuki is still struggling with this issue, and even though Mei has figured it all out, she still can't get over it.

Not only was her guilt towards Lillie limiting her thinking, but she also couldn't stand Qiao Ran's current declaration.

Deep down, she also has a little possessiveness.

"..."

Qiao Ran sighed. As expected, Meiyue was still angry with him.

"I've already said that my idea is for everyone to be together well... and for everyone to be happy."

"You've said this many times, but...how is this possible?"

Mitsuki still didn't quite believe it.

"If you don't try, how will you know? I think I can understand the happiness that Lillie and Mei want."

Qiao Ran gave his answer seriously. This path was his own choice, and all he needed to do was to keep going forward unswervingly.

"Liliae and Mei..."

Looking at Qiao Ran's determined eyes, Meiyue couldn't help but think of what Lillie said to her that night, and what Mei and Lillie had secretly talked to her about during the day today.

"Mizuki, you've been talking about our situation... What are you thinking? What are you thinking?"

"..."

"Okay... okay, since you know about their happiness, then... then what about mine?"

Miyue took a deep breath and asked this question for some unknown reason.

Even she herself didn't quite understand what she was doing.

"Tell me."

Chapter 561 [Silence]

Mitsuki is not a person without her own opinions. On the contrary, her ability to take action is stronger than most people.

However, as things gradually became complicated and the people closest to her started to behave a little strangely, she simply couldn't handle it.

"Do you remember when it was just the two of us, challenging those Xuwu Yide things together?"

In response to Meiyue's question, Qiao Ran did not answer it directly. After all, he himself could not explain it clearly.

Some things are destined to be indescribable, but Qiao Ran believes that as long as they can continue to communicate, this feeling will gradually emerge.

"Of course I remember, did you think I forgot?"

"...acting on his own, doing whatever he wants...it's still like that."

When talking about the past, everyone seems to have a lot to say. After all, everyone's experiences are different, and being able to narrate past experiences in this way seems to be a very interesting thing.

The two chatted for a while, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Qiao Ran also changed the subject and looked at Meiyue's profile.

"Come to think of it, it seems like you've been acting for other people since then."

"..."

"First, it was for Lillie, then he went to Galar, fought for the people of Spike Town, and now he's back with us..."

"I..." Meiyue was stunned for a moment. She didn't know what Qiao Ran wanted to express, but she still defended herself.

"My goal is to be a Pokémon Master. If it helps others, there's nothing wrong with that, right?"

The desire to help people does not conflict with her goals, so why can't she choose this path?

Her strength has also been tempered through these events. Isn't her current progress the result of these hardships?

"No, I want to ask more than that. You should also know what I want to ask, right?"

Qiao Ran did not deny Meiyue's desire to improve herself. It would naturally be a good thing to be able to help others while making progress. However, Qiao Ran wanted to say more than just that.

"Actually, Lillie also told me that when you went to Galar... She actually felt it was very strange. We could have traveled together, but it was like you were running away from something and didn't leave with us."

Qiao Ran still looked at her profile.

"What are you running away from?"

"I……"

Mizuki

He took a few deep breaths, as if to hide his emotional panic.

This guy...what the hell is going on.

Why do you ask such a question?

“…I don’t want to say.”

Under Qiao Ran's questioning, Meiyue still chose to remain silent. No one understood the reasons for her choice better than her. If she really said it out loud... then there would be no turning back.

"Even if you don't say it, I will continue to talk."

Qiao Ran quietly approached her, but Meiyue, whose mind was already in a state of confusion, obviously did not notice Qiao Ran's actions.

“…I actually wanted to travel with you.”

"It's great that you can come back now."

"..."

Meiyue still didn't answer, but Qiao Ran continued to speak.

"Unlike them, you often feel like an outsider, watching their actions. But sometimes, I also hope that you can think more about yourself and be happier every day."

Perhaps it was because Mi Yue was trapped alone for too long in the Ether Foundation, so every time Qiao Ran saw her, he could feel a sense of loneliness that made her feel out of tune with others. Except when she was fighting, she seemed to be more mature than others at other times.

Qiao Ran didn't know how she got through those days. What was she thinking when Lillie was parasitized and all the members of the Aether Foundation disappeared?

"What's the point of saying this..."

Mitsuki looked away.

"I just want to tell you that when others are looking at you, I am also looking at you."

As Qiao Ran spoke, he grabbed her shoulders and turned her gaze towards him.

"So, the question you want to ask already has an answer, right?"

"We are probably thinking about the same thing, right?"

"..."

Mitsuki pursed her lips, her body trembling slightly.

This seemed to be the first time... No... Maybe she had such a memory before, but she couldn't remember it clearly.

This man's face actually appeared so close.

He is a very brave and outstanding man. If possible, she certainly hopes to be with him...

"I……"

Meiyue's face was slightly flushed, and she seemed to want to say something, but before she could say it, she felt that the distance between her and Qiao Ran seemed to be getting closer and closer. She was startled and reached out to push him away.

"I...I'm not ready yet!"

"You go out first, you go out first."

Looking at Meiyue who was on alert again, Qiao Ran was helpless and could only sigh with a helpless look.

Maybe... I was really a little too hasty.

Unlike Lillie and Mei, who had things come naturally, she still had a lot of baggage in her heart. Not only him, but Lillie and the others probably needed to talk to her more and work on her.

"Well, I hope you can... just give it some more thought."

"Humph."

Mitsuki turned her gaze aside again, covering her cheek with her long hair.

However, Qiao Ran could also feel that his conversation with her tonight must have had a significant effect. At least, her attitude was no longer as twisted as before.

"Good night."

Qiao Ran knew when to quit and went out to retreat. His purpose of coming here tonight was to ask some questions on behalf of Phoebe. As for the subsequent conversation, it could be regarded as an additional achievement.

After leaving Meiyue's room, Qiao Ran stood at the door and thought for a while, then went back to his room. It was not time to go to bed yet. Now that he had thought of this, he might as well go to Liliae and talk to her about Meiyue.

At this time, at the door of Qiao Ran's room.

"Qiao Ran Qiao Ran? Are you there?"

Acerola had been knocking on the door for over ten seconds, but no one responded.

"Not here?" Acerola tilted his head.

This is so strange... Why haven't they stayed in their rooms these past few nights?

Chapter 562 [Rongcheng Gym]

Silent all night.

After finishing his work in Lillie's room, Qiao Ran went to his own room to rest. After all, he had to participate in the gym competition the next day, so it was necessary to rest more and recuperate.

The next morning, at the breakfast table, Qiao Ran was questioned by Acerola.

"By the way, Qiao Ran, what were you doing last night? Why weren't you in the room?"

When the three people at the table heard Acerola's question, their expressions froze.

"I...just mentioned something about Mitsuki when I was chatting with Zhulan, so I went to talk to her."

Qiao Ran directly told what happened to Phoebe, Zhulan and the others last night. Although this matter was very strange, Qiao Ran did not take it too seriously. After all, there is indeed a possibility of collision in the breeding methods of Pokémon. Until there is enough evidence to prove that there is a clear connection between the two, he can only think about it this way.

"So this is ah……"

After listening to Qiao Ran's story, several girls nodded, but Acerola was slightly

After thinking about it, she pouted a little angrily.

"Qiao Ran, I clearly said that you should take me with you when you talk to that ghost master."

"In the end, no one asked me to come."

Acerola felt very hurt. Not only did he go to look for Qiao Ran but failed to find him, but he didn't even bring him along when they discussed the ghost-attribute Pokémon issue. This was too much.

"Yesterday, things were quite urgent, so I went directly to Mitsuki's place."

Qiao Ran could only laugh it off and cover it up, and comforted the pitiful Acerola. Although his behavior did seem a bit... well... excessive, based on the situation last night, it was impossible for him to take Acerola to Miyue's room!

God knows what kind of embarrassing situation will develop by then.

——However, thanks to the conversation between Qiao Ran and Meiyue yesterday, Meiyue's condition is obviously much better today. In simple terms, it seems that her thoughts are much clearer.

But - this level is still not enough. According to the conversation with Lillie last night, they still have to continue working for Mitsuki.

"Hum hum."

Acerola still had an unhappy expression, and Qiao Ran had to coax her for a long time before her expression improved a lot. He didn't know if it was Qiao Ran's illusion, but he always felt that Acerola came to the back and deliberately wanted him to coax her a few more times.

"Alright, alright, we have to head to the gym next."

After breakfast, they saw that it was almost time, so Qiao Ran and his group packed up their things and set off for the gym.

There is usually a special bus line passing by to go from the Alliance's Pokémon Center to the Gym, so you can get there directly without changing buses. However, if there is a subway option, most people will probably choose the faster and more convenient subway.

————————————————————————————————————————

It took more than an hour before Qiao Ran and his group finally arrived at the gate of the gym.

Along the way, they also met many people who knew them and pestered them for photos and autographs. These people were not just trainers, but also many ordinary people from other professions. Living in a world coexisting with Pokémon, even if they didn't pay special attention every day, it was impossible to avoid the topic of Pokémon.

Before they knew it, Qiao Ran and his friends had become somewhat famous.

"The Rongcheng Gym... doesn't look particularly special from the outside."

"After all, not all gyms have weird designs."

Standing outside the gym, several people first commented on the shape of the gym. Although it was not very special, it looked large enough and had a special sense of oppression. Compared with some gyms with strange shapes, it looked very solid and heavy.

"Welcome to the Rongcheng Gym."