While Chen Shi, Steven, and Phoebe were enjoying dinner, somewhere else in Silver Town, a certain blonde young lady had just arrived.
Cynthia.
"Lucario," she said, bending down slightly, "check if he's here."
Lucario stared at her with an expression that clearly meant:
You released me… just to find your boyfriend? Really?
But despite its grievances, Lucario closed its eyes and spread out its aura, searching for that familiar presence it had memorized long ago.
After a moment, it shook its head. No trace.
Cynthia wasn't discouraged. She simply grabbed Lucario and marched through Silver Town with determination.
Her logic?
If Chen Shi came here for the World Championship, he must be staying at a hotel.
She—of all people—was wrong.
Chen Shi, thanks to Steven's insane wealth, wasn't in a hotel at all.
He was staying in a luxury villa.
Even so, fate refused to be denied.
Because Chen Shi was eating at the largest hotel restaurant at that very moment.
And eventually—Lucario sensed him.
Cynthia instantly walked straight toward the private dining room door.
She knocked.
Inside, the three people stiffened.
"Huh? Who would knock now?"
"Everything was already served…"
"Did someone bring the wrong dish?"
Phoebe casually hopped over and opened the door—
—and froze.
Standing there was Cynthia, golden hair cascading behind her, Lucario at her side, giving Chen Shi a look full of murderous jealousy.
All three inside stared at the door like statues.
Then, slowly, Steven and Phoebe turned their heads toward Chen Shi…
The look said:
"So… your girlfriend tracked you down… again."
Chen Shi shot to his feet. "Miss Cynthia—what a surprise! Come in!"
The moment Cynthia saw him, her eyes brightened with genuine joy—
and then instantly turned ice-cold.
"I told you," she said, voice trembling with suppressed irritation,
"just call me Severe Indecision Disorder."
"Thank you so much. Thanks to you, that stupid username is now famous across the entire research world."
She sat down beside him and smiled sweetly.
"In other words, I'm publicly known as the rising star with history's worst username. Right?"
Her smile was sweet.
But Chen Shi felt the temperature drop below zero.
"I—I can explain," he whispered.
Across the table, Steven and Phoebe were turning red trying not to laugh.
Cynthia ignored him.
Back in Sinnoh, she had been teased nonstop—by her grandmother, by Professor Rowan, by literally everyone.
She had been waiting for this moment.
Chen Shi hesitated…
then gently hooked her pinky under the tablecloth.
Cynthia froze.
Her ears instantly turned red.
Steven and Phoebe were stunned stiff.
What did he just do?!
Lucario saw everything.
Absolutely everything.
And in that moment, Lucario mentally screamed:
"I'M A DOG—WHY ARE YOU FEEDING ME DOG FOOD?!"
Without hesitation, it grabbed its own Poké Ball—
Boop.
And returned itself to avoid witnessing further PDA.
Chen Shi leaned closer and whispered at Cynthia's ear:
"Miss Cynthia… I've missed you. Have you missed me?"
Warm breath brushed her neck.
Cynthia shuddered, face blazing red.
But she didn't say no.
Under the table, she pinched him hard.
"Ow—!"
Chen Shi immediately straightened. "Ahem—let's eat. Stop staring."
Steven and Phoebe reluctantly looked away, disappointed their drama show ended too soon.
Dinner became lively again.
After chatting a bit, Steven suddenly asked:
"Miss Cynthia, have you found a place to stay? If not, stay with us. The villa is big—and Phoebe's there too."
Cynthia had been ready to decline…
But when she heard "Phoebe's there,"
her rejection quietly died.
"…Alright. I'll impose on you."
Steven shot Chen Shi a meaningful look:
"Bro, that's all I can do for you."
Chen Shi: "…"
After dinner, Cynthia suggested taking a walk.
Steven grabbed Phoebe immediately.
"We're not coming. We, uh… have things to do."
Phoebe blinked. "We do? What thi—"
Steven dragged her away.
Chen Shi: "…"
Left alone, Cynthia tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
"They're… interesting," she murmured with a soft smile.
Chen Shi stared for a moment, hypnotized.
She turned bright red. "A-Are you done staring?!"
"How could I ever be?" he grinned. "Miss Cynthia is still dazzling."
She was stunned.
This man was getting bolder every time they met.
"Come on," he said gently. "Silver Town is beautiful at night. Let's walk."
They wandered the bustling streets, hand in hand, stopping at stalls.
Soon, they reached an ice cream cart.
"What flavor, young lady?" the vendor asked.
"Oh, I—uh—"
Cynthia glanced at the dozens of flavors.
Choice paralysis.
Chen Shi sighed.
"Boss, two triple-scoop green tea cones."
"Right away!"
Cynthia let out a small breath of relief.
And Chen Shi thought:
"You can instantly pick the best moves in a life-or-death battle…
But choosing ice cream?
Immediate mental collapse."
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL