Hearing Cogita's description, Elias was briefly stunned, then quickly understood what she meant.
"Is that so."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, giving no clear opinion.
Seeing Elias show no intense reaction, Cogita's lips curved faintly.
After all, they were now in the Kalos region, separated from Hisui by who knows how far.
Naturally, whatever had happened back then could be told however she pleased.
She even thought that starting over like this with Elias didn't feel bad at all.
At least she no longer had to let status stand as a wall between them.
On the other side, Elias lowered his head to carefully study the notebook she'd given him.
He had to admit—the contents recorded inside were remarkably detailed.
Some methods for crafting Poké Balls even looked far more advanced than those in Kalos.
Just reading it once, a basic plan had already formed in his mind.
"Thank you."
He looked at Cogita and spoke sincerely.
Whatever else she might have said, this notebook had truly been a great help to him.
And… the handwriting inside was indeed very similar to his own.
"You're welcome~"
"Of course, if you were to thank me with something a little more substantial, I'd be even happier~"
Cogita twirled a lock of her silver hair, saying it deliberately.
But even as the words left her mouth, she raised a hand to cover a small yawn, looking suddenly drowsy.
"This time, you can owe me the reward and pay it back slowly later."
With that, she turned without looking back and headed into the house.
Watching her retreating figure, Elias's expression became a little strange.
Through the lens of his telekinesis, he could clearly see Cogita's face flushed crimson, her quickened breaths betraying her own nerves.
This was a completely different person from the poised, effortless act she'd been putting on a moment ago.
Seeing this, Elias only smiled lightly and didn't expose her.
Suppressing the strange, restless stirring that had risen in himself as well, he lowered his head and continued studying the notebook.
Cogita returned to her room and collapsed face-first onto the bed.
Recalling her performance just now, she couldn't help frowning.
Her emotions were usually steady, but just then… she had actually retreated at the crucial moment.
She looked no different from that foolish Pokémon Diancie.
Thinking this, the dissatisfaction in Cogita's heart grew heavier.
"Next time…"
Her red lips parted slightly as she whispered to herself.
Even though she had made up her mind, the heat that had risen inside her still flowed through her body.
Cogita exhaled, feeling a pang of regret for going to find Elias so late at night.
...
The next morning.
Diancie, who had slept in late, rose comfortably from the bed.
Seeing the unfamiliar ceiling above, she blinked for two seconds before realizing she was in Cogita's house.
Remembering that Elias had already awakened from his long sleep, her lips unconsciously curved upward.
This light, easy feeling—she hadn't felt it in a very long time.
Quickly, she scanned the room but found no trace of the one she'd been hoping for.
Not seeing Elias upon waking, Diancie felt a twinge of disappointment.
But just as that thought arose—
Click—
The wooden door slowly swung open.
"Elias!"
Seeing the person enter, Diancie cried out excitedly.
"You're awake?"
Hearing her voice, Elias stepped inside, asking warmly.
"Mhm!"
Diancie nodded obediently.
At the same time, her wide, watery eyes curiously tracked the hand Elias kept hidden behind his back.
"Elias, what are you holding?"
She asked, brimming with curiosity.
At her question, Elias's lips curved faintly.
Meeting her puzzled gaze, he stepped closer and lightly tapped the back of a Poké Ball against her forehead.
"A thing humans use to catch Pokémon and sell them for money."
Elias spoke in a mock-scary tone.
"Uuh…"
Diancie rubbed the spot where she'd been tapped.
Then she finally saw clearly what Elias held.
—It was an orange-and-white Poké Ball, the craftsmanship not particularly refined, but carrying its own unique flavor.
Only because he'd tapped her with the back did it not draw her inside.
"Made it overnight. Barely passable, right?"
Elias explained at the right moment.
Hearing this, Diancie blinked, then her eyes suddenly lit up. She jumped to her feet, grabbing Elias's hand.
"This is for me?!"
Her excitement over the Poké Ball was obvious.
"That depends on whether you're willing."
Elias pinched her soft cheek, answering.
Since they were moving into the human world, it was safer to have a Poké Ball for her.
But as a wild Pokémon—more so a princess of the underground kingdom—whether or not she wished to be bound by a Poké Ball was entirely her decision.
There was no reason to force her.
But to Elias's surprise, Diancie, after hearing him, didn't hesitate at all before snatching the Poké Ball from his hand.
"I'm willing!"
She nodded firmly.
As she spoke, she raised the ball and tried poking it toward Elias.
But because Elias had no physical body, her gesture only poked at empty air.
Which of course revealed her true intention.
Realizing it, Diancie scratched her head awkwardly.
She'd wanted to see if she could catch Elias with the Poké Ball…
But clearly, it didn't work.
Elias let out a soft sigh and gently took the Poké Ball back from her.
He was about to say something when the door behind him opened once again.
Cogita entered. Seeing Elias, the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
But then, as if remembering something, she quickly turned her gaze aside, looking a little guilty.
"I came to get the blankets."
She explained as she opened a nearby wooden cabinet.
She'd always used Elias's room to store seldom-used bedding, so now she had to come up to fetch them.
Thinking of this, her cheeks grew warm again.
Behind her, Elias felt puzzled.
If he remembered right, hadn't Cogita just changed the bedding yesterday?
Suppressing the doubt rising in his heart, he turned back to Diancie and said helplessly:
"Enough messing around—we need to get ready to see Dianna."
They'd agreed to this yesterday.
And since Diancie had snuck out last night, Dianna was probably already angry, so they had to go early.
---
P.S.—Cogita: Don't ask. Ask less!
...
everyone is on vacation so no character notes this week
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