"The truth."
Cynthia answered without hesitation.
"Of course we're friends."
Austin smiled slightly.
"I've never considered Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House's competitors as something I needed to fear. Naturally, I wouldn't ask you for help."
For a moment, Cynthia was surprised.
There was a certain confidence in Austin's voice.
Not arrogance nor stubbornness.
It was the same feeling she got when watching Garchomp stand on the battlefield.
Absolute confidence in one's own ability.
Thinking about it carefully, Cynthia realized something.
Austin could create perfect-quality Pokéblocks.
His understanding of Pokémon care was so advanced that even Garchomp had completely accepted him.
With that level of ability, why would he be afraid of Crown Coronet?
A small smile appeared on Cynthia's face.
"Speaking of which, I've always wondered something."
Austin looked up.
"What?"
"Aren't you curious about me?"
The question caught him off guard.
Cynthia had always been curious about Austin's changes, yet Austin had never asked her anything.
Not once.
"We haven't seen each other for four or five years."
Cynthia rested her chin lightly on her hand.
"But it feels like I'm always the one asking questions."
"Aren't you curious about anything regarding me?"
Austin paused.
Then he shook his head.
"It's not that I'm not curious."
"I just didn't want to bother you."
Cynthia blinked.
"Bother me?"
She clearly didn't understand his reasoning.
Austin thought for a moment before explaining.
"Maybe it's just something wrong with how I think."
"I was worried that if I asked too many questions, it might come across as me being overly concerned or interfering."
"So I decided not to ask unless you brought it up yourself."
Cynthia stared at him for a few seconds.
Then she let out a quiet sigh.
"You really think too much sometimes."
Austin smiled awkwardly.
"I know."
"It might be a flaw."
Cynthia shook her head slightly.
"I'm not sure I'd call it a flaw."
She looked at him for a moment.
"Though it does explain why you can have so much patience when dealing with Pokémon."
Austin didn't know how to respond to that.
Fortunately, dinner soon came to an end.
The plates were cleared, the Pokémon finished their meals, and the quiet atmosphere of the villa remained.
Then Cynthia suddenly spoke.
"Do you want to watch a movie?"
Her eyes carried a rare hint of anticipation.
Before Rolanda told her about Austin and the Breeding House, they had not seen each other for four or five years.
Yet somehow, after meeting again, the conversations between them felt surprisingly natural.
They didn't need to discuss battles or ancient history, the two topics Cynthia usually cared about most.
They could simply talk.
Austin looked surprised.
"At this hour?"
After dinner, it was already close to eleven.
Austin himself had no problem.
But Cynthia was different.
She was a Champion.
A public figure.
Even with a disguise, being recognized was always possible.
Although Cynthia had visited Black Crest before, and Austin had taken care of Garchomp, most people would never imagine there was anything unusual between them.
Austin didn't want Cynthia to face unnecessary attention because of him.
"It's not a normal theater."
Cynthia smiled.
"It's an outdoor cinema. The kind where you watch from inside your car."
"I've never tried it before."
Her expression became slightly brighter when talking about something new.
Austin couldn't help but find it a little unexpected.
For someone who had traveled across regions, challenged countless powerful Trainers, and uncovered ancient mysteries, Cynthia still had plenty of ordinary experiences she had never enjoyed.
After thinking about it, Austin nodded.
"Alright."
"That should be safer."
Cynthia's vehicle was a large off-road model, spacious enough for Garchomp to comfortably sit in the back.
Agni, Ryu, and the others briefly joined them before eventually returning to their Poké Balls.
Apparently, the Pokémon had decided they had given their Trainers enough company for one evening.
Cynthia put on a simple baseball cap, fastened her seatbelt, and started navigating with her phone.
Because Austin was considerably taller, he adjusted the driver's seat several times before finally finding a comfortable position.
Then he adjusted the rearview mirror.
Cynthia noticed.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Ready?"
Austin nodded.
"For the outdoor movie, do you have any preferences?"
Cynthia considered the question seriously.
"I like movies with impressive visuals."
"As for the story, as long as it's not terrible, I'm fine."
She glanced at the phone.
"Though I guess an outdoor cinema probably doesn't have many choices."
"You're right."
Cynthia looked through the options.
The silver-gray eyes beneath the brim of her cap focused on the screen.
After only a few seconds, she selected one.
"Then this one."
Austin looked at her in surprise.
"You decided that quickly?"
Cynthia smiled faintly.
"I've improved."
An outdoor cinema naturally wouldn't have the newest movies still playing in theaters.
But Cynthia didn't seem disappointed.
For her, the movie itself was only part of the experience.
It was the chance to do something ordinary.
Something she rarely had time for.
After a moment of silence, Cynthia looked toward him.
"Is it too unreasonable that I asked you to accompany me this late?"
Austin turned slightly.
"You misunderstood."
Cynthia looked at him curiously.
"Ask anyone"
Austin glanced at Cynthia briefly.
"Who wouldn't want to watch a movie with the Sinnoh Champion?"
Cynthia was caught off guard for a moment.
Then she laughed softly.
"Seems my reputation does have some advantages."
As the Champion of Sinnoh, Cynthia was loved by countless people.
Of course, fame came with its own inconveniences.
Being recognized wherever she went, constantly having expectations placed upon her, and rarely being able to enjoy ordinary experiences were all things she had grown accustomed to.
But Cynthia had never regretted her choice.
This was the path she had chosen.
And she was willing to accept everything that came with it.
. . .
. .
.
By the time Austin drove to the outdoor cinema Cynthia had found, it was already close to midnight.
During the day, this area functioned as a Pokémon exchange plaza.
At night, it transformed into a drive-in theater.
It was an efficient use of space, and one that matched Hearthome City's atmosphere perfectly.
There were still quite a few cars parked around the large screen, but thankfully, they could purchase tickets without leaving their vehicles.
From above, the scene looked surprisingly peaceful.
Rows of cars faced the enormous screen, with only the faint glow of movie lights and quiet conversations filling the night.
Austin couldn't help but think that Hearthome City truly lived up to its reputation.
It was a city where people could actually settle down.
Cynthia, meanwhile, was completely focused on the movie.
For once, she wasn't watching a battle, researching ancient ruins, or dealing with Champion responsibilities.
She was simply enjoying a normal evening.
The movie itself was actually quite interesting to her.
. . .
Austin had never seen the movie before.
And even after the ending credits appeared, he still wasn't entirely sure what the movie had been trying to say.
The story was average.
The pacing was strange.
But somehow, he didn't dislike the experience.
Maybe it was because of the person sitting beside him.
Cynthia stretched slightly and looked toward him.
"Let's go."
The movie itself had not been anything extraordinary.
But for Cynthia, the experience was something she would remember.
Sitting in a car at two-thirty in the morning, watching a movie with someone she trusted at a drive-in theater...
It was the kind of ordinary moment that rarely appeared in her life. Even though Austin was four years younger than her, Cynthia rarely felt that difference.
Perhaps it was because of how he carried himself.
His maturity, his calm judgment, and the way he treated others made it easy to forget that he was only nineteen.
Austin remained focused on the road.
He had always been careful when driving, especially late at night, so he didn't notice Cynthia occasionally looking at him.
Since it was already too late to return to Jubilife City, Austin stayed overnight at Cynthia's villa.
. . .
The next morning.
After breakfast, it was time for them to separate.
"I need to head to Mt. Coronet."
Cynthia adjusted her coat.
"There have been reports of Pokémon Hunters appearing there."
As the Champion, Cynthia carried responsibilities beyond ordinary Trainers. Among the Pokémon Hunters, there were people like Hunter J, whose strength could rival that of an Elite Four member.
Dealing with opponents like that required someone at Cynthia's level.
Austin nodded.
"Be careful."
"I'll be returning to Jubilife City as well. There are still plenty of things waiting for me at Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House."
Cynthia smiled.
"Always working hard."
Austin shrugged.
"Can't let everyone else do everything."
A small silence followed.
Cynthia looked at him for a moment.
"Then..."
She paused.
"Take care of yourself, Austin."
Before he could respond, Cynthia stepped forward and gave him a gentle hug.
Austin froze slightly.
He hadn't expected it.
Cynthia was usually composed and confident, someone who could face powerful opponents without hesitation.
But this simple gesture felt different.
It was simply a quiet expression of appreciation.
Thank you for the meal.
Thank you for the conversation.
Thank you for reminding her what an ordinary day could feel like.
After a brief hesitation, Austin relaxed and returned the hug.
Neither of them spoke.
For a few seconds, the morning remained unusually quiet.
Then Cynthia slowly stepped back.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Let's keep in touch."
"I'll visit again when I have time."
Austin nodded.
"Mm. I'll be waiting."
Cynthia turned and walked toward her car.
After a few steps, she glanced back once.
Austin was still standing there.
She smiled slightly before finally leaving.
. . .
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