Lono felt a bit flustered inside. She said so, but...
Watching the distracted Lono on the screen opposite her, Geeta had already gotten the answer she was probing for.
"Just as I thought, you do have feelings for him, right?"
Hearing this, Lono immediately widened her eyes, looking at Geeta in disbelief.
Geeta gently laughed: "As far as I know, you're not the type of Gym Leader who's ambitious or vigorously enhancing their skills."
"Grusha and Larry went once, and yet you've gone several times. You can't possibly have suddenly awakened a desire for intense training to become the strongest Trainer in the Paldea Region, right?"
Lono: "...Is it that obvious?"
Since things had been said to this extent, how could Lono not see Geeta's intentions today?
Geeta just smiled without saying a word.
Lono admitted helplessly: "Alright, alright... Maybe a little bit!"
"Since you like him, be a bit proactive, muster the courage to pursue him; otherwise, Naoki, with his tight-lipped personality, would never know in his lifetime." Geeta encouraged.
But Lono seemed a bit hesitant.
"I always feel Naoki and I are not quite a fit..."
That has been the reason she hasn't been proactive.
Geeta raised an eyebrow: "Hmm?"
Lono listed: "Naoki and I, one is in the east, the other in the west. Compared to bustling big cities, Naoki prefers the quiet countryside, and we're different in personality and lifestyle habits..."
Geeta nodded while listening.
After a while, she spoke: "Love is a two-way street; both need to walk towards each other. Also, that's not what you should be considering now. First, you should express your feelings to him, and those other things can be considered later."
Lono now fully reacted, looking at the Chief with a strange gaze, different from her usual self.
"Chief, why did you suddenly become concerned with these matters?" Lono asked.
Geeta smiled slightly: "All for the Paldea League. Alright, let's leave it here for today! Speak about it more once you've confirmed your feelings!"
Lono: "..."
For the Paldea League, what does that even mean?
Could her falling in love revitalize the Paldea League?
Lono was dumbstruck.
But on second thought, the Chief was indeed right.
She ought to express her feelings first; otherwise, thinking too far ahead and then facing rejection would indeed be awkward.
Thinking like this made Lono feel pretty apprehensive.
Anyway, she decided to visit Naoki Ranch to see Naoki first!
After the call ended, Geeta sat in her chair, lost in thought.
Rika, who had listened to the entire conversation, said speechlessly: "Chief, when did you start moonlighting as a matchmaker?"
Geeta chuckled softly: "No, I'm just trying to give them a hand."
But Rika easily saw through her.
Clearly, it's about keeping Naoki in the Paldea Region...
Geeta didn't mind being seen through by Rika.
Instead, she started imagining the future.
"By the way, Rika."
"What?" Rika looked at her.
Geeta said: "Do you think, if Naoki had a child, at what age would they break into Champion Level?"
Upon hearing this, Rika's face instantaneously showed an incredulous expression.
Chief, plotting to keep Naoki in the Paldea Region is one thing, but you're even planning for his child!
"What kind of expression is that?" Geeta chatted casually: "I just believe his child would definitely be amazing."
Rika thought silently for a moment.
Koraidon, Calyrex, Dragonite, Spectrier, Glastrier, Gogoat...
A Trainer capable of capturing/raising these Pokemon is surely not lacking in skill.
If the child decides to become a Trainer, Naoki would likely impart all his lifetime knowledge to him/her.
In that ranch filled with so many Pokemon, Naoki might pick a starter Pokemon for the child from birth, allowing them to grow up together.
This way, their bond and level of teamwork would far exceed those Trainers who only receive their Pokemon at age ten.
At age three, when the child starts walking and talking, Naoki might already be teaching them how to raise and train Pokemon.
Training up to age ten, that child could directly challenge Gyms, clear the Paldea League, and become the youngest Champion.
Geeta seemed to see the vision already, a glorious new star rising in their Paldea Region.
"Truly something to anticipate!" Geeta murmured gently.
*
Paldea League Year 200, late March.
That morning, Naoki was steaming Grassy Seed dumplings for the Gogoat, when he suddenly received a call from Mayor Thomas.
"Mayor Thomas?"
On the other end, Mayor Thomas nodded: "Good morning, Naoki! This year's Spring Horse Racing Festival will be starting in two days, do you want to bring your Horse-type Pokemon to participate?"
Spring Horse Racing?
Last year, Spectrier competed in the race and won the championship, so logically, it should be Glastrier's turn this year.
But Glastrier's interest in this race has diminished significantly.
Last time, Naoki worried Spectrier's trophy might deform its head, so he had Calyrex negotiate to see if the trophy could be removed.
Eventually, Calyrex told Spectrier directly that the trophy wasn't a crown.
Spectrier immediately took off the trophy then, while nearby Glastrier overheard.
Glastrier, who initially yearned to win a crown and become the Horse King, instantly lost interest in the horse racing festival.
Thinking of all this, Naoki hesitated slightly and replied: "I'm not really sure, maybe ask those two Horse-type Pokemon first; if they're willing, then I'll take them to participate."
"Alright." Mayor Thomas nodded, then hung up the phone.