Hearing her grandmother call Chen Shi childish, Cynthia couldn't help muttering inwardly:
You're already this old and you're just as childish yourself.
How can you even criticize someone else?
Of course—
Those words remained firmly in her head.
She definitely didn't dare say them aloud.
Otherwise, the old lady would have another endless lecture waiting for her.
Professor Carolina chuckled and waved toward Chen Shi and Garchomp.
"Alright, you two."
"That's enough."
"Stop fooling around."
Since she had spoken, Chen Shi and Garchomp each let out a dissatisfied snort before finally ending their staring contest.
Chen Shi returned to the sofa and sat opposite Professor Carolina.
"Grandma Carolina."
"You should chat with my grandma more often."
"She really misses you."
He wasn't lying.
Grandma Chen and Professor Carolina had grown up together.
Their friendship spanned decades.
Whenever Grandma Chen had nothing to do, she would occasionally stare quietly into the distance.
Chen Shi knew exactly where she was looking.
Toward Sinnoh.
Toward Celestic Town.
Toward her old friend.
The moment Grandma Chen was mentioned, a trace of irritation immediately appeared in Carolina's eyes.
She raised her voice.
"That old woman ran off with your grandfather for all those years and never bothered coming back."
"She misses me? Nonsense!"
Her words were filled with resentment.
Clearly, she still held a grudge over Grandma Chen staying away from Sinnoh for so long.
"Uh..."
Chen Shi immediately felt awkward.
There was really no good way to respond.
After all—
Professor Carolina wasn't wrong.
Grandma Chen truly hadn't returned to Sinnoh for a very long time.
In reality—
The biggest reason behind that was Chen Shi himself.
His parents had passed away when he was young.
Back then, he had been left in the care of Grandpa Chen.
How could Grandma Chen possibly leave with peace of mind?
Her heart was completely occupied by her grandson.
So she remained in Hoenn.
Year after year.
Taking care of him.
Until now.
Seeing Chen Shi fall silent, Professor Carolina assumed he had accepted her criticism.
"Hmph."
"What?"
"Did I say anything wrong?"
Chen Shi slowly shook his head.
His expression was calm.
"Grandma Carolina."
"You know what happened after my parents passed away."
"That was a huge blow to my grandmother."
"At the time, I was still young."
"I needed someone to take care of me."
"So naturally, she stayed behind and devoted herself to raising me."
He paused.
In his mind appeared the image of his grandmother today.
Her hair completely white.
Her body frail.
Needing a cane just to walk.
A wave of sadness surged through him.
He sighed softly.
"By the time I finally grew up..."
"My grandmother had already grown old."
"And her health isn't what it used to be."
Professor Carolina's heart trembled.
Her eyes immediately became moist.
Chen Shi had spoken many words.
Yet his meaning was simple.
Grandma is old now.
Please don't blame her.
Professor Carolina opened her mouth.
Wanting to say something.
Yet after a long while—
No words came out.
Yes.
Old.
Time really had passed too quickly.
Before anyone realized it—
Decades had already slipped away.
The familiar people of their youth had gradually aged.
And the stories they once shared had become distant memories.
After a long silence, Professor Carolina finally spoke.
"I haven't seen your grandmother for many years."
"In fact..."
"The last time we spoke was when you visited Sinnoh."
This time—
There was no resentment in her voice.
Only longing.
When Chen Shi was young, Grandma Chen often told him stories about Professor Carolina.
Grandma Chen was originally from Celestic Town as well.
That was why the two had known each other since childhood.
However—
Grandma Chen's family circumstances had never been very good.
Professor Carolina's situation was completely different.
She came from the ancient Celestic lineage.
A family with deep roots and influence.
They even controlled a Dragon Sanctuary.
By all logic—
People from such different backgrounds shouldn't have become close friends.
Yet somehow—
The two got along incredibly well.
Back when Grandma Chen first began her journey as a Trainer—
Her family couldn't even afford to prepare a starter Pokémon for her.
When Carolina learned about it—
She immediately sneaked into her family's Dragon Sanctuary and convinced a Gible eager to see the outside world to leave with Grandma Chen.
That Gible eventually became Grandma Chen's current Garchomp.
Later—
When Grandma Chen discovered she lacked talent as a Trainer and began considering becoming a Breeder instead—
It was Professor Carolina who encouraged her.
Supported her.
And helped her make that choice.
In many ways—
Grandma Chen's path as a Breeder existed because of Carolina.
Their friendship truly ran deep.
The resentment Carolina displayed earlier wasn't hatred.
It was simply the frustration of someone who had missed her friend for far too long.
...
"Enough."
"Let's not talk about that anymore."
Professor Carolina waved her hand.
Then she looked at Chen Shi.
"You little brat."
"What brings you to Sinnoh this time?"
Chen Shi grinned.
"What kind of question is that?"
"Can't I come visit you?"
Professor Carolina simply crossed her arms.
One leg over the other.
Leaning comfortably against the sofa.
She stared at him expressionlessly.
Having known Chen Shi for years—
She understood him very well.
He was exactly the sort of person who never visited unless he had a reason.
If there were no special circumstances—
Only Cynthia would have come home today.
The fact that Chen Shi was here meant something was definitely going on.
She didn't know what it was.
But she refused to believe he had come solely to visit an old woman.
"Ahem..."
Chen Shi coughed awkwardly.
"Actually..."
"I do have a reason for coming to Sinnoh."
"It's just that..."
"I don't actually know what that reason is."
Professor Carolina looked at him as though he had lost his mind.
Did he hear himself?
First he claimed he had a reason.
Then he claimed he didn't know what it was.
What kind of nonsense was that?
If he didn't know why he came—
Then why come at all?
Was he just here to tease an old lady?
Left with no choice, Chen Shi recounted everything Celebi had told him.
Only then did Professor Carolina understand.
After thinking for a few moments, she nodded.
"That is troublesome."
"Celebi didn't tell you where to go."
"Nor what you're supposed to find."
"What do you plan to do?"
Chen Shi spread his hands helplessly.
"What else can I do?"
"I'll just wander around Sinnoh and see what happens."
"Maybe I'll find the answer somewhere along the way."
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