"Yeah, yeah."
Caroline had no idea what Norman was really thinking, but she immediately chimed in as well.
"It will be much more lively for you kids to go out and have fun together."
Max's eyes lit up instantly as he recalled the promise he had made with Theo earlier.
"I will go to the living room and call Big brother Theo right now!"
Watching Max run off excitedly, Norman turned to look at Caroline. His voice suddenly softened, carrying a rare hint of romance.
"Caroline, your birthday is coming up in a few days… how about the two of us go on a trip as well?"
Caroline froze slightly in surprise.
"The kids will be gone, and it will just be the two of us at home. All these years, aside from our honeymoon, we have never really gone out to have fun together. This time, let me properly celebrate your birthday with you, how about it?"
A faint blush appeared on Caroline's cheeks.
"We are already an old married couple, why bother with something like this…"
"It is not the same."
Norman smiled gently and leaned closer to whisper into her ear.
"We can go to the Orange Islands, to one of those resort islands. It is much warmer there than Hoenn. We can walk along the beach together, drink coconut juice, and enjoy the sunshine… how does that sound?
As for the Gym, I can leave it to Kent. He has been training under me for three years now, it is time for him to gain some real experience.
And your flowers, I will find someone to take care of them. This birthday… let us treat it as our long overdue time alone together."
Caroline's ears grew warm, and she nodded gently, her voice as soft as a whisper.
"…Alright, I will leave it to you."
...
At that very moment, Theo, who was focused on bonding with Larvitar, suddenly heard his phone ring softly.
Ring… ring…
The ringtone broke the quiet of the treehouse clearing. The name displayed on the screen caused Theo to pause slightly.
It was a call from Norman's household.
Theo stopped teasing Larvitar and answered the call.
"Hello, Gym Leader Norman?"
The next second, a clear and lively young voice filled with excitement came from the other end of the line.
"It is not Dad, it is me, Big brother Theo! Have you eaten yet?"
Theo chuckled softly, pulled over a chair, and sat down as he replied in a relaxed tone.
"So it is you, Max. I am eating right now. What is it? Calling me all of a sudden?"
"I got Treecko!"
Max's voice immediately rose several pitches, his excitement almost overflowing.
Professor Birch personally delivered it a few days ago. It is amazing. I finally got it!"
"Then congratulations are in order."
Theo was genuinely happy for him.
"You have been thinking about Treecko for so long, and now you have finally gotten your wish, right?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Max responded repeatedly, his tone becoming even more cheerful.
"By the way, Big brother Theo, Dad said you have already challenged all the Gyms in Hoenn. Does that mean you are free now?"
Theo paused for a moment before quickly realizing that Max was leading into something, deliberately setting the stage. He played along.
"Yeah, I just got my final badge. I do not have any plans for now. The Ever Grande Conference and the Grand Festival will both take place after the New Year, so I can take a break."
"That is great!"
Max's voice shot up instantly.
"Big brother Theo, listen to this. My sister just came back from the Johto League. She entered a lottery at the Goldenrod City Radio Tower and got really lucky. She won tickets for the S.S. St. Flower.
We can travel around the sea for free!
She plans to take me to Forina. There is a super large carnival being held there recently, with an amusement park and an amazing magic festival. It is going to be super lively!
Big brother Theo, if you are free, would you like to come with us?"
Max paused for a moment, then hurriedly added as if afraid Theo might refuse.
"Ash and Brock will be coming too! Brock cooks really delicious food, and Ash is a very, very strong battle trainer. You will definitely get along with them!
Big brother Theo, are you free?"
When the words Forina, carnival, and magic festival reached his ears one after another, Theo's originally relaxed thoughts suddenly seemed to pause.
Forina…
The word felt inexplicably familiar, enough to make his heart tremble slightly, especially when paired with the word magic.
Almost instantly, a memory that was both hazy and vividly clear surged up from deep within his mind.
It was from his previous life, a Pokémon movie titled Pokemon: Jirachi, Wish Maker.
The setting of that story was precisely a place called Forina.
And the entire story of that movie began with a grand carnival themed around magic.
Could it be…
Theo's heartbeat quickened unconsciously.
Before he could think further, Max's slightly nervous yet expectant voice came through the receiver again.
"Big brother Theo? Are you still there? Are you free? Do you want to come with us?"
Theo snapped back to his senses and suppressed the emotions surging in his heart.
"I am free, of course I am free.
I have already finished all my Gym challenges and was just wondering where to go to relax next.
Being able to go out and have fun with you all would be wonderful. But would it be alright to bring me and my Pokémon along?"
"Of course it is alright!"
Max immediately cheered, his tone filled with happiness.
"My sister really likes you!
She has watched many of your Contest performances and especially loves your shiny Milotic. She keeps praising it for being both beautiful and strong. If she finds out that I invited you as well, she will be overjoyed!
Then it is settled!"
Max excitedly gave the time and place.
"The S.S. St. Flower will arrive here the morning after tomorrow and dock at the port of Slateport City. It will only stay for half a day.
My sister and the others are already waiting on the ship. Big brother Theo, you absolutely must not be late. The ship…"
Halfway through, as if worried that Theo might not fully understand the importance, Max quickly added seriously.
"It is a luxury cruise ship. It will depart exactly on time. If you miss it, you will have to wait for the next one, and then you will miss the carnival and the magic show in Forina!"
"Alright, I understand. I will definitely be there on time."
Theo responded softly.
"Then we will meet there."
"Mm-hmm! See you then! Treecko and I will be waiting for you!"
After hanging up the communicator, Theo slowly lowered his hand and stood there quietly, his gaze drifting slightly.
He could not be one hundred percent certain whether this trip to Forina would truly unfold the same way as in his memories.
But he had just finished a long series of Gym challenges and was in need of a relaxing break.
Moreover, it was Max who had invited him, and traveling with companions like May, Ash, and Brock, all of whom had such distinct and warm personalities, sounded like an enjoyable experience.
And if…
If this journey really turned out to be like that movie from his previous life, if he could encounter in Forina the legendary Pokémon said to grant wishes, Jirachi…
Then this trip would become the most dreamlike, the most unbelievable, and the most anticipated journey since Theo had entered this world.
Theo took a light breath, and a faint glimmer of anticipation flashed in his eyes.
Forina, is it…
Then let us go and take a look.
(End of Chapter)