----
As Kai and Sabrina returned to Shamouti Island, they happened to run into Professor Oak and Professor Ivy just as the two researchers were approaching the banquet hall.
They exchanged friendly nods.
With the festival over, the island had returned to its normal state. Most of the visitors had left, and with Ash and his friends gone, the place felt noticeably quieter.
Inside the banquet hall, Professor Ivy pulled out a laptop from her bag, opened a docunt and turned the screen toward Kai.
"Take a look at this. This is the preliminary report from our investigation over the past two days. While it's still a draft, the core findings won't change just a few details need refinent."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "? This is your research. I'm not really involved, so wouldn't it be inappropriate for to review it?"
"It's fine," Professor Oak chid in. "Actually, we incorporated your theory about the butterfly effect into our findings. So, in a way, you contributed to this paper as well."
Kai felt a little awkward.
The butterfly effect wasn't sothing he had co up with it was just sothing he casually ntioned in passing. Now, seeing it written into an official research paper, he felt both embarrassed and a little guilty.
Of course, he couldn't exactly explain why, since it involved his past life and knowledge from a completely different world.
Left with no choice, he leaned in and started scrolling through the docunt.
As he skimd through the report, he quickly realized that the paper was highly technical. So of the equations and scientific terminology went completely over his head. Large blocks of text filled the screen, making his eyes blur.
Most importantly, with Oak and Ivy being two of the most renowned Pokémon researchers, Kai didn't dare to make random comnts.
Fortunately, it seed they weren't expecting a critique just his participation.
After skimming further, Kai finally ca across the section that referenced his "butterfly effect" theory.
But what really caught his attention was the author section at the bottom.
Alongside the nas of Professor Oak and Professor Ivy… was his na.
"You… actually included my na in the author list?" Kai was taken aback. "I don't think that's really necessary…"
Professor Ivy waved a hand dismissively. "You were directly involved in the events we studied. Your perspective is valuable."
Professor Oak added, "She's right. We're just analyzing the data, but without you and Ash, we wouldn't even be here conducting this research. Besides, aren't you an assistant of professor Cerise? This fits your role perfectly."
Kai let out a small sigh.
He could already predict that once the paper was published, his na would gain so recognition in academic circles.
Not that it would benefit him in any practical way he had no intention of becoming a Pokémon researcher. But since it was already set in stone, there was no point arguing.
Rejecting their goodwill would only seem ungrateful.
With that business settled it was finally ti to leave.
Kai and Sabrina gathered their belongings and stepped outside the banquet hall. Calling on Charizard, they prepared to set off for the next Gym Island.
The professors remained behind to continue their research, with Delia staying with them. They accompanied the pair to the entrance to see them off.
Carol and lody also ca to bid farewell.
Standing on the steps, lody gazed at Kai, her expression complicated.
Over the past couple of days, she had co to admire him not just for his looks, but for his actions. That mont in the airborne cage, when he protected her without hesitation, had left an undeniable mark on her heart.
A strong, kind-hearted trainer… who also happened to have control over the three Legendary Birds.
But…
Watching him now, so focused on his journey, she knew the truth.
This was likely the last ti they would ever et.
Just when she had started to develop feelings, fate was already pulling them apart.
'If only he could stay on the island…' The thought was fleeting, but the bitterness in her heart remained.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her flute to her lips.
"Hmmmmmm...."
A soft, lingering lody floated into the air, echoing throughout the town. A tune of farewell, tinged with lancholy.
Even so, no matter how unwilling she was to part ways, so things simply weren't ant to be.
Kai, unaware of the deeper aning behind the song, simply noted that lody seed unusually quiet today.
She had been so cheerful before why did she suddenly seem so down?
Still, he smiled and waved to everyone. Then, after helping Sabrina onto Charizard's back, he prepared to climb up himself—
When lody suddenly called out to him.
"Kai… wait!"
This was the first ti she had ever addressed him by na.
Turning back, Kai saw her quickly stepping forward.
Before he could ask what was wrong, lody spread her arms and embraced him tightly.
The sudden hug left him montarily speechless.
And then, standing on her tiptoes, she leaned up and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.
Tears shimred in her eyes as she t his gaze. "Don't overthink it. This is just a farewell kiss~"
"lody…"
From a distance, Carol watched the scene unfold, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
As soone who had once been the Festival Maiden herself, she knew—
There was no such thing as a "farewell kiss" tradition.
This was all lody's own decision.
It was obvious to her that her younger sister had fallen for Kai.
But… Carol also knew sothing lody didn't.
Unlike the others, she had been the one to clean up Kai and Sabrina's room after they checked out.
And in the trash bin, she had found… evidence.
Evidence that told her exactly what had happened between them.
Her sister, naive as she was, didn't know that Kai was already with soone else.
'Silly girl…' Carol sighed internally, 'Kai's older than you, and he already has a girlfriend. It's best not to hold onto impossible hopes'
Of course, Kai himself had no idea about any of this.
Seeing lody's tearful expression, he simply returned her embrace.
"Take care of yourself," he said with a warm smile. "If fate allows, we'll et again soday."
With that, he gently let go and climbed onto Charizard's back.
With a small nudge, Charizard flapped its wings, lifting off into the sky.
The powerful gust from its ascent swept across the island, making it hard to keep one's eyes open.
It also sent lody's hair flying wildly in the wind.
And as the dragon soared higher, she could no longer hold back the tears quietly rolling down her cheeks.
The others didn't notice.
Only Carol, standing beside her, saw the silent heartbreak in her little sister's expression.
But to Kai, Shamouti Island was just another stop along his journey.
His ambitions lay beyond this small island
In the vast world ahead, where countless adventures awaited.
----
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