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Liam happily greeted the Pokémon he hadn't seen in a long time before leading Delia to the pond within the research lab.
Most of the Pokémon that had just rushed over were ones Liam had previously cared for at the lab. However, there were also some newer additions—mainly Pokémon he had captured later and sent to Professor Oak for safekeeping.
Since these Pokémon didn't have a deep bond with him, they hadn't come out to greet him. So, Liam decided to check on them himself.
As soon as Liam and Delia arrived at the pond, they noticed two chubby Psyduck standing face to face, seemingly lost in their own world.
Both Psyduck had dazed expressions, their short claws holding their heads as they tilted them in opposite directions, as if deep in thought.
"Dra!"
The moment Delia's Dratini spotted the two Psyduck, its eyes lit up. It quickly leaped off her shoulder and dashed toward them. Once beside the Psyduck, Dratini happily chirped at one of them.
That Psyduck sluggishly turned its head, blinking blankly before giving it a slow shake.
"Psyduck?"
"Dra! Dra!"
"Psyduck~~?"
"Dra! Dratini!"
Watching Dratini and Psyduck's strange conversation, Liam thought for a moment before realization struck.
Back in the Safari Zone, the first Pokémon he ever caught was a Psyduck—and it had been Dratini's good friend. Judging by Dratini's reaction, this Psyduck had to be the same one.
"Liam, what's up with Dratini? They seem to know each other!"
Delia turned to Liam, puzzled by Dratini's behavior.
Liam nodded thoughtfully and explained, "Yeah, this Psyduck should be the one I caught in the Safari Zone. It was really close to Dratini. Later, I sent it along with the other Pokémon I caught there to Professor Oak. Judging by Dratini's reaction, I'm sure this is the same one."
"Aww, that's so sad! Poor Psyduck! Hmph, you better not do something like that again!"
Delia first gave Psyduck a sympathetic look, then turned to Liam with a furious pout. She reached for his waist, her hands itching to punish him.
Feeling the imminent danger, Liam broke into a cold sweat and nodded rapidly like a broadcasting signal. Seeing his panicked response, Delia finally withdrew her hand, satisfied. Then, she crouched beside Dratini and Psyduck, smiling as she spoke.
"Psyduck, you and Dratini are good friends, right? From now on, I'll bring Dratini to visit you often so you two can play together."
"Dra! Dra!"
Dratini's eyes sparkled with joy at Delia's words, and it let out an excited cheer.
"Psyduck??"
Meanwhile, Psyduck remained as clueless as ever, tilting its head with a blank expression.
Seeing Delia so happy, Liam walked over as well. But just as he approached the pond, the water suddenly churned violently, and a long, blue figure shot out from the depths. It opened its massive jaws and let out a deafening roar.
"ROOAARR!!"
"Gyarados!!"
Liam immediately recognized the Pokémon. His face turned serious as he quickly stepped in front of Delia, shielding her while keeping a wary eye on Gyarados.
Dratini also sensed the threat and swiftly swam in front of Liam, staring down the water serpent.
"Squirtle!" "Cleffa!"
Following Dratini's lead, Squirtle—perched on Liam's shoulder—and Cleffa—cradled in Delia's arms—hurriedly positioned themselves in front of him, their tiny bodies tensed with caution.
Liam remembered this Gyarados well. It had once belonged to Jiro, who had abandoned Arcanine. Back then, when Liam confiscated several Pokémon from him, Gyarados and Hitmonchan were among them.
Now, Gyarados glared fiercely at Liam. But after a moment, it glanced down at the three small Pokémon in front of him. A hint of disdain flickered in its eyes before it let out a low growl and slipped back into the water.
"Phew… Looks like it's been living well. Its temper seems much better than before."
Liam let out a small chuckle, turning to Delia. He still vividly remembered how short-tempered and aggressive Gyarados had been when he first encountered it.
Just as Liam turned around, Delia suddenly wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her forehead against his back. She didn't say a word.
"Uh… Delia? Are you scared?" Liam asked, puzzled by her silence.
Delia shook her head against his back but remained quiet.
"…Delia, are you worried about me?"
Liam's heart stirred as he thought of something. A soft smile appeared on his face as he gently turned around and pulled Delia into his arms, resting his chin on her head.
This time, Delia didn't shake her head. Instead, she gave the faintest nod and whispered,
"When you're out there… do you always run into these kinds of dangers?"
Liam was momentarily stunned before realizing Delia was genuinely worried for him. He gently patted her back and spoke softly.
"Not always. Sure, there's danger, but I can handle it. And I have my trusted partners by my side. With them, I can overcome any challenge."
Hearing his words, Delia tightened her embrace, then lifted her head, her eyes slightly red as she looked at him with determination.
"I want to travel with you too!"
"!! What? No way!"
Liam was so shocked that he refused instantly without even thinking.
"Why not?! Why can't I go with you?!"
Delia's eyes widened as she shouted back at him.
"Isn't it obvious? It's too dangerous! What if you get hurt?!"
Liam's voice was firm and unwavering.
"But you just said there's nothing to worry about! Now, all of a sudden, it's dangerous?!"
Delia locked eyes with him, refusing to back down.
"…That's because I have the strength to handle it!"
Liam struggled to find the right words but still stubbornly held his ground.
"Then what will it take for you to agree? And don't say 'no way' again!"
Delia released Liam, her fierce determination on full display.
"Uh… Well… Fine! If you can beat me in a battle, I'll agree to take you with me!"
After some hesitation, Liam shamelessly set an impossible condition, his eyes brimming with confidence.
"You—! Ugh! Fine! But I get to decide the battle rules! And if you lose, you can't back out! Hmph! Idiot! Cleffa! Dratini! Squirtle! We're leaving! Ignore this big dummy!"
Delia fumed at Liam's challenge but ultimately agreed. Huffing in frustration, she called out to her Pokémon before storming off.
Cleffa cheerfully bounced after her, as lively as ever. Dratini, on the other hand, shot Liam a disdainful glance before slinking away.
Lastly, there was Squirtle. Just as Liam started feeling sentimental, Squirtle walked up to him, patted his leg with a sigh (since that was as high as it could reach), and then quickly turned to follow Delia.
And so, Liam was left standing there alone, watching them disappear.
At that moment, he realized… Maybe there really was a reason he had always been single.