Chapter 671 - 671: 671. Challenging the Petalburg Gym

Inside the Petalburg Gym's reception room, Kai and Misty sat a little stiffly side by side.

Between them and their hosts stood a low table filled with fresh fruit and neatly arranged pastries. Across from them sat Norman and Caroline, the Gym Leader couple, listening intently.

After taking a sip of tea, Kai paused briefly before continuing:

"…and that's when Misty punched Drew square in the face. She knocked him back and really helped May vent her anger."

He was, of course, referring to the unpleasant incident that had occurred before the Lilycove Contest, when they had clashed with Drew.

Kai was certain that May, not wanting her parents to worry, had never mentioned this to them—despite speaking with them frequently.

Sure enough, as he finished, both Norman and Caroline frowned and turned their attention toward Misty.

"That child always shares the good news and keeps the bad to herself," Caroline said softly. "If it weren't for you, we wouldn't even know she was treated that way."

She looked at Misty with genuine gratitude.

"Misty, thank you so much. Having a friend like you… May is truly fortunate."

Misty shifted awkwardly, smiling shyly.

"You're too kind. May and I haven't known each other that long, but we get along really well. Seeing Drew act so arrogantly—I just did what any friend should do."

Her modesty only made the couple like her even more.

They looked at the girl, about the same age as their daughter, just as pretty, with a straightforward yet slightly fiery personality—impossible not to adore.

Caroline quickly turned back to Kai, unable to hide her curiosity.

"And then? What happened after that?"

"After that," Kai said, "we met Lisia and her mother. With their guidance, May improved a lot. That's why she was able to advance past the first round in her very first Contest."

He smiled lightly.

"She's probably told you most of that already. As for the finer details… I'll let Misty take over."

With that, Kai neatly passed the role of storyteller to Misty.

After talking for so long, his throat was dry no matter how much tea he drank—and besides, Misty knew May far better than he did. Better to step aside now than get cornered by questions later.

Unaware of his inner calculations, Misty launched into a vivid retelling of the Contest day, adding her own thoughts and impressions.

For Norman and Caroline, this was an entirely new perspective—things they had never heard from May herself.

Time slipped by unnoticed.

The clock hands turned again and again. Outside the window, white clouds drifted lazily across the sky.

It was shaping up to be a beautiful day.

Yawn…

Kai had already lost count of how many times he'd yawned. His tea cup had been refilled several times, he'd excused himself to the restroom more than once, and his legs were completely numb—yet the conversation showed no signs of stopping.

He truly didn't understand how Caroline and Misty could have so much to talk about.

From May, the topic drifted to Max. From Max, to hobbies and interests. Then somehow, everything circled right back to May again.

Endless.

He had deliberately arrived early to avoid delays in the Gym battle.

And yet… here they were.

He glanced at Norman.

The man listened patiently, a faint smile on his face, occasionally nodding along. When he noticed Kai's gaze, he returned it with a gentle look.

Even trivial chatter didn't seem to test his patience.

A good man, a good father, and a good husband, Kai thought.

Compared to him… Kai couldn't help but feel his own complicated relationships edging him closer and closer to the "scoundrel" category.

Thankfully, the conversation finally came to an abrupt halt.

Grrr—

Everyone turned at the same time.

Kai rubbed his stomach and gave a helpless smile. "I didn't eat much this morning. Guess I'm hungry."

"Oh my!" Caroline suddenly realized the time and glanced at the clock. "It's already noon? I'm so sorry—we've kept you far too long!"

She stood up immediately.

"Please wait a moment. Since you've come all this way, I insist on preparing lunch!"

Before Kai or Misty could politely refuse, Caroline had already disappeared into the kitchen.

Only then did Norman speak apologetically.

"I'm sorry. You must have been restless for quite a while. Ever since May and Max left to travel, Caroline's been rather lonely. I couldn't bring myself to stop her, especially since you're May's friends."

So that was it.

No wonder Norman hadn't steered the conversation back earlier.

---

Lunch was a lavish seafood spread that covered the entire table.

It was clear Caroline was an excellent cook—plenty of variety, and every dish was delicious.

Kai and Misty ate heartily.

Well… aside from Caroline's never-ending questions during the meal.

Finally, after lunch, the long-awaited Gym battle arrived.

Inside the Petalburg Gym, Kai and Norman stood on opposite sides of the battlefield, each in their respective Trainer zones.

A very young Gym trainee stepped forward to act as the referee.

Before he could explain the rules, Norman raised a hand to stop him and looked at Kai.

"No need to explain the rules here, right?"

Kai nodded.

Back when he parted ways with May and Max, Max had practically recited the Gym's format in detail—three-on-three—until Kai stopped him just short of revealing his father's Pokémon weaknesses.

Truly a case of family sabotage.

"How would you like to battle?" Norman asked with interest. "Full strength? I'll be honest—I'd love to face a dual-region Champion."

"Let's not," Kai said, shaking his head. "I'm here to challenge the Gym, but also to train my Pokémon. Please treat me like a normal challenger."

Facing a trainer of near–Elite Four caliber wasn't something Kai planned to do just yet. That could wait until he'd completed his regional journey.

"I see," Norman said calmly. "Understood."

He took out a Poké Ball and threw it.

A flash of blue light erupted as the Pokémon Kai had seen earlier appeared on the field.

It was a Slakoth.

Small and sluggish, with dull eyes and gray-brown fur marked by darker stripes on its back, it clung lazily to the ground—barely moving.

From the stands, Misty raised her Pokédex.

Pokédex:

"Beep! Slakoth, the Slacker Pokémon. A Normal-type Pokémon. Slakoth spends over twenty hours a day sleeping. It is satisfied with as little as three leaves a day. Its heart beats only once per minute, so it almost never moves."

The Petalburg Gym challenge had officially begun.

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