"A Pokémon emerged from the pendant?"

"Yes."

Jin and Liko were in the observation room of the Brave Olivine, tasked by Friede with the role of lookout. Initially, they were excited to be given this responsibility, but they soon realized that being a lookout meant there wasn't much to do unless there were enemies or severe weather.

With time on their hands, the two naturally began discussing the pendant, which had been the catalyst for their journey.

"Hmm..."

From Liko's account, when she was attacked by the Explorers at school and a Ceruledge's Psycho Cut was about to hit her, a barrier formed and a Pokémon emerged from the pendant, which then transformed back into the pendant.

"Could it have been an illusion? A Pokémon turning into a pendant seems impossible, right?"

From Liko's perspective, it was hard to believe that the pendant, an heirloom from her grandmother, could produce a Pokémon. Given the extreme situation she was in, it wouldn't be surprising if she had seen a hallucination.

"No... I don't think so."

However, Jin thought differently. Having traveled through the Hoenn region and witnessed many miraculous and mystical phenomena caused by Pokémon, he had a broader perspective.

"But... a pendant? Can it really turn into a Pokémon?"

"Liko, in this world, especially when it comes to Pokémon, the impossible is often possible."

Indeed, human notions of common sense often do not apply in the world of Pokémon.

"Consider this... Rotom, bring up data on Banette."

'Searching... searching... Banette, the Marionette Pokémon. It is said to have been born from a discarded plush doll imbued with a grudge. It is said to walk around seeking revenge on the child who abandoned it. When cherished, it is satisfied and returns to being a regular plush doll.'

"This is an extreme example, but perhaps Liko's pendant is similar to Banette's plush doll."

However, there was another interpretation to consider.

(But I don't think a Ghost-type Pokémon could produce such a strong light or barrier. It could be...)

A legendary Pokémon, perhaps... Jin stopped himself from further speculation.

There was too little information to form a complete theory. To uncover the truth, they would need to talk to Liko's grandmother, who had entrusted the pendant to her.

"Th-Then... does that mean there's really a Pokémon inside this?"

Liko nervously grasped the pendant hanging from her neck. The thought that there might be a Pokémon she didn't know about inside her pendant was naturally unsettling.

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"I can't say for certain just yet. But it's definitely a possibility."

At this stage, it was only a possibility. However, it was also impossible to definitively rule it out.

"If it bothers you that much, why not talk to Friede and the others?"

They had proclaimed their mission to uncover the mysteries of the world and Pokémon. With more travel experience than Jin and greater knowledge of Pokémon and their miracles, they might provide a more accurate answer than Jin could.

"...Not right now."

Liko considered for a moment, but then, blushing slightly, she declined the suggestion.

"Still worried about what happened earlier?"

"...Yes..."

The reason for Liko's hesitation was tied to what had happened that morning.

***

After changing into his casual clothes, Jin left his room and happened to run into Liko. Together, they made their way to the meeting room where Friede and the others were waiting.

"Are you two wearing matching outfits?"

"What's this? A couple's look?"

This was the reaction when the two entered the room.

Liko was dressed in a white shirt with a light blue jacket that reached her elbows and black shorts. Jin, on the other hand, wore a white shirt with a black jacket that also reached his elbows and long pants.

"It's not like that! The jackets just happened to match by coincidence!"

"...Yeah, we didn't plan this at all."

A "couple's look" refers to two people wearing matching clothes or accessories. While it often conjures images of couples wearing identical outfits, even having just a part of their attire or accessories match can be considered a couple's look. Thus, despite the different colors and styles of their jackets, it wouldn't be wrong to call their outfits a couple's look.

"Isn't that even more impressive?"

"You can deny it all you want, but you two really do look like a couple."

"I-I'm telling you, it's not like that!"

(...It's true, but there's no need to deny it so vehemently.)

Jin, who was starting to become aware of his feelings for Liko, felt a bit complicated by her reaction.

"Alright, alright, calm down. Liko, Jin, I need you two to take lookout duty from the observation room."

"Y-Yes! Jin, let's go!"

As soon as they were assigned lookout duty, Liko grabbed Jin's hand and quickly fled the meeting room.

That's why Liko is worried about being teased again.

"You're overthinking it. They've had enough fun and won't say anything more."

"But still..."

(...Well, it can't be helped.)

Even though Liko decided to trust them and go on an adventure together, it seemed it would take some time for her to become as friendly with them as she was with Anne.

"Meow?"

Just then, Sprigatito, who had been sleeping on the telescope, seemed to sense something unusual.

"Sprigatito?"

"...The altitude is dropping."

"What?"

Hearing Jin's words, Liko looked out the window. Where the sun had been visible a moment ago, the ship was now gradually descending into the clouds, obscuring the sun.

"It's true..."

"Well, it's probably just some trouble with the ship."

Apparently, the rushed repairs from the other day weren't perfect. Considering they still had a long way to go to reach Liko's home, it might be a good idea to thoroughly check the ship for safety's sake.

"What should we do?"

"If it's a problem with the ship, there's nothing we can do right now."

Jin and Liko were complete novices when it came to airships. They wouldn't know where the problem was, and without specific instructions, they couldn't help with repairs.

"Friede and the others will handle the ship's check, so let's prepare food for the Pokémon while we wait."

Checking the ship would take some time. During that time, the Pokémon helping with the navigation would have a break. Considering the time, it would be good to prepare lunch.

"Yeah, you're right. Okay, got it."

"Alright, let's head to the meeting room first to get an update on the situation."

"...Okay."

Afterward, it took a few minutes to persuade the reluctant Liko to go to the meeting room.

---

Sorry for the shorter chapter this time.

I thought about posting it together with the next chapter, but since the next one will be quite long, I'll stop here for now.

// END