"…Excuse me then."

Urged by Alex, Jin stepped into the house, though his steps were noticeably heavy. He had steeled himself for this moment, but the sudden, unexpected psychological blow from Alex upon their first meeting had left him shaken.

(No, no, I can't let this break me… The battle has only just begun.)

Not only was this a chance to report their relationship, but the discussion would also determine whether Liko would be allowed to embark on her journey. Jin couldn't afford to lose his nerve now, not when nothing had even started yet.

"Wow, is that an Arcanine and a Rapidash? Did you paint these, mister?"

In stark contrast to Jin, Roy was captivated by the paintings of Arcanine and Rapidash displayed at the entrance. Upon learning that Alex was a Pokémon picture book author, Roy's interest deepened, and after getting permission, he eagerly moved to the study to see more.

(That honesty and innocence... I'm a little envious.)

There was a time when Jin had been as pure-hearted as Roy. But as he focused more on winning battles, searching for his opponents' weaknesses and flaws became second nature, and that innocence gradually faded away.

"Where's Mom?"

"She's out on a field trip. She won't be back today."

"Oh, I see… Dad, do you have a moment? There's something I want to talk about."

"Oh, um… of course."

"Great! I'll just go put my things away, so wait for me for a bit."

With that, Liko headed upstairs to what was likely her room, accompanied by Sprigatito and Fidough. Jin watched her go while sitting on the sofa in the living room.

(At least Sprigatito's in a better mood now…)

With one less thing to worry about, Jin felt a bit of relief, even if it was just a small one.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot. Here, I brought a little something for you."

In his nervousness, Jin had almost forgotten to present the gift he'd brought, so he handed Alex a bag decorated with a coffee-themed illustration.

"Oh, how thoughtful of you…"

"It's some cake and coffee beans. Liko… recommended the coffee beans because she said you liked them, Father-in-Law— I mean, Alex… Haha."

The moment Jin uttered the words "Liko" and "Father-in-law," the temperature around him dropped to the level of a "Sheer Cold," affecting only his immediate surroundings.

"…These are my favorite beans. Thank you. I was just running out. I'll make some coffee right away. Mr. Friede, please wait just a moment."

"Thank you."

"…I appreciate it."

(…I wish Liko would come back soon.)

This might have been the first time Jin longed so much for Liko's presence. Though he was embarrassed by how much he wanted to escape, he couldn't help but pray for her to return quickly.

"Sorry for the wait!"

Almost as if in response to his prayers, Liko came back downstairs just as Alex finished brewing the coffee. Liko then naturally took a seat next to Jin, sitting very close.

"…"

Alex glared at Jin with a piercing gaze, unleashing a "Glare" attack. Jin quickly tried to put some distance between himself and Liko, but with Friede on one side and Liko on the other, and with the sofa not being particularly large, he could only move a few centimeters.

"So, Liko, what is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Yeah… But before that, I want to properly introduce Jin to you, Dad."

(…Here we go.)

"I've mentioned Jin a few times in emails and calls, right? That friend from Indigo Academy who's helped me a lot… Well, he's now my… b-boyfriend!"

Even though it's been over a week since they started dating, Liko still blushes and gets embarrassed every time she says the word "boyfriend." If they were alone, this would be the moment where Jin would teasingly ruffle her hair or give her a playful kiss on the cheek. But this time, he wisely kept quiet, observing Alex's reaction.

"…I see."

After a long pause, Alex finally spoke those words and took a sip of his freshly brewed coffee. There was no sign of surprise or shock on his face.

(…What's this about?)

"Th-that's a pretty mild reaction… I really mustered up some courage to say that, you know…"

"Well, I kind of expected it."

"Huh?"

"Didn't you realize? About half of the emails and calls you've sent us were all about Jin."

"Wha… Whaaat!? So that means…"

"Yes, both your mother and I figured it out a while ago. We knew you had feelings for Jin."

Hearing this, Liko covered her face with both hands and looked down. From Jin's perspective, he could see that her face and ears, peeking out from between her fingers, were bright red.

(I'd love to know what she said about me…)

"So, what's the real reason you wanted to talk? That's not all you had to say, right?"

"…Y-yeah… Dad! There's something really important I need to tell you."

"Something… important?"

"Yes! You see…"

"L-Liko! Wait! Can't it wait until tomorrow when your mom is back?"

"No, it can't wait! I need you to hear this now!"

(I feel like he's totally misunderstanding…) Jin thought.

Jin and Liko had only been dating for about a week. While Jin did have thoughts about their future together, he knew it was way too soon for that kind of conversation.

However, that was just Jin's perspective. In this world, once someone turns ten, they're considered an adult, free to go to school or even get married. So it was only natural for a father to be on guard when his daughter, who had been away at a distant school, returned home with her boyfriend and introduced him.

"…Alright. Go ahead."

"Okay… I want to go on an adventure with Jin and the Rising Volt Tacklers!"

"…"

"Dad?"

"…I-I see… An adventure… So that's what this was about… Whew…"

Realizing this wasn't a marriage discussion, Alex's expression softened considerably compared to before. The sharp look he'd been giving Jin also seemed to ease.

Unaware of the change in Alex's demeanor, Liko continued to express her thoughts.

"When I first went to Indigo Academy, I was filled with nothing but anxiety. I didn't know what to do or how to act… But after I met Sprigatito, and then Jin, and got to know Friede, the Rising Volt Tacklers, and Roy, and started living on the airship with everyone while we went on adventures, I began to understand. I finally realized what Grandma meant when she said..."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

'One day, Liko, you'll set out on your own adventure with this.'

'Will that day really come? Adventures sound scary...'

'The only thing that's scary is the first step. Once you take it, a whole new world will open up before you, and all your fears will disappear... As long as you have Pokémon with you, you'll be just fine.'

"Grandma was right. Even when things were scary or tough, I was able to get through it because I had Sprigatito and everyone else with me. That's why… I want to keep traveling. Dad, please!"

Liko poured her heart out to Alex, sharing everything she had experienced so far and her determination for the future. Alex looked at his daughter, her serious expression and unwavering eyes conveying the depth of her resolve.

"Liko, your love for adventure… you got that from your grandmother."

"So that means…"

"Yes, go ahead. Explore the world and see all it has to offer. I'll be here, waiting for you to come home."

"Dad… thank you!"

"Friede, I'm counting on you to take care of my daughter."

"Of course, you can rely on me. Our ship may have a small crew, but we have a top-tier chef and a doctor, even if their specialty is Pokémon. We'll take good care of her, both in terms of nutrition and health. You have my word."

The Rising Volt Tacklers may be a small team, but each adult member is highly skilled in their respective fields. As Friede mentioned, their support in terms of nutrition and health is more than adequate.

Traveling inherently comes with some risks, but considering that the Explorers are targeting them, those risks are constant no matter where they stay. In that case, constantly being on the move rather than staying in one place might actually be a safer strategy.

"And… Jin, could you come to my room? I'd like to talk with you alone."

(…Of course, it wouldn't be that easy.)

Though they had successfully obtained permission for Liko to continue her journey, Jin's personal battle had yet to truly begin.

***

"......"

Jin and Alex had moved to another room and were now seated across from each other in prepared chairs. For several minutes, neither of them had spoken a word.

(...Why isn't he saying anything?)

Jin had always prided himself on his mental toughness. Even in the Pokémon League finals, and when he faced off against Rayquaza, he felt a bit nervous but never lost his composure or confidence in any competition. Throughout his life, he had never once backed down from a challenge.

(...And yet... my stomach hurts.)

His stomach churned painfully, but he made sure not to let it show on his face. He might not be able to escape the tension, but he was determined to at least maintain his expression. Today, without a doubt, was shaping up to be the most critical confrontation of his life.

(Should I be the one to break the silence?)

Just as Jin felt he couldn't take the awkward silence any longer and was about to speak, Alex finally broke the silence.

"It's strange. Even though this is our first time meeting, it doesn't feel that way."

"...Really?"

"As I mentioned earlier, Liko has told me about you in her emails and phone calls. And, I must admit, though it might seem impolite, I did a bit of digging on my own."

It wasn't exactly a commendable act, but knowing that there was a man close to his only daughter, it was only natural for a father to be curious.

"When I say digging, I don't mean I hired a detective or anything. I'm not very good at it, but I did some research online. It wasn't long before I uncovered your identity. A Pokémon League champion, a future contender for Champion—honestly, I was surprised. Liko didn't mention any of that in her emails."

"Is that so... I'm sorry. I did tell Liko about it a little while ago, though..."

"Oh, no need to apologize. I'm not blaming you. If anything, I'm the one who should apologize for snooping around… Anyway, as I was saying, when Liko mentioned she was dating you, I wasn't all that shocked. I had been preparing myself for this since I first read her emails."

"......"

"So, I have no intention of opposing your relationship."

Jin let out a sigh of relief upon hearing those words. He hadn't prepared any particular strategy for this meeting, so if Alex had objected, all he could have done was try to persuade him as best he could.

"However..."

A jolt of tension ran through Jin's body once again. This was the moment. He had a bad feeling about what was coming next.

"I'd like to ask you a few questions. I expect you to answer honestly."

(So that's how it is…)

In other words, whether or not Alex would approve of their relationship depended on how Jin answered these questions.

"Of course."

Jin had somewhat anticipated that there would be questions. The real challenge was what those questions would be. The script he had prepared on the ship flashed through his mind, but Jin decided to ignore it.

(...I decided to be myself, but I keep overthinking things. It's a bad habit.)

Alex was testing whether he could trust Jin to take care of his beloved daughter. Reciting rehearsed lines from a script would be far too disrespectful.

"Thank you. Let me start with this… Do you have a dream?"

"...A dream?"

"It could be a future ambition, a goal—anything like that. I'd like to know what kind of future you envision."

"......"

"Is something wrong?"

"...Oh, no... I was just a bit surprised. I thought you'd ask something more like, 'What do you like about Liko?'"

"What are you talking about? Liko is kind and adorable—if you got close to her, naturally you'd fall in love, right?"

Alex spoke with a deadpan expression, as if wondering why Jin would even question that.

Liko had told Jin beforehand that Alex was a mild-mannered and reasonable person. Indeed, Alex's behavior toward others seemed to reflect that. However, after hearing his recent remarks, Jin realized he might need to reassess Alex's feelings when it came to his daughter.

"...Yes, you're right," Jin replied.

"Exactly. That's why I want to know more about what kind of person you are. If you plan to have a long-term relationship with Liko, I'd like to know what path you're aiming for after you graduate."

In other words, Alex wanted to understand Jin's potential for the future. If Jin and Liko were to stay together for a long time, discussions about marriage would eventually come up. Alex's questions were likely aimed at gauging Jin's preparedness for that future.

(But... my dream, huh...)

Jin did have a dream, one he had never shared with anyone before.

However, that dream was likely not what Alex was hoping to hear. Alex was probably interested in learning about Jin's career aspirations, potential income, and whether his dream was realistically achievable.

(But... I can't lie.)

Even if his answer wasn't what Alex wanted to hear, Jin knew he couldn't lie to Liko's father. He needed to be honest, even if it meant risking Alex's disapproval. Jin wanted Alex to understand who he truly was.

"...In the near future, I plan to challenge the Champion League. But being a Champion is a goal, not my dream."

"What do you mean by that?"

"This might take a while to explain. Is that okay?"

"Of course."

"Alright."

What Jin was about to share was his dream—something he had never revealed to anyone before.

"I've been winning battles ever since I received my first Pokémon and became a trainer."

There had been many times when Jin struggled in battles, countless moments during his journey when he found himself in tough situations. But in the end, he had always emerged victorious.

"Eventually, I gathered all the Gym Badges and challenged the Pokémon League that same year. My opponent in the first round was a man more than ten years older than me. He had spent years on his journey, finally gathering all the badges, and it was his first time participating in the Pokémon League."

It can take years just to collect eight badges. It was clear that, unlike Jin, the man didn't have a natural talent for being a trainer.

"As expected, I won the battle easily. He didn't even have a chance to shine, and back then, I found the whole thing dull and uninteresting."

Looking back on that time, Jin felt both embarrassed and irritated with himself. Although he had never neglected his efforts, he had become intoxicated by his own talent, unconsciously looking down on his opponents and failing to respect them.

"After the battle, I spoke with him briefly. He said, 'That was a complete defeat. I'm sure you can win the championship. I'm rooting for you.' I replied curtly with just a 'Thank you.'"

At the time, Jin had heard words like "I'm rooting for you" from countless people. Initially, those words made him happy, but after hearing them repeatedly, he began to take them for granted.

However, Jin would soon learn the weight of those words.

"I realized he had forgotten his bag and immediately ran after him. That's when I saw it... him and his Pokémon, crying together."

Jin still remembers that scene vividly, and he knows he will never forget it for the rest of his life.

"He was crying, apologizing to his Pokémon, and they were apologizing to him as well. As I watched from a distance, he said, 'I'm done aiming for the Pokémon League.'"

Giving up on aiming for the Pokémon League meant giving up on becoming a Champion, which was essentially a declaration of retirement from the world of Pokémon battles.

"I understood that in the world of competition, there are winners and losers. I thought I knew that... but in reality, I was only pretending to understand."

It's possible that he wasn't the only one who gave up on battling after losing to Jin. There might have been other trainers who, unknown to Jin, decided to retire as well.

"Some people give up on their dreams after losing to me. Even though it must have been incredibly frustrating for them, they still placed their hopes in me and expected great things from me. When I realized that, I finally understood the weight of the words 'I'm rooting for you.'"

At the time, Jin was satisfied as long as he could enjoy his battles. But after understanding the gravity of those words, he knew he could no longer just be a child who battles for fun. He didn't want to be someone who would betray the expectations placed on him. He wanted to become even stronger for their sake.

"My dream is to live up to the hopes of all the people who believed in me, to protect the pride of myself and my Pokémon. I want to be a Pokémon Trainer so strong that those who gave up their dreams after losing to me can look back and think they didn't just stumble over a small stone, but that they hit an enormous wall... That's the kind of trainer I aspire to be. That's my dream."

The strength and resolve behind Jin's dream were beyond anything Alex could have imagined. The boy in front of him, who was the same age as his daughter, suddenly felt like someone far beyond his reach.

"Haha... Sorry, that was longer than I intended. I wanted to keep it more concise, but I've never talked about this dream to anyone before... It feels a bit embarrassing to actually speak it out loud."

Jin smiled sheepishly, a smile that looked no different from that of any other teenager. Seeing that, Alex felt reassured. Despite his maturity and sense of responsibility, the boy in front of him was still just like his daughter—a regular teenager. At the same time, he couldn't help but think:

I can trust my daughter to him.

"...I approve of your relationship with Liko."

"What? Really!? But I've only answered one of your questions!"

"Yes, that's enough. Jin, I've learned enough about who you are, and that's all I needed for now. But in return, could you tell me about the adventures you've experienced? I'd love to use them as inspiration for a picture book I'm working on."

"Of course! Let's see... How about I start with the time I was attacked by a pack of Poochyena the day after I set out on my journey..."

Later, when Liko came to the room worried because Jin hadn't returned, she found her father engrossed in Jin's stories. He was laughing heartily as he listened to Jin's tales of being caught up in numerous incidents and accidents due to his natural tendency to get involved in things.

The tension and hostility that had filled the room when the two first met had completely disappeared, replaced by a sense of camaraderie. They were talking so happily that Liko would later describe them as resembling close friends despite the age difference.

// END

Permission to date Liko granted by Alex! And Jin got to share his dream too. It might be a bit abstract, but I think I'll go with this.

3.3K Words!!

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