Chapter 245: Sakura's Tears

Chapter 245: Sakura's Tears

"It radiates a divine glow, and any Pokémon bathed in its light experiences a slight power increase. The origin of this phenomenon..."

The video documented the entire Waterwood City incident—

From the Secret Realm merging with reality, to the Pokémon rampage, and finally to the arrival of Ho-Oh, spreading its seven-colored light.

Everything was captured and broadcasted.

Clearly, this was one brave content creator.

"A new Legendary Pokémon! Let's look forward to an official response! See you all in the next Pokémon Exploration episode!"

As the video concluded—

Sakura's interest peaked.

Yesterday, her brother had finally replied to her messages, saying he was coming home soon.

That meant—

Right now, he might be in Waterwood City?!

At that moment, her longing for him reached its peak.

She immediately closed the app, opened her messenger, and found the contact labeled:

"Beloved Brother"

Then—

She called him.

Sakura usually wouldn't disturb Hikaru.

But this time—

She had an odd feeling.

Almost as if—

If she didn't call right now, something bad might happen?

---

Meanwhile—

As Hikaru was about to answer his phone, a delicate hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.

A mischievous voice followed.

"Are you really going to answer like this?"

Hikaru was confused.

"Huh?"

Yuki giggled.

"Look at yourself right now."

Hikaru glanced at his reflection in the phone screen—

His face was red, his breathing unsteady, and he looked extremely guilty.

Then—

He glanced at Yuki beside him…

A wave of guilt flooded his heart.

Hikaru took a deep breath.

Activating Verdant Force, he calmed his emotions.

Then, with a sigh, he answered the call.

The moment it connected—

A sweet voice rang out.

"Hehe~ Brother~!"

On the screen, a radiant girl appeared.

Sakura had mentally prepared herself for the possibility that her brother might not pick up.

But unexpectedly—

He actually answered!

Her joy was evident as she sat up, smiling brightly.

Hikaru rubbed his nose awkwardly.

"What's up…?"

"I missed you, of course~!"

On screen, Sakura's eyes sparkled as she smiled.

Judging by the background, she was in her room.

She rolled over on her bed, then suddenly paused.

Realizing her hair was messy, she grabbed a hair tie from her nightstand and quickly tied up her long, flowing black hair.

Her white t-shirt had a Dratini logo on the chest.

Speaking of Dratini—

Hikaru suddenly remembered—

He still had a Dratini waiting to be caught on Dragon Island.

"Ahem…"

Hikaru cleared his throat, not sure what to say next.

On the other end—

Sakura narrowed her eyes slightly.

Her sixth sense as a woman immediately activated.

"Brother… is someone else with you?"

Hikaru froze.

He didn't want to lie—

But he also didn't want to say it outright.

In the end, he could only nod.

After all—

No matter what, he had never lied to Sakura before.

The moment Hikaru nodded—

A new face suddenly appeared in the frame.

"Hello, junior~!"

Yuki leaned into the camera, smiling brightly.

On the other end—

Sakura's smile stiffened.

For a moment—

It felt like all the light in her eyes dimmed.

But—

She still managed to greet Yuki politely.

"Hello, senpai."

There were so many things she had wanted to say.

But now—

All those words…

Got stuck in her throat.

The atmosphere froze.

Hikaru stood awkwardly between them, completely trapped.

Eventually—

It was Yuki who broke the silence.

"Alright, Hikaru, I should head back now. I won't disturb you two any longer."

Today had already been more successful than she had expected.

Even though she really wanted to hear what Hikaru and Sakura would talk about—

She knew that forcing herself into this conversation would backfire.

Her mother's words echoed in her mind.

"When it comes to love, don't be passive. Go after what you want!"

With a lighthearted stride—

Yuki disappeared down the street.

As she left—

Hikaru finally felt some relief.

It was like a weight had lifted off his shoulders.

But when he turned back to the video call—

He saw Sakura pouting.

And instantly—

His guilt doubled.

Hikaru had no idea why he even felt guilty.

They stared at each other through the screen—

Neither saying a word.

Until finally—

Hikaru couldn't take it anymore.

"What's with that face? You've been pouting at me for ages."

He shouldn't have spoken.

Because the moment he did—

Sakura's eyes filled with tears.

Her cheeks puffed out, making her face look even rounder.

She was still just a little baby sister.

And most importantly—

She looked so pitiful.

"Waaah… Brother, you're being mean to me…!"

Sakura's voice quivered as she sniffled dramatically.

"What?! When did I—"

Hikaru panicked.

He frantically tried to calm her down.

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have raised my voice!"

But no matter how much he apologized—

Sakura just kept looking at him with teary eyes.

Hikaru felt like he was back in the orphanage, trying to comfort a crying child.

Finally—

He sighed in defeat.

"Alright… What do you want me to do for you to forgive me?"

Sakura sniffled, wiping her eyes.

Then, in the most pitiful voice possible, she mumbled—

"When are you coming to school?"

She meant Central Blue University.

"Soon. Once I finish my last Gym challenge, I'll register for school."

Hikaru replied honestly.

"Why are you even challenging Gyms?"

Sakura frowned.

"For the Youth League at the end of the year."

"You don't need to challenge Gyms for that! You can just join the university's Pokémon Team. Team members get automatic entry into the Youth League."

"Wait, what?!"

Hikaru was stunned.

"Nobody told me that!"

"Of course it's true! You just need one Pokémon at Master-level to qualify."

Sakura proudly puffed out her chest.

"I'm almost a Master-level trainer myself~!"

Hikaru froze in place.

Nobody ever told him this rule!

He could just join the school team?!

Sakura's eyes sparkled.

"Brother, you should already qualify, right? So hurry up and enroll!"

Seeing her pouting again—

Hikaru reluctantly nodded.

"Alright, alright. I'll head to school soon."

His original plan was to challenge the new Grass-type Gym.

But…

If he could skip it, why not?

---

Read up to 20 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin

[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]

*Thank you*