Chapter 310: What’s With You?

Chapter 310: What's With You?

"Uh…"

Hikaru said nothing, merely stepped aside and motioned for her to come in.

After all, this was the very room Sakura had helped him find.

Strictly speaking, he was still a guest here.

And what kind of guest would shut the host out of her own place?

Once inside, Sakura gave Latias a casual greeting before walking over and plopping down on the edge of the bed.

Hikaru closed the door behind her.

"Alright, spill it. What was so important you waited outside that long?"

Sakura straightened up, her tone serious now.

"Big bro, didn't you say you were going to join the Youth League? Coach Gucheng is already recruiting for this year's school team!"

"Recruitment ends at the end of October. I came to remind you so you don't miss the deadline."

Hikaru blinked.

Oh. So it was that.

"Today's October 23rd. That's still seven days away…"

He waved her off with a helpless smile.

"You could've just messaged me. No need to camp out at my door."

Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Messaged you? Like you'd even check it. Unless you're in class, you vanish like a ghost."

"If I didn't drag you out myself, you'd totally forget."

"…Fair."

Hikaru had no argument.

"Alright, alright. Thanks for the reminder."

Sakura continued,

"Also, the Dragon Pool opens again in three days. Don't forget."

Hikaru nodded.

"Got it."

With two full days, he'd probably be able to finish searching Kyoto's waterways.

There should be enough time.

But the way Sakura was talking, Hikaru couldn't help but feel like she'd assumed some sort of new role...

He sighed.

"Anything else?"

"Nope."

Sakura shook her head.

"Alright then..."

Hikaru turned toward the wardrobe to grab a change of clothes.

But Sakura followed him.

"Where are you going?"

"To shower. I've been out all day."

Obvious question, really.

But what she said next made Hikaru freeze.

"Then let's shower together?"

His hand jerked mid-reach, nearly dropping his towel.

When he turned around, he was greeted by Sakura's smug little smirk.

"What's wrong with you?"

He glared.

"Don't you have your own room?"

Sakura clung to his arm and pouted,

"Oh come on, can't I at least borrow your bathroom? The water's out in my room. I've been flying on Dragonite all day—I'm sweaty too!"

"You used to help me bathe when we were kids!"

Hikaru clenched his fist.

"Do you even hear yourself right now?"

Water outage?

Maybe if they were back in Mizuki City.

But they were in Kyoto!

With this city's massive water resources, even if her room had no water, his would definitely be affected too.

And "when we were kids"…? That was a long time ago!

"Mm…"

Sakura realized her excuse was pretty weak and awkwardly pushed Hikaru toward the bathroom.

"Alright, alright! Go shower then!"

Once the water started running, she glanced at Latias, who had been watching them silently.

Sakura put a finger to her lips.

"Shhh…"

Latias tilted her head, then nodded innocently.

After all, showering was a normal thing.

Hikaru did it every day.

What was so special about it?

A moment later, Sakura tiptoed out of the room.

About a minute passed before she crept back in, now holding a bundle of clean clothes in her arms.

She casually sat on the bed and waited for Hikaru to finish.

Bored, she waved at Latias, who had gone back to sketching in the corner.

"Come here, Latias!"

"Hmm?"

Latias looked up, paused her drawing, and walked over.

"What's up?"

Sakura grinned mischievously.

"Do you Pokémon bathe? I feel like you always wear the same outfit."

Latias glanced down at herself.

Red long-sleeved top, black sweatpants.

It was… not exactly a fashionable combo.

Considering Latias's humanoid form was so pretty, her fashion sense was a bit tragic.

"Hikaru told me to wear this. I didn't used to look like this."

Sakura's eyes lit up.

"Oh? What did you look like before?"

"Um... hold on."

Latias closed her eyes.

In the soft glow of her psychic energy, her clothes began to shimmer and fade.

Just as her previous appearance was becoming visible—

The water stopped running.

A blurred silhouette moved behind the frosted glass.

The door creaked slightly.

"Big bro, wait—don't come out yet!" Sakura yelped.

"Huh?"

Hikaru's confused voice came from inside.

"What's going on?"

Sakura turned to Latias, still mid-transformation.

"It's fine! Just wait a second, okay?"

Inside the bathroom, Hikaru stood still, frowning.

He thought about using Aura to peek and see what nonsense was going on outside.

But in the end, he just leaned against the wall and waited.

A minute later, the door finally opened.

Steam billowed out, instantly fogging up Sakura's glasses.

She tried to peek in, but Hikaru gently pushed her away.

"Seriously? What was so urgent you had to keep me in there?"

He glanced toward the bed—and froze.

Latias was now back in her previous form:

Short red skirt, red crop top.

Slim snow-white legs crossed elegantly over the edge of the bed.

Twin pigtails resting gently along her thighs.

The contrast between the bold outfit and her innocent face created an unintentionally seductive charm.

"Uh... Latias?" Hikaru stammered.

"Why did you change clothes?"

Sakura quickly grabbed his arm.

"Ahaha, that was me. I asked her to show me what she used to wear."

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