Pokémon from Galar

Dr. Kukui was in a real bind.

He raised his hand and rubbed his temples. This was a big deal; he felt he had to go see his teacher tomorrow.

"Um... Marie, it's best if no one else knows about this move. Even if it's activated, make it look like Gardevoir activated it itself, okay?"

“I know, Mr. Hara from the other world said the same thing to me.”

"Hmm... okay, you really gave me a lot of surprises today, hahaha~ What else is there to say?"

After listening, Mary nodded, first releasing Pazu, then taking the Ultra Ball from her waist and pressing the switch.

"Actually, when I came back just now, I ran into a rather strange Kyogaido on the road."

"Wow~ Human, is this where you live? By the way, that sphere is a bit uncomfortable, could you change to something more comfortable?"

The yellow Shiny Nihilego ignored everyone in the room as soon as it appeared, frolicking around in front of Marie. Of course, it didn't dare to get too close, but the other Pokémon could still sense its hostility towards it.

"..."

Instead of immediately acknowledging the Nihilego, Mary turned to Dr. Kukui and explained the situation she had encountered.

"Hmm...this is indeed a difficult decision, Ash, what do you think?"

Professor Kukui turned to Ash, trying to get his opinion, while Ash himself had already cautiously approached Nihilego, looking like a curious child.

"Maybe he really is lonely. The world that Nihilego lives in is so dark and it seems like there's nothing there. He must feel lonely. Since only you, Mary, can talk to him, isn't it natural that he would like Mary?"

"But, but... it's still too dangerous. What if Mary gets parasitized?"

Yuri voiced her objection, knowing that Mari had disappeared into the Ultimate Hollow because of Nihilego's attack, and that she certainly wouldn't like seeing Nihilego now.

Mary paused for a moment, then raised her hand to touch Yuri's head, who was tightly hugging her and trembling slightly, and said with a smile:

"Thank you."

"……Uh-huh."

Yuri shrank back a little shyly. She had gradually calmed down and could feel a little embarrassed, but she still held on and refused to let go.

"According to the data, Nihilego's defensive capabilities are very strong, and Marie, your team is still missing a spot, isn't it?"

Sonia, speaking purely from a trainer's perspective, said, "This guy is dangerous, but he's also very strong. As a trainer, it's hard to refuse a Pokémon with such potential."

"Speaking of which, how do you feel, Sis-chan?"

Belatedly remembering Sis's abilities, Mary looked at Sis beside her and asked curiously.

"Sha... (Actually... I didn't sense any malice from him...)"

Was it an unexpected or expected answer? Mary nodded. Silk's perception was definitely a significant factor.

"Hmm, is that so?"

Mary turned to look at Nihilego, who was floating in mid-air with his tentacles twitching slightly. It was obvious that he was also nervous. He really didn't want to go back to that hellish place, especially since he didn't have the strength to cross the Ultimate Cave alone.

"...Alright, I'll remove the restrictions from the Poké Ball so you'll be more comfortable inside. You can stay with me for now."

In the end, Mary decided to keep him, as a temporary trial period, to observe him for a while before making a decision.

"Yay—! (Yay! That's great! I don't have to go back to that awful place~)"

Upon hearing Mary's answer, the guy even did a somersault in mid-air, rolling around like a husky.

“…Mari-chan!”

Yuri stared at Mari's face, wondering why she had agreed, especially since before...

"It's alright, he's no match for Balu and the others."

As Mary said this, she changed the settings of the Ultimate Ball in her hand. Because of its purpose, the Ultimate Ball's default settings were biased towards confinement and restraint, unlike other balls whose default settings were more inclined towards comfort and living.

Of course, it can be modified. After all, the Aether Foundation doesn't really intend to eliminate or imprison Ultra Beasts for a long time. If the other party cooperates, the Ultra Ball can be modified into a regular Poké Ball suitable for Ultra Beasts to live in.

"Okay, give it a try."

After adjusting the settings, Marilyn held up the Ultra Ball and looked at the Nihilego.

Chapter 161 Yuri's Flirting with Mary

After explaining the situation in general, Mari and the others didn't linger any longer and bid farewell to Dr. Kukui.

Back in her room, Mary thought for a moment and decided to explain things in advance.

“Sonia, Yuri, I’ll probably be going to another Alola for a while in a couple of days.”

"why?"

They didn't intend to stop her, because they already knew that Mary had a riding device that could summon Solgaleo, so there was definitely no danger.

“I was rescued in another world. Champion Mizuki gave me the Z-Bracelet, and the guardians gave me an aura of dominance. I have to find a way to repay the favor, even if it’s insignificant.”

"So what are you going there for? Ultra Beast?"

"Yeah, there are some Ultra Beasts roaming around Alola lately, it's always dangerous, and Mizuki sometimes can't handle it all by herself."

"You decide this yourself. I'm not your guardian. Go to sleep now. Goodnight."

Sonia smiled, shrugged, waved, and walked towards her room.

"Good night."

Mary waved her hand, then looked at Yuri, who was standing silently beside her, and asked with a smile:

"what happened?"

"No... Can I sleep with you tonight? Just like before."

For some reason, Yuri's eyes flickered with unease, as if she was worried that Mary would refuse. This look startled Mary; at least for her, sleeping together was just a normal thing, wasn't it?

"Sure, but I might not be able to sleep well. Just make sure you don't mind me disturbing you."

Upon hearing the affirmative answer, Yuri nodded emphatically, the unease on her face quickly vanishing, replaced by a radiant smile.

"Mmm! It's okay!"

Just as Mary was about to walk towards her room, she suddenly stopped and looked curiously at Yuri beside her.

"Speaking of which... how did you arrange the room I stayed in before?"

“Keep it as it is. Sonia and I both believe that you will come back, Mary! That’s why we’ve been cleaning the room.”

"Thank you, Yuri."

Subconsciously, she raised her hand again to hug Yuri's small body, but this time Yuri seemed a little flustered, her two little hands waving behind Mary's back, not knowing where to put them.

However, Yuri didn't hesitate for long. Mary quickly let go of her hand and said with a smile:

"Then I'll go wash up. You go to your room and rest first, Yuri."

"Uh-huh!"

Yuri, her face slightly flushed, nodded, avoiding Mary's gaze, and ran off to Mary's room with her head down.

Scratching her head, Mary didn't understand why Yuri had reacted so strongly just now. Did she only now feel ashamed for having cried in her arms?

But it's quite cute, isn't it?

After washing up, Mary returned to her room with her hair down and found Yuri still sitting on the bed playing on her phone. She went over and climbed onto the bed. Yuri smiled and asked:

"Where are your Pokémon? Why aren't they here?"

"They sleep in my room. It would be too crowded if they all came over."

Yuri chuckled. Actually, she just wanted to be alone with Marie, which was why she put the Pokémon in her old room.

Mary pulled back the covers and sat down next to Yuri, propping herself up on her arms and leaning over to look at her phone screen, smiling as she said:

"Speaking of which, you probably haven't told my brother about me yet, have you?"

"Huh? Ah... this..."

When this question suddenly came up, Yuri stammered and couldn't answer. Sonia had indeed kept this a secret from Nie Zi, and Yuri didn't have her contact information at all.

“I guessed it. If my brother had known, he would be here right now. I don’t blame you. In fact, I’m grateful that you helped keep it a secret. I didn’t want my family to worry too much.”

"Forehead……"

"But I also know that I can't hide it anymore. I have to buy my Rotom phone and Dynamax Band again. These two orders will definitely go through my brother. I will definitely be questioned and scolded."

Leaning her head against Yuri's shoulder, Mary smiled and chatted. Although her brother was usually not angry, this time was really... Mary couldn't be sure if he would get so angry that he might hit her.

"I'll stay with you!"

Yuri boldly grasped Mary's hand, as if they were bound together by a shared destiny. Mary chuckled, shook her head, but didn't pull her hand away.

"It's better for me to handle this myself. My brother can scold me and calm him down. It wouldn't be good if you went."

"Hmm...that's true."

Yuri stared absently at her phone screen, and a brief silence fell over the room. Then, mustering her courage, Yuri spoke first:

"Next time... next time we go into the Ultimate Cave, can I come along?"

"Why? The other world is basically the same as Alola, there's nothing to see there."

"No...no, I just..."

Yuri spoke haltingly, her cheeks burying deeper and deeper into her face, her complexion growing increasingly flushed. She gripped Mary's hand tighter and tighter, as if engaged in some internal struggle. Her head was lowered, staring at her phone screen, but her tone became unusually weak:

"I just... don't want to be separated from Mary-chan anymore..."

"..."

Mary could sense the change in Yuri, both in her hands and on her face. She hadn't expected Yuri to value her so much, considering that they had only known each other for a little over two months.

Perhaps her sudden disappearance had really hit Yuri hard. Mari thought to herself, after all, Yuri had always lived the life of an ordinary little girl before this, but the friend who had given her a gift on the phone that morning was now told that her fate was unknown.

That kind of experience is probably what's truly terrifying...

So Mary raised her free hand, ruffled Yuri's hair, and said with a smile:

"I understand, I'll take you with me next time."

"Um... I'm sorry, I was so willful."

"This can't be called being willful. Don't overthink it. Go to sleep early."

"Uh-huh."