Chapter Seventy-Four: Encountering Ba Da Butterfly Again

Officer Wang: You must prepare well for the college entrance exam; it’s the first milestone of your life.

Tang Yi: Understood, and thank you all as well. Now Ralts can truly rest easy.

Officer Wang: [smiling face] Actually, the person you should thank is the director of Changle Welfare Home. I heard the director went several times to the Pokémon Protection Agency for this matter, which is why the approval process went through so quickly.

Tang Yi: Tomorrow, I’d like to visit Feebas again. Is that possible?

Officer Wang: Now that the approval’s been granted, visiting is much simpler. Just follow the standard visitor process.

After a pause, Officer Wang added: Never mind, I’ll arrange a special process for you—it’ll be even faster.

Tang Yi: Thank you so much.

Officer Wang: You’re welcome.

Putting away his phone, Tang Yi patted the little head that had come over. “Well, are you feeling happier now?”

After days of tension, Ralts finally allowed a faint, reserved smile to appear on her face. She spoke softly, “This officer is truly a good person.”

Tang Yi nodded in heartfelt agreement.

“And the director of the welfare home is a good person too.”

Tang Yi echoed her sentiment, thinking the director must have sympathized with Feebas to have personally handled everything.

After a pause, seeing Ralts had nothing more to add, Tang Yi couldn’t help but prompt, “Go on, isn’t there someone else who’s a good person?”

“Who?”

“Me!”

Ralts turned her head away, unwilling to speak.

It was rather awkward.

Tang Yi said sheepishly, “Alright, so tomorrow we’ll go to the welfare home—is that okay?”

Ralts was quiet, clearly conflicted.

Her time was tight lately; she hadn’t yet learned Hypnosis. The girl knew mastering Hypnosis would be crucial for the second round of the selection tournament. Yet, as a trainer who always looked for ways to slack off on practice, she not only had to train her own mental strength but also keep an eye on someone to make sure he wasn’t shirking his assignments.

It was tough!

But Ralts truly cared about Feebas. Thinking it over, it had been days since she’d visited, and with the competition starting next week, she’d have even less time. One last visit before the tournament shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Ralts couldn’t find a reason to refuse.

Tang Yi smiled triumphantly—his plan had worked.

The next morning, Tang Yi took Ralts out early.

It didn’t take long to get to the welfare home, but visiting Feebas was only part of the agenda. Tang Yi’s true purpose was to get Ralts out in the sun, to help her relax and ease the pressure that had built up.

Now that they were officially registered as residents, visiting only required a visitor sign-in at the gate.

Because of the legend that a world champion once adopted a Caterpie here, especially on weekends, many visitors came to sign in. Everyone hoped to find their ideal Pokémon, but the adoption process was strict. You couldn’t just take home any Pokémon you fancied.

Thanks to Officer Wang’s introduction, Tang Yi didn’t need to wait in line for the visitor registration. He entered through the side entrance and was informed that Feebas was in the recreation area.

Tang Yi didn’t want to wait idly in the lounge. After asking directions, he took Ralts toward the recreation area.

The recreation area was where the Pokémon girls relaxed and played. Following the stone path, they could see small groups of Pokémon girls chatting at stone tables or lying on the grass, basking in the sun.

“How long will it take to find her?” Ralts was anxious, glancing around; the place was quite large.

“No rush, we’ll take our time,” Tang Yi replied casually, treating it as a stroll.

In fact, now that Feebas lived here, Tang Yi felt there was little left to worry about—he believed Feebas would have a whole new life ahead.

As they walked and chatted, Ralts still seemed distracted—either eager to see Feebas or worried about the competition.

After about fifteen minutes, Ralts suddenly brightened, tugged at Tang Yi’s hand, and pointed excitedly ahead, “There she is, there she is!”

“Yeah, I see her,” Tang Yi said, a little disappointed; he’d hoped to chat with Ralts a bit longer during their rare walk together.

Since they’d found Feebas so quickly, he led Ralts over.

Approaching, Tang Yi noticed Feebas was accompanied by a beautiful, mature Butterfree woman. The woman was talking to Feebas about something.

Tang Yi paused—this Butterfree seemed vaguely familiar.

Feebas and Butterfree noticed them. Feebas was briefly taken aback, then turned her head, pretending not to recognize them.

Butterfree was surprised too but soon smiled gently. “You’re here.”

“Do we know each other?” Tang Yi asked.

Ralts tilted her head, quickly remembered, and beamed with delight. “Butterfree Sister, it’s Butterfree Sister—I remember now!”

Then the girl complained, glancing at her trainer, “Didn’t we meet Butterfree Sister in the park before? How could you forget?”

Ralts was troubled—how could someone with such a poor memory hope to get into university?

Maybe she should buy him some brain supplements.

Reminded by her, Tang Yi recalled and gave a polite, if embarrassed, smile. “I remember now—sorry, but usually my heart and eyes are only for Ralts. Any other Pokémon I meet, I quickly forget.”

Ralts was instantly mollified.

Butterfree smiled warmly. “You two are still so close. Are you here to see Feebas today?”

Tang Yi was a bit puzzled—how did she know?

He and Butterfree had only exchanged a few words before—oh, and her rather sleazy trainer. They didn’t even know each other’s names.

Tang Yi looked around, but didn’t see the middle-aged man.

Ralts was happy; she had a good impression of Butterfree Sister and was pleasantly surprised to meet her here. She immediately left her trainer’s side and ran over.

“Butterfree Sister, do you know Feebas too?”

“Yes, though we only met a few days ago. Feebas has mentioned you several times. Now that you’re here, she must be very happy, isn’t that right?” Butterfree spoke wisely and kindly.

Feebas seemed pleased, though a bit embarrassed to have her feelings exposed.

“Since you’re here, you must have lots to talk about. I won’t intrude,” Butterfree said, preparing to leave.

“No!”

“No!”

Ralts and Feebas spoke in unison, exchanging awkward glances.

Neither girl was particularly talkative; left alone together, it would have been unbearably awkward.

“Then let’s sit over there and chat,” Butterfree suggested, pointing to a round table under a nearby tree, set up for people out for a stroll.

“Sure!” Ralts responded happily.

Feebas hesitated but didn’t object.

The three girls walked off together, looking like fast friends.

It felt as if something had been forgotten.

Well, it didn’t matter—that person wasn’t important for now.