"Ah!"
A scream nearly caused Riku to drop the casserole he was carrying with both hands.
If the beef porridge that had been simmering for over an hour were wasted, Riku would've been heartbroken. Even the largest of the Citrus Islands in the Orange Archipelago wasn't very big.
Because the Orange Archipelago was unsuitable for grazing, all beef had to be imported, and the price was outrageously high. Riku had to save up a small fortune before he was willing to buy just half a kilogram of beef.
If it weren't for the fact that Lorelei had a fever and needed the nutrition...
If it weren't for the three silly birds failing to catch any fish yesterday, leaving nothing suitable at home to make porridge...
Honestly, Riku would've been quite reluctant to use it.
At that moment, inside the room, Lorelei—an experienced member of the Elite Four—had quickly regained her composure and was glancing around the room.
When she lifted the blanket and realized she wasn't wearing anything, her expression changed instantly, and a murderous glint appeared in her eyes.
However, after the initial burst of anger, it only took her a few seconds to calm down.
Though untouched by any man, she had basic knowledge.
The first time was supposed to hurt. Yet, Lorelei didn't feel anything, which meant her defenses hadn't been breached.
Could it be that a woman had rescued her and kindly helped change her clothes?
---
"Miss Lorelei, are you awake?"
Just as Lorelei was trying to reassure herself, Riku's voice shattered all her hopeful assumptions.
"You... who are you?" Lorelei demanded, glaring. "And where is this place? Also, where are my clothes?!"
"Wait, Miss Lorelei, please don't panic," Riku said calmly from outside the door. "Please cover yourself with the blanket first. I'm coming in."
"Don't—"
Before Lorelei could finish protesting, Riku walked in holding a bowl of steaming porridge.
"It's you!!" Lorelei's whole body tensed, nearly shaking off the blanket.
"I'm surprised Miss Lorelei remembers me," Riku replied with a smile.
"Yes, it's me."
"My clothes. My Pokémon!" Lorelei frowned.
"Don't think smiling at me will get you out of trouble. If you're up to something shady, I won't forgive you!"
"Miss Lorelei, could you please be a little more polite?" Riku said with a frown.
"After all, I saved you. Is this how a Champion-level Trainer thanks her savior?"
"And besides, I, Riku, am not the kind of person you think I am."
"Your clothes are drying outside. They should be done soon. And your Pokémon are fine—I've kept all the Poké Balls outside since my room is too small."
"Do you want me to bring them in now?"
Lorelei stared intently into Riku's eyes.
Finding no trace of impurity in them, she finally nodded. "Indeed, I should thank you for this. However… did you change my clothes?"
"I did," Riku nodded.
"Didn't Miss Lorelei realize you had a fever? With those wet clothes clinging to your body, if I hadn't changed them, you probably wouldn't even have the strength to question me now."
"Given the circumstances, I hope you can understand."
Lorelei thought for a moment and nodded.
She wasn't a naive little girl anymore.
And besides, Riku had indeed saved her—that was undeniable. If he had taken any small advantage, she supposed she could see it as a kind of repayment, a little favor in return for saving her life.
---
"The porridge is here. Take your time eating it," Riku said, placing the bowl down.
"How am I supposed to eat?" Lorelei blinked in surprise.
"I'm not wearing anything..."
"Just wrap yourself in the sheet," Riku sighed.
"Unfortunately, I don't have any clothes that would fit you. Just bear with it for now—your clothes should be dry by noon."
With that, Riku turned and closed the door.
Lorelei, still slightly anxious, wanted to get up and lock it. But the moment she stood from the bed, her body went limp.
She truly did have a fever.
---
An hour and a half later…
Lorelei had finished the porridge and changed into her now-dry clothes.
Seeing Riku's expression—which clearly read "Please leave the island as soon as possible"—she suddenly didn't feel like leaving.
Last night's attack by Groudon had cut off her communication with the other three Elite Four members. All her Pokémon were injured, and she needed a quiet place to recover.
Besides, after eating a bowl of rich beef porridge, her stomach felt warm and comfortable.
During this entire mission, she'd been exposed to the elements, surviving on dry rations. Now that she had the chance to freeload a proper meal, she wasn't going to give it up so easily.
Seeing that Lorelei had no intention of leaving, Riku asked,
"Miss Lorelei, you're so strong—how did you end up in such a sorry state today?"
"If I hadn't found you in time, you would've been in real danger."
Lorelei glanced at him, hesitated for a few seconds, then briefly explained what had happened the night before.
Riku frowned.
"What on earth is going on lately? I heard the Orange Archipelago used to be quite peaceful. Now, legendary Pokémon are showing up every few days..."
"Riku, do you know anything?" Lorelei asked, finally calling him by name after their earlier exchange.
"I'm just an ordinary guy—not even a proper Pokémon Trainer," Riku said, annoyed.
"If you're asking me, who am I supposed to ask?"
"In fact, I'd suggest you stop coming to the Orange Archipelago from now on."
Riku's attitude annoyed Lorelei.
She tried pressing for more information, but Riku kept his mouth shut. Helpless, she had no choice but to return to her room to rest.
---
Riku waited a while longer. But when noon came and the three silly birds and the Little Red Shrimp still hadn't returned, he began to feel anxious.
An entire morning had passed, and they'd already missed two meals. That wasn't like them.
Worried about their absence, Riku stepped out of the small wooden house, planning to take Lapras to look for them.
Unexpectedly, the moment he stepped outside, Lapras approached him.
"Master, there's no need to look for them," Lapras said.
"They're all waiting for you over in the berry forest now."
---Support with power stones