November 22nd, Sunday.Minor Snow.

AtopMt. Silver, mist rose from the hot springs, curling into the cold morning air.

AVenusaur, its presence restrained yet exuding an undeniable pressure, lay on the ground with its eyes closed, basking in the warmth.

From within the steaming water,Redcalled out toward the fog,

"Thanks, Green."

"No big deal."

AlthoughAerodactylwas his usual ride, Red often borrowed Green’sCharizardas well.

Since Green was free today, he brought Red toMt. Silverfor continued training.

The mountain was home to many powerful wild Pokémon.

"It’s been a while… is your hand still not healed?"

"Yeah…"

Red gave a helpless smile. "Whenever it gets cold, my wrist still aches."

Back during his match against theElite Four,Lorelei’s Jynxhad left him with an enduring injury.

Despite that, Red had still claimed the title ofWorld Champion.

It was only after Red retired thatLeon, a rising star, took over as champion.

Lorelei had always felt guilty about Red’s injury.

But Red himself remained optimistic—it just meant he had to visit hot springs for treatment every now and then.

Green’s gaze flickered.

"I heard that the hot springs inCinnabar Townare great for healing too… you should give them a try."

Red looked slightly surprised.

"Cinnabar has an active underground volcano.Mr. Blaineeven built one of Kanto’s most famous resort spas there."

Green sighed. "You reallyhavebeen out of touch with the world for too long!"

"Ahaha, well… The hot springs here inMt. Silverwork so well that I never felt the need to look elsewhere," Red admitted, scratching his head sheepishly.

"Even the best treatments lose effectiveness over time."

Hands in his pockets, Green continued, "You should check out other healing spots before your old injury flares up again."

Red nodded. "Thanks."

"Hmph." Green waved a hand and hopped ontoCharizard’sback. "I’m heading out first."

Watching Green fly off into the distance, Red fell into thought.

Cinnabar Town, huh…

Since he was leavingMt. Silveranyway, he might as well bring the gang along for a trip!

—

"A trip to the resort?"

Lu Ye blinked at the message in the group chat.

"Why the sudden idea?"

"Mainly to see if other hot springs help with healing."

Red smiled apologetically. "I guess it’s a bit troublesome, huh?"

"No, no trouble at all!"

Erika’s face turned bright red."I—I want to go!"

As theculprit behind Red’s injury,Lorelei’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

"That sounds amazing!"

Lovers in a snowy hot spring retreat, embraced in warmth…

The image was too enticing!

Gold: "I don’t think anyone actually invited you, Lorelei-senpai…"

A vein popped on Lorelei’s forehead.

Changing how you address me doesn’t mean I won’t write your name in my little blacklist book!

Misty, currently training onSeafoam Islands, was only a half-hour’s travel fromCinnabar Island.

She had been about to say something but, after some thought, sighed and stayed quiet.

Sapphire: "Oh!Mt. ChimneyinHoennhas hot springs too! Red-senpai, I can book a spot for you if you ever want to visit!"

"Sounds good,"Red replied."But since we’ve set our destination, I’ll check out Cinnabar first."

Ruby: "Such a shame… Sapphire and I are still traveling the world, or else we’d join you."

Lu Ye’s expression turned strange.

"Traveling the world,"huh? More like ahoneymoon!

The chat fell into a knowing silence.

In the end, Red and Erika became the ones heading to thehot spring resort.

"How long are you staying?"Blue asked with a sly grin."If you book through me, I can get you a group discount~!"

"No need for a group deal…"

Red coughed lightly. "Just two days, one night. We should be back by Tuesday."

Gold: "Can I come? I’ve never been to a resort before."

Crystal: "No!"

"Huh?"

Crystal’s face turned red as she quickly switched to private chat.

"I-If you want to go, I can go with you next time… Just don’t interrupt Red-senpai and Erika!"

"Really? Feels like they’d be more awkward alone…"

Despite his clueless personality, Gold nodded thoughtfully.

Traveling alone withYellow, Red felt a bit nervous.

Red: "@Green, wanna come along?"

Green: "I have to watch the gym."

"Lu Ye is free, you could ask him,"Sabrinasuddenly suggested.

Lu Ye’s heart skipped a beat.

If he went along… wouldn’t Yellowhate him forever?!

But to his surprise,Erikaalso sent him a private message.

Blushing, she hesitated.

"T-Teacher Lu… Could you come too? Otherwise, I… I don’t know how to act…"

Lu Ye silently gazed at the sky.

So this was…

Twolove rookiesneeding athird wheelto bridge the gap?

—

[Romance Battle Strategy Chat Group]

Lu Ye tossed the dilemma into the group oflove detectives.

Lu Ye: "What do I do? Any good ideas?"

Lorelei: "Lock them in a room for two days and one night!"

"That might actually get someone killed!"Lu Ye grimaced.

Lorelei… justwhat kind of weird shoujo manga have you been reading?!

"Patience is key,"Erika pondered."Teacher Lu, perhaps you could casually nudge things along?"

Her suggestion was essentially choosing aspyto gather gossip.

Something about the way she phrased it made it sound… way less terrifying than it actually was.

Lance: "I think that’s a solid plan."

Lorelei: "Lu Ye, whether or not we get thegood gossipdepends on you!"

"B-But I have class on Tuesday…"Lu Ye muttered weakly.

"No worries,"Erika smiled."I’ll cover for you."

Lu Ye’s expression turned complicated.

TheGym Leader of Yuhong City… was her heart justpure darkness?!

But as thegroup leader, hewasresponsible for his friends’ love lives.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Ye opened the chat.

Lu Ye: "Alright, count me in for the resort trip!"

BothRedandErikalet out a long sigh of relief.

Meanwhile,Sabrinafrowned, sensing something was… off.

If Lu Ye went toCinnabar Town… wouldn’t that meanthree whole days without Gengar?

Her mood suddenly dipped.

—

With the trip finalized, Lu Ye prepared for his departure.

MeetingRedsoon, he felt a small sense of excitement.

Plus, with the heavy responsibility ofgathering gossip for the group, he had to stay alert.

"Two days and one night… I still need to make it back for Tuesday’s class."

Lu Ye rubbed his chin in thought.

"Ah, whatever. I’ll just let Erika sub for me… Can’t let this trip go to waste!"

Opening his laptop, he updated hislivestream status:

[Out gathering inspiration, BRB in three days! Will discuss new tactics when I return.]

With that, he packed his bags and set off forCinnabar Island.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com