So sue him for wanting some foods and wanting to get his Ralts all nice and fed before they start considering Pokémon battles. And anyway, mealtimes are always a good chance to mingle with others, though at this rate Ren will miss the solitude they enjoyed at the woods together.

“Yeah,” he says quietly. “I want to go home, too.”

But with mealtime over they emerge from the Pokémon Center flat broke still, but Ren is at least in better spirits than before. They could always turn in here for the night later on, but there’s still enough light outside for them to explore this city.

Then again, they haven’t really gotten that far before someone’s shouting “Help!” and a red blur dashes past them, making a beeline for the Rusturf Tunnel.