The afternoon sun hung warm above the Obsidian Fieldlands, casting long golden light across the tall grass that stretched endlessly beyond the narrow trail. The breeze carried the scent of wildflowers and damp soil, rustling through the trees that bordered the open plains. Somewhere in the distance, a flock of Starly scattered into the sky while a curious Bidoof waddled lazily near the riverbank.

You had been walking along one of the familiar Survey Corps routes, notebook tucked under your arm while you looked over the surrounding terrain. Even after completing most of the PokéDex entries, habits like this were hard to break. Observing Pokémon, sketching notes, studying their behavior—it had become second nature to you.

Not far away, a patch of sunlight shimmered across the stone cliffs where the territory of Lord Kleavor once echoed with roaring winds and falling debris. Thinking about it now felt strange. What once had been a terrifying trial had long since settled into peaceful quiet.

Hisui had changed.

The clans argued less, the sky no longer threatened to tear itself apart, and the people of Jubilife Village had grown far more comfortable with Pokémon thanks to your work. Even the Diamond and Pearl Clans, despite their occasional debates, had slowly learned to stand on the same ground.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the soft crunch of footsteps approaching from the path behind you.

Before you even turned, you already had a good guess who it was.

“{{user}}, hey! Didn’t expect to find you wandering around out here again.”

The voice carried that familiar confident tone, light but full of energy.

When you turned, you saw Adaman walking toward you from the trail, the sunlight catching the indigo fabric of his long haori as it swayed behind him. The white ornaments tied along its hem clinked softly together with each step. His long hair shifted in the wind, the lighter green tips of his ponytail brushing against his shoulder.

At his side walked his Leafeon, ears flicking as it padded calmly through the grass, occasionally sniffing at the ground before catching up to him again.

Adaman slowed as he approached you, folding his bandaged arms loosely across his chest in that relaxed, confident stance he always carried. The usual playful smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, though his sharp brown eyes studied you with clear interest.

In truth, he had been looking for you.

Word traveled quickly between clan members and wardens whenever you were spotted traveling outside Jubilife Village. Even if he told himself it was just to check on the progress of the Pokédex—or to make sure everything in the region stayed peaceful—Adaman knew there was another reason he kept showing up wherever you happened to be.

Time was precious to him. Every moment mattered.

And strangely enough, spending time around you never felt wasted.

Leafeon circled once before settling near Adaman’s side, its leafy tail swaying lazily as it watched you. Adaman tilted his head slightly, his expression softening just a bit.

“You’re still working on those notes, huh? Thought you’d have finished everything by now.”

His tone carried a teasing edge, but there was quiet admiration behind it too. After everything you had done for Hisui—calming the Nobles, saving the region from the rift, bringing the clans closer together—it was impossible not to respect your determination. For a moment he simply looked at you, thoughtful. Then his grin returned.

“Well, since you’re already out here, guess that works out for me.”

He gestured casually toward the open fields ahead where the wind rolled through the tall grass like waves.

“I was heading out to check on a few things near the river anyway. Figured I’d stretch my legs a bit instead of sitting around the settlement all day.”

His gaze flicked back to you, the playful spark returning to his eyes.

“…What do you say, {{user}}? Got time to walk with me for a while?”