Chapter 37: Helping the Beautiful

Xia You pulled out a Poké Ball and slowly extended it toward Gastly.

Without any hesitation, Gastly's body touched the button of the Poké Ball. A red light flashed, and it zipped inside.

The Poké Ball wobbled slightly before coming to a complete standstill with a soft "pop."

He had actually succeeded in catching it!?

But before Xia You could celebrate, the newly captured Poké Ball suddenly opened, and Gastly flew back out on its own.

"I really can't stand the environment in there; it's too dark and cramped," Gastly complained, shaking its body. "I'm used to being free; I still prefer staying outside without restrictions."

"Then don't go into the Poké Ball," Xia You said nonchalantly. "Actually, I don't like traveling all alone either. It's much better to have a Pokémon by my side."

Gastly nodded and floated toward the Maiden Rock again.

"This year's summer festival has ended, but your legend will likely continue to be passed down in the future."

A female phantom drifted out from the Maiden Rock—it was an actual Woman Ghost!

The ghost said softly, "Thank you, Gastly."

"Don't mention it," Gastly smiled. "I just wanted to revive this legend, which was gradually being forgotten, in people's memories once more."

The ghost pressed her hands together. "For so long, I have stayed in this place, waiting for the day I would reunite with him. No matter how long it takes, I will continue to wait."

Gastly moved aside to give the ghost a clear view of Xia You and said, "I assume you heard what happened just now. From now on, I'll be going on a journey. Perhaps I'll encounter your lover somewhere. When that time comes, I will definitely convey your feelings to him!"

"Thank you so much!"

A hint of cheerfulness entered the Woman Ghost's tone. As she spoke, she floated backward and dissipated into the Maiden Rock.

...

By the time he returned to the Pokémon Center, the sky was just beginning to brighten. Xia You, who had been forcing himself to stay alert, felt his eyelids grow incredibly heavy the moment he stepped into the warm room.

Ash was sleeping soundly, while Brock, having slept a lot during the day, opened his eyes upon hearing the noise.

After a full rest, Brock's complexion looked much better than before.

"Why are you back so late?"

Yawning, Xia You said, "I took advantage of the night to wrap up the matter with the ghost."

"Ah, right." Xia You suddenly remembered something and said to Brock, "Gastly was a bit disrespectful earlier; why don't I let it apologize to you?"

Brock asked in surprise, "You caught it?"

Xia You didn't speak, but from within his shadow, a black sphere enveloped in purple mist suddenly floated out.

"Waaah!"

Brock was startled and couldn't help but cry out. Hearing the noise, Pikachu rubbed its eyes and poked its head out to look around curiously. Only Ash simply rolled over and continued snoring loudly.

"You little-eyed man, you're not much of a brave soul besides being a pervert," Gastly chuckled mischievously. "What happened earlier was just a joke I played on you. Don't take it to heart."

Brock was naturally a very easygoing person. He hadn't cared much about the incident to begin with, and hearing Gastly's apology made any lingering annoyance vanish completely.

Xia You pulled out his phone and checked the time.

"I don't know how long I'll sleep this time. When Ash wakes up later, you guys should head out first. I plan to stay here for another day or two. If there's a chance in the future, we'll meet again."

"Isn't the matter already over? Why do you want to stay here?" Brock was stunned, but seeing that Xia You offered no further explanation, he nodded. "Alright then, we'll be leaving first."

After a hurried wash, Xia You fell straight into sleep. When he opened his eyes again, it was already afternoon.

The excessive fatigue from the past two days—living during the night and sleeping during the day—had thrown his biological clock into chaos, to the point where his mental state still wasn't fully replenished.

Ash and the others had left long ago. Originally, when Misty heard that Xia You wanted to stay for a few more days, she wanted to stay with him as well. However, since Xia You didn't proactively invite her, she could only let it go, looking back repeatedly as she set off again with Ash and the others.

The reason Xia You wanted to stay was, naturally, to ensure this beautiful legend would be passed down more effectively.

Participating personally in this event made him believe that a love known as "unwavering until death" truly existed in this world.

However, Gastly's previous method was not ideal; it was not only inefficient but also incapable of effective dissemination.

Now that Gastly had become his Pokémon, Xia You believed he could also do his part to help complete this task.

He wrote down everything that had happened since arriving at Maiden Gorge. Then, he went to the Maiden Shrine, learned about the loves and hates of this place over the past two thousand years from the old priest, and integrated all of it. After editing, trimming, and adding some polish, he composed a poignant yet heartwarming short story of over six thousand words.

Recalling a conversation with Koharu, where he heard that her mother, Yoshino, was not only self-taught in painting but also dreamed of becoming an illustrator, he sent the story to Koharu's email. He asked her to pass along his request, hoping Yoshino could provide some illustrations for the story.

Koharu replied with an "OK" emoji.

Soon, an unknown number called.

Upon answering, a woman's cheerful voice came from the other end: "Hello? This is Yoshino Sakuragi. Am I speaking with Mr. Xia You?" (Note: Here, Yoshino is her given name, derived from *Somei Yoshino*, a type of cherry blossom.)

Knowing this was Koharu's mother, Xia You hurriedly replied politely, "Hello, Ma'am. I am Xia You."

Yoshino Sakuragi said, "I just heard about your matter from Koharu. That story is very well-written. I had heard legends of the Maiden Rock before, but I never imagined they were actually true!"

Xia You smiled. "Although it's a bit unbelievable, I did indeed see the woman's ghost with my own eyes. However, I must ask you to keep this a secret, Ma'am. Otherwise, the Maiden Rock might attract the attention of people with ill intentions."

Yoshino Sakuragi replied, "I understand. Much like some of my husband's research, it needs to be kept confidential. From what Koharu said, you need my help with some illustrations?"

"Yes." Xia You hesitated for a moment. "I'm sorry to trouble you, Ma'am. After learning more about this, I also believe it is necessary to pass this legend down."

Yoshino Sakuragi laughed. "It's nothing, and there's no need to be so formal. After all, you are a member of the Sakuragi Research Institute too. However, I think making it into a manga would have a better effect than just illustrations."