Summer silently put the replaced cup of tea back down. Although the Sinistea and Polteageist had made peace, their rivalry hadn't ceased.
Somehow, they had learned that Summer's evaluations were the most valuable information in Sunset Forest. Ever since, they had been playing this tea-for-water game every day.
"Yasha~"
At this moment, a Phantump suddenly pushed the door open and walked up to Summer, gesturing as if trying to convey something.
"A strange person has come to Sunset Forest?" Summer tried asking.
The Phantump quickly nodded. Yes, a strange person had come to Sunset Forest, carrying a peculiar machine, and most notably, accompanied by a Fire-type Pokémon.
"Got it. Then please lead the way, Phantump," Summer said.
Sunset Forest was getting more lively, not just with the increasing number of residents but also more people venturing into this once unnoticed forest.
"Hey, I didn't expect Galar to have such a scenic spot," a tall, trendy woman said as she fiddled with her camera, searching for the perfect angle and continuously pressing the shutter.
A Hisuian Growlithe stayed obediently by her side.
"Perrin?" Summer called out, seeing her back.
The uniquely haired Perrin turned around, showing a surprised expression. For a moment, Summer thought he saw the familiar leader of the Diamond Clan, the bold and responsible Adaman, because they looked so much alike.
"You're Summer? Hey, what are you doing here?" She smiled.
"Because I'm a ranger of this forest," Summer replied.
"Oh, has your Thwackey evolved? Great, it matches the forest scenery so well," Perrin said as she raised her camera to take a photo of them.
"Thanks. Perrin, does your appearance here mean your work is done?" Summer asked.
Perrin nodded, putting down her camera, and said, "Yes."
"So I asked the townsfolk for interesting or beautiful spots, and they told me Sunset Forest was nice. So here I am."
"I didn't expect to see such a nostalgic scenery. It was a wise decision," she said happily.
"Is it the Moss Rock?"
"Yes, how did you know? Ah, of course, it's the most eye-catching feature here."
"My partner Leafeon evolved next to a Moss Rock back home. Thinking back, it was truly exciting," Perrin said as she took out her phone from her backpack and searched through it.
"Look, this is my commemorative photo with Leafeon."
The picture showed a young Perrin, dressed in her trendy style, smiling cutely with Leafeon under a tall Moss Rock.
"Leafeon," Summer smiled, recalling the scene when Adaman's Leafeon evolved. It was one of the rare times the leader showed his emotional side.
"Hey, don't you think Leafeon is charming? Our family has eight Leafeon!" Perrin said proudly.
Was this a family tradition? Summer was now more certain that Perrin was Adaman's descendant.
"By the way, Summer, since you're the ranger of Sunset Forest, how about showing me some other interesting places?"
"Sure."
Perrin looked curious at Summer's quick agreement, "So readily? I thought you'd hesitate."
"Because I believe you're not a bad person," Summer replied.
"Well hey, I like your attitude! Let's hurry then, time is precious," Perrin said.
At Gracidea Prairie, Perrin went crazy photographing the dancing Hisuian Lilligant.
"Oh~ just as rumored, full of energy. And the elegant Lilligant is wonderful too~"
Then she put down her camera and said, "It's said that long ago, Lilligant in my hometown looked like this, but we don't see them anymore."
"Some people have spotted this form in remote mountainous areas. Seeing it today is a real treat," Perrin said, putting her camera away without asking about the Hisuian Lilligant's origin.
"Let's move on to the next place!"
At Misty Lake, Perrin went on a photographing spree of the Milotic in the lake.
"Oh~ seeing it in person really lets you feel Milotic's charm. It seems more beautiful than the one our Champion back home has!" Perrin said as she took out her phone again.
"Look, this is from her exhibition match."
The photo showed the Sinnoh Champion Cynthia confidently commanding her Milotic, confirming Perrin's hometown as Sinnoh.
"And it's not just Milotic, this lake is very comfortable too. Being a ranger here must be interesting?" Perrin asked.
"Yes, it's indeed interesting," Summer answered honestly.
"It seems you like your job. Finding your passion is rare. I'm glad I discovered my love for photography," Perrin smiled, raising her camera.
"Well then, Summer, let's head to the next place!"
"Hmm, so this is where you live," Perrin said, pressing the shutter.
Summer didn't take Perrin to the Dream Forest and Tropical Rainforest areas because they were hard to explain. After photographing other Pokémon in the forest, they arrived at the cabin.
"Perrin, that's it for today. Let's take a break," Summer said.
"Sure, I'm a bit tired," she smiled, "and I'm curious about your daily life."
Perrin followed Summer into the cabin, her eyes scanning curiously around until she noticed a well-stocked bookshelf. She lifted her camera, ready to document it, when she spotted something familiar that brought back many memories.
"Perrin, have some water," Summer placed a glass of water on the table, this time it was regular water.
"Hey, Summer, what do you think time is?" Perrin suddenly asked.
"Time?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry, for asking such a tough question. My family values time a lot and always taught me to understand its preciousness."
"So, I've been pondering how to cherish time since I was young."
"Then I found photography. It's amazing, capturing intangible time in a moment, preserving beautiful instants forever."
"So after becoming independent, I've been traveling, looking for the best moments to capture and pressing the shutter."
Perrin turned, raising her camera.
"I believe my photos can transcend time. No matter how long, people will smile when they see them. Photography is truly a miracle."
"Thank you for listening to my musings, Summer. I'm leaving Galar tomorrow. Sunset Forest, as the last experience, was really nice."
"I'm honored," Summer said.
"So let's add each other as friends. I'll share interesting photos with you," Perrin smiled, "like from my next destination, a northern village with a mysterious Pokémon!"
(End of chapter)