"Assistant? Me?"
Summer looked at the camera in his hand, puzzled.
"Yeah, we're at Mossui Town. There's bound to be interesting scenery!" Perrin placed her hands on Summer's shoulders and leaned in close.
"So, let's take some photos, Summer. It'll be a great prelude to the Festival of Masks! Plus, you'll learn more about Mossui Town through photography, making the festival even more fun!"
"Don't you like it? I thought you'd appreciate the joy of photography," Perrin said, her head drooping with a disappointed expression.
"No, I'll do it. Please let me be your assistant," Summer replied earnestly.
Although he had learned some things about Mossui Town online, experiencing it firsthand was always better. Perrin's photography request was the perfect excuse for him to explore Mossui Town.
"I knew it!" Perrin beamed, retracting her arms. "Thanks, Summer. I'll see you tonight at the inn I'm staying at. I'll send the location to your phone."
Summer suddenly realized he hadn't brought his phone. Since he often traveled back in time to uncertain periods, modern technology like a phone wasn't usually useful.
"Message sent. Well, I'm off. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos~"
Perrin waved and, along with her Hisuian Growlithe, left the bus stop.
Holding the camera, Summer felt a bit helpless. Now where could he find the information he needed online?
Noting the location of Perrin's inn, a bold idea struck Summer. Could his future self use information from his past self to understand upcoming events? He could use a public phone to communicate with his other self and take preemptive actions.
Feeling like he was cheating, Summer dialed the public phone number. The automated response he received was, "The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."
"This number is unreachable... Ah, I get it. My future self, having experienced this event, must be in the same situation. It makes sense to prevent changing this experience..."
"So, no contacting myself. But this kind of adventure is exciting too," Summer mused, hanging up the phone and withdrawing some money from his account for expenses.
Having money made navigating modern society much easier.
The civic center offered visitor lodging services. Summer rented a room as his base. Camping outside as a tourist in Mossui Town would have been odd.
As Summer pondered where to start photographing, an elderly, bald man with glasses, the center's administrator, approached him.
"Are you here to take photos?" the administrator asked, noticing the camera in Summer's hands.
"Yes, that's right. Do you know any good spots in Mossui Town?" Summer inquired, thinking it best to ask a local.
"Of course, there's the Six Wonders of Kitakami, the most beautiful natural sceneries here!" the administrator replied proudly.
Recalling Perrin's words, Summer thought it would be better to learn about Mossui Town's history first.
"Actually, I'm very interested in the history of Kitakami. To be honest, I'm here for the Festival of Masks, but I couldn't find much information online about its background," Summer lamented.
"Ah, the Festival of Masks... I see, enhancing the background stories could attract more visitors," the administrator mumbled to himself.
Seeing the man deep in thought, Summer called out, "Administrator?"
"Oh, right... Well, you can start at Loyalty Plaza on the west side of the village. There are information boards about the heroic deeds of the Loyal Three Pokémon."
"It also passes by our apple orchard. You must try our unique honey-glazed apples; you won't forget the taste," he added.
Honey-glazed apples? Sounds delicious. But wait, what are Loyal Three Pokémon? I've never heard of them.
"What are the Loyal Three Pokémon?" Summer asked.
"Ah, yes. They are three heroic Pokémon that protected our village from evil spirits long ago. You'll find detailed stories on the information boards," the administrator explained.
"Is there only one information board?"
"No, there are two more," the administrator said, pointing to locations on a wall map. "The other two are in the village center and the Land of Kitakami, but they're a bit farther. I recommend starting at Loyalty Plaza."
"Got it. Thank you," Summer said gratefully.
"You're welcome. Oh, and don't forget to try the honey-glazed apples!"
The administrator left with a smile, and Summer, holding his camera, walked out of the civic center. He spotted an orchard full of apple trees to the west.
"Alright, let's get going."
Leaving the civic center, Summer experimented with the camera, taking photos of a Vulpix sunbathing with an elderly man, a Hoothoot perched on a rooftop, and a Yanma dancing in the fields.
"Hmm, all Pokémon... but that's not bad. After all, photography is about capturing what you like," Summer remarked, reviewing his photos.
A Swinub lazing in the shade, a Wooper half-buried in a paddy field, a Poochyena barking by the roadside, a Sewaddle on a low wall... Wait?
Summer lowered the camera, noticing a boy in a white jacket sitting on the same wall. Wasn't this one of the siblings from the bus stop? His name was Kieran, right?
"Ugh, Sis actually ate all the candy apples... I was so looking forward to them," Kieran muttered.
"Hmm? Waaah!"
Realizing someone heard his complaint, Kieran flailed his arms, losing his balance and falling backward.
"Careful!" Summer grabbed him just in time.
"Phew, I thought I was going to fall... Thank you," Kieran said softly.
"No problem. I didn't mean to startle you," Summer replied.
Kieran jumped down from the wall, his eyes landing on Rillaboom.
"No, it's fine. Um, my name's Kieran. You remember, we met at the bus stop... My sister didn't mean any harm, so please don't mind her."
"She's your sister, huh? I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Summer, investigating the story of the Loyal Three."
"Summer..." Kieran repeated. "If it's about the Loyal Three, I can show you around as thanks for helping me."
"That would be great. Thanks," Summer smiled. Having a local guide was perfect.
Kieran lifted his head and said, "Follow me. We'll start at Loyalty Plaza since it's the closest."
"Alright, lead the way," Summer agreed.
(End of chapter)