Evening had fallen, and the setting sun cast a warm orange-red glow across the sky.
However, when Elias opened the door, he was met with an unusually dim interior. The short entryway stretched out like an endless abyss, sending a chill down his spine.
He knew this unsettling feeling wasn't simply due to poor lighting—it was more likely a trick of his mind.
That's right. It was thanks to his keen senses.
Before even stepping inside, he had already sensed a subtle change in the atmosphere of his home.
It reminded him of that day, years ago, when Latias was taken. He'd had a similar feeling then.
A wave of unease washed over him as he quickly stepped inside, pushing open the wooden door to the living room.
In the dim light, he spotted a figure slumped over the dining table. His chest tightened.
Tias was always full of energy, her presence radiating vitality at all times.
Yet now, she looked utterly listless. Her usually vibrant red hair seemed dull, as if shrouded in gloom.
"Mom, are you feeling unwell?"
Elias took two steps forward, crouching beside Latias while gently stroking her back, his voice soft with concern.
With Latios' condition deteriorating lately, his worries had only deepened.
Could Latias also be sick?
Fortunately, she still reacted with alertness.
The moment his hand touched her back, she flinched slightly—
Like a startled Sprigatito.
Then, a quiet, muffled voice echoed in his mind:
"Where did you go today?" Latias asked.
Elias froze for a moment, puzzled by the seriousness in her tone.
But then, he thought back to how he had been leaving early and returning late these past few days, barely spending any time with her.
A realization dawned on him.
He answered honestly, "I... I went to see a friend."
"A friend?"
"Mm... Steven." Elias hesitated before replying.
He deliberately avoided mentioning J—after all, he still didn't know much about her.
To be safe, he didn't want any connection between Latias and J.
However, his well-intended omission took on a different meaning in Latias' eyes.
Watching Elias's composed expression as he spoke Daigo's name, a pang of pain welled up in her chest.
His demeanor—it was just like a child in love, trying to hide it from his mother.
That only confirmed Latias' suspicions. A shimmer of tears gathered in her eyes.
She knew Elias was at an age where falling in love was normal.
But that didn't make it any less painful.
It felt like the fruit she had carefully nurtured was finally ripening, just about ready to be picked—
Only for a stranger to swoop in and claim it.
Not only that, but they had taken a huge bite right in front of her.
The strange, twisting feeling inside her made her want to rip that silver-haired woman to shreds.
"No way!"
Unable to hold back any longer, Latias slammed her palm against the table and grabbed Elias by the collar.
Caught off guard, Elias was momentarily stunned.
He had no idea what had triggered such a strong reaction from her.
Then, he noticed—Latias was crying.
Because of the dim lighting, he hadn't realized it earlier.
It wasn't until she turned to face him, so close that they could feel each other's breath, that he finally saw the tear tracks on her cheeks.
Panic set in.
He had almost never seen Latias like this—or rather, he had never done anything to make her this upset.
"Mom—"
He tried to speak, but before he could say anything, Latias—realizing her own outburst—vanished into thin air, disappearing from the room.
---
[You have no idea what happened while you were out that made Latias so agitated.]
[Even though she gradually calmed down after your reassurance, she still refused to tell you why she was upset.]
[Based on your own guess, you assume it must be because you haven't been spending enough time with her lately.]
[Not because this explanation is particularly convincing—but because you can't think of a better one.]
[You promise Tias that you'll make more time for her from now on.]
On the soft bed, Latias hovered in the air, using her psychic abilities to suspend herself as she gazed at Elias's sleeping face with a complicated expression.
That afternoon… she had lost control of herself.
But later, when Elias asked why, she didn't refuse to answer out of lingering anger.
It was because…
She didn't know how to say it.
As his mother, was she supposed to say—
"Don't date anyone else. Let Mom be your girlfriend instead?"
Even Latias, no matter how dense, knew she could never say something so outrageous.
For the first time, she regretted taking on the role of Elias's mother.
If she had raised him differently from the start, maybe she wouldn't be facing this kind of dilemma now.
Still… after experiencing the uncertainty and fear of nearly losing him today—
A new confidence took root in her. She believed she could win Elias back.
No—she didn't even need to "win" him back.
Elias belonged to her. That much was undeniable.
With that thought, Latias, who had hesitated for a long time, finally gathered her courage.
She lightly pecked the corner of his lips.
The warmth, the softness—
It made her unconsciously swallow.
It even tasted a little sweet?
Not sure. Better try again.
---
[The next morning, you're relieved to see Latias back to her usual energetic self.]
[But oddly, whenever you make eye contact, she quickly looks away—like she's hiding something from you.]
[At the same time, you've started noticing a strange occurrence—every morning, your lips feel strangely sore, as if they've been burned.]
[You begin to wonder if you've been eating too much spicy food lately.]
Under the shade of a parasol, J waved at Elias.
"Over here."
Today was their second planned meeting.
Unlike last time, J had done a thorough investigation on Elias, making her even more confident in how to handle him.
For example…
After scoping out the area around his home,
She had stumbled upon a rather interesting revelation about his so-called "mother."
A Pokémon blending into human society… pretending to be someone's mom?
I wonder if Elias knows about this.
A smirk tugged at J's lips as she mused over the discovery with great amusement.
---
T/N: thats crazy crazu crazy crazy crazy crazy rcyazy cryaz yray
anyway since im back Powerstone milestones are back
...
If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—meant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your time? Thank you.
Of course, the real thanks goes to WiseTL—the one who turned tangled words into something beautiful. I just got asked to wrap things up with a ribbon. Hopefully this counts!
If you enjoyed the journey and want to support the person who made it possible, you can find them here:
👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.
Until next time—read well, rest often, and maybe come visit me at the Hostess of Fertility sometime.
– Syr ✨