章 38: 38. Saffron City
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"Manga?" Kai raised an eyebrow, surprised. He hadn't considered that direction before.
Yoshino Cerise smiled. "That's right! Compared to plain text and illustrations, manga can better convey the excitement of the story. Plus, it's much more appealing to younger audiences."
"Wouldn't that be a lot of work?" Kai asked hesitantly.
"Well, it is more involved," Yoshino admitted, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "But you've already laid out the structure and framework of the story. All I need to do is bring it to life visually. Besides, I have free time at home, and this could fulfil one of my dreams."
Hearing her eagerness, Kai had no reason to refuse. They discussed some details before ending the call.
Since the plan had changed, Kai messaged Misty, letting her know they didn't need to wait for him.
He suggested they proceed to challenge the Saffron City Gym without him.
For the next two days, Kai remained in Maiden Peak, gathering materials and staying in contact with Yoshino.
He frequently shared expanded details and resources to help her enrich the manga.
On the third day, Yoshino called, excitedly announcing she had finished the first draft of over twenty pages.
Feeling his task there complete, Kai set off for Vermilion City.
Professor Cerise's house was a traditional Japanese-style home, not far from the Cerise Laboratory.
Having heard of Kai's arrival, Dr. Cerise waited at home instead of heading to the lab.
Being a Saturday, the entire family, including Chloe and her younger brother, Sota/Parker, came out to greet him. Even Yamper scurried over, wagging its tail enthusiastically.
Seeing the cheerful family, Kai couldn't help feeling slightly awkward. Why does this feel like meeting future in-laws for the first time… and I didn't even bring a gift?
Dr. Cerise was the first to speak. "Welcome, Kai! Please, come in."
Kai nodded politely, his gaze briefly passing over Sota before settling on Yoshino. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. Thank you for having me."
Yoshino, wearing red-framed round glasses, bore a resemblance to Chloe, though her features were softer and more mature. Her long, cherry-coloured hair was styled in a side braid resting over her left shoulder.
Sota, on the other hand, resembled Dr. Cerise a calm and composed boy who appeared more reliable than his years.
Kai slipped on the guest slippers and followed them into the living room.
Yoshino retrieved a clear file from a shelf and handed it to Kai, revealing the first twenty pages of manga inside.
"I've completed these so far," Yoshino explained. "If I continue at this pace, I estimate the full story will require around 190 pages."
Kai admired her precision and dedication. Flipping through the pages, he couldn't help but marvel. "These are incredible! It's such a pity you aren't a professional manga artist."
Yoshino chuckled, clearly pleased. "And your story is wonderfully written! A great story paired with great artwork that's the key to making something truly memorable."
Chloe nodded in agreement. "I'm the first reader of this manga, and it's captivating."
"I'm the second reader!" Sota added proudly, reclining with his hands behind his head. "Dad's the third."
Suddenly, Sota squinted at Kai's shadow, where he thought he saw a round head making a goofy face.
"Heh"
Rubbing his eyes, he leaned in closer just as Gastly emerged with a mischievous grin!
"BOO!"
"AHHH!" Sota yelped, jumping so high he tumbled over the back of the couch.
Gastly cackled. "Jeez, what a scaredy-cat!"
Dr. Cerise helped Sota up, smiling as he examined Gastly. "Is this the Gastly from the story?"
"That's right," Kai confirmed, gently nudging Gastly aside. "In a way, Gastly is the main character."
Sota, undeterred by his earlier fright, quickly became fascinated. He leaned closer to Gastly, peppering it with questions about how it hid in Kai's shadow.
At noon, the Cerise family invited Kai to stay for lunch. The meal was filled with laughter and lighthearted conversation, making the table feel warm and welcoming.
When Kai shared underwater photos he'd taken during the S.S. Anne incident, the entire family was astonished.
Professor Cerise adjusted his glasses, his expression serious. "The sinking of the S.S. Anne made headlines across Kanto. I can't believe you not only experienced it but also explored the ocean floor afterwards and survived!"
Chloe looked at Kai as if seeing him in a new light.
Sota's eyes sparkled with admiration. "You're so cool, Kai!"
After finalizing a timeline with Yoshino for completing the manga, Kai resumed his journey, heading toward Saffron City.
Golden sunlight bathed the skyline as Kai entered the bustling city a dazzling hub of modernity in the Kanto region.
Saffron City boasted towering skyscrapers, a thriving commercial district, and the most advanced infrastructure in the area.
It even housed a maglev train station connecting Kanto and Johto, where trains sped between Saffron and Goldenrod City at 550 kilometres per hour, fueling both regions' economies.
Walking through the busy streets, Kai arrived at the Saffron Gym.
The building's exterior resembled a cluster of interconnected white umbrellas, their curved structures lending the gym a futuristic yet minimalist design.
Compared to other gyms, it felt slightly less impressive to Kai, but it still exuded an air of sophistication.
Entering through the automated doors, Kai found the main hall empty. He walked further, peeking through a side window, and spotted a group of people in lab coats sitting at a table.
Each held a spoon, concentrating intently it seemed they were practising psychic techniques.
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