Allen was no stranger to the name Caitlin during his PokéManiac days.
Pampered, impatient, and with an explosive temper that would erupt if she ever lost a battle. But still, there wasn't as much data on her compared to Cynthia, and her background story definitely seemed like something interesting to follow.
However, he did not expect that this little girl was actually a mischievous troublemaker in kindergarten.
Soon after the apology, the problem was solved. After all, they live together in the small Celestic Town, so it's not good to hold grudges. But as soon as Allen got home, he was beaten by his grandma for teasing Cynthia.
Even though it was a misunderstanding, Allen was helpless.
"Hey, hey, don't hit him! What's the point of hitting a child? He didn't do it on purpose."
Grandpa Dayton tried to intervene, but how could Grandma Dracelia listen to him?
When it came to raising children, she believed in teaching them firmly.
"Mill~"
"Buneary~"
Buneary and Miltank also tried to persuade their trainer.
Allen seriously doubted how he had grown up so healthy. This kind of perfect nuclear family, with no shadows or issues, seemed almost unbelievable.
The next day same as usual, it was kindergarten day and in front of Allen was a fruit.
Yeah, a fruit, just like an orange, but this one was blue.
"What is this?" Allen asked as he looked at Cynthia, with Caitlin hiding behind her.
"Caitlin pushed you yesterday. She secretly told me that it was an accident, so she wants to apologize to you," Cynthia said proudly, thinking she was being a good big sister. She then looked toward Caitlin behind her and called, "Caitlin?"
"..."
"Caitlin, are you saying you want to apologize?" Cynthia lightly nudged her arm.
"..."
Allen could sense a hint of reluctance in Caitlin's gaze, but she still obediently nodded before making a quick dash, bowing, and running back to hide behind Cynthia.
'Sure enough, it's because of Cynthia... Come to think of it, she headbutted me. Is it because I almost made Cynthia cry? Hahaha... So adorable.'
"It's okay, it's okay, I don't mind." Allen waved his hand but still accepted the Oran Berry. The taste was just like an orange, only a bit dry and not sweet.
He thought it was over; however, he underestimated the power of an extroverted child.
"From now on, we can't fight anymore. We have to be good friends forever! Pinky promise… it's a deal... No changes allowed... Forever!" Cynthia could be heard saying as she also pulled Caitlin along.
"..."
Feeling the lingering warmth on his finger, Allen suddenly felt a strange sense of unease.
In his past life, he had always been single. His everyday life consisted of Smogon, Game Boy, and Nintendo DS. The rest was just to make sure he passed his exams. There was no time for relationships.
'But this...' he thought, feeling an unexpected surge of something deep down in his heart.
Suddenly, Giratina appeared on Allen's left, its eerie, distorted form casting a shadow. On his right, Arceus appeared, glowing with divine light.
"It's just a kid's promise. Nothing more." Giratina said, its voice as twisted and grotesque as its appearance.
"Shut up, you bastard!" Arceus cursed, glaring at Giratina before turning toward Allen with a warm smile. "Isn't the future looking promising?"
Allen blinked, looking between the two legendary Pokémon. It was as though a part of him was both frightened and intrigued by their sudden appearance—or his own future...?
Even he himself couldn't explain why, but something deep inside him stirred for the first time.
For the first time, he truly felt caught between two choices. And that's when Allen knew—he really needed to harden himself.
'Yeah, just keep moving forward. No time to overthink it. I mean, it's not like I'm choosing between Latios and Latias, right?'
He tightened his fingers and said, "Yes, promise." Cynthia grinned widely, while Caitlin let out a small snort.
Time passed, and Allen had already begun his mission. It was to pay attention to Cynthia and Caitlin.
How could they be so close? Even he didn't know that. But the moment he discovered the answer, he regretted being so nosy.
He and Cynthia had been in kindergarten for three months.
Unlike Cynthia, though, he had no friends, but he wasn't one of those kids who completely ignored the younger ones. If someone invited him to play or talk, he'd join in; he wasn't that antisocial.
It's just that the generational gap left him exhausted every day, as he always had to give in and avoid getting involved in disputes with the children.
For example, after fights over toys, the children would slap and even bite each other's faces. When Grandma Wilma arrived, the troublemaker would be the first to cry, pretending to be innocent.
During mealtime, there were always kids who didn't eat properly, and some liked to stick tape on their faces and peel it off, making Mankey-like sounds with their hands and feet while laughing, "Uuk aak aaak!" and then just punched other children.
It was a despicable trick often used by the boys during playtime, and sometimes even he, who innocently passed by, would be pranked by them.
This made Allen feel extremely desperate. How can he plan grand life goals while staying with this group of monsters and demons!
He thought he was alone, feeling invisible in the whole kindergarten, but he didn't expect there to be someone else who was invisible besides him!
Everyone could guess, Cynthia was the favorite. She had a friendly personality and good upbringing, rarely had conflicts with the students. Her grandmother is a professor, which is a huge plus. She had always been seen as a good student and well-behaved child, so she always had many friends around her.
The problem is...
"Caitlin, remember to wipe your nose. Grandma said every child should practice good hygiene."
Allen often watched as Cynthia gently chased after Caitlin, wiping her nose, stopping her from misbehaving, and taking care of her in so many little ways, just like a loving big sister would.
Perhaps it wasn't just a coincidence that they looked so alike. If it weren't for the strikingly different shapes of their hair, no one would doubt that they were twin sisters.
Of course, in Allen's opinion, Caitlin wasn't a troublemaker or a bully. She was simply mischievous and full of energy. Criticizing her every now and then was fine, as long as it wasn't excessive. She gave off the feeling of deliberately seeking attention.
Just like the last time Cynthia had pulled him aside to apologize to him, from that moment on, whenever he tried to talk to Caitlin, she would either nod, shake her head, or deliberately avoid him. It was only when she was with Cynthia that she would whisper something in her ear, speaking in soft tones, before Cynthia would respond instead.
Thinking about all this made Allen drowsy. He yawned just as he was about to execute the most successful yawn of his life—
"Allen, what are you doing in a daze? Didn't you hear my explanation? Can you solve this problem?" Peony couldn't help but criticize him.
Sighing, Allen felt irritated. It was like when you want to sneeze but it doesn't happen, or you're about to let out a fart but it just... doesn't come. You're left with that weird feeling like something's missing.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of disapproval toward Peony's way of teaching. He was only five years old—why was so much pressure being placed on kids his age?
In his previous life on Earth, five-year-old kids were still sitting on stools, singing, clapping, and simply enjoying their childhood. They weren't expected to carry the burdens of the world. Now look at him, getting treated like he's in elementary school.
No wonder he'd be so attached to his future daughter. Maybe he'd end up sticking to her like glue, thinking if he stayed close enough, she'd help him escape all this nonsense.
"I can," Allen nodded.
"Then tell me, what Pokémon is this?"
A chubby, light-blue penguin-like Pokémon with two white ovals on its chest and a small, light-blue marking resembling a crown above its beak.
Some of the children were already scratching their heads, while others were discussing it, but Allen immediately had the correct answer. "Piplup."
A hint of surprise flashed across Peony's face. Yes, regional starter Pokémon were easy, and now, nearing graduation, he just wanted to make sure the kids didn't forget their names.
"What about this?"
A small bird-like Pokémon with a round body, mainly brown-gray in color, with white blotches on its face and chest, and a single white feather on its tail, while the others were black.
Allen squinted, pretending to think for a moment, before quickly responding. "Starly!"
"What kind of Pokémon is it?"
"Bird. Normal-Flying, I mean."
"What about the evolution?"
"Starly—Staravia—Staraptor."
"Amazing!"
Although the other children weren't sure if the answers were correct, Allen's confident expression made them spontaneously applaud.
"H-he even knows the type! Isn't this stuff for primary school?"
"So impressive! I bet he is at least at a second-grade level… No, maybe even third-grade! My older brother's in third grade and can't do this!"
Allen rubbed his temples upon hearing this. 'That's a problem with your older brother! How can someone in third grade not know this?'
Peony's eyes sparkled, but he wasn't done yet. Time to unleash his trump card—Math, the nightmare of every student!
"Then tell me, if there are seven Oran berries here, and you add five more Oran berries, how many Oran berries are there in total?"
"12!"
"WOAHHH!!!"
The class erupted in amazement at the instant answer.