Xiu just offered another faint, noncommittal smile, letting the topic of the Dragonair drop.
Back near the main gate, Director Bao Ba stopped the sightseeing vehicle. "I have urgent matters to attend to," He said, already looking preoccupied. "Take care, Xiu. We'll be in touch about the paperwork." He offered a curt nod and drove off quickly, leaving Xiu standing alone near the administrative building.
Xiu watched him go, then turned and walked slowly towards the personnel office, his mind made up.
He couldn't stay here. Not anymore.
Knowing the truth behind the invasion, understanding the high-stakes conflict involving the Dragonair and powerful organizations like the Hunters… he had inadvertently become entangled. He'd thwarted the masked poacher's plan, likely earning himself a dangerous enemy. Even if that man hadn't seen his face clearly in the storm, remaining here, in the place where it all happened, felt like tempting fate. Leaving the park, adopting his new identity elsewhere, disappearing – that was the safest path.
Especially now, with the money from the bonus and his new ID card. He no longer needed the meager park salary to survive. He could finally dedicate himself fully to studying for the Breeder certification, laying a foundation for a real future, away from this precarious existence.
He reached the personnel office and submitted his resignation request. Unexpectedly, the clerk informed him he wasn't the only one leaving; several other park employees had also tendered their resignations in the past few days. 'The invasion scared them off, Xiu guessed. Understandable.' This incident had shattered the park's illusion of peaceful sanctuary.
Unfortunately, the sudden influx of resignations meant processing delays. His application wouldn't be finalized immediately. Frustrated but unsurprised, Xiu left the office.
He stood outside for a moment, looking out at the park – the familiar trees, the distant hills, the lingering signs of the recent chaos. This place… it had been his entire world since arriving in this reality. His only point of reference. Now, leaving felt… strange. A mix of apprehension about the unknown future and a surprising pang of reluctance to leave the only 'home' he'd known here.
Shaking off the melancholy, he headed towards the Rescue Station one last time.
— — —
He knocked on the door of Stationmaster Hideki's small office within the bustling Station.
"Xiu? Cutting it a bit late today, aren't we?" the Stationmaster called out without looking up from his paperwork, his voice teasing. "Careful, might have to dock your pay."
The frantic pace of the past few days had eased slightly. Most of the critically injured Pokémon from the invasion had been stabilized or transferred. The station was still busy, but eventually returning to a semblance of normalcy. Xiu's presence, while still helpful, was no longer strictly essential.
"Stationmaster," Xiu began, his voice quieter than intended, "I… I need to tell you something."
"Oh? What's on your mind?" The Stationmaster still didn't look up, scribbling notes on a chart. "Can't be asking for a loan, can you? Raising Pokémon isn't cheap, you know. Especially that little pink one…" He chuckled.
"I… I might not be coming back after today, sir," Xiu managed, feeling a knot form in his stomach. "I came to… to thank you. For everything. For taking care of me during this time." Saying it out loud felt… difficult. Facing the kindly Stationmaster felt more daunting than facing Director Bao Ba. He owed this man a debt of gratitude, a quiet kindness he hadn't expected. Guilt pricked at him.
"What?" The Stationmaster finally paused, setting down his pen. He looked up, really looked at Xiu, the teasing smile gone, replaced by genuine surprise and concern. "What's this about, son?"
Xiu took a breath. "The… the incident the other night, sir. It affected me deeply." He opted for a partial truth. "I realized… I need to see more of the world. Staying here… I need to go outside the park, experience things." It sounded flimsy, even to his own ears, but it was the best excuse he could offer without revealing the real dangers.
"Ha~" The Stationmaster stared at him for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. Then, a slow smile returned, though Xiu thought it seemed a bit forced this time. "And here I thought you were going to ask for money for baby formula." He shook his head slightly. "Being a Trainer isn't simple, you know. Takes more than just enthusiasm."
'He knew.' The Stationmaster knew about Happiny, about Xiu's frantic dashes back to the cabin. He'd known all along and hadn't said anything, but hadn't pried. The realization made Xiu flush with embarrassment.
"It's normal," the Stationmaster continued, turning back to his paperwork, his voice gentle now. "Young folks like you… are restless spirits. Go on, then. Go see the world. Staying cooped up here forever isn't healthy for anyone."
Since the truth was partially out anyway, Xiu decided to complete the gesture. He pulled the stack of borrowed breeder textbooks from his backpack, placing them on the edge of the desk. "These books you lent me, Stationmaster… I wanted to return them before I left."
"Wait!" The Stationmaster immediately put his hand down firmly on the books, stopping Xiu from retrieving them. He pushed them back towards Xiu. "Keep them. They're no use to me anymore, just collecting dust here. Consider them… a parting gift. You'll need them more than I do."
Xiu genuinely needed the books; replacing them would be expensive. He hesitated only briefly before accepting. "Thank you, Stationmaster. Truly."
They exchanged a few more pleasantries, then the Stationmaster seemed to sense Xiu preparing to leave. He leaned back in his chair, his expression becoming serious again.
"Listen, Xiu," he said quietly. "I'm not your family. Not my place to lecture you. But I hope you remember one thing, wherever you go." He met Xiu's eyes. "The bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon… it's not about exploitation. Not about using them as tools. Treat them well. With respect. With kindness."
He stood up, turned to the bookshelf behind his desk, and pulled down three thick, hand-bound notebooks. He flipped through a few pages, a nostalgic expression softening his features for a moment before he quickly composed himself. He closed the notebooks and handed them to Xiu.
"I know you're aiming for the Breeder certification," He said. "These are my old notes. From when I was studying, years ago. Filled with observations, techniques, things you won't find in textbooks. I was going to give them to you eventually, once you'd mastered the basics… but if you're leaving now…" He shrugged slightly. "No better time than the present, I suppose."
Emotion swelled in Xiu's chest, unexpected and strong. He took the notebooks reverently with both hands, bowing his head slightly. "Stationmaster… I… Thank you. I won't let you down. I'll study them well."
"Hahaha~" The Stationmaster waved a dismissive hand, though his eyes were kind. "It's nothing but a small matter. It's just… it's been a long time since I met a young person with such a genuine heart for Pokémon. Times change… people change…" He sighed, a weary sound. "Old relics like me, we just fade away here. But you… you're young. You still have hope. Go make something of yourself."
After a few more words, Xiu left the Rescue Station, the weight of the notebooks feeling significant in his hands. He paused outside, opening the topmost notebook. On the first page, written in neat, precise script, was a single sentence:
"Learning never stops."
Xiu closed the notebook carefully, a sense of determination solidifying within him.
Before leaving the park for good, though, there were farewells to make. He had few connections here, but the ones he did have felt important. He headed towards the northern hills.
He found the Kangaskhan and her joey resting peacefully near their cave entrance. The joey, much more energetic now, was playing nearby. Xiu watched them from a distance for a moment, then released Abra and Happiny before approaching slowly.
After days of careful, gradual re-introductions during his brief visits, Happiny's initial terror of the Kangaskhan had mostly subsided into wary curiosity, though it still refused to be held by the giant Pokémon. It did, however, seem willing to interact cautiously with the Kangaskhan joey, the two young Pokémon tentatively playing together now. Abra, as usual, floated nearby, seemingly indifferent to everything, observing silently.
The mother Kangaskhan greeted Xiu's arrival with a soft rumble and what looked remarkably like a welcoming smile. Its presence was strangely calming.
"Just came to see you guys," Xiu said, sitting down a respectful distance away. He took out some remaining snacks and fruits, sharing them around. He talked, mostly to himself, recounting his day, his plans, voicing his thoughts and anxieties, needing an outlet. The Kangaskhan listened patiently, occasionally rumbling softly, her joey and Happiny tumbling nearby, Abra meditating silently.
After the young ones had eaten and resumed their play, Xiu looked at the mother Kangaskhan, his throat tightening slightly.
"I… I have to leave," he said quietly, unsure if she understood the words, but needing to say them anyway. "Leaving the park. I don't think… I don't think I'll be able to come back and visit."