Pokémon: My Parallel World Daughters Revealed

Chapter 197: Did Lillie Develop a Little-Sister Complex? (Power Stone Milestone Extra Chapter 1/2)

The video continued playing.

Alola region, Melemele Island.

Lusamine had deliberately changed into a sharply tailored white suit for the occasion. Her golden hair was gathered into an elegant bun behind her head, while a neat row of Aether Foundation employees in matching uniforms followed behind her.

”Everyone, stay sharp.”

Without even turning around, Lusamine addressed the employees behind her.

”The guests arriving today are extremely important. If any of you mess this up, you can kiss your entire performance bonus for this month goodbye.”

”Yes!”

The row of employees immediately straightened their backs in perfect unison.

Even the angle of their smiles looked as though it had been measured with a ruler.

At the same time—

The roar of engines came from the sky.

A private jet bearing the emblem of the World League broke through the clouds and slowly descended onto the runway.

The cabin door gradually opened.

First, several tall figures dressed in black suits hurried down the stairs and formed two perfectly straight lines on either side.

Then—

A pair of flip-flops appeared in the doorway.

Asher stepped out of the plane.

He wore a shirt covered in bizarre patterns, while a pair of sunglasses concealed half his face.

His entire appearance was so casual that he looked less like the Chairman of the World League and more like an ordinary tourist who had come to Alola for vacation.

The instant Lusamine saw that shirt, the smile on her face twitched almost imperceptibly.

But it immediately returned to normal.

”Chairman Asher, welcome to Alola.”

”President Lusamine, long time no see.”

Asher took off his sunglasses and shook her hand.

”You look even younger than the last time I saw you.”

”You flatter me, Chairman.”

Lusamine withdrew her hand, her professional smile not shifting in the slightest.

”I brought several of my colleagues from the Aether Foundation to personally welcome you today. I hope you and your wife won’t find the reception overly extravagant.”

Diantha walked down the boarding stairs while holding Elaria’s hand.

She gave Lusamine a slight, elegant nod.

”President Lusamine, I’ve heard a great deal about you. Even back in Kalos, I frequently heard about the Aether Foundation’s work. Thank you for giving us such a warm welcome.”

”You’re far too polite.”

Lusamine extended her hand and shook Diantha’s.

”It’s an honor for the Aether Foundation that you personally came to Alola.”

”I saw you once before at the opening ceremony of the Kalos Film Festival. Even then, I thought you were even more elegant in person than you appeared on screen.”

”Seeing you from this close today only confirms it.”

”You’re too kind.”

Diantha responded with an equally flawless professional smile.

Elaria poked half her head out from behind Diantha.

Her golden eyes curiously examined everything around her.

”And this must be little Princess Elaria?”

Lusamine crouched down until she was at eye level with Elaria, an exceptionally gentle smile appearing on her face.

”Hello. I’m a good friend of your daddy’s.”

Elaria blinked her golden eyes.

”Auntie is really pretty.”

Lusamine’s smile instantly became even brighter.

”Thank you, Princess Elaria. You’re very adorable too.”

Lusamine stood up and gave her assistant a subtle look.

The assistant immediately understood and hurried off to arrange transportation.

A short while later—

A long black limousine smoothly pulled up in front of them.

”Chairman, Madam, please.”

Lusamine personally opened the door for them.

”Your accommodations have already been arranged. We’ve also prepared a welcome banquet for everyone at noon.”

After Asher, Diantha, and Elaria entered the car, the limousine slowly departed and followed the coastal road toward the interior of the island.

At the end of the road stood a detached villa built against the mountainside.

An entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows faced the ocean, where the setting sun had dyed the sea brilliant shades of gold and crimson.

”This villa is reserved by the Aether Foundation specifically for distinguished guests.”

Lusamine pushed open the front door and stepped aside to let everyone enter.

”There are three floors in total. The master bedroom and study are on the top floor.”

”There’s also a private pool and hot spring in the backyard. The beach is directly beyond the pool, so it’s only a short walk away.”

”President Lusamine, you really went to a great deal of trouble for us.”

Diantha removed her hat and placed it on the coffee table.

”It’s only proper.”

Lusamine’s gaze lingered on Asher for a fraction of a second before immediately shifting away.

”After all, the Chairman himself has personally come to Alola. As the host, this is the bare minimum courtesy I should provide.”

Just then—

A rapid series of footsteps came from outside.

The door was suddenly flung open.

A blonde young woman rushed inside.

”Mother! I heard the guests had already arrived...”

Lillie stopped in the doorway.

She wore a white researcher’s uniform, with her blonde hair tied neatly into a practical high ponytail.

At the moment, however, she was breathing heavily from having rushed over.

”Lillie.”

Lusamine sighed softly.

”Didn’t I tell you that we had important guests today? You were supposed to arrive early and wait here. Why are you only coming now?”

”I’m sorry. My research still wasn’t finished...”

Lillie’s tone was formal, but the fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes betrayed her nervousness.

Diantha smiled warmly.

”There’s no need to be so nervous. If anything, we’re the ones imposing on you today.”

Lusamine gently nudged her daughter forward.

”Lillie, Princess Elaria has only just arrived in Alola and isn’t familiar with anything here.”

”For the next few days, I’d like you to accompany her and help her become familiar with the area.”

Only then did Lillie turn her attention toward Elaria on the sofa.

Elaria slid down from the couch.

With Ralts in her arms, she hurried over to Lillie on her little legs.

She tilted her head upward and spoke with an extremely serious expression.

”Big Sister, your hair is really pretty. It looks like the sun.”

Lillie froze.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three full seconds.

Then her cheeks gradually turned pink.

”Th-thank you...”

”Princess Elaria’s hair is... is also really beautiful. It looks like the stars...”

”My name is Elaria, not Princess.”

Elaria tilted her head.

”What’s your name, Big Sister?”

”My name is Lillie...”

”Big Sister Lillie!”

Elaria immediately changed how she addressed her.

At that moment—

Lillie felt as though something incredibly soft had struck her heart dead center.

She crouched down until she was at eye level with Elaria.

Her voice instantly became at least three levels gentler than before.

”Little Elaria, while you’re here in Alola, Big Sister will take very good care of you.”

[VIP Chat Group]

[Lana]: Wow! So this is what Lillie looks like when she grows up? She seems so much more confident!

[Mallow]: And she’s wearing a researcher’s uniform! Her hair is tied up too! She looks super capable!

[Iris]: Come to think of it, Lillie looked pretty reserved when she first appeared, but the instant Elaria started talking to her, she transformed into this incredibly gentle big sister!

[Bianca]: That contrast is adorable! And Lillie’s starting affection toward Elaria definitely maxed out immediately.

[Bianca]: She blushed that badly just because Elaria told her that her hair was pretty. If Elaria said something like, ”Big Sister is the best~,” wouldn’t Lillie ascend straight to heaven on the spot?

[Lana]: Lillie actually has a little-sister complex?!

[Lillie]: Um... could everyone please stop talking about this now...? (///)

[Gladion]: Lillie, are you okay?

[Lillie]: I’m fine, Brother...

[Lillie]: It’s just a little embarrassing seeing my parallel-world self. But at the same time, I also feel a little... envious.

[Lana]: Envious of what?

[Lillie]: I’m envious that the version of me in that world can express her kindness so naturally.

[Lillie]: I always want to be a little kinder to the people around me too, but whenever I’m about to say something, I end up swallowing the words again.

[Lillie]: Just now, when I saw my parallel-world self crouch down and tell Elaria, ”Big Sister will take very good care of you”...

[Lillie]: I thought...That’s the kind of person I want to become.

[Mallow]: Lillie, you don’t need to envy your parallel-world self. Because you’re already becoming that person now.