"Return to the Foundation, huh?"
"It's not a bad choice, I'll give you that—but I refuse."
"If there's any kind of reward, just hand it over outside the Foundation. I'm not making a second trip."
Truth be told, Haru didn't care one way or another about going to Aether Paradise.
Whether Lusamine had truly "seen the light" and wanted to compensate him, or whether she had already prepared a trap and was waiting for him to walk right in so she could have him captured and swiftly disposed of—Haru had contingency plans for either scenario.
With Mew and Flutter Mane by his side, he might not be able to slaughter his way through the entire Foundation, but if he wanted to leave, no one could stop him.
But why should he go that far? There was no need. That so-called "reward" was just a pretext anyway—he'd let Lusamine decide what she thought was appropriate.
Besides, if he did go to Aether Paradise, what would happen to Lillie? Lusamine would probably seize the opportunity to snatch Cosmog back and continue her research on Ultra Wormholes. Not worth the risk.
"Outside…? Oh. O-oh, is that how you want to play it? I didn't realize we were doing that kind of thing."
"…What are you talking about?"
"N-nothing."
Lusamine quickly shook her head, playing innocent.
"But of course, if you'd like me to hand over the 'reward,' I can do that. I just need a bit of time to prepare."
With that, she turned and gestured to the other Aether Foundation staff. "Let's leave this place."
"Yes, President!"
Hearing Lusamine's order, the others looked visibly relieved.
They felt as though they had just glimpsed the "truth," and Haru's earlier conversation with Lusamine only solidified that belief. Some were already beginning to fear they might be silenced just for knowing.
Fortunately, the worst didn't happen. Their president didn't seem to notice what they were thinking.
They escorted Lusamine as she boarded a luxurious cruise ship bound for Aether Paradise.
She might have looked powerless in front of Haru, but Lusamine was a bona fide rich woman. That cruise ship? Just one of her many, entirely disposable assets.
Back by Haru's side, Lillie gazed at her mother's retreating figure, blinking her bright eyes.
Had Mom… gotten a little more normal? Was it because of Mr. Haru? Could she ever go back to how she used to be?
In truth, Lusamine hadn't always been so extreme. She used to be a loving and attentive mother. Only after certain… events did she become the woman she was today.
If Lusamine could truly return to her old self, it would be a blessing for Lillie.
Haru, on the other hand, paid no more attention to Lusamine, who just kept getting harder to figure out. He reached out and scooped Mew back into his arms—Mew had somehow ended up behind Guzma, preparing to use a Spark attack to turn the man's hair into a literal flaming mohawk.
Then, turning to Guzma again, Haru asked:
"All right, are we still fighting, or are you ready to take me to Professor Kukui?"
"…What?"
"Why do you want that guy?"
Guzma's face immediately twisted into a scowl at the mention of that name. His tone grew noticeably hostile.
The Kukui Haru mentioned was the Pokémon Professor of the Alola Region, currently working on establishing a Pokémon League there. He and Guzma were actually fellow disciples of Hala, the island kahuna of Melemele Island.
But due to a deep ideological rift, the two former peers had turned into bitter enemies.
"You don't need to know that. Just do what I said."
Haru's tone was calm—indifferent, really—like he was casually talking about his chances of a successful double shiny hunt.
That was more than enough to infuriate Guzma all over again. He wouldn't let anyone—anyone—talk to him like that and get away with it!
So, in a fury...
He set off with Haru and Lillie in tow. He'd personally take them to find Kukui.
Tch. From the way they talked, they were looking for Kukui for Lillie's sake. Fine. He'd graciously show them the way. Not because he was scared of that damn guy—hell no.
The Emperor of Destruction from Team Skull doesn't bow to anyone.
What choice did he have, really? After consulting Lusamine and getting her response—"Take them to him"—Guzma had no option but to follow orders.
Like how Haruki just can't lie to Kazusa, Guzma simply couldn't say no to Lusamine.
---
Some time later, behind the group, a lone figure appeared against the backdrop of the setting sun.
Wrapped head-to-toe in a black coat, clearly disguised, though the glimpse of long golden hair that peeked out gave away her identity.
Lusamine.
Not long after she had "departed," she returned once more.
After a quick bath and a change of clothes, she was back in "prime condition."
But this time, she wasn't here to capture her target. All she wanted was to observe—the man, and her daughter.
Being in close contact with an Ultra Beast was… unpleasant. When Nihilego began to "consume" her, for a moment she swore she glimpsed the other side.
And that was just one Nihilego. Inside the Ultra Wormhole, there were so many that the ones she could see were packed together like a writhing swarm.
If she had really been pulled in...
She honestly couldn't even imagine what would've happened.
That deep-rooted fear made her begin to question her own long-held goals.
Maybe... there was something wrong with the path I've been on?
That thought triggered a memory—Lillie's frantic expression when she had been attacked.
Contrary to what she believed, her daughter hadn't betrayed her. Even after everything, Lillie still cared. She still worried about the mother who had once forcefully taken her Pokémon away.
Maybe that "betrayal" was nothing more than a fabrication of her own guilt and delusion.
And so, with mixed emotions swirling inside her, Lusamine followed from a distance, quietly observing the way they interacted.
Just as the intel had reported, Guzma had indeed brought them to Professor Kukui.
She watched as Haru and Kukui began to discuss something, while Lillie obediently sat nearby, pouring tea for them both.
She never said a word—but the smile on her face never left.
It was a smile Lusamine hadn't seen in a very long time.
Now that she could observe it all calmly, she noticed something she had long overlooked.
Lillie… seemed to feel something for that man. Something more than friendship.
As someone who once knew her daughter better than anyone else, Lusamine could tell.
But wasn't she supposed to be first in line for that? And besides, she hadn't even given him his "reward" yet.
Still, after everything she owed Lillie… could she really steal the spotlight now that her daughter was just beginning to awaken to love?
No. She couldn't let things keep spiraling like this. Tonight—it all ends tonight!
With that resolution, Lusamine found a boutique. After browsing for ages, she chose a pair of black stockings. But just as she was about to leave, her hand… involuntarily reached for a scandalously skimpy "evening dress."
I'm just trying it on—nothing more!