After leaving the Pokémon Center, Itsuki decided against making the long trip to Pallet Town to visit Professor Oak.
Instead, he headed straight for the Cerise Laboratory in Vermilion City.
The Cerise Laboratory was located on the outskirts of Vermilion City and occupied a rather large estate.
Beyond the main gate lay a spacious courtyard, while the main building was an impressive three-story mansion complete with an attic.
Apparently, the property had originally belonged to a noble family.
It wasn't until six months ago that Professor Cerise purchased the estate at a considerable price and converted it into a research laboratory.
Passing through the gate and following the pathway, Itsuki eventually climbed the steps leading to the laboratory's entrance.
Just as he was about to ring the doorbell, however, he suddenly heard light footsteps approaching from behind.
Turning around, he spotted a young girl standing a short distance away.
She wore a white dress resembling a school uniform and was looking at him curiously.
The girl had delicate, beautiful features and long, wine-red hair tied into a single ponytail that rested casually behind her head.
Her large, clear eyes gave her an especially innocent and adorable appearance.
Itsuki recognized her immediately.
She was none other than Chloe Cerise, the childhood friend of Goh, one of the male protagonists of the seventh Pokémon anime series, 'Pokémon Journeys', and the daughter of Professor Cerise!
Seeing Itsuki standing in front of the laboratory, Chloe tilted her head slightly.
After examining him for a moment, she softly asked, "Excuse me, do you need something?"
"Hello."
Itsuki offered a friendly smile before explaining his reason for visiting.
"There's something I'd like to ask Professor Cerise for help with. Is he currently at the laboratory?"
"You're looking for my dad?"
Chloe hesitated briefly before nodding.
"He's inside. Follow me."
After opening the laboratory's front door, Chloe led Itsuki through the entrance hall and into a room resembling a reception lounge.
Itsuki glanced around.
Only now did he realize just how astonishingly large the building was.
It was practically a small castle!
Moreover, judging by the layout, decorations, and arrangement of the furniture, the entire place had been designed in the style of a traditional English manor.
'I've got to admit, Professor Cerise has pretty good taste.'
Pointing toward a sofa in the reception room, Chloe said, "You can wait here for a moment. My dad is still working, so I'll go let him know you're here."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
Itsuki nodded.
After Chloe left, however, he didn't sit down.
Instead, he slowly walked toward the window.
Through the glass, he could see a lush forest outside, overflowing with the vitality of spring.
Looking a little farther into the distance, the bustling city of Vermilion came into view.
And if he quieted his mind and listened carefully, he could even faintly hear the sound of waves.
'This really is a wonderful environment.'
Even after arriving here and standing in this very place, Itsuki still couldn't completely shake the feeling that everything was somehow unreal.
He stood there, lost in thought.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.
When Chloe returned, a middle-aged man with the same hair color was accompanying her.
The man appeared to be around thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old.
He wore thick-framed glasses, a gentle smile, and a white laboratory coat.
From his appearance alone, anyone could tell that he was a scholarly researcher through and through.
According to Itsuki's memories, Professor Cerise was not only a junior colleague of Professor Oak but also one of the leading Pokémon researchers in the Kanto Region.
He had already earned a reputation as a genius during his younger years, and his future had always looked exceptionally promising.
Furthermore, despite his relatively young age, he had received authorization from the Pokémon League to provide beginning trainers with their first Pokémon and Pokédexes.
In other words, he was one of the few recognized authorities in the entire Kanto Region!
Upon seeing Itsuki, Professor Cerise was just about to speak when his attention was suddenly drawn to the Ralts standing beside the young man's feet.
"Is that a Ralts?! Now that's a rare sight!"
No sooner had he spoken than a small Pokémon came running in through the doorway.
Upon spotting Chloe, the Pokémon hurried over to her feet and affectionately rubbed against her leg.
Itsuki lowered his gaze.
The Pokémon resembled a small, short-legged dog.
Its body was mostly tan, with a large patch of fluffy yellow fur around its neck.
Its bright eyes and tiny lightning-bolt-shaped tail made it look positively bursting with energy.
'Oh, so it's a Yamper...'
At that moment, Yamper also noticed Ralts.
Its large eyes filled with curiosity, and it started approaching the unfamiliar Pokémon.
However, just as it drew closer, a glow suddenly appeared around Ralts's hand.
Startled, Yamper immediately retreated to Professor Cerise's side.
Professor Cerise crouched down and gently stroked its forehead, calming it before looking back up at Itsuki.
"This is our family's Pokémon. It's always been a little too energetic. I hope it didn't startle you two."
"It's fine."
Itsuki shook his head lightly.
"I remember reading that Yamper are extremely energetic Pokémon. Getting one to settle down is supposed to be quite difficult."
"Oh?"
Professor Cerise paused in surprise and adjusted his glasses.
"You know about Yamper?"
"Well, I am a Pokémon Trainer, so I have some knowledge of different Pokémon species."
Itsuki smiled.