Maria, Alex, and Alakazam appeared again in Lisa's office out of thin air.

Lisa looked at the two of them and asked with a teasing smile, "And did you two have fun~?" ​​

Alex smiled and pulled Ditto out of his Pokéball again to use it as a mask.

Then he said, "Executive Lisa, do you know anything about the test?"

Lisa gave a small smile and shook her head. "No... No, REALLY~. Don't look at me like that~. The boss didn't tell me anything."

Maria looked at Lisa and said, "Sister Lisa, I have to discuss something with Alex. I'll call you later."

After she had said that, both of them told Lisa goodbye and made their way to leave the office.

Lisa looked at the two of them and said with a playful smile, "Don't forget to use a condom, or one of you will have to stay at home and take care of the baby, fu fu~."

Alex smiled when he heard this and started shaking his head. He also looked at Maria to see how she reacted.

Unexpectedly, she had a casual face.

She opened the door and began to leave the room without saying another word.

Alex smiled and said, "Executive Lisa, don't worry. I always have 5 pieces of condom with me in an emergency." Then he followed Maria, who looked at him coldly as she turned around.

Lisa looked at the door that slowly closed and couldn't help but laugh out loud as she thought, '5 pieces for one night. Hmm~ Good to know~.'

Alex and Maria both stood in front of the door to Lisa's office and briefly looked at each other.

Maria said with an embarrassed look, "We have to talk."

Alex, who already knew this look, said with a smile, "I have a good place. Follow me."

After less than 10 seconds, Maria couldn't help asking Alex when they were walking, "Was that a joke with the 5 pieces or do you really have it?"

Alex looked at Maria's face and couldn't help but chuckle. He didn't say anything and just laughed softly for a few seconds as they both continued down the floor.

Maria showed an annoyed expression and began to pinch Alex's arm hard while walking. Her face also a little reddish when she thought about what she had just asked.

When Alex had calmed down a bit and noticed the slight pain in his arm, he couldn't help but smile wryly. He found that Maria really had a cute side to her that she rarely shows.

When Maria stopped pinching Alex's arm, he said, "It wasn't a joke."

Then he looked curiously in the direction of Maria.

Maria looked in the direction of Alex and immediately ignored him.

Alex showed a slightly disappointed expression and thought, 'Well, it would have been too good to be true.'

...

Ten minutes later, Alex and Maria were sitting at the table in Alex's hotel.

He made coffee for Maria and himself and sat across her.

Maria drank a little and realized that this coffee was pretty good. Although it wasn't the best she'd ever drunk, it was pretty good.

Alex started to look at Maria and said, "Maria, I would like to ask first if the offer is still open."

Maria, who understood what offer Alex was talking about, showed a carefree expression when she said, "Yes, as long as you make a good offer."

She started to look at him coldly as she said, "Tell me directly what you are giving me and what benefits will I get, and I will decide if it's good enough."

Alex knew that Maria's position is now very popular in this test and that his offer should not be much worse than the other two.

He made an earnest expression when he said, "I'll tell you all the benefits I'm gonna give you, and then we can talk about whether you're happy with them."

"First of all, I will give you the Vice Leader position in the new region, and you will have the second most power after me."

Maria gave an attentive look when she heard this. She had already expected something like this, and it was only fitting for her to get such a position. They wouldn't be able to find a better person than her to be in such a position.

"In this position, you will not only get power but also a part of the income. A percentage share. Believe me, Maria, when I tell you that this position is really good and that if I win, you will also have a great advantage."

Maria looked into Alex's eyes, and after a few seconds, she said, "It sounds good, but that's not enough."

Alex knew that it really wasn't sufficient. If Maria joins his team, the advantage of the test is a lot higher than without Maria. He's sure that Maria is probably the strongest trainer of all the non-participants who can join this team, so it's a really desired advantage.

"I will give you a sum of 5 million and the information of an undisturbed place where you can train your Pokémon very well if you accept this offer."

Maria showed a surprised expression when she heard this. 5 million Pokédollars was not a small sum. You can finance better training items and food for your Pokémon for a long time to come with it. In addition, a place where one can train Pokémon is also really valuable among trainers. Especially when this place is undisturbed.

Alex had no problem bringing in 5 million as an offer. The stronger Maria is, the better it is for Alex. This offer helps both him and Maria.

Maria looked at Alex, and her gaze began to soften a little. She noticed that Alex was not trying to make the best offer for himself only but to make both himself and herself happy at the same time. He also started right away with a large sum, like 5 million, and did not try to negotiate with Maria to reduce the amount.

She looked into Alex's eyes for a few seconds silently and said, "Ok, Alex, I'll trust you on this one."

"I agree to join your team."

Alex, who felt Gardevoir's Pokéball shook for a second, knew that it was a signal from Gardevoir that Maria was speaking sincerely.

After confirming that Maria had told the truth, he suddenly felt disgusted with himself.

Although it is logical not to be able to trust Maria completely, he shouldn't assume that Maria wants to betray him every two seconds.

This is not a healthy thought, and he shouldn't have a constant fear of betrayal.

Alex also looked back deep into the eyes of Maria when he said, "Thank you, Maria."

Then he got the whole 5 million Pokédollars and a copy of the map & information about the island from his TRH device.

Although it was a bit risky to give Maria the money right away, Alex felt that it makes no sense if only Maria trusts him, but he doesn't reciprocate her feelings.

Alex smiled as he immediately gave Maria the promised reward.

And then, he held Maria's both hands and said with utmost sincerity, "I trust you too."

Maria's gaze melted as she looked at Alex and felt his emotions. She didn't look at the 5 million or the map but just got lost in the newfound emotions she was currently feeling.

Both began to lose in each other as they forget about their surroundings while holding hands. Without exchanging any words, both heads slowly began to come closer to one another simultaneously.

She drew him toward her with her eyes. Alex inclined his face toward hers, and both of their lips touched each other.

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