In the training room, the atmosphere between Satoshi and Soyo gradually warmed, the distance between them quickly shrinking.
Satoshi's gaze was gentle, like warm sunshine, causing Soyo to blush softly and lower her head shyly.
"Are you ready, Soyo?"
"Mhm, I'm ready... Go ahead, Satoshi."
Soyo's hand slowly moved toward her skirt, subtly acknowledging the situation. Gracefully, she retrieved a Poké Ball from her pocket.
With Soyo alone at his house, what could possibly happen between a young man and woman?
Naturally—a Pokémon battle!
After lunch, Satoshi had suggested a training match with Soyo. Since it was just the two of them, and returning to school wasn't an option at the moment, training seemed ideal.
"Grookey, let's battle!" Satoshi waved energetically, and Grookey eagerly jumped onto the battlefield.
"Pachi!"
Soyo smiled warmly at the sight. Although she wasn't sure exactly how Satoshi had managed to catch Grookey, as his (self-proclaimed) girlfriend, every step forward Satoshi took made her genuinely happy.
Elegantly tossing her Poké Ball, she called forth her Pokémon:
"Lopunny, it's your turn!"
"Mimi~"
A brown bunny Pokémon with creamy fur on its feet and ears appeared gracefully before them. As soon as Lopunny emerged, Furiko enthusiastically fulfilled her duty as a Pokédex:
[Lopunny. At a glance, she's purely dex filler—truly the furry's best friend, very attractive!]
Furiko… you could be a little more respectful to Lopunny.
Furiko's description was somewhat questionable but fundamentally accurate.
Satoshi himself couldn't think of Lopunny's primary strength either, beyond topping certain online lists of Pokémon people felt vaguely guilty about liking.
Exactly what "vaguely guilty" meant, he wasn't sure himself!
Of course, there was [Mega Evolution]… but even that wasn't especially powerful.
Unaware of Satoshi and Furiko's internal banter, Soyo gazed intently at Satoshi, her eyes sparkling with hidden desire. It was a waste to spend time alone together on just Pokémon training.
Honestly, she'd even considered catching a Hypno and hypnotizing Satoshi into signing a marriage certificate.
But that was her last resort—she couldn't possibly use it yet!
But I really want to... really want to try it...
Wait, what am I thinking?! At least wait until we graduate high school first.
Unconsciously drooling slightly, Soyo snapped herself back to reality, shaking her head and focusing completely on the battle.
"Satoshi, are you ready? I'm about to attack~" Soyo skillfully adjusted her voice, sweet and cheerful as ever, offering a warm smile.
[Ugh, I can't stand her fake sweetness!]
"Yeah, Grookey and I are always ready. Bring it!"
Satoshi nodded seriously, ready to test Grookey's true strength in this battle. Even though this was Grookey's first official battle, he intended to win.
A first battle for his partner couldn't end in defeat!
"Hmm, Grookey is Grass-type, isn't he~? Lopunny, use [Ice Beam]~"
Soyo calmly instructed Lopunny, her every move elegant, seemingly unfazed by the battle.
"Mi!"
Lopunny swiftly gathered icy energy, unleashing a powerful beam of frost at Grookey.
[This woman's so fake! I can't handle it!]
"Soyo is probably the same type of trainer as Ziyu-senpai (a fan of cute Pokémon)... Don't exaggerate so much. She's not a bad person."
[Wuuuu... Why won't you ever trust Miss Furiko's instincts? If you insist, I'll just have to ask my dear Satoshi to use Infernal Pa—]
"Grookey, use [Grassy Glide]!"
Satoshi didn't wait for Furiko to finish, quickly redirecting his focus onto the battle.
He had no intention of letting Furiko complete that sentence—otherwise, who knew what nonsense she'd spout next?
On the grassy battlefield, Grookey agilely dodged the Ice Beam, gliding gracefully along the lush green terrain.
"Pachichi!"
With a glowing green stick firmly grasped, Grookey accurately targeted Lopunny, swinging forcefully.
The stick sliced through the air sharply, landing squarely on Lopunny.
"Mi—!" Lopunny flew backward, her startled cry echoing throughout the training room. She hit the ground hard, sending up a cloud of dust.
This was the power of [Grassy Glide]—under [Grassy Terrain], it was guaranteed to strike first.
Even a relatively slow Pokémon like Grookey could rival [Quick Attack's] speed with this move.
"Grookey, follow up with [Acrobatics]!"
"Lopunny, jump and counter with [Thunder Wave]!"
Fearlessly, Grookey charged toward Lopunny, his body glowing faintly white as he sped across the battlefield.
"Mi?" Sensing danger, Lopunny immediately leaped upward, elegantly soaring to dodge Grookey's incoming attack.
Her jump was impressively executed, but unfortunately for Lopunny—this was indoors!
She couldn't jump very high at all!
Seeing the opening, Satoshi immediately seized the opportunity.
In mid-air, Grookey twisted acrobatically, poised gracefully like a dancer about to land a decisive blow.
But Lopunny released a strong surge of electricity just in time, instantly paralyzing Grookey's entire body. Still, Grookey pressed on bravely, determinedly landing the [Acrobatics] move on Lopunny.
"Mi—!"
Lopunny was thrown backward, tumbling frantically in mid-air before finally crashing to the ground, trembling weakly.
"[Acrobatics] has such high damage…" Soyo murmured, the corners of her lips curving upwards slightly. At this very moment, her thoughts were completely filled with admiration.
Satoshi, you're so cool! I love it~!
"Alright, that's probably enough training for today."
Seeing Lopunny barely able to stand, Satoshi prepared to wrap up their session. Lopunny could hardly continue, and Grookey, still in better shape, was clearly going to win.
"It's fine, let's keep going."
Yet Soyo waved him off, having no intention of stopping.
Are you kidding? This is practically a date—there's no way I'll end it so soon!
"Uh…are you sure? Lopunny doesn't look like she has much strength left. Maybe we should stop here."
But Soyo firmly rejected Satoshi's concerns with pure confidence.
"Lopunny says she doesn't mind!"