What am I supposed to say at a time like this?
Sakiko's cheeks were faintly flushed as she stared at Satoshi before her.
Just moments ago, she was nothing but a poor girl eating the cheapest meal in the cafeteria. Her tight financial situation had nearly made her forget the taste of proper food. But now, this homemade bento's exquisite taste reminded her of the high-class cuisine she'd once enjoyed in her heiress days.
It was clear Satoshi had put in serious effort.
Sakiko had no idea how to express her gratitude properly. Right now, the only thing she could think of was to hug him tightly and kiss him.
No, wait... what am I even thinking?
This kind of thought is way too impure!
"Uu…"
Blushing, Sakiko lowered her head in embarrassment, quietly sinking into strange fantasies.
[Hey, Satodear, the atmosphere's so perfect now! Just give her your first kiss already!]
What are you even talking about? What atmosphere? Why should I give her my first kiss?!
Satoshi inwardly snapped back at Furiko, baffled by her weird suggestion.
At the moment, all he wanted was to have Pokémon battles. If Sakiko could just battle Pokémon with him for the rest of their lives, that would honestly be the best.
But still, the main reason he came was because her exhausted, corporate-slave expression needed cheering up.
For a high-schooler to look as lifeless as Larry, Paldea's gym leader... wasn't that too harsh?
I'm gonna report Champion Geeta for workplace abuse!
Seeing Sakiko's face gradually brighten up, Satoshi relaxed, finishing his lunch quickly.
He'd come all the way to the EcoDome—no time could be wasted. He had to hurry up and eat, then go improve his strength.
[There's a beautiful girl right in front of you!]
What's a beautiful girl? Can a beautiful girl make me a Pokémon Master?!
...
Wait… Satoshi's being this attentive to me—does he actually like me?!
Right then, Sakiko's delicate eyelashes fluttered slightly, a subtle, shy expression emerging as she lifted her head. She wanted to say something, to find out his true feelings.
If he really does like me...well, Sakiko wasn't exactly opposed to dating him.
"Satoshi, do you perhaps—"
"Ah, sorry, I should get going now."
"Eh?!"
But right before her eyes, after finishing his food, Satoshi immediately stood up without hesitation, swiftly gathered his things, and placed them in his backpack, showing not a shred of attachment toward her.
There wasn't even a hint of romance. In fact, the only thing visible in Satoshi's eyes was excitement and burning passion—but clearly not towards Sakiko.
That's the look of someone completely captivated by the EcoDome!
Why was I expecting anything from this dense blockhead?!
Instantly, Sakiko felt deeply ashamed at her earlier romantic delusions.
The only way to awaken this dense fool might be to forcibly kiss him, pin him down beneath her, and thoroughly bully him.
Satoshi remained completely oblivious to her inner turmoil, fully absorbed by the EcoDome instead.
Moreover, this afternoon he intended to find that Torchic from earlier. Having not run into it all morning was honestly frustrating.
The EcoDome was far too huge. Without a Cyclizar from Paldea, even a full day might not be enough to explore the Grassland Area completely.
If he really couldn't find it, he'd have no choice but to head to the Grassland Rest Area and ask the trainers there.
But honestly, Satoshi much preferred discovering things on his own rather than asking someone else.
That was the true joy of adventure!
"See you later, Sakiko—let's meet again Monday at school!"
Satoshi cheerfully waved goodbye, ready to step out of the cafeteria, when Sakiko suddenly seized this moment, grabbing onto the hem of his clothes.
"Hm?" Satoshi tilted his head, confused.
"I…want to come along…" Sakiko's face flushed softly, but she courageously raised her head.
EcoDome customer service workers had two hours of break time, and they'd only spent about twenty minutes eating. There was plenty of time left for Sakiko to accompany Satoshi.
"Oh, I see! Then I'll wait here until you finish eating," Satoshi instantly agreed, sitting back down in his previous spot.
"Rai rai~ (If I'd known, I would've read the mood and eaten slower~)"
"Koga~ (Lesson learned~)"
"Pachi pachi~ (Gotta pay attention to the mood in the future, unlike a certain dense log~)"
Nearby, the three Pokémon quietly exchanged notes, brainstorming how to help Sakiko make progress.
...
"Sakiko…?"
Unnoticed by both Satoshi and Sakiko, a short distance away, Soyo's eyes lost their luster, becoming darker and colder than Kyurem's icy glare.
Her previously gentle eyes were now fixed intensely on the two of them. Her fists clenched tightly, knuckles turning white, even drawing traces of blood.
"You're being this affectionate with her…"
"But then…what about me?"
...
After finishing the meal, Satoshi and Sakiko headed together into the EcoDome's Grassland Area.
He had to admit, having a customer service worker with him made exploration way easier.
Where's a strong Pokémon? Ask Customer Service Sakiko!
Where's a tough trainer? Ask Customer Service Sakiko!
Sakiko was the best resource ever!
In Satoshi's eyes, Sakiko was truly amazing!
He definitely had to treasure her from now on.
"Raichu, use Iron Tail!"
"Rai~~!"
At Satoshi's command, Raichu's Iron Tail struck like lightning, instantly knocking out a Machamp, which fell heavily to the ground.
"Thanks for the battle, Machamp."
Immediately after, Satoshi approached Machamp, gently spraying a Hyper Potion on its wounds. A faint medicinal scent spread through the air, quickly relieving Machamp's injuries.
"Machaa~" Machamp slowly opened its eyes, feeling the soothing comfort. It looked gratefully and respectfully at Satoshi standing before it.
"He's so dazzling..."
In that moment, Sakiko's amber eyes widened, completely mesmerized.
He was different from other trainers, genuinely caring for both Pokémon and people alike.
Normally, trainers at the EcoDome wouldn't waste precious time healing Pokémon or expressing thanks; they simply didn't have that luxury, too busy with relentless competition.
But now, Satoshi appeared incredibly radiant in her eyes.
It made her heart beat wildly. Her whole body felt strange, unable to calm down at all.
"It should be around here…"
But Satoshi's attention wasn't on Sakiko. According to Sakiko's info, Torchic had recently been sighted nearby.
"Now that I think about it…why are all the Pokémon I wanna catch always starters?"
Satoshi couldn't help but snark about this.
Starter Pokémon had ideal growth potential and final evolutions strong enough to rival most other Pokémon, so trainers naturally loved them.
At least they were way stronger than random Pokémon used just for filling Pokédex entries.
Though, truth be told, hardly anyone seriously filled Pokédex entries. Many weak Pokémon greatly contributed to ecological diversity—they were essential to this beautiful world.
But still, if Satoshi was being honest…
Weren't Unova's Elemental Monkeys kinda lazy?
Their looks weren't great, their strength mediocre, and they didn't even appear in Sun/Moon, Sword/Shield, or Scarlet/Violet!
Game Freak clearly had no Cilan fans!
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Satoshi's voice rang out, and his lips curved upward into a satisfied smile.
[Satodear, what is it?]
"I found it."
Looking ahead, spotting the small, reddish-orange Pokémon in the distance, Satoshi's heart instantly ignited with excitement.
"Cha~~!"
Torchic was currently training hard, continuously gathering energy, trying repeatedly to shatter a nearby rock with a burst of energy from its feet. This captivating sight fully drew in Satoshi's attention.