"Satoshi~ Here's the prize for the winner~ Please accept it."
Yūki Setsuna, beaming, personally handed Satoshi the gift box.
As one of the school's Elite Four, Setsuna was responsible for presenting the prizes for the winners. She was also a campus idol—so her presence didn't just boost excitement for the match, it also made the entire event more enjoyable.
Having her present the award couldn't have been more fitting.
Actually, another Elite Four attended the school—Misumi Uika, the Electric-type expert. But she was a professional idol, unlike campus idols who had more freedom, so she rarely participated in events like this.
Of course, Satoshi cared more about the prize than any of that. Winning meant receiving the prize bundle: the TM Fire Blast, the Volcano Badge, a Fire Stone, and a Fire Gem.
[Fire Gem]:Boosts the power of a Fire-type move by 30% when used.
Gems like this were often used for capturing Pokémon or self-defense—like encountering a powerful Pokémon or Team Rocket.
With the power of a Fire Gem, you could scorch an opponent, finishing them off in a single explosive burst.
"Thank you, Setsuna." Satoshi nodded, accepting the gift box.
Through the clear wrapping, he could see two stones, the TM, and—most importantly—the Volcano Badge.
Seeing it, Satoshi immediately opened the box and took out the Volcano Badge. Setsuna drew even closer, excitement bubbling up as she started happily chattering away.
"Hehe~ That battle just now was so fiery! I'm completely fired up—I seriously wanted to jump in and battle too! You and Karen were both insanely cool! Just like my favorite anime, The Cinnabar Sword Princess—the way you both fought with everything you had…"
[It's like she flipped some weird switch. Setsuna really is overflowing with energy.]
"Yeah. I want a full battle with you too, Setsuna! Please battle me next time!"
The moment Satoshi heard the word "battle," he stopped paying attention to anything else Setsuna said.
He leaned in even closer—close enough to feel each other's breath.
"Wah~" That sudden closeness made Setsuna's cheeks flush, and her legs instinctively went weak.
"Are you okay?"
"Mm-hm~ I'm fine. Thanks."
Satoshi steadied her by the waist, and Setsuna hurriedly nodded—only then realizing she'd gotten way too carried away.
More importantly, it was time to officially announce the end of the Cinnabar Tournament, and there wasn't time to chat like this.
But how could Satoshi let Setsuna go?
This was a battle! A free sparring match with the school's Elite Four—of course he'd get fired up and train with Setsuna until nightfall.
"So when are we battling?!"
"Huh?! How about after the tournament wraps up! I want to battle you too, Satoshi!"
"Then we should decide on a location. Last time I saw your battle on TV, your style really drew me in."
"Really? That makes me super happy. Where should we battle? I recommend Alola—how about Akala Island? There's a big volcano there. It'll be perfect for us."
"That sounds great."
Satoshi and Setsuna chatted casually, almost like a couple.
It left Blaine, standing nearby, with no opening to interrupt. Instead, he could only turn to the defeated Karen.
"Ahem~ This Satoshi really is strong! But you burned brightly too! Don't feel ashamed about losing. If anything, you should feel proud!"
Blaine coughed awkwardly to draw Karen's attention.
But those "comforting" words only made the already-jealous Karen feel worse.
Are those words any normal human would say to comfort someone?
As a Gym Leader, could your emotional intelligence please be higher? At least higher than mine, okay?!
Her frustration slowly built—but Karen didn't dwell on it. Her attention stayed fixed on Satoshi.
Only that boy could truly draw her in.
"So dazzling…"
In Karen's eyes, sunset light spilled over Satoshi, bathing him in a glow like the warmest comfort in the world—bright enough to sting her eyes.
Satoshi… so dazzling.
So dazzling, yet terrifying to me.
Satoshi is terrifying—and yet I adore him like this.
Satoshi fills me with regret—and yet I can't tear my eyes away.
Now I understand… why I stood on that stage…
I need to tell him how I feel—at least once.
Karen's footsteps halted, her thoughts spinning.
Simply put…
Ah~ My wedding cup… because Satoshi fought so hard, I lost the match, and now my future life will be terrifying!
Why, why didn't I win~~?
I'm such a stupid Karen!
No-no—NONNON dayo! Wasn't I supposed to be the protagonist?!
"Waaah… don't do this to me~" Karen hugged her head, sinking fully into self-pity.
She'd gone all-out, yet she still lost.
Now that things had turned out this way, Karen began regretting it—she should've pressed harder when Blaziken was still Combusken and finished him off.
Karen: Stupid Karen, didn't you play that match completely wrong?!
"I lost?! Waaah~" Karen clutched her head, shaking her twin ponytails in frustration.
The entire Cinnabar Tournament venue fell into chaos—so much so that the winner wasn't even paying attention to the applause and cheers.
"What's with kids these days?"
Blaine rubbed his bald head, feeling a headache coming on. He genuinely didn't know what else to say.
Those two were flirting openly, while this one was playing the tragic heroine…
...
Wait… I don't necessarily have to marry Satoshi to be with him.
We can date first, right?
Karen carefully considered this, regaining her composure. By that point, she was already walking alongside Satoshi toward the exit.
"Karen, you were really cool just now. I was just a hair's breadth from losing."
The boy she adored was praising her. A soft breeze brushed past, rustling leaves. Even the air between them turned faintly pink.
"I don't want things to end like this."
Karen still felt restless.
Right now, nobody else was around—this was her perfect chance!
"Satoshi."
Karen's small heels stopped. Quietly, she stepped closer to the one she admired. Satoshi turned around, slightly puzzled, a trace of confusion in his eyes.
"What is it?"
Karen took a deep breath, rising onto her toes. Her fingers grasped at Satoshi's clothing, feeling the slight tremble of his body.
She leaned in close to his lips.
"…Huh?" Satoshi froze—and Karen gently pressed her lips against his.
"Next time, I'll be even stronger. Wait for me, Satoshi~"
After the kiss, she quickly drew back shyly, keeping some distance between them.
"…So if I win next time, you'll date me, okay?~" Karen's cheeks flushed bright red, the air thickening with romance. Her heart pounded, her eyes filled with deep affection.
Hearing this, Satoshi gradually recovered, a smile forming on his face.
"Yeah, no problem! But we won't lose!"
Satoshi clenched his fist, confidently making his declaration.
---
T/N: A KISSSS OMG oih wait soyo and anon alreayd...
bonus chaps
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Okay, real talk: I am extremely hungry for money, so I'm raising membership prices soon.
BUT.
If you're already subscribed before the change, your current price stays the same as long as you remain subscribed.
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Person A is already subscribed at $7/month
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