"You're that bad with crowds." Akiyama caught up to her, honestly amazed.
"…Whatever."
She had no idea how to explain it.
"Gardevoir's growing fast." She got her breathing under control and gave credit where it was due.
Then she turned to face him, dropped her head, and held out a utility knife.
The same one she'd used on the wisteria vines.
Akiyama recognized it.
"Return gift."
And—maybe on purpose—she let her sleeve fall back far enough to show the wisteria bracelet sitting next to his new Key Stone band.
"I'll take good care of it." Akiyama smiled, warm, and closed his hand around her left one.
Two Key Stones caught the light the same way.
He lifted the knife out of her fingers without making anything of it.
Nanami gave a small wave and disappeared into her room.
Akiyama went back to pack.
Most of what Kadabra and Gengar had bought had been snacks, and the little glutton had annihilated all of it. Kadabra had already burned through the Berries.
So the load hadn't really changed. Not that the backpack was ever light on contents—clothes for all four seasons, an assortment of Poké Balls, the tent.
Thank God none of it weighed anything.
The Supernatural Group really did build good gear.
He recalled Kadabra, took Gardevoir's hand, and headed for the station, Gengar riding his shoulders like a fashion accessory.
They waited a while, got through the gate, and boarded.
The car was packed, a lot of it families with young Pokémon.
"Piplup… Pikachu… is that a Pansage?"
Akiyama's eyes couldn't keep up. A small green monkey flashed past him.
He followed the signs to his seat. He'd bought the Pokémon-accompanied fare, which meant three seats in a row.
He'd guessed last night that Kadabra would want to stay in his ball.
He put Gardevoir by the window, sat down on her right, and peeled Gengar off his back to plant him in the aisle seat.
The instant the seatbelt clicked, Gengar objected.
He floated straight out of it and draped himself across the windowsill instead, watching the platform.
"Passengers, please fasten your seatbelts. This train will be departing shortly."
"Please note that some Pokémon may be frightened by their first train ride. Trainers, look after your Pokémon."
"Complimentary Pokémon food will be served shortly."
"Thank you for traveling with us."
Nurse Joy. She really was everywhere.
Steam hissed somewhere beneath them, and the train eased into motion.
The scenery outside began to slide by, and Gengar's eyes lit up.
His first train ride.
......
"Take your toothpaste and your two bottles of tea and get out."
In a Gym full of shadows, an unopened box of toothpaste and two plastic bottles—one iced black tea, one green—came flying out the door.
An Absol stalked forward with dainty steps and bared teeth, herding the man in the suit out of the building.
"Come on, now. Akiyama said if you're bringing a gift, bring toothpaste and some good tea. How was I supposed to know you wouldn't like it?" Itsuki backpedaled, grinning apologetically the whole way.
"So you brought me a tube of toothpaste and whatever this stuff in the bottles is." A stooped old woman came out of the dark, fury all over her face.
"Ah, well. You know. Honest mistake." Itsuki laughed weakly.
She let out two cold little sounds. "Hmph. Last time you came, you brought me two Caterpie. Time before that, two Muk. An honest mistake. What a fine string of honest mistakes."
"Take your mistakes and get out of Lonecliff City."
The old woman was the Gym Leader of Lonecliff City's Dark-type Gym.
Chiharu.
"Starfall Valley. I need your help." For once, Itsuki wasn't clowning.
"Certainly. I'll send you two Caterpie and two Muk." Chiharu smiled.
"I'm serious."
"Mortals shouldn't reach for gods." She was done talking, and she made that clear.
"You know what twenty years ago cost me. I'll never stop regretting it," Itsuki pressed.
"If that's the only regret in your life, then even if I can't bite you to death, I can certainly manage your son."
Chiharu's expression was getting worse by the second.
The Absol's mouth opened, breath coming hard and angry.
"Ah, terrifying. Truly." Itsuki patted his chest with theatrical relief.
Then he went on. "There's an event in Lightshade City in a few weeks. Surely you can manage to show up for that much."
Chiharu was silent a long time. She was actually on the verge of nodding—
"Chiharu-san! Itsuki! You're both here." A bright, young voice broke in.
The two of them, still bristling at each other, turned toward the kid in the blue jacket walking up the path.
"Ash? What are you doing out here?" Itsuki asked.
The tension in Chiharu's face eased. "For this old woman's badge, I imagine."
She reached into her robe and produced a badge shaped like a masked Ninetales.
"Yeah, pretty much. If I'm entering the Silver Crown League, I've got to collect badges." Ash nodded, grinning, and the grin was clear as water.
"Take it." She threw it at him.
He caught it out of the air, and his smile turned a little sheepish. "I don't know if I should."
"Don't insult me. These old bones can't take the exercise." There was real weariness in her face.
Years and years ago, she had also tried to stop this boy.
He'd looked exactly this young then, too. And he'd been just as impossible to read.
"Then I'll take it. Thank you, Chiharu-san." Ash beamed and slotted the badge into his case.
Seven badges lay inside it, quiet and neat.
The Butterfly Badge, from Greenlight City's Bug Gym.
The Snowflake Badge, from Frostvale City's Ice Gym.
The Twin Fist Badge, from Greenlight City's Fighting Gym.
The Cyclone Badge, from Phoenix Landing City's Flying Gym.
The Tower Badge, from Twin City's Steel Gym.
The Wyvern Badge, from Twinfish City's Dragon Gym.
And now the Ninetales Mask Badge.
It was still only the end of March, and he'd already cleared most of the Gyms in the entire Seichu region.
Second playthroughs went fast.
One more badge, and he'd be clear to enter the Silver Crown League.
"Let's battle," Itsuki said.
"Huh? Sure!" Ash hadn't expected that, but he was in immediately.
It had been a long time. He wouldn't mind cutting loose against an old friend.
Chiharu shook her head, resigned, and led them both inside to referee.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Ash shouted, and the Poké Ball on his belt opened on its own. Charizard landed on the field, powerfully built, and let loose a roaring wall of fire.
"Gholdengo, say hi. Make it rain!"
Itsuki's ball opened in the same beat, and a strange, solid-gold Pokémon appeared, flinging coins in every direction.
Make It Rain!
"Charizard, Dragon Claw!"
Draconic energy wrapped both of Charizard's arms. That heavy body lifted off, weaving through the falling coins, closing on Gholdengo.
"Shadow Ball!" Itsuki called.
Gholdengo swayed its odd frame and gathered a sphere of black energy between its hands.
It launched, and Charizard swatted it out of the air with one claw. Smoke boiled up.
"Psychic!" Itsuki pressed.
"Charizard, get clear! Then Seismic Toss!" Ash's hand snapped closed. He wasn't playing around anymore.
~~
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