Finally, my turn has arrived!
At night, Soyo opened her deep blue eyes. Beside her, Satoshi was already asleep, as were the others—more or less.
Nagasaki Soyo had waited two whole hours for this moment, moonlight gently streaming through the window.
In the room, only the sound of breathing remained. Shiina Taki slept in the bed above hers, and all the Pokémon were tucked away in their Poké Balls. As long as she moved quietly enough, no one would notice.
And what was she about to do? Obviously, it was that kind of thing—and this kind of thing—to the boyfriend she liked!
Otherwise, Soyo wouldn't have forced herself to stay awake, quietly lying here for two entire hours.
Her behavior might seem perverted and pitiful, but that wasn't an issue. Nagasaki Soyo had already kneeled to Togawa Sakiko—what could she possibly fear?
Gently, she touched Satoshi's hand, and immediately her heartbeat quickened, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
Ahh... No, I'm really sinking too low... For Satoshi's sake, I have to control myself.
Thinking this, Soyo carefully stroked Satoshi's body, feeling his warmth. Seeing no reaction, she grew bolder, slowly sitting up, gently brushing his face and lips.
"Haah...haah~" Soft breaths, laden with desire, slipped out. The air thickened with ambiguity.
Doing something like this in a room full of sleeping people—it had a thrilling sense of danger.
She couldn't hold back—no Ability like Sturdy could withstand this temptation.
Today's events had hit her far too strongly. The battle against Team Rocket had dramatically advanced their relationship. Moreover, watching the livestream and seeing Satoshi's handsome appearance had caused her affection to spike uncontrollably. Now, her love had escalated to a point beyond redemption.
As to why her love for Satoshi was this intense... there were actually two reasons.
First, naturally, was the hero-saving-the-beauty moment. Without Satoshi, Soyo wouldn't have seen her mother again—her life would've ended completely.
At that time, after recovering from her injuries, Soyo woke up directly in the hospital, unable to personally see or thank Satoshi. She didn't even know who he was.
Her teammates were right beside her, worriedly looking after her, making it impossible to go find him herself. Not to mention, her condition didn't allow it either.
"Soyo-chan, are you alright?"
Takamatsu Tomori looked at her nervously, anxiety welling up, but she swallowed hard, suppressing her emotions.
"Yeah, I'm okay, Tomori-chan." Facing the root of all this mess, Soyo replied in her usual cloyingly sweet voice, accompanied by a gentle smile.
After all, Soyo herself had agreed to the fight against Team Rocket, so she had nothing more to say.
As long as this team—this family—could continue existing, it was enough.
Among these five people, Soyo experienced a sense of home she treasured deeply, having grown up in a single-parent family.
Keeping the harmony within the group was nothing to her.
But...
Not long after that incident, the team disbanded!
The reason? Founder Togawa Sakiko simply didn't want to continue anymore!
On a rainy day, the training room was filled with a suffocating atmosphere. Takamatsu Tomori sat on the cold floor, nervously contemplating strategies, anxiety swelling within her as rain poured relentlessly outside.
Ka-ra—.
Suddenly, the training room door burst open, and Togawa Sakiko rushed in through the rain. Nagasaki Soyo's face lit up in surprise and happiness.
"Saki-chan! Thank goodness you came."
"You stopped coming to school, and you didn't reply to any messages."
Nagasaki Soyo hurried forward, taking out a handkerchief from her pocket, intending to wipe the rain from Sakiko's face.
However, Sakiko frowned, rejecting her kindness, blinking irritably.
"I came here today because I have something to say."
Under this cold gaze, Nagasaki Soyo lowered her hand, withdrawing the handkerchief, facing her friend helplessly.
Sakiko continued after a brief hesitation.
"Please let me... withdraw from CRYCHIC."
At that moment, Soyo's brain went completely blank.
You've got to be kidding me!
Then what was all my effort even for?!
Things escalated beyond her imagination. Soon after, Shiina Taki grabbed Sakiko's collar, and as the team's "mom," Soyo desperately tried to ease the tension.
"Wait! Let's calm down and talk properly, alright? We've been happy together until now."
"Mutsumi-chan, you agree, right?"
At Soyo's words, Takamatsu Tomori's gaze turned expectantly, hoping for support. The detached Wakaba Mutsumi quietly sat there, lowering her head upon sensing their eyes.
"I've never... felt happy about Pokémon battles."
"Eh?"
Why is everyone saying such outrageous things?!
Quitting the team for no reason, making tactless comments at crucial moments—her teammates were driving her crazy!
But things had reached a point of no return. Soon after, Tomori stopped attending training, completely shattering the team.
Her newfound home had vanished in an instant.
"Wait... then what exactly did I even fight so desperately against Team Rocket for?"
Soyo felt like a clown.
After leaving CRYCHIC, Soyo had lost the sense of home she once felt in the team. Coming from a single-parent family, she'd desperately wanted to rebuild her home, passing her days in a daze.
Until one day, she encountered this boy before her...
"If you're feeling bored, wanna have a Pokémon battle with me?"
"What's that supposed to mean...? Are you implying that I seem bored?"
Soyo's voice was cool, distant.
The boy before her radiated warmth and sunshine, something her gloomy self couldn't withstand.
"Ah, sorry if I offended you, but... I was worried. I saw sadness in your eyes. If you don't mind, would you tell me what happened?"
"...Why would I...? Well, alright."
She had a vague sense she'd heard that voice before, seen that face before. Combined with the boy's gentle smile, she found herself agreeing without realizing it.
In that quiet afternoon, two figures sat silently on a bench, flower petals drifting down onto Soyo and Satoshi's shoulders.
"It was that girl who founded the team, but then she suddenly said weird things, disbanding the team."
Soyo recounted the story about her team.
"I think that girl must've had her own difficulties. Maybe her family faced bankruptcy, or other problems made her unable to continue."
"I bet she really loved you guys, so just wait patiently. Perhaps someday, when you meet again, you'll restore your previous relationship."
"Until then, I'll stay by your side and witness your reconciliation together."
Satoshi smiled gently—warm as spring sunshine—and instantly dispelled Soyo's restlessness and anxiety.
Only then did she realize why this boy seemed familiar.
She'd been saved physically once before, and now, unexpectedly, her heart was being saved again.
An inexplicable emotion surged...
Her heart raced, breathing quickened, leaving only the subtle intertwining of their heartbeats.
"Is it really okay?" Soyo's voice was meek, trembling almost imperceptibly.
"Don't be so humble. If you feel lonely, just hold my hand—I'll stay with you."
Satoshi said it sincerely, fully committed to dispelling her negative emotions.
He even squeezed every ounce of his intellect into emotional intelligence, desperate to prevent Soyo from doing anything harmful.
As for what exactly he said, he forgot the moment the words left his mouth.
All he remembered was pushing his EQ to its limit!
"Mmm~" Soyo's smile blossomed like sunlight, and she took his hand willingly.
Such a perfect husband—can anyone else match him?!
He's mine!
Who cares if my actions seem extreme?
As long as I, Nagasaki Soyo, desire it, raw rice will eventually become cooked!
But she couldn't do it yet...
Satoshi's dream is to become a Pokémon Master, so I can't confess carelessly.
Soyo's heartbeat thundered. Gently leaning close to Satoshi, her crimson lips approached his, feeling his breath until finally, softly, she placed a kiss upon his lips.
"But at least...let me indulge my selfishness just a bit, alright?"
...
Uwah... Soyo-san really has sunk way too low...
Nearby, Anon secretly opened her grey eyes, quietly observing everything. Witnessing the kiss, her cheeks flushed hotly, a yearning spreading within her chest.
"...No way. I need to find my own chance, too."
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T/N: FIRST KISSSS
im back, did a poll on my patreon on the new schedule and releases for webnovel so yeah
beep boop