Time passed, and Shiina Taki made it into the semifinals. Win this match—and it's the finals.
"It's fine. I can win. I've already made it this far—I'll definitely get to the finals with Satoshi."
"I'm going to prove I'm not worse than my sister. Right in front of Tomori and Satoshi, I'm going to win this battle."
She kept saying words out loud, trying her best to steady the excitement roaring in her chest.
But what she wanted even more, deep down, was to repay the comfort Satoshi had given her that day.
Honestly, ever since that day, Taki had started unconsciously wanting to lean on him—her body even had this uncontrollable, rapid heartbeat. The girl whose head was always full of "Tomori" now had one more person stuck in her head.
I really shouldn't have shut myself away that day… Now I really did fall for him~~
Growing up under her outstanding sister's halo, she'd been labeled as Ace Trainer Shiina Maki's little sister.
And now that label had been torn off—replaced with praise.
From that day on, Taki had been enduring it, waiting for the day she could repay him with her strength.
This was the best answer she could give to that battle-brained Satoshi. So in this match, she had to win.
And what Taki regained in that battle was the confidence she'd lost.
Right now, she genuinely didn't think she could lose!
"I will win!" Taki's violet eyes shone with certainty.
"No, no, Taki-chan—I'm the one who's going to win. And the one meeting Satoshi in the finals will be me."
Just as Taki's momentum peaked, Karen stepped in and poured cold water on it. Even her usual bubbly voice was gone—there was weight in her tone.
"Huh? What do you mean? Are you saying you think I'll lose to you?"
"Mm-hm~ That's exactly what I'm saying."
Their eyes met. Invisible sparks crackled.
What's with her—why is she suddenly acting up?
Wasn't she totally fine before?
Taki didn't understand, but she didn't overthink it.
If Karen wanted to provoke her, then she'd just hit back with everything she had.
But to Karen—an intensely attached type—this was extremely important.
Maybe because her feelings were heavy, she was genuinely unhappy right now, to the point she wanted to "correct" Taki with Cinderace.
Since you bullied my childhood friend earlier, then I'll bully you right back.
Satoshi: …? The one who's winning is me though~
It doesn't matter. It's unforgivable anyway!
Unforgivable!Unforgivable!Unforgivable!
The super emotionally deranged—Aijo Karen made up her mind.
She'd have Cinderace kick Taki's Typhlosion into pieces!
She'd teach her a lesson—she was going to be the one with Satoshi in the end!
The two of them walked onto the battlefield together, pulling their Poké Balls out from their pockets.
"Are students these days a bit too strong…? Three of the semifinalists are students."
"Rainbow Wing Academy really has methods, huh. I heard they're even going on a trip to Alola soon to get Z-Crystals."
"My Satoshi~ Satoshi~ good luck~"
"This isn't your Satoshi's battle!"
"Awww~, is there no femboys competing?~"
The surrounding noise didn't affect Taki at all. As always, she simply threw her Poké Ball with confidence.
"Typhlosion, ready to battle!"
Meanwhile, a shadow fell over Karen's mood.
Your Satoshii? HE'S MINE!
Why are there so many people around Satoshi trying to cuck me?!
Karen shook her head, throwing the thought out, and tossed her Poké Ball.
"Cinderace, I choose you!"
...
Satoshi, meanwhile, went straight from the round of 32 to the finals. With the Speed Boost Chicken, most trainers had no way to dodge and defend—so they just got blitzed and deleted at light speed.
The greatness of Speed Boost needs no explanation.
Too bad Satoshi couldn't battle both Taki and Karen. Between the two of them, only one could make it to face him.
Taking advantage of the break, Satoshi went to the very front row of the stands and met up with MYGO, watching the match up close.
It was basically: Tomori|Anon|Satoshi|Soyo|Raana.
And on his left and right, the girls' hands "accidentally!" brushed his, making their hearts race and their cheeks flush faintly.
Soyo, Anon: As long as there's no evidence, it counts as an accident!
But Satoshi was still unhappy about the bracket.
"With this bracket… I can't have both?"
The moment he realized it, he felt a strange sorrow. His opponents weren't exactly weak, but they just couldn't light the fire in him. All day long, he hadn't gotten to enjoy a proper battle.
These girls were truly special!
As for why there were no guys around him, Satoshi didn't really know either!
It didn't matter anyway. It wasn't like he judged by gender. And among his year, most of the trainers were girls—so being surrounded by girls was normal enough.
[Satocchi, you finally said something human! Wuu… you've finally grown up, Furiko here is truly moved—now hurry up and bring them into your harem.]
Quit acting up! Unless both of them like me, why would I even build a harem?!
Satoshi wasn't really resistant to the idea of a harem, but if you were going to do that, there was one thing you had to accomplish: make your girlfriends happy. He wasn't the kind of guy who dodged responsibility.
If it's happiness, then of course… everyone's happy together!
…Whatever. I'll watch the match first. One of these two is going to battle me.
Not paying Furiko much mind, Satoshi focused fully on the battle.
His current goal was to be a Pokémon Master. Girlfriend stuff could wait.
"Satoshi, who do you think wins this match? Taki-chan, right?"
Soyo leaned into Satoshi, tilting her head curiously, her breathing a little quick.
Something huge and soft pressed forward mushed against Satoshi's arm, making the flat Anon sweat buckets.
Soyo-san, don't be too outrageous!
The things you have, I really don't have!
And also—this isn't something high schoolers should be doing!
Under Soyo's shameless behavior, Washing Board Anon gave up thinking entirely.
At his side, Satoshi did, in fact, feel a certain comfortable softness… but compared to that, what he was thinking was...
Purely in terms of strength, Typhlosion was weaker than Cinderace. And ability-wise, the gap was too huge—there was no comparison.
Eruption at 150 power wasn't that much higher than Pyro Ball at 120, either.
Taki will lose.
"It'll be tough, but I believe in Taki! …Huh?"
Satoshi's lips lifted into a bright, easy smile, and without thinking, he tightened his grip—only to suddenly realize that both girls' hands had already quietly slipped into contact with his.
"Hah-uwah~?" ×2
Soyo and Anon couldn't help letting out tiny, flustered sounds, faces going red.
But honestly, their hands really did "accidentally" touch!
It was cold today, so their bodies instinctively went looking for a warm boyfriend!
And Satoshi's hand was pretty warm, and it felt nice to touch, so… just for a little while was fine.
Soyo: As for "shameless," what's that?
Anon: Getting to stick close to my boyfriend while everyone's watching, ehehehehe~
This is all my body's fault. It has nothing to do with me, Nagasaki Soyo!
This is all my body's fault. It has nothing to do with me, Chihaya Anon!
---
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