"It's Blaze! Typhlosion's heat is surging—it's about to swallow the entire battlefield!"
"Huh? Wait, that's definitely weird."
Even Karen's hand stalled mid-motion, slightly dumbfounded.
She'd intended to ease off, get Taki and Typhlosion to retreat already. So why was the other side suddenly going wild? And why drag it out? Either way, the win was hers.
What's the point?!
"Typhlosion, [OVERHEAT]!" Taki swung her arm forward.
"Typhlo!" Flames erupted from Typhlosion like a blazing dragon, roaring outward with relentless destructive force. Heat crashed into their faces, firelight flickered through the air—the whole venue felt like it had fallen into a furnace.
The suffocating heat from Blaze struck hard. Satoshi's chest flooded with both dread and exhilaration as he felt Typhlosion's ferocity.
[Overheat]: 130 base power × 1.5 STAB × 1.5 Blaze.
"Cinderace, use [PYRO BALL]!"
"Ace~" Without hesitation, Cinderace ignited pebbles into a blazing fireball, attempting to clash with Typhlosion's flames.
But the difference in power was immense. The fiery torrent surged forward like a dragon, easily smashing through Pyro Ball.
"Aa—!" Hit directly, Cinderace was shoved backward instantly and slammed against the wall, chaos erupting.
"[OVERHEAT] again!"
"Typhlo." Roaring, Typhlosion whipped its flames into another attack, sending fire surging through the air to drive Cinderace deeper into the wall.
"Cinderace?!" Even Karen panicked at the sight.
Typhlosion was already panting, its Special Attack down four stages. Another Overheat would deal negligible damage now. Plus, Fire resisted Fire—those two hits hadn't been decisive.
The first attack was weakened by Pyro Ball; the second was after Overheat's power had dropped two stages.
Yet Shiina Taki insisted on pressing her advantage.
"Typhlosion, [AERIAL ACE]!"
Silver light flashed from Typhlosion's claws as it leaped, slicing through the air in a clean arc.
"Typhlo!"
"It's over! Cinderace, take the hit—then counter with [ACROBATICS]!"
But Cinderace shot upright again, body shimmering faintly silver.
It deliberately endured Typhlosion's strike—a non-STAB move hitting its body—yet its expression never changed. It immediately counterattacked.
"Ace!" Heavy punches slammed repeatedly into Typhlosion's vitals.
"Typhloo—" Unable to withstand the barrage, Typhlosion lost balance instantly, sent flying through the air, writhing in pain—its strength utterly drained.
Cinderace remained still, panting, before dropping to one knee on the battlefield.
"Typhlosion is unable to battle. Cinderace wins! The final winner is Aijo Karen!"
"I lost…"
With a helpless sigh, Taki recalled Typhlosion into its Poké Ball. She'd lost, but strangely, her heart felt lighter than expected.
They'd given everything. She had nothing more to say.
Her only regrets were failing to defeat her arrogant opponent—and, most importantly, breaking her promise with Satoshi.
But… it still burned.
Clenching her fists, Taki avoided looking toward her teammates in the stands.
She hadn't kept her promise to Satoshi. How could she face him now?
Lowering her head, Taki moved toward the exit.
"Ah…" But just as she stepped toward the doorway, a sudden collision knocked her off balance.
"Good work. You were really cool out there."
Satoshi caught Taki firmly. His palm gently patted her head—so softly, her heartbeat raced so loudly she almost heard it.
She caught his unique scent—faint, comforting, reassuring.
"Mm?~" Taki lifted her watery eyes, meeting Satoshi's gaze, then reflexively hugged him back.
Then Taki realized a few things.
I'm pretty sure a week ago, I didn't even have him on my mind! My heart belonged totally to—Tomori…
Holy crap. My boyfriend is seriously, insanely good!
No wonder Soyo's obsessed!
As for when we started dating? A future boyfriend is still a boyfriend!
Besides, Soyo always said, whenever Satoshi wasn't around, "A future boyfriend is still a boyfriend. Anyway, none of you are allowed to make a move."
It would send the entire MYGO into laughter. Taki had to admit—Nagasaki Soyo was genuinely funny.
Only when Taki used that line herself did it stop being funny.
Whatever. I can say it. Soyo? Absolutely not.
I'll be brutally, shamelessly double-standard about it—I'm a Tauros.
Taki: Soyo, is he your boyfriend?
Soyo: I think so.
Taki: Huh? Then he's not your boyfriend! Stop dreaming—he's my boyfriend!
Soyo (drops to her knees): Please, I'll do anything. Give him to me!
Taki: You really only think about yourself, huh.
Absurd little skits exploded in her mind—and somehow, they seemed weirdly logical.
Held in Satoshi's arms, Taki unconsciously rose onto her toes, pressing her lips to the side of his neck.
[Waaah~ Satocchi, you're getting played so hard by Taki~ Why? Why? Ugh…I've never even tasted that spot. Doesn't this make me the losing heroine?!]
Huh? What are you even saying? I'm just comforting Taki, aren't I?
Satoshi tilted his head, confused.
[Ugh~ It's nothing! Blockhead! Blockhead!]
That scent…
Only Shiina Taki remained lost in it.
...
"Yeah…I really got careless back there. Didn't expect Taki and Typhlosion to explode with that kind of power. No wonder Hikari says never underestimate any opponent."
Karen exhaled deeply, settling her emotions.
The battle had nearly slipped away. A guaranteed win became a forced one—her arrogance in holding back had triggered Blaze, nearly causing Cinderace's defeat.
But whatever~ She'd won, hadn't she~
"Satoshi should be somewhere around here."
Karen's nose twitched as she inhaled gently, yearning and impatience flickering in her eyes.
Her heart wouldn't settle down. It'd already been an hour since she'd last heard Satoshi's voice.
Hehe~ If I win the next match, we'll get married!
A satisfied smile blossomed on Karen's face. She was ready to embrace her feelings—then rub it hard in every other girl's face.
But first, they had to meet…and have their final battle.
Her eyes swept everywhere, sharp like a leopard hunting its prey.
"…Satoshi, where did you go…? …Huh?"
Suddenly, ahead, Karen saw two figures tightly embracing. She saw Taki clutching Satoshi closely.
Her eyes widened, the spark disappearing instantly—unable to believe what she saw.
"Eh?"
---
T/N: LMAOOOOOOOOO LOST THE BATTLE BUT WON THE WAR!!!
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