Satoshi and Uika parted ways at the entrance of the Tide Song Hotel.
The main reason? Uika desperately wanted to avoid Sakiko.
Falling for the crush of your best friend—this was absolutely something she couldn't let Sakiko discover.
If Sakiko ever found out, she'd surely be interrogated by that Gardevoir of hers—and then violently pummeled!
Misumi Uika still wanted to remain friends with Togawa Sakiko while secretly dating Satoshi behind her back.
You two are both my wings! So, Sakiko…can you please just hand over your boyfriend quietly?
With a conflicted flicker in her eyes, Uika waved goodbye to Satoshi.
Honestly, his back felt warm. Pressing against him gave her a strangely exhilarating comfort.
Sneaking around behind Sakiko's back was wrong, sure—but as long as it remained secret, wasn't the thrill worth it?
"Tomorrow I'll challenge the Grand Trial together with Satoshi… I can't wait!"
Walking toward her room, Uika smiled softly at the thought.
It was too late today to begin the Grand Trial, forcing them to postpone. But to Uika, this was nothing but good news.
Another open date with Satoshi tomorrow!
Joy bubbled up within her as she swiped her keycard and opened the door.
The moment it swung open, however, she was greeted by Sakiko's deeply displeased expression.
Sitting on the bed, brows knitted tightly, Sakiko gripped a Poké Ball with obvious agitation.
Uika's breath hitched, and she instinctively slowed her steps.
When Sakiko was in a bad mood, things turned tense—particularly if she'd seen Satoshi surrounded by those MYGO girls.
The normal Sakiko was gentle, refined, almost aristocratic. But Sakiko in jealousy mode? Volatile, dark—nothing short of a nightmare. Even dropping to your knees in apology probably wouldn't fix her mood.
Like Morpeko, that cute little Pokémon who, after activating its ability, flipped from sweet and gentle to dark and aggressive, Sakiko had two distinct personalities: the sweet "White Sakiko," and the explosive "Black Sakiko."
Uika was currently facing Black Sakiko—someone she had no chance of handling alone. She needed her boyfriend, stat.
Slowly, she began retreating.
"Welcome back, Uika."
Too late. Sakiko's amber eyes had already locked onto her, radiating an oppressive aura reminiscent of Necrozma—devouring all surrounding light.
Honestly, Uika wanted to bolt right back to Satoshi for comfort. No ordinary person could survive this oppressive gloom.
"Ah, I'm back, Sakiko."
Too late now—she had no choice but to stay. Uika resignedly approached a chair and sat down, heart pounding.
Hopefully, it's not about me cheating, or else I won't make it out of here alive…
"...So, how did the trial go?"
Uika cautiously tried breaking the awkward silence.
Their eyes met briefly, Sakiko's expression stiffening slightly.
"I couldn't complete it. When I reached the Totem Pokémon, it waved me off, indicating someone had already cleared it. I had no choice but to teleport back early with Gardevoir."
Teleporting home was easy; teleporting precisely to a designated spot was difficult.
Sakiko hadn't used Teleport heading to Poni Canyon—confident she'd win the trial. Yet she'd arrived only to find the battle already settled.
But she wasn't upset about that—not exactly. She was far more preoccupied by something she'd found at the trial site: strands of hair scattered on the ground—black strands mixed with blonde ones.
The black hair clearly belonged to Satoshi—no mistaking that. She'd spent plenty of time quietly stalking…rather, observing him. She knew exactly what his hair looked like.
The blonde strands were shorter, clearly female…but who?
Ultimately, that wasn't the main point.
What mattered was…
Another woman was after Satoshi!
Sakiko had rarely seen blonde girls around him. To reach Poni Island, she had to be someone powerful.
Who were the powerful blondes at school?
It couldn't be Uika—she'd been chasing after Tapu Koko. That left Ayase Eli, Tsurumaki Kokoro, Ichigaya Arisa, Ijichi Nijika, Saijou Claudine…
Sakiko's mind raced, then she abruptly abandoned the thought.
Did she force herself onto him, or was this a mutual decision?
If they planned this together…
Then…what about me?
An aching sadness filled Sakiko's chest. She felt deeply insignificant to Satoshi.
Helplessly, she clenched her fists, attempting to quell her frustrations.
Jealousy…
Just picturing Satoshi with another girl drove her mad—she'd slipped fully into Black Sakiko mode.
From Primeape to Annihilape—ready to explode.
"Hmm? What's that scent…Satoshi?"
Yet amidst her turmoil, Sakiko suddenly paused, sniffing the air. A familiar, comforting scent gently soothed her heart, calming her agitation.
Instinctively seeking out the source, her gaze settled on Uika.
The delicate fragrance wafting from her friend strangely reminded her of Satoshi. Familiar, comforting…even intimate.
Girl, you smell amazing. Exactly like my boyfriend.
"Uika…you smell lovely today. Were you with someone special?"
Warmth filled Sakiko, the tense knot in her chest loosening, easing her back from Black Sakiko into the gentle White Sakiko.
"Huh? A fragrance?"
Do I smell? Could it be…?
Uika's blood ran cold. If Sakiko figured it out, they'd move straight from Pokémon battles to Mortal Kombat!
Do I call Electivire for a quick Protect?
She couldn't let Sakiko discover the truth!
Luckily, Uika was a seasoned idol, her acting skills second to none.
With a soft, practiced smile, Uika replied effortlessly:
"Oh, you mean the perfume? Mutsumi gave it to me. She got a batch recently from Erika, the Gym Leader at Tamaki Rainbow Gym, and passed some to me. You don't usually use perfume, right, Sakiko? So she didn't bother giving you any."
"It smelled wonderful, so I used it all today."
Her lie flowed smoothly, eroding Sakiko's suspicion.
"Oh…is that so."
"Mm-hm~ If you want some, I'll pick some up next time," Uika gently offered, continuing her flawless performance. Internally, she sighed in relief.
Thank goodness, she bought it…
Sakiko's expression softened briefly, disappointment flickering across her face before quickly fading away.
She quietly inhaled again, absorbing the unmistakable scent of Satoshi lingering faintly in the air—a scent she would never, ever forget.
This comfort wasn't something Uika's perfume could replicate…
No, this was the scent of Satoshi himself, combined with blonde hair.
My best friend was with the one I love…and she betrayed me.
Without even realizing it, Sakiko's grip crushed the edge of her phone, jealousy surging uncontrollably within her. Amber eyes burned with barely contained fury—rage surpassing even the anger of docked wages.
This scent…there's no mistaking it. It's Satoshi's.
Uika…you lied to me.
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T/N: GULP