Satoshi handed Wakaba Mutsumi a Full Restore.
"Here. If you don't mind, you can use this."
As he spoke, a sincere smile appeared on his face—wide enough to make Mutsumi's eyes widen slightly.
It was completely unlike Nagasaki Soyo's kind of smile. This one was genuinely heartfelt, and somehow Mutsumi could sense it clearly.
"Mm… thanks."
She wasn't used to this.
After all, who did she deal with daily?
Nagasaki Soyo—Two-Faced Soyo—whose greatest skill was kneeling… no, hiding her real thoughts behind a gentle mask. And Togawa Sakiko—Customer Service Saki—who was usually cold and distant, too.
If Sakiko showed her even the slightest hint of "customer service," Mutsumi would feel a little happy.
But lately, Customer Service Saki seemed worn down by life itself, looking pitiful.
Mutsumi sprayed the medicine onto Roserade, soothing its wounds and relieving its pain. The liquid released a fresh, calming scent as it drifted through the air.
"If you need it, I'll pay you back for the Full Restore."
After tending to Roserade, Mutsumi spoke a long sentence for once.
For a girl who wasn't good with words, every sentence she spoke was an art form. That's why she usually tried not to speak at all. She still didn't understand why people got mad.
Like when she'd told Soyo—who loved spending time with them—"I've never thought battling your Pokémon was fun."
Or when she'd told Togawa Sakiko, with her excessive pride, "Saki, you're working yourself to the point you're about to break. I'm worried."
Why did people get angry at such high-EQ comments?
Mutsumi tilted her head slightly, unable to understand.
"No need. It's a gift. I'm satisfied just getting to battle you, Mutsumi."
Satoshi didn't think much of it. He only remembered Soyo mentioning Mutsumi before, so he naturally looked out for her a bit more.
Otherwise, he normally wouldn't use a Full Restore—Hyper Potions would suffice!
And it was a good chance to become closer to Mutsumi, too.
[Satocchi, did you finally get it? Are you finally falling in love? Furiko's so happy~~]
Huh? What are you talking about? I'm just thinking about Pokémon battles and Soyo, that's all.
[Nng… battle-brain idiot~]
Satoshi was slightly concerned about Soyo.
Soyo didn't seem very enthusiastic about battles. After Taki's mental breakdown, Satoshi had started paying extra attention to everyone's emotional state. For now, Raana, Anon, and Taki didn't seem like issues—but Soyo and Tomori might be hidden bombs.
Maybe both were heavy hitters!
With what he considered high EQ, Satoshi could somewhat understand Soyo—she seemed to be holding something back, something she never wanted to say. He wanted to understand it.
Once he did, he'd take good care of every girl.
Be with them for life!
[What's Soyo hiding, I wonder? So hard to understand~ Is Satoshi going to grow a brain?]
Meanwhile, Mutsumi was still absorbed in her interaction with Satoshi.
"Mm. I'm satisfied too." She didn't say more, but her lashes trembled—she felt a little happy.
This person really was special. His gentleness was completely different from Soyo's.
"Then, see you next time."
"..."
Satoshi held out his hand. Seeing it, Mutsumi hesitated.
Normally, she never shook hands with anyone. But if Soyo found out she didn't—
Soyo: Mutsumi, isn't there something wrong with how acted?!
And if Soyo found out she did—
Soyo: Mutsumi, isn't there something wrong with how acted?!
Neither "stealing her boyfriend" nor "rejecting her boyfriend" would satisfy Soyo. It was absurd no matter what.
Fortunately, Soyo wasn't here. Mutsumi could follow her heart.
"Mm. See you next time." Mutsumi slowly reached for Satoshi's hand. The moment they clasped, the corner of her mouth lifted into a tiny, barely visible smile.
Such a warm hand—ten times warmer than Nagasaki Soyo's. Maybe nine.
For stoic Mutsumi, it was an unfamiliar kind of pleasure. She didn't meet people like this in everyday life.
Her childhood friend Sakiko, and her only friend Soyo—their attitudes toward her were… complicated.
Because whenever Mutsumi spoke, she used "elegant" words that shattered people's defenses—so to this day, no one had loved her.
Not as a friend, nor romantically.
But looking at the sunny boy in front of her, Mutsumi couldn't help but wonder:
"Maybe… I should try with Satoshi…"
Maybe he could love me…
Watching Satoshi's retreating back, Mutsumi pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the fierce pounding of her heart.
...
After finishing the battle with Mutsumi, Satoshi and Tomori left the battle hall instead of staying.
"Satoshi, you're not going to keep battling?" Tomori tilted her head, confused.
Watching Satoshi battle had gotten her excited, and seeing him win made her happy for him.
Just like he'd said—cool, strong battles were thrilling. They made her heart flutter.
But Battle-Brained Satoshi choosing not to continue battling was rare.
That was Battle-Brained Satoshi!
"It's fine. Using up too much stamina before the trials isn't great. And I think spending time with you right now is better, Tomori."
Originally, Satoshi had wanted to keep battling—but Rillaboom had been poisoned almost immediately.
In real life, status conditions could be more troublesome than fainting. Lingering poison meant a slower recovery, so Satoshi had ended the match right away and sprayed Rillaboom with a Full Restore until it recovered.
As for more battles? His luck was poor today.
He'll battle tomorrow.
Satoshi's casual words sounded dangerously sweet to Tomori.
Does he mean… he'd rather be with me than battle?
Tomori lowered her head shyly, a faint blush appearing in her eyes.
Her personality was too introverted to ask it aloud.
But her hand reached out anyway, and their fingers naturally intertwined.
Just like that, they went from the battle hall to an accessory shop. Satoshi wanted to buy Tomori a gift. With Tomori and Marshadow as sparring partners, they'd both grown significantly—after all, Marshadow was a strong Pokémon, and battling alone provided plenty of experience.
[Satocchi, buy Tomori a ring and propose~~]
What are you talking about? It's just proposal—does that matter more than staying together for life?!
[Nng~ Proposing means you'll stay together for life, too~]
Ignoring Furiko, Satoshi let his gaze roam over the accessories, distracted—while next to him, shy Tomori felt an urge to run away.
Apparently, the shop owner had already decided she was a bashful girlfriend.
So embarrassing… but she didn't hate it. In fact, it made her happy.
That was the change happening inside Tomori.
"Can something like this really show up here?" Satoshi's eyes finally landed on a deep-green Z-Crystal, disbelief rising in his chest.
There, right in front of them, was—
Marshadow's Z-Crystal!
---
bonus chaps
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200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
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