Chapter 147: Cynthia: Sorry, My Future Husband
"What's wrong?"
Mammon looked at Caitlin, whose expression had gone slightly off.
"It's just… Cynthia, she…"
Caitlin caught herself, forcibly reined in her feelings, and did her best to settle.
But the truth was her thoughts were in disarray, and she knew it. Any other woman — she hadn't really worried. In Caitlin's estimation, what did any of them have to offer beyond a face and a figure that might hold Mammon's attention for an evening? No real threat. She was confident she could win against all of them.
But Cynthia was different. She had never once beaten Cynthia.
"Consider it a personal indulgence. Do you dislike it, Caitlin?" Mammon had noticed the subtle shift in her mood.
"If it bothers you, I won't."
For Mammon, the question of Caitlin versus Cynthia wasn't one that needed any deliberation at all. Caitlin was the partner he recognized in his heart. The reason he'd never made a move on her was precisely because he understood his own feelings clearly — he cared about her in a way that was different.
Hearing Mammon ask her opinion, a soft smile rose on Caitlin's face.
"It's fine. Do as you like, Mammon."
She said it lightly.
Because really, what was there to worry about? She was the one at his side. Cynthia might be exceptional — but Caitlin had no intention of losing to her.
Besides. Mammon and Cynthia were on opposite sides. There was no future there.
No need to worry. She would be the one standing at the end.
"You're sure it's fine?"
"Mammon — I've moved past what came before." Caitlin said it gently, her lovely eyes reflecting his face.
The day I met you, a new chapter of my life began. The shadows of the past will only become the force that drives my transformation.
"Caitlin — you're more beautiful now than the day we first met."
Mammon smiled and said it sincerely.
He meant it. The Caitlin from back then had been just as refined and pretty — like a porcelain doll — but there had been a shadow behind her eyes, a drift of uncertainty that gave her an air of cold untouchability.
The Caitlin standing before him now, composed and elegant, quietly assured — she was genuinely breathtaking.
"Thank you~ Hearing you say that makes me very happy."
Caitlin smoothed a strand of golden hair behind her ear, feigning composure.
Her gaze went slightly adrift. She could feel the warmth rising in her cheeks. The corners of her mouth were lifting completely against her will, her eyes curving, her pulse picking up.
Was this — was this what being in love felt like?
Oh no. Mammon just called me beautiful.
"Did you settle on a meeting spot with Cynthia?"
Caitlin changed the subject immediately. She was terrified she was about to visibly lose her composure, and that would completely ruin her image in front of him.
Stay elegant. Elegant is non-negotiable.
"Yes. Coming with me?"
"…I'll pass. I'm not quite ready to see Cynthia right now."
Caitlin shook her head. She wasn't mentally prepared for a face-to-face with Cynthia just yet.
She had always believed that the two of them were heading toward a battle eventually.
And besides —
Caitlin wasn't that masochistic. Watching the man she liked take couples photos with someone who was practically her sister?
She was the lead heroine of this story, not the long-suffering rival. She had her dignity.
"Fair enough."
Mammon nodded.
The three of them made their way to a small town near Larousse and found a guesthouse to rest. Today had already been exhausting before all of this happened. After everything that followed, Caitlin and Lillie both needed proper rest.
Mammon himself felt nothing of the kind — if anything, the adrenaline from the battle still had him running high.
When they reached the edge of town, Mammon spotted a Garchomp descending from the distance, Cynthia riding on its back.
Garchomp touched down. Cynthia stepped off and looked at Mammon as he approached.
"You came alone? You really do trust me, Champion."
Mammon greeted her pleasantly. He'd checked — Nemona wasn't with her.
"This was our agreement. I don't go back on my word." Cynthia answered calmly.
"You're certain you want to take them here? I'm not sure there's a suitable photographer in a town this size."
She glanced at the town.
"I only agreed to one photo set." Cynthia's tone carried a pointed reminder.
"Don't worry. Tapu Fini has excellent photography skills. Now — shall we do this one?"
Mammon held out his phone to her. On the screen was the template he'd selected.
Looking at the bright, cheerful smile on Mammon's face, Cynthia felt a flicker of unease. She took the phone and started scrolling.
She hadn't gotten very far before her brow furrowed.
"Mammon. I believe you told me you were a gentleman."
Cynthia finished reviewing the full set of poses, drew a quiet breath, and spoke.
"These poses are… rather intimate, aren't they?"
She stopped just short of saying she refused outright. Many of the poses in the set Mammon had found were well beyond what Cynthia had bargained for.
"Hm?" Mammon looked genuinely puzzled.
"This one — you have your arm around my… waist, and I'm leaning against you—"
Cynthia pointed to one of the relatively normal photos.
"These are couples photos. That's standard, isn't it?" Mammon returned, the picture of innocence.
Cynthia's frown held. She supposed, technically, that was true.
"Then what about this one?" She scrolled to the next.
Two people on a swing — or rather, the girl sitting on the boy's lap, arms around his neck, the boy with both arms wrapped around her.
Wasn't that a bit much?
"And then there's this." She scrolled again immediately.
The girl standing with her hands behind her back, rising on her toes to press a soft kiss to the boy's cheek.
There was a kiss in here?!
"Is there a problem?" Mammon raised an eyebrow.
"We are not actually a couple." Cynthia said flatly. "This level of physical contact is not appropriate."
She wasn't opposed to taking photos with Mammon in principle — but in her head, the upper limit had been something like holding hands or leaning close. She hadn't anticipated this much content. She was a grown woman with her reputation to consider, thank you very much.
"Champion, why do you think I specifically requested couples photos?" Mammon was almost laughing.
"You gave me your word." Cynthia's frown deepened.
"I gave you my word that I wouldn't try anything extra. But these are perfectly normal poses for couples photos, aren't they?"
Mammon shrugged.
Cynthia was silent. He wasn't wrong, technically — these were all normal couples-photo interactions. The problem was that she and Mammon were not a couple.
She wasn't a conservative person. But she wasn't carelessly open, either.
"I showed considerable restraint by not including any kissing-on-the-mouth poses. You should appreciate that, Champion."
Mammon sounded as though he deserved a commendation.
"Thank you. But this cheek kiss — I still can't agree to that one."
Cynthia shook her head. That one was a step too far for her.
"Tch. That was the one I was most looking forward to." Mammon propped his chin in his hand.
"Well then. Champion — you still owe me one more favor, don't you?"
He asked it pleasantly.
"…Yes."
Cynthia's expression went thoroughly resigned. She did. Mammon had defeated the Rayquaza for them, and she still owed him one.
"But it cannot go against my principles."
"Then — I'm asking you to cooperate with one perfectly ordinary couples photo set. You won't have any objections to that, will you?"
Mammon tilted his head slightly.
"…" Cynthia went quiet again.
"Champion, I do hope you'll read the situation carefully. Changing your mind again and again — my patience has limits too."
"…I understand."
At that, Cynthia stopped arguing and agreed.
Because from a certain angle, Mammon really had been quite accommodating.
I'm sorry, my future husband.
Cynthia offered a silent apology to the man she would one day marry. Her first couples photos and her first — ahem —
"All right, Fini. I'm putting this in your hands."
Mammon released Tapu Fini and looped a camera strap around its shell.
Indeed — Tapu Fini's photography skills had been personally cultivated by him. Absolute reliability guaranteed.
"Qi qi~!"
The Shell Lady photographer struck an extremely professional OK gesture for Mammon, cry ringing with pride.
"Excellent. Perfect shots get a special reward today."
"QI QI!!"
The Shell Lady was extremely motivated.
The two of them — one Pokémon in tow — found a beautiful meadow nearby. This was one thing the Pokémon world genuinely had going for it: the natural environment was pristine, and gorgeous scenery was everywhere you turned. Effortlessly photogenic.
"Qi! Qi qi!!"
"Champion, relax. You're completely rigid. Your expression is way too stiff."
Mammon translated for Tapu Fini, one arm around Cynthia's waist.
Cynthia pressed her lips together. Your hand is sliding dangerously close to a location it should not be, and you're asking me to relax?
Try moving your hand and see what happens!
"Qi qi!!"
"More of a genuine smile. Lean forward a little. Eyes on mine — don't look away."
This is impossible.
The moment she thought about kissing Mammon's cheek, Cynthia's heart started hammering and simply would not stop.
"Qi!!"
"Loosen up — it's just a hug. Why is your face red?"
Watching that upward curl of Mammon's mouth, Cynthia felt her knuckles go tight.
She turned away from him briefly, ostensibly to adjust her outfit.
They'd just finished shooting the close-embrace pose. She could feel how firmly Mammon had been holding on. Her upper body had been pressed against his, and she was fairly certain every soft contour she had had made itself very thoroughly known.
How was she supposed to relax with that going on?
He had definitely registered exactly what he was holding onto. Every last detail.
That man did that on purpose!
Whatever happened to "I won't try anything extra"?!
Bonus scene:
Caitlin: It's fine. Mammon and Cynthia are on opposite sides — there's no future there.
Some years later.
A hospital room.
Cynthia: Caitlin, would you be the godmother of mine and Mammon's child?
Caitlin: (╥﹏╥)
(End of chapter)
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