Satoshi and Soyo walked together along the quiet road home. He didn't really know why Soyo had stayed at the EcoDome so late, but it didn't matter much to him anyway.
As long as he couldn't sense any ill intent from her, that was enough.
Digging into people's secrets just wasn't his style—he believed deeply in Soyo's gentle heart.
Although, he didn't quite get why Soyo kept staring at his hand so intently.
Could she be tired from training at the EcoDome?
"Want to hold hands?" With that thought, Satoshi casually reached out his hand toward her.
"Ah... Mm, thank you." Soyo replied shyly, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.
She hesitated briefly before accepting Satoshi's hand, holding it tightly.
"Haa… haa…" Her breathing quickened, a warm excitement filling the quiet night.
Satoshi-kun~ Love~♥
If the circumstances had permitted, Soyo would've long since captured Principal Hypno to forcefully hypnotize Satoshi, take him home for daily humiliation sessions, and conveniently have him sign their marriage registration.
Though Principal Hypno looked perverted, his Hypnosis was truly top-tier, to the point that even major hospitals employed Hypno for sleep therapy.
Soyo had recently been hooked on those popular hypnosis-app scenarios, secretly wanting to try it on Satoshi too.
However, even she knew that her thoughts were morally questionable, so for now, that plan stayed firmly locked in the realm of fantasy.
Holding his sweaty hand like this was more than enough for now.
After careful deliberation, Soyo tightened her grip.
Completely unaware of Soyo's wild thoughts, Satoshi walked calmly down the road, chatting idly with Furiko.
[Hey, Satodear, what kind of girl do you think suits you best?]
Huh? Does someone like that even exist?
Satoshi replied silently, puzzled by Furiko's sudden leap into romance talk.
Love-brain topics jumped around too randomly for him to handle.
And anyway, it didn't matter who suited him best, right?!
He could remember hundreds or thousands of Pokémon, but not hundreds or thousands of girls.
Although, if asked who suited him the best, Satoshi actually did have someone in mind.
[Just answer me! In the Pokémon world, who do you think would suit you best?]
Nemona-senpai!
No hesitation at all—it had to be Nemona-senpai!
Bright, cheerful personality, passionately loves Pokémon battles.
She was well-known for her battle skills, a genuinely powerful Champion-level trainer.
If he could spend every day with someone like Nemona-senpai, Satoshi couldn't even imagine how amazing that'd be. Pokémon battles all day, every day!
Daily life: Pokémon battles. Dates: Pokémon battles.
If this were Paldea, Satoshi would've sprinted off long ago to challenge Nemona-senpai. Becoming her rival sounded incredibly fun!
What an interesting woman!
Having such a fascinating girlfriend (rival), naturally he'd spend all his time getting intimate with her (in battles, obviously)!
[Ah… never mind. I shouldn't have asked a battle-maniac like you about romance. To think you'd summon another battle-brain answer from your battle-brain self. Fine, who's second place? At least say someone like Soyo or Anon!]
Korrina, I guess.
Korrina: Gym Leader of Shalour City Gym in Kalos, her ace Pokémon is Lucario.
[That's still just a battle-maniac's choice! Though honestly, I kinda want to ship you with Korrina now! Just imagine how jealous Soyo and Anon would get. Aaah, scenes like that would be amazing~]
Tone down the love-brain, please.
Noticing Furiko going off the rails again, Satoshi released a friendly sweatdrop, choosing instead to pay attention to Soyo beside him.
"Haa…haa~♥"
Satoshi's hand…so warm, and so big…♥
Soyo's strange breathing sounds made Satoshi begin to worry.
Is she feeling sick?
"Soyo? You okay?"
"I'm fine…no, actually, maybe not. Satoshi-kun, could you help check my temperature? My head feels a bit dizzy~"
Soyo lightly placed her hand to her forehead, showing off a vulnerable expression.
Of course, this was all an Oscar-worthy act by the two-faced girl.
Hearing his gentle concern snapped her fully awake. Initially, she wanted to respond normally and say everything was fine—but realizing this was Satoshi's concern, she immediately activated her gentle-actress mode, soaking in his care.
How could she let such a perfect opportunity slip by?
I definitely need to enjoy everything that Sakiko got earlier today!
I need to surpass Sakiko!
"It doesn't feel like you have a fever…is something else bothering you?" Satoshi carefully placed a hand on Soyo's forehead, trying to gauge her temperature.
"Could you press your forehead against mine? I've heard that's a better way to check."
Taking advantage of Satoshi's cluelessness, Soyo boldly pushed for an even more daring request.
"Oh…sure, I guess." Satoshi complied without hesitation, gently pressing his forehead against hers. But as their foreheads touched, Soyo shivered, instantly reaching her embarrassment threshold.
No matter how carefully Satoshi tried to feel for a fever, he couldn't sense anything. But Soyo's face had turned even redder.
She was practically as red-faced as a Charmeleon.
No good… No good… I can't… I just can't take it anymore!
"I-I'm fine after all, Satoshi-kun! Let's hurry up and go, okay? Haa…haa~♥" Soyo suddenly pushed him away forcefully, her heavy breathing echoing clearly through the quiet night.
As a normal high school girl, she'd reached her absolute limit. Not to mention she'd never before gotten this intimate with a boy.
"Are you really okay?"
"Yes…really, I'm fine. But…Satoshi-kun, we should hurry and leave this area."
At that moment, Soyo's eyes fell upon a building nearby, a faint unease filling her chest. She wanted to leave quickly, yet another part of her resisted.
Wait…I remember this place…
She'd previously done some investigating for Satoshi's sake.
Just before the Afro Buffalo Cup, when Satoshi was attacked by Team Rocket while capturing Grookey, a Mightyena had bitten his right hand. Back then, Soyo considered avenging him by locating Team Rocket's hideout herself.
That building just ahead was Team Rocket's base in Rainbow Wing City.
She'd found it purely by coincidence.
Recently, there had been widespread rumors about a Garchomp vanishing mysteriously from the EcoDome. Because Soyo secretly tracked Satoshi's movements every day, one evening she'd accidentally spotted Garchomp and several shady figures dressed in black nearby, bearing a subtle "R" emblem.
Nagasaki Soyo's eyesight rivaled that of a telescope (probably). She had clearly seen the details!
Afterward, she had Whimsicott secretly tail them to confirm their hideout.
All responsibility rested on Whimsicott alone!
When Soyo asked Whimsicott, it replied, "I don't mind! (I f**king mind, Nagasaki Soyo!!)"
And according to Whimsicott's intel, this was exactly where Garchomp's trail ended.
Should I tell Satoshi-kun?
Soyo hesitated, unsure of what to do.
She didn't want to put her boyfriend in danger, but he'd surely want to rescue that Garchomp.
As his (future) girlfriend, Soyo was deeply unwilling—but she also knew that the boy beside her would absolutely choose to help.
Her only real choices were either not telling him at all or supporting his decision.
Calling the police would be pointless; Team Rocket had a keen sensitivity to law enforcement and would vanish before the police could arrive.
That meant it would be best to act with fewer people.
I…I have to respect my husband's wishes!
"Satoshi-kun, I know some information about Team Rocket. Do you…want to hear it?"
Suddenly, Soyo gently wrapped both arms around Satoshi's waist, her ample chest pressing softly against him. Tiptoeing slightly, she leaned close to his ear, her voice trembling softly, deep and seductive.
Her words instantly made Satoshi's eyes widen in shock.