Only after two full hours did Satoshi finally escape the chaos of the fashion store, leaving him dead on his feet.
Shopping with girls was honestly more exhausting than a Pokémon battle!
With the vacation mood running high, everyone was buzzing—between them, they'd bought several outfits, front to back.
Caught up in it himself, Satoshi even picked out clothes for them with care: a cute panda pajama set for Taki, and something stylish for Anon.
"This is for me? Thanks?~" Anon hugged the clothes to her chest, the corners of her mouth lifting as she accepted them happily.
Seeing how delighted they were, Satoshi couldn't help being infected by it too, his own mood gradually settling back into something calm.
Right now, the whole group was heading to the Tide Song Hotel, a hotel in Heahea City in the Alola region.
It didn't compare to Hano Grand Resort, but it was still Alola's second-best.
There were a lot of Rainbow Wing students this time. In terms of arrangements, it was very possible that even the same team would end up split apart—and if they were scattered, it'd be hard to hold even a battle meeting. So on Satoshi's side, Soyo had handled the hotel arrangements.
Huh? Why are Soyo and Anon here?
The moment Satoshi flopped onto the bed to rest, something felt off—why had Soyo and Anon come into this room?
But after thinking it over, he didn't bother dwelling on it.
This was the Pokémon world. Kids could travel on their own at ten. In the anime, whenever Satoshi reached an inn or something, he and his companions all slept in the same room anyway—usually in separate beds.
More than that, Satoshi cared a whole lot more about Pokémon battles!
He'd held it in for ages on the plane, then spent ages shopping—he was at the absolute limit!
Too bad he didn't mind. Other people did!
Soyo: What do we do…? With Anon here, I can't make a move!
Anon: What do we do…? With Soyo here, I can't make a move!
Originally, Soyo's plan had been to get some time alone—quietly, secretly—so she could draw closer to him.
And then Anon showed up out of nowhere. That silly, vain rookie was a pain in the neck.
Still, pushing the other women out was already a huge victory—even if they were just in the room next door.
"Anon, let's get along, okay? It's a rare trip—let's both put down the fighting and actually rest." Soyo adjusted her voice just right, smiling with gentle warmth.
More sincere than ever, Soyo activated Champion-level acting!
"Ah…" Anon's gray eyes widened, like she'd been genuinely moved by Soyo's words—
One step away from blurting, That's wonderful~ Soyo~ Love~
"Soyo… I know. Let's get along properly!"
Anon even softened her expression, dropping her usual silly grin and calling a ceasefire.
Except…
Soyo: Anon is so fake. In a bit, I'm going to sneak over and stick close to Satoshi behind her back.
Anon: Soyo is so fake. In a bit, I'm going to sneak over and stick close to Satoshi behind her back.
Neither of them was calm on the inside.
[Satocchi~ I smell shuraba—a jealousy showdown~ Nng… why are you taking your clothes off? W-Wah so lewd~ This is way too much for a girl like Furiko~!]
Huh? I'm just changing into the clothes they gave me—and it's not like I'm taking much off, okay?!
Satoshi shot back in his head as he shrugged off his outer jacket and picked up the one Soyo had given him.
"Haa… haa…"
Can you take off more?!
In an instant, Soyo let out a breath thick with desire, the air itself turning sticky with intimacy.
Her flushed lips trembled slightly, like they were about to spill what she really wanted.
So gross…
Beside her, Anon couldn't help a shiver of unease. She was just… in love. Soyo was on some crazy, downright perverted wavelength.
She honestly couldn't help wondering what the two of them had done before.
How else could Soyo's feelings have gotten this outrageous?
After taking care of the basics, Satoshi waved a hand.
"Alright, I'm heading out to battle. I'll be back around tonight. See you."
With that, Satoshi hurried out the door.
Pokémon. Pokémon battles. Guardian Deities!
He couldn't stand it for even a second—he bolted.
"Wha—?!" ×2
He was gone so fast, neither of them even reacted in time.
"Satoshi… if only you'd pay a little more attention to me~"
Watching him go, Soyo let out a small sigh. Then she lifted the jacket he'd worn, brought it to her nose, and inhaled deeply, yearning for the scent that belonged to him.
Unfortunately, Anon was still right there.
"Soyo, you can't do that!"
"Huh? This is totally normal~ I do it all the time. No one's ever stopped me." Soyo's eyes went dim, and a heavy pressure seemed to bear down on Anon.
"Okay, that's enough."
Anon broke into a cold sweat, forcing an awkward smile.
Two-faced Soyo, don't be ridiculous…
...
The moment he left the hotel, Satoshi was already battling Alolan passersby.
Cheers rose and fell in waves, battle fever crackling through the air like electricity.
On the field were Raichu and Gumshoos.
"Gumshoos, charge in and use [ICE FANG]!"
A trainer nearby barked the order, and Gumshoos lunged forward, cold fangs bared.
Seeing it, Satoshi had to admit it really did resemble a certain famous figure from Unova.
No one understands Alola better than me!
Normally, Gumshoos wasn't especially fast—this one had clearly trained for Speed.
Too bad. Still not their match.
You're just a mere Gumshoos—let us bring you to justice!
Satoshi smiled at his opponent, and Raichu answered his fighting spirit in kind.
"Raichu, dodge it—jump, then use [IRON TAIL]!"
"Rai!"
Gumshoos rushed Raichu, Ice Fang flashing with a dangerous, freezing gleam.
But at the very last moment, Raichu slipped aside with ease. Then it sprang up, tail gleaming like forged iron, metallic cold light cutting through the air—striking Gumshoos dead-on.
"Rai—Raichu!"
"Gumshoo—!" Gumshoos took the hit like a ball smashed by a sledgehammer, slamming into the ground hard enough to leave a deep crater.
It lost its balance, toppled over, and completely lost the ability to battle.
"I won. Thanks for the match."
"No, thank you—seriously. You're really strong."
After the usual exchange of thanks, Satoshi's attention slid to the next thing.
There were plenty of challengers. No chance of running out.
Alola~ Everyone here is so nice!
So many experience points—I'll be taking those!
...
"Raichu, [THUNDERBOLT]!"
Satoshi was thoroughly enjoying the joy of battling—
And didn't notice the masked girl watching him intently.
"So Satoshi's here~"
After finishing with her luggage, Misumi Uika had separated from her childhood friend, Togawa Sakiko.
She'd come to wander around and shop nearby, and never expected to run into Satoshi.
"If I tell Saki, she'll probably come running over right away… Before that, I'll battle Satoshi first."
This absolutely isn't me getting Tauros'd by my own childhood friend!
I'm just curious how far my other childhood friend has trained, that's all!
I don't have feelings for Satoshi! I won't betray Saki!
As she talked herself into it, a faint blush rose on Uika's cheeks. She stepped onto the field that had just finished its match.
Staring at the boy in the distance, Uika pulled out a Poké Ball, a hard-to-name impulse surging in her chest—
The blazing urge every Trainer knew.
"Satoshi, would you battle me? I want to fight you. As for my name… Doloris. Just call me Doloris."
She'd borrowed the edgy name Togawa Sakiko had given her. It was embarrassing, but Trainers were always a little edgy, so whatever.
[Satocchi, this girl's really cute—she's even wearing black tights~ But she's masked… isn't she from Ave Mujica?]
Seems like it. But who cares?
Satoshi's fighting spirit flared. He thrust an arm forward.
"Sure! Raichu—let's do this!"
"Rai rai—!"
Uika unconsciously licked her dry lips, an oddly alluring gesture, before finally throwing her Poké Ball.
"Then for me… Electivire, ready for battle!"