"…Gone?"
[Yeah, boss. We were just getting ready to throw you a long-distance celebration, but Joseph hasn't come back from the Breeders Association yet, so Sia pulled out that big box of letters instead!]
As Mark spoke, he didn't forget to wave the letter Joseph had written him.
[Boss, Joseph wrote you a letter too. I can read it to you right now!]
Seeing Sato silent on the other end of the call, Mark sneakily pulled out another envelope and was about to open it without a second thought.
"…Put it down."
[Come on, boss~ You're dying to know what it says, right? I'll read it to you now-]
"Put. It. Down."
Sato stared at Mark without blinking, glaring so intensely that Mark immediately shrank back.
[Not in a rush, not in a rush… hahaha, I swear to protect this letter with my life! I'll hand it to you safe and sound once you're back!]
Mark gave in instantly, then halfheartedly congratulated Sato on winning the championship and hung up the call.
After ending the video call, Sato's previously great mood was thrown off by this sudden interruption.
After the award ceremony, as the new Ace Tournament Champion, Sato was the center of attention no matter where he went.
Even while making a phone call, a crowd had already gathered around him.
The moment he ended the call, they rushed forward.
"Sato-senpai! Sato-senpai! I'm your biggest fan! Your Tyranitar is just too cool!"
"Sato-sama, I'm a huge fan too! Could you please give me an autograph? Right here, right here!"
A female fan fought her way to the front, grabbing the collar of her shirt and pushing it toward him as hard as she could.
"Sato! Can I get a picture with you? Please, you're just so handsome!"
"SATO, SATO-"
"Sorry, I've got something to do."
Sato, clearly not in the mood, looked at the group's frenzy and didn't hesitate to have Ralts on his shoulder use Teleport.
"Whoa! That's so Sato-sama! Even turning people down is so badass… Teleport, man!"
"Did you see the black Ralts on his shoulder? Could that be the child of the Gardevoir from this morning? I mean, it's black too."
"No no no, I heard Sato's Gardevoir is really special, she can evolve and devolve freely, switching between all three forms at will!"
"Doesn't that mean he's got the loli, the princess, and the queen all in one go? Damn, that's... I-I mean, so lucky~"
"Ewwwwwwwwwwww~" "Kyaaaa~"
Everyone quickly stepped away from the last guy who spoke. That "all in one go" comment was better left unsaid…
Way too awkward to say out loud!
---
Elsewhere, Sato used Ralts' Teleport to return straight to the banquet hall entrance. He took a couple deep breaths of fresh air before pushing the door open and walking back in.
"Ah, our Champion is finally back. We thought you got snatched up by some lady outside~"
The Johto League representative said with a jokingly familiar tone, immediately drawing laughter from the other League reps.
Sato's expression didn't change, as if they weren't even talking about him.
"President, I'm a little tired today. If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back now," Sato said softly as he walked directly up to the seat next to the head of the main table.
"Good kid. Don't let these greasy middle-aged men corrupt you. Go on and rest, come see me tomorrow morning. I'll send someone to pick you up."
Charles Goodshow didn't bother giving those League reps any face, but his attitude toward Sato was clearly very kind.
"Understood, President."
After speaking, Sato nodded politely to the others at the table, then turned and walked away.
"PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT, Ryoko and I are tired too. We're going to rest~"
Phoebe grabbed Ryoko's hand and shouted loudly, then turned and ran after Sato.
"…President, it's been a long time since I've hung out with Sato and the others too. I'll head out first."
Lance, who had been sitting beside the President, also spoke softly. After getting a nod, he stood up and left.
In a flash, all the key people from the tournament had left, and the banquet hall fell into an awkward silence.
Charles noticed that no one was talking or even eating anymore and immediately grumbled, "What's going on here! These young people have stayed with us old geezers long enough. Cut the official act! I haven't even had my fill yet!"
"President, what are you saying… we haven't eaten enough either! Let's keep going!"
"I can't keep up with the youngsters' conversations anyway. Now that they're gone, we can relax."
"Exactly, exactly…"
Everyone attending the banquet was a seasoned veteran of the League. With Charles Goodshow personally defending Sato and his group, who would dare show the slightest dissatisfaction?
On the contrary, they had to say that Sato and the others left well, left right, and left perfectly!
---
After leaving the banquet hall, Sato didn't care at all what those people thought of him.
It wasn't that he hated the fake pleasantries or the exchanges of favors over drinks… it was just that he wasn't in the mood.
After all, in every place, power reigns supreme. And now, Sato had the strength to be willful.
Thinking about the future, Steven, digging up stones all over the world; Wallace, obsessed with Contests; Cynthia, constantly on vacation; and Diantha, treating the Champion title like a side gig while making movies like it was her life's calling…
Yeah… skipping one dinner wasn't a big deal.
"Champion, come to the Night Market with us! I heard there are a bunch of fun events tonight!"
Phoebe called out to Sato and then pulled Ryoko to walk beside him.
Ryoko's face was slightly red, and she kept her head down, not daring to look at Sato. It was unclear if it was because of the drinks at the dinner table.
"Count me in too!"
Lance came up from behind and slung an arm around Sato's shoulder, clearly giving him no chance to refuse.
Sato was about to decline -he wasn't in the best mood- but Ralts on his shoulder suddenly tugged hard on his ear.
"Oden, takoyaki, strawberry puffs, cake… Toto, I want them all!"
"…Let's go," Sato sighed in resignation.
"Yay! Let's go!"
"Hold up! Unless you want to get mobbed, we all need disguises…"
As he said that, a strange smile crept onto Lance's face.
Half an hour later, after changing clothes, hairstyles, and adding fake beards and colored contacts, the group arrived at the bustling Night Market outside the venue.
"…Why did you drag me into this? I'm very busy!"
Will stood at the back of the group with a blank expression. His suit and fedora had been taken off by the girls, and now he was dressed in a camo-style hip-hop outfit.
"You look way better now~" Said Rose, who had also been dragged here by Lance, with a cheerful laugh.
Rose Joy had tied up all her pink hair and was wearing a long straight black wig. At this point, there was no way to tell she was a Joy sister close to official status.
"But I still think it's a real shame you didn't wear that dress, Sato~" Phoebe suddenly lamented, and Ryoko and Rose actually nodded in agreement.
Sato: …
.
.
200 PS - CH
Paatreon/Romeloff