Erika spoke softly as she gracefully walked over to Ryuuske.
In this world, there was no such thing as "Japan," and with each city having its own distinct style, this traditional Japanese aesthetic was quite rare. The only similar atmosphere Ryuuske had encountered recently was in Fuchsia City, where Gym Leader Koga's ninja-themed environment had a comparable vibe.
"It's fine. I actually quite like it."
Having traveled to various countries in his past life, Ryuuske had no trouble adapting.
"That's good to hear. The tea has been infused with extracts from Grass-type Pokémon, giving it a fresh bamboo aroma that helps invigorate the spirit. Whenever I feel drowsy during the day but still have work to do, I rely on this tea to keep me going."
As she spoke, Erika gently lifted her sleeve, revealing her fair wrists, and elegantly refilled Ryuuske's empty teacup.
Every movement she made—her posture, her manners—exuded a natural harmony. Even the simple act of pouring tea was aesthetically pleasing, not a single drop spilled. Even without any knowledge of tea ceremonies, Ryuuske could tell this was the result of years of disciplined practice.
"Were those flowers at the entrance arranged by you, Miss Erika?"
"Yes. Tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and archery have been part of my training since childhood. Over the years, they've become habits. Whether arranging flowers, preparing tea, or drawing a bow, my heart naturally settles into tranquility. And this state of mind is the most suitable for Grass-type Pokémon."
Erika smiled gently.
Ryuuske pondered this. Grass-type Pokémon were the most deeply connected to nature, so a trainer who specialized in them should ideally embody harmony with the natural world—cultivating inner peace was paramount. This was completely at odds with Ryuuske's own approach, which leaned more toward ruthlessness and aggression.
But then again, he couldn't help but admire Erika. She's the epitome of a refined young lady—everything she's learned enhances her elegance. Compared to her, someone like Caitlin just comes off as a spoiled rich girl.
"If kneeling is uncomfortable for you, feel free to change your position. Without proper training, it's difficult to sit seiza for long."
Erika had an uncanny ability to pick up on even the subtlest discomfort in others. Noticing Ryuuske's frequent fidgeting, she spoke considerately.
"That'd be great. My legs are already numb."
At her suggestion, Ryuuske immediately shifted from kneeling to sitting cross-legged, rubbing his legs to ease the pins-and-needles sensation. Just then, his gaze drifted downward. Erika's long kimono concealed her legs, revealing only her feet—but contrary to his expectations, she wasn't wearing socks. Her feet were completely bare.
Her petite feet were fair with a rosy tint, her toes delicate like flower buds, and the faint blue veins visible beneath the pale skin of her instep.
Erika noticed his gaze. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and her toes curled slightly in embarrassment. "...My apologies. Proper etiquette would require me to wear tabi socks, but I enjoy the cool sensation of the tatami beneath my feet. It's become a habit. I'm sorry you had to see such an unrefined side of me."
"Don't worry about it. I think it's fine."
Ryuuske replied smoothly.
Sure, cute socks are nice, but bare feet are even better!
"This is your Eevee."
Erika held out a Poké Ball with one hand, the sleeve of her kimono slipping slightly as she did. It was the one Ryuuske had given her earlier, asking her to use the Pokémon healing machine to treat the Eevee he'd injured during capture.
Taking the ball, Ryuuske pressed the button and released Eevee.
"Eevee! Eevee~!"
The fox-like, squirrel-like creature emerged and immediately nuzzled against Erika, as if thanking her for rescuing it from Team Rocket's lab. Then, it leaped into Ryuuske's lap, showing none of the hostility it had displayed earlier.
"Hah, what a simple little thing."
Ryuuske chuckled, stroking Eevee's smooth fur with one hand while scratching under its chin with the other. Eevee closed its eyes and lifted its head, thoroughly enjoying the attention.
"Pokémon are pure-hearted creatures—easy to love and cherish. Because you saved it, Eevee has already accepted you completely."
Erika smiled warmly.
"...I assume you came to Celadon City for the Rainbow Badge?"
"More or less."
Ryuuske answered vaguely. Truthfully, he wasn't particularly invested in badges anymore. If he got one, great—it'd be a nice collectible. If not, no big deal. He already had enough to qualify for the Indigo Plateau Conference.
Seeing his lack of enthusiasm, Erika seemed taken aback, as if his attitude wasn't what she'd expected. She bit her lip lightly before continuing, "...Normally, with the number of badges you currently have, we'd have a 2 vs. 2 battle. But if possible, I'd like to challenge you to a one-on-one match using Eevee. How about in two weeks?"
"Two weeks?"
Ryuuske's hand, which had been petting Eevee, paused. He frowned. "...Two weeks is way too short. There's almost no chance I could train Eevee to defeat your Pokémon in that time."
Even if losing would still earn him the badge, Ryuuske disliked the idea of defeat—and he wasn't arrogant enough to assume he could train Eevee to surpass her in just two weeks.
Not even an Elite Four member or a Champion could pull that off!
"I won't be using my strongest Pokémon."
Erika's tone was almost pleading.
Her attitude was peculiar, but Ryuuske understood her reasoning. She probably wanted him to take Eevee's training seriously as soon as possible, to alleviate its suffering.
But—
"Why the rush?"
"You may not be aware, but Team Rocket's aggression is escalating. It's likely they'll launch a full-scale offensive within months. I don't expect this Eevee to become a main combatant, but I at least want it to gain the strength to protect itself. Since it's a product of Team Rocket's experiments, they won't let it go easily."
Erika sighed, her expression troubled. The pressure from Team Rocket must have been wearing her down, especially with half of Kanto's Gym Leaders effectively defecting and the Elite Four doing nothing to intervene.
In truth, this wasn't unique to Kanto. Across most regions, the Elite Four paid only lip service to the Pokémon League. In a world where individual strength trumped all and the League's structure was decentralized, securing loyalty through politics alone was nearly impossible.
Even Gym Leaders were the same. The only ways to earn their allegiance were through overwhelming power and shared ideals—like Giovanni rallying his three Executives—or through moral obligation.
Someone like Erika, who chose to oppose Team Rocket despite the personal cost, was driven purely by her own lofty principles. Even if Team Rocket took over Kanto, trainers of her caliber would undoubtedly be prioritized for recruitment. She didn't need to put herself in danger.
"...In that case, how about extending the deadline? Give me a month to train it."
Ryuuske stroked his chin thoughtfully. Erika's words had instilled a sense of urgency in him. Team Rocket wouldn't let him off the hook either, given how often he'd interfered with their plans. Maybe he needed some intensive training before the final showdown too!
To be continued…
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