After the first day of matches, Kazuki remained the only contestant to win all three bouts.
As soon as he stepped out from the backstage area, Misty ran straight into his arms, leaping into a full-on tackle-hug.
Kazuki caught her midair with ease.
"Mm~ My man is amazing! The only one to score three wins today! Mwah~" Misty didn't hold back, planting a kiss right on his lips, even in front of Suzie and Rebecca.
"Mm~ You're all sweaty! Weren't you just letting Primeape do the fighting?" she asked, scrunching her nose slightly.
"Well, with three matches in a single day, I spent the waiting time backstage training alongside Primeape," Kazuki said. "Rebecca's martial arts manual teaches that maintaining a consistent combat rhythm helps maximize performance!"
"What, you mind the sweat? Are you complaining about me?" he teased, giving Misty's backside a quick squeeze.
"Not at all! You're amazing today! I love your manly scent—love it to death!" Misty giggled, then quickly glanced back at Suzie and Rebecca approaching behind them and smoothly slipped down from Kazuki's embrace.
Suzie and Rebecca watched the couple's affectionate moment, each feeling a strange flutter in their chest.
"Congratulations, Kazuki. Three victories on day one is incredible!" Rebecca was the first to speak, shaking off her flustered thoughts.
"And I never imagined you and Primeape would master the technique so quickly!"
"That's something we only covered on the last day!" she added, surprised.
Kazuki gently patted Primeape's Poké Ball. "Pushing yourself to the edge—that's when true strength emerges."
"Defiant. That's Primeape's Ability, after all."
"Kazuki… that was really beautiful," Suzie murmured. His offhand remark had struck something deep in her, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
"Haha! Just something I blurted out."
"Anyway, let's go! The organizers just gave me a luxury suite voucher at a five-star hotel. It includes meals and accommodations—for guests, too!" Kazuki waved the privilege card. "I heard the hotel has a huge bathhouse. Let's go check it out!"
"G… Guests?" Misty and Rebecca both flushed a pretty shade of pink.
"Hey, it's fine! They didn't say anything about how many guests I can bring. It's free—why not enjoy it?"
"If you try booking a regular room now, you'll probably end up at some out-of-the-way inn. It's much farther to walk over tomorrow!"
"This hotel is right next door. Saves time and hassle," Kazuki added.
In truth, he didn't particularly need to save money, but the organizers were clearly trying to ride the popularity of his triple victory. If there was a free benefit to grab, why not take it?
"Exactly! Come on!" Misty encouraged.
Seeing that Misty didn't mind, Rebecca and Suzie finally nodded.
"Hey, Kazuki, you're bringing three guests… What are you going to tell them if they ask?" Misty whispered as they walked ahead.
"Hmm… I'll just say you're my three wives," Kazuki joked with a wink.
His joke made Rebecca and Suzie jolt. The redness on their cheeks not only stayed—it spread even more.
"Yeah right!" Misty lightly smacked his chest. "Like anyone would believe all three of us gorgeous ladies are your wives!"
"Rebecca, Suzie, sorry about him—he probably got hit in the head too many times training with Primeape. Talking nonsense now!"
Misty was gradually becoming a proper wife type—already learning to smooth things over for Kazuki.
"I-it's okay! A strong man having multiple wives… not a bad cover story," Suzie murmured, looking away shyly.
"Yeah… yeah…" Rebecca's gaze lingered on Kazuki's broad back. He really might be worthy of that, she thought.
And so, Kazuki entered the five-star hotel flanked by three beautiful women of different styles. The organizers didn't ask any questions and directly arranged four premium rooms for them.
After all, in a martial arts-centric world where strength reigned supreme, such things weren't unusual.
The group enjoyed a lavish dinner. When it came time for bathing, they discovered all the private bath rooms were already full.
Unwilling to squeeze into the large communal baths, the group chose to rest early instead.
Over the next few days, more Trainers tried to follow Kazuki's example by challenging all three matches a day, but none succeeded in going undefeated.
Kazuki advanced easily into the semifinals, where his opponent turned out to be none other than Rebecca's father—Anthony.
His undefeated streak drew increasing attention from the organizers, and the hotel upgraded his accommodations to the highest tier.
Wanting Kazuki to perform at his best, Rebecca used the hotel's private kitchen to prepare a special meal just for him. Suzie helped as well.
Meanwhile, Misty sat at the table feeding Kazuki fruit. "Ah~ open up!" she cooed, leaning in with one hand on Kazuki's thigh and the other holding a piece of fruit.
Her balance shifted, and her body tilted slightly.
"Mm~" Misty gasped and quickly looked around the kitchen. Then she leaned in and whispered, "What are you doing, you perv?!"
Kazuki hooked a finger under her chin and smirked. "We've been training hard the past few days. I'm fired up right now, babe."
Misty suppressed a laugh and glanced again toward the kitchen before whispering, "Alright, boss~ what do you want?"
Kazuki grinned. "The organizers gave us four private baths tonight. Come give me a good scrub. And maybe…" He leaned in and kissed her cherry lips.
"You're so bad! Fine, I'll spoil you," Misty giggled softly. "Just behave during dinner. Don't let Rebecca or Suzie notice, or I'll die of embarrassment!"
"Mwah! I'm off to get wine—there's a whole wall of rare bottles!"
She gave Kazuki a quick kiss and walked off toward the wine cabinet.
"Ooh, this one looks good!"
"Want to try it?"
"You girls go ahead. I've got a semifinal tomorrow, so no alcohol for me," Kazuki said, waving them off as he nibbled more fruit.
"Dinner's ready!" Rebecca and Suzie emerged from the kitchen, presenting a feast.
Misty picked a bottle of red wine she couldn't read but thought looked fancy. "Let's go with this one tonight!"
She popped the cork and poured for Suzie and Rebecca.
"I'll just have a little," Suzie said.
"Same for me," Rebecca agreed.
Seeing so much left, Misty decided to finish the rest herself.
Kazuki, only eating until about 70% full to stay sharp for tomorrow's match, headed off to bathe.
Before leaving, he gave Misty—her cheeks flushed from the wine—a meaningful glance.
Misty laughed and flashed an "OK" sign, then continued stuffing her face happily.
On the way to the private bath, Kazuki passed by Primeape and Pikachu playing in the hallway.
"Pikachu, remember to take them to the recovery pod later. Primeape has a big match tomorrow."
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded and kept playing with Primeape.
Pikachu told Primeape to give it his all tomorrow—it would be a crucial match.
Primeape flexed confidently, muscles bulging.
Nearby, Psyduck and Bulbasaur joined in, one spraying water, the other scattering leaves like confetti.
Quack! Psyduck accidentally splashed Primeape in the face.
"Pika?" Pikachu gave Psyduck a look.
Quack-quack! Psyduck insisted it was a mistake.
Pikachu facepalmed and told Psyduck to fetch a towel.
Psyduck dashed off—but once it got out of the hallway, it got lost and wandered into the private bath area.
There, it spotted four doors, each marked with temporary name tags for Kazuki, Misty, Suzie, and Rebecca.
Psyduck had a brilliant idea: Paper wipes water too!
It tore off all the name tags and brought them back. Pikachu facepalmed again, but handed the makeshift towels to Primeape, and the group resumed playing happily.
Meanwhile, in the dining room, the girls were finishing up.
Rebecca rubbed her temples. "Misty, the wine you picked has a really strong after-effect."
"Yeah, are you okay after drinking that much?" Suzie asked.
But Misty had already face-planted onto the table, fast asleep.
"She's clearly not okay. I'll take her back to her room," Suzie offered.
Rebecca nodded. "Alright. I'll take a bath and rest after this."
A while later, Rebecca stood outside the private bath area.
She looked around—no one in sight.
Wait, are the rooms not labeled? Or maybe we just choose freely when it's empty…?
Rebecca hesitated, then opened the nearest door. A wave of warm steam hit her. She couldn't see anything inside—just a dense white fog.
Wow, it looks so comfortable...
She tugged at her little blue skirt, preparing to undress.
Just as her pink lace underwear came into view, a voice called out through the mist.
"You're here. Come on in."
Startled, Rebecca quickly pulled her skirt back down. Someone was inside—and it sounded like Kazuki!
"Hurry up, I've been waiting forever," he said again.
For some reason, Rebecca didn't respond. She didn't even move—she just tiptoed silently closer.
"I know you're shy. I won't look, okay? Just relax and do your thing," Kazuki said, leaning against the step, a wet cloth draped over his eyes.
Rebecca crept closer, her wine-flushed cheeks now burning all the way to her ears.
He's... he's bathing... look at those abs... eight-pack...!
She turned to flee, but—
"Tomorrow's the match with Anthony. Who would've thought he'd make it to the semifinals?" Kazuki murmured.
"Looks like he's trying hard this year."
"Come on, help me relax so I can rest properly."
"I've got to give it my all tomorrow and defeat Anthony."
"That way Rebecca can finally be free."
"She shouldn't have to keep worrying about this. A girl like her shouldn't waste her youth being tied down."
Rebecca froze mid-step.
He... he wasn't waiting for me. He's just thinking out loud.
She sighed softly.
Still, she couldn't leave.
Hearing Kazuki's determination—knowing that he was fighting not just for victory, but for her future...
He could've just kept walking his own path as a Trainer, ignoring all of this.
But instead, he chose to shoulder the burden—for her sake.
Misty's passed out. She can't help him tonight.
If Kazuki doesn't relax tonight, how will he face tomorrow's match...?
He probably doesn't even mean anything suggestive... it's just a couple thing between him and Misty...
Misty supports polygamy, maybe I... maybe I could...
With trembling steps, Rebecca slowly dipped her pale feet into the bath.
The warm water rippled gently around her ankles.
She took a deep breath and crouched down, the water soaking the hem of her thin blue skirt and seeping into her panties.
She cast one last glance at Kazuki, the cloth still covering his eyes...
Then raised a delicate, snowy-white hand—
And gently placed it on his skin...
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