"Eh? Is that so? Got it, then."
"So it's a special title used just by someone close to you, huh."
"In that case… can we have our Pokémon battle now? I really, really, really want to see what a Mythical Pokémon is capable of!"
Nemona leaned in close to Haru, her face practically glowing with anticipation as she repeated "really" three times in a row.
As Paldea's most intense battle maniac, Nemona's craving for battle was no less intense than the average competitive player's craving for perfect IVs and sleep-inducing strategies.
She'd finally encountered a Mythical Pokémon—rarer than even a seven-star Tera Raid boss. How could she possibly hold herself back?
Frankly, anyone who could resist the urge to rush in and get smacked around by a Mythical Pokémon… must be some kind of saint.
But once again, Iono cut in: "You're really going to accept Blue's challenge?"
"What about Alola? News of your battle with Blue is spreading like wildfire—once the match starts, there's no way Alola won't catch wind of it."
If she could help it, Iono truly didn't want Haru to accept Blue's challenge.
The women of Alola were simply too terrifying. Even the weakest among them, Lillie, had terrifying combat prowess—and the "girlfriend" card on her side.
But as a fellow Trainer, Iono also understood all too well how tempting a Champion's invitation really was.
If Haru had already made up his mind to follow through with the battle, the only thing she could do now… was support him.
"What else can I do? Some things you just can't run from. Sooner or later, what's meant to come will come."
"I already said it, didn't I? I like you. And everyone else too. So I'll take responsibility for all of you."
"Wow, that sounds like something straight out of a dating sim protagonist's mouth, doesn't it?"
From their exchange, Nemona had pieced together a few things—but she didn't care in the slightest. She just asked again, eagerly:
"So, can we start our battle now?"
Romantic drama between men and women? Not her thing. What she really wanted was to go all out in battle with Haru.
"Alright, alright, I give in. But at least let's leave this place first, okay?"
"Area Zero is seriously dangerous. If anything goes wrong here, it won't end well."
This time, Haru wasn't exaggerating. Even within the entire Pokémon world, the Great Crater of Paldea was considered one of the most hazardous places around.
Paradox Pokémon that could appear at any moment, two Level 1 deities—Miraidon and Koraidon—the Paradox forms of the Swords of Justice and the Legendary Beasts, and at the bottom of it all, the godlike Terapagos… it was practically a mythical beast nest.
Battling in a place like this? About the most reckless thing anyone could do.
"Yay! Then how about my place? My private beach has a great little battlefield we can use."
"It'll make sure no one discovers your Mew either."
"Mmm… I guess I've got no objections."
Upon hearing Nemona's suggestion, Haru's expression turned… complicated.
Back when he used to play the Pokémon games, his first ever battle had taken place on Nemona's private beach. And in that fight, he'd used "Leaf," "Quick Leaf," "Strong Leaf," and finally the "Super Ultra Mega Leaf" to beat down her poor Quaxly.
So this was… a return to the path of a Champion, in a sense?
Well, fine. If he didn't accept Nemona's request now, she'd probably just keep pestering him nonstop anyway. Best to get it over with quickly.
Just then, Iono's voice chimed in. She nudged the still-unconscious Faba on the ground with her boot, which was decorated with tiny screw caps.
"What about this guy?"
"Take him with us. Causing trouble in Area Zero, nearly endangering lives—those charges are more than enough to lock him up for a while."
"When Lillie comes to find me, I'll tell her everything he did. I'm sure she'll judge him fairly."
Of course, if Lillie turned out to be too softhearted, then I, her invisible guardian, will just have to take matters into my own hands.
"'Lillie'—is that another one of the girls in your pond, Haru?"
"Judging by how often you think about her, she must be your rival in love, right, Iono?"
After overhearing the conversation, Nemona curiously asked the two of them.
---
The setting sun bled across the sky, casting its golden glow over the beach, bathing everything in a burnished amber light.
Waves lapped gently at the shore with a deep, rhythmic hum—the ocean's truest heartbeat. The sea breeze swept across the sands, trailing behind it a line of footprints, only to have them slowly smoothed away by the tide, as if no one had ever been there at all.
A few Wingull circled overhead, their cries echoing through the quiet, occasionally landing by the water's edge to preen their feathers with lazy ease.
Then, as if startled by something, they suddenly took to the air again, wings beating against the sky, leaving behind a few crisp, fading cries.
"This is the place! The entire area is private property, so we can battle as much as we want—from now until tomorrow, even, and no one'll mind!"
Having just returned from Area Zero, Nemona spread her arms wide, breathing in the moist, salty sea breeze.
Her home was in Levincia, a town not particularly remarkable, but peaceful and quiet enough to live comfortably.
She wasn't native to Paldea; she had moved here at the age of seven—and immediately settled down for good.
Yes... upon arrival, her family bought a seven-story seaside villa with its own private beach, no less.
Not that she herself ever cared much for things like that.
Once Haru and Iono followed her to the battle court nestled in the middle of the beach, she turned to Iono with a smile.
"Iono, could I trouble you to act as the referee?"
"No objections here."
Seeing that Nemona seemed completely focused on battling, Iono finally relaxed a little.
Maybe she'd overthought things earlier—turns out Nemona really was just a battle maniac. Nothing to worry about.
"Then let's get started! First up... Lycanroc!"
The girl pulled out a Poké Ball and flung it forward in a practiced motion.
"Hmm... to deal with you, this one should be just right."
"Flutter Mane—get ready for battle!"
Unlike Nemona, Haru didn't throw a Poké Ball. Yet Flutter Mane obediently emerged from within him, materializing at his side.
And at that moment, she was so touched she could've cried...
Her Trainer... had finally remembered what Trainers were supposed to do! She was truly moved.
"Mismagius? No, wait—this Pokémon's much larger than a Mismagius. And way more powerful, too."
"Interesting. Very interesting."
"Just how many rare Pokémon do you have, anyway? I'm seriously curious!"
At that moment, a fourth voice called out from the direction of Nemona's villa:
"Oh? That's a Pokémon from Area Zero. You actually managed to capture it?"
"Who exactly are you?"