Satoshi was simply feeling sorry for Sakiko, who had become a full-fledged corporate slave despite still being a high schooler. After all, that was genuine corporate slavery!
His eyes wandered across the various strange items scattered around the stalls, his entire attention absorbed in his surroundings. Meanwhile, Sakiko, feeling shy and flustered, was already considering escape.
"Oh, Togawa-san has a boyfriend, huh? What a surprise! And to think it's Class A's legendary 'Red-Hat Demon King' You're really something else~~!"
The girl running the stall had completely entered shipping-mode, her voice bubbling over with excitement.
She and Sakiko were classmates, and Sakiko already knew their scandal would spread through the class by tomorrow morning.
This stall owner was a particularly girlish girl who loved handmade crafts and constantly chatted about romance—a type completely incompatible with the calm and serious Togawa Sakiko. Moreover, she was even a young lady from a wealthy family.
"...We're not dating yet." Unable to think of any better reply, Sakiko averted her eyes awkwardly, refusing to meet the stall girl's gaze.
She could only respond haltingly, but hearing this, the stall owner laughed knowingly and picked up a bracelet shaped like a Luvdisc.
"Oh, is that so? Then do your best, Togawa-san! I'll support you, okay? Here, take this Luvdisc bracelet—it's for good luck~"
"...Thank you. I'll pay you later."
"No need, no need~ It's a gift!"
[Satodear, have you chosen yet? Saki-sensei seems like she's about to explode~]
"Almost done."
Satoshi's eyes finally came to rest on a colorful stone engraved with a DNA-like symbol.
Oh my god, [Mega Evolution]!!
But why was it a [Key Stone]?!
[Key Stone]: A stone harboring unknown power. Allows Pokémon carrying a [Mega Stone] to undergo [Mega Evolution].
The instant he saw the [Key Stone], Satoshi had filled with excitement, but the very next second, his spirits plunged to rock-bottom.
The problem is, I already have a [Key Stone]...
He remembered clearly that during this Cup, the system had a mission: achieving top five would reward him with a [Key Stone].
Honestly, the [Key Stone] had greatly motivated him to fight hard in the Cup. Yet here he was, easily encountering another one at a random stall.
Was this good luck...or terrible luck...? He didn't know anymore.
But there was one thing Satoshi did know clearly.
If he gave this stone to someone else, and they learned [Mega Evolution], that person would become his ultimate rival!
And the ideal candidate was obviously… Togawa Sakiko!
I desperately want to give Togawa Sakiko a [Mega Evolution] upgrade! Then we can battle Pokémon forever!
Super, super, super…desperately want that!
Now fully locked in battle-brain mode, Satoshi's thoughts were consumed entirely by Sakiko.
Currently, the [Key Stone] was embedded into a ring, shaped somewhat like Lysandre's. The [Key Stone] itself had a beautiful appearance; it'd be such a shame if someone else bought it and wasted its potential.
"Excuse me, how much for this [Key Stone]?" Satoshi pointed at the stone, voice filled with excitement.
Battles were only fun if rivals grew stronger and stronger. [Mega Evolution] was an upgrade that linked a Pokémon's heart with its trainer—his favorite battle mechanic.
From a purely competitive perspective, he preferred [Gigantamax], but as Furiko once pointed out, [Mega Evolution] was just too damn cool.
"[Key Stone]...? You mean this ring made from that pretty stone?"
The stall owner tilted her head in confusion at first, but following Satoshi's pointing finger, she quickly understood.
A ring?!!
Seeing this unfold, Sakiko's face instantly flushed crimson, her legs trembling slightly. She had absolutely no idea how to react.
Why is he buying something like this?!
Wait—stay calm, Sakiko. Satoshi would never mean it like that. After all, he's a blockhead.
Sakiko took a deep breath, steadying herself—yet her hands continued trembling, unconsciously tightening into fists.
"It'd be around…20,000 yen, I guess? Even though it's just a pretty stone with no real use, it's quite valuable on the market. I bought it and turned it into a ring myself."
The young-lady stall owner cheerfully raised two fingers.
"20,000 yen?! I'll take it!"
"Thanks for your business~!"
"..."
Their utterly ridiculous conversation and the whole buying process had already dealt severe psychological damage to corporate-slave Saki-chan, whose daily life consisted of cleaning up empty beer bottles at home and working customer service at the EcoDome.
But truly, the [Key Stone] did look extremely beautiful. Even purely as decoration, it was fantastic.
Satoshi picked up the ring, carefully examining it, and then suddenly took Sakiko's hand again.
[Satodear, how about slipping it onto her ring finger? It'll suit Sakiko perfectly~]
Ring finger...? Sure, why not.
Not immediately recognizing the meaning behind placing a ring on the ring finger, Satoshi naturally lifted the ring without hesitation.
Completely uninterested in romance, he'd fallen straight into Furiko's trap.
But even if he had realized it, his only response would've been: "I don't care!"
Romance is nothing but a nuisance. Becoming a Pokémon Master is way more important!
"Hmm?" Sakiko still had no clue what was about to happen, her expression filled with confusion.
The setting sun painted the clouds in fiery reds, softly illuminating her face. The gentle breeze swept through, scattering her hair slightly.
Satoshi grasped Sakiko's hand firmly and gently slipped the ring onto her ring finger, causing a visible blush to explode across her cheeks. She blinked rapidly in disbelief.
"Hmm?!!"
"So bold~!" The stall owner stared with eyes full of admiration and excitement.
Yet Satoshi's head was already completely occupied by thoughts of battling a fully-powered Sakiko.
Mega Gardevoir, Salamence, Gengar, Charizard, Metagross…
Any of them would be incredibly exciting opponents.
Let's have a full 6v6 battle!
"Um…what…exactly do you mean by this?"
At that moment, Sakiko had reverted fully to the flustered, aristocratic young lady she'd once been, completely losing the numbness her corporate slave life had instilled in her.
Satoshi casually took out his own [Key Stone]—a Mega Ring reminiscent of those from the XY games—which he hadn't even bothered wearing yet since it wasn't needed currently.
"I'm giving this one to you. I already have one. One day, this stone will help you become even stronger, Sakiko. I'm really looking forward to that day."
Is this…a marriage proposal?!
To Sakiko's ears, it absolutely sounded like one.
Besides, two matching accessories with identical stones—wasn't that clearly a confession of "I like you"?!
Her small hand was tightly held by Satoshi's larger hand. The ring sparkled gently in the soft glow of sunset, seeming to symbolize their feelings.
Well, I don't hate it. Actually…I rather like it. If I accept, that's also fine…
Sakiko shyly turned her head aside, avoiding direct eye contact, her delicate eyelashes trembling slightly. Their breathing intertwined gently, filling the air with sweetness.
"Then…Satoshi…I…do…"
Why did this girl suddenly become so sentimental?
[I dunno.]
Satoshi tilted his head, feeling somewhat puzzled.
Bzzzt—
But his confusion didn't last long; the buzzing of his phone quickly caught his attention.
"Ah, sorry—I really have to go now." Glancing at the phone, he suddenly remembered it was almost time for the victory celebration.
"See you tomorrow, Sakiko~!"
With that, Satoshi waved lightly, running off without even glancing back.
"Eh?!!" ×2.
Sakiko and the stall owner stood dumbstruck, frozen in disbelief by this whirlwind sequence of events.
Sakiko's emotions swung violently between excitement and irritation.
"W-what…the heck did he mean by all this?!"
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T/N: THE RIZZ IS CRAZY