"Yamo~~!"
[Eruption]:150 base power. Attacks the opponent with explosive flames. The lower the user's HP, the weaker the move.
Even after sustaining damage from Bounce, the move still packed incredible power, leaving Satoshi slightly shaken.
"You okay, Combusken?"
"Yayamo!" Combusken's gaze remained determined. Quickly adjusting its stance, it braced itself, ready to meet Typhlosion's next attack head-on.
"Then let's show them our real power! Rush in fast with [DOUBLE KICK]—full☆speed☆ahead!"
Satoshi's fighting spirit ignited, and he thrust his arm forward dramatically.
They're no match for us!
"Yamo~!!" Combusken demonstrated astonishing speed and power, streaking through the air like lightning. In an instant, it stood before Typhlosion.
It was practically Quick Attack—no, even better—Extreme Speed!
Combusken's speed had reached 130 points!
Its powerful legs sliced through the air, swiftly unleashing two consecutive kicks, each carrying tremendous force.
Typhlosion was sent flying several meters away, crashing heavily into the ground and kicking up clouds of dust.
"[AERIAL ACE]!" Taki stared intently, quickly issuing commands. Typhlosion charged forward, leaping into a swift aerial spin toward Combusken.
"[DETECT]!"
However, Combusken's eyes flashed sharply, and at the very instant of Typhlosion's strike, it gracefully avoided the attack.
"[SMOKESCREEN]—conceal yourself again!"
Dense smoke filled the arena, obscuring everything completely.
"Use [BOUNCE] again and jump high to observe!"
"Yamo~~!"
"Use your strongest [ERUPTION]!"
"Typhlo—!"
Combusken jumped powerfully, soaring high above the battlefield. Typhlosion, meanwhile, unleashed another massive blast of flames, erupting fiercely toward Combusken in midair.
But Satoshi wasn't going to miss this opening. After taking hits from Bounce and Double Kick, Typhlosion's Eruption was significantly weakened. Now it was his turn to use that to his advantage!
"Charge straight down from midair at max speed! Use the flames from [ERUPTION] to power up your [BOUNCE]!"
As the flames surged upward, Combusken kicked forcefully downward, diving straight through the fire. The flames scorched Combusken's feet, illuminating its powerful golden feathers, but it fearlessly accelerated downward, fully committing to the attack.
In a flash, Combusken plunged toward Typhlosion, rapidly closing the distance.
"YAMOO—!!" With a thunderous cry, Combusken channeled all its courage, delivering an unstoppable kick straight at Typhlosion.
"Typhlooo—!"
The blow landed with devastating force, knocking Typhlosion clean to the ground and rendering it unable to continue.
"I lost…but that felt so satisfying…" Shiina Taki panted heavily, having poured every ounce of strength into that battle.
She'd fought several times stronger than usual—probably because Satoshi's confidence had drawn out something deep within her. Without overthinking, she instinctively made the best moves. She'd never felt this exhilaration battling those people back at the Cinnabar Training Facility.
Satoshi had inspired her to overcome her mental barriers, instantly propelling her battle prowess to its peak.
In short: amazing!
If she had to describe it weirdly, it was like feeling oddly attracted to a Florges.
Looking at Satoshi stirred strange, fluttery feelings—something she'd never experienced before.
Could it be that I really have feelings for him? Well, maybe it's not impossible…
Taki's cheeks flushed deeper as she bashfully lowered her head.
He wasn't someone who pressured others like her; he was bright and outgoing—the exact opposite.
Falling for him…? Shiina Taki couldn't deny the possibility.
If she stayed by his side, there'd be no chance of shutting down emotionally.
Forcefully suppressing her pounding heart, Taki approached Typhlosion, gently lifting it up and carefully spraying a Hyper Potion.
"You fought well, Typhlosion."
"Typhlo~" Typhlosion gently patted Taki's shoulder with its small hand, comforting her sweetly.
Despite its fierce appearance, Typhlosion had a surprisingly cute personality, complete with long, lovely eyelashes.
Probably female, then!
Satoshi absently considered this point. He wasn't an expert on Pokémon gender differences, but long eyelashes usually indicated a female.
I really want to pet Typhlosion's fur too. Would Taki hit me if I did?
[Go for it, Satocchi! While you're at it, sneak in a touch on Taki too~!]
Why? Satoshi mentally responded to Furiko's nonsense.
[You both ran all the way here, the battle was hot, and she's wearing leather shoes…]
[Think about it! Imagine Taki bending down, slipping off her leather shoes, revealing those slender feet clad in black knee socks. A gentle breeze blows, carrying a rich, warm fragrance…]
[Satocchi, do you understand?! If I had a body, I'd let you sniff me all day—not Combusken!]
Sounds great.
Satoshi nodded lightly, a faintly awkward smile tugging at his lips, unsure how to reply.
I really don't want to talk to the perverted Miss Furiko anymore!
Didn't I say I'm gonna become a Pokémon Master? Girls just get in the way!
"That battle was amazing just now. It really fired me up," Satoshi sincerely praised Taki as he walked up to her.
It genuinely was fantastic—the most thrilling match he'd had in days.
Eruption was essentially the strongest Fire-type move (aside from signature moves like V-Create), pushing this match to an explosive climax. All Satoshi could offer Taki now was genuine praise.
"Thanks…but without you, Satoshi, I definitely couldn't have done it. It's because you were there that—"
Taki stood up shyly, but before she could finish, Satoshi interrupted.
"Nope, you're Shiina Taki—not someone else, just you. That battle just now was entirely your teamwork with Typhlosion. It wasn't thanks to me."
Satoshi knew Taki struggled with self-confidence, so he purposely credited everything to her.
How had his emotional intelligence suddenly spiked this high?
Because if he didn't actively convert IQ into EQ, wouldn't he risk losing a friend who could battle alongside him for life?!
[Friend? More like girlfriend~!]
Absolutely not!
I have to protect our friendship at all costs!
"Even if you're not as strong as me, it doesn't matter. You're Taki, so just walk your own path—your very own path."
Recently, Satoshi had studied how to support Taki by reading some self-help advice, so he'd learned plenty of motivational phrases.
He'd protect the pure hearts in this team himself!
He had to take good care of every single one of them!
I'll battle Pokémon with you all every day, training until each girl collapses breathlessly into bed!
---
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