"This little one is pretty innocent."
Damian teased Nebby for a few more moments before handing it back to Lillie.
"You really should keep a closer eye on it. This is the second time now, isn't it?" Damian said with a grin.
Taking Nebby back, Lillie's face flushed a deep red. It had been more than twice, really. Come to think of it, she had only met Damian twice—and both times were because Nebby had run off. It was a strange kind of coincidence.
"You're even cuter when you're flustered," Damian added, his smile widening. The blunt, direct way he said it was almost too much for Lillie to handle.
"Cute… P-please don't tease me…" Lillie looked like she might overheat on the spot.
"I'm serious." Damian's tone stayed light. "Anyway, it's getting late. Maybe we'll run into each other again."
Damian noticed the black-haired girl in the distance among the crowd. He waved goodbye to Lillie and Nebby, then turned and walked away slowly.
"Wait! Hold on!" Lillie called out, startled. She reached out, wanting to say something more.
But Damian didn't stop. A moment later, his figure disappeared around a corner.
I still didn't ask for your name… Lillie thought, a quiet disappointment washing over her.
But… we should be able to meet again, right?
Lillie looked down at Nebby, who was happily nibbling on candy in her arms. It seemed Nebby had an uncanny sense for Damian. As long as he was nearby, Nebby could find him.
If that was the case… she could see him again.
Yes. Nebby could definitely do it.
"Lillie! Lillie! I beat the Island King!"
Selene came running over, hands clenched into excited little fists. She looked unbelievably happy.
"Mhm~ I saw everything. You were amazing, Selene," Lillie replied with a soft, gentle smile.
"Heh~ Of course! The Island Challenge is a piece of cake!" Selene put her hands on her hips, proud as could be. "By the way, Lillie—what were you doing standing here?"
"Nothing, really," Lillie said, voice a touch dreamy. "I just saw something… really nice."
She tilted her head slightly. In her mind, that quiet, picture-perfect moment replayed again. She didn't tell Selene about meeting Damian a second time—if she did, Selene would absolutely make a huge deal out of it.
"Huh?" Selene looked around, scratching her head. Was there anything particularly nice around the stage? She didn't get it.
On the other side of town, Damian looked up as he walked out of Iki Town. In the distance, a figure streaked across the sky like a bolt of lightning.
Oh? Tapu Koko.
That was the guardian deity of Melemele Island—one of the Tapus, one of Alola's legendary Pokémon. Seeing it sparked an idea.
"Come to think of it…" Damian rubbed his chin. "Maybe I should pick a Tapu for myself too."
He considered it. All four Tapus were Fairy-type, but their primary typings differed.
Damian didn't particularly like Tapu Koko or Tapu Bulu. The main issue was their designs—they were a bit too abstract for his taste. Damian chased strength, sure, but he also cared about aesthetics. He could accept a Pokémon that wasn't traditionally "pretty," but it still had to feel worth it.
Tapu Koko was genuinely strong. Electric/Fairy was an excellent typing with very few weaknesses. But the power wasn't enough to make Damian fall in love with the look.
Tapu Bulu was even worse. In Damian's personal opinion, it was uglier than Tapu Koko.
That left Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini—both acceptable.
"I'll leave Tapu Lele for Caitlin." Damian's thoughts moved quickly. "That just leaves Tapu Fini."
Once the thought landed, he didn't hesitate. He pulled out his phone and called Guzma.
"Master Damian, what's up?"
"Guzma, I need you to put out a notice." Damian spoke while walking toward Hau'oli City. "From now on, keep an eye on Tapu Fini's movements. If anyone spots it alone in the wild, notify me immediately."
"Huh?"
Guzma froze.
Does this mean Master Damian has his sights on Tapu Fini?
…Damn. If he actually catches Tapu Fini, the people of Poni Island are going to lose their minds.
Poni Island currently had no Island King. Since the previous one passed away, the position had remained vacant. The Tapus decided who was recognized—meaning legitimacy came from the deity itself.
If Damian caught Tapu Fini now, then Poni Island—without its guardian—would never be able to have another Island King, unless they abandoned their traditions entirely.
And that would be nearly impossible.
"What do you mean, 'huh'?" Damian's voice cooled slightly. "Just put the notice out."
"Oh—right! Master Damian!" Guzma snapped out of it, suddenly buzzing with excitement. "You're incredible!"
Guzma's eyes shone. This was wild. This was hitting Poni Island right at the heart.
"You're easily impressed," Damian said with a chuckle. Then again, Guzma had always hated the whole Island King "system," so his reaction made sense.
"Fine. While you're at it, add Tapu Bulu to the list too." Damian paused for a moment, then added it anyway. "If anyone spots it alone in the wild, let me know."
Even if Damian didn't like Tapu Bulu's design, it was still a legendary Pokémon. He could keep it inside the organization—put its name on the reward list and watch morale spike. If even Phione got people fired up, a Tapu would do even more.
Well… maybe not. Tapu Bulu wasn't as cute as Phione. But tastes varied. Someone out there probably loved that kind of look.
"Yes! What about Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko, Master Damian?"
"Don't add those two for now," Damian replied.
He'd promised Caitlin he'd leave Tapu Lele for her to catch herself. As for Tapu Koko, it was Melemele's guardian—and Kukui lived on Melemele. Drawing Kukui's attention right now would be a nuisance. Besides, Damian wasn't in a rush for that one.
"I'll put the word out immediately."
Guzma felt a bit of regret. What he wanted to see most was the look on Hala and Kukui's faces if their guardian deity got caught by someone else.
"Mhm."
Damian hung up. He glanced toward the distant sky, but the rooster-like silhouette of Tapu Koko was long gone.
Time to head back. He wondered if Domino was back yet. Maybe he'd have her wear a maid outfit today, just to see her expression.
Damian's thoughts drifted lazily as he walked.
He really did have to thank that overgrown "chicken." If it hadn't flown past his head just now, he wouldn't have immediately thought about going out and bagging the Tapus.