- Partners
-
The Kannagi Shrine was situated in the center of the town it once gave its name to. One entered through the torii on the south side, though the stone steps led down into a small valley. The shrine itself was in the center of the grounds, with no oratory in front of it owing to how old it was. The administrative office was on the east side, with living quarters on its second floor. Various other structures stood to the west. The north side held a battlefield and a small cave built into the cliffs. Aside from some ancient murals, there was nothing special or sacred about it. However, it led to the lowest part of town, housing the remains of a structure older than their faith of nearly fifteen hundred years.
Dusk had fallen, and the Kannagi Shrine spring welcoming festival of 1985 was well underway. Visitors and residents of the shrine alike were out and about, enjoying the food and drink, going to the stalls that people set up around the grounds, paying tribute to the Great Enamorus, and viewing the budding cherry blossoms. They organized festivals throughout the town on major holidays, but particularly special occasions such as these saw them invite visitors into their sanctuary.
As for Haruto Kannagi, he was sitting in a corner with his two Pokemon, trying to get away from it all. The young man was in his usual violet robe with golden trim, styled exclusively for blood members of the Kannagi family. He was never good with festivals, tolerating them only for the sake of appearances. If he had his way, he would stay in his room if his presence was not necessary. His bodyguard was standing quietly nearby, thankfully content to be away from the festivities as well.
“I am glad you two are enjoying this at least,” he sighed to his Pokemon, who were engrossed in the snacks he had picked up before coming over this way.
Tsumugi let out a muffled bark. Her mouth was so stuffed with mochi that it stretched her white face. Cerise wiggled and briefly looked up at him. Both of her heads smiled before she dipped the lower body into the jar of honey to allow it a portion.
Her rapid slurping caught the attention of Tsumugi. The Oshawott scarfed down most of her bite; the rest dropped from her maw as it fell open. Licking her lips, she placed her mochi on the dirt, grabbed the scalchop from her belly, and began to creep over. Right as she was reaching to scoop some, the Cherubi lashed out with a swing. From how the larger cherry’s eyes widened, it was the smaller one that did that. Tsumugi stumbled away on instinct, but threateningly waved her weapon and slapped her tail on the ground.
“Please do not fight,” he urged, raising his palms to try to get their attention. The two Pokemon turned to him, and he addressed Tsumugi. “I will give you some honey later.”
The Oshawott pointed repeatedly in the direction of the stalls while panting. He did not need to use his abilities to understand that she wanted it immediately.
“Okay, I shall get you it now,” he relented with a sigh. He stood and turned to do just that, halting at the sight of someone.
A teenager with shoulder-length, dark blue hair was approaching. He wore an identical robe to his own, and though he was family, that only made Haruto want to shrink away further.
“What are you doing way over here, Haruto?” Sanshirou Kannagi demanded. His brown eyes burned as he crossed his arms. The Prinplup at his side mimicked his authoritative pose.
“Nothing,” he said, turning away. No, that was an inappropriate response. “Um, I was actually just going to get some honey for Tsumugi.”
“It is unbecoming of you to be effectively alone in a corner after representing our family to Mighty Dialga this year!” his cousin berated, jerkily gesturing as if to tell him to go where he was motioning. He ignored Tsumugi hissing at him, but the Prinplup postured. “The rest of our family has been looking for you. You were given this privilege – for some reason – so you need to show that you deserved it! What would your parents think if they were here?”
All he could do was lower his head. Sanshirou was somehow the most overbearing member of his family despite being his senior by only one year and three months. Yet he had earned the right, for he had accomplished so much more as a diviner, even accounting for the age difference. He was the greatest Kannagi of their small generation.
As Haruto started to walk off, Sanshirou grabbed him. He forced his chin up and looked him in the eyes. “Your family name is Kannagi. That means you are expected to conduct yourself in a certain way. What are people going to think of you if they see you over here by yourself? Or if they see you with such poor posture?” The older teenager curled his lip as he released his grasp, his brows falling vaguely. “Nothing good. So–”
“HEYYYYY!!” someone shouted at the top of her lungs.
Haruto snapped to attention. He spotted her quickly: it was the girl from this morning! She was in an Unown-themed kimono, but he recognized her face and forest-green hair. This was the worst timing!
She came running over so fast that the Bug-type flying behind her struggled to keep up. Haruto put his hands up and stepped away. But she stopped on a stone right before him.
“So you are here!” she exclaimed with a clap and a roll of her shoulders. “Thanks again for this morning! Found the place no problem! Dunno how I missed it before! It put my teacher in a…” She briefly looked away and snorted. “Well. A better mood, anyway.”
“You are welcome,” he replied, trying not to let his voice quaver too much. He looked at Hugo, who had crossed his arms, but was otherwise only observing. Cerise and Tsumugi were watching curiously. Yet one individual did respond to her arrival.
“Excuse me, who are you?” his cousin demanded, about to launch into a tirade.
“Who are YOU?” she countered before he could say more, waving a hand in the air and putting it on her hips. “Don’t you know it’s rude to ask who someone is without introducing yourself first?”
Sanshirou harrumphed. “Can you not tell?” he asked, tugging at his robe and raising the fabric with both hands.
“I wouldn’t be asking if I knew!” Not only did she turn away, she also put her hand up to block her view of him. “Anyway, I’m Lisa! What’s your name?”
“Um, I am Haruto,” he introduced, adding a tiny bow a moment afterward. Everyone in the vicinity was staring at them, their attention drawn by her loud argument with his cousin. Priestess Satomi was even walking over. The fact that she was smiling didn’t change matters.
“Haruto Kannagi,” Sanshirou added, his voice straining vaguely. “We are both Children of Kannagi!”
Before his blood could even freeze from his cousin’s ousting, Lisa reacted. “Oh, cool!” she said with a flick of her ponytail. “I didn’t know you’re a Kannagi! Hey, want to sit and chat for a bit?”
“Him being a Kannagi means that you should not be speaking to him so brazenly!” Sanshirou yelled, unable to contain himself any longer.
Priestess Satomi pressed a hand to her temple. She punctuated her disapproval by turning to Sanshirou with a deep frown.
He shut his eyes and lowered his head slightly. “Forgive my outburst,” he begrudged. “But my point still stands. I know you are a visitor to our region, but that does not excuse your lack of respect.”
“Shaman Sanshirou, you need to show respect to our guests as well,” Priestess Satomi scolded, wagging her finger at him. The elderly woman raised her arms in the air. “Today is a festival! What better time to mingle with members of the public, especially those who came so far to visit us? And this way, he won’t be by himself!”
Sanshirou curled his lip and scowled. “Fine. But just so you know, the elders are not going to be happy about this. I will be letting them know.” He spun around and marched off in the direction of the battlefield with purpose. His Prinplup nearly fell over trying to follow, waddling in a panic to keep up.
Lisa cupped her hands around her mouth. “Narc!” she screamed. She grumbled and turned back. “Was that your rival or something?”
Haruto shook his head. “No, he is my cousin.” Sanshirou could be harsh, but his criticism was always fair and well-meaning. At least, he hoped there was no ill intent behind it.
He looked down at his feet and swallowed. The possibility of his cousin being in the right made his stomach turn and his toes curl. Just because Priestess Satomi approved did not mean the rest of his family would. Still, a part of him wanted to speak with Lisa. He had a feeling that it would be enjoyable.
“Well he’s a jerk!” Lisa stomped a foot. Her face and limbs tightened. “You shouldn’t treat family that way!”
“And where are you trying to sneak off to?”
Haruto jerked his head over to Priestess Satomi. Her Blastoise, Otohime, was now out of her Poke Ball and obstructing Tsumugi’s path. She matched every movement made to go around her. The little Oshawott eventually turned to barking and waving her scalchop at the unflinching tortoise.
“Oh. I apologize, Tsumugi.” He had forgotten about it due to the interruption. “I can go get you your honey now.”
Lisa reached into her pocket and raised an amber jar over her head. “I just bought some. We can share it!”
Haruto gasped. A guest was offering her generosity to him. He was smiling involuntarily and his chest was tingling, but it was not right. He raised a hand and waggled it. “Oh, no. I could not ask that–”
But it was too late. Lisa had already unscrewed the lid and was holding it in front of Tsumugi. “Here you go! Take some!”
The Oshawott squealed joyfully. She took her scalchop, jammed it into the jar, and scooped out so much that some of it fell on the ground and her body! With a huge glob in hand, she quickly scurried off into a corner and started digging in.
Lisa flinched back and vocalized as Tsumugi retreated. She stood and raised the jar to eye level. A sharp laugh escaped her. “Ha! You rotten scamp!” With this, she raised it for all to see. Haruto nearly choked. It was almost empty!
Priestess Satomi chortled heartily. “Well, enjoy yourself, Shaman Haruto!” was all that she said before leaving, whistling an opening to an old anime.
Haruto looked at the others. Cerise was curling her leaves, but otherwise appeared unbothered. Lisa’s Pokemon had already landed and was sipping the honey on the ground. Hugo remained completely still and stoic.
He clutched his head. Just because they were okay with it did not mean he was. He placed his hands together and bowed profusely. “I cannot apologize enough to you, Lisa. Tsumugi took nearly all the honey you bought.”
“Eh, not a big deal to get more if I have to,” she said with a shrug. “Plus he doesn’t eat a lot anyway.”
Haruto pressed a hand over his heart. It did not make Tsumugi’s actions acceptable. The next person she did that to might not be as forgiving as Lisa. The otter was still greedily slurping up the honey. It pained him to have to be firm with his Pokemon. It was a little late to correct her wrongdoing now, as she had already eaten half of it, yet she needed to be scolded.
“By the way, how did you get an Oshawott?” Lisa asked. “They’re not native to your country, let alone the region!”
He paused. Perhaps he could do so later. “She was a gift from my parents,” he said simply. There was a larger story as to how he came to own her, but it would take a while to explain.
“Was she your starter?”
He confirmed. “Yes. Is your, um.” He gestured to the ladybug. It shamed him to have to ask the species name of a Pokemon.
“His name’s Impulse! He’s an Orbeetle!” Lisa proudly declared, kneeling and patting him on the wings with a finger. “I caught him two years ago, back when he was still a Blipbug. I threw one of mum’s Poke Balls at him to shoo him out of the garden, and suddenly, I had my first Pokemon! It was a total accident. But a good one to make!”
Haruto’s mouth fell slightly agape. He had heard many stories about how trainers had come to know their Pokemon. Some had been caught unintentionally and become trusted partners, but this was the first case he heard of becoming someone’s first partner. “That is a unique story,” he remarked. Perhaps it was no accident, rather a fated meeting.
“Get that a lot!” Lisa giggled. “We’re thick as thieves now!” Impulse affirmed this by raising a hand and buzzing.
“I can see that.” His shoulders dropped. It was reassuring to hear that from her. He had heard people speak negatively about people from Galar in the past, particularly regarding their views on Pokemon battles. Perhaps they were mistaken or exaggerating? “So what brings you to Celestic Town?” he inquired, before adding, “If I may ask.”
“I won a contest for a cultural trip back in my hometown, Circhester,” Lisa explained as she finally sat down next to him. She propped herself up with her palms. “I got picked in a raffle.” She rubbed her chin before continuing, “My schoolmate, Melony? She won a tournament to get in.”
“That was fortunate.” Perhaps there was an element of truth to what he heard about the region if battles were the determining factor in selecting the other winner, and not who would appreciate it the most. It appeared she did. “Are you enjoying our town? And our festival?”
“You bet!” she raised her thumbs and took a deep breath. “It’s been ace learning about ancient history, and especially seeing the statues and monuments! It’s been broadening my horizons, just as I wanted! I was flabbergasted by all the different stalls here! I thought it’d be all shrine-related, and I really enjoyed those too. But I saw one with Pokemon Rangers from Almia, and they looked cool with their spinny disc things! There were also Pokemon photographers, Pokemon trading cards, and I even got this!” She took the bag off her shoulder, unzipped it, and pulled out a floppy disk. “A computer program about learning to use a keyboard with a Pokemon theme! I already know how to type, but it should be interesting for practice!”
Haruto blinked and examined it closer. He knew they made all sorts of Pokemon-themed products, but a program was hard to believe. Personal computers were not very widespread yet. Priestess Satomi was the only other person he knew who owned one. But there it was, written in the English language on the label with equivalent katakana beneath: Learn With Pokemon: Conquer the Keyboard!
“Well, I am glad you are enjoying yourself,” he sputtered, unsure what else to say about it.
“Yup! I think the thing that surprised me the most was–” She paused and scratched her cheek. “Okay, second most after that weirdo rambling about Japan.”
“What?” Haruto ruffled his hair.
“In a stall. He was dressed like a samurai and was talking like a preacher.” The girl chuckled nervously. “I backed. Away. Slowly.”
Haruto was unsure what to think. Was it an actor of some kind? He could not be an actual preacher. Spreading a competing faith was the only thing disallowed. Otherwise, they did not discriminate when offering people a space during their festivals.
“But besides him, there was the battlefield.” She pointed in its general direction. “Melony’s over there last I looked, probably tearing it up. I didn’t expect to find one at a shrine!”
He sat up straighter and cleared his throat. That was something he could elaborate on. “Battling with Pokemon is one way to bond with them. That is why we have a place for it here.”
“Wish some of my classmates didn’t think it was the only way.”
Haruto tilted his head and rubbed an ear. “Oh? What do you mean?”
“Ah, never you mind.” She turned away. He had no time to dwell on her mumbled words, as she noticed someone approaching them. “Oh, Melony. Done with battles, or did something happen?”
Her friend was a hefty, wide-hipped girl with silvery-green hair and azure eyes. She wore a pale white kimono, similar to a Froslass’ cloak. “It’s Mrs. Tipple,” she grumbled.
Lisa groaned and pulled in her legs. “Does she want us to go back to the inn already?”
“Well, not exactly, but also sort of. You see–” Melony stared up at the sky for a brief moment. “Actually, it might be best if you come look for yourself.”
“All right.” Lisa jumped to her feet and motioned. “You come too, Haruto!”
He glanced over at Hugo as the girls started out. The man stared back. This was his decision. His Pokemon appeared to be done eating; Cerise was sitting back while Tsumugi was practicing her Razor Shell. So he reached into his pocket. “Cerise, Tsumugi, return for now.”
The little Cherubi nodded as she was recalled, but Tsumugi screeched in surprise. Lisa and her friend were already well on their way – they seemed to be headed for the other side of the grounds. He motioned to Hugo and hustled to follow.
Dusk had fallen, and the Kannagi Shrine spring welcoming festival of 1985 was well underway. Visitors and residents of the shrine alike were out and about, enjoying the food and drink, going to the stalls that people set up around the grounds, paying tribute to the Great Enamorus, and viewing the budding cherry blossoms. They organized festivals throughout the town on major holidays, but particularly special occasions such as these saw them invite visitors into their sanctuary.
As for Haruto Kannagi, he was sitting in a corner with his two Pokemon, trying to get away from it all. The young man was in his usual violet robe with golden trim, styled exclusively for blood members of the Kannagi family. He was never good with festivals, tolerating them only for the sake of appearances. If he had his way, he would stay in his room if his presence was not necessary. His bodyguard was standing quietly nearby, thankfully content to be away from the festivities as well.
“I am glad you two are enjoying this at least,” he sighed to his Pokemon, who were engrossed in the snacks he had picked up before coming over this way.
Tsumugi let out a muffled bark. Her mouth was so stuffed with mochi that it stretched her white face. Cerise wiggled and briefly looked up at him. Both of her heads smiled before she dipped the lower body into the jar of honey to allow it a portion.
Her rapid slurping caught the attention of Tsumugi. The Oshawott scarfed down most of her bite; the rest dropped from her maw as it fell open. Licking her lips, she placed her mochi on the dirt, grabbed the scalchop from her belly, and began to creep over. Right as she was reaching to scoop some, the Cherubi lashed out with a swing. From how the larger cherry’s eyes widened, it was the smaller one that did that. Tsumugi stumbled away on instinct, but threateningly waved her weapon and slapped her tail on the ground.
“Please do not fight,” he urged, raising his palms to try to get their attention. The two Pokemon turned to him, and he addressed Tsumugi. “I will give you some honey later.”
The Oshawott pointed repeatedly in the direction of the stalls while panting. He did not need to use his abilities to understand that she wanted it immediately.
“Okay, I shall get you it now,” he relented with a sigh. He stood and turned to do just that, halting at the sight of someone.
A teenager with shoulder-length, dark blue hair was approaching. He wore an identical robe to his own, and though he was family, that only made Haruto want to shrink away further.
“What are you doing way over here, Haruto?” Sanshirou Kannagi demanded. His brown eyes burned as he crossed his arms. The Prinplup at his side mimicked his authoritative pose.
“Nothing,” he said, turning away. No, that was an inappropriate response. “Um, I was actually just going to get some honey for Tsumugi.”
“It is unbecoming of you to be effectively alone in a corner after representing our family to Mighty Dialga this year!” his cousin berated, jerkily gesturing as if to tell him to go where he was motioning. He ignored Tsumugi hissing at him, but the Prinplup postured. “The rest of our family has been looking for you. You were given this privilege – for some reason – so you need to show that you deserved it! What would your parents think if they were here?”
All he could do was lower his head. Sanshirou was somehow the most overbearing member of his family despite being his senior by only one year and three months. Yet he had earned the right, for he had accomplished so much more as a diviner, even accounting for the age difference. He was the greatest Kannagi of their small generation.
As Haruto started to walk off, Sanshirou grabbed him. He forced his chin up and looked him in the eyes. “Your family name is Kannagi. That means you are expected to conduct yourself in a certain way. What are people going to think of you if they see you over here by yourself? Or if they see you with such poor posture?” The older teenager curled his lip as he released his grasp, his brows falling vaguely. “Nothing good. So–”
“HEYYYYY!!” someone shouted at the top of her lungs.
Haruto snapped to attention. He spotted her quickly: it was the girl from this morning! She was in an Unown-themed kimono, but he recognized her face and forest-green hair. This was the worst timing!
She came running over so fast that the Bug-type flying behind her struggled to keep up. Haruto put his hands up and stepped away. But she stopped on a stone right before him.
“So you are here!” she exclaimed with a clap and a roll of her shoulders. “Thanks again for this morning! Found the place no problem! Dunno how I missed it before! It put my teacher in a…” She briefly looked away and snorted. “Well. A better mood, anyway.”
“You are welcome,” he replied, trying not to let his voice quaver too much. He looked at Hugo, who had crossed his arms, but was otherwise only observing. Cerise and Tsumugi were watching curiously. Yet one individual did respond to her arrival.
“Excuse me, who are you?” his cousin demanded, about to launch into a tirade.
“Who are YOU?” she countered before he could say more, waving a hand in the air and putting it on her hips. “Don’t you know it’s rude to ask who someone is without introducing yourself first?”
Sanshirou harrumphed. “Can you not tell?” he asked, tugging at his robe and raising the fabric with both hands.
“I wouldn’t be asking if I knew!” Not only did she turn away, she also put her hand up to block her view of him. “Anyway, I’m Lisa! What’s your name?”
“Um, I am Haruto,” he introduced, adding a tiny bow a moment afterward. Everyone in the vicinity was staring at them, their attention drawn by her loud argument with his cousin. Priestess Satomi was even walking over. The fact that she was smiling didn’t change matters.
“Haruto Kannagi,” Sanshirou added, his voice straining vaguely. “We are both Children of Kannagi!”
Before his blood could even freeze from his cousin’s ousting, Lisa reacted. “Oh, cool!” she said with a flick of her ponytail. “I didn’t know you’re a Kannagi! Hey, want to sit and chat for a bit?”
“Him being a Kannagi means that you should not be speaking to him so brazenly!” Sanshirou yelled, unable to contain himself any longer.
Priestess Satomi pressed a hand to her temple. She punctuated her disapproval by turning to Sanshirou with a deep frown.
He shut his eyes and lowered his head slightly. “Forgive my outburst,” he begrudged. “But my point still stands. I know you are a visitor to our region, but that does not excuse your lack of respect.”
“Shaman Sanshirou, you need to show respect to our guests as well,” Priestess Satomi scolded, wagging her finger at him. The elderly woman raised her arms in the air. “Today is a festival! What better time to mingle with members of the public, especially those who came so far to visit us? And this way, he won’t be by himself!”
Sanshirou curled his lip and scowled. “Fine. But just so you know, the elders are not going to be happy about this. I will be letting them know.” He spun around and marched off in the direction of the battlefield with purpose. His Prinplup nearly fell over trying to follow, waddling in a panic to keep up.
Lisa cupped her hands around her mouth. “Narc!” she screamed. She grumbled and turned back. “Was that your rival or something?”
Haruto shook his head. “No, he is my cousin.” Sanshirou could be harsh, but his criticism was always fair and well-meaning. At least, he hoped there was no ill intent behind it.
He looked down at his feet and swallowed. The possibility of his cousin being in the right made his stomach turn and his toes curl. Just because Priestess Satomi approved did not mean the rest of his family would. Still, a part of him wanted to speak with Lisa. He had a feeling that it would be enjoyable.
“Well he’s a jerk!” Lisa stomped a foot. Her face and limbs tightened. “You shouldn’t treat family that way!”
“And where are you trying to sneak off to?”
Haruto jerked his head over to Priestess Satomi. Her Blastoise, Otohime, was now out of her Poke Ball and obstructing Tsumugi’s path. She matched every movement made to go around her. The little Oshawott eventually turned to barking and waving her scalchop at the unflinching tortoise.
“Oh. I apologize, Tsumugi.” He had forgotten about it due to the interruption. “I can go get you your honey now.”
Lisa reached into her pocket and raised an amber jar over her head. “I just bought some. We can share it!”
Haruto gasped. A guest was offering her generosity to him. He was smiling involuntarily and his chest was tingling, but it was not right. He raised a hand and waggled it. “Oh, no. I could not ask that–”
But it was too late. Lisa had already unscrewed the lid and was holding it in front of Tsumugi. “Here you go! Take some!”
The Oshawott squealed joyfully. She took her scalchop, jammed it into the jar, and scooped out so much that some of it fell on the ground and her body! With a huge glob in hand, she quickly scurried off into a corner and started digging in.
Lisa flinched back and vocalized as Tsumugi retreated. She stood and raised the jar to eye level. A sharp laugh escaped her. “Ha! You rotten scamp!” With this, she raised it for all to see. Haruto nearly choked. It was almost empty!
Priestess Satomi chortled heartily. “Well, enjoy yourself, Shaman Haruto!” was all that she said before leaving, whistling an opening to an old anime.
Haruto looked at the others. Cerise was curling her leaves, but otherwise appeared unbothered. Lisa’s Pokemon had already landed and was sipping the honey on the ground. Hugo remained completely still and stoic.
He clutched his head. Just because they were okay with it did not mean he was. He placed his hands together and bowed profusely. “I cannot apologize enough to you, Lisa. Tsumugi took nearly all the honey you bought.”
“Eh, not a big deal to get more if I have to,” she said with a shrug. “Plus he doesn’t eat a lot anyway.”
Haruto pressed a hand over his heart. It did not make Tsumugi’s actions acceptable. The next person she did that to might not be as forgiving as Lisa. The otter was still greedily slurping up the honey. It pained him to have to be firm with his Pokemon. It was a little late to correct her wrongdoing now, as she had already eaten half of it, yet she needed to be scolded.
“By the way, how did you get an Oshawott?” Lisa asked. “They’re not native to your country, let alone the region!”
He paused. Perhaps he could do so later. “She was a gift from my parents,” he said simply. There was a larger story as to how he came to own her, but it would take a while to explain.
“Was she your starter?”
He confirmed. “Yes. Is your, um.” He gestured to the ladybug. It shamed him to have to ask the species name of a Pokemon.
“His name’s Impulse! He’s an Orbeetle!” Lisa proudly declared, kneeling and patting him on the wings with a finger. “I caught him two years ago, back when he was still a Blipbug. I threw one of mum’s Poke Balls at him to shoo him out of the garden, and suddenly, I had my first Pokemon! It was a total accident. But a good one to make!”
Haruto’s mouth fell slightly agape. He had heard many stories about how trainers had come to know their Pokemon. Some had been caught unintentionally and become trusted partners, but this was the first case he heard of becoming someone’s first partner. “That is a unique story,” he remarked. Perhaps it was no accident, rather a fated meeting.
“Get that a lot!” Lisa giggled. “We’re thick as thieves now!” Impulse affirmed this by raising a hand and buzzing.
“I can see that.” His shoulders dropped. It was reassuring to hear that from her. He had heard people speak negatively about people from Galar in the past, particularly regarding their views on Pokemon battles. Perhaps they were mistaken or exaggerating? “So what brings you to Celestic Town?” he inquired, before adding, “If I may ask.”
“I won a contest for a cultural trip back in my hometown, Circhester,” Lisa explained as she finally sat down next to him. She propped herself up with her palms. “I got picked in a raffle.” She rubbed her chin before continuing, “My schoolmate, Melony? She won a tournament to get in.”
“That was fortunate.” Perhaps there was an element of truth to what he heard about the region if battles were the determining factor in selecting the other winner, and not who would appreciate it the most. It appeared she did. “Are you enjoying our town? And our festival?”
“You bet!” she raised her thumbs and took a deep breath. “It’s been ace learning about ancient history, and especially seeing the statues and monuments! It’s been broadening my horizons, just as I wanted! I was flabbergasted by all the different stalls here! I thought it’d be all shrine-related, and I really enjoyed those too. But I saw one with Pokemon Rangers from Almia, and they looked cool with their spinny disc things! There were also Pokemon photographers, Pokemon trading cards, and I even got this!” She took the bag off her shoulder, unzipped it, and pulled out a floppy disk. “A computer program about learning to use a keyboard with a Pokemon theme! I already know how to type, but it should be interesting for practice!”
Haruto blinked and examined it closer. He knew they made all sorts of Pokemon-themed products, but a program was hard to believe. Personal computers were not very widespread yet. Priestess Satomi was the only other person he knew who owned one. But there it was, written in the English language on the label with equivalent katakana beneath: Learn With Pokemon: Conquer the Keyboard!
“Well, I am glad you are enjoying yourself,” he sputtered, unsure what else to say about it.
“Yup! I think the thing that surprised me the most was–” She paused and scratched her cheek. “Okay, second most after that weirdo rambling about Japan.”
“What?” Haruto ruffled his hair.
“In a stall. He was dressed like a samurai and was talking like a preacher.” The girl chuckled nervously. “I backed. Away. Slowly.”
Haruto was unsure what to think. Was it an actor of some kind? He could not be an actual preacher. Spreading a competing faith was the only thing disallowed. Otherwise, they did not discriminate when offering people a space during their festivals.
“But besides him, there was the battlefield.” She pointed in its general direction. “Melony’s over there last I looked, probably tearing it up. I didn’t expect to find one at a shrine!”
He sat up straighter and cleared his throat. That was something he could elaborate on. “Battling with Pokemon is one way to bond with them. That is why we have a place for it here.”
“Wish some of my classmates didn’t think it was the only way.”
Haruto tilted his head and rubbed an ear. “Oh? What do you mean?”
“Ah, never you mind.” She turned away. He had no time to dwell on her mumbled words, as she noticed someone approaching them. “Oh, Melony. Done with battles, or did something happen?”
Her friend was a hefty, wide-hipped girl with silvery-green hair and azure eyes. She wore a pale white kimono, similar to a Froslass’ cloak. “It’s Mrs. Tipple,” she grumbled.
Lisa groaned and pulled in her legs. “Does she want us to go back to the inn already?”
“Well, not exactly, but also sort of. You see–” Melony stared up at the sky for a brief moment. “Actually, it might be best if you come look for yourself.”
“All right.” Lisa jumped to her feet and motioned. “You come too, Haruto!”
He glanced over at Hugo as the girls started out. The man stared back. This was his decision. His Pokemon appeared to be done eating; Cerise was sitting back while Tsumugi was practicing her Razor Shell. So he reached into his pocket. “Cerise, Tsumugi, return for now.”
The little Cherubi nodded as she was recalled, but Tsumugi screeched in surprise. Lisa and her friend were already well on their way – they seemed to be headed for the other side of the grounds. He motioned to Hugo and hustled to follow.