Pokémon Nori Carino: Demonic Origins

[System Error]

Nori was freaking out.

He only realized the gravity of what had happened when they were leading him through the silent and empty halls. The Demon Nidorina was done for, and maybe him too! Was he going to go to jail? His eyes burned. His ears rang. It felt like his whole body was being stabbed with needles. Each step felt heavy and autonomous. Every time he slowed, even involuntarily, they kept shoving him along. Where were they going? He didn’t want to think about it too much.

They eventually reached an empty room, and they told him to go inside. He could only wait. He paced restlessly for a few minutes. Eventually, he stopped and took some deep breaths. While it helped a bit, no matter what he did, his throat wouldn’t stop aching. Finally, he just sat down and clutched himself. His breath came out in quivering spurts.

There was no way out. The two men who brought him there were posted outside each door. He thought about escaping through the vents, but they were too small to climb into. And the ceiling wasn’t made of those tiles that could be pushed up.

Maybe they held meetings here? There was a long table, a water cooler, and a whiteboard with finances scribbled on it. Probably related to the Game Corner. The fluorescent lights were beating down inertly. Except one of them, which sometimes blinked on and off like it needed to be changed. That plus a ticking clock gnawed away at his nerves. Nori eventually slumped down onto the table, burying his head in his arms. He just wanted to curl up and vanish.

One of the doors opened at some point. He briefly glanced up at the Gym Leader. She walked to the far corner of the room, pulled out her cell phone, and started mumbling about something. Nori didn’t care to focus enough to eavesdrop. He doubted he could focus anyway. It was probably stuff he didn’t want to hear anyway. At least, it helped drown out that clock.

Time dragged on. Seconds felt like minutes, which felt like hours. Then, a different sound. A fingernail tapping against a desk? He looked up.

Gasha was standing over him. She gestured to a small, stylish object on his right. Had she placed it there? A duo of gray cylinders, one big and one small. Each had an ovular pink section emerging from its tip. The four segments were separated and surrounded by a silver outline.

Nori picked it up delicately, pinching it between his left thumb and index finger. He held it up to his eyes. “What’s this?” he asked, turning it around to see if there was anything on the back. It looked like a pin of some kind.

“A Vent Badge,” she said with a faint chuckle. “You did defeat a Gym Leader in an official battle, after all.”

His hands fell to the table, their grip slackening as he did so. The badge clattered down in the process. He slumped back down and sprawled his arms across the length of the table. “If it even means anything.”

Gasha patted him on the shoulder. He’d ordinarily protest at physical contact from someone he didn’t know, but he didn’t have the energy. “With your misconception, you went all out to defeat me. And you beat the odds! Ruined a lot of bets, too.” She outright laughed vindictively. “I already had a feeling when I saw you stand up for her, and now it’s confirmed. You were willing to gamble, to do anything, to face anything to save that Pokemon. Few would do as you did.”

She wasn’t mad? She was even praising him? He sat up to look at the Badge on the table. To many Pokemon owners, something like this represented a milestone and a mark of accomplishment. Yet he was unsure what it meant to him. Especially since she hadn’t responded to his remark.

“But what about your Tentacruel? It’s not hurt too badly, is it?” If it was, this pin would be a reminder of just how badly he’d messed up after coming so close to success.

She shrugged. “Paroli took quite the beating, but not unreasonably so for a Pokemon battle. As far as I’m concerned, you passed with flying colors. The bond you two forged is undeniable. My gut instinct was right.” She chuckled again. “And as far as the Officials are concerned, well.”

As if on cue, the door near them opened.

“Speaking of whom.”

A slim man in a simple beige suit stepped into the room. He had intense green eyes and his hair was shaved to a buzz cut. Behind him were two others that he wasn’t expecting to see. First was his mom, who he should have expected. It made sense that they would have spoken to her. But he absolutely was not expecting to see the Demon, who was stomping along while growling.

“Nidorina! Ma!” He snapped up with a beam. They didn’t put her down! His breath was shaky again, but in a good way! He laughed, putting a hand over his neck as he exhaled. All the aches and pains faded away.

The teal Pokemon peered under the table for a second. She was too big to fit under it. When she was about to go around, he sprang up and jumped over it himself. His Pokemon snorted and shook her head, though with a toothy grin.

“Are you okay, Nori?” his mom asked, taking a step towards him and raising her arms. She briefly flicked a glare in the Gym Leader’s direction.

“I am now!” No sense in being too mad about it, even though he wanted to yell at those stupid guards! He turned to the man. “And you are…?”

“Captain Jimmy Mackenburg of the International Police, head of the Officials’ Special Trainers division,” the man introduced. He flashed an identification card. It had orange borders, and a regal golden shield design embroidered on it. He forcibly grabbed Nori’s hand and gave it a firm shake. The boy barely had time to return it before the man retracted. “I’ll cut straight to the chase, kid. How’d you like to become an official?”

“Hold on, what?” he blurted. “Me, an official? But I’m just twelve! And I haven’t even studied to be one! I don’t even know Pokemon! And why me?!”

The man did not miss a beat, as if expecting that salvo of questions. “Age doesn’t matter in our ranks, only talent. Sure, there’s those types who go through school for it. But we’re always keeping our eyes out for promising folks like you. The kinds of people who think different from everyone else. If you accept, we’ll make sure you learn what you need to be a proper official.”

Mackenburg stopped and beamed with pride. He looked at Nori expectantly. This was happening so fast, and so out of nowhere! He tried to look at everyone else for help or a better explanation, but they were simply watching and listening.

For now, Nori could only ask, “What kind of learning?”

“Well, you’re gonna have your legal studies and your physical ones,” the man explained. “Since you’ll be working with Pokemon, you’ll need to know how to train’em like the pros. So from the start of next year, you’ll be training with one of the top official trainers in the region. He’ll teach you everything you need to know.”

He. They must have already decided on someone. That meant it wouldn’t be Gasha Qian. It also meant that it wasn’t going to be the Champion either, and he breathed a small sigh at that. The guy said the start of next year, right? That would mean sometime in January, probably so it wasn’t in the middle of a school term. He’d have to finish the last few months of sixth grade somewhere else, but he didn’t have much attachment to his school. Presently, at least. It could be a chance at a fresh start with a new set of peers.

Never mind those thoughts, though. He had a more pressing one. “But, why me? I’ve only had Pokemon for a week. I have no experience with them besides this!”

This got Mackenburg to let out a, “Heh.” He tried to ruffle the boy’s hair, but Nori jerked away before he could. “You’re either real modest or real slow on the pickup. You did a bang-up job with that Demon Nidorina. None of the facilities for Pokemon with mental issues wanted to touch that thing.”

Nori’s mind went blank. He glared as he processed the words. “Oh, really? That’s disgusting if it’s true.”

Mackenburg sighed. “Afraid it is. There’s Pokemon out there who’ve had to be put down ‘cause no one wants to deal with ‘em. Bad apples, stubborn beasts, those who’ve been warped by Teams and other gangs, and worse still.”

The man paused for a few moments, as if reflecting on something. He continued with poignancy. “It’s a tricky subject. These Pokemon are a danger to society, yet they are who they are. Is it ethical to do away with ‘em anyway? A lot don’t think so. Big names too, like the Kannagi Shrine. We were weighing our options. Someone like you might be the answer we’ve been looking for.” The man smirked, his swagger returning. “A kid with a knack for training, the nerve to stand up for them, and a never-say-die attitude. You already showed you can rope one of ‘em in, and I’m sure you can do it again. So what do you say, kid?”

Nori slowly blinked. He wanted to be acknowledged for it, sure. But wasn't this taking it too far? He took a step back. “Aren’t there better people than me to do this?” he had to ask. “Sure, I somehow did it this time, but wouldn’t a more experienced trainer be better than me?”

His mom curled her lip and looked at him with an odd frown. “They’re offering this to you because they believe you’re good enough, Nori.”

He tilted his head. “I’m not good, Ma. I barely know what I’m doing, really.”

“Unconventional is a better descriptor,” Gasha elaborated. “I would say: untainted by gains and the standard lines. Thereby giving you a fresh take on matters. If that makes sense.”

So were they basically saying that his disinterest in training gave him a different perspective? That did make sense. Though how was he supposed to know what was totally wrong? Maybe that was what sending him to train was for, but still!

His mom opened her mouth and hesitated briefly before speaking again. “In any case, officials get paid very well.”

“That they do!” chimed in Mackenburg.

“I think you should agree to this, Nori,” his mom continued. “You’ll still be able to finish any schooling you want along the way. And you could have a much better life by doing so.”

“But…” He averted his gaze. The school part was a nice clarification, but he never minded having little money. Having a lot might be overwhelming.

“Nori,” she pleaded with faint urgency. “I know it might not be what you had in mind, but you will be able to make a difference by doing this, like you always wanted. And you already know how tight our finances are. This may be the solution.”

She said that. Maybe it was serious. But still. “I don't know…” He was still unsure. He put a hand on his chest. Usually, when his mom wanted him to do something, she’d be stern and assertive. Not like this. He turned to Gasha for her thoughts.

The Gym Leader flashed a thumbs-up. “Roll the dice. It’s the only way to get ahead.”

Taking a chance? He would be taking a chance by doing this. He looked over at Mr. Mackenburg, who grinned wildly.

“You’ll be able to help all sorts of Pokemon no one else will.”

Reiterating that point. He was saying he was different from trainers. It was hard to argue with that. Finally, he turned to the Demon Nidorina. If he was going to go through with this, he’d need her opinion as well. After all, she’d be coming along for the ride.

The Demon simply nodded and grunted at him.

Everyone here wanted him to do this. To help Pokemon no one else would. Nori wanted to do something with his life that meant something. He thought maybe he could make a famous scientific discovery. Or perhaps he could work to build future landmarks. Maybe he could train hard and be a sports star. At one point, he even thought he could be like Claris and act. But helping Pokemon?

It would mean something. But even so.

“So if I do this…” he slowly asked, each word forcing itself out. “What happens if I do this?”

The man in the suit grinned profusely and started explaining. “Once you’re certified as a Special Trainer, you’ll have all the rank and privileges that come with it. You can work with police, access restricted areas of regions, and so on. Your job will be to sort out the problem Pokemon we send you and reel in the more feisty sides of their personalities. You can keep’em after if you’d like.” Mackenburg paused briefly. “That’s it.”

So just what he was doing the past week. Except he would be making a career of it. He never dreamed it would come to this. When he thought about people who made a living with Pokemon, he thought of competition like battling or contests. Or maybe manual labor. He didn’t want anything to do with those! But something like this? This was different. He didn’t hate the idea.

Nori closed his eyes. This was a life-changing decision. He took a deep breath and gave his answer.

“All right. I guess I can give it a try.”

It would be a lie to say he hadn’t enjoyed the past week, in spite of the turmoil that came with it. What was the harm in trying? You never know unless you do!

“Fantastic!” Mackenburg clapped his hands. “I’ll get the papers to you by tonight. Just sign’em, and you’ll be on your way to changing the world. You’re going to be the world’s first Pokemon Rehabilitator.”

With this, the captain of the International Police turned to leave. Gasha chuckled and started to follow him. She stopped before him with a hand on the door. “That’s that. We simply need to sort some matters out, but it will be done. Do you have any other questions?“

He glanced over. “Um, those guards…” Were probably just doing their job. “Never mind.”

“I see what I can do about them.” Gasha frowned, seeming to understand. She paused in the doorway and looked back over her shoulder. “You’re free to cash out when you want. And if you ever need advice, simply stop by my Gym and ask.”

“Thank you,” he said, bowing a little.

The door closed. That left him alone with his Pokemon and his mom. The latter came over and rubbed his shoulders. “You’re making the right choice, sweetie.”

“I hope I am.” He sighed. “I think…” he started, before sighing again. Exhaustion was starting to weigh on his back and neck. “That I want to go home and get some rest.”

His mom nodded. “I have a few things I need to take care of while I’m still out.” She reached into her pocket and held out her hand. “Here. I know you’ll only be using it for a few months, but I got you your own key.”

His own key to the trailer? She never even humored that in the past, and now here it was. As she said, he would only be able to get so much use out of it. But the sentiment meant the world to him. She was acknowledging his responsibility.

“Thanks, Ma.” He gave her a hug, which she returned.

A Pokemon Rehabilitator. Someone who helps Pokemon that no one else is willing to. Nori had done just that. And he enjoyed it. Time would tell if he would enjoy doing it long term. But it meant something. If he did not enjoy it, he could always find something else. Or do stuff alongside. That would be the best case. He just hoped his whole life didn’t end up dedicated to Pokemon. As entwined in society as they were, that wasn’t something he wanted.

For now, he turned to Nidorina. He still had her ball in his pocket. “Well, let’s go home. I think even you want to relax sometimes.”

She gave him a funny look, but didn’t protest or disapprove as he brought her back to the comfort of her capsule. They’d both had a long week.

 

[System Error]

Nori left the Gym feeling content with his accomplishment. His expression and his confident gait probably gave away that things had worked out, whether or not it was public yet. He had only taken around five or six steps when he caught something charging at him out of the corner of his eye. His mouth fell open a little at the sight of pink pigtails.

“Nori, Nori!” Maylene’s giddiness could not be contained. She was doing hops and twirls before leaping into his arms. He caught her without so much as flinching. “Guess what?”

“What?” he asked with a grin. He could already tell just from her presence, but he wanted to let her have her moment.

“Daddy says we can hang out again!” the young girl said, squeezing him extra tight as she did so.

“That’s great news!” he said, returning her hug. He briefly glanced up. Well, they didn’t say he couldn’t tell anyone, and it was all but already official. “I have some news too.”

“Ooo, what?!” She let him go and put her palms together.

“The Demon is fine! I actually got an offer from the Officials to help Pokemon just like her!” he announced loudly. He wanted people to hear. “And I agreed!”

Maylene clapped. “Oh, cool! So whatcha hafta do?”

He shrugged. “They’re still figuring some of it out or haven’t told me. But it won’t be right away.”

“That’s so cool!” The pink-haired girl nodded and spun back. “Well, daddy’s still waiting. Talk more later. Bye!”

“Bye!” he shouted when she immediately started hurrying off. She turned and waved to him, a gesture that he reciprocated. With that, she sprinted away in the direction of the parking lot.

Nori sighed as a warmth rose up through his body. That was one friend he wasn’t losing. He had so few that any loss hurt. He turned around and paused as he saw them.

She hadn’t been the only one waiting for him. Everyone from Youths Against Mistaken Society was gathered around a bench outside the Gym. Yumi, who was standing behind the bench with Touya, motioned at him. Louis and Mariko rose, Nariya following a second after. The quintet approached. They certainly heard what he said.

The boy steeled himself for another argument. Instead, they just stood before him and stared. Mariko was glaring as usual, Louis had an empty look, and the others were blank and unreadable. But they weren’t saying anything.

Nori broke the silence. “Are you speechless?” he cheekily asked.

The siblings shuffled their feet awkwardly. They glanced at Louis and Mariko before turning away. Nariya actually spoke up, squeaking out an audible, “Sorry…”

“I’m not!” snapped Mariko, stomping a foot. “This is screwed up, Nariya!”

Louis shook his head sadly. “I do not agree with the Officials about this, Nori Carino. I expected you wouldn’t either.”

“Well I did!” he snapped. “I win and you lose!”

Louis grumbled. “I suppose I should say congratulations regardless.”

The words practically forced out of Louis’s throat as the teenager continued to glower. It was good enough. Nori nodded and said, “Thank you.” He knew that not everyone was going to be happy about this. But they didn’t stop him before, and they weren’t going to now or ever.

Mariko put her hands behind her back. “You happy with yourself?” she sarcastically asked.

Nori smiled. “Very!” he replied with calm glee.

She clapped with derision. “Good for you! Let’s go, guys.”

She and Louis spun around and left immediately. Nariya reluctantly followed after a moment. But Yumi nudged her brother as he was turning. He paused and shut his eyes. Together, they took a step forward. Nori blinked. What was this about?

“Hey, Nori?” Yumi said. “I just… I mean, Touya and I both…”

“We wanted to say we’re sorry,” her brother finished.

“Yes, we’re really sorry.” Yumi lowered her head. “I was just – I was worried, you know? You know how bad things could’ve gone. But you were right about the Demon – I mean, that Nidorina. And you did help…”

Touya concurred as she lost her train of thought. “You did a really good job. You believed in her when no one else would. You’re braver than I could ever be.”

He grinned. “Thanks, you two,” he said. They actually seemed to mean it, too!

Touya nodded. “Good luck with that new thing.”

“Thanks,” he said again. “And uh. Good luck with the mayor? I guess?” He was unsure how that was going to go. Or how to put his feelings on it politely. The boy tilted his head. “You still after him?”

The twins exchanged glances. “Actually, I don’t know,” Touya admitted. “We put it off to protest you, but now that we’ve had some time to think about it, it’s a bit silly.”

“I realized it the night after. I had to convince you,” Yumi droned, trying and failing to find her humor.

Nori shrugged. “Well, you get it now,” he said. Hopefully their leaders did too. “Anyway, you guys better catch up.”

Touya briefly looked back. The other were almost out of sight. “Right. See you later.”

“Bye, Nori.” Yumi sniffed and put her face in her hands as she and her brother walked away.

He gave them a small wave as they left. They really felt bad about what they did. Nariya was unafraid to say so in front of everyone. Louis had been given a bitter pill to swallow, but at least had some grace about it. He just hoped that being wrong about the Demon and him would inspire YAMS to change for the better too.

He was about to start out again, but there was one more person waiting for him. Less of a surprise than Maylene, yet seeing her made his breath catch in his throat. She was observing with folded hands and radiant poise.

After his head stopped spinning, Nori hurried over to her. “Hey, Prema!” he said. “Thanks for showing up!”

“Father felt it was our duty to attend,” she said matter-of-factly. “I am thankful for it.”

So that was her dad. “Well, whatever works!” he said with a shrug. He didn’t want to think about how he would’ve felt without seeing her there.

She closed her eyes for a second. “Forgive me if you are busy. I would like to spend a bit of time with you, if that is acceptable.”

Prema wanted to hang out?! He pumped his arms and nearly left his feet. “You bet! Let’s go for a walk to, um.” He rubbed the nape of his neck. “Somewhere? Any ideas?”

##########​

The afternoon sun floated mellowly in the sky, as if even the heavens were relieved about today’s outcome. A scant few clouds dotted the horizon. Leaves swayed in the gentle breeze. It was altogether a pleasant day to be outside.

Father had permitted her to see Nori one final time before they departed. Prema was uncertain of their friendship continuing given his views on religion. It did not bother her. But it would almost surely bother him. She had a lot of time to think it over the past few days, and had finally arrived at a conclusion as to what to do.

As for where to go, she suggested where they had met, which he agreed to. It was not very far, somewhat isolated, and to her, a good way to bring matters full circle. The youth protest group was not present to trouble them.

Nori leaned back on the grass with a hearty exhale, before splaying out his arms and legs. “It’s nice to be able to relax like this, don’t you think?”

“It truly is,” she agreed. She rarely had the opportunity herself, and thus cherished every moment. Nori had certainly earned it himself.

“Come on!” he said, patting a palm against the ground to his left. “Lie down and look up at the clouds with me!”

The request made Prema flinch. While she had changed out of her formal robe in the Gym’s changing room (present as part of its puzzle’s contest motif), there were other factors to consider. “It may dirty my hair,” she said, brushing a hand through it. What if people saw her looking unkempt?

“Oh, it’s fine! Just put your arms behind your head like this!” He sat up enough to tuck and cross his arms underneath, before resting his head on them.

Prema approached with a measure of hesitation. She started by sitting next to him. She shifted as she tried to mime his arm position before slowly leaning back. It was hardly comfortable. Yet it kept her hair off the ground, like he said it would.

They stared up at the sky together. She emptied her mind and allowed it to drift like a Hoppip on the wind. The sounds one could hear when not focusing upon any one thing never ceased to amaze her. The songs of birds, the laughter of people, the waves crashing against the cliffs, and even the cries of water-dwelling Pokemon. All reached her ears.

She was uncertain how much time passed. Nori eventually asked her, “See any shapes?”

She turned her head to see that he had done the same. Their eyes met. “I had not considered looking for shapes in the clouds.”

“You just have to use your imagination!” he encouraged, pointing skyward. “Like that one looks like a lizard!”

Prema attempted to locate what he was speaking of. She could only see puffy formations. “I apologize. I can see no distinct shapes in particular.”

The chestnut-haired boy pouted, though kept his cheer. “Well, still fun being with a friend.”

“I suppose,” she droned.

He twitched an elbow. “You just suppose?” he asked, frowning a little.

Prema shook her head. She did not intend any negative connotations. “Admittedly, having someone to call a friend is new for me,” she elaborated as she sat up. She smiled and nodded reassuringly. “Do not worry, Nori. I am enjoying this.”

“That’s good,” he said, resting his head on the back of a palm. “Hard for me to make friends, too. But I’m happy I have one more!”

Why did he have to make this more painful? Prema did not want to let the issue linger in her mind. The sooner she got it over with, the better.

“Nori, there is something I must confess to you,” she forced out, even as her throat began to tighten.

He sat up, gripping his knees with his hands. “What’s up, Prema?” he asked, leaning forward with a cheery grin.

She closed her eyes. The sun seemed to grow more intense, but it was simply a trick of her mind. “I am not from Veilstone City,” she admitted. “I live in Celestic Town. I will be returning home later today. We will not be able to see each other for the foreseeable future.”

Nori was as still as a Slakoth for several long seconds. He eventually responded, with a subtle drop of his chin and an “…oh.”

That was how she could escape without hurting him too badly. It would still be painful, yes. She could read his utter dejection: his slumped posture, his downward gaze, his vaguely open mouth, his hands gripping his knees, and overall lack of motion. She was masking her own. Yet at least this way, they would not have to confront irreconcilable differences, and depart with happy memories.

She watched as his dour expression changed to a blank one. He leaned back, put his palms on the ground behind him, looked up for a second, then brushed some strands of hair out of his face. “I guess that’s why you sounded disappointed. But we can still be friends!” he stated. He rubbed his cheek and added, “And it wouldn’t matter if you lived here.”

Prema’s thoughts froze at his response. “What do you mean?” she inquired, pressing a hand to her neck.

“I’m apparently going to be moving by the end of the year,” he elaborated. He turned to face her again. Contrary to his words, his tone sounded hopeful. His eyes were half-closed and his mouth was vaguely parted. “Actually, the Officials want me to become a Pokemon Rehabilitator.”

Prema sat up straighter. Was that something she should have known? When nothing came to mind after five seconds, she was forced to shake her head and admit, “I have not heard of that before.”

“That’s because I’m going to be the first,” he said, raising a pair of fingers and pointing them at himself.

She swallowed and nodded. Nothing to concern herself over not understanding, then.

Nori’s eyes nearly sparkled as he gesticulated energetically, explainig his new position. “I’m going to be working with Pokemon just like the Demon Nidorina, and helping save them too! Like, like, Pokemon no one else can or will help. But I’m being sent somewhere else in Sinnoh, to learn how to train Pokemon like pros?” He rubbed the nape of his neck. “Or something? Early next year, they said.”

A Pokemon Rehabilitator. Prema was well-versed in the legal and ethical complexities surrounding dangerous Pokemon. As their faith saw it, they could be evil. The key was walking that fine line and distinguishing between the misguided, the misunderstood, and the misanthropic. Even the last of that group did not always deserve… She shook her head. They almost never deserved the worst. What was the answer? It seemed the Officials had found one avenue.

Prema would openly admit that she feared for Nori and the Demon Nidorina after the battle. Father had much more confidence. It was as he stated: the Officials may be conceited, but not heartless. His assurance to stand up if necessary had placated her, and it turned out that they had a plan. And she could think of no one better to carry it out.

“That sounds wonderful, Nori.” Prema could not help herself. She stood and bowed to him gently. “There are many misunderstood Pokemon in the world. Few are willing or able to help them. It is commendable that you are choosing to do this.”

“Thanks!” He winked, hopping to his own feet. He briefly raised a fist in triumph. “I don’t know how long my training’s going to take,” he said as he lowered it. “But I’ll do it!”

And she had confidence in his success. A little assurance, or a tiny confidence booster could do wonders for someone. Nori had taken that and flew to success. With a chance for so much more in front of him, the heavens were the limit.

Prema turned to see a woman in violet attire approaching them. Nori did as well. He swiftly put his hand in his pocket and glared at her. His expression softened only a bit when the woman raised a hand.

“Hello, Ms. Minmei,” she greeted, alleviating Nori’s doubts.

The woman bowed and pressed her palms together. “Sorry to interrupt, but it’s time to go, Lady Kannagi. Oh!” She slapped her forehead. “Son of a–”

It happened all at once. Every muscle in her body tightened. Her chest burned from the sudden lack of oxygen. The world started to spin. She tried to swallow and breathe, but she felt like she was choking. She fixated upon her bodyguard, who was squeezing her head and seething at her blunder.

She did not want to look at him. But as soon as she saw him move, her gaze drew toward him. Nori tilted his head. “Kannagi?” he repeated, putting a hand on the back of his head.

It was as if her entire soul had been carved out of her. She had little energy to move. It took a tremendous effort just to keep eye contact with him. “I apologize for deceiving you, Nori,” she whispered. “I wished to tell you myself. But given your views on religion, I suppose this friendship was never meant to be.”

Someone who hated religion and a priestess of a major faith. It was too much to hope for things to work out. Prema had a feeling that many at the shrine would disapprove regardless.

Her mouth was dry, her legs felt like they had pins shoved into them. She tried to move. It took her two attempts. The first time, her legs nearly buckled. She had to move slower. “Let us depart,” she droned.

“Okay,” Kaede gasped. She bowed and pleaded repeatedly. “Again, I am so sorry about this. Did not mean for that to slip out!”

Prema sighed. “It is not your fault.” He was going to find out sooner or later. “I suppose it was inevitable that–”

“Prema, wait! Wait!”

She stumbled back as Nori leaped into her field of view. He was standing with his arms out and a beam brighter than the sun. Then he gave her a firm nod.

“Thank you again!” He leaped up, giving an energetic, full-armed wave. “Bye! Hope to see you again eventually!”

Prema’s pulse quickened. Something caught in her throat. She turned to Acolyte Kaede, then back to Nori. All she could manage was a shaky, “I hope so too.”

He was most likely only saying that out of consideration. It was presumptuous to assume anything else. While there was that tiny sliver of hope that she was wrong, there was no time to verify. He probably wanted nothing to do with her, and only said that to be polite because they would never see each other again.

She could only wait and pray that she was mistaken.

---​

Prema Kannagi. Nori snorted as the girl got into a car with what seemed to be her bodyguard and drove away. He’d been talking to a priestess all this time! Not just anyone, but a member of the Kannagi clan! Her comments from Thursday suddenly made a lot more sense!

He was absolutely sure of what his mom was going to think of this. As for him? He had no problem. It doesn’t matter who or what a person is, as long as you can be friends. That’s what he thought of Claris back then. Prema backed off preaching the moment he made it clear he wasn’t interested. He was really worried about her, though. He once met a guy who didn’t want to be friends with him because he didn’t care for religion. What if she was like that? What if she was only putting up a polite facade? She did say the friendship wasn’t meant to be. What if that was from her end?

He sighed and placed a hand on his chest. Why was he worrying so much about this? It made no sense. She wouldn’t have been so hurt there if she didn’t want to be friends, right? Well, he could try visiting! Somehow! He wouldn’t mind!

Right now, he could only keep moving forward. But he was sure that things would somehow work out if and when they met again!

##########​

Louis called for an impromptu meeting of Youths Against Mistaken Society in the evening. He was glad to see everyone was able to attend. There was a pang in his heart as he addressed his friends.

“Thank you for coming,” he sighed. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before his next words. “I’m thinking about disbanding the group.”

It got the expected verbal response: gasps of shock and confusion. Someone came over and grabbed him by the shoulders. Mariko gritted her teeth and gave a pained stare. “Whoa, what the hell? Why?”

“I am starting to doubt that this is worth it,” he said, not beating around the bush. His knees shook. He sat down. His throat ached like he was sick, and he was in a way. “The Demon was allowed to go free despite all she’s done and almost everyone not wanting this except for a select few people who mattered. How is this right? What happened to justice? Or basic common sense?”

It hurt too much to keep talking. This was far from the first time their arguments had fallen on deaf ears. It was the severity of this situation and how they were far from the only ones against it that made it so disturbing. If the Officials were going to reward this sort of thing, why bother anymore?

“You… Stupid…”

Mariko clenched her fists and growled. Further words from her came out a garbled mess. Nariya stared at him with wide eyes. The twins looked at each other before Yumi spoke.

“It’s going to be fine, Louis,” she tried to assure him. “We’re still making the world a better place with our protests. That won’t change, right? It doesn’t matter that we were wrong about one thing.”

“You think we were wrong?”

A surge of adrenaline rushed through his legs and body, sending him to his feet. The brown-haired girl stumbled away as he marched over to her.

“I’m just saying…” she sputtered before parroting what Nori had once said. “Maybe there’s missing context.”

“Yumi.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “We have all the context we need. You were there. You saw for yourself what she did to the Gym Leader’s Tentacruel. She hasn’t changed one–”

Someone stepped in front of her. “Louis, cut it out,” Touya snarled. “This isn’t like you. You’re kind of weirding us out.” Yumi nodded in agreement.

“What’s so weird about stating facts?” he retorted. “Do facts make you uncomfortable?”

Touya scowled and turned to his sibling. “Let’s just go, sis.” She nodded softly, and he looked over without moving his head. “Call us when you’ve calmed down.”

He had nothing to say to them as they walked away from the warehouse. They paused to look back, and when none of them responded, left entirely.

“Are they…” Nariya whimpered.

The thought hung in the air. At that moment, Louis didn’t care. If they preferred to wallow in willful ignorance, that was their mistake to make.

“I’ll talk to them later tonight,” Mariko assured Nariya, before turning to him with a curled lip. “Look, I’ll just out and say it. I’m not letting this stop me. Yumi’s right about one thing: we can keep going. This is out of our hands, so stop sulking.”

The tall girl faintly nodded and stepped forward. “Louis, if I can… I want to help. I’ll do whatever I can for you. So please. Don’t we still have…”

“The mayor’s thing,” Mariko finished for her. “If you’re still in, let’s take a few days off and go back to that.”

“I think it’s a bad idea,” Nariya said, spinning away. “I don’t think we should. I just brought it up because… Helping. And if it’ll help…”

Mariko stood upright and shut her eyes. “Maybe,” she admitted. “Well, whatever we do, it’ll be with or without you. And…” She turned away herself. “Rather it be with you.”

He raised a shaking finger. They wouldn’t succeed without him. He was about to shout that when cognizance struck. It felt like his skull was being squeezed. Mariko was being a voice of reason. Nariya was willing to do this if it meant they could keep going. And they were both pleading with him to stay in their own way.

He shook his head at himself. “All right.”

Both girls breathed an audible sigh of relief. They exchanged a wordless glance before smiling at him.

They were right. All of them, for the most part. The twins were wrong about the Demon, but there were always differences of opinion. So he’d apologize. There was still so much more they could accomplish. The only thing Nori Carino had managed to prove was how crazy the world is. And when the inevitable came to pass with the Demon, they would have only four words to say: ‘We told you so.’