Rika bit her lip.
She had barely even gotten to know Oddish—and that was putting it kindly.
Students were leaving the area all around. She couldn’t afford to be late for her battle!
Okay, I should at least take a peek at the other Pokémon.
She pressed the second Pokéball’s button, waiting for its contents to unfold.
A breeze whipped through her hair, pulling her gaze to the sky.
Clouds gathered in the distance, like a silent audience.
She shook her head, looking back to where she expected her new companion to materialize.
But there was only grass before her, the wind shoving it back and forth.
She raised an eyebrow, eyeing the Pokéball in her hand.
Again, her finger pressed the button.
Still, nothing happened.
Her tongue clicked in annoyance. Then she mashed the button.
No Pokémon in sight. The wind howled.
She turned the ball toward her face, inspecting it closely. She shook it a couple of times, then pressed the button again. It didn’t help. The Pokéball must’ve been defective. Or so she thought.
“What the-”
Rika startled, her gaze dropping to the ground, where a few green leaves poked out, rustling against her leg. She scowled, now understanding what was going on.
“You stupid little brat!” She cursed at the plant.
Rika had been so stressed that she must’ve forgotten to lock the Pokéball, giving this unruly Oddish the chance to escape on its own!
And now, her low E-rank prevented the other ball from opening; she could only have one Pokémon out at a time.
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To her dismay, the plant kept ignoring her, comfortably lying in its newly dug hole like the useless vegetable that it was. Unfortunately for Oddish though, Rika didn’t have a green thumb.
Adrenaline rushed through her veins, raising her foot high. A long, oval shadow grew above Oddish.
Time to teach that thing a lesson.
A firm touch pierced through her shoulder.
“Oddish is a nocturnal Pokémon, you know…?” asked a kind voice.
Rika quickly realized who stood behind her. This wasn’t good—in fact, it was the worst-case scenario.
“M-m-mr. Rosenfeld!” She stuttered, not daring to move. “I-um, no! I didn’t know that!” She laughed nervously. “I just wanted to get it back into its ball-“
“To treat Pokémon well, is one of the most important things for a trainer,” Mr. Rosenfeld said. “At least that’s what I think. So be a bit more understanding of your part-time companion, okay?” Despite his pleasant voice, Rika couldn’t help but feel a subtle threat beneath his words.
“Mhm!” She hummed, watching him pass by and walk toward Oddish. The grown man took off his vest, knelt down, and held it protectively over the Pokémon. Rika observed the scene with a frown.
“Oddish,” Fabio whispered, his voice becoming one with the wind. “I know you’d much rather stay in there, but Rika really needs your help… I’m sure she didn’t mean what she said earlier.”
Rika flinched.
Did he watch me the whole time?!
Or perhaps, Oddish's stubbornness was evidence enough.
It poked its head out from the ground, glaring at Rika. “Odd! Odd! Oddish!”
At these sharply spoken Pokémon words, Mr. Rosenfeld turned to her aswell.
She felt like he expected something from her. But how would she know what this crybaby just told him? That stupid tattletale!
After eyeing her for a couple of seconds, Mr Rosenfeld sounded disappointed. “It wants you to apologize, Rika,” he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“What?! I didn’t do anything wrong! Pokémon have to listen to their trainer!”
Mr. Rosenfeld sighed, shaking his head. “As great of a student you might be… the measurement of a trainer’s skill is not just knowledge and discipline. Pokémon are living creatures. Imagine how you would feel in its shoes.”
Rika pouted at him before regaining her usual confidence. “Well, practically, it doesn’t even wear shoes.”
“Oddish!” The Pokémon cried out, sounding even angrier than before.
“It’s up to you,” Mr. Rosenfeld said lightly, eyeing his fancy watch. “The battles are about to start soon… do you really want to let your ego stand in the way of success?”
Rika swallowed.
Success…
That’s what she wanted, wasn’t it?
Besides, what would happen to Mason if she didn’t show up to the battle?
Would he simply get a new opponent? Or pass right away?
Suddenly, the image of his sad expression—the silence between them—flashed before her eyes.
Mason loved Pokémon, always dreamt of becoming a trainer.
But Rika couldn’t even handle a stupid Oddish.
And since only one of them could remain a chance to obtain a trainer licence…
Perhaps, she should just surrender.
For Mason’s sake.
Even if it meant the end of their journey. And their friendship.