Naive

A Pokemon FR/LG One-shot by Yeo

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There she was.

I lowered my head bitterly at the sight of my rival leaning casually against the bridge, listening to her walkman, unaware of the grief she had caused me. Grandpa was probably ashamed to even know me; the same could be said for Daisy.

We, the Oaks, have always had a reputation as people who always came out top. But I lost. I lost what must have been the most important match in my life. I lost to her.

I lost to Leaf.

She was simply gazing at the water, almost unaware of her surroundings, almost as if her victory at the Pokemon League didn't mean a thing. Her Raticate, that plump, squeaky little creature that just hated water, was seated on her shoulders, munching on a biscuit.

They looked so serene, almost as if they were out of a painted picture.

I picked up a pebble, weighing it. Yes, this would do. Ever since we were little, I always loved teasing Leaf. That little girl never had the refined look of a true Pokemon trainer. She always looked like a scruffy little girl who was just so blatantly naive.

I was the one who lost in the end.

I've noticed the way she cares for her Pokemon, the way she seems to be able to calm down any Pokemon with that stupid lullaby of hers. Daisy asked her about it once. She said that it was a song her father used to sing to her when she was a child.

I never cared.

I took careful aim, before I released the pebble. It shot past Leaf's head, grazing her ear, but it was enough to jolt her out of her reverie.

"Hey."

"Oh. Hello Blue."

I strode over to the petite girl, stroking Pidgeot. She cooed happily, from her perch on my shoulder.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at home with your mother? I'm sure she'd like to hold a party to celebrate your victory." I asked. Leaf shook her head.

"Mom's busy in Sinnoh. There's no one back home. Anyway, I could ask you the same thing. Why aren't you back home?"

She tilted her head to one side in that adorably innocent way. I sighed, adjusting my jacket.

"I'm not wanted there. I lost, didn't I? Grandpa and Daisy wanted me to bring glory to the family name, but I lost to you. I want to go back, but I...I feel that I don't deserve to go back."

"That's stupid."

"Hm?"

Leaf sighed, resting Rara on the railing. The furry creature squeaked and jumped back into Leaf's arms, fearful of falling into the water.

"You incredible scaredy-mouse." She admonished. Rara squealed again.

"It's stupid Blue, because no one should be judged depending on how well they do. Love is unconditional. If people love you, and if you love them, you love them no matter what. Despite Mom's nagging and all, I still love her, because I know she cares for me. The same goes for you."

She turned to face me.

"Daisy and the old man care for you, Blue. They don't care if you win or lose, if you're the best or not. Nothing will change the fact that you're important to them."

I snorted, sceptical.

"You speak of fairytales, Leaf. Nothing in this world is like what you imagine it to be. You're naive, Leaf."

I blinked when Leaf took my hand, resting it on her cold, tanned cheek.

"Maybe Blue, you're the naive one."