The First Petal – She Loves Me
"H-Hey Lillie?"
"What is it, Sun?"
"I, uh, got you a little present."
"Oh…you didn't have to do that. But that's very sweet of you. What is it?"
"…"
"Oh…a picture of us?"
"Yeah, well, you know, I thought it was a cool photo, and, uh, well you know Rotom wanted to try out the new camera and stuff so I thought…do you like it?"
"…"
"Uh, sorry. Maybe I'm being a little too pushy. I…"
Four Hours Earlier...
Hau'oli City, Melemele Island, 3:45 PM Alolan Standard Time
"Hey, hurry up guys!" The dark-skinned boy ran a few paces ahead of me before turning around to shout again. "I'm getting hungry!"
I sighed at my impatient friend. "We're right behind you Hau, don't worry."
"It's a nice day Hau. We should take our time and enjoy it," a soft voice beside me chided quietly.
Thump thump.
Just hearing her made my heart skip a beat.
Thump thump.
Lillie.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see her slender frame, walking along, as delicate and bright as a Bellossom. Clad in a white dress and a matching wide-brimmed hat, she looked like a snowflake, cool and collected, even under the hot Alolan sun. Everything seemed perfect about her. Even the oversized duffel bag she always carried around to hide Nebby just added to her charm. She was-
"Is something wrong, Sun?" I snapped back to my senses, only to see that we had stopped walking, and that Lillie was giving me a curious look.
She tilted her head quizzically. "You've been staring at me for quite a while…is there something on me?" Her voice was as gentle as ever. I felt my cheeks burning up furiously, probably red enough to attract Tauros for miles.
"Huh? Oh no, I just thought that, uh…hey I'm pretty hungry too! Where do you want to eat, Hau?" I turned frantically to my energetic companion, praying for him to bail me out.
The brown-haired trainer just shrugged and scratched his head. "Beats me," he said lazily. "All I see is beach, beach, and more beach. Isn't it Lillie's job to show us around Hau'oli anyway?"
Lillie sighed, but in a sweet kind of way that made breathing hard for a second. "We're at the beachfront right now," she started, "so there probably aren't going to be that many stores. But we're almost to the shopping district, and I'm sure we can find some food there." She seemed to have forgotten about my mishap from just a minute earlier, which made me feel both relieved and a little sad for being that forgettable.
Hau smirked. "Alright, well if you say there's food this way, I'm out!" he shouted, taking off like a rocket down the street and towards the shopping district. "Peace!" he yelled over his shoulder before turning a corner and disappearing from view. I saw Lillie shaking her head, probably more concerned for Hau than she was upset with him.
…And like that, it was just us two.
Thump thump.
Me.
Thump thump.
And Lillie.
The girl in all white turned to face me, and let out a soft laugh. "I guess it's just us," she said, an amused look on her face. Then, as if on cue, a loud rustling could be heard inside from her duffel bag. She smiled and patted the bag gently with her palm. "Oh, we can't forget about Nebby." Nebby being her secret Pokemon that she keeps hidden in her duffel bag for safety, of course. I chuckled awkwardly. Just. Us.
"Oh…wait here for a second, Sun," Lillie said quickly, as if suddenly coming to a realization. "I'll be right back." Before I could say anything she ran off, giant black duffel back in tow, leaving me all by myself in a city I'd never been in before.
I took the moment to look around. The Hau'oli beachfront was filled with life and energy. People and Pokemon alike were strolling through the wide street or lounging out on the beach. It was about late enough in the day to comfortably sit out in the sun, and quite a few people were doing just that out at the edge of the crystal clear water. A nice-looking lady in a bikini met my gaze and waved with both arms, the Alolan gesture for "hello". I waved back, feeling rather content. I wonder what Lillie would look like in a bikini…
"Zzzzzt-zzzt! Rotom-dex reporting for duty!" I felt my pocket suddenly get lighter as something red popped out, buzzing loudly, and hovered next to me at face level.
"What the- I didn't call for you Rotom!"
"Rotom doezzz what Rotom wantzzz, thank you very much!" the Pokedex, or Pokemon, buzzed back at me loudly.
I groaned. Professor Kukui had given me a Pokedex at the start of my adventure, as many professors do with new trainers, but this was no ordinary Pokedex. This one had an electric Pokemon known as Rotom fused with it, so it could talk and give advice. It was supposed to be a new and innovative way to help trainers.
All Rotom really does is sass me though.
"Zzt-zzt! Why don't you tell Lillie how you feel? Zzt!" Rotom buzzed as he hovered way too close for comfort, a stupid grin on his screen of a face. I tried to grab him and put him away, but he just flew out of my reach. Frickin Rotom.
"What do you mean, tell her how I feel? I don't have any feelings for her!" I jumped and swatted at him, but missed completely. He responded by shooting a light jolt that knocked me straight on my ass.
"Of courzzz you do!" Rotom taunted, while just circling overhead. "Sun lovezzzzzzzz Lillie so much! He were even thinking of her juzzzt now! Zzt!" Overly enthusiastic in his gloating, I managed to catch him off guard and leapt to my feet, grabbing the Pokemon/Pokedex with two hands.
Gritting my teeth as I held him, I chided, "You can't just go around saying things like that, Rotom!"
He stopped struggling and just stared at me, a big dumb digital grin on his face. "Zzt. Look out! She'zzz coming back! Where are your flowerzzz? Do you have the ring? When izzz the wedding?" I quickly glanced over my shoulder. Lillie was indeed coming back.
"Shut up Rotom and get in the bag, quick!"
"You can't juzzzt treat me like Nebby, zzt."
"ROTOM."
"Zzt. Azzz you command mazzzter."
Rotom reluctantly packed itself up in my bag, snug inside an empty compartment. At least he hadn't said anything while Lillie was around…and I pray to Arceus he doesn't ever. I turned to face Lillie, trying my best to hide any trace of embarrassment or guilt.
Curiously, both of Lillie's hands were full with… ice cream?
"Here," Lillie said quietly as she held out one cone for me. "I didn't know what flavor to get you…so I just guessed you'd like vanilla." Traces of red painted her pale cheeks, which ended up make me blush a bit too. And the way she always paused nervously when she was speaking…too cute.
"T-Thanks Lillie," was all I managed to say as I took the cone from her. Our hands touched only briefly, but the feel of her smooth skin lingered on my fingertips. She smiled in return, and I had to focus to not drop my frozen treat. Perhaps it had just been a guess, but how did she know vanilla was my favorite?
Lillie took a lick of her scoop, also vanilla, before speaking again. "We should probably hurry up and eat these quick," she said, and then she smiled sheepishly. "I plan on showing you around Hau'oli today...All of it."
I had to stop eating my ice cream for a second to process what she had just said.
"…Huh?"
Alola Tourist Bureau
"And…there!" exclaimed the woman behind the counter before she handed me back my Pokedex. "Now your Rotom-dex can take pictures, perfect for both tourists and trainers!" I thanked her and nodded in appreciation as I took back Rotom.
"You should try taking a picture right now to make sure it works," Lillie suggested.
"Uh, okay." I opened the camera app and laughed nervously as I turned around to aim at her. "Smile, I guess." Obviously not expecting to be photographed, Lillie fumbled around adorably for a bit before leaning forward and putting her hands behind her back.
"Oh, how do I look?" Lillie stammered, cheeks slightly flush.
I suddenly forgot how to speak. "You, uh…I mean really you always…uh…"
"Zzt! You look great!" buzzed Rotom from my hands.
Lillie smiled in appreciation. "Thanks!" she beamed. I felt just a tiny bit of resentment towards Rotom for robbing me of my chance to compliment her…
As I tried to focus the camera in on Lillie, however, it started zooming very strangely.
"Rotom! What are you doing!?" I whispered harshly.
"I'm zzzooming in on the good stuff! Zzt!" he buzzed back quietly, so Lillie couldn't hear.
"What do you mean the- Rotom! No!"
"Have you taken the picture yet, Sun?"
"Uh, just a sec Lillie, Rotom is being a little buggy."
"Zzt! Who are you calling a little buggy!?"
"Take the damn picture Rotom!"
Click!
…
"Does it look good?" Lillie asked as she stretched her arms, apparently tired from holding her pose. I opened the picture and stared closely at Rotom's screen.
"Uh…yep! The camera is working great!" I replied, hopefully not sounding too shaky.
Lillie laughed. "Can I see it?"
"No! I mean…uh…it's okay but it could be better. I'd like to…show you a better one sometime!"
She looked a little confused for a moment, but apparently just shrugged it off. "Alright," she said as she began walking towards the exit. "Give me a little more warning next time, okay?"
I scratched my head and laughed awkwardly. "Will do," I said. As I moved to follow her out, Rotom buzzed stealthily to me.
"Thank Arceuzzz for sun dressezzz, zzt! Would you like me to save that one to memory?"
I just rolled my eyes and stuffed him back in my bag.
Clothing Store
"Hmm…should I try this one on? Or how about this one?" Lillie mused to herself as she held up two different dresses in her hands. "What do you think, Sun?"
"Well, uh, I like the red one," I responded.
Lillie frowned. "I do too, but I think it's a little scandalous for me." She put the red dress back and added the other one to a large pile she had set aside. "Sorry to make you wait, but I'm just going to try some of these on, okay?"
I shook my head. "No, I really don't mind," I said. "Take your time." Lillie gave me a smile that could melt glaciers, and then hurried into a fitting room with her collection of shirts, skirts, and dresses. I took a seat and sighed.
"Scandalous, huh? I didn't think that dress was too scandalous…"
"Zzt. Maybe that'zzz becauzzz you're a pervert," buzzed Rotom from inside my bag.
"Oh, shut it Rotom," I responded, putting my face in my hands. Instead of "shutting it", Rotom proceeded to release itself from my bag and hover in my face.
"How about instead of juzzzt waiting for your lady friend to finish trying on clothezzz, you get some yourself? Zzt!"
I pushed Rotom away from me. "I don't need any new clothes right now," I protested. Rotom gave me a light zap and hovered in closer. "Ow!" I shouted, attracting the concern of a couple other shoppers nearby. "What was that for!?"
"Zzzt-Zzt! Look at yourself! You look like a nerd! You'll never get Lillie looking like that! Zzt!" Rotom buzzed loudly.
"Hey, quiet down! And I do not look like a nerd!"
"Stripezzz? Soooo 2013. And what izzz up with the bazzzeball cap?"
"My mom gave me this hat!"
"…"
30 minutes later
"Hey Sun, sorry I took so long but I'm ready to…go?"
"Uh, could you hold up for a bit Lillie? I just want to try a few things on…"
"…That's a few things!?"
Hair Salon
"I'm thinking about changing hairstyles, Sun…what do you think?" Lillie ran her hands through her golden blonde bangs and braids, which I thought already looked…perfect.
"Huh? I, uh…well…your hair is…very…nice…already?" I stammered, mouth dry. I looked up at Lillie, unsure of what she would say in response, but she wasn't even looking at me.
"Huh?" Lillie turned to face me. "Oh…sorry. I got distracted by something. What did you say?"
"…Never mind."
Fancier Clothing Store inside the Mall
I picked up a pair of black loafers and checked the price tag. "55,000 pokedollars!? Who could ever afford this?!" I exclaimed, to the discontent of some employees nearby. Lillie, standing next to me, nodded.
"I agree," she said. "I really like this bag, but there's no way I can afford it." Lillie frowned as she put the purse back on the stand. "I'll meet you outside, in the mall, okay?" I nodded, and Lillie exited the store.
"Zzzt-zzt."
I groaned. "Not again."
"What are you talking about? Rotom givezzz the bezzzt girl advizzze!" Rotom buzzed, not even bothering to leave the bag this time, knowing I'd just stuff him back in later. "You see," he began, "Lillie seemzzz like a very classy girl. Not simple like a fridge or a lawnmower, nonono. Sophisticated, like a washing machine (This is a Diamond/Pearl joke, comment if you get it lol)."
"Get to the point Rotom."
"Zzt. How about you call me Tom? I feel like we're clozzze enough for that after today, zzt."
"Rotom."
"Zzt. My point izzz girlzzz like Lillie like to get giftzzz and presentzzz. Itzzz sweet, and it sayzzz 'I have money'."
I thought about what he said for a moment. "You know what," I started, "that might not actually be a bad idea. I wonder how much that purse is…" I stood up and went to check the price.
…
"378,000 DOLLARS!?"
Battle Buffet
Lillie and I stopped outside the buffet to look at the menu.
"Oh…whirlpool sushi," Lillie murmured. "I've always wanted to try that…but I can't battle for it so I never get any…"
"Say no more," I said as I gave Lillie a pat on the shoulder. If there was one thing I was good at, it was battling. "Popplio and I got this," I reassured Lillie as I rushed into the buffet, Pokeball in hand.
10 Minutes Later…
"Wow, Sun. I'm impressed."
"…Really?"
"Of course…I've never seen someone get kicked out of the battle buffet for taking too much food from the other clients."
"…"
Lillie give me a pat on the head, which made my face light up like a Christmas tree.
"At least we have leftovers!"
Hau'oli City Hall
"This is city hall, where all of the administrative duties like mail, management, and town meetings take place," Lillie explained as we entered the large white and windowed building.
While we were walking I felt something soft under my foot. Looking down, I saw a pink and blue envelope, and picked it up.
"Could I see that Sun?" Lillie asked. I handed her the mail. She flipped it over and examined it.
"Hmm…oh…oh dear. Judging from this Luvdisc envelope, I think this is a love letter. I wonder what it was doing there on the ground." Lillie turned to me and smiled. "Sorry, but could you wait here for a moment? I want to make sure this gets delivered," she said. I nodded, and she turned and started walking with the letter towards the front desk. Just barely, I heard her murmur, "I think love letters are so cute…" under her breath, probably not intending for me to hear.
…
"Excuse me sir?"
"Alola! What can I do for you today, cousin?"
"I'd like to buy a dozen Luvdisc envelopes, please."
Malasada Shop
"Mmmm." Lillie's face glowed with content as she took a bite of her warm and fluffy malasada. "I think sweet malasada is the best, Sun. How about you?"
I paused mid-bite to respond. "Huh? Uh, yeah sweet malasada is great. Just like sweet berries, and sweet poffins, and sweet girls, and-"
Lillie stopped chewing instantly. "Huh?" she questioned. "I couldn't quite hear you. Could you say that again?"
"Err, I mean…uh…waiter! Another large sweet malasada please!"
Hau'oli Police Station
"This is the police station," Lillie said as we walked in. "There isn't much crime in Alola, but when there is the officers here take care of it."
"That's right," said the officer sitting behind the desk, apparently having overheard our conversation. He gave me a stern look. "And here in Alola, breaking hearts is a crime, so you'd better think twice before you mess around with Miss Lillie here." Lillie and I froze.
…
…
…
The officer almost burst out laughing. "Just having some fun! You kids be safe out there: I hear some shady guys named Team Skull are nabbing people's Pokemon. If you hear anything, please let us know." Lillie smiled and waved goodbye before we turned to exit the building.
"That officer is a good friend of the professor, so I see him a lot," Lillie explained. "He's…quite the jokester, isn't he?"
"…Yeah…"
Hau'oli City Marina, 7:39 PM
"I'm pretty tired," I sighed to Lillie, who was sitting next to me on the lower pier of the Marina. She nodded in agreement. I splashed my feet up and down in the water, which was glowing beautifully with orange and red shades. It was relaxing, just sitting down for a bit, taking in a pleasant Alolan sunset. Not too far out from where we were seated, Popplio was swimming about and playing with the local Wingull and Wishiwashi.
"I hope you had a good day though," Lillie responded as she parted her hair and turned to face me. She looked…too gorgeous to even be real. With her feet dangling in the water and her hat off and not hiding her delicate face at all, she made being attractive look so natural and effortless. A slight wind only added to the appearance, blowing her dress and hair ever so gently.
I blinked and snapped back to my senses, realizing I should probably respond. "Of course. It was a really great day actually," I answered. "Uh, thanks for showing me around."
Lillie beamed in appreciation. "My pleasure. It's the least I can do for you after…you saved Nebby that night." Hearing its name being called, a sleeping Nebby let out a small cry from behind us. Lillie's face suddenly turned melancholy, and she looked up and turned to face the rising night sky and moon.
"Nebby isn't from around Alola, you know."
I frowned at Lillie's sudden change in mood. "Where is he from then?" I asked. Lillie simply shook her head.
"I don't know…but…I want to help him get home," she responded quietly. Her gaze fixed on one of the many stars in the Alolan night sky, she said, "He could be from as far away as another planet, another galaxy even. Who knows?" I followed her lead and stared off into the dark blue of space, wondering if a Pokemon could really come from out there.
We stayed silent for a couple of minutes, taking in the sight of orange and blue, sun and moon, battling for control, before Lillie spoke again.
"I haven't ever had many friends. But Nebby is one of them, and he's done a lot for me, so I think I at least owe it to him. Even if it means I have to go far from Melemele, or even Alola." Her tone was quiet, but strong and confident, something that caught me by surprise.
"You…don't have to do it alone, you know. I'm here for you." The words came from my mouth, but I didn't remember actually trying to say them.
It was Lillie's turn to be surprised. She broke her gaze with the night and stared me straight in the eyes, her meadow-green irises glimmering. "Do you mean that, Sun?" she asked, her tone indescribably sweet.
"Of course, uh, I do. I mean-"
Buzzzzzzzzz
Whatever stuttering compliment I was about to give was interrupted by something vibrating in my backpack. I chuckled awkwardly and started going through my bag, internally swearing to throttle Rotom if he pulled something right now.
The vibrating was indeed my Rotom-dex, but there was also something else in the same pocket that I didn't remember putting there. Some small sheet of…plastic? I pulled it out and glanced over it quickly. It was a photograph. Certainly not one that I took, but one that Rotom himself had taken the initiative on. But…I liked it…and I perhaps...had a good idea for it.
"H-Hey Lillie?"
Thump thump. Thump thump. My heart was beating way too fast for my own good. Lillie gave me a curious look.
"What is it, Sun?"
Thump thump. Thump thump. Don't say anything stupid, Sun…
"I, uh, got you a little present."
Thump thump. Thump thump.
"Oh…you didn't have to do that. But that's very sweet of you. What is it?"
Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. I handed her the photo slowly and carefully.
"…"
Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. My tongue wasn't working properly…
"Oh…a picture of us?"
Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump.
"Yeah, well, you know, I thought it was a cool photo, and, uh, well you know Rotom wanted to try out the new camera and stuff so I thought…do you like it?"
Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Lillie didn't say a word. She just continued staring at the picture.
"…"
Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Shit. Shit. Shit. She hates it. She hates me. Shit.
"Uh, sorry. Maybe I'm being a little too pushy. I-"
"I love it."
(Ro)Tom's Note: The picture wazzz of Lillie patting Sun'zzz head after the battle buffet. Zzt! My master izzz too cute. If you liked the story and want to see more, follow and favorite! Zzzt-zzt!"