Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Persona series.
This story took me the longest to think up. AU stories are fun because they can literally go in any direction, but that's also what makes them so difficult to write. I went back and forth for a while, but I eventually settled on having the two of them in the Pokémon universe, because I love Pokémon!
Technically, there are multiple universes within the Pokémon universe (ie Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire), but there isn't really a set universe or time period this story is set in, though if you have played Gold or Silver (or Heart Gold or Soul Silver), you might recognize one part of this plot. It's mostly so I can have my two favorite characters have Pokémon!
Plus, I hope you like the pun I used for the title of the story. It should become apparent as you read it.
Please enjoy this next part of the Okujima Week 2019 Challenge!
Okujima Week 2019 Challenge:
Ship:
AU of Choice
-Makoto-
There was a cool and crisp breeze that passed by as the S.S. Aqua began its departure from Vermillion City's port. Wingulls cawed as the ship set sail, and the sun was high in the sky, indicating that it was around midday.
Makoto Niijima was currently standing on the deck, a few feet back from the railing. She looked out at the open expanse of sea stretched out in front of her, and took a deep breath. Being that she was stationed in the city of Goldenrod meant that there were rare opportunities for her to take in air that wasn't somewhat polluted, so she truly appreciated these moments.
A bark to her right caused her to look to her side. As always, there stood her trusty Growlithe, Johanna, who seemed to be smiling up at her. She grinned back, bending down to pat her head lightly. "Good girl."
The dog Pokémon nuzzled her head into her palm, desiring more attention from the young woman. Makoto couldn't help but oblige. Since the two weren't technically on duty at the moment, Makoto could afford to let her guard down slightly and shed her professional image. To all the world, the sight of the Trainer and Pokémon seemed more like traveling buddies, rather than a police officer and her highly-skilled companion.
After a few minutes, Johanna seemed to have her fill of attention, and she curled up next to Makoto's feet, laying her head down on her paws. It seemed like the Pokémon was going to take a nap.
Makoto couldn't blame her. The two had just ended a week-long manhunt the day before yesterday, and they were exhausted. The criminal had stolen a part from the Kanto Power Plant, and had travelled across said region attempting to escape capture.
It had seemed that the man had no plans other than to disrupt the daily life of those in the area, but he had been difficult to catch. Fortunately, Makoto's sister Sae lived in Celadon City and had led the hunt for him. She'd called in forces from both Kanto and Johto for assistance, and, seeing as Sae was her sister, Makoto had requested to be sent to help her out.
When he was finally captured, he had given in rather easily and without a fight. It seemed that he was a remnant of Team Rocket, the team that had been disbanded a few years prior. They still cropped up from time to time, but ever since their leader had abandoned them, they could never quite recover the strength and influence they had once had.
Makoto and her Growlithe had stayed with Sae for a day to recuperate, but the two were now headed home. Sae had let her know that, because of the delay in services of the Magnet Train from Saffron City to Goldenrod City due to the power outage, there were huge lines and she would therefore not be able to return home that way for the next few days.
However, there was space on the S.S. Aqua, and Makoto preferred to travel this way anyway. Plus, she would have to take a day to travel from Olivine City back to her home, so she'd have a plausible excuse for a day off.
She turned her head towards the sunlight and closed her eyes, loving the feeling of warmth on her skin. It would take a couple hours to reach Olivine, and Makoto decided to relax as much as she could in the meantime.
She remained this way for a few minutes before registering something over the caws of the seagull Pokémon.
A very heavy and very weary sigh.
Makoto turned her head to the side to see a young woman to her left, currently leaning on the railing and looking as exhausted as Makoto felt. She also seemed somewhat troubled.
The officer looked down at Johanna. Though her eyes were closed, her ear was perked up in the direction of the other woman, and it seemed that she had heard her as well.
Makoto decided that she should go over and offer this woman support. Even though she was off duty, a police officer was still responsible to ensure the safety and happiness of citizens. Plus, she figured it could be a way to pass the time without accidently falling asleep and tumbling overboard.
She clicked her tongue at Johanna, who instantly jumped up and looked at her with an alert expression. Makoto nodded and tilted her head towards the woman, who still seemed to not have noticed the attention she had drawn. Johanna gave a short bark and trotted over, Makoto walking next to her.
Stopping a few feet away, Makoto spoke in a low and quiet tone to avoid scaring the woman. "Excuse me, miss?"
The woman turned her head sharply, which caused the soft brown curls of her hair to bounce slightly. She appeared to give Makoto a quick once-over before meeting her eyes and giving a polite smile. "Yes?"
Makoto gave a warm smile, wanting to make sure this woman was comfortable. She'd been told in the past that her demeanor was quite severe, and Makoto had therefore perfected this smile to put others at ease. It seemed to work.
"I couldn't help but notice you seemed somewhat troubled. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Makoto wasn't sure, but the other woman seemed embarrassed. Perhaps she hadn't meant to broadcast her feelings quite so publicly. Makoto could understand that.
"That's very kind of you, but I am fine, I assure you." Her smile continued to remain polite, and it didn't look like it was very sincere.
"Pardon me for prying, but it seems that you are the opposite of fine." Makoto looked at the other woman's body language. Her arms were still crossed on the railing, and her hands seemed to be clutched in fists. Perhaps she was a shy person and didn't like talking to strangers, but the way her words were measured indicated that she was someone who was in a profession that required speaking to many people.
The woman smiled wryly. "It's fine. I appreciate the concern." She looked down and noticed the Growlithe next to Makoto. "Ah! What a cutie!" Her eyes lit up, and her smile now seemed genuine. She looked back up at Makoto. "May I pet your Growlithe?"
Makoto was glad that at least her partner was able to cheer this woman up. She nodded. "Of course. She's very friendly."
Makoto watched as the woman knelt down and lifted a gentle hand up to Growlithe's nose. The Pokémon slowly sniffed, eventually giving her fingers a lick. She giggled as she pat her head, moving her hand around to scratch behind her ears. "She's got a lovely temperament. Does she have a name?"
"Johanna," Makoto replied, grinning as said Pokemon's tail began to wag in apparent bliss.
"That's a beautiful name." The woman gave the Growlithe one last pat before she stood back up, now fully facing the two of them. "Ah, my apologies. I asked your Pokemon's name before yours, and even before giving you my own." She held out the hand she had just been using to pet Johanna. "My name is Haru."
Makoto reached out and gripped Haru's hand tightly. "Makoto. It's a pleasure to meet you, Haru."
"Likewise." Haru shook her hand once before letting go. She seemed to be in a better mood than before.
"So, Haru. Perhaps you'd like to talk with me for a while?" She indicated the sea outstretched before them. "It'll be a few hours before we arrive in Olivine."
Makoto was pleased when Haru nodded, leaning back over the railing. The officer settled in place next to her, with Johanna leaping up on Makoto's other side. "Watch your balance," she warned. Johanna simply barked and gave her face a quick lick, which caused her owner to laugh.
Makoto looked over at Haru to see her watching the two of them with mirth. Whatever previous grievances she had been dealing with seemed to have floated away with the tide. When the other woman noticed Makoto staring at her, she blushed slightly and gave a slight cough.
"S-so. What brings you on the S.S. Aqua, Makoto?" Haru inquired.
"I've just come back from an operation in Celadon City. I'm returning to Goldenrod now, since that's where I'm normally stationed." Though the details of the mission were not exactly classified, Makoto didn't want to give them out to a woman she had just met.
"I see!" Haru's eyes widened. Looking at Johanna, she exclaimed, "I should have known that I was talking to a police officer when I saw your Growlithe." She gave Makoto another once-over. "I'm surprised you're not in uniform."
Makoto grinned. "Yes, well, now that I've finished what I needed to, I'm on a bit of a vacation of sorts." A bark caused her to add, "We're on a vacation."
"Ah." Haru nodded her understanding.
"How about you? Are you travelling for business or pleasure?" Now that Makoto was getting into the groove of this conversation, she had to admit she was genuinely curious as to who this woman was and what she was doing.
"Business." Haru folded her hands together. "I'm actually returning from a meeting in Saffron City."
"Understood." Makoto cocked her head at the strange expression Haru was giving her. "Is something the matter?"
"No. Not particularly. Your response just seemed… a little robotic." She flushed. "I'm sorry, that was a bit rude of me to say…"
Makoto chuckled. It seemed her training was showing through even though she was in "civilian" mode. "No worries. I sometimes can't help myself." Seeing that Haru had retreated slightly, she continued in a calmer tone, "What was the meeting about, if you don't mind my asking?"
Haru gave Makoto a hard look. It seemed like she was thinking deeply about… something.
Sensing her unease, Makoto added, "You certainly don't have to go into any detail if you don't want to."
"No. I… just don't want to broadcast who I am to the world. But you seem trustworthy, Makoto." She smiled. "My full name is Haru Okumura."
Makoto's eyes widened just as Haru's had – that name was definitely important. "Okumura? Are you possibly related to Kunikazu Okumura?"
Haru's expression seemed to sag slightly. "Yes. I'm his daughter."
Makoto got the feeling that she had been asked about her father many times in her life, which explained her initial reluctance. Internally, she cursed herself for following the same trend. Before she could correct her mistake, Haru continued.
"As you probably know, my father is the VP of Sales at Silph Co. I was attending a meeting at their headquarters in regards to a new product we've been testing." She smiled ruefully. "I work at a branch office in Goldenrod, but this was extremely important, so I had to make the journey all the way to headquarters."
Makoto tilted her head. "You had to make the journey?"
Haru nodded. "I'm… not on the best terms with my father." She looked out at the sea. "I love him of course, but he can be rather difficult to get along with. We… disagree on how to run our respective departments. So I'm usually just… tired after meeting with him."
"I see." Makoto couldn't exactly relate. Her father was a police officer, just like herself and her sister, and they were on very good terms. He had stopped by and visited just the other day when Makoto had been relaxing at her sister's place.
"But it's nothing, really. The meeting was a success, and we should be able to distribute our new product in the market within the next few months." Haru turned and looked at Makoto, a small smile on her face.
"May I ask what this mystery product is?" Makoto was genuinely curious.
"You certainly can, but I can't tell you." Haru gave a sly grin and winked at her.
Makoto scoffed. Even though she really had no right to the information, Haru's rebuttal surprised her slightly since she had been so forthcoming. "No?"
Haru's eyes sparkled. Moving her hand from where it had rested on the railing, she placed it onto one of Makoto's own. "No offense, Makoto, but I don't know you well enough to divulge such important information."
Makoto flushed slightly. Haru seemed to be the touchy-feely type, which Makoto was not accustomed to. But she had to admit, Haru's warm hand on her own felt… nice. "Well then, perhaps we should get to know each other better." She surprised herself with how bold she was being.
Haru smiled, almost like Makoto had guessed correctly in a game, or had followed a script that she had devised for the officer. "I'd like that."
The two looked into each other's eyes, and Makoto couldn't help but think how… gentle and kind the other woman's were. She had initially come over to help Haru feel better, but now Makoto felt a bit more invested.
Haru broke the eye contact and looked over at Johanna, who had witnessed the entire exchange. "How about it, Johanna? Would you mind if I got to know your Trainer better?"
The Growlithe barked, wriggling around as much as was possible on a precarious railing.
"I can introduce you to my Pokémon as well. My Mona-chan would be thrilled to meet you both!"
"And what type of Pokémon is this Mona-chan?" Makoto couldn't help but think how cute that name was. Almost as cute as the Pokémon's owner.
"He's a Meowth, but he gets a little seasick, which is why I don't have him out now." Haru used her free hand to fiddle with the Pokéball attached on her belt. "He's a cat Pokémon, but he's a huge sweetie and will play with anyone."
"I look forward to meeting him." Makoto turned her hand slightly so that she could give Haru's a squeeze. "And I look forward to getting to know you better." She smiled.
Haru blushed. "As do I." She met Makoto's eyes. "And forgive me if I'm being a bit too forward, but I'd very much like to see you in uniform sometime."
Makoto coughed, a blush rising up onto her own face. "I-I see. Well then, I'd be happy to oblige." She gave a mock salute. "Makoto Niijima, at your service."
"Niijima?" Makoto felt Haru squeeze her hand.
"Yes?" Makoto wasn't quite sure why her surname had affected the other woman so much.
"The Niijima name is well-known in my family." She giggled. "This seems a bit too coincidental, but my father had considered hiring one of them to be his personal bodyguard. I believe he's the police chief in Saffron City."
Makoto chuckled. "That's my father."
"Interesting." Haru rubbed Makoto's hand with her thumb. "So then I suppose I should ask you if you'd like to be my bodyguard." She laughed.
"I appreciate the offer, but I will have to decline." Makoto smiled. "I'd like to get to know you on a more personal level."
Haru smiled at Makoto warmly. "Then I suppose my trip was both business and pleasure."
Makoto laughed nervously. "You really are very forward, Haru."
"Then allow me to make one more advance." Haru leaned forward and gave Makoto a quick peck on the cheek. It was fleeting, but for Makoto, it was everything. Her heart picked up in pace, and she felt a bit lightheaded.
"Y-you know, since we're both travelling to Goldenrod, it would be my honor to escort you back." Makoto rubbed the spot on her face where Haru had kissed her.
Haru giggled. "Sounds like a plan."
Growlithe gave a happy bark of approval, which caused the two women to laugh, a sea breeze ruffling their hair.
Done! Since this was an AU, I also made it so that both of their fathers were alive because they deserve to be happy, damnit!
Hopefully, you don't need to have an extensive knowledge of Pokémon to be able to understand most of this – the cuteness should shine through regardless!
Also, since they were on a ship, and Okujima is a ship name, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make the pun! But speaking of Okujima, when I wrote the part where Haru reveals her full name, I literally wrote "Haru Okujima". I went on typing for a few minutes before it hit me, and I went back and corrected it. I feel like their ship name could be an actual Japanese surname!
Bonus - I also just caught a Shiny Wailmer in Pokemon Go, so this story apparently gave me good luck!
See you tomorrow!