(Poke)Ball is Life
Chapter 10 – A Little More Please
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For the first time this week, Kageyama and both his parents were in the apartment at the same time. The three of them and Hinata sat at the dinner table. Kageyama had made them curry. Wonders didn't seem to cease when Kageyama was in the kitchen, honestly. Hinata remembered what Kageyama had told him about his ability to cook.
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It was because he had grown up raising himself. They didn't have traditional family meals so if Kageyama didn't want to go hungry; he only ever had two options: learn to cook or just survive off of wheat-bricks and squeezy yogurt. Kageyama also thought he could cook well because he thrived better with hands-on learning and that's why he sucked at general schooling. Hinata could relate. He was floating in that boat too. He had graduated with terrible grades.
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Hinata pecked at the curry. It tasted good. He wouldn't say it was better than the one his dad made but it was still pretty good. Hinata tried hard to ignore the tense atmosphere at the table.
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The family dinners that Hinata was used were completely different to this. Rice went all over the place and everyone was boisterous. Everyone made up stories about how their day had been with ridiculous and exaggerated details. They would laugh and joke and eat and had a good time but this was completely different. No one spoke. They just ate in uncomfortable, suffocating silence. Hinata didn't like it. He hated the fact that Kageyama's parents hadn't once asked him about how the Contest had gone.
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Mrs Kageyama sat across from Hinata. Her avian eyes pecked apart Hinata. He knew that she could sense his discomfort. She put down her knife and fork. She brushed her lips with a napkin. There were scraps of curry sauce still on her plate and stray grains of rice. 'I'm finished.' she announced. If Hinata said that and he still had stuff on that plate, even small stuff like that, he would have been yelled at for wasting food and given a piece of bread to wipe up with.
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Things really were different in the Kageyama household. Hinata wondered if all city-dwellers ate like this. He wouldn't be able tolerate if the answer was "yes".
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Mr Kageyama rejected his plate next and Hinata was appalled by the state it was in. Half of his food was still on it. 'Thank you, Tobio.' he said.
'You're welcome.'
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The adults left the table with their dishes. The leftovers were put in a container and left in the fridge. 'I've got to go.' Mr Kageyama said to the room. He put on his formal jacket and took his briefcase then out the door he went.
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Mrs Kageyama stared at the message on the door. 'Don't stay up too late.' she said and then she left the room too. The boys heard the master bedroom door lock.
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Kageyama glanced at Hinata curtly. He was embarrassed by his family. They were a disjointed family. They were cold and distant towards one another. Their only communications really came through on the whiteboard on the door. 'I wrote something on the fridge.' Hinata said.
'I know. Thank you.' Kageyama said. 'It was kind of you.'
'I appreciated the generosity you and your family extended to me. I just had to let you guys know.' Hinata explained himself.
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Hinata was surprised by the affection Kageyama showed him. Kageyama ruffled the top Hinata's head; he ran his fingers through wayward, orange hair. 'Thanks.' Kageyama mumbled. Kageyama's cheeks reddened and as did Hinata's. The two were ignorant to the other's embarrassment over the act as they both just stared at the table.
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They washed up together and set things to dry on the rack. 'Do you want to watch anything or are you right to go to bed?' Kageyama asked.
'I'm right to go to bed.' Hinata replied. 'I've had a good day. I would never have known that Contests were so fun. And in your battle with Tsukishima, I couldn't sit still. Piplup was like fwaa and you were like gyaa! It was exciting.' Hinata beamed.
'I was embarrassingly proud during your performance.' Kageyama admitted and Hinata smiled.
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Kageyama unfolded the bed and Hinata bid him goodnight. They made the decision to get up early the next morning so they could quietly sneak out of Jubilife but Kageyama had other plans.
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He and Hinata got up before dawn. Hinata opened the fridge; his "thank you" message was still on the door. 'Ah, someone ate the last of the strawberry yogurt. Guess I'll have to settle for vanilla, huh?' Hinata said and Kageyama closed the door on him. He was fully dressed and ready to go. He even had his bag slung across him.
'I was thinking I'd treat you to a coffee shop breakfast.' he said. He avoided looking at Hinata directly.
'Oh, uh, okay then.' Hinata said. 'Lemme get ready.'
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Hinata quickly got out of his pyjamas and made sure he had everything. His backpack bulged from everything he had packed into it. 'Got everything because we're not coming back if you have.' Kageyama said.
'Nah, I've got everything.' Hinata confidently replied.
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Kageyama locked the door behind and pocketed his house key. He led Hinata down busy, grey streets and into Stantler-Bucks. 'I heard these places're really good.' Hinata said as he sat down. The coffee shop was elegant and smelt of coffee and vanilla. There were baked treats behind heated glasses and bored baristas took orders. They wore green aprons with the coffee shop's logo on it.
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The two Trainers ordered croissants and milky drinks. It was expensive but because of a combination of prize money and having had a week of saving, they didn't particularly mind. They enjoyed their drinks and food but mostly the ambience of what was around. Despite belonging to a chain franchise, the Stantler-Bucks felt individual and unique. 'I feel like a hipster.' Kageyama said and he then got up to dispose their used paper cutlery. Hinata chuckled and agreed. This was his first time at a Stantler-Bucks coffee shop. He honestly thought they only existed in TV-land.
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They left shortly after and caught a tram to the city limits. Hinata was glad to see the city roll away into rocky, grass fields. They had been packed into this city all week like cards in a playing deck. Hinata was glad to see the fresh sights of nature again. 'Ready to leave?' Kageyama said and Hinata dashed ahead; into the wilderness.
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Hinata dashed ahead and Kageyama caught up. In bursts of sprints, they competed against each other. They completely ignored the gorgeous scenery. They followed a tar road into a straightforward, open field. Huge trees reached out to each other over long grass and rocks. Steps had been hacked into the mountainside beginning to furl out before the boys under a streaky blue sky speckled with fluffy clouds.
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They breathed in the clean air. It tasted refreshing and it was beautiful change to the polluted air they had grown used to in the confines of Jubilife City. It was hard to believe how close the city was to this untouched little piece of nature. It was also hard to believe how close it was to another city and a mountain. The rough terrain seemed to loom closer with every step though.
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The boys hiked up hand carved steps in the ledges and passed a massive pond. It felt like they had been running and walking for a few hours so Kageyama checked the time when he felt his stomach rattle with ravenous roars. 'Wow, it's almost midday.' he said and Hinata slowed.
'Ah, no wonder I'm so hungry.' he said.
'Guess we should have lunch then.' Kageyama said.
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The boys sat down close to the river and listened to it simper. They sat in the shade of an oak tree that rustled with a quiet music. It was peaceful here. The route was eerie silent compared to the constant bark and howl of the city. Hinata was much more relaxed and comfortable here; Kageyama could see it in how loose he was.
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Hinata spread out happily. 'Oink,' he sighed and his Spoink came out of its PokeBall. It hopped cautiously around. Kageyama followed suit and brought his Pokémon out of their PokeBalls. He rationed out Pokémon food between all of the Pokémon present. He and Hinata ate unhealthy snack foods though.
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Like usual, Kageyama's Staravia had found something to stare intently at. Nobody particularly worried about it. The avian always seemed to be in a world of his own. 'When do you think we'll be in Oreburgh by?' Hinata wondered.
'Depends on how much longer we stay here. But either way, I think we'll end up at Oreburgh by tomorrow. Oreburgh Gate wouldn't make a good camping spot and it's probably unsafe going through it at night as well.' Kageyama said and Hinata nodded.
'I like it here. With you and Oink.' Hinata grinned.
'Mm.' Kageyama agreed.
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Tranquillity swamped them. It truly was a different change of pace after a week of battling, training and the general chaos of city life. 'I'll have to return the favour one day.' Hinata said. Kageyama stared at him. The topic of conversation had changed so suddenly that he didn't know what Hinata was musing about. 'What?' Kageyama prompted him.
'I mean, you'll have to stay at my place now. I think Natsu'd love you. You'd be like one of her television characters brought to life.' Hinata joked and Kageyama's face reddened.
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It felt like there weren't any secrets between them anymore. They didn't feel like strangers, acquaintances or rivals anymore. They felt like best friends now.
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'Staravia!' cawed the usually silent avian. Kageyama craned his head to stare at his Pokémon. His body felt heavy and he was suddenly irritable; like he lacked sleep. He glared at Staravia who blankly stared back in return. 'What do you want? Are you hungry?' he growled.
'Jeez, Kageyama, don't be so mean.' Hinata said; his voice was singsong.
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Staravia finally averted its stare and focused on something else. Kageyama followed its stare and saw what it was so fixed on. It was staring a little white Pokémon with a green horn and it was sitting idly on a tree stump, swinging its fluffy feet. 'It's a Ralts?' Kageyama said.
'Wow? Really?' Hinata said. He got up and dived next to where Kageyama was lying.
The Ralts looked incredibly happy. It was licking its mouth and smiling. From under its hood, its green eyes glittered. Even from far away, its bliss was apparent. 'I wonder what it's doing.' Hinata mused.
'Maybe it's just enjoying the weather.' Kageyama suggested.
'That makes sense.' Hinata said.
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Kageyama got up and brushed strands of grass off himself. 'Why don't we get moving again?' he asked.
'Okay.' Hinata shrugged. Kageyama returned his Pokémon but Hinata was content with letting Oink travel alongside them.
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They made sure they didn't leave any rubbish behind and then began to walk away from the pond. The two made light conversation whilst listening to the serenity of their surroundings. But they detected, Kageyama mostly, the sound of a small creature crunching through long grass.
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Hinata hazarded a glance behind them. It was just like he suspected. 'I think we've made a new friend.' he joked.
'Maybe it's feeding off us.' Kageyama said and he pulled out his PokeDex. He imputed Ralts' name and the automated voice prattled off probably useful information:
'It uses the horns on its head to sense human emotions. It is said to appear in front of cheerful people. If its horns capture the warm feelings of people or Pokémon, its body warms up slightly.'
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Kageyama glanced at Hinata. It seemed likelier that it was stalking him as Hinata was a cheerful person. 'Gardevoir is a very popular Pokémon in Hoen; especially in Contests actually. That's what Dad told me but he was never able to catch a Ralts. Wonder if he'd be jealous if I caught one when he couldn't.' Hinata mused.
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Hinata turned around and psyched himself up. 'I'm gonna catch it!' he decided.
'Alright then.' Kageyama allowed it.
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Oink snorted and bounced more aggressively. 'Fight me, Ralts!' Hinata announced. Ralts call echoed through. It sounded like it was ready to take the challenge. 'Oink! Psywave!' Oink narrowed its eyes and released pink and purple waves from the pearl atop its head. Ralts called again then disappeared right before their eyes in a blink. It reappeared behind Oink and started to release a psychic wave after psychic wave.
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Oink stiffened and it grew dizzy. Ralts relentlessly attacked until Oink eventually cried out sadly and wobbled around. 'Oh dear...' Hinata worried. 'Come back, Oink!' He thrust out his PokeBall. Oink disappeared in a crimson light.
Ralts spun around and looked happy. It teleported again and onto Kageyama's shoulders. He grew irritated. Hinata's mouth dropped. 'I think it likes you.' Hinata said and he stowed Oink's PokeBall. They weren't going to be battling for a while.
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Ralts nuzzled up against Kageyama's face. 'Would you like to join my team?' he asked it. Ralts placed its limbs around his neck and continued to rub its face against Kageyama.
'I'd take that as a "yes".' Hinata mock translated.
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Kageyama took out a PokeBall. He wondered if he would have to battle it. 'Would you like to do the honours?' he asked the Ralts. It leaped onto Kageyama's hand. It was so small and he was so big. Ralts bopped on the button and was taken by the red light. It didn't even take a second for the PokeBall to settle.
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'Lucky.' whined Hinata, he pouted. He was really starting to want a second Pokémon now that Kageyama had three to choose between.
'I suppose. I guess I'm not picky like you. I mean, what kind of Pokémon goes "fwaa"?' Kageyama asked.
'The coolest ones like Oink.' Hinata retorted.
'I've never once heard Oink go "fwaa".' Kageyama snapped.
'Yeah but you don't know Oink like I do.' Hinata pouted.
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Kageyama huffed and decided to let Ralts out of its Ball. 'Are you gonna do the kyaa thing again?' Hinata asked and Kageyama got out his PokeDex.
'What does that even mean, idiot?' Kageyama asked, rhetorically. He had his PokeDex scan his Ralts who happily twirled about.
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The PokeDex came up with Ralts' information quite quickly. 'This Ralts is male and knows Teleport, Confusion and Growl. Roughly level nine. Oink is roughly level fourteen. But Ralts seems to fight dirty. He also has the Synchronise Ability which could be very useful.' Kageyama said. He hoped that wouldn't be a problem in the future.
'Looks like my Dad's gonna be jealous of you.' Hinata mused. He didn't particularly care for the stats figures behind Pokémon.
'I think I would like to evolve my Ralts into a Gallade actually.' Kageyama mused. 'But where will I get a Dawn Stone?'