(Poke)Ball is Life
Chapter 36 – A Charmed Life
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Kageyama's mother wasn't able to stay around much longer but she spent the evening at her son's bedside. She tried her hardest to delay her departure but airplane flights had a domineering effect on her schedule.
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She was livelier than Hinata remembered but also awkward. She was more open and Hinata wondered why. He liked this new persona of hers though and he thinks that Kageyama does too. She wasn't good at making jokes though and she screeched when she saw Prinplup but by the end of the night, she became comfortable with Ralts. Ralts had taken to her quite well and she didn't seem to mind patting Ralts' head and letting him sit on her lap. She ate with them and tidied up for them.
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It was sad when she had to leave after making so many good, new memories. 'She's a lot nicer now.' Hinata said when she had left.
'I'm sorry she kept stuffing up your name.' Kageyama murmured.
'No, it's fine.' Hinata smiled.
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Why did Kageyama feel so weird seeing that smile?
His mother must have put strange thought in her head. She had mentioned Oikawa and the "drama" he had caused.
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Time passed slowly in the hospital and it was driving Hinata insane. He spent a lot of his time sitting with Kageyama. Although, by midday Hinata sensed that Kageyama wanted some alone time, he would decide to spend some time outside on Route 206. Hinata suggested that he should go outside for a bit so Kageyama let him take his Pokémon as well so they could get a stretch as well. Hinata took care of their combined horde and tried to train them evenly for the rest of the day.
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Soon, Nurse Joy gave them the thumbs-up and discharged Kageyama and set the two of them up with bunk beds on the second floor with the other hostel Trainers.
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Kageyama was discharged right in time for the festival; and also right before the Contest in Hearthome. He had watched from the window for the past day as stalls and decorations went up. 'Are you looking forward to tonight?' Hinata asked. They were sitting down in their hostel room; it looked like the others they had stayed at although it didn't feel quite as spacious.
'Yeah.' Kageyama replied.
'But how are we going to get to Hearthome in time?' Hinata asked.
'Nurse Joy said that if we hire bikes first thing tomorrow at the Cycling Gate, we can get to Oreburgh in no time at all and we run like crazy through Mt Coronet and Route 207, then we'll get to Hearthome in no time at all. Only problem is neither of us will have a routine ready.' Kageyama said.
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Hinata's ears perked up. He smiled and Kageyama glanced at the clock on the wall. 'Lucky we've still got plenty of time before the parade. It is a festival of the night after all.' Hinata said.
'Then what are we waiting for?' Kageyama asked. He and Hinata got to their feet.
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He and Hinata spent the rest of the day training their Pokémon and coming up with routines. They didn't devote much time into thinking about the fact that only one of them could continue their winning streak from here on out. Eventually, dusk dyed the sky into husky colours and the two felt a chilly wind on their backs so they headed back to the Pokémon Centre where Nurse Joy had decorated it accordingly. She was also running a stall where Trainers could hire out yutaka. The boys considered it but they were fine going in their casual clothes but that was after talking to Nurse Joy.
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Eterna City's Festival for the Dead was a formal occasion, the older you got and the more local you are to the area so passing trainers could be excused from wearing a kimono and yutaka.
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The city was awash in moonlight and many, electrical lights had been turned off. The main source of light was coming from the paper lanterns that had been hung in the lead-up to tonight. They were elegant and like little wisps of colourful, decorative fire amid the maple trees. The stalls buzzed and many people made their way to the shrines and temples in the city's east.
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Kageyama and Hinata wandered the area and looked around. They nibbled on barbequed fruits and meats. They passed by young children playing games and elderly who prayed. 'Do you have any deceased relatives, Hinata?' Kageyama asked. It was a morbid question but seeing as this was a festival honouring the dead that they were attending, he figured he may as well ask. Hinata stared forward. 'My grandfather is the reason it's illegal in Twinleaf to drive a tractor anywhere near water.'
'I didn't ask that?' Kageyama said. He paused and felt horrible. 'Oh. I'm so sorry.'
'And my great-great uncle died doing what he loved most.' Hinata said.
'And what as that?' Kageyama inquired.
'Screaming "Fuck Beedrill" in heavily forested areas.' Hinata said.
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Kageyama stared at his friend. He wasn't certain as to what to do with this new information but he felt like he suddenly understood more about Hinata. He had insanity in his lineage. 'What about you?' Hinata asked and he sounded slightly more empathetic than when he was talking about his own losses.
'My grandparents on Mum's side died when she was a teenager. I never got to meet them but Mum doesn't talk about them nicely...' Kageyama murmured.
'I'm sorry.' Hinata said.
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The two of them wandered into an area webbed with rope and little bits of blocks. It was dense with people as well and a man in white, red, and blue robes swept. 'I think they're luck charms.' Hinata said and he reached for one that was dangling close to him. He plucked it down and noticed a price tag. 'Five PokeYen. Wow, these're really cheap. One per person.' Hinata read off the tag. Kageyama reached for one too then.
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The luck charm seemed to be encased inside of the wooden block like some sort of capsule machine toy. The boys broke them open and wooden blocks swung open as they had hinges. Hinata found a blue piece of string with a glassy, spherical charm attached within his as well as a slip of paper. Kageyama found an orange piece of string with a pair of yellow bells that tinkled faintly as it moved, as well as a piece of paper.
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'I'll go first.' Hinata said and he pocketed the charm and unfolded the paper. 'Love: a companion nearby ought to be cherished.' Hinata giggled. 'I got a lame girly one. I wish I got something about the Hearthome Contest or volleyball. Yeah, that woulda been better.'
'My turn.' Kageyama said. 'Life: give your partner patience and then success shall follow.'
'Aah, no fair. Your probably gonna win the Hearthome Contest with a reading like that one.' Hinata commented.
'I don't believe in fate. I believe hard work conquers all.' Kageyama said and he put what he had in his pocket regardless.
'Wise words.' Hinata said.
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The two went and paid the shrine-worker accepting the change for the luck charms. He bid the two Trainers good luck in their futures and went on with sweeping again.