Chapter 33: At The End of Fate's Road, Act 1
A few years earlier…
…
"So, in exchange for this investment, you want our children to be betrothed to one another in the future?"
"In short, yes."
"..."
"If it makes you feel any better, you can always back out at any time. I won't force you. But it's either your company will be paying mine back in installments, with interest, or this alternative."
"..." After a few minutes, the man finally agrees. "Alright. I'll accept...Provided that what you say is true, that I can back out to the other option at any time."
"Of course. If my son or your daughter refuses this arrangement when they've come of age, I will agree to call it off with no problem. I just need the debt paid, or my own company will risk going bankrupt."
With no other choice, the worried man ultimately decides to sign the contract.
…
On the way to Undella Town, Nate tells Yancy about what had happened just after he beat the Champions Tournament, something he didn't have time for while they were making their way back to the hotel earlier.
"I'm retiring as Unova's Champion for good this time."
"I'm guessing you're tired of holding the position for real this time?"
"Well, partly... I just want to focus more on us, and on my acting career in Pokestar Studios. I've already gotten back at Red for humiliating me, so I've pretty much gotten all that I wanted from there. What about you?"
"Well, Uncle Zach said I could always come back as a TV host under my real name and a new costume. But my singing career as Nancy is effectively over, thanks to the "no dating" rule for idol singers. And there's that casting gig."
"If you do manage to land the role, it's very likely we'll be together on the big screen, heh. I mean, Sneasel Ninja and Princess Sylveon in the comics and TV shows often worked together alongside Lucario Kid."
"I know. And thank you for giving me that comic book during Valentine's Day. I've also been watching a few of those DVDs of that Princess Sylveon cartoon you lent me."
"So, how was it?"
"So far? I'm actually loving it."
"Oh, it gets better. You'll see. Just wait until you get to Season 4."
Just then, the driver speaks up. "We're here."
With that, the Ruri Estate's large gate comes into view once more. Not long after, the gate opens once more, allowing the car they're in to make its way. At the front of the Estate, they're once more greeted by the family butler, who leads the young couple into the living room, where Yancy's father is seated. Yancy's mother is seated right next to her husband.
"Welcome back, you two." Mrs. Ruri says. "Take a seat on the other couch."
"We're sorry if we asked you two to head here early." Mr. Ruri tells the young couple. "Anyways. Congratulations on your victory in the PWT you two. I just watched the news on it a few minutes back."
"Thanks, Mr. Ruri."
"Thank you, Dad."
"I'm just glad that collaboration with Macro Cosmos to improve the PWT paid off...That big incident in Galar from a few months ago made me regret making that deal with Chairman Rose, their President and the Galar League Chairman."
"Yeah, I heard about it from an acquaintance earlier." Nate replies. "How he almost leveled the Galar Region and all, or something."
"Correct. That's also partly the reason this year's PWT was delayed, in addition to what happened in Driftveil City and Icirrus City...The Galar Pokemon League requested it so that they could update their roster of Gym Leaders and their participating Champion, and so that Macro Cosmos could be reorganized.."
"Okay, dear. I think that's enough for now." Mrs. Ruri then speaks up. "There's something you two need to know."
Curious, Nate asks "Something? Was there something I wasn't told about?"
This is immediately followed by Yancy asking "That's what I've been wondering myself, mom and dad. You wouldn't call us here unless it was urgent."
"Well, we both wanted to apologize personally. Because it's something that's important to the future of Ruri Holdings."
"What is it?"
"What is it, dad?"
"Do you remember the company gala that we were having a while back? The one where we had intended to announce you, Nate, as the suitor to Yancy, our daughter and heiress?"
Instead of replying, both of them nod in response.
"Well, me and Elizabeth have been doing some thinking. And, well...after how you saved our daughter at great risk to your own life..."
Mrs. Ruri then continues what her husband says. "We'd like to ask you to not only be her suitor, but to be her fiance as well."
For a few seconds, the young couple remain silent, apparently caught completely off-guard by what the older man just said.
"What!?" Yancy exclaims.
Nate then continues with "What did you say?"
"We...are asking you, Nate Kyouhei, to be our daughter's fiance."
"I see…" He replies. He then calmly asks. "I'm guessing you told my parents in advance?"
"Yes we told both of them about considering said that they were okay with the arrangement provided that you were. And, of course, we are content to wait for your decision regardless of choice."
"I see...To be honest, that's something I need time to think about. It's something I can't just accept immediately…"
"We fully understand that." Mrs. Ruri tells him. "We won't force either of you to make a decision. Just tell us when the time is right and we'll respect whichever choice you two have made."
Yancy, finally recovering from her initial shock, then brings up something. "Mom and Dad, should I...tell Nate about Curtis? I think he has the right to know at this point."
"Wait, what happened between you and Curtis?" Nate asks, having never been told anything about this prior.
Rather than explain it to him, Yancy's parents let their daughter tell him everything.
"Curtis...was supposed to have been my ...I asked for the arrangement to be called off…"
This shocks Nate at first, but then he remembers something she had told him just before he made his Love Confession to her.
"Wait...So that's the reason you left me behind...back in Driftveil City? That's what you meant that time?"
"Yes…" She replies hesitantly. "His parents, the Tetsus, made an arrangement with my dad years ago, asking that I marry Curtis, their son, when the time was right, in exchange for them paying off a large debt that my dad owed them."
"W-wait, does that mean I now owe you guys money?"
"Hahaha...No, Nate." Mr. Ruri replies. "I already managed to pay Mr. Tetsu back in the years since I made that arrangement. I honestly regretted making that decision since I only did it to get rid of our company's debt quickly. So it was a relief for all of us when Yancy told me that she met someone else and wanted the arrangement called off."
"What we do need, though, is someone worthy of inheriting our fortune." Mrs. Ruri tells him. "Someone like you, who's already proven himself to be a strong Trainer and has a strong moral code. You promised to us you'd take care of our daughter, and you kept that promise at great risk for your own wellbeing."
"Thanks for the encouraging words, Mr. and Mrs. Ruri." Nate says, clearly thankful that he's not in debt. "So, let me get this straight. The only reason there was arranged marriage between Yancy and Curtis was because you needed a worthy heir, and as a favor for your friend and business partner? And that there were no hard feelings when Yancy asked for it to be called off? No grudges, no complications, nothing?"
"None whatsoever, Nate." Mr. Ruri replies reassuringly. "When I told Mr. Tetsu about my daughter's situation, he took it in stride. He even thanked me, since his son turned out to dislike the arrangement as well."
"That's a relief…" Nate says, before continuing. "I always thought that these kinds of things always had complications or consequences of some sort…"
Curious, Yancy asks "Where did you learn that?"
"From a few Visual Novels and games…The kind where the girl's parents hate it where the guy is dirt-poor and threaten or oppose him at every turn."
"Ahahaha." Mrs. Ruri says, clearly amused at the young man's confession. "Very funny, Nate. We're not those kinds of rich folks."
"Yeah, I've long since figured that out…"
Mr Ruri then interrupts them. "Anyways, I think that's enough explanations for the time being. Nate, we'll respect your indecision for the time being." He then redirects his attention to his daughter. "Now then, Yancy."
"Yes, dad?"
"Is there any way for us to make it up to you and Nate? Again, both us really do apologize for dragging you two here out of the blue."
"Well, um…" For a second, she thinks of what to say, before ultimately deciding. "Dad, could you be the one to pay for me and Nate's dinner out somewhere? That's what we were originally planning on doing before coming here, after all."
"Sure thing, dear." He then produces something from his pocket, before handing it to her. "Here's my debit card. You're free to use it on what you need for tonight. But please, return it to me tomorrow morning."
"Yes, dad." She then takes the card, and places it in her purse.
"Before you go…" Mrs. Ruri then tells the young couple. "What should we do with your luggage? Are you two planning on sleeping here?"
"Ummm, Yancy?" Nate asks her.
"Hmmm...Well...Ah, I got it!" She then asks "Could you have them delivered to my condo unit? We'll take care of them from there after they arrive."
"Alright, dear. Enjoy your night together, haha." She then waves goodbye to the young couple, who thank them in return just before standing up and leaving.
"Oh, wait." Mr. Ruri then asks them. "Do you need a ride to your destination or do you plan on Flying there?"
"We're fine with Flying there." Nate replies. "Thanks for the offer, though."
"Alright. Enjoy your night, you two." He then waves goodbye to both of them, with Yancy waving goodbye in return.
…
A few minutes later, at Nimbasa City…
…
"Well, here we are." Nate says after calling back his Braviary. "Now what?"
"Well, I did say I was going to treat us out to a fancy dinner, so that's what we're going to do." Yancy then calls back her Togekiss not long afterward.
"Wait, I thought you said we were going to eat at the top floor restaurant of the Driftveil Chateau Hotel."
"Well, considering we were just checked out of there...I decided to go to this alternative location here instead. Besides, you can't get there by Flying."
"Wait, we're going to Anville Town?"
"Mmmmhmmm." She replies back. "They recently opened a 5-star restaurant there, so I figured we'd try it now."
"Sounds good to me."
…
"Darn. This place is fancy, alright!" Nate says, clearly in awe. "They even modeled it from the inside of one of those old train cars here."
"Yup." Yancy replies cheerfully. "In fact, this is one of the most expensive and luxurious restaurants in Unova."
"Makes sense, considering that the car they built the place out of was pretty pricey itself." Not long afterward, both of them make their way in. Immediately, the waiter at the entrance accommodates them, and seats the young couple at a nice window table overlooking Anville Town. After the waiter takes their orders, Yancy starts conversing with her boyfriend.
"So, about earlier…"
"About that offer?"
"Yes…What's your thought?"
"I'm honestly...conflicted on what to do..." He says in a very honest tone. "On one hand, we're still too young to be sure about what we want in life. On the other, it'd be like a dream come true. Us, together, and finally getting to live in a mansion and inherit millions..."
"I'm conflicted as well…" She confesses. "I'm honestly glad mom and dad aren't pressuring us like those soap opera villains you mentioned…"
"This is gonna be a problem for the both of us, alright…"
"Yeah…" She says in a resigned tone. "For now, I just want to relax and focus on our date."
"Same…" He then decides to change the subject matter. "So, after we're done here, where do you want to go next?"
After a few seconds of thinking, she replies with "How about the Ferris Wheel, for old time's sake?"
"That's...actually not a bad idea. I kind of miss the view from up there..."
With that settled, the two of them continue to enjoy their dinner together, all to the sound of a musician playing a flute.
…
An hour later, back at Nimbasa City…
...
"You're awfully quiet." Nate tells Yancy, who is seated opposite of him. "Normally, when we're riding the Ferris Wheel, you'd be talking and talking about different things."
"Well, it's just that...I've been thinking about all the things that happened earlier today…"
"You mean the marriage proposal thing?"
"Yeah...But not just that…" She then pauses, deciding to sit next to him. She then continues confiding with him, now resting her head on his right shoulder. "I actually enjoyed battling against all those Trainers earlier...I used to consider Pokemon battling only as a necessity to get forward...But now, ever since I met you, I've come to enjoy it, as a hobby. The same way I always enjoy Contests, Musicals, and Pokemon Breeding."
"Glad that I was able to convince you the joys of competitive battling. Speaking of which...Ever since we started dating, I've managed to...regain my confidence. As a Trainer, as an actor, and as a significant other. If it weren't for your help, I probably wouldn't even have considered coming out of retirement just to get back at Red."
"Then I'm glad that I helped you to become a better person, ahaha!"
"Then I guess we can thank each other by doing this…" All of a sudden, he grabs Yancy by the back of the neck, pushes her face near his, and subsequently kisses her in the lips, as he had done numerous times before. Quickly running out of breath, he then lets her go.
"Nate…" She then returns the favor by kissing him in the lips, then embracing him not long after. This time, they continue doing this, at least until the Ferris Wheel ride ends.
"Awww…And it was just getting good..." Yancy mutters, clearly still wanting more.
"Drat…" Nate says, a little disappointed. "Guess we'd better get out or we'll get into trouble."
"Yeah…" They then both exit and leave the Ferris Wheel.
Just as they make their way around the Nimbasa City amusement park, they both look at each other with longing eyes. It becomes clear to both of them that they want to continue where they had left off. After a few seconds of staring at one another, they both speak up at the same time.
"Nate, do you think we could-"
"Yancy, I'd like to ask if we could-"
"Huh?"
"Wait, what?"
"(Did he just say-...?)"
"(She wants to...continue!?)"
Deciding to make sure, Nate decides to ask her bluntly. "Yancy, did you just say you want to continue where we left off?"
In response, she whispers into his ear. "(Yes…)" She then asks him bluntly in return. "Do you think we could head back to my place?"
Without any hesitation, he nods. Wasting no time, both of them make their way out of the amusement park, call their Flying-type Pokemon out, and Fly in the direction of Castelia City.
