The morning sun was emerging again from the forest surrounding the village, at that time the small stores were just starting their day, as well as the activity in Hotaru was slowly starting to wake up.
Inside my home, the little Riolu continued sleeping now in my bed, at the same time that the warm temperature of the interior together with some blankets on it and a mattress that his back had never touched only caused the pleasant rest that had been unknown until then.
With my coat on, my steps were the first to be heard after I finally started to leave my home carefully and silently, at the same time that I put my hands on the collar of my jacket in order to cover my face a little more against the cold of that morning, a sign of the approaching winter.
As I walked away, I could only remain fixed in my thoughts, most of all on what had happened the night before.
The risk involved in being a participant, the danger it placed not only me, but also all my loved ones. I had to keep it a secret, no one in Hotaru should know, any slightest detail that came out of the village would imply the relevant risk, and that could only continue to make me question the decisions I had made.
I had to go to Hina to warn her, however, as soon as I took my first steps inside the village, my paranoia would not take long to emerge after I tried to look at anyone who passed by me.
Assumptions came and went, would someone have seen us when Hina and Yuta took us off the truck, would they have inadvertently told someone about the Riolu, would that man who was smuggling them already found out that the Riolu was still alive, my fear was growing, however, it didn't take long before I ran into the first familiar face.
─Hi Ryo! ─A cheerful voice emerges, pulling me out of my thoughts, and then I see a man coming out of the small bookstore in town, just opening its doors when I passed by him, without noticing him.
─H-Hi Mr. Iku ─My surprise was obvious, but the classic kindness of the owner towards me remained ─Excuse me, do you mind if I keep the book for a few more days? ─It was my only reaction to suspect the reasons why Iku had greeted me.
─ Don't worry, kid, I just wanted to ask you how you're doing, when the news that someone from Hotaru was getting along with a Riolu got out, you became a celebrity─…
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And so it was that what little peace of mind existed in my head completely collapsed.
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─ It's already rare for pokémon to be in a relationship with a human, but... A Riolu?, even in better times it was rare for one of those to want to be with someone, but honestly I'm not surprised that you were one I would trust ─Iku continued talking between joyful and innocent laughter, but my wide eyes and pale face barely showed how little attention I was paying before the cascade of chaos and consequences that overwhelmed my head at that moment after what I heard.
─ Sorry, I have to go ─Was the only thing I said after cutting off the man's conversation, before missing him once I started to walk away and start running to Hina's place.
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─-Why did you do that?! ─My exalted face together with the crash of my hands on the display case in front of Hina was the next thing to happen after finally arriving at her store, at that hour it was barely open and there were no customers. The woman's surprised and a bit frightened reaction was the only thing that emerged after that.
─What's the matter with you? ─The woman retained the temper that I lacked at that moment.
─Did you or Yuta tell anyone that I have a Riolu in house?! ─I was still upset, but the woman could only show surprise and concern, mixed with her own annoyance at hearing me talking to her like that.
─Are you even listening to yourself? ─ The woman crossed her arms ─The only one who is revealing everything now is you ─As soon as she said that, Hina only pointed her finger towards the entrance of the store, to then make me notice how a customer who had just arrived looked at us with surprise and a little discomfort at the atmosphere that was easily perceived, I frowned with annoyance and concern, but only Hina released a sigh after I turned back to this one.
─The first person who arrived also asked me about him ─The woman revealed, while keeping her serious face ─But rest assured that neither I nor Yuta told anyone, we are not so stupid as to know that this could get you in trouble with the people you met in the capital ─While the woman spoke, I could only lean my elbows on the glass case and put my hands on my head, trying to think about the situation.
─This is not good ─I whispered, while Hina kept her words to herself as she attended to the still uncomfortable customer.
─Someone else must have found out and told the others, I was thinking about the thieves we ran into when we found you ─The woman mentioned as I was thinking similar things, but the origin no longer mattered once the news was out.
─Hina, this is serious, I don't want to imagine what will happen when that slaver finds out that the Riolu lives ─I said, as I sat up again.
─You can let him go when he recovers, he's a pokémon, it's better for him to be with his own ─The woman said, but as soon as she said that I turned slightly towards her, leaving a short moment of silence.
─I-It wouldn't do any good, if they came and saw that he wasn't there, it would be worse for us, even if he didn't have it I doubt they would leave us alone if they found us ─I admitted a little nervous about the real reason why I couldn't let the Riolu go, to which Hina only smiled and frowned slightly after hearing me like that.
─Oh no... Did you really let him stay with you? ─She acknowledged with an incredulous laugh, and my annoyance at his own insight was my only response, while the woman could only shake her head a couple of times, only to then look slightly surprised when I started to leave ─What will you do? ─She ask.
─I need to think about it more calmly, I will try to come back tonight with an answer, but I only ask that you are ready ─I said still with a tone between annoyed and worried.
─Ready for what? ─She asked, still puzzled.
─To do whatever it takes ─Were my last words before leaving the place, while now my most annoying look was the only reflection of the thoughts that at that moment dominated me.
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My imagination kept playing tricks on me, thinking that Hina or Yuta would be surprised during the night, or a simple working day, threatened? The simple fact of imagining someone pointing a gun at them was enough to accelerate my heart and make my blood boil; however, I knew I had to calm down, in a situation like that I could not afford to make rash decisions; although I knew I had committed myself to that Riolu, it was not a lie what I had told Hina, whether I separated from him or not, I doubted that if those people found out about us, they would leave us alone knowing that we no longer had the pokémon.
First of all my main concern was to confirm that leaving town might be the only solution, the police and the absent mayor had already made it clear that they would be conspicuous by their absence and neither Hina, Yuta or I were in a position to defend ourselves against something like that with our current lifestyle.
My thoughts and strategies were distracting me on my way back to my home, but as soon as I was close enough to it, the sounds of banging and things falling down, as if a fight was going on inside its walls triggered my senses to the fullest.
─"What the hell is going on? He got well that fast?!" ─ Neither the door nor the only window showed any sign of having been broken or opened, the fear at the initial thought that someone had entered was extinguished almost at the first second, plus my hurried running was soon the next thing to happen.
─Riolu?! ─I asked as soon as I finally opened the door, only to take my wand aside as I still believed that someone else was in the house, to which only my surprised as well as overwhelmed and discouraged face was the next thing to appear after I saw the state my little house was in.
The mattress turned upside down, the sheets scattered, the chairs and tables fallen, luckily the dwarf had not touched the few plates and glasses I had, however the chaos of my things that I so carefully kept and preserved could only be seen being mistreated by the noisy and crazy pokémon that ran from one side to the other.
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More only stopped when the sound of my rod hitting him on his forehead was the next thing to happen.
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The pokémon's screeching was the clear result, I wouldn't hit it with all my might, but I wouldn't be gentle either.
─"What the hell is wrong with you?!" ─Said the little pokémon through telepathy and an angry face as he rubbed the bump on his head.
─And you have the nerve to ask me that question?! ─My angry features resembled those of the pokémon, while it only missed and exalted me after, instead of continuing to rub its head, its hands soon went to its ears, at the same time that a new pain seemed to replace the pain of my blow.
─"I can't take it!" ─The little pokémon was starting to freak out again and run, however, my hand holding it by the skin on the back of its neck and lifting it up from there was enough to keep it under control.
─"Let go of me!" ─While the little one kept squirming and kicking without getting out of my grip, he still kept his hands on his ears.
I didn't know how to react at all, I could only continue to bemoan the state of my house, however, as I continued to try to control the upset pokémon, it wasn't long before I myself froze for a moment once, ever so slightly, a small, high-pitched whistle emerged at my side.
It was very slight, almost inaudible, however, the fact that the Riolu reacted in pain right at the same moment was enough to make me feel it too.
As soon as I looked towards the wall, I slowly began to lift the Riolu towards various parts of the house, trying to confirm my suspicions, as soon as its reaction of annoyance became more noticeable towards where I thought it was originating from in the beginning, I only ended up opening the door for the pokémon and missing it when I let it out of the house.
─Stay here, give me a second ─Without the closed environment of the house, that sound was more "bearable" for the little pokémon as soon as it came out, but its curiosity did not take long to make it peek slightly and cautiously at what I was beginning to investigate.
As I brought my ear close to the wall, with as much concentration as possible, it wasn't long before I began to feel a faint buzzing sound, causing only my discomfort.
─You must be fucking with me… ─I thought out loud in annoyance, only to increase the strangeness of the Riolu itself, once I started again to leave my house, rod in hand, until I started walking towards the other side of the same wall I was listening to.
The Riolu did not hesitate to follow me, at the same time as its pain increased, still in bearable ranges as it was outside the house; however, its uncomfortable expressions could not be hidden.
As I touched the wall, between the boards that covered the first layer, it didn't take long for me to frown at the faint relief that, I knew, didn't match the rest, causing the little pokémon to become slightly exalted once I finished burying the stick with a clear energy of anger and rage in the wall; to which, after applying a bit of leverage, a badly nailed piece of wood finally ended up ripping itself out of the wall...
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And it will show a small, tiny, round, metallic device hidden among the interiors of my home.
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And the tip of my rod destroying it was what finally put an end to it.
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The relaxed sitting of the Riolu, grateful to finally stop listening to that incessant chirping was the sign that only that device was in the house, or at least the only active one; meanwhile, I only picked up that device again, staring at it while I frowned silently, thinking clearly who had been the one who had dared to do what I imagined.
─"Ah?" ─The ignorance in the little Riolu after hearing it did not take long to awaken along with his curiosity, to which he only turns to me again, while I remained completely wrapped up in my thoughts.
─- "Who is Taichi?" ─ The little pokémon asked innocently.
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Before he himself was overwhelmed at the instant my weapon landed on his throat, at a speed that had not even given him time to react.
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The Riolu said nothing, just feeling my aura was enough, the fear that emerged from him was different from when he was enslaved, what he felt from me was not an irrational or discriminating hatred, it was not something I had against him; however, it was sincere, something quite different from what he was used to.
He wanted to ask, but my presence and abrupt act had muted his thoughts.
─Don't ever... get inside my head again ─My order was simple, in the past I had not worried about the subject, more as I realized that living with him would be a reality, there were still things I refused to share with anyone, to the point that I did not even care what could happen to me or my family if I got rid of the pokémon as long as I respected the latter; and remembering that the Riolu was capable of it, I did not restrain myself in the least to remind him of it.
A few seconds of silence passed, my pulse remained steady and unwavering, the sense of death and rage emanating from my eyes and my aura in itself continued to overwhelm the little pokémon.
─"F-fine" ─That was the first thing heard after almost a minute of complete silence.
─Promise me ─That word, even imbued with the anger and annoyance he was emitting at that moment, completely caught and exalted the Riolu's attention.
─"I-I promise" ─As if it were a bitter and strange drink, the little pokémon only ended up staying frozen even after I started to slowly move my wand away from its neck, spending again a couple of seconds in silence before I moved again, withdrawing from the place.
─The door is open, if you hear anything strange again leave the house and wait for me, I'll be back before nightfall ─Those were my only words before I left the pokémon alone again and walked back to Hotaru.
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My walk remained serious but steady; as I walked through the streets, there was no shortage of people who wanted to greet me and ask about the Riolu, but my annoying and quiet attitude, completely ignoring anyone who tried to get my attention, silenced and missed them.
Until finally arriving at the town hall.
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Inside a poorly lit room, the well-kept furniture and features of a well-appointed office were on display, while at the far end of the room a man appeared to be writing some documents, his face hidden in the shadows.
─Wait, you can't go in there! ─A female voice is heard from the other side, at the same time that constant footsteps approaching seemed not to alter the man's writing.
My bursting into the office was the next thing to show up, at the same time the secretary who tried to stop me was quick to call security.
-─You're a fucking bastard ─I did not take long to start insulting the one on the other side of the desk, however, as soon as one of the guards arrived to stop me, I did not hesitate to break his balance with my stick after he grabbed my arm, pushing his feet and throwing him to the ground, and then lightly thrust my weapon towards his neck.
Before another guard pointed an electric Teaser at my head.
A couple of seconds of silence passed, that man continued writing, but I along with the other guards remained static, at the same time looking at the one who was the mayor of Hotaru.
─Although it would be fun to see what happens, leave him, I was already waiting for his visit ─That man finally spoke while he put his pencil aside, only to make the man who was threatening me move his weapon away, as I did mine, disinterestedly pushing him away from my side, before they only stood further behind my back.
─So... How can I help you, Mr. Kurogane? -The man asked cordially, to which I just threw him what was left of the small microphone I had destroyed, falling on top of his desk.
─Only a sick man like you would think of putting these things in my house, Taichi ─I said with obvious anger, as Taichi only began to intertwine his fingers.
─Someone with such precious... "merchandise"... I couldn't leave it without a bit of surveillance, although I realize that thing detects them, I guess I'll have to settle for that ─Taichi began to speak with a small laugh, while my face turned into a much more serious one.
─So you were the one who told everyone about the Riolu ─I was right in my suspicions, but Taichi only got up instantly from his chair, starting to turn his back on me as he looked for a book on one of his many shelves.
─To suspect something like that so quickly... you can tell you are your mother's son ─Mentioning her only made my features tighter ─But you got your impertinence from your father as well ─As soon as he said those words, my body seemed to want to move by itself in order to give him what he deserved, but I knew I was at a disadvantage with the pair of men behind me, so I could only squeeze my stick harder in response, which was perceived by the mayor himself, reaching only to smile.
─But what would I get out of it? ─He asked again ─It would only make you worry and get you to leave with those old people, why would I bother to get rid of someone as charismatic as you? ─He said again in a sarcastic and smiling tone, before that made me realize what he had actually managed to do.
─You wanted me to come... ─I whispered, as I began to realize what I had gotten myself into.
─I doubt you would have agreed to come if I had ordered you to do so; and let's say that forcibly removing someone so well known and loved in the village would not give me a very good image... making you come willingly was something much more appropriate; your father was just as predictable ─Taichi acknowledged ─Not even thinking about his actions while risking everything he loves ─He spoke now with a slightly more annoyed tone, making me frown even more annoyed and helpless at what he was telling me ─I'm really surprised that in that head of yours you thought you would get anything by coming here, were you thinking of threatening me? ─He gave a faint laugh, while I kept silent, a few seconds passed before Taichi found the book he was looking for, while he started to browse through it ─Don't worry about those in the capital... I already told them that you have the Riolu alive ─He started to speak with a disinterested tone, while he read and continued browsing, at the same time that my angry face would soon turn into a paler one before what the man was revealing to me.
─What is your problem with me? ─the strength with which I held my weapon was decreasing, all the little hope I had to protect my family was disappearing, thinking that even those who attacked me on the way to the capital were on their way.
─Problem? ─Taichi exclaimed strangely ─I don't have any, I don't want those capital people to come near my village, don't worry, they won't come after you or the pokémon... for now ─I didn't know what to think at that moment, not even knowing what was happening, but my ignorant and fearful face was enough to bring out a mocking smile in Taichi.
─This is what interests me now ─said the man, before leaving the book he had been looking for on the desk, to which he invites me to look at it, only to notice, once I got closer, the shape of what seemed to be a strange pokémon, its colors were similar to those of the Riolu, however, when the name "Lucario" came up, I knew what he was referring to, more even so I was surprised at the shape it had, since when I learned about it in the other book, there was no image.
─What is the meaning of this? ─I asked, lying that I didn't know what he was referring to, but Taichi soon spoke up again.
─C' mon Ryo... let's agree not to lie to each other ─Taichi said with a small smile ─The Lucario are beings that have been kept far away from humanity for decades, you have no idea the price they offer for one of these nowadays and how much they have tried to capture them; there are very few left ─the man said again, while I kept my frown.
─You want me to make him evolve... ─I only managed to whisper the obvious, while Taichi remained serene.
─In all this time, what they have wanted to achieve the most is that, besides finding a female and having more... ─The mayor continued speaking.
─I wonder why they didn't get it ─I said now with a sarcastic tone at the clear mistreatment in which the pokémon lived, completely contrary to what was needed for it to evolve.
─Although independent of not finding a female in time, when they found out that the Riolu hadn't abandoned you... the rest was easy; a Lucario that isn't wild and trained? you have no idea how much money it's worth ─Acknowledged Taichi, while making my face angry again at that detail, however, it wouldn't take long for him to turn away from me again, starting to look for other books now out of self-interest.
─If you do, I promise that your dear family will not suffer any unexpected night visits, and you will be able to walk your pet around town without any problem, better if it gets used to humans, you don't have to go around trying to hide things with that old lady ─Said the mayor, making me frown a little more after realizing that detail.
─-Do you think those are the only smugglers who will find out? ─I asked the obvious, while Taichi remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
─I have my methods to protect what I want... and unfortunately you have something again, you will be protected, I'm good at silencing the mouths that I don't want them to talk too much ─Taichi said again.
Several seconds passed again in silence, in my head a myriad of judgments and regrets were forming, but it wasn't long before I stood up again and looked the mayor in the eye.
─I'll destroy all the microphones you have in my house or in Yuta's or Hina's, now I have a detector so don't bother to spend more; and I want those smugglers to give me the Buneary they had, only then I will accept to evolve the Riolu and deliver it in exchange ─I will declare with arrogance as well as with security.
─And why do you think you are in the position to put conditions to the deal? ─said Taichi with slight hesitation and equal assurance.
─I don't think you have another person in line that the Riolu would willingly accept to be with; I guess it's worthless if he doesn't manage to evolve, someone like you wouldn't take so much trouble if it wasn't the case ─I started to speak again ─If you don't accept, I'd rather kill him than sacrifice him to those sick people without receiving anything in return, I'll see where I take my family with me ─My look lacked emotions, the seriousness and coldness left any suspicion of lying aside, while Taichi remained silent for a few seconds, before sketching a small smile for the last time.
─You really are broken... Aren't you? ─Said the man as he continued to look at my now expressionless face ─I never thought you'd become so brazen; I like you a little better now, Ryo ─he acknowledged, before he began to open the new book he found.
─The Buneary also has a high price, not as high as the Riolu and it's not even the shadow of a Lucario; but for now I'm afraid I won't be able to accept your nice deal ─I said again, but before I started to get angry, he spoke again ─Do you think I'll really swallow that you agree to give up the Riolu? ─His annoyance surfaced again, but my face remained expressionless, trying not to show my real intentions ─I'm not going to give you another pokémon and let you take those elders and leave ─commented the man, before regaining his calm again ─But I guess you have a point, you're the only one who has the chance to get it to evolve -He replied with a small laugh -Be sure that the Buneary will be alive... at least for about six months; during the winter they lock her up along with other females and selected males to try to get new offspring ─My expressionless face changed to a more worried one, making Taichi realize the same and adopt a much more confident attitude -The smugglers already told me about the relationship the Riolu seemed to have with the Buneary and the rest too... Don't think I didn't realize why you wanted her ─the man emphasized, while my helplessness and the seriousness I wanted to show completely crumbled.
─Usually the Riolu protected her during these periods... their value was too much to consider sacrificing them; I guess they had the foolish hope that they would evolve with the affection they had for each other, with time... and that's why they didn't separate them ─He laughed again ─Although... maybe now they can do something more... "productive" with the pokémon ─He acknowledged with a smile.
─You're a...! ─I raised my gun again...
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Before the tip of now a gun from one of the guards landed on the back of my neck, bringing me to a complete stop.
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─I never had a real need to keep you alive, Ryo... I just enjoyed making you pay for everything you are and caused; but now you're giving me more trouble than I can handle, I don't much care if the people of Hotaru care about your "disappearance" ─the man calmly acknowledged, before I, still angry and now more fearful of the risk I was taking, lowered my wand ─However, as I said, you now have something of interest to me again, so consider yourself lucky, because I will honor the deal and offer you the Buneary, only when you manage to deliver the evolved Riolu ─Taichi said without further ado ─For giving me so much money, consider it as a thank you ─he laughed lightly ─And if you are so worried about what happens to her in these six months, well... it means you have enough to hurry about ─he acknowledged, still chuckling.
As soon as he said that, he gave his men the respective signal to take me out of the place, to which I started to turn my back to him, only to stop again for a few seconds after he spoke to me for the last time.
─And by the way, Ryo... ─Taichi started, to which I turned slightly, watching him read, as if he stopped caring about what was in front of him ─Don't think that running away from the village will get you anything... if you think that the microphones are the only tool I have to know what you do and where you are, you are very wrong ─He said again, before the guards finally took me out of the room.
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I don't know how much time passed after that... the way back to my home seemed eternal, at the same time I kept my hand on my forehead constantly because of the headache that day was giving me; constantly cursing myself for the things I had provoked and the few doors that were open to me.
There was no way... the clash of realities about my determination to help the Riolu clashed with the desire to protect my family, I couldn't risk myself with Taichi, not with the power he had over me, even if I wanted to deny it; even the fact that the Riolu would find out after reading my thoughts frightened me at the thought of his reaction.
I couldn't... I had to pretend a different attitude; for Hina, for Yuta, for Sora... if the Riolu abandoned me, if I failed to evolve it, Taichi wouldn't be interested anymore; that was the message he gave me when he allowed one of his men to threaten me with his weapon.
As soon as I arrived at the house, the darkness of the night increased, at the same time that finally a faint light emerging from the house caught my attention.
The door was half-open, however, my face, which had suffered all the emotions that day had presented to me, could only adopt strange and doubtful expressions before what I had in front of me the instant I entered the house.
It was not tidy at all, at least the mattress of the bed was well placed, however, the sheets were still piled up without order on it, the chairs were standing but badly placed; the wood of the fireplace was badly piled up in its corresponding place next to the small stove, and my clothes in the same way piled up in the closet.
The little Riolu was quick to turn to me as soon as he sensed my presence.
─- "Listen..." ─The discouraged and somewhat embarrassed voice of the pokémon did not take long to be felt in my mind -─"Don't take it as a habit... but I know it wasn't right to have messed up everything here" ─He affirmed a little crestfallen -─"But just as you committed yourself to me... I-I also want to do it myself" ─Riolu said with a now more serious and determined attitude, acknowledging his attempt to have tidied up the house.
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I couldn't stand it, I was trying to keep my mind as cool and expressionless as possible, but that simple act had been enough to bring all the memories of Taichi back to me.
─"Maybe I did it too well though, don't think I'll ever do these things to a human again." ─The Riolu turned as he turned his back to me and looked proudly at his work, while my face just remained uneducated at the clear...
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The Riolu really wasn't reading my thoughts.
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He had kept his promise, by that time, what he thought, what he knew would have to happen, did not faze or excite the pokémon in the least; and he knew that something like that was impossible to hide even if he wanted to; that Riolu who had finally established a relationship with a human, who had tried to put his home in order and get along with one like him for the first time.
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He was to be used, tricked and delivered by this one.
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After thinking the last thought, the little pokémon soon froze slightly, my heart seemed to stop at the thought of the worst, because the coincidence of thinking I would have to give it up with its reaction had been all too obvious.
It wouldn't be long before the Riolu would turn to me, at the same time its eyes would finally collide with mine.
─-"Are you all right?" ─He asked innocently, the contrast of his reality hitting my conscience again.
─I'm just tired... ─I acknowledged in a small whisper, as I entered the house and closed the door quietly, before I started walking towards my bed.
─As I see that you are more recovered, tomorrow we will start to see how your training will be, so try to rest as well ─I affirmed, before taking one of the two pillows I had, and leaving it on the floor next to the bed, along with one of my blankets, for the pokémon, which had noticed that detail.
The Riolu seemed to get excited and wanted to say something, but I didn't even notice it before it refused to speak, only to fall on my bed and try to cover myself somehow with the messy sheets.
There was only silence after that, the Riolu only took a couple of steps towards the pillow I had left for him, patting it and trying to get comfortable along with the small blanket. It wasn't as comfortable as the mattress, but it was still something he'd never had in his years of slavery anyway. As he turned slightly towards me as I turned my back to him, it wouldn't be long before he would look away again and focus on his comfortable being, warm under the touch of a soft blanket and pillow, protected from the wind and cold under someone who had provided him with that for the first time unconditionally.
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Thinking that maybe... that human wasn't so bad after all.