"I love bubble tea," said Cass, taking a long sip from her straw.
It was the first Saturday of the new year—at least by Western reckoning—and the last day before Cass returned to Unova. She and Liam were walking back from the bubble tea store behind New Court. It was afternoon, and although the skies were unusually clear, it was still winter, and the wind carried a slight bite.
"Can you get it in Unova?" asked Liam.
"Well, kinda," said Cass. "I mean, you can, if you, like, go all the way downtown in Castelia, but… I dunno, too crowded for me."
"Are you looking forward to going back?"
Cass stopped suddenly, leaning against the door of a shop.
"Sorry, can you hold this?"
She passed Liam her bubble tea and began adjusting the orthotic brace on her left leg.
"I'm getting these taken off when I get back," she said irritably.
"I thought you said they were helping,"
"Yeah, well, they are," said Cass, straightening up. "Doesn't mean I like 'em."
She smiled as Liam gave her back her bubble tea.
"It still sucks to go back," Cass confessed. "But… I'm starting to like it, I guess. The Pokemon are better than the people."
"You should catch a Zorua for me," said Liam.
Cass snorted.
"You are such a TCK. 'Catch me a Zorua' is like the Nanzonese version of 'Do you ride a Pangoro to school?' They're kinda rare, Liam."
"Doesn't hurt to ask," Liam shrugged.
Cass sat gingerly down on the edge of the empty fountain in the middle of New Court. Liam sat down beside her, and for a long time they simply took in everything that was going on around them. Just out the main gate, the beginnings of rush hour traffic roared by. Spearow twittered on the power lines above. Somewhere in the distance, they could hear young children squealing and laughing at some game. The air was chilly, and Liam noticed that Cass was shivering.
"You okay?"
"Yeah," said Cass lightly. "Unova's way colder than this."
"You ready to head to dinner?"
Cass nodded. Liam got up first and helped his friend to her feet.
"Hey," said Cass, leaning on Liam as she found her balance. "Remember what you promised me. Don't wait too long."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
"Ask her to Spring Banquet," said Cass. "Chunjie is late this year. Ask her before the break. Don't wait around for forever."
"Or what?" said Liam mischievously.
"Or you won't deserve her," said Cass. "My legs are really stiff. Is it okay if I…"
She linked arms with Liam.
"I'm gonna miss you," said Liam as they started towards the Woven Bowl. "A lot."
"Well, then hurry up and get over me," said Cass. "I'll do my best to meet a nice Unovan guy who isn't… unbearably stupid."
She gave a deep sigh.
"I'm sure they're out there," said Liam.
"Just between you and me," said Cass, lowering her voice to a whisper. "The gym leader in Aspertia City is super cute—in the brooding, jerkish kinda way. Kinda like you."
Liam glanced at Cass in surprise.
"I haven't ever talked to him," Cass confessed in a mumble. "But I'll get around to it, like, eventually."
Liam did his best not to grin.