Just as the first rays of sun peeks through the fog-ridden valley does Shirona open her eyes. She turns over in her futon and buries her head into the pillow.

Stupid Burysamo should just go back to sleep. Even the sun isn't awake yet.

Grandma is snoring from two rooms away. It's too damn early for this. If I ignore it, then they'll go away. No one's home, jerk-who's-knocking-on-the-door.

Dammit I just said that no one's home! Stop knocking! That stupid sound overlaps with the shrieking wake-up call of the Bursyamo. It's gotten so out of control that Shirona finally throws her blankets aside.

"Probably some idiot from the other side of Tengan bridge," she huffs under her breath. Garburias jolts in its sleep, opens a sleepy eye, and slowly drags itself to its feet.

"Calm your damn Kirinriki." Shirona scowls at the dark bamboo door, hoping that whoever on the other side will get the hint and scram.

It doesn't work. Duh.

Shirona grasps the handle. "You better have a damn good reason to—"

And those blue eyes rob the breath from her throat. Her brain releases a loud and obnoxious fart.

"Good morning, ma'am." He tips that faded blue cap of his. "Er. I mean, Shirona-sama." A bow. "Are you doing well?"

Shirona stares at the cave of his chin. "Oh. You. F-From yesterday."

"Yes, ma'am. I'm here to fix your sink, as promised. I've brought the necessary tools this time."

Damn. Did he carry that giant luggage all the way up the mountain? What a weirdo—

Then her eyes narrow. "Did you fall?"

The man blinks. He casually dusts the leaves and pebbles off his clothes. Isn't that the same outfit from yesterday? "It won't be a problem," he says lightly. "May I come in?"

Oh Aruseusu did it hurt? "Um…"

"I washed my hands," he says quickly, showing her the proof. "But rest assured, I still won't touch anything that doesn't pertain to my job."

"Um…" Doesn't he notice the blood?

A great snore erupts from the house, causing both whippersnappers to jump.

The man's eyes widen. "O-Oh. I'm sorry." He pulls the cap over his eyes, and he takes a step back. "I can come back later, when I'm not disturbing—"

"No. It's fine. Come in." Shirona keeps her high-pitched voice as casual as she can.

"Thank you."

The house is awashed in the pale morning light. Young man and woman tiptoe about the tatami mats. They've no need, for Grandma is out like a Yukinooh in hibernation.

"Ah. Hello, Gaburias," the man whispers when the Pokemon greets him. "You're looking as healthy as ever." Shirona stares at his face for a second too long. She shakes her head, returning her focus on the task at hand.

"You can set your tools down here."

"Yes, ma'am." He's about to go to work when she tugs at his sleeve.

She shouldn't have done that. The man flinches so violently as if she'd just planted a foot to his chest. He staggers back, his foot catching on his giant luggage, and down he goes.

"Holy Aruseuseu what's—"

"I'm sorry." The man stumbles to his feet as if nothing had happened. But his eyes are much too wide and bright for her comfort. He inhales sharply, but even that sounds pained. "I… I didn't mean to cause a ruckus. Was there…" Clears his throat. "Was there something you needed from me?"

Gaburias has to physically bring Shirona back to earth. She gasps. "U-U-Um…" What the hell was that? "N-No. Nothing. Sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for," he says stiffly, his shoulders tensed and tight. "The fault is mine."

He bows. "Excuse me." And with that, he hurries into the bathroom, leaving a very confused Shirona alone in the tranquil morning air.

The sun is high in the sky when Grandma finally wakes up. Shirona is about to dive for a book when Grandma's fan smacks her on the head.

After a warm lunch of vegetable stew, Shirona sets out to do daily housekeeping around the residence. She sweeps, cleans, opens some books, yawns, and is immediately whacked with the fan, not necessarily in that order.

"Oh yes," Grandma says when they're sitting around the kitchen table. "When did he come?"

Shirona swallows a particularly thick lump of Moomoo milk. "Before you woke up, Grandma. He came when it was still dark outside."

Grandma raises an eyebrow. "That early? Aruseusu that kid's work ethic puts yours to shame!"

"Grandmaaaa!"

"Ohoho!" The old woman waves a dismissive hand. "Anyway. How's his progress?"

Good question. "He's… something." The last time she checked on him—it hasn't been half an hour yet—he was perched on the ceiling like a damn Zubat, hanging up-side down as he operates on a trembling pipe.

"Hello, Shirona-sama," he said, as if they had just passed each other on the street. "Everything all right?"

"He definitely is something." Grandma is smiling in a way that Shirona doesn't like. The old woman chugs a jar of Moomoo milk. "Did he eat yet?"

Shirona looks up from her cup. "Huh?"

"Silly girl. That's what you've been thinking too, right? I can see it in your face." The old lady spreads her fan. "He's been working nonstop too, that thimble."

Shirona shrugs slightly. "I guess…"

A rice cracker falls into her hands. "Go on," Grandma purrs. "Before he collapses."

"Why me?" Shirona grumbles. Nevertheless, she drags herself across the hall and to the bathroom that's under renovation.

Except, the sound of hammer against wood had stopped. Gaburias shoots her a quizzical look. Shirona carefully pokes her head around the corner.

"Thank you for your help, everyone," his voice says. "Here you are. You each deserve a five-minute break, and then it's back to work."

Who the hell… Shirona edges closer to see a dark, cat-like Pokemon bouncing around the man like a child hyped up on sweets. A four-winged bat frowns while a large black crow shakes its fedora, sighing.

"Quiet, Manyula," the man hisses. "This is the client's house. I won't bail you out like last time." The cat whimpers. "No, you already had the salted plum the other day. It's Crobat's turn. Look at Dongkarasu. He's waiting patiently for his turn, unlike you."

"NYEEE!"

"Manyula!" The cat cowers under the crackling air. Even Shirona jolts ever so slightly. The man glances around the room before turning back to his Pokemon. "I only had time to make one. You are to share it with the others. Do I make myself clear, Manyula?"

Manyula drops its head, shoulders slumped in defeat.

Shirona snorts softly and nudges a smirking Gaburias on the shoulder. The man breaks the rice ball with his dirty fingers and distributes it evenly amongst his Pokemon. They swallow it in one bite. Even the despondent Manyula finishes its portion without complaint.

"Good." The man straightens. "Now back to work. Manyula, do you have the leftover screws? Crobat, my hammer, please. And Dongkarasu, keep this place ventilated…"

Gaburias pokes Shirona's leg. She inhales and steps into the light.

"Hey." At the sound of her voice, he freezes. Even his Pokemon stiffen like stone statues.

"Shirona-sama." The young man pulls the rag from his pocket and scrubs his hands before turning back to face her. All while keeping his arms linked behind him.

He's just like a little kid.

"Hey," she says again since that's all she can think of. Gaburias pads into the room with a disarming smile. His Pokemon step back.

"I wasn't shirking work," he says, stepping in front of his Pokemon. "I'm at the half-way mark, you see. I'm in the process of replacing your corroded pipes."

Shirona glances around the shell of a room. "I'll clean everything up," he adds quickly. "It'll be back to normal in no time."

"It's okay," the woman says. "I believe you."

"Thank you." Their eyes meet again, and he's the first to break contact. Manyula takes this opportunity to leap on his shoulders, earning it a scolding bark from Dongkarasu.

Shirona shifts her feet. "Did you eat yet?" she asks to no one in particular.

A pause. "Yes," he states flatly. His Pokemon, however, make the "nah girl he's lying through his teeth this idiot" gesture with their faces.

Garburias snorts. Shirona struggles to compose her mask as she holds the rice cracker in front of his face.

His eyes narrow. "What is it?"

"A rice cracker."

"Yes. I see. But why are you holding it like that? You might drop it."

How clueless can you be?! "Grandma says to give this to you."

"Why?"

Really? "Because." She clicks her teeth. He just stares at her. She dangles the food before his unblinking eyes. "Come on. Take it. It's not that hard."

A shadow passes through the man's dust-streaked face.

Whoa. When did it get cold all of a sudden? Isn't it still spring? Shirona attempts to locate this unseen chill to no avail. Damn. It's like winter in here.

His eyes are flashing like hard hail. But before he can say anything, Crobat's stomach growls, and all the ice thaws immediately.

"Thank you." He accepts her food with a stiff bow. Crobat shakes its head, but he scowls and gives it the biggest piece of the cracker anyway.

"No, Manyula." The cat cringes at his frosty tone. "I have no intention of repeating myself. Focus on your work."

Shirona's cheeks are burning as if she really did go outside in the blizzard. There's a strange, bitter taste in her mouth. Something is squeezing the hell out of her heart again.

"Thank you, ma'am." His voice cuts through her thoughts like a sharpened katana. The air rumbles with blustery winds. "Excuse me, but if you don't need me right now, might you so kindly wait outside? It's a tripping hazard in here."

Shirona continues to stand there, mouth agape. His frown only deepens. Gaburias yanks its Trainer's arm.

"Go," he says, almost like a command. Shirona's feet move on their own, and the next thing she knows, she's back in the foyer room.

Back to where she started.

One look at Shirona's face is all that it takes for Grandma to know that something had indeed transpired in that room.

"What now, girl?"

"He got mad at me," Shirona groans. Garburias shoots her a look. "I didn't even do anything, but he suddenly snapped at me! Talk about rude customer service!"

"Nuh-uh. You most definitely did do something. Right, Garburias?"

Yup.

"Garburias!" Shirona hisses. "Whose side are you on?"

"The right side, of course." Grandma snickers into her fan. "Okay. Spill it: what misunderstanding did you two whippersnappers get into now?"

"M-Misunderstanding?! We didn't misunderstand anything! He got mad after I offered him the rice cracker!"

"Is that it?"

"Yes, Grandma! He had the nerve to feed it to his Pokemon instead!"

"Oooh! He has Pokemon?"

"Yes." Shirona glances at the grinning Garburias. "Dongkarasu, Manyula… and a Crobat."

Grandma's eyebrows shoot up like the Tengan Bridge. "Ohohoho! Crobat, eh? Interesting…" She rubs her chin. "Things have indeed gotten very interesting around here!"

Shirona rests her hands on her hips. "What are you talking about, Grandma? It's just a Crobat!"

"'Just a Crobat.' Just a Crobat she says." Grandma fans the air. "What say you and I make a bet, kid? If I give him the rice cracker and he eats it, then you owe me a section of The Pillow Book."

"What? Come on, Grandma! You're acting like a salty old sailor!"

"But if his Pokemon eats the cracker, then I won't make you recite the Hojoki today."

"Deal." They shake on it. Garburias, being the sensible one in this room, rolls its eyes. The Pokemon stray from the power-hungry humans and shuffles back to the bathroom.

The man is upside-down again when Garburias enters. His legs are wrapped around the wooden beams, and his back is turned to whatever he's fixing. Crobat nudges his shoulder.

"Hmm?" The man shifts his wooden nails to the side of his mouth. Garburias hears something along the lines of, "What's wrong?"

And that's when a great tremor shatters the blissful silence. The house shakes as if the Great Rekkuuza had descended upon the lands.

"HEY KID! YOU HUNGRY?"

The man loses his grip. He almost breaks every bone in his body if the Pokemon hadn't been there to cushion him.

The orange light of the evening sun bathes the house in a magical, magenta glow. The thick, sleepy air, combined with the faint aroma of cherry blossoms, presses upon Shirona's eyelids. All is peaceful, all is right, until Grandma shoots into the kitchen, and all is normal again.

Shirona stifles a yawn. "What took you so long?" Talking about that nerd stuff again, no doubt.

"We were, until he kicked me out." Grandma holds up a hand. "He politely told me to leave. There we go."

Shirona's face brightens. "A-ha! So he also got mad at you!"

But Grandma is smirking, and that's not a good thing. "It took some coaxing, but I managed to get him to take a bite!" She whips her fain into the air, all while laughing maniacally. "The rest he fed to his Pokemon, but guess what?"

Shirona groans into her hands. "What?"

Grandma leans closer until her hot breath tickles Shirona's ear. "I got his name."

Shirona gasps louder than she intended to. Grandma straightens, her face practically beaming with superiority.

"No way!" Shirona gasps. "Prove it then!"

"Why don't you ask him yourself… White Moon?" Huh? "I see it. You're just dying to ask him now, huh? Considering after your last attempt—"

"D-Don't make baseless assumptions, Grandma!" Shirona cries while her face heats up like the summer sun.

"Sure, sure, sure. I guess you don't really care about him then."

"I never said—" But Grandma had lost it. She's rolling around the tatami mats like a Nuoh in the Marsh. Shirona glares at Garburias, but the dragon had joined Grandma on the floor, their shrieking overlapping with the pounding of her heart.

"Grandma! Garburias, stop it! AUGH! This is not funny! Not funny at all!"

"You're right." Grandma sits up. "It's hilarious!" Then she's losing it again.

Shirona fumes into her palms. "You two are just… AUGH!" Whatever. You're so loud that the whole town can hear us. Thankfully no one's here to see

"Erm."

this.

The willow tree shudders under a slight wind. Shirona slowly turns around, and their gazes meet again. A pink petal flutters into the house.

Then Shirona shrieks. Grandma and Garburias sober up immediately. The man flinches and almost loses his footing. Again.

"What the hell are you doing out here?!" Shirona snaps, jabbing a sizzling finger to his face.

"I… er…" He gropes for the cap that's not on his head. "Excuse me. I just… erm… I don't… It's not…!"

He thrusts his back down so forcefully that something snaps in there. The most perfect 90° angle she's ever seen. "Please forgive me. I didn't mean to interrupt your… erm… I'm sorry."

"What do you want?" Shirona's voice is an octave higher than usual. Grandma and Garburias are barely holding it together.

"You sink is fixed, ma'am," he says to the tatami mats. "I've replaced all the archaic plumbing. Erm… would you like to see?"

Grandma leaps to her feet. "Oooh. I'm curious now." Said as if nothing had happened. "Garburias, come. Shirona, you too."

The man leads them to the bathroom. Never does he make eye contact with Shirona.

The feeling's mutual, pal. But she can't stop staring at his lean, broad back. She notices that his ears have become bright pink, and some sort of steam is curling out of them.

"Oh my." Grandma has to remove her shades. Even Shirona forgets why she was angry in the first place. "Oh. Kid, you even repainted the walls?"

"Yes, Madam." Despite the dust that cakes him from head-to-toe, he looks… excited. There's a sparkle to those dim blue eyes. "I've tried my best to replicate the original state of the room. It was quite a challenge to take everything apart without it all falling down, considering the state of your home foundation."

Grandma's jaw drops with another visual sweep of the pristine room. "Kid, I never knew our bathroom had the capability of being this clean." She stares at him. "In the name of all things holy in the Temple of Aruseuseu, just how old are you again?"

The man flicks his gaze to the side. And of course Shirona is right there to catch his eyes, much to his chagrin.

"I don't see how age is relevant to the situation at hand, Madam," he mutters, his hands grasped tightly behind his back. "You called me to fix something. I fixed it. Everyone's content now."

"You're about my granddaughter's age," the old woman says, ignoring everything he just said.

"Oh. Is that so?" He throws a stiff nod to the flushing Shirona. "I… see…"

"Grandma," she huffs through the cracks in her fingers. Even Garburias has this cheeky grin that only adds salt to the wound.

The old lady snickers into her fan. "So then. Young ma, how much do I owe you?"

"Ah. Yes." The young man wipes his hands with that dirty rag. He pulls a notepad from his pocket and the feather pen from its perch above his ear. "Consultation is free, so that leaves the cost of materials, labor…"

Shirona hovers around the scratching pen. His handwriting's… neat. Legible, with a refined grace to them. Like court writing. Huh. Who would've thought that he could actually—

Grandma clears her throat. Shirona hides behind her hair. The man frowns, but he nevertheless returns to his calculations.

"And… this is what you owe, Madam."

Grandma squints at the paper. "Really? Only this much?"

The man blinks. "Erm. Please give me a minute. Six… Carry this over… Yes. The numbers match up the second time. I can show my work—"

"How much is your share, kid?"

He tilts his head. "20%, Madam."

"You're kidding." It's not Grandma who speaks this time. "All this, and you only take a measly slice?"

"Yes?" His brows furrow. "Senior positions receive larger commissions. I'm the youngest of the company, so… yes. That's my share."

The two women wait for specification that never comes. The man waits patiently. Grandma exchanges a glance with Shirona, and the latter pulls out her purse.

"Thank you, Madam." The man counts the money with his eyes. "And here's your receipt."

He bows. "Thank you for referring to our company for your plumbing needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us for your future households concerns. Are there any lingering questions that I can answer right now?"

Silence answers him. The man nods. "Thank you for your time. Farewell."

With one last bow, he brushes past the women and Garburias in a stale, dusty breeze. The door opens, footsteps thump against wood, a door closes…

Then silence. The house returns to the same blissful silence that it always had. Orange sunlight sneaks through the paper curtains, dyeing the lacquered wood in multicolored streaks.

And Shirona's already scrambling for her sandals before Grandma can open her mouth. Sweet spring air greets her presence. She pushes past the swirls of cherry blossoms as she barrels through the garden.

"Excuse me!"

The man turns. The setting red sun outlines his silhouette, bathing his form in an ethereal glow.

"Shirona-sama?" He steps back as she approaches. His grip tightens on his toolbox. "What's wrong? Did something break?"

Shirona shakes her head. "May I… May I see your hands?"

His brows furrow. She repeats it again, making sure that she maintains eye contact. Making sure that her words are rich in both truth and implications.

"But my hands are dirty," he mutters, gaze downcast. "I don't wish to sully your kimono."

"It's fine." His head snaps up. Shirona's smile is warm and genuine. "Please let me see your hands."

The young man frowns, but it's more of a placement expression for something else. After a long, pained look, he slowly complies to her demands.

Oh… He stiffens when she takes his hands in hers. "Your bandages are dirty. You might get an infection." It's so rough. They're still scars, no matter how faded they are. Right here… you hurt yourself when you fell on your way here, right?

How did you numb out the pain for this long?

The man is measuring at her with unreadable eyes. She sighs. "Come inside. I'll treat your wounds."

A faint gasp escapes his throat. He attempts to yank back his hands, but she proves to be much, much stronger than him. That's not a good thing.

"N-No, ma'am. It's fine. I-I have to leave now. Before it gets dark."

"It'll be quick." She's dragging him back through the stone garden as they speak. "I'll need to disinfect it first, so it might sting a little."

"But—"

"I study medicine, so don't worry a thing." She flashes him a wink. The light dies in his eyes.

"Shirona-sama, please wait—"

Grandma is already holding the door open. Garburias makes sure everyone's inside the house before it stands guard over the exits.

Shirona sets him down. The sack of bones nearly collapses if Garburias wasn't right behind him.

"Okay. Just relax." Shirona reaches for her medicine kit and begins the treatment. She unwraps his bandages. "Gee. It's a mess down here."

"Shirona-sama—"

Damn, look at his callouses. It's like touching a block of wood. "Grandma, can—"

"Got it."

"Thanks, Grandma."

"Shiro—"

"Relax. We're almost done."

And it's finished. Shirona slumps back, a wide grin on her tired face. The man stares at the crisp, white linen on his hands. Something just isn't registering in his brain, judging from how empty his eyes are right now.

Then their gazes meet again. "I'm sorry," he mutters.

Shirona's smile slips. "Why?"

He shifts. "You should wash your hands. There's really no need for you to concern yourself with me."

Shirona squints at him. Then she smiles, and he jolts back. "But you did such a good job with the bathroom! I feel like that's the least I owe you."

Grandma taps her feet on the mat. Shirona takes a deep breath. "And… And I'm really sorry for my behavior." She resists the urge to withdraw behind her golden curtain. "I didn't mean for it to come out that way… Really. I didn't mean to insult you."

She slowly raises his head. His mask is still frustratingly blank… until his lips creak out a soft sigh, and his shoulders relax just slightly.

"I see." That's it. Nothing else. But it does feel as if a great weight had been lifted off her back. Grandma nudges Gaburias, who nudges her back.

Shirona clears her throat. "Um… so. No hard feelings, right?"

"No, ma'am." His cap hides his eyes. "Thank you for letting me know. I really… I really appreciate that."

He offers a timid smile. That's when her heart does a flying kick to her ribs, and she has to turn away before anyone can see the mess that's on her face.

"Here." Grandma hands him some new coins. "No, don't talk back to me. It's yours. You deserved it. No, stop it, brat! Just take the money!"

"Just take the damn money!" Gaburias conveys through its growl.

"All right." His voice is barely above a whisper. "All right then. Thank you. Thank you very much." He rises his feet and bows. "I… Thank you so much.

"I must be going now, while it's still light outside." He taps his cap. His gaze strays on his new bandages, and gentle tug presses on his lips.

OH ARUSEUSEU SHUT UP, HEART!

"Sounds good." Grandma escorts him to the garden. "Take care, kid."

"Yes. Thank you, Madam. I wish you nothing but the best of health."

The young man reaches the red gates when he stops and turns. Someone nudges Shirona forward. She stumbles to the man who dons the halo of fire.

"Shirona-sama."

"Y-Yes?"

He extends a hand. She gapes at it like a stupid Koiking. A faint flush rises to his ears. He stammers a profuse apology and pulls his hands back—

-when she dives for his invitation. Her soft, unblemished skin grates against the rough gauze.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Shirona-sama," he says, his voice deep and warm. "I wish you luck in your future endeavors."

"Do it, do it," her two-member audience whispers. Shirona locks eyes with the young man who suddenly came into her life like a shooting star.

"Let's try this again, shall we?" Cherry blossoms scatter in the space around them, the petals sparkling like jewels in the watercolor skies. She tucks a stray lock of gold behind her ear. "My name is Shirona. And you are?"

A pause. Those clouded blue eyes narrow at her invitation, searching for underhanded intentions. Then slowly but surely, the ice thaws from his face, and the edges of his mouth lift into a gentle crescent.

"As I said before, that's a wonderful name, Shirona-sama." He tips his cap. "My name is Akagi."

"Akagi…" That word leaves a buttery warm sensation in her bosom. "The red sun?"

That laugh again. That soft, tinkling sound.

Has the sun ever been so bright?

"Yes, ma'am." He looks much younger when he smiles. Like a kid. "My grandfather suggested that name."

"Your grandfather is a very smart man," Grandma hums, walking up to the youngsters. "I never thought I'd live to see the day when the moon and sun are reunited, right here in my garden. When the colors of our country's flag is right here before my eyes." She wipes a nonexistent tear. "Ooh, this is so beautiful I'm going to cry."

"Grandma, stop it!" Shirona huffs. "He's right here!"

The young man looks so lost right now. Shirona clears her throat. "Um… will I see you again, Akagi-kun?"

Damn it what the hell why did you say that he's the older one here why—

But he merely tilts his head. "Perhaps. If our paths do cross again, then I'll be sure to greet you properly, Shirona-sama."

And with that and one last bow, Akagi finally leaves Kannagi Town. Shirona follows him to the edge of the mountain and watches him disappear into the shimmering sun.

Has springtime in Sinnoh ever been this cold…?