The bathroom is pleasantly cool. Springtime it is, yes, but there's nothing more refreshing than the comfort of silence and the scent of a well-kept home. Soft sunlight wafting through the window. Small sailboats prancing across sloping waves along the bottom of—
"Shirona! You ate too much raw fish or what?"
"ACK, stop pounding on the door, Grandma! I was done a long time ago!"
"Then why are you still sitting in there? Did you fall asleep?"
"No!" Shirona's legs protest loudly as she drags herself over to the sink. Stupid pins and needles! Grandma's eyes widen when the door opens. "Sheesh, Grandma!" the former groans. "Can't we get a little peace and quiet around here?"
"Kannagi Town's all the way up in the mountains! There's peace and—" Grandma's mouth widens. "Ooooh. You miss him already?"
Shirona stumbles back. "N-No. Never! I was just enjoying the restroom!"
"Yes, yes, the bathroom that was just renovated." The old woman is practically singing now. "Hey, have you checked under the counter yet?"
"GRANDMA!" Shirona moans into her hands. "Ugh! I'm going to train Gaburias!" The Pokemon pokes its head out from the kitchen at its name. Shirona tugs the baffled land dragon to the stone garden before her face can explode.
Shirona is staring at the white pages of a book when the rapping came. A hand against the wooden door. Grandma turns, catching her wide-eyed granddaughter in the act.
"Just the milk delivery." Grandma showcases the box of gleaming bottles. Shirona deflates. "Were you expecting someone else, dear?"
"W-What? Nah. I-I just happened to stretch, that's all."
"Hmm. Well, you've been stretching a lot lately. And you've been hogging the bathroom." Grandma gives an exaggerated gasp. "Dear me, what could ever be the problem?"
AUAUAAUAUAGH! "T-That's perfectly normal, Grandma! Sheesh! Here, let me help you with the Milk."
"We have a lot of Milk for just two people, you know," the old lady says. "We should invite someone over."
"Gaburias loves milk," Shirona mutters. The land dragon stares at her. "Togekiss loves milk. Milokaross does too."
"Yes, and I'm sure Manyula does as well." Grandma smirks at her granddaughter's priceless reaction. The latter immediately looks away. "The cat's always the hungry type."
"Aruseuseu what are you trying to say, Grandma?"
Grandma makes a tsk, tsk sound. "More like what are you trying to say, girl." Then the old woman grins. "You want me to break something for you?"
"Ugh, Grandma! You're too loud!"
"Well, tell your heart to quiet down a bit, then I'll stop."
Shirona groans into her hands. Grandma snorts. Even Gaburias is grinning like an idiot.
"I'm going to fresh air," Shirona grumbles, calling the Pokemon back into its capsule. She storms out of the house and summons an uneasy Togekiss. Grandma's in the back with Lisyan on her head. She waves to her ascending granddaughter.
"Good luck! Say hi to him for me!"
"Togekiss, hurry up, hurry up!" Shirona hisses. The bird rolls its eyes, but it complies nevertheless, fleeing away to civilization down yonder.
The main city is always bustling with life: people, carts, shops, bridges, houses, colors… modernity coexisting with tradition in this grand mixture of culture. Togekiss lands on an empty patch of grass. Shirona recalls the Pokemon with a warm thank-you.
The sharp tang of seawater hits her nostrils. Eww, and birds. Camome dip into the cloudless blue skies. Ports brimming with ships—ships with flags she recognized as belonging to the Western regions. Unova and Kalos, judging from the red, white, and blue.
City air is much different from her small town up in the mountains. She still needs time to regain her bearings.
Hmm. There's a lot of blue caps here. Shirona mindlessly weaves her way through the crowd. The smell of food—street food!—attracts her eyes and stomach. And soon she's gravitating towards the colorful tarps to emerge with the smell of fried batter on her kimono.
This takoyaki is soooo good. Shirona rips off the golden shell, wincing when the scalding chewy flesh burns her tongue. Careful, Shirona. The octopus is surrounded by a sea of lava. There's a nice place to eat near the port. But the birds are watching, so no. She settles for eating her snacks as she walks about the bustling city. It's unconventional, but I won't get full fast, hehe.
"Caw!"
A familiar sound. Unlike the noisy chattering of the Camome and Pelipper. More refined, in a sense. Shirona almost drops her food as she sprints to the direction of that sound.
And there it is. The faded blue cap.
"Now, in the distance is Unova, Dongkarasu," the crow's Trainer is saying. "I've heard wonderful stories about that country. The music, the clothing, the literature—"
"ACK!" The takoyaki stick slips from her grip. It would've splattered and died on the ground if the man hadn't turned in time to rescue the food.
"My apologies," he says. "Here you are." Then he stops. He slowly peers out from behind the rim of his cap.
"Shirona-sama?"
Shirona's face bursts into sunshine as she takes the food back from him. "Akagi-kun!"
Akagi blinks. His brows furrow… until Dongkarasu bashes his chin with a mighty wing. "A-Ah. Shirona-sama." He bows. "It's a pleasure to see you again." The crow remains perched on his shoulder, yet it offers her a sweeping gesture with its fedora. "Have you been doing well?"
"Yup! And were you talking to your Pokemon? That's so weird."
Akagi frowns. Dongkarasu shoots her a peculiar look. "I… I apologize." Another bow, but he seems unsure of why it's necessary in the first place. "Erm…"
Hey, it's the same outfit again. His suspenders are so dusty.
Dongkarasu growls, but the reason as to why bounces off Shirona's mind. "You just finished working, Akagi-kun?"
"Erm. Yes." He shifts his toolkit. Drops his gaze. "I've finished a job down at the docks. I was just about to head back."
Back… Oh, Back = Akagi's house! "Oh." Shirona clears her throat. Fixes her collar. Finishes her food with a lady-like burp. "Your… house." You have an address?! "Where do you live, Akagi-kun?"
"Tobari City." He gestures to the snow-topped mountains in the distance. Past Tengan Bridge. Damn, that's far. "And… what are you doing down here, Shirona-sama, if I may ask? You're not studying today?"
Grandma's face pops into mind for no apparent reason. "Um. I-I was just walking around." Dongkarasu sees right through her though, as it simply rolls its head. "A-And I happened to see you. And… Oh, and Grandma says hi."
Akagi nods. " I see. Please give your grandmother my warm regards as well." A pause. "Well." He tips his cap. "I have no intention of keeping you. As you were, Shirona-sama—"
"Do you want to walk around with me?"
A silence. Akagi tilts his head, a look of pained concentration seeping into his face. Dongkarasu utters a low growl. Its Trainer frowns… until his eyes flicker back to the waiting young woman.
"I… don't mind accompanying you," Akagi says with a slight grimace. What's wrong with him? Do his teeth hurt? "Do… do you… have a particular location where you would like to go?"
"N-Not really." Breathe, Shirona! Breathe, dammit! "Go. You where."
Akagi's frown deepens. "Excuse me, Shirona-sama, but are you feeling ill? Do you need to sit down? How long have you been out in the sun?"
Not long enough, if you ask me. Shirona mentally slaps herself. Indeed, the sun is too damn bright. "I'm fine," she manages to squeak. "Akagi-kun, let's go already! We're wasting daylight!"
Akagi steps back. He doesn't look convinced in the slightest. "All right then. Erm. Well… Are you still hungry? I'm not acquainted with the higher-end establishments, but I do know a place with a unique dish."
"Oooh. Like what?"
"They pack snow with rice—"
"Snow, snow? Snow from Kissaki City, snow?"
"Yes…?" It's like he's forcing himself to swallow a bitter lemon. "Is there… a problem with that?"
"No."
Then they're walking down a congested street. Akagi keeps his strides small, his hands clasped behind his back. Dongkarasu looms on his shoulder, its crimson eyes never leaving her face. Shirona keeps clear of the glowering crow, but finds herself automatically drifting into his intense gravitational field.
On the route to a small bamboo clearing do they stop. One: because Shirona stopped walking. Two: There was a man yelling to himself.
"Damn Lambda, you let him slip away again! I knew he hated this, but for him to-! Holy Myuu, now she'll have my ass for sure!"
"That man's carriage is broken." Shirona catches Akagi's gaze. "Should we help him?"
"I think he has the situation under control, ma'am." Akagi's eyes harden upon seeing the gold lining of that kimono. The bright colors. The paper trimmings of said fallen carriage and the regalia of some sort on the man's outfit. Akagi recalls Dongkarasu and turns away.
"He looks important," Shirona says, wading from her hiding spot. Akagi hesitates. She gives him a raised eyebrow, and he reluctantly, although painfully, follows her out to the clearing.
"Excuse me," she says. "I—"
The man with the goatee sighs loudly. "Aw, look, little lady. You'll get your kimono dirty. Step aside, please."
Shirona puts a hand on her hip. "You look troubled. Is there any way we can help?"
The man sighs again, an exhale that flaps his lips. "Yeah, sure. Help me fix this damn thing so my head won't be served up for dinner. Oh wait, I can't force your hand! HAH! Good one, Lambda, good one!"
Is this guy for real? "Um, actually, we can." Shirona fishes for that cold, bony wrist and grabs his suspenders instead. "Akagi-kun here can fix anything!'
That got the man's attention. His lazy eyes bounce off the frowning Akagi before rising to the skies. "Hehe. You got jokes, I give you that, little missy.
"Now. You. Kid. Go back to washing dishes or something." A rap on the head. "This is what a real mechanic looks like. Twigs and stones in that box of yours aren't tools, all right?'
Akagi's eyes are unusually bright. And cold. He swats aside Shirona's grip, straightens, and stares at the yawning older man to the point of almost glaring. "Excuse me, sir." The man's head snaps up. "I in fact do have tools here. And we can be of service, if you would welcome our help."
The man huffs. He pokes his nose and flicks that aside. "Oh please. What could a bum like you—"
Akagi brushes past the latter. He kneels beside the bare axle. After a silent diagnosis, he produces the necessary tools from his toolbox: worn, greyed tools, but still functional enough to fulfill their purposes until the bitter end.
Shirona finds a good island of clean moss to sit as Akagi does his business. His hands are flying everywhere: chopping bamboo, skinning it with those tools, sharpening the plant into a replacement wheel.
The man hovers above a concentrated Akagi. The former stares at the opened toolbox, at this strange young man that's fitting a makeshift hubcap into said wheel.
"Kid." Akagi stiffens. "Kid, I used to have a hammer just like yours. Same brand too."
Akagi's brow furrows. The man laughs. "Hey, mind if I join?" The latter holds the old tools to the light, rubbing his goatee as sunlight hits the dull metal. "Oh. Kid, your tools really like you!"
"I'm sorry?"
"Hah, just kidding, kid! Get it!" The man delivers a hard smack on the shoulders, and the light sputters in Akagi's already faded eyes. "You got skill, boy, I give you that."
Then the three of them lapse into a comfortable silence. Clack. Clack. Shirona is content on watching the two mechanics play the tinkering song. They've been setting into a natural teamwork, with Akagi passing tools and the older man tightening screws without exchanging a word.
And the man would ramble. "You know, kid, you remind me of when I was a wee lad. Haha, why the surprised face? Grew up in a little town in Johto. That's aaaall the way over the seas. Used to bring scraps home to put them together. Why, when the bafuku fell, there's just so many technological advancements that it blew my mind! Speaking of which, my Matadogas blew up once. I'm never using Explosion again, but damn, were those good times! Hey, what's your favorite thing to fix, kid?"
And soon the carriage is back in working order. Shirona has to advert her eyes against the blinding radiance. She shuffles to the pensive Akagi, elbows him, flashing a bright smile when he gives her his usual vacant frown.
"Holy Myuu, look at this bad boy!" The man with the goatee is literally jumping for joy. "Now I just have to recapture those Dodorio, find him, make up a story for her, find where he's hiding in this sprawling maze of people… Damn it, sir! You just don't pay me enough for all this shi—"
Then he notices his audience. "Oh. Well, sorry about that, kids. Thanks, but I'll need to leave now. It was nice meeting the two of you!"
"B-But how will you…" The man with the goatee lifts the beams of the carriage, effectively ending her doubts. He's a powerhouse of his own.
"Bye kids!" He grins. "Oh, and you with the cap. Akagi, right? Let old Lambda treat you to saké next time! And we'll get whatever you want to eat!"
"O-Oh, but I don't dri—"
"Sayonara!" The man rushes down the bamboo grove like a fleeing Dodo. Then he's gone, the remnants of his presence marked by a sweet springtime breeze.
Shirona rubs her eyes. She turns to the baffled young man beside her. "Akagi-kun." He starts. "You're pretty cool, you know that?"
Akagi frowns. "Is it that humid today?" He feels his forehead. "Nothing's out of the ordinary… Shirona-sama, why are you laughing?'
"Nothing." She rakes her gaze over him again. "Come on. Let's go."
"Where?"
"Um. That place with the snow. That you were about to show me when we overhead that man talking to bamboo."
"Ah. Yes, the snow and rice treat. Right this way, ma'am." He directs her to the mouth of the grove. Then they're walking to the docks, hugging the stone-leaden path. The waters are surprisingly clear despite the everyday marine traffic. Shirona skips a stone over the ledge, watching as their reflections ripple in the shining sun.
"Who do you think that was, Akagi-kun?" she asks.
"Perhaps a government official, judging from his possessions." Akagi's staring at nothing in particular. "However, I find his specialization in mechanics to be fascinating. I can tell that he's very experienced in his trade."
"Just like you, Akagi-kun."
He blinks. She keeps smiling until his ears flush pink, and he pulls his cap over his eyes. "T-Thank you, Shirona-sama. Erm. Y-Yes. Thank you."
Have the skies ever been so blue?
The two stop by a boutique. Shirona peers into the glass to the brightly-colored kimonos on display. The glittering hair clips. Red sandals. Wonderful obi sashes strewn like velvet carpets.
"You'd look good in a kimono, Akagi-kun." She looks back to make sure that he's listening. And he is, judging from that tilt in his head. "That one. The one with the black haori. I would mistake you for a government official!"
"Is… that so?" He keeps his hands behind his back. She's fully aware of the lack of distance between them. "I think that kimono matches your personality, Shirona-sama. The one with the lunar patterns."
"O-Oh?" Calm down, woman. It's just a compliment. You've heard all this before.
"Yes." She gapes at his small smile. "It's true. I apologize if I am regurgitating words, but I truly think that the color would complement your eyes."
"HOT DAMN!" Grandma's disembodied voice reaches her ears. "That's RIGHT! SC-ORE!" Shirona ducks her head, swatting at her hair so it shields her from that brutally honest young man on her right. Hopefully her face will stop burning by the time they reach the snow place.
"They don't sell dresses here?"
Heads turn to a new voice on their left. An older man. He's carrying a large cat instead of the usual shopping bags.
"N-No." Shirona flails to recompose herself. "This is a kimono store. I don't think they stock Western wear yet."
The older man scowls. He scratches his Persian's ears—a very pampered Pokemon, she can tell—and sighs. His rings glint when they catch in the sunlight. "I'll have to fix that then. Do you happen to know where they do sell dresses?"
Shirona purses her lips. The country's changing indeed, but I haven't seen a lot of Western shops yet. The most they sell are caps, belts, and shoes. And bread. "Um…"
"There is a department store in Tobari City." She spins to the young man who'd just spoken. Akagi keeps his head slightly bowed, and she quickly copies him. "Yosuga City also sells Kalosian-inspired wares. However, if you desire something more localized, the shops near port sells Western wear for visitors, sir."
Holy Areseuseu they sell that here? Since when?
The man raises a brow. His eyes are as sharp as his widow's peak and his firmly-pressed gel. "Where is all that? Is that far?"
"The cities are over the mountains, sir. Past Tengan Bridge."
"I see. That's damn far." The young people exchange a glance. "You said there were shops near the port, kid?'
"Yes, sir."
"Great." Persian purrs, tugging at her Trainer's silk haori. The man returns her affection with baby-talk and a cupful of kisses. "Now. Where's the port again?"
"We're standing on the port, sir. However, the shops are down the main route. Head straight down until you arrive at a golden pole."
"Heh. Sounds simple enough. Thank you… Ah." The man snaps his fingers. "You two. What do women like?"
Akagi looks at Shirona. She raises an eyebrow. The man continues, "Food? Weapons? Maybe she wants a naginata? The dragon inscription would fit best… or perhaps she likes the tiger…"
The man's still muttering to himself as he walks out the main street… and suddenly runs back to the bewildered young people as if he'd been spotted. "Kids!" he huffs. His tone is commanding enough to snatch attention. He stuffs Persian inside his coat. "Pretend you're shopping or something!"
"…kaki…!"
"Kaah! Kaah!"
"…enno…ka…!"
Minutes—hours?—pass in relatively normalcy. After deeming that the coast is clear, the man peeks out from behind the duo, his eyes flickering around the scene before he releases the loudest sigh yet.
"Dodged a bullet there. Can't we get some damn peace in this city?" Then he notices his audience, and his frown fades into a crooked smile. "Thanks, kids. I owe you one. How about I treat you to something good, hmm?"
Shirona closes her jaw. "Um…"
"That won't be necessary, sir." Akagi's tone is polite yet firm. "We won't accept your money."
"We won't?" Shirona mouths. He flashes her a look, and she bites her lips.
Persian yawns. The older man raises a brow. "Nonsense!" he says. "It's not your money to spend! Oh, I see. I assure you that I don't have any malicious intention, if that's what you're concerned about."
Akagi's gaze follows the ripple of that silken kimono. The precious stones. The crispness of the satin-laced coat. "I have no intention of antagonizing you, sir," he states. "But I won't accept your money."
The man frowns. He looks at Shirona. "W-What he said," she mutters, matching Akagi's bow.
Silence. Camome circle overhead in the deep blue skies. Then the man snorts. "I've never met a kid who would refuse my good graces. Interesting. What are your names?"
"I'm Shirona." She gives a small smile. The man smirks back. "And that's Akagi."
"Those are wonderful names." Persian fixes the two with a sleepy grin. The man chuckles and holds out a hand. "Call me Sakaki, Shirona-chan and Akagi-kun."
"Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Sakaki-sama."
"'Sama,' eh? Sakaki-san's fine, kid."
Sakaki… now where have I heard that name before? Shirona shakes his hand. He takes good care of his skin. I recognize his cologne. But… where…? Wait. Damn, he might hear me!
Sakaki utters a deep, warm laugh. "Ah, youth. It's been a while since I've been with younger company."
Akagi nods. "Sakaki-sam—san. Sakaki-san, if you don't mind, may I ask of your occupation?"
"Nothing major." Something glints in those grey eyes. Sakaki tugs his coat before Shirona can catch the rest of that emblem. "Did some business. I don't usually travel, so it's always refreshing to step outside.
"Speaking of which, may I join you two? My schedule is currently free, and you seem to know much more about the region than I do."
Another shared glance. She can't read Akagi's expression. Regardless, Shirona smiles and gives the old man and his Persian a little bow. "Sure. You can join us. The more the merrier."
The man nods. A faint sigh escapes his lips as he wipes the perspiration from his forehead. "Holy Myuu you two are lifesavers. So where are we going?"
Shirona waits for the stranger to catch up. Akagi's shoulders are stiff alongside his cadence. "We're going to eat snow," she says.
Sakaki frowns. "Snow? You have snow in Sinnoh?"
"Yes! It's beautiful! And sometimes, we have snow in springtime. To see the ice glistening off the rising sun, catching in the folds of the cherry blossoms is truly a wonderful sight to behold."
Sakaki chuckles. It's not a mean sound in any way. "You sound like a poet, Shirona-chan. Do you happen to write?"
"Y-Yes, sir." A flush kisses her cheeks. "I study literary texts with my grandma. Every month we would collect works. We have our own publishing house."
"Oh? Why, that is truly inspiring! I'd love to read your works someday!" Persian's nodding along with her Trainer. "Heh, I suppose there are merits in keeping classical works in our modern times. Do you agree, Shirona-chan?"
Shirona beams. "Y-Yes! They're really great… when you're not forced to read them…" She happens to look up, catching Akagi's gaze. He's staring at her in his usual unreadable way.
"That is amazing, Shirona-sama," the young man says softly. "If any of your works will be made public, I'd love an opportunity to read them."
"Huh? But they are public, Akagi-kun! They're available in most major bookstores!"
Akagi frowns. "Yes, but… but the bookstores…" She raises an eyebrow. His hand grazes above his flat pockets, and he drops both his gaze and sentence at that.
Sakaki looks between the two young people. Persian yelps in his arms. "So… Akagi-kun." The young man jolts. "What do you do?"
"I'm a handyman, sir."
"Akagi-kun fixed my bathroom." Shirona smiles. "He's really good at his job."
"Is that so?" Sakaki smirks. Akagi looks away. "Reminds me of another fellow I know. Also likes to fix stuff, but he'd talk my ear off…" He clears his throat. "Where are you from, kid?"
"I grew up in Tobari City, sir."
"Were you born in Tobari?"
Akagi's expression is…strange, to say the least. Shirona can't put her finger on it. Sakaki waits a bit before continuing. "Apologies if I'm intruding on personal matters, but your accent reminds me of those diplomats from Na—ahem. Of the business partners that I've had the pleasure of working with. From Sinnoh. Anyway, one time, a group showcased this type of music called 'jazz.' Said they happened to visit Tobari when they heard it. I was just curious."
Akagi is very, very still. Are his lungs working? When he speaks, the air is deliberately forced from his throat. "Yes, there's a public performing space where musicians can showcase their talents. At night, one can hear jazz from on the streets." He exhales quietly. "Where are you from, Sakaki-san, if I may ask?"
That earns him a small smile. Persian purrs. "I'm from Kanto-kyo."
"Ooh, where the Capital is!" Shirona exclaims. The man nods.
"Yes. The cultural capital of our country, as well as the political center of blah-blah, you get the gist. Granted, there's not a lot of variation in Kanto, so it's always nice to visit other domains.
"Ah yes. What do you mean by we'll be seeing snow, Shirona-chan?"
"We're going to eat snow," she grumbles. Sakaki's eyes widen.
Akagi tips his cap. "Yes." The others just gape at his dead-seriousness. "It's a family business. The store owner took inspiration from the snowy landscapes up north, at Kissaki City. It's a hidden gem in Sinnoh—and if you happen to visit the main city, I highly recommend this place."
Shirona catches Sakaki's glance. He raises a brow. She shrugs. The two follow Akagi down the cluttered streets, dodging screaming kids, harried parents, and the general riff-raff of daily life.
"What the—" Sakaki looks down to see a round orange ball at his sandals. He kicks at it. Akagi bends to pick up the dusty old thing.
"Hey, that's ours!" A group of kids run up to the trio. Their faces brighten upon sight. "Akagi-san!"
Akagi-san?!
The young man gives a nod. And a tip of the cap that makes the boys go wild. "Hello." He turns to the people behind him. "Hikari-san, Kouki-kun, Jun-kun… this is Sakaki-san and Shirona-sama."
"Hi," the older man grunts.
"Hello!" the young woman adds with a smiling wave. "Pleased to meet you!"
The kids look at each other. "Pleased to meet you too, Shirona-san," says the soft-spoken boy named Kouki.
The blond boy named Jun nudges Akagi's legs. "Oh, look at you, Akagi-san! Finally found your meaning in life, huh?"
Akagi blinks. Hikari smacks her friend's head. "Jun, stop that! Can't you behave like Kouki?"
"But it's true!" he moans. "She's really pretty—"
Hikari smacks him again. Then she turns to the woman. "My apologies, Shirona-san." Said with a bow. "Jun, bow! Eeep, you're stepping on me!"
Kouki gives the bewildered people a small smile. "Um… Sorry about that. Jun usually doesn't think before he speaks."
"It's okay!" Shirona laughs. "You're all so cute!" She pats each of their heads. Hikari pouts a bit, but she allows it. "You all know Akagi-kun?"
"Yes!" Kouki chirps. "Our houses had bad plumbing, so we called and he came to fix it. We live all the way in Futaba Town, see. It's really small. A lot of people miss it."
"Remember when Akagi-san got lost?" Hikari smiles. It's a shy, refined smile that she hides behind her hand. "Came by with leaves stuck all over him."
Jun snickers. "Yean, and he almost got ambushed by a flock of Mukkuru by that lake. Hehe, your Pokemon are really cool, Akagi-san! Can we see them again?"
"Excuse me." The kids jump at his tone. Akagi clears his throat. "Your ball, Jun-kun. And Shirona-sama was my client. That is all."
Jun looks quite disappointed. Sakaki's been watching with a crooked smile on his lips. "Have you been everywhere in Sinnoh yet, Akagi-kun?'
"Not yet, sir. At least… I don't think so. I only go where I'm needed."
Hikari claps her hands. "Akagi-kun, you should tell them of your adventures sometime!" She turns to the other adults. "He seen very peculiar things!"
Shirona puts a hand on her hip. Sakaki's stroking his chin. Akagi turns away to stare at nothing in particular.
Jun crosses his arms. "Hey, Akagi-san. You want to play basketball with us? It'll be three against three!"
Akagi frowns. "Basketball?"
Kouki nods. "This orange ball. Do you see the hoops? Yup, those two poles, Akagi-san. Basically you throw it into the hoops, and you win."
"But what if you get hit?" Sakaki mutters. "It looks like it'll hurt."
"The Westerners brought the sport over, and it quickly gained popularity with the younger demographic in Sinnoh," Hikari says. "Kouki and Jun are always dragging me along, but it seems like such a barbaric game…"
"You don't know because you've never played, Hikari-san," Jun grunts. He then grabs Akagi's suspenders, much to the latter's shock. "Come on, Akagi-san! You, me, Kouki, versus Hikari-san, Shirona-san, and the old man!"
"I am not old!" Sakaki roars. Persian slips from his arms to lay on the wooden bench.
Jun huffs. "You sure? You wanna prove it then?" He nudges his friend. "Yo, Kou. We are so going to wipe the floor with them so bad!"
Sakaki storms up to the court, his team scrambling behind him. The older man sheds his rings, his haori, his hand-crafted sandals. His rings, he flings to the side.
"He's serious," Shirona mutters. Akagi wrings his hands. The kids are giggling amongst themselves, except for Hikari, who's staring down at her colorful yukata.
"Shirona-chan! Hikari-chan!" They run towards the older man. He drags a hand through his well-gelled hair. "Let's show these brats a world of pain!"
"Yeah!" Jun stands back-to-back with Kouki. Akagi's also there, looking sorely out of place.
"You get the ball, Sakaki-san." Kouki passes the basketball. Sakaki catches it effortlessly. "Ready…go!"
Sakaki breezes past the stunned Akagi and dunks the ball into the hoop within the blink of an eye.
"Take that, brats!" the old man roars. Persian claps from the sidelines. He marches to the unamused Jun. "Well? Who are you calling old now, brat?"
Jun exchanges a look with Kouki. The latter politely clears his throat. "Um… Sakaki-san? That didn't count. You were traveling."
"Traveling."
"Yes… and you can't do that. So it didn't count. Our ball now!"
Kouki dashes past a bewildered Sakaki. Hikari attempts to block the ball, but Jun was there to intercept. The boys juggle the ball in the air until it eventually lands in Akagi's outstretched hands.
"Akagi-kun!" Shirona calls. Akagi passes her the ball.
"NO!" Kouki snaps. Akagi starts. "Akagi-san, focus! You pass it to me or Jun!"
"I-I'm sorry."
"SCORE!"
Heads turn to see a beaming Shirona under a hoop. She swings an arm over Sakaki, and the two of them do a lively court dance. Hikari claps her hands to the beat of the invisible drums.
"This isn't fair!" Jun hisses, glaring at the culprit. "You let them have the first point! And she shot a three-pointer! Ugh, Akagi-san, focus!"
"I-I apologize." Said man pockets his cap, shrugs off his suspenders, and rolls up his sleeves. "I'll do better this time."
The next rounds consist of Team Sakaki absolutely demolishing Team Jun. The old man is surprisingly agile for his age. Not to mention that Shirona is a juggernaut, and no one blocks Hikari until it's too late and the girl delivers the finishing blow.
To make matters worse, the boys spend a good majority of the match yelling at Akagi.
"Akagi-san, you're traveling again!"
"Ack, Akagi-san, are you okay? Does it hurt?"
"Akagi-san, wrong hoop, wrong hooooop!"
In the end, the score is 20-1, with that one shot being a pity point to the other team. Akagi's being reprimanded by the boys well after the battle is over. The victors watch the scene for a bit before turning to Hikari.
"Good game, Sakaki-san, Shirona-san." A slight bow. She tucks a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Haha… wow, I've never ran so much in my life. Woah…"
Sakaki had rolled the sleeves of his kimono to reveal glistening biceps. "Hah… Hah… damn, that gave me a good workout! Reminds me of when that damn shogun fell when I gave that bastard—"
Sakaki clamps on his tongue. Shirona arches an eyebrow. The boys had gathered around Hikari, and they're looking as equally disturbed. Akagi has his head tilted.
A silence stretches between the group, only broken by Persian's yawn and the cries of Camome over the indistinct background chatter.
Then Jun does a loud, "Ah-hah! You are old, old man! You were alive during the last bafuku!"
"WHAT?! No, I'm not—" Sakaki smacks a hand to his face. "Damn, no, I…" He glances around the uninterested public. "Damn it, I'm not that old…"
Shirona bounces the ball. She shoots it to Akagi, who had to chase it off the streets. He returns shortly though. "You played a wonderful game, Sakaki-san," he says softly.
"It's because Akagi-san doesn't know how to play," Jun mumbles. Akagi drops his gaze. Kouki bashes his friend on the back of the head.
Sakaki scratches his neck. He stares at his audience… until the edges of his lips press upwards. A chuckle, slowly warming up to laughter. Persian pads to his side as he's snorting into his hands.
Then he sighs. The cat presses its jaw into his palms, returning the haori, sandals, rings… The man glares at those items for the longest time.
Everyone waits with bated breath. Sakaki shakes his head, a faint sigh ripping through his teeth. "Thanks for the game, kids." He reluctantly shrugs his haori back on. "It was… fun."
"Of course!" the kids from Futaba Town say.
"It was really fun," Jun says. Then in a lower voice, he adds, "If Akagi-san—"
"Thank you very much for playing with us." Hikari very covertly nabs Jun's ear until he squeals. Kouki forces his spunky friend to bow with them. "We had fun. But we won't keep you. You were all on your way to something, yes? Perhaps we'll see each other next time!"
Shirona beams. "Of course! I hope I'll see you around!'
Sakaki smirks. "Hopefully… Never mind. Of course. I'm always available for another challenge." Persian meows in agreement.
Akagi tips his cap. "Farewell then, Hikari-san. Kouki-kun. Jun-kun. Until next time."
The kids wave. Shirona returns their gestures until the basketball court recedes into the distance, and soon the familiar smell of open port greets her nostrils.
Sakaki holds his head high. "Ah. Akagi-kun, that reminds me. Why do you refer to Hikari-chan as such? She's still a kid."
Akagi glances back. "She is the heir to the Berlitz household, the longest and wealthiest family in all of Sinnoh. Did you notice the diamond and pearl rings she was wearing? I've heard that the jewels were a gift from the Western regions."
Shirona exchanges a look with the old man. "You know a lot, Akagi-san," she says.
"I only know as much as I am taught, ma'am." A Camome soars over the skies. Wings part way for a beam of sunshine to graze the fluffy tips of his hair, now unfettered by that blue cap. "I still have much to learn."
"You're on the right track, kid." Sakaki laughs. Akagi's brows furrow, but then eyes crinkle. "I have a son, you know. About your age. I don't understand him at all, but I do know that he despises my guts."
Akagi drops his gaze. Shirona frowns. "Why?" she mutters, earning a hard smile from the other man.
"Eh. Time changes people." Persian opens her eyes to peer at her Trainer. Sakaki shifts the cat so his hands are tucked under her belly.
"Never mind that," the man says. "The past is the past. I'm looking forward to eating this snow-thing of yours, Akagi-kun."
"Seriously?" Shirona huffs.
Sakaki shrugs. "I don't see what's the harm. You get sick of rich foods eventually."
After some more walking, Akagi speaks up. "We're almost there." He gestures to the wharf and its colorful collection of stalls. I don't recall ever seeing this side of town before. The city's much bigger than I thought.
"Akagi-kun!"
Two men bumble up to the surprised young man: A burly man with a blue bandana and a thinner man with glasses and fiery hair.
Akagi bows. "Aogiri-san! Matsubusa-san!"
"Aw, good to see you too, sport!" The big hairy man named Aogiri swings an arm over his friend. "Working again, Akagi-kun? They your clients?"
Shirona bows. "Hello! I'm Shirona!"
"And I'm Sakaki." He puts a hand in his pocket. Persian leaps off to the wooden floor.
Matsubusa adjusts his glasses, giving a small nod to the two. "Oh? I haven't seen you two around. Are you new in town?"
Shirona shakes her head. "No, I actually come from Kannagi Town. All the way up in the mountains."
"I'm from Kanto," Sakaki grunts. "Came to visit."
"Oh. Interesting. I—"
"Matsu, don't be a smartass." Aogiri pats his friend on the head, earning a frown from the bespectacled man. "Don't mind him, everyone. We're actually from Hoenn, so we have no idea what you're saying."
Matsubusa shakes off Aogiri's paw. "Sakaki-san? You're from Kanto-kyo?" A silent observation of the man's outfit. Sakaki nonchalantly pulls his haori inwards. "Oh. You must be from the Diet."
"Don't you dare bow to me," Sakaki hisses. "I-I mean. I'm just here to have fun. Don't let these things cloud your judgement of me."
Aogiri absorbs this with a furrow of his brow. He then turns to Shirona. "So… ahem. Shirona-san, what do you do?"
"I write and publish literature."
Matsubusa's eyebrows shoot to his forehead. "Oh. You're in a publishing house! Incredible, I never thought I would meet someone so prestigious on a mere fishing trip!"
Aogiri casually leans onto Akagi. The latter frowns, but the older man's not letting him go. "Sooo. A-ka-gi-kun! You never told us about this beautiful young lady with you, hmm hmm!"
Akagi violently pushes himself away. "S-Shirona-sama was my client!" he snaps. Aogiri huffs, rolling his eyes. "A-And Sakaki-san happened to be in the area. I'm showing them around the local delicacy of the port."
Matsubusa's eyes widen. "Ah! The fabled snow-and-rice treat we've heard so much about? Such a thing exi—Aogiri, stop breathing on the poor kid, idiot!" He clears his throat. "Do you mind if we join you? We'll pay for our share, of course."
"Akagi-kun can share with Shirona-san," Aogiri hums, and Akagi's frown deepens until he finally fishes for his cap to hide his face. Matsubusa sighs.
"I don't mind," Sakaki says. "The more the merrier. Right, Shirona-chan? Shirona-chan?"
Shirona gasps. She then realizes that the world is black—no, that's just my fingers—and that the old man had indeed spoken her name. She straightens, runs a hand through her hair—oh Aruseuseu it's so hot in here—and nods.
"I don't mind," she squeaks. She pretends not to see Aogiri nudging his friend, who sighs and shakes his head.
"A-All right." Akagi's fingers stray to his crisp collar. "Yes. Please follow me. Do watch your step for the Koiking lying around."
As the group proceed down the wharf, Aogiri keeps them entertained with stories at sea. Matsubusa interjects with fascinating epics on the region's volcanic activity and local fauna etc. etc. They also rope Akagi into their tales, and that's when Shirona discovers that the man who fixed her bathroom also helped these two fix their dinghy after it washed up here during a bad storm.
"Then we became friends," Aogiri declares once the story settles. A few claps. Akagi opens his mouth, accidentally catches Shirona's gaze, and abruptly turns away.
"We're here," Akagi grunts. Shirona looks up. It's a small, unassuming stall—just a pale blue tarp with wooden tables outside for a perfect view of the seaside port. She glances at Sakaki. Aogiri whoops, throws his arms over his two friends, and herds them inside.
The young woman behind the counter perks up at creaking floorboards. "Welco—oh, Akagi-san! Hello!" She flashes a cheerful grin. "The cooler works now!"
Akagi tips his cap. "I'm glad to hear that, Suzuna-sama." He happens to notice Shirona's expression. "Ah, my apologies. Suzuna-sama, this is Shirona-sama. Sakaki-san. Matsubusa-san and Aogiri-san."
"Holy Kaiouga this is great!" Aogiri darts around the small but tidy establishment. He inhales the mixture of seawater and fresh mountain snow. "Look at the menu, Matsu! Everything looks so soft and white!"
"You men here to taste our famous ice treats, huh? Suzuna crosses her arms, her braids bouncing in the sunlight. "We call them… ice-cream! Nice, huh? Now, we have regular rice, sticky rice… toppings… condensed milk…"
"We'll take whatever that's recommended," Sakaki says.
"You got it—I—I mean…" Suzuna thrusts her back into a bow. "Of course, sir. Please excuse me." She vanishes into the back with her braids bobbing like buoys in choppy waters. Akagi turns to the others, his face set in a neutral smile as he fidgets with his hands.
"We should pitch this idea back to Hoenn," Matsubusa mutters, his gaze catching on the snow-embedded scrolls. "But our climate is too warm for this type of weather." Aogiri rubs his beard in deep thought.
Shirona clears her throat. "Akagi-san. You know her?"
"Yes, ma'am. Her family is one of my oldest clients. For some reason that I still cannot fathom, their cooler malfunctions at regular intervals…" He frowns. "I've suggested upgrading their equipment, but they refused… perhaps it has sentimental value, this cooler?"
"An ice shop with a broken cooler." Sakaki sighs. "Brilliant. How'd they stay in service this long?"
The mountain-printed noren part to reveal the grinning young woman. Aogiri gasps at the sight of the sparkling treats, prompting his friend to roll his eyes. Suzuna smirks at their reactions.
"Five ice-cream treats coming right up! The best in the region, trust me!" She snickers. "The only one in the region, I might add."
The smell matches that of the crisp air of the highest peaks. Of Kannagi's lawns at early dawn. As the group marvel at the delicacies, Suzuna steals a glance at Akagi. She hisses, and he approaches the counter.
"Akagi-san," she whispers. "You got commissioned by higher-ups?"
"Excuse me." Both look up to see the stern old man. Suzuna yelps, prompting a frown. "How much is this in total?"
"U-U-Um!" Suzuna bows again. "400 Poké! Sir!"
Only 400? For five treats? Shirona watches as Sakaki dips a hand into his pocket. Some exchange happens—coins raining against the counter—and the man turns with those colorful foods in his possession.
"Sakaki-san!" Aogiri exclaims when handed his portion. "You are so kind!" Sakaki shrugs. He continues distributing the ice-cream. Matsubusa accepts his with a slight nod. Shirona accepts hers with a cheery smile—oh, and a bow too.
But Akagi just stares when it's his turn. Sakaki raises a brow. The younger man shakes his head in response, his hands remaining clasped behind his back.
"Kid, what's the matter?" Sakaki grunts, inching the treat forward. "Take it." Silence. Suzuna watches the scene with bated breath. The older man sighs. He opts for a different approach.
"Akagi-kun, I'm buying you food to reward you for all your hard work. I've never seen a more dedicated work ethic, and you should be proud of that. Come on. Accept my thanks, kid."
Suzuna's nibbling on her braids. Shirona is biting her lips… until Akagi finally releases his hands. The women exhale when he sheepishly accepts Sakaki's gift.
And the older man smiles. A simple action manages to erase the hard lines on his face, rendering all the years of strain nonexistent. He pats Akagi on the back and goes outside. Matsubusa and Aogiri whisper something to each other and follow.
"Um…"
Akagi is staring at his ice-cream. He lifts his eyes to the two gaping women. "Thank you very much, Suzuna-sama." He tips his cap. The woman wordlessly nods. "Shirona-sama."
"Okay." Shirona follows Akagi outside. The blinding sun greets her. Aogiri waves her over to the group of grown men.
"Do you like it?" Matsubusa asks her.
"Yes! It's very cold and sweet."
Aogiri grins. "Glad to hear that! The second-best dessert to onsen yudofu, am I right, Matsu?"
Sakaki's polishing off his rice. And he's not displeased in the least, judging that emotion on his face. "How is it, kid?"
Akagi is scrutinizing the food with narrowed eyes. Then he's nibbling on the milk, covering his mouth as he eats. It's like watching a Mukkuru operate on a crumb of cracker.
"It… is interesting," is the slow reply. "The mochi is chewy."
The old man's expression softens. Shirona giggles. Akagi frowns. "You have a little milk on your nose," she says.
"Oh. Thank you."
"Um. It's still there. Right there."
"Ah. Is it gone now?"
"Um… Hold still. I got it."
The adults are whispering in the background. Sakaki's shooting crooked grins their direction. Matsubusa has his hands on his hips.
"So." Aogiri swings a heavy arm over his best friend and his new cat-loving friend. Sakaki cringes at the sweaty paw. "Matsu and I are going to show old Sakaki here a really nice saké place. I'd invite the two of you, but Akagi doesn't drink, and you don't look like the drinking type, Shirona-san."
I did drink once, at a party. Shirona can still hear Grandma's yelling within the foggy pathways of her mind. Can still feel the dull pain of that stupid door in her face.
"It's the place we tried to invite you to, Akagi-kun," Matsubusa says. "The one where you had to come in to haul us home. Come by when you two are finished, all right?"
Sakaki huffs. "See you, kids. Stay out of trouble, all right?"
Akagi gasps. "P-Please wait—" By the time he'd opened his mouth, the three grown men had hurried away. A Camome lifts its wing, and the people are gone. Swallowed into the shifting crowd on the seaside pier.
Then it's just them. Akagi turns to Shirona. She gives a small smile. He returns a blank stare.
A Nyarmar steals across the wooden planks. The salty ocean breeze ruffles hair and tugs clothes. Waves crash below the bridge, receding, belching out multicolored sediment.
"Your ice-cream is melting," Shirona says.
Akagi stares at his deformed treat. The ice has indeed melted, and sticky liquid is trailing down his hand. "I see." He fidgets a bit before proceeding to awkwardly nibble away the grass jelly.
"Brain freeze?" she says when he flinches for no apparent reason. Akagi blinks. She explains the phenomenon, and his lips part to an "o."
Shirona glances around the pier. "Do you want to walk around?"
He nods. Shirona, being the experienced traveler that she is, leads him further down the docks to a dead-end. She backtracks, and he silently follows her to her heart's content.
Occasionally she glances back to see him licking his fingers. Eyes connect, and he hides his hands behind his back.
The sun is low in the painted skies when Shirona locates a bench. They've left the pier a while ago. Now they're back in the city, at the area overlooking those retreating ships.
Akagi is standing against the sunset. He'd taken off his cap. "Is your hair naturally like that?" she says.
He stares at her. "Hmm? Oh, I apologize." A hand to his temples. "No, ma'am. I use gel."
"Oh. Why?"
"I don't want my hair to interfere with my work."
I wonder if it's really fluffy when it's down. Shirona giggles at the mental image. Akagi frowns. She leans back, kicking her legs into the air, humming a tune of an old poem about changing seasons.
"Did you enjoy the treat, Shirona-sama?"
"Yup. It's so good. But it's cheaper than I'd expect it to be. They give you much smaller portions for the same amount in other places."
A shadow crosses Akagi's face. "Other places. I see." He's staring down at the pebbles on the ground.
Another silence. Shirona takes a deep, spring-scented breath. "So," she says. "What do you do at home, Akagi-kun? At Tobari City. When you're not working."
Akagi tilts his head. "I help around the house. Address the basic needs of my Pokemon. Sometimes I listen to the jazz performances if they're public. What about you, Shirona-sama?"
"Shirona, stop slacking off! Shirona, there are leaves everywhere! SHIRONA, pick up after Gaburias!"
"Important stuff," she answers, and he nods, obviously impressed. She feels a little bad. Just a little. Akagi shifts his feet. He listens to the melodies of the seasons before he speaks again.
"You said you were studying classical literature, Shirona-sama."
Ugh. "Yes." She already feels a yawn coming on. "Why?"
Another pause. "What… are you reading right now, if I may ask?"
That's a good question. "Um… The Love Suicides at Shimukazi?"
"Sonezaki?" he says gently.
"Huh? Oh. Yes, that. Sonezaki."
Akagi nods. "Sonezaki Shinjū. First performed in 1703, this bunraku drama had been adapted into many forms, not excluding kabuki. The play was the biggest highlight of the sewamono genre, in that it highlighted the plights of contemporary culture at that time. The plot was based upon an actual incident that occurred just one month prior."
Shirona closes her jaw. Akagi blinks… then he blanches. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. Please accept my deepest apologies, Shirona-sama."
"Geez, stop bowing! Akagi-kun, stop it!" He does, although he doesn't look too happy about it. "I do recall something about the date. You might know more about this than me!"
"I'm sorry. Erm. I just find literature to be a fascinating pastime." He fidgets with his suspenders. "It's wonderful what your grandmother and you are doing, Shirona-sama. Our country had indeed undergone a rapid transformation over the last few years. And it's still changing. It's a refreshing sight to see that traditions have been kept." A timid smile. "Although modernity isn't unwelcomed in the least."
That's the longest I've ever heard him talk. About non-work stuff. It's nice to hear him open up. The orange skies have never been so blue. And the red sun has never been so bright. She finds herself staring at the cave of his chin, eyes trailing down the steep slope to the point where his cheekbones taper to an end.
"Do you want to hear an excerpt?" Shirona grunts. What she didn't expect is for his eyes to light up. As if she'd just presented him with a needlessly expensive gift.
"I would be honored!" Teeth peek shyly when his lips part. "If you'll have me, Shirona-sama, it would be my pleasure to be your audience!"
Grandma, he is soooo weird. But Shirona straightens nonetheless. Akagi's gaze never leaves her face—calm down, Shirona. He didn't come just to hear you stutter. You've performed to larger audiences b-before. You got this. No one is paying them any attention. She takes a deep breath.
And she begins.
"'Farewell to this world, and to the night farewell.
We who walk the road to death, to what should we be likened?
To the frost by the road that leads to the graveyard,
Vanishing with each step we take ahead:
How sad is this dream of a dream!'"
Words flow from glistening lips akin to diverging streams from the main waterfall. Voice rising, falling like a lullaby uttered under a summer moon. Hands wave about the air, painting scenes as emotions color them into vibrant reality.
Akagi is staring intently at her. He's resting on the flat of his heels, his elbows on his knees, his hands pressed against his cheeks. Listening with his head tilted, he remains enthralled by her spell. A passerby would see a beautiful noblewoman voicing life to a faded statue of a man.
"'They embrace, flesh to flesh, then fall to the ground and weep—how pitiful they are! Their strings of tears unite like entwining branches or the pine and palm that grow from a single trunk, a symbol of eternal love. Here the dew of their unhappy lives will at last settle.'"
A flock of Mukkuru has joined the audience. The young man didn't seem to mind the birds perching on his shoulders.
"'He thrusts and twists the razor in his throat, until it seems the handle or the blade must snap.'" Shirona's jaw drops. The story continues in a haunting timbre—soft, deliberate, like the chilling breeze of winter's night. "'His eyes grow dim, and his last painful breath is drawn away at its appointed hour. No one is there to tell the tale, but the wind that blows through Sonezaki Wood transmits it, and high and low alike gather to pray for these lovers who beyond a doubt will in the future attain buddhahood. They have become models of true love.'"
The conclusion lapses into silence. Even the Mukkuru had ceased squabbling. Sandals scrape against cobblestone. A dry saline gust kisses the rippling grass.
Then Akagi gasps. He jerks back, loses his balance, and falls flat on his back. He immediately shoots up to his feet when she steps down from the pedestal.
Shirona stops him before he can execute a full dogeza. "Akagi-kun!"
"Y-Yes, Shirona-sama?"
She shakes her head. He grimaces. "You're so weird," she says, and he deflates.
"But that was amazing, Akagi-kun!" His frown fades at the sight of her shining eyes. "You recited it word-for-word! That's so cool! Gee, if Grandma was here right now, she'll be begging you for an encore!"
Akagi drops his gaze. "You… you did a wonderful job as well, Shirona-sama. I… I got caught up in the mood."
Shirona's muscles hurt from grinning. But she can't help it. She also can't help letting her heart aim a flying kick to her ribs. Gazes meet, only to tear away.
"W-We should see if Sakaki-san is all right," Akagi grunts.
"Yeah," Shirona huffs. "The old man's probably drunk on his feet. But he has Aogiri-san and Matsubusa-san with him, so he should be f-fine." She twists her hair. "So… you… you know the place, right?"
"Yes." Akagi tugs on his cap so it obscures his eyes. "Not far from Suzuna-sama's shop. We should—"
"EEEY! IF IT ISN'T THE KIDS!"
The young adults jump at that booming voice. A splotch of blue in the horizon. Red. Gold threads glittering in orange sunlight.
A large cat runs to Akagi, nearly knocking him over. "P-Persian?" The cat giggles when he scratches her ears. "Persian, why do you smell like saké? He frowns. "You… you didn't drink any… did you?"
"YO!" Aogiri yells. He shrugs off Sakaki's arm to amble to the young ones. "Hey, sports. How's it going?"
"A-Aogiri-san." Ugh, he reeks. "How much did you drink?"
"More than enough, but he handles his alcohol just fine," Matsubusa mutters, stepping forward. Aogiri laughs. "Although it's Sakaki that I worry about. He was yapping on and on the strangest of things."
Matsubusa's face is red from heat. His glasses are on his head, their lens fogged up from moisture. Aogiri shows a slight flush, but he's still standing strong. But then there's Sakaki, who raises his leg and almost eats ground if not for Matsubusa's quick thinking.
"Can you believe what this man said?" Aogiri belches. Akagi's gaze flickers to Shirona, and he gently yet harshly reminds the older man to be mindful in the presence of company. "Oh. Sorry about that, Shirona-san. But!" A smack on Sakaki's back. "This fool kept talking on and on about running an underground yakuza ring! A crime syndicate! Underneath the Imperial Capital!"
"Itzza truth," Sakaki slurs. His hair is a mess. "Rainbows EVERYWHERE! Akagi! Kid, joooin me!"
"Rainbow Rocket's a nasty bunch," Matsubusa hisses. "Don't let the name fool you. Promise me you two will stay away from them!"
"Y-Yes, sir."
"Good! This fool was yelling to the whole world that he's associated with the yakuza! Dressed like this? Aogiri, this is all your fault! Sakaki, what's your wife going to say?!"
"My fault? Matsu, it's just pub talk! We were having so much fun—"
"My wife knoooowz." Sakaki's head rolls forward. Aogiri jabs a thumb to the man, and Matsubusa sighs. "She 'ates it. Everyone's planning to kiiiilllermehehen…"
Matsubusa frowns. "Akagi-kun. Shirona-san. Where does he live?"
"Um… we… don't know," she replies. "He just… showed up." Persian pads over to her incapacitated Trainer. "Oh, but his Pokemon might know!"
Aogiri grins. "Sweet. We'll take the old man home. You two should also head back before it gets dark."
Akagi nods. "Shirona-sama, I don't mind accompanying you on your way back. The mountains can be dangerous at night."
DOUBLE SWEET! She does a quiet victory dance. "Yes. Thank you very much, Akagi-kun." She fails to see Aogiri's wink.
Persian meows, jutting her cheek to the other direction. Time to go. The two men bid a farewell and a promise of reunion before the groups split their separate ways. The young people watch the three retreating backs fading, fading into the evening sun.
Shirona points to the mountains. Akagi nods. He keeps his distance as they proceed back, his hands gripped behind his back, his posture straight and tall. The first half of the journey is traveled in silence. The second half she begins reciting excerpts from the Kaidan botandōrō, The Ghost Tale of the Peony Lantern. For a few minutes, she's hearing her own voice echo throughout the expansive night sky…
Until he speaks. Faintly at first, but as the stars grow brighter, the richness of his voice pushes through his impassive mask, the sound of a deep and all-encompassing chime reverberating through the endless canyons as they walk down the glimmering Route 210.
Then they're here. At the red Torii gate of Kannagi Town. Only when Grandma opens the door does Akagi deem it appropriate to leave her side.
"Good evening, Madam." He bows. "I'm only here to escort your granddaughter home."
Grandma's grin is so loud. "Uh-huh. Sure. Of course you are."
"Grandma!" Shirona hisses.
Akagi waits. The women keep whispering to the other, and he's just standing there, wondering if they're going to talk to him. He looks down to his boots. "Well. I shall be going now. I apologize for the inconvenience, Madam. And Shirona-sama."
"Y-Yeah?"
A pause. Then his eyes crinkle. "Until we meet again."
And with another bow, he's gone.
Grandma tugs Shirona into the warm and welcoming house and slams the door. She props her granddaughter onto the cushion, slaps the bottles of warm Moomoo Milk on the table, and folds her hands under her chin.
"So," the old lady says. "Tell me everything that happened."
Rkt. Rkt.
Wheels? Wooden.
Rkt. Rkt.
Pebbles. Cobblestone?
It's dark. A slow groan, and an eye cracks open. Stars. Cold. Damn, is it cold.
"Finally awake, eh?" Who's talking? The pillows? No, wait. A carriage. Some sort of carriage and… purple?
"My head hurts like hell."
A sigh. "As expected. You know what happens if you drink, my Lord. Honestly, you know what happens if you even touch a cup of saké. I swear, our enemies will win by offering you a giant feast. Just be glad Aogiri and Matsubusa didn't leave you!"
A blink. A pause. "Who?"
Another long sigh. "Your drinking buddies. I don't know, they said that they knew you. Holy Myuu, I finally get this thing fixed, and I had to run all over the city until I saw them helping you throw up in the river."
Something nips his fingers. A soft meow. "Persian?" The cat nods. Then memory slowly returns, fuzzing back into the plane of existence.
"LAMBDA?!"
"Finally. Welcome back, Emperor Sakaki."
"What the hell…" Sakaki grasps his head. After a quick self-sweep, he determines that all his valuables are indeed where they belonged: on his body. "Where are we, Lambda?"
Lambda huffs, hitching the reins on the trotting Beadaru. "So after you so graciously wrecked my carriage, sir, I had to find a replacement for the Dudorio that ran away. Luckily this place is crawling with these dumb beavers. AND while I was running around the city, looking for you, it seems that you've been wondering off making friends!"
Sakaki belches into his hand. Mmm. Cheap sashimi. Persian snickers. "Ah. Yes, Aogiri and Matsubusa. Great fellows. Really down-to-earth gentlemen. Better than half of these snakes in my Diet."
"It's not fair…"
"What was that, Lambda?"
"U-Uh. It's not fair that Athena—ehem, Empress Athena—has to wait for your lazy ass! She's been expecting you, sir, and you just run away like always!"
"How dare you accuse me of being a coward!"
Lambda winces. But his scowl returns. "Then why is it so difficult to even get you to leave the Capital? We're just stopping by Sinnoh so you can get a gift for the Empress and Prince Silver! Not for you to run away and hide!"
"I was not hiding," Sakaki hisses. "I was merely taking a stroll. And encountered a vast array of people, mind you." Persian sinks her head into his lap. "It was a worthwhile adventure."
Lambda sighs. Seeing that arguing is pointless, he shrugs and turns back to guiding the Beadaru down the cobblestone road.
"I might bring them to Sinnoh." Lambda turns. Sakaki leans back into the cushy couch. "Play some basketball with Silver. Then we'll all eat ice-cream."
"Basketball? Like the new game the kids are playing? The shooting the ball in the hoop?" Lambda's eyes widen. "And what is an ice-cream?"
Sakaki sits up. "Listen to this, Lambda: Ice-cream is a treat where they encase sticky rice in snow, then top it off with fruit, condensed milk, mocha, and grass jelly!"
"Holy Myuu that sounds like heaven!" Lambda's nodding as he strokes his goatee. "Do take me with you next time you ru—you happen to visit Sinnoh, sir. I don't want to die before I can eat snow."
"Sure, sure. I'll take everyone along." Sakaki scratches Persian's head, feeling the cat's deep rumbling breath in his chest. "I won my first basketball game, Lambda. It feels wonderful to run around again as if my life depended on it."
Lambda coughs politely. "Um. My Lord, don't… don't test your luck. Our side business is prospering, and I'd prefer to keep it that way.
"Well, I'm just glad someone got to have fun. Oh yes, while I was stuck wondering how to fix this thing, I ran into these two kids. He must've been her servant or something, but damn, does he remind me of my youth! We both have the same hammer, if I didn't leave my toolbox back there I could've showed him… Damn, people just don't appreciate a little elbow grease nowadays."
Oh? Sakaki raises a brow. "You… met two kids?"
"Yeah—Yes, my Lord. A really beautiful young woman and this really polite young man. I think his name was… Akagi." A small laugh. "Yup. Akagi. I think we started off wrong, but he's a nice kid. Without him, I'd still be stuck in that bamboo grove."
Sakaki drums his fingers against the window sill. Moonlight catches on his rings, reflecting a myriad of colors onto the satin walls. A rainbow under the gold-plated roof.
Lambda's glancing back with a twinkle in his eyes. "I promised the kid that I'd take him out to saké the next time we meet. Do you want to come, sir? I think you'd like him."
Sakaki looks at Persian. She returns a sleepy smile. Lambda laughs at his response before turning back to the starlit road. The moon is high in the sky... one of the few remaining things in the world that didn't succumb to the flow of time.
Perhaps that's a good thing.
"I can't wait to go back to Sinnoh," Sakaki hums. "Next time, we're having a party at that little ice-cream shop."