Because the Morgans ran out of room for the kids to stay at the Pallet House, and because it was on the way to their next location, the plan was for the crew to stay overnight in Paul and Linda Morgan's mansion. The day after that Rita, Nolan, and Lexi were going to start their roles as group's leaders in Annastasia's absence. Annastasia was going to go with Lucario, Rumika, Meowth, Lucy, and her parents to the Toka region, where Lucario planned to instruct her on how to better control her aura.
Dinner was over and everyone was outside sitting around a bonfire. Benny was telling Rumika how his 'cousins' liked to play guitar and sing around the campfire on nights like these. Then he and a few others requested a campfire song.
"It's been a whole week since they've performed," said Amber. "C'mon, Blue-Jay, A, don't you wanna sing one more time?"
"Eevee eve eve," said Aliyah, jumping into Annastasia's lap.
Annastasia petted the Eevee and sighed. "I'm exhausted and have so much on my mind right now."
"But Onēsan, tomorrow you leave and you might be gone a really long time," Jocelyn pouted.
"Flaa fee!"
"I'm really not in the mood. I want to go to sleep," said Annastasia.
No one knew what to say to her. They hated the circumstances—A was not only their leader but their mentor, advocate, and friend. She was like a big sister to all of them and practically a second mother to the youngest.
"Your bed's all made up," said James. "You and Lily—and now Maya—are staying in the same place as always."
"And if you wanna stay alone, we get it," said Lily. "We can fit almost anywhere."
"Now, Lily, you know me: always welcome to company—especially in my bed."
Everyone laughed, which was her intended result.
"Will we see you in the morning?" June inquired.
"Yes," Annastasia said as she stood. "I'll make sure I'm present for breakfast and I'll give you all a formal farewell."
Annastasia looked at Michio, who was watching her from across the bonfire, but as usual, he turned away the moment she glanced over. She peered down at the watch her grandparents gave her at the start of her journey. It was 8:50 pm: nearly time for their meeting.
"Sleep is what I need, but first I have a…private errand to run. So, don't follow me." Annastasia was staring Michio in the eyes as she spoke. He looked at his own watch. "Goodnight, everyone."
"Goodnight," they chimed.
When Annastasia and her Pokémon got to their room, Annastasia changed into lighter clothes and washed up while she waited for Michio to slip away from the others. Her Pokémon settled on the bed and waited for her to climb in, and were surprised when she instead strapped on a backpack and hiking boots.
"Lili Lil?"
"I have a thing I want to do tonight," she replied.
"Taria tar."
"I'd rather have you stay here. I won't be gone long, and I won't be alone. Please cover for me. If Lily or Maya get back before I do, tell them I'm with Michio but I do not plan on staying out all night."
"Tarrria, Tarrrr."
"Rupp!"
Annastasia kissed them goodbye then walked out the door. She trotted down the hall and then knocked on the door of Michio's guestroom. Almost fifteen minutes had passed since she left the bonfire and she assumed he'd be there waiting. He was.
"Why are you wearing boots?" he asked.
"Pikachuuu?"
"I told you I have the perfect spot for us to go talk," she responded.
"But we're alone in this house—everyone else is still outside. I thought you were tired."
"I am, but there's something I want to show you before you go. It's a bit of a hike but it's worth it."
"Okay…where's Lil-G and Bleu? Aren't you going to get cold just wearing shorts and a tank top out here at night? What if you have a seizure? I don't know First Aid. But I do have a sweatshirt you can borrow…"
"I'll be fine. If I seize, it won't be a grand mal, just a staring spell that Scarlett can knock me out of."
"Okay…don't complain when you get cold."
"I won't get cold."
Scarlett jumped on Annastasia's shoulder and they exited the back door of the mansion together.
"When I asked if you had a private spot to talk, I meant an empty room. I didn't mean a rendezvous in the forest," said Michio.
"You're allowed to complain but I can't?" she retorted.
"You use your martial arts to scare and restrain me but I can't do that to you."
"You could if you learned martial arts."
"I'll pass. And I can hardly see. Don't you have a flashlight?"
"I misplaced it." She took his hand and clicked her timepiece, which then emitted a small radiance. "I know this place well—I'll lead you."
"Okay…"
After ten minutes of walking in silence, Michio asked:
"What did you say to Jay earlier, when he asked to talk to you?"
"You didn't listen in?" she replied.
"I don't snoop; when I overhear, it's usually an accident."
"Why do you care what we talked about?"
"Don't tell anyone this…but I wanna know how to handle that kid. I've talked to him a few times, not really alone or about anything deep since that talk we had a while ago that I already told you about. And since you're the expert…"
"Jay just needed to process his feelings. He was sad because our great-grandparents died and because I'm going away, happy to get another sibling, and worried about the future. He's a sensitive ten-year-old and other than Amb and my parents, he doesn't feel like he has other people he can confide in, which is why he turns to us so often. He was also always more sheltered than I was. By the time he was born, my family had most of their shit together. The most dangerous place he ever went to was school, and since my parents' friends had kids around his age, he sorta already had a peer group. But they all lived too far away to meet his need for a confidant. That's where I come in."
"Oh."
"Listening tends to be better than advising; if he wants advice, he'll ask for it. That's true for almost everyone but especially to him."
Another ten minutes later, Michio was getting tired of the hike.
"I don't understand why we're coming all the way out here when that mansion has eight-hundre—"
Michio involuntarily let go of her hand. There was the sound of a branch snapping and a crash. Annastasia turned around to witness Michio struggling to get up after his foot got caught in a hole apparently left behind by a Digglet. Scarlett helped him out, and after muttering a few choice words, they continued their hike.
"Stop bitching," said Annastasia. "You'll appreciate this."
She added the word 'eventually' in her head.
They arrived at an open clearing. There were a few boulders, perfectly placed for sitting, as well as a great view of the mountains, which were visible due to the brilliant stars. There was also a little rose garden, filled with blood red, lavender, and magenta roses, daisies, and bluebells.
"Nice view," said Michio, shaking some of the leaves and dirt from his hair. "But all that for this?"
"I knew you'd say that," Annastasia responded. "I don't care about your opinion of this place. One day you will thank me. But anyway, this place is meaningful to me, and I was going to come up here with or without you anyway."
"What's so special about 'up here'?"
"This is the place I usually go to during my visions. Except it isn't the same. It's different, like I described to you before, with the loud weapons and the screaming and all those people dying. The weird thing is, I remember that day. I was three years old. It was the day we beat off Team Firestar for good. But the thing is that the ending I remember, the ending my parents remember, and the ending our Pokémon remember, are different then what I see in the visions. It's like an alternate reality, something that maybe could have been, but couldn't have. I have never thought much about it before, as it is something that I try to avoid remembering."
They both sat in silence for a few moments.
"These fusions can't see the future, can they?" he asked worriedly.
"I mean...I suppose anything is possible," Annastasia sighed. "It could it be that what I'm seeing isn't the past at all, but a dystopian future."
Scarlett rubbed her face against Annastasia's. "Piiii."
"If the fusions can use Teleport and Hypnosis, who's to say they cannot have other abilities? There are Pokémon that can see the future—Xatu, Celebi, Mewtwo, Mew—maybe this whole time the fusion was showing me glimpses of what's to come."
"But the visions make you weak," he responded. "If they were just showing you the future, that probably wouldn't happen."
"They drain my aura…because the fusion and I share the same aura. After all, that experiment is the reason I'm so powerful in the first place. I don't want to bring in any extra drama, but people who've gone what I've gone through don't live. If I was normal, I wouldn't have been able to survive being born months before my time. I wouldn't have grown out of my early childhood issues—the partial blindness, delayed speech, underdeveloped motor skills—I would have developed complications due to the HIV alone and those seizures would've been fatal. I have so much strength because of what's it's given me. Take that away and I don't have much else."
It worried him to hear this. While truth popped out occasionally—during bonfires, in casual conversation, etc., he didn't know the extent to her problems. Other than being ill frequently, having dissociative seizures, and random cavities despite excellent hygiene, he didn't understand what she had gone through in her seventeen years.
"Run that by me again," Michio requested, rubbing his neck anxiously as he tried understand what she had just explained. "The fusion aura stuff."
"The fusions and I have matching auras," she responded. "This is because when the fusion's power was still in the form of a weapon and used to attack my mother, I was already existing. I already had my aura was corrupted, and it changed and its power multiplied. Then when Team Firestar was locked away, so were the fusion's DNA. Then a few years ago someone else took on the fusion experiment and started actually creating fusion Pokémon, not just weapons that had Pokémon abilities. That's when I started having the visions. The visions were the fusion Pokémon trying to communicate with me through aura, which is something that Aura Guardians can do."
"Is the monster fusion good or bad? And how does it control the other fusions?"
"I don't think it's good or bad, just corrupted. As far as controlling the other fusions, it could be doing it through Hypnosis. If I can get the monster fusion to understand, then this whole thing goes away."
"Wow. Great."
Annastasia noted his change in tone. "You don't seem excited about this. This is good news."
"Not good news for you."
Scarlett placed a paw on his shoulder. He flicked it away, so she crawled onto his lap instead.
"You're still leaving," he mumbled. "You'll be in more danger than you are now and I might never see you again. This is great for the world but not for us—you—anyone."
"It's for the greater good," she replied.
"That's the language people use to justify wars, forced marriages, and the death penalty."
"Yes, but I don't want you to be upset. This is out of our control; I'm doing what's best for everyone."
"For everyone except yourself."
Michio looked away. Annastasia and Scarlett could tell there was a lot on his mind, but neither of them felt like they would be able to get him to express it all—at least not all in one night.
"I can't just say 'no' because you are too shy to handle the world on your own," said Annastasia. "You've come so far. I had very little to do with that. I don't want you to give up."
"Let's go back," he responded, turning away.
"We came all the way up here and we didn't even discuss what you wanted to."
"I changed my mind. Lead us back. People are probably wondering where you are."
"I really don't want to go through this again. We've come so far since day one."
"I never changed."
"You haven't changed fundamentally, but you've changed a little. There is a difference."
"For example…?"
"You asked me to run away with you. Do you think you would have asked me that three months ago?"
Michio was grateful for the dark, so she didn't have to see the color of his face. She could probably tell by the subsequent tone of his voice how nervous he was thereafter.
"I didn't say 'run away with me'," he replied, trying to sound like he meant it.
"Not those exact words, but I knew where you were going," she replied. "I care about you a lot and I'll worry about you while I'm gone."
Annastasia sat down and wrapped her arm around him and Scarlett.
"I like you better as a friend than as a mom," he said sarcastically, his voice relaxing.
"So, I'm a friend," she noted.
"…Or more."
Scarlett wiggled out of Michio's lap and jumped onto the ground. Then slowly walked into the forest, gleefully chanting 'Piii ka'.
"Why do you think she did that?" Michio asked worriedly.
"I think she wanted to give us privacy," Annastasia replied.
"What for? Are you going to do something to me?"
"You are the one who wants me to run away with you."
"Well, you're the one who's always snuggling."
Michio tickled her arm until she laughed and was forced to move.
"I would suggest sleeping out here tonight…" said Annastasia.
"…but there aren't any restrooms," he filled in.
"We never told anyone that we left. Nolan might be wondering where his roommate is—and just learn to pee in the woods."
"You can never make me do that."
"Pika?" Scarlett asked, popping out of the woods.
"I guess she decided that the conversation is no longer private," said Annastasia.
Scarlett returned to her spot between them.
"Alola's a possibility," Annastasia said as she looked to the stars. "But don't give me an ultimatum. When I get back, we'll figure this all out."
"I can deal with that," he responded.
"Pikachuuuu!" Scarlett exclaimed.
Michio and Annastasia's eyes met with about twenty Volbeat and Illumise flying over them. Their natural orange and yellow lights pierced the darkness.
"I wonder why they're crossing this time of year," Annastasia murmured. "Migration usually takes place around Taiiku-no-hi."
"I never heard of Taiiku-no-hi," said Michio. "So, those Pokémon aren't from Kanto?"
"Taiiku-no-hi is the last fall festival of the year. And those are Illumise and Volbeat are from Johto."
The Volbeat and Illumise flew closer and chanted their names. Michio scanned them with his Pokédex, which was in the backpack he instinctively grabbed when Annastasia dragged him out of the room. He aimed it at Illumise that was twirling around solo.
"Illumise, the Firefly Pokémon. Illumise uses Sweet Scent to lure in Volbeat, having them draw geometric patterns in the sky," the Pokédex explained.
"Why are they two different colors?" he asked Annastasia.
"Because only the blue ones are Illumise. The red ones are Volbeat," she explained, pointing out the difference. "Aim your Pokédex at that one."
"Volbeat, the Firefly Pokémon. Volbeat uses the designs on its tail for sketching and communicating with other Volbeat and Illumise," said the Pokedex.
"These Pokémon like to draw in the sky," he surmised.
"It's funny we found them because…Ah, never mind, it's irrelevant," said Annastasia.
"Now I'm curious."
"You can use them to send messages. Not many people know they can do that. I know about it because my father would sometimes send messages to my mom."
"Didn't realize average Pokémon could do shit like that."
"Legends aren't the only ones who shine."
"Yeah."
"Pikaaa," said Scarlett, prompting Michio.
"About what I said earlier, I understand if you don't want to come with me. It's just that I don't want this to be the last time we see each other," said Michio.
"It won't be. I promise I'll track you down," Annastasia said as she pushed him into a side-hug. "I know where you live. And if you run away—I know a lot of spies. In the meantime, you can continue on with what you've been doing here. Don't give up yet."
"I'll won't give up."
"Promise me you won't give up."
"I promise."
"I promise to not give up on you too."
"Pikapi," Scarlett added.
"Thanks," said Michio. "Can we go back now?"
"Sure," Annastasia replied.
Scarlett climbed onto Michio's shoulder and Annastasia clicked her watch, activating the small light. She took Michio's hand and led them down the dark path back to the house. By the time they arrived in front of Annastasia's door, it was close to midnight.
"I wonder if Nolan was worried about you," said Annastasia.
"I doubt it," Michio replied. "I'm seventeen and always out late."
"Unlike you, Nolan's the responsible type."
Annastasia opened the door to her room. Her Pokémon were asleep on the king-sized mattress. As suspected, her roommates Lily and Maya were nowhere to be seen. The only evidence that they had even returned to the room at all was a short note explaining that they would be gone until early the next morning.
"Since this is our last night together, you can sleep in here if you want," said Annastasia. "You seem to like it when we stay out all night and sleep in the grass, side by side. We aren't going to get to do that after tonight."
"You don't mind?" he asked.
"If I minded, I wouldn't have invited you."
Scarlett dashed ahead of them and jumped next to Lil-G and Bleu. The three Pokémon had gotten accustomed to sleeping together the last two weeks, as Annastasia and Michio always took them along on their late-night excursions. Michio went to the bathroom mirror and started to pick out all the leaves and dirt that got caught in his hair from when he fell in the Digglet hole. Annastasia helped.
"Did Lucario even give you an estimate of how long you will be gone? Like do you think it will be closer to two months or six?" Michio asked.
"I'll try my best to finish quickly but I don't think I have any control over how long I stay. I can come back if there is an emergency since transportation isn't really a problem for my family, but I should really limit the trips. The more distractions I have the longer I will have to be out there. I will be fine, and so will you. I will probably come back in one piece and if I do, we can figure out what we want to do from there. Please stop being concerned."
When they finished washing up Annastasia turned out the lights and jumped into bed. She dug her face into her pillow and savored it since she knew that the beds in the Team Rocket base out in Toka were not a third as comfortable as this one. Michio sat on the windowsill, his back facing her.
"Do you plan on sleeping tonight?" she asked.
"No," he responded.
"Can you at least stop moping?"
"Moping helps me cope, so no."
Annastasia rolled her eyes.
"I've given you a lot—my time, trust, friendship, and patience," said Annastasia. "Now there are other people who need me a lot more than you do."
"I don't get why I can't come along," Michio huffed.
"I can't have distractions; not even my family can come. They'll check in with me at headquarters, but when I go out to practice with Lucario, I must do it alone. I don't get why you're so attached to me."
"Because you are the only person who cares. No one back in Alola really cares whether or not I return. No one here even wants me around. And I was just starting to like it here."
"You hate Kanto."
"You make it seem like a worthwhile place."
Annastasia flipped open the covers to her bed. "If you are going to sulk, at least do it over here—last chance to cuddle before I leave."
Michio accepted the invitation, and so did Scarlett, who was still awake and was once again pretending to give them privacy. The two of them moved from their previous spots and snuggled into her arms and though it took a while, eventually floated into sleep.
XO
By 8:30 am James, Jessie, Meowth, Lucy, and Wobbuffet were cooking up pancakes. Joining them was Jay, Jocelyn, Rumika, Lucy, Lily, Maya—who finally starting to get used to humans—Logan, Tamaki, Benny, their Uncle Toshi, Soledad, Amber, June, Takeshi, Rita, Lexi, Nolan, and everyone's Pokemon.
"These pancakes are delicious. My compliments to the chef," June told James as she helped herself to another Axew-shaped blueberry pancake.
"Ivysaurrrrr!"
"All my Pokémon like them too."
"You're always welcome," James responded.
"These beds were so comfy. I hate sleeping on the ground," said Soledad. "I knew that camping would be rough and that the mattresses at the Pokémon Centers weren't the best, but I didn't realize just how bad they were until I got to sleep in a real bed again."
"I feel the same way," Amber said as she cracked her back. "Hear that? That's the sound of back in need of a proper mattress…and a massage."
Jay rubbed her back for her while the other children looked on jealously.
"Are you still going to travel with the gang?" James asked Maya, who was sitting at the end of the counter behind Lily.
"Nyaa," she replied with a nod.
"That means yes," said Lily.
"I was able to pick up on that," said James.
"Nya ny."
"She also wants to learn how to speak like a human," said Lily. "I'm going to help her learn."
"Good for you," said James.
"Wow, then I'll know five talking Pokémon," said Takeshi.
"You'll know more than that," said Soledad. "Remember the talking Gastly?"
"And you'd know seven if you ever met my dad's Rotom," said Amber.
"I don't think that counts. It can't talk unless it's inside the Pokédex."
"How do you know? Have you ever seen it outside the Pokédex?"
"No, but—"
"Exactly."
"Moving on," said Jay. "Maya, I think it's great that you're going to learn to speak like a human. I think you should go for English first, then Japanese."
"Sure, then she can learn JSL and Italian. Maybe Spanish, French, and Chinese too," said Amber. "Because why not? Everyone in the world knows at least six languages."
"Huh? No, they don't."
"Sarcasm."
"Oh."
"Nyaaaaa," said Maya.
"One step at a time," Logan translated.
"Benny, Tamaki, are you going to come to Celadon City with us?" Jocelyn asked.
"I want to but I have to get back to school," Benny replied.
"But I'm seven too and I'm not in school."
"That's because you got special permission to leave," said Jay.
"Tamaki, why don't you stay with us?" asked Soledad. "We like having you around."
"Definitely," said Takeshi. "And you know more about Pokémon than we do, which mean you can help us."
"Even though you've already helped us," said June. "We think you're fun to have around."
"I would love to stay will y'all, but…" Tamaki said as he looked to Benny. "I'd rather stay with my lil bro."
"Really?" said Benny.
"I wouldn't leave you all alone in a new city. And I miss my comfy bed too."
"Don't feel like you have to stay in Coral City," said Toshi. "I'm here to support Benny too and the teens I hired to help me at the gym are doing a great job."
"I'm sure about what I want to do. It was fun while it lasted. I won't forget this."
"I'm sad," said Jocelyn. "I wish you could stay. I'll miss you."
"Flaaaafy."
"I'll miss you lots too," Benny replied.
"We'll all miss you," said Soledad.
"If you really want to, I can get you permission to leave school," Toshi told Benny. "It's up to you."
"Instead of going back to school I can travel with everybody?" Benny asked excitedly.
"If that is what you want. When you called to check in and I saw how much fun you were having these last few weeks, I decided to call your parents to see if they would approve. They think it would be great for the two of you to join their traveling group, as long as you're welcome."
"He's definitely welcome," said Lexi.
"Absolutely," said Nolan.
"We'd like to have you stick around if you can," said Jay.
"Pleeeeeease?" said Jocelyn.
"Flaaaaaaaa?"
"Well, I really would rather travel with you," said Benny.
"Please come," Jocelyn pleaded. "It'll be super fun!"
"Flaafy flaa!"
"I think we can all agree with that the more the merrier," said June.
After everyone said they'd like to have him, Benny decided to say yes.
"That leaves you," Soledad said as she turned to Tamaki.
"If Benny's going, then so am I," he asserted.
"Annastasia will miss you though. If she was here, she'd agree with all of us," said Takeshi.
"Speaking of A, does anyone even know where she is?" Lexi asked.
"I haven't seen her or her Pokémon anywhere," said Amber. "I don't think she even left her room yet. Hmmm, how suspicious…"
"Maybe she's packing last-minute stuff for her trip," said Jay.
"Or maybe she slept in again," said June.
"Again?" Jessie, James, Lucy, Meowth, and Rumika asked in unison.
"She's slept this late before?" said Jessie. She glanced down at her watch. It was almost 10:00 am. "Are you sure she's not working out?"
"Yeah, about two weeks ago she had the same, ah, issue," said Jay. "I think she's been extra…um…"
The people who knew, knew, the others had no idea what he meant and asked no questions.
"Poor Onēsan," Jocelyn sighed as she stared at her half-eaten pancakes. "She's missing out on all this good food."
"Flaaa."
"Chocolate chip pancakes are the only junk food she'll eat," said Jessie.
Jessie left the kitchen and headed up the stairs to Annastasia's room. Inside, Annastasia was just waking up to the sound of wild Pokémon playing outside. Michio had left the window open, but she was so tired that she didn't even notice the noises until now. Michio was snoring next to her, Scarlett resting between them.
Annastasia gingerly picked up the Pikachu and moved her to the side. She attempted to disentangle herself from Michio, as he was hugging her tightly in his sleep. She found that it was useless to try to break free through force and that she wouldn't be able to get him to let go without drastic measures: tickling.
"Hey…hey stop…hey, STOP!" Michio cried out before bursting into giggles. He opened his eyes and stared back into Annastasia's with confusion, unsure of what he had just experienced.
"Oh my god, you were actually laughing," Annastasia laughed. "You never laugh."
He glanced around the room, trying to remember where he was, as he was still half-asleep, but smiling.
"And it's such a cute laugh too," she continued. "I had to tickle you awake because you were crushing me in your sleep. You must've been having a nightmare or something and grabbed me. It was almost sweet."
"Almost?" he mumbled, dazed.
"Piiii kuuu," Scarlett yawned. "Piii kuuu."
Annastasia passed Scarlett her allergy medicine then sprung from the mattress.
"I call dibs," Annastasia said as she ran into the bathroom.
Michio picked up the watch that she had left lying on the nightstand. It was already past 9:30.
"I hope she doesn't get mad because she slept so late again," Michio remarked.
"Piiii, Pikachu," Scarlett said as she pulled at Michio's backpack.
"Yeah, I should probably get ready before—"
He was interrupted by loud knocking.
"Annastasia, we have pancakes!" Jessie called from the hall. "Please come down! Everyone wants to see you and I know you're awake!"
"Be down in a few minutes!" Annastasia called from the bathroom. "Just getting washed up now!"
"Mind if I come in? I want to talk to you about something in private."
"Now's not a good time. Give me a few."
"I'll wait out here…"
She sat down on the ground in front of the door with Acorn and waited. Five minutes later Annastasia exited the bathroom, dressed in her full TR uniform and with her hair tied up in a tight bun that she had tucked under her black beret.
"That was quick," Michio whispered, rubbing his eyes. "I think your mom's still outside the door."
"Yeah. Go get washed up. I'll go talk to her," Annastasia replied.
"If she comes in here, she'll probably notice that someone's using the sink."
"So? She doesn't care if you're here."
"She was concerned about the possibility of us getting together before."
"That was before I told her she had nothing to worry about…Are you afraid of her?"
"No, just don't want to stay on her bad side forever."
"Awe, you're fine. She and I have an understanding."
"What is that supposed to mean? What did you tell her?"
"Nothing. Go get washed up. I have to leave soon."
After Michio had shut the bathroom door behind him, Annastasia let Jessie in.
"Is someone else in here?" she asked. "I couldn't hear what you were saying, but you sounded annoyed. You never get annoyed with your Pokémon."
"Pikachuuu!" Scarlett exclaimed as she jumped out from under the covers.
"Aren't you cute," said Jessie. "What is Scarlett…" Jessie's confusion morphed into delight. "MICHIO! Why don't you come out and join us?"
Annastasia sighed in defeat while and Jessie laughed. Michio felt like diving into a black hole.
"Why do you have to make this weird?" Annastasia moaned.
Jessie ignored her. "Come on Michio, I know you're in there. Come out!"
"Pikachuuupii!" Scarlett added.
Michio slowly opened the door and walked out. He had managed to change into his day clothes and brush his hair so that he looked presentable, but that didn't hide the fact that he was clearly not a morning person. And he was extremely embarrassed, though he wasn't entirely sure why. Jessie patted the bed and motioned for him to sit down next to her, Annastasia, Scarlett, and their Pokémon.
"Scarlett, you're supposed to be on my side," Michio mumbled.
"Pikaaaachu," she said as she pointed to Annastasia. She then pointed back to him. "Pikaaa."
"So, you two are sleeping together," said Jessie.
"Scarlett and I? Yeah, she usually stays in my room, or tent," Michio replied.
Jessie glared, knowing he knew what she meant.
"Actually, we are," said Annastasia. "Michio and I."
"Um, but literally sleeping. Not having sex, but sleeping," said Michio irritably. "Can I leave now?"
"I was actually hoping to make you squirm more," Jessie responded. "But yeah leave if you want to. I have to talk to Annastasia and then you two can snuggle more or whatever it is you two people do before she leaves."
"Sure…"
Michio sprinted out the door, Scarlett close behind.
"How long have you two been together?" Jessie asked.
"Roughly three months," Annastasia replied.
"You know what I mean."
"I know, three months."
"I mean I want to know how long you have been secret lovers."
"We aren't 'secret lovers'."
Jessie glared. "Come on, Princess, are you going to deny it?"
"Don't bring drama into this. Michio and I just like being together. We started spending nights together several weeks ago. I told you how Scarlett's energy helps keep the visions away. I sleep much better when she is near and they're kinda a packaged deal."
"I might not know much about Michio, but ace or not, men don't just cuddle with anyone. He is either in love with you or really, really wants sex. Or both. This sounds like—"
"—you making up a story in your head. I don't know which direction we're headed in. We just like being around each other for now and there are no secrets."
Jessie sighed in defeat. "It's a good thing I wasn't this mature at your age, or you probably wouldn't be here."
"Thanks for the reminder. You had something you wanted to talk about, hence the reason you came up here."
"The first thing is that I want to remind you that when you are with Lucario, even though the stubborn Pokémon doesn't want you distracted, I want you to still take time for yourself. That is more important than anything that freakin freak says. Don't lose yourself out there. Do your workouts, interact with your Pokémon, daydream about your secret lover. It'll be stressful and I'm worried. Self-care really matters. Gio doesn't think about this stuff as much as I do.
"Thanks, Mom. You sounded very wise just then. Did that come from somewhere else?"
"That came from my heart…and Rumika."
"You don't have to worry about me losing myself. I'm prepared for what's ahead. And you can imply that Michio's my 'secret lover' all you want, but that's not an accurate portrayal of our relationship so I won't endorse it and I will correct. But I'll think of him, and you—everyone I love will be on my mind."
"Okay. There's one last thing, something I've been dying to tell you."
"Shoot."
"I'm having another baby."
Annastasia laughed. "I know, Mom."
"What? How? Who told?"
"You did! Well, I sorta figured it out on my own first. First, there was that conversation we had in Cerulean, where you told me you absolutely weren't having a child, and you know I can always tell when you are lying. Then the mood swings and dizziness, nausea, swollen hands and feet. And to top it all off, you basically announced it to everyone at the funeral home during your little argument with Meowth. Nearly everyone we know, knows."
"Crap. It's all that stupid cat's fault. I thought James was exaggerating when he said everyone knew."
"Wasn't so much of an exaggeration. So, what are you, eight, nine weeks along?"
"Sounds about right."
"I can see why you wouldn't want people to know yet."
"Just wasn't thinking during that outburst. I haven't been sleeping right. I've been so pissed off about you having to go. If I knew ahead of time that you'd be leaving I probably wouldn't be in this situation, I would've waited…"
"Don't have regrets. What's done is done and this is a good thing. I'll be looking forward to it. But why now? Was this another 'oops'?"
"Believe it or not we actually planned this."
"I thought you were done."
"So, did I, but we talked about it and we decided that this would be good for us. We have the money, the resources, and well, I mostly agreed because of your father. He was feeling sad because you all left home. And then there was Alex, and that kinda put us in the mood. You know we never really had a family growing up. And you know, no regrets. That's how we live. People will tell you otherwise but there are few things in life that are more adventurous."
"I really am excited, really. Do you know anything about it yet? I know that nowadays they can give you a lot of information about the baby very early on. What did you find out? Girl? Boy? Other?"
"We just wanted to know the bare minimum, like if the child will likely make it. Dr. Liz seems to think so. We want everything else to be a surprise, at least for now."
"Jay and I talked to about this."
"When? We just—"
"He knew for almost as long as I did—since that post-service announcement. He very emotional about it."
"Awe, I figured he would be…was he mad at me?"
"No, of course he wasn't mad. He's everything—sad, happy, excited, anxious…because of the baby but also because I'm leaving, he's already halfway through one of his greatest adventures, he just lost two special people and had never experienced that before…a whirlwind."
"I'll be sure to settle him."
"Yes, please do. And if it isn't already obvious, Jocelyn's over the moon, as am I, and Lily and Logan."
"What do you suggest I do for the announcement? I feel like the pressure is even worse since everyone already knows."
"The only people you need to talk to about this is my siblings. Part of Jay's mixed emotions had to do with the fact that you didn't tell him first. It's conflicting to him because he knows that wasn't your obligation to tell him, yet he feels you should've talked to him. You used to talk to him about everything, now you are apart from him and so much of this goes unsaid. Like, he's even worried about Meowth and Lucy making the coffee wrong because that used to be his job."
"He's too young and innocent to be guilty."
"The fact that he's young and innocent is part of the reason he feels guilty. Just give them a few words—he deserves that. Let's go downstairs. I have to leave soon."
Everyone was still in the kitchen, though Michio was the only one still eating—or attempting to eat. Everyone else was standing and chatting amongst themselves. Annastasia went right up to him.
"Hey A. Come hang with us before we split," said Amber.
"Please, Onēsan. We don't have much time!" said Jocelyn.
"Flaaaa!"
"Okay, I'll be right back," Annastasia whispered to Michio. "Then we'll talk."
Michio nodded but didn't say anything. Annastasia joined the others.
"It's good to see you up," said James. "Are you feeling alright? We can always delay…"
"I'm not sick, just nervous," Annastasia replied. "And sad because I'll miss everyone."
Jocelyn started a hug which Flaafy, Jay, Amber, June, Soledad, Takeshi, Tamaki, Benny, Lily, Logan, Maya, Squirt Gun, Scarlett, Rita, Lexi, Nolan—almost everyone but Michio and her parents—soon joined.
"I'm being crushed," she announced.
Some of them let go except her siblings and cousins.
"We're really, really, really, really, really, gonna miss you," said Benny.
"You've done so much to help us and I'm really sad you're going," said June, crying a little.
Which made most of the others cry.
"This is very sweet," said Annastasia. "But I will come back and I'll do something to make up for all that lost time—anything you want. And while I'm away, you'll all be well taken care of by my sub leaders, and also, I need to eat before I go so, I need everyone to back up and let me get a fork."
Everyone took at least a step back. Annastasia made herself a plate of Altaria and Lillipup chocolate-chip pancakes, fruit, and an egg white omelet with veggies.
"You can have any meal in the world and this is what you choose?" Nolan laughed he handed her utensils. "You haven't changed a bit over the years."
"Of course not," she replied. "When are you all leaving?"
"We can go whenever, but we wanted to see you off."
"Well, we're almost ready," Rita said as she turned to Michio. "Are you packed? Where's your stuff?"
Michio didn't respond. He was in the corner trying to avoid conversation with everyone, as usual, focusing only on what A had to say. Scarlett prodded him, but he didn't react.
"We're going to leave right after A does," Rita continued. "Are you even packed? Or do you plan on not following us?"
Michio left. Annastasia could tell he didn't want to be pursued, not immediately, so she forced herself to sit and eat.
"I hope he's not like this the whole time," said Lily.
"Me neither," said Jocelyn. "I like it better when Oniisan is happy."
"Flaafy, fla."
"I don't know him as well as you all do, but I think Michio would rather have you not talk about him behind his back," said James.
"I agree," said Nolan. "But we do want to at least know if he's coming with us. He should, but that doesn't mean he will."
Everyone looked to Annastasia.
"So, are you gonna tell us what he's thinking?" Rita inquired.
"Contrary to popular belief I don't read minds," Annastasia retorted. "What he's feeling is conflicted, not unlike myself nor several of you."
They dropped the subject, Annastasia finished her last family meal, then Lucario arrived.
"Are you ready to leave?" the Pokémon asked.
"Almost," said Annastasia. "There's someone I need to talk to first."
"I understand. Go."
Annastasia headed into the woods. Bleu and Lil-G followed her, as usual, as she followed her aura instincts.
Annastasia closed her eyes and an image emerged. Two figures, one human-sized and another much smaller, were sitting together near a body of water. She found them a few moments a later sitting in front of a silver pond, watching wild Goldeen and Seaking swim together.
Michio watched Annastasia briefly then turned away, quickly rubbing his eyes as she sat next to him.
"Why're you sad?" Annastasia asked. She took on one his hands from his face and held it in hers. "Talk to me; it's your last chance before I go."
"It's nothing," he mumbled.
"I know that's not true."
"I don't know what to do."
"You just keep doing what you are doing."
"But everything's changed."
"You'll still have my support from afar. That won't change. Nor will the fact that everyone around you will also support you."
"But they're kids. They can't help."
"Not all of them are kids."
"Nolan's a good guy, too good of a guy—can't relate. I can't imagine being close to Lexi, she seems so neutral to me. Lily and Logan are not even human, and the only other person I'll have regular contact with who's not a little kid, adult, or Pokémon is Rita, and she hates me."
"Rita doesn't hate you."
"She does."
"She's jealous."
He expected Annastasia to defend Rita, but not in this way.
"Pikaaa," Scarlett said as she gestured to Annastasia. "Kaaa."
"Scarlett gets it," Annastasia said as she cuddled the Pikachu. "Rita's jealous because she and I were close like this. We were just not compatible. But we still love each other, and Rita wants her replacement to be top of the line."
"Which I clearly am not," he scoffed.
"You can be. You just gotta keep doing what you're doing—progressing. The kids like you. They love watching you battle, the way you've bonded with Scarlett and me, and you're kinda cool to them. They melt when you compliment them—Tamaki may even be in love. I dunno about that last one but the rest is certainly true."
"They're kids—they think SpongeBob is cool."
"Take that back."
"My point is, they'd admire a tree branch if you told them it was special. If they actually knew me, they'd hate me."
"Not true. You're contradicting yourself, by the way…saying you don't' care what they think then getting upset that if they knew more about you, they wouldn't like you…And you should value their perspective. They're young, but you can learn so much from them. They've accomplished so much. What did you do when you were ten?"
"You don't wanna know."
"Exactly."
"Pikaaachu."
Michio didn't want to admit how right she was.
"You should take Scarlett with you," he mumbled. "You need her more than I do."
Scarlett looked between the two trainers. Scarlett tugged his hand. "Pi? Pikachuuuu."
"You should leave," he told Scarlett. "It's what's best."
"Piiiiii…"
"Neither of us are leaving on this note," said Annastasia. "You're making us worried."
"Ditto," he retorted.
"Piiiiii…"
"I'll be fine—go do what you gotta do."
He started walking away. Scarlett followed him. After a hesitation of her own, Annastasia followed.
"Michio, get back here. You aren't even listening to me!" Annastasia called.
Michio kept walking. Annastasia grabbed his arm and pulled him back. Scarlett latched onto one of his legs.
"Let go," he groaned.
Annastasia pushed him to the ground. He fell into the grass and Scarlett jumped on top of him. Annastasia stood over him.
"I won't hold you down again," she said.
"Why'd you push me?" he asked, avoiding eye contact.
She moved so that she was next to him. "You want drama."
"No, you do. You always come after me. Just go. I don't need you. You don't need me. This is a dumb relationship. I don't think we should be together anymore."
"That was drama."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
They had three-way stare-down. Scarlett won.
"Pika, pika, chu, piiii," she lectured as she wagged her finger at Michio.
"Most Pokémon you just feed a berry to and they leave you alone," said Michio. "Most girls leave when you tell them you don't want a relationship."
"We're special," Annastasia replied.
"Chu," Scarlett agreed.
"I can deal with rejection but that's not what this is about. I don't think you'd be better off with me, not unless you find someone who can deal with you the way I can, and vice versa. Right now, your only other option appears to be continuous moping, and if that continues you are going to be back on the drugs, the alcohol, the gambling, and whatever else you can find to distract you when you're depressed."
"Ouch. I'm hurt," he grumbled.
"If Scarlett is really coming with me, then you have to promise me that you can do this, and we have to leave on a good note."
"Pikachuuu," Scarlett agreed, rubbing up against Michio.
"I won't be better off without you either," she emphasized. "You've made me a better person and that's only a fraction of what you've accomplished."
He sat up and looked back and forth between her and Scarlett.
"If I knew you were going to leave, I wouldn't have let myself…" his voice trailed off and he stared off into space.
"You wouldn't have what?" she asked.
"Piii?"
"I wouldn't have let myself come to rely on you. Both of you. I wouldn't have let you get close," he choked.
This was the first time he showed such strong emotion. She hugged them and lost track of time. Michio wondered if this was the last time, he was ever going to get to hold her or remind her that even he cried.
"Don't regret love, don't regret anything, hang in there, and don't be an asshole," she advised. "You can live without me. You recovered without me before. It hurt but you made it."
"How do you know it hurt?" he replied.
"Because I honestly think that you didn't feel loved until now."
More time passed, more than they expected would, and eventually, they processed the painful thought that it was time to part ways.
"Pika pi Pikachu," Scarlett said as she patted his back.
"She wants you to relax," said Annastasia.
"I know," he replied. "I'll try. Promise."
Annastasia offered her hand. They took several steps towards the house, then Michio stopped.
"I'll say good-bye to you now; I want to spend some time alone," he said. "If they ask, tell the others I still have to pack up or make up some better excuse."
"I will," Annastasia replied. "Will you be okay?"
"Not today."
"I know. You will be eventually though."
"Maybe."
"Goodbye, Michio. It was nice getting to know you. If I die, just remember—"
"Pika!" Scarlett interrupted.
"I'm kidding," she assured the Pikachu. "I'll be fine. Michio, I'll see you later."
"Ditto," he mumbled.
Scarlett and Annastasia approached the house as Michio retreated to the woods. Her family and friends were out on the front lawn. They immediately crowded them and bombarded them with questions.
"Where'd you go off to?"
"Are you okay?"
"What happened, Anna-chan?"
"Why were you outside?"
"Was Michio with you?"
Annastasia wordlessly lifted her backpack. Scarlett climbed onto her shoulder.
"I was just saying goodbye to Michio," she explained once everyone had settled down. "He's going with you and Scarlett is coming with me."
"Why are you taking Scarlett?" Amber asked.
"Because their auras are the same," said Lucario. "This Pikachu can help her practice gaining control over and using her aura, and if she needs help this Pokémon can provide it better than anyone else on the planet."
"I don't get it," said Benny.
"Me neither," said Jocelyn.
"I'll explain it to you on our way to Celadon City," said Lexi. "We have a long Tauros ride ahead."
"Promise?"
"Fla?"
"Absolutely," said Nolan.
"This is our last goodbye, I guess," Lexi sighed. "It's been great, A. When you asked me to come, I was skeptical, now I know it was one of the best decisions I've ever made."
"Ditto," said June.
The other kids resonated with her comment with each of them adding their own version of 'thank you'.
"I wish this adventure lasted longer," said Rita. "I'll be here in Kanto, waiting for the next one."
Lexi, Rita, and Annastasia hugged. Nolan and their Pokémon joined in a few seconds later.
"I still remember how when we were little you would always come riding up to my house on your bike, ringing that Jigglypuff bell that you had attached to the handlebars next to your Team Rocket Flag," said Nolan. "Your Swablu and Lillipup followed you everywhere and you said every day that one day you and your Pokémon were going to be the most important Team Rocket agents ever. I never actually thought you were serious."
Lexi laughed. "I remember that too."
"And I remember all those dreams you had," said Rita. "About getting stronger until no one in the world could get you down. And if you're not already there, you will be very soon."
"Well, my best memory of A was the time we robbed a candy store together and got away with it," said Lily.
"Yeah, those were the days…" Logan added.
They briefly turned their attention to the cats, only to let it go a second later, knowing that it didn't matter whether or not that was a real memory or fabricated. That wasn't the point.
Annastasia turned to the children. She looked each one of them in the eyes, smiling, just one last time, and said:
"I've never met a group of people I loved more than you all. Keep doing what you're doing because you're doing it right."
She looked at June. "Thank you for helping me nurse the Pokémon on our team and for that ego boost I got whenever I got the chance to teach you something new."
June nodded, speechless.
"Thank you for being the most empathetic, compassionate, generous, and adorable little brother on the planet," she told Jay.
"I—thanks, A. Thanks always," he sniffled.
"Thanks for being our cheerleader and the little sister everyone in the world wants," she told Jocelyn. She turned to Flaafy. "Thanks for having our backs and always making us laugh with your input."
"I'll miss you, Onēsan! Please come back asap!" Jocelyn pleaded.
"Flaaa, feee!"
"I'll do my best," Annastasia responded.
She turned to Amber and said:
"Thanks for being there for everyone when they needed an advocate, friend, or ally."
"Np, A," Amber responded. "And Ditto."
"Pi," Pip said as he hugged her leg.
"You too," she told the Pikachu. "That goes for all the monz: thank you for being the backbone of this group—cuz without you, it really wouldn't be a Pokémon journey—it'd be a group of misfits getting lost in the depths of Kanto."
The group laughed and the Pokémon chimed their responses, all positive, even though several of them had no idea what she was saying.
Annastasia turned to Takeshi next. "Thank you for admiring me selflessly and for showing everyone here what respect looks like."
Takeshi blushed. "Ah, no problem…"
To Benny, she said:
"Thank you for being brave and coming with us despite your worries," and to Tamaki: "Thank you for your humor and responsibility."
"Awe, A, it was fun," Tamaki replied.
"Yeah," Benny agreed.
To Nolan, Annastasia said:
"Thank you for being a positive male role model and one of the most reliable friends in the universe."
"I only try to give what I get," Nolan replied. "And from you—that was a whole lot."
To Lexi, she said:
"Thank you for being our positive female role model and for working with me even when you had alternative plans for this year."
"You made those alternative plans take a deserved backseat," Lexi responded. "And I wasn't the only positive female role model on this journey."
Rita reached forward and squeezed Annastasia's hands, only releasing them to dry her eyes.
"Thank you for bringing some diversity to our team and showing everyone that there is more than one way to be good person," Annastasia told her.
"Ditto," Rita sniffed. "Ditto to infinity."
"Zorrru," her partner sighed, rubbing against them both.
"Soledad, I didn't forget you," Annastasia said as she turned to the eleven-year-old. "Thank you for using your wits to help us all—and for not bragging about it. Regardless of whether or not you keep pursuing gym badges, remember that no matter what, as long as you care for other people and do your best for them, you are never a loser."
"Thanks, A, thanks a ton. I'll try to remember that forever," Soledad mumbled as she wiped her eyes. She surveyed the group. "And it's fair to say that I learned a whole lot more from you all than I did from any book."
Annastasia stepped back and looked at them all, from Lexi's Venasaur and Nolan's Blastoise to her parents to Jocelyn, little Benny, even each of the little monz, including the Caterpie June recently adopted and the Pidgey who found comfort on her father's shoulder.
"Good luck. I hope you don't die," said Amber, breaking the silence.
"I can't die, not yet," Annastasia responded. "Not until I see you win the Poké-Olympics Grand Title in Archery. How many more months?"
"Bout five."
"I'll do everything in my power to be there."
"I know you will."
"Jay, Togetic, Chikorita, Pip—everyone—make sure she doesn't hurt anyone with those arrows. Take care of each other."
"We will," said Jay.
"Always," the others agreed.
"I have so much more to say to you…June, keep being kind. It is never a weakness. Takeshi, never take kindness for granted."
"Okay," they said together, crying when they gave her their last hug.
"Amber don't be afraid to debate, but make sure you listen as much as you speak."
"Aye, A," she saluted.
"You all are amazing and I love you."
"Piiiiikachu."
There was a sa of 'Ditto's.
"And that about concludes what I have to say," Annastasia declared. "I didn't want to make it as dramatic as it ended up being, but I suppose some platonic love and positivity is never a waste, especially when some of it has to do with stalling."
"Onēsan, will you call every day?" Jocelyn begged. "Please?"
"I can't every day since I can't bring much technology with me, but I will be in contact a least once a week, okay? I promise that I'll make that a priority."
"Okay…"
"Flaafy…"
Annastasia turned to her parents, Rumika, Lucy, and Meowth.
"Ready, Anna-chan?" James asked.
"One more thing," she said. "Remember that Michio's coming with you, so don't leave without him."
"We won't," said June.
"Never," said Amber, a bit sarcastically.
"And know that he appreciates you possibly even more than I do," she replied. She turned back to James. "I suppose I'm ready as I'll ever be."
Jessie and James wrapped their arms around their daughter and they, Meowth, Lucy, Rumika, Lucario, and their Pokémon boarded Rumika's plane. The others watched as they flew away.
"Don't be so sad," Lucy said as she placed a paw on Annastasia's shoulder. "We aren't too bad."
"De six of us gave yous a pretty good childhood. We ain't too bad to be around," said Meowth.
"I know," Annastasia sighed. "I just became really close with all of them. A lot can happen in a few months when you spend nearly every moment of your lives with such a special group of people. I missed you all too, but I felt…needed. I also felt like I needed them."
Annastasia leaned over in her seat and rested her head in her mother's lap. Jessie removed Annastasia's beret and played with her hair.
"You have a powerful effect on people, Annastasia. You make people softer," said Jessie. "And less insane. No matter where you go or who you meet, you'll always be needed."
"And wanted," said James.
"And yous don't need dem," said Meowth. "I mean, I am sure dere fun and all, but yer gonna be fine. Yous always are."
James noted Annastasia's weary expression. "Let's change the subject."
"Let's discuss the funniest breakdown of the month," Lucy suggested.
"The award goes to Jessie," Meowth sniggered. "Jessie all covered in crumbs comes runnin outta de bathroom, screamin at poor Meowth. Dose kids are all traumatized and de adults are appalled. It's a good ting weeze left after dat."
"That wasn't my fault," Jessie asserted. "You irked me. We don't like all those all old rich snobby people anyway, and everyone else was a twerp or Giovanni so I don't even think it was a big deal. I have no shame."
"I think you were born without shame", Rumika commented. "Like, someone forgot to put that mechanism in you"
"Mom, I just remembered, should you have talked to Jay and Jocelyn before we left," said Annastasia. "About the baby. I know they know but you still should have talked to them directly."
"We did—sorta," Jessie replied. "We'll talk more later."
"What do you mean by 'sorta'?"
"Benny brought it up after you left to go talk to Michio," said James.
Jessie looked away. Meowth, Lucy, and Rumika were giggling and James was red with embarrassment.
"What did I miss?" Annastasia asked with a curious smile.
"Tell her about what happened in the kitchen," Rumika said to Meowth. "After she left."
Meowth cleared his throat when neither parent spoke up:
"So weeze all just sittin around de atmosphere is really sad and all of a sudden, de Benny twerp looks at Jessie and says 'I don't understand how it works'. And weeze all just look at him fer a moment and den June ask de question dat weeze didn't wanna ask: 'What do yous mean?' and Benny den says 'I don't get how de babies get dere, and how do dey even come out?". And he points right at Jessie. Hahahaha!"
Lucy, James, Rumika also laughed, and Jessie attempted to kick Meowth.
"So, what did you say?" Annastasia, laughing but also dreading the response.
"All the kids just sat there awkwardly for a while," said James. "Then Jessie suggested that since Jocelyn is also seven, she should be the one to explain."
"I was about to ask them to go talk on the porch or something to talk but Jocelyn just dives right in and just starts explaining everything she knows in detail from start to finish," said Jessie. "The others were horrified, but they probably learned a lot too. Rita and Lily recorded it on their cell phones so you can see it if you want."
"I'm glad I missed that," Annastasia replied.
"Those kids are never going to look at Jessie the same way again," said Rumika.
"I couldn't care less," said Jessie.
"I wish I didn't have to be dragged into it," James sighed. "Oh well."
"Well, you cheered me up," said Annastasia. "Sorta."
"I share your feelings," said Lucy.
"Ditto," said Rumika.
"I know you're sad, Princess. Please don't get too sad about it. You aren't gone; you are just on a hiatus," said James. "You're doing something special and the kids should understand that."
"Hiatus," Annastasia repeated. "I like that. I'll keep that in mind."
XO
Meanwhile…
"I'm heading out," Tamaki and Benny's uncle Toshi announced. "Good luck in Celadon. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me. Don't forget to lock up the house before you leave. Jay, got the keys?"
"Yes, Sir," Jay replied.
"I'll go find Michio and then we can head out," said Rita. "Anyone have any idea where he could be?"
XO
IN THE NEXT CHAPTER:
· A's Hiatus, Day 28
· Michio gets a job
· Soledad makes a big decision