Erika found herself in front of her mansion, a pensive look on her face as she rubbed the bandages on her body. She felt the wind gently hitting her before she approached her household.
"Here we go." She said as her Vileplume followed her through the place.
The gym leader was escorted by the maids to her parents room, entering the room with a calm smile on her face.
"Erika! You're alright!" Hanae hugged her sister and spun her around, Erika fighting back the feeling of nausea. The woman heard laughter before she saw her parents in front of her, her father letting out a hearty laugh while her mother put her hand over her mouth, trying to hold back her laughter.
"Seriously, can you stop her?" The gym leader whined before she outstretched her bandaged arm. "I'm hurt."
"Hahaha! Barely. Tony made sure to keep your injuries to a minimum. He made sure that you were safe." When her father said that, Erika's expression had softened before she touched her sister's arm. "I...actually want to talk to you about that."
Her family were surprised by this, the parents looking at each other before nodding and gesturing Erika to sit down. The place was enveloped in silence as Erika took a deep breath before she decided to speak her mind.
"I want to know everything that happened that day. Tony's grandfather stated that he attacked the gym that day but I was told by the police that Tony did it. I'm so confused." The woman explained as she recalled the words that Kuroi said during their confrontation before she looked at her parents. "What exactly happened that day? Who did the attack?"
Both parents became silent, sharing a glance before the father decided to speak.
"Tony did not attack you that day. On the contrary, he saved you." Her father explained, the information surprising the woman but she did not flinch as she carefully and attentively listened to her father.
"The Hanabusa family was a family with a lot of issues. They are a family that was known to do illegal activities and produced drugs for Pokemon." The man paused for a while before he put his hands to his chin. "Those were some dark days when Tanaka was a kid. Because of how illegal and the types of crowd that they attract, he would find himself in trouble."
"This tradition continued until Tanaka put his foot down and wanted to change the family for the family." Her mother continued as she put her hands together. "His wife when she was younger got involved in an accident. It nearly cost her life but she narrowly lived. That day showed Tanaka the dangers of their work."
"The dangers? Their work is not that bad?" Erika questioned with a raised brow. Her father crossed his arms before letting out a deep breath. "It's not that bad now. Trust me, it was worse before. Tanaka has seen more corpses in a day than you have your entire life."
This surprised Erika, the time that she has seen Tony's father, he was a kind and quiet man with a serious demeanor and always overprotective of Tony. She mentally chuckled when she remembered when the man nearly having a heart attack and would not let go of Tony when he was trying to catch his first Pokemon.
"He wanted to change this so that none of the descendants after him will not be exposed to such a world. He also did it for Tony. Everything that happened to him, he does not want his son to go through the same fate." Her father said with a melancholic expression before he looked out the window. "However...Master Kuroi was always one that cling to the old traditions of the family. He believed that the family should not change their traditions."
"Oh! That explains their argument during the battle." Erika looked to the ground, remembering the argument between Tony and his grandfather. Her mother nodded before she stood up and walked to her with something wrapped in ribbons. "If you want to know about their family, it's best you talk to Tanaka."
She put the item in her hand and smiled at her. "You two clearly need to talk things out. It doesn't have to be now but...there seems to be some misunderstandings."
Looking at the small green box wrapped in red ribbons, Erika nodded before she stood up and bowed in front of her parents, thanking them before she put the box in her sleeve. "Erika."
She turned around to see her parents looking at her, her father walking up to her and patting her shoulders. "Stay calm, Erika. You're an adult now. A gym leader. You need to deal with things more maturely and take out your emotions from this. Your decisions now will not only affect you but it will also affect the city and your gym trainers so make sure to do the right thing and make the right choice."
"I...understand." Erika said before she left the mansion, her Pokemon beside her as she turned to the direction of the Celadon Hospital. 'I need to confirm with Tony.'
"NO!"
A loud voice boomed through the mansion. Tony crossed his arms as he watched the bickering between his father and grandfather with an annoyed expression. His grandfather, Kuroi Hanabusa, was a serious man who had an intimidating aura around him. For all of his life, Tony has never had a close relationship with his grandfather as the man did not acknowledge his presence.
As the argument continued, Tony's father opened his mouth to protest again. "But you need to consider-"
"I said no and that's final, Tanaka!" The old man cut off the younger man which made the teen angry as he tapped his fingers on the floor. "You want to turn this family who once had Kanto to its knees to a medicinal chain? Do you hear yourself? You're spitting on the graves of the past leaders before."
"Those times are gone, father. This is why our family is losing the weight of its name and its fortune. We need to change. This can be fixed but this will take time." Tanaka stated as he started to explain his plan but the old man did not deter as he spoke. "I don't care. You should listen to your elders. I have been in this business much longer than you. I have more experience from you. I am the leader of this household and the gang and what you're protesting is going to destroy everything that we built upon."
"How do you know that, father?" Tanaka argued in a frustrated tone. "Times have changed. The law has changed. We can't go about things the old fashion way. Father. All we're doing is breaking the law but now we have a second chance to change. We can be more than just troublemakers. We can do something more productive than terrorize the people of this region. We-"
Tanaka was stopped when the elder Fujiwara stood up from his chair with an enraged expression. "That is final! We will not speak of this again! Relinquish those stupid ideas that you have!"
"Also, boy." The old man called Tony who looked at the man with his arms crossed. "I heard that you were acquainted to the youngest daughter of the Fujiwara family."
"Yeah! Her name is Erika!" Tony smiled as he thought about his raven-haired girlfriend. "What's wrong? Wanting to accept us getting married or something? I can understand. She's an awesome gi-"
"I want you to cut off your relationship with Erika. I have found someone with a bigger fortune than the Fujiwara family. You will be meeting her next week."
Hearing this, both Tanaka and Tony looked at the grandfather in a mixture of shock and awe, the elderly man putting down a few photos in front of Tony of a woman with blonde hair. "This will be who you will be marrying."
"What...the hell?!" Tony shook with rage, his knuckles turning white as he clenched them tightly while his grandfather continued speaking.
"Father, that's terrible! The Fujiwara family has helped us for almost ten years when we were struggling! My friend helped us from the police and gave in a good word for us! If it was not for him, I would've been in jail!" Tanaka stated in an angry tone as he stood up. "Also, Master Fujiwara is my friend! How dare you spit on our friendship and his kindness like that?!"
"Why should I care about some dumb relationship? That is between you two, not me. I will not allow such a lowly commoner take our family name. Will this marriage do any good for us?"
"Have you thought about Tony's feelings?"
"He should be thinking about the good for the family! Who cares about some stupid girl that he is acquainted with? He should not be wasting any time with some garden wench!"
As the two argued, Tony was shaking uncontrollably as he clenched his teeth. 'Garden wench?'
Failing to hold back his anger, he glared at his grandfather as he remembered what Erika said to him.
"Maybe...it's best to talk...your grandfather may have a good reason...for doing what he did."
Her words rung through his mind until he took a moment to take deep breaths until he was able to calm himself.
"What are you saying? And don't say that about Ms. Erika! And Tony is your grandson! I'm your successor! Stop your twisted thinking! This is why our family is declining!" Tanaka shouted which made the old man slammed his hands on the floor. "That boy is a member of our family and he should follow everything I say!"
"He's not your possession!"
"Whose name does he bear?"
Tony slammed his hands on the table, stopping the argument between his father and grandfather as they both look at him, seeing a crack on the table. Seething with rage, the teen looked at his grandfather in pure anger.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, huh?! I should follow what you say!" Tony shouted in pure rage as he paced around the place to calm himself before he spoke again.
"Don't you think that this is getting old?! Everything that you have tried is not working! When Dad is actually trying to give you an idea, you push it away despite it being a good idea! I have been journeying around Kanto and there is so much that needs to be done. So much that we can do."
"How dare you disresp-"
"I'm not finished!" Tony cut off Kuroi who glared at him but the boy continued. "I respect you! I really do...and I don't understand how much pressure it takes to run a gang but we can turn it into something more! We have so many connections! Too many connections to not be able to go for a do-over! Erika's family grows herbs which the Kanto region is in dire need of! We have connections to other regions as well!"
After Tony's outburst, he panted heavily before he calmed himself. "Grandpa. I'm sorry about talking out of hand but what I'm trying to say is it's not bad to receive counsel. Like Dad said, times have changed and we want to help to make this thrive. I know that we have a legacy but we can maintain it! We can improve on it! Let us discuss this. Properly."
Tanaka was surprised but he was overall happy for his son for speaking up for his defense, he knows that Tony can be quite troublesome and loves to pick fights however it looked like the journey around Kanto has matured him. Tanaka turned to his father to only see a pure look of anger on the elder's face. "You disrespectful little brat..."
"Father! What are you doing?" Tanaka shouted in worry as the old man snapped his fingers, his Metagross appearing in the room as he outstretched his hand at Tony. His Pokemon lunged at Tony, about to attack him before it was stopped in midair, much to his confusion. "What?"
"Father, you have gone too far." Tanaka said, his Machamp intercepting Metagross. Kuroi frowned before he snapped his fingers which made his Pokemon unleashed a wave of telekinesis at Tony, the shockwave pushing the boy out of the mansion and into a wall.
"Tony!" Tanaka yelled, seeing his son slumped on the ground. This made the man angry before he turned to Kuroi, his Machamp sharing his expression. "I have been very lenient with you but this has to stop."
Machamp lifted Metagross in the air before it slammed it onto the ground with its four arms which knocked out the iron spider. Tony was barely conscious when his father called the ambulance while looking at him in horror. "Oh God, he's bleeding. Tony!'
The sounds started to fade away, his vision blurry before everything faded to black.
'I'll make sure that girl suffer as well.'
"Ahh!"
Tony eyes split open as he looked around the room, breathing heavily as he looked around in the room.
"You look terrible." A voice said in the silent room, Tony turning to the direction of the voice to see someone that he would least expect.
"Erika..." He mumbled silently before he slowly moved in his bed. wondering if he is in a dream. "...what are you doing here?"
"You forgot that we promised to speak with each other." Erika answered, trying her best to control her emotions when she saw him flinch in pain. "Are you ok?
"Yeah." Tony said with a smile but Erika knew that he was lying as he grabbed his side.
"I'm surprised you didn't just ask my dad the full story." He joked at her with a smile, Erika answered bluntly with a serious expression. "I did and he explained the situation to me."
"Seriously?" Tony made a smirk as he rubbed his head. "Then why are you sitting here, talking to me for? You know everything that you need to know."
Erika was silent for a while, the room being so silent that Tony could hear himself breathing. The gym leader thought of the words that she could say in this situation, taking minutes to sort out her thoughts before she spoke. "I..."
"Erika, you don't need to force yourself to talk to me." Tony cut her off as he looked out of the window.
"No." The raven-haired woman stopped him as she thought about her situation, Vileplume looking at the two with worry along with Tony's Luxray. Erika took a deep breath and calmed herself. "I need to do this. I have to do this."
She then got up and picked up a plate of freshly cut apple pieces and handed them to Tony which he happily took. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." Erika said before she went back to her seat. She looked at Tony for the first time since the night that they fought together, noticing the bandages around his face. "How are you feeling?"
"Like shit...hospital food is good though...surprisingly." Tony said as he ate some of the apple on the plate. "The apple's good too. You always grew some good fruits in that garden."
"I...I'm sorry." Erika bowed on the ground in front of Tony who was surprised by this before he lifted his hands into the air. "What the hell are you doing? Get off the ground. You're only there when you're gardening."
"O-oh, sorry." Erika got up from the ground before she sat back on the chair. Tony rubbed his head and turned away. "You don't need to be sorry, I volunteered to fight with you. I'm surprised you're not mad at me for getting hurt."
"You got hurt more?" Erika's eyes widened before she glared at him, seeing a few more wounds than the ones she remembered him having. The raven-haired woman stood to her feet and approached the man. "What did I tell you about getting hurt more?"
"Ch-ch-chill, Eri. It's not that bad, right? It's just a couple scratches! Just fall damage!" Erika stopped before she let out a sigh, sitting down on the chair with a calm expression on her face. "I-I'm just glad that you're ok."
"Heh! Just like old times, huh?" Tony smiled at her to which she slowly returned. Erika then lowered her gaze to the ground. "Is it true what they said? About you saving me in that fire. I was not seeing an illusion, right?"
Tony looked at her before he thought about his words, Erika speaking again. "Tell me the truth, Tony. I'll listen this time."
The whole room was in silence before Tony decided to speak.
"The old man never acknowledged you-no, more like he never liked you. All that bastard cared about was the integrity of his family. The night before I was injured, he and Father had a falling out about the family's situation as usual but then he talked bad about you and I lashed out at him." Tony remembered that moment, Kuroi's words made his blood boil as he tightened his fists. "I didn't care what he thought. If I was a failure to the family or anything, I was used to it but insulting you made me pissed!"
Seeing his anger, Erika took out a Pokeball and released her Paras who used Aromatherapy on the man which managed to calm him down as he thanked her and continued. "I didn't know this until the old man confessed but he tried to attack me multiple times. It's just that the day I found you in the gym, a couple of flower maids tried to attack me under the guise that you sent them."
"Why?"
"For the sake of the family, he saw Dad and I as unfit leaders so he wanted us out of the picture." Tony gritted his teeth. "Once he got us out of the picture, he wouldn't have a problem pulling the strings. Hell, he was the reason Dad was out that day, pulling the strings to separate him from us...your parents too...man was on a mission...made you stressed out..."
"So everything about the family tradition..."
"True." Tony said before he looked at his Pokeballs. "You pretty much heard everything else. He's a great planner but a shitty grandpa so he underestimated me badly which led to all his plans going to shit."
'This matches with everything his father said.' Erika mentally said as she was in deep thought. She then decided to ask her next question. "What? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to worry you. Also, I did not know much at the time." He answered honestly before he leaned back in his bed. "You were so busy at the time too. And surprisingly stressed out so I don't want to put more on your plate."
"But you could have..."
"I didn't want to get you hurt."
"No..." Erika was surprised as she looked to the ground, frustrated with herself. "And I didn't listen to you."
"I can't blame you." Tony rubbed his hair and let out a sigh, folding his arms. "Everyone was confused and the evidence was cleverly put together to make it look like I was the culprit."
Erika looked to the ground, trying to remember the accident before Tony asked a question. "But why didn't your parents let you know what happened?"
"I was...so angry at that time." She looked away from him, putting her hands together. "I was hurt, I was...afraid. When they reported to me that you did it, I didn't want to believe it but I couldn't get to you at the time. Where did you go at the time?"
"Your dad was pissed so, as most angered fathers would do, he beat the crap out of me and forbid me from meeting you." Tony joked, getting a small giggle from the girl. "He did forgive me after he learnt the truth."
"You don't hate me for what I did?" Erika asked, looking at the raven-haired teenager.
"I never hated you." Tony said, his voice not showing a hint of uncertainty as he looked at her. "Even when you hated me, I could never find myself hating you."
Erika tried to look for any sign of doubt and suspicion on his facial expression.
Nothing.
She tried again but this time using her Exeggutor's telekinetic powers, Tony's expression unchanging as the Pokémon read his mind. After the Pokémon was finished, it shook its head, surprising Erika who looked at the ground in shock as she wrapped her mind around everything.
Tony's feelings were real. His feelings were genuine. He really loved her. Everything that she was told about him attacking her. Him being the culprit and mastermind.
All of it was a lie.
'You never...' Erika was surprised when she saw water droplets hit the floor, touching her face to see tears pooling out of her eyes. 'I never...'
Tony noticed this, he and his Pokemon along with her Vileplume started to get worried as they console her. "Hey, Eri-I mean Erika. I-I'm sorry. You don't need to cry, I'm alright. It's alright. I-"
"I'm so stupid...so stupid..." She started chuckling and put her face in her palm, tears still coming out of his eyes. "Even after all I did...you..."
"All you did?" Tony let out a chuckle before he lifted his nose into the air with his arms crossed. "Erika, you didn't hurt me or anything. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't hit me or anything. I'm just...sorry I didn't explain myself."
Erika shook her head. "I should be sorry. I didn't listen-"
"No, I should be!"
"No, me!"
The two continued to take on the blame before it escalated in an argument, their Pokemon looking at each other with bored expressions before they heard their trainers stopped. After a moment of silence, the two started to let out chuckles before they smiled at each other, Erika looked at Tony who grinned at her. "Just like old times, huh? Never thought we would have one of these arguments again."
"Yeah. I'm really glad that you're ok." Erika nodded as she wiped her tears. 'I miss you so much. It's too bad...'
She thought about something as silence took over, Tony leaned back in his chair as his mind was in a trance as he had a question on his mind.
"Hey, you don't have to forgive me. I know I haven't been the best person but I'll-" Tony was stopped when he felt a pair of hands holding his face, looking up see a worried Erika. The man noticed that her hands were trembling as she tried to get closer to him but he noticed her shaking getting worse. "I forgive you. I've...been getting...better at...dealing with...men...I can't be...able to touch or hold hands but...I can do a simple touch...or ruffle someone's hair...I'm sorry too...I can't do much..."
"Erika." Tony closed his eyes and sighed, holding her hands before he kissed them and put them by her side. "You don't have to try too hard. Let's take it one step at a time. I'll help you to recover...as my way of saying sorry, alright?"
Erika blushed before she brushed her finger against the spot that Tony kissed before she put it to her lips. "Yeah. I'd like that."
"Sorry there..."
Hearing a voice, they both turned to the door to see two nurses waving at them, one having an embarrassed look and the other having a mischievous and teasing smirk. Seeing the two made Erika hide her face in her kimono sleeves while Tony laughed. "It's been a while since I've seen you get caught off guard!"
"We need to do a check-up on Mr. Hanabusa...if you don't mind." The embarrassed nurse said while twiddling her fingers, the mischievous one went beside with a grin. "Don't worry, Erika. You can have him all to yourself after this~"
"Please stop..." The woman said as her face turned red, Tony could swear that he saw steam coming out of her ears before he counted with his fingers. 'She should be ok about...now.'
Erika's face turned to its natural color as she put on a calm demeanor, much to the surprise of the two nurses. "Alright, make sure to take care of him."
She then looked at Tony with a calm demeanor before she glared at him. "Never. Get. Hurt like that. Again."
"Roger that, your Highness." Tony made a mock bow, Erika making a small smile before she left the room.
As she wandered through the hospital, she lifted another piece of paper as she searched for the room number. After a while, she then went to another room in the hospital, seeing Red in a hospital bed with several bandages all over his body.
"Are you ok, Red?" The woman asked to which Red nodded as he lifted his bandaged arm. "I could've been worse."
"It's good that you're ok." Erika said as she gave him a basket of fruits. "I brought this for you. Get well soon."
"Oh, thank you, Miss Erika." Red said as he bowed and took the basket. Seeing the smile on the teen's face, the woman decided to ruffle his hair as she smiled. 'You really remind me of Tony...and a little of myself.'
"Why are you doing this?" Red chuckled a little as the woman neatly combed his hair, she then noticed her hands trembling. 'I'm still...'
"Ms. Erika. I wanted to..." Red started to blush as he looked away from her, almost thinking that the cool wind to cool off his heating face. "...ask about something."
"What if you had someone you liked...but you have so many issues in your life...too many problems?" His hands started to shake uncontrollably as he continued. "I'm scared...I'm scared that because of me...that person would...Is it selfish for you to want to be with them despite knowing these problems? Am I wrong for wanting to stand by them?"
Erika listened to the usual silent boy as he spoke about his problem, the woman noticing his shivering state of her archery student. She was unsure of the answer herself but after some time of thinking, she decided to speak her mind. 'Poor kid. The natures of life has an odd way of playing events out. Right after I talked with Tony...'
Red braced himself for the harsh answer until he felt a hand on his head, looking up to see Erika who was giving him a serious expression.
"Red Fires. There is no relationship out there that are started with someone having a bit of baggage in them. No relationship needs to start perfect." Erika answered honestly, looking to the direction of Tony's room. "You're going to have fights. You might have falling outs. You might think you hate each other but what matters is that at the end of the day, you two work it out together. Talk it out with the person that you love."
'Like I should with Tony.'
"Communication is key to a relationship working." Erika let out a smile, Red surprised when he noticed a tear bubbling on her eye. "Trust me. You'll find it oddly therapeutic for the two of you. If you have anything, just talk with her."
"Are you ok, Mis-"
"I'm alright." The woman cleared her throat and wiped her tear, ruffling the teen's hair. "You should be more worried about yourself, pupil. Once you're out of here, we will resume on your training."
"O-oh! Yes, ma'am!" Red saluted, getting a slight giggle from the woman as she got up and went to the door.
"I wouldn't keep her waiting if I were you. You gotta let her know your feelings. There is so much that you can do on your own." Those were Erika's last words before she left the room, leaving Red to his lonesome.
Red looked down on the ground before he looked around the area, contemplating with his thoughts. The door to his room opened, revealing Leaf who was smiling with a cast on her arm. "I am here!"
Red was surprised by the girl, his mind somehow wondering why he was expecting her to have a smile and her body to be a different type of shading. The brunette looked at him, her expression turning to worry as she went to sit beside him. "Are you alright, sweetie? You looked worse for wear when we were getting patched up."
"Yeah." Red said with a slight blush on his face before he lifted his arms and flexed. "I could've been worse. It's just a scra-"
He was stopped when the brunette put her hands on his cheeks, a serious look on her face.
"Red." She opened her mouth. "For the last few days, I noticed that you keep acting strong. While it's cool, it's almost like you're trying to push me away from you. I want you to know that I'm here with you."
'I know.' Red thought as guilt came over him. 'That's why...'
"I'll keep waiting for you to open up to me, Red." Leaf said with a gentle smile on her face as she bumped her forehead against Red's. The boy's eyes met hers as he saw how they sparkled with emotion, the teen biting himself on the lip in frustration until he made a decision. 'Here goes nothing.'
"Leaf." Red lifted his hands and touched hers, Leaf surprised as he held their hands together. She turned to Red's direction, noticing a serious expression despite the pink tint on his cheeks. "I'm new to all of this but I want to be honest with you. Will you hear me out?"
"Oh-uh, ok." Leaf said with a confused expression. The room was silent as Red took a moment to calm his nerves before he decided to speak his mind. "I'm thankful for everything you have done for me. I showed you...so much uncool moments of me but you still stayed, Sometimes I wonder if you're too good to be true."
Leaf was about to say something until she felt his grip on her hands tightening before he continued.
"I was always afraid of you hating me for my past. For everything that had happened..." He tried to keep eye contact with her, Leaf deciding to listen as she massaged his hands with her thumbs to calm him down, the girl noticing something. 'His hands...they're so rugged. These are burn marks, aren't they? So that's why he wears gloves. He's been through so much.'
"There are still things that I'm...afraid of but you are so supportive of me. You deserve to know more." He said, his voice a bit shaky before he mentally encouraged himself. 'C'mon, Red. You can do this. Don't wuss out now!'
"I'm happy for everything that you have done. Even though you don't see it as much, it meant a lot to me. I want to thank you for everything you have done." Red said before he closed his eyes and calmed himself again. "Really, thank you, Leaf."
Leaf smiled before she noticed his hands shaking even more. "That's why I plan to go to Saffron City to learn more about my powers from Sabrina."
"The incident at Pallet Town..." Red said before he looked at his hands. "...it looks like there is so much more to the event. It didn't seem normal. Plus, it looks like my powers could be related to that incident. You don't need to come with me, I'll do this alone. I don't want you to get hurt because of me. You have been so good to me and I can't allow you to be hurt. Look at you now...all because of me..."
"Red, shut it. I'm coming. I don't care." Leaf said with a confident look. "I'll get stronger so I won't get hurt anymore."
"But if I am the culp-" Leaf put a finger on his lips to stop him, letting out a giggle. "You? The culprit? If Primeape could fly...Red..."
She hugged him. "Don't talk about yourself like that...I don't care what you were back then even if that were the case, how slim it would be...I'm not the gloomy girl I was back in school...and you..." She brushed the hair out of his face, seeing the various bandages adorning his face as she kissed him on the cheek. "...are not the same bullied kid back then...you gotta man up and give yourself some credit, Red...believe in yourself..."
Hearing those words, Red looked to the ground before a smile came across his face. 'Erika was right. Leaf has been with me every step of the way and she's never once insulted me or betrayed me. Not even my Pokemon have betrayed me. I've been worried for nothing.'
"If that's the case..." Red said, Leaf was confused by this as he looked at her with a serious expression, his eyes glittering with the sunlight. "I promise with all my heart that I will do my best for you."
Seeing his conviction and hearing his words, Leaf blushed harshly before she hid her face, letting out a dry chuckle as she smirked. "Careful there, sweetie. It almost sounds like you're confessing to me, huh?"
"What if I am?" Leaf's eyes split open like dinner plates before she turned to the raven-haired boy as he struggled to keep a confident look. "H-huh? W-w-what?"
"I-I like you." Red said, his face completely at his namesake which surprised the brunette. There was a brief period of silence as both teens said nothing, only the rustling sounds of the trees and grass outside of the hospital room.
"Please tell me that you're joking." Leaf cut the silence, Red looking at her to see her with a shock expression. She started to pinch herself as she looked around the place. "I'm not dreaming, right? There's no one around, right?"
Red took a deep breath as he made his way to Leaf before he held her face. "I'm not joking, Leaf. I told you I'm going to be a bit more honest and that's what I intend to be."
"What are yo-"
"Let me show you." Red went close to Leaf, landing his lips on her cheeks which made her chest beat quickly and feel hot until she suddenly feel lightheaded. He quickly looked down with a flushed expression on his face before he heard whistling and sounds of celebration from Meowth and Luxio at the corner of his room which made him even more embarrassed. 'What are they? My parents?'
Meanwhile, Leaf blinked at what happened, a moment of silence as she was trying to process what happened. "H-huh?"
"Umm…I know I won't be much bu-" Red was cut off when Leaf suddenly grabbed his face, her lips curved upwards to make a huge smile. "Heeeyyyy, Reeeed~"
"Umm, L-Leaf? Are you ok?" He stuttered, his head turning his namesake. "Don't you need to rest a bi-"
"It's just your imagination." Leaf responded quickly, caressing his hair while she gaze into his eyes.
"But-"
"Oh nononono." Leaf traced her fingers along his face, her face getting closer to his as she sat on his lap. "Red, you cute, adorable, little child. That's not how I work. I like things to be a bit more…"
"Comforting?" Red questioned.
"Intense." Leaf concluded before she was about to kiss him then stopped. "Do you like me? You're not playing with me, right sweetie?"
Red nodded before he scratched his head with a blush on his face, getting a giggle from the girl as they both gaze at each other. "N-no. I'm not."
"Prove it." Leaf said with a mischievous smile as she took Red's hands and put them on her hips before she wrapped hers around his neck. "Show me how serious you are, sweetie."
Embarrassment was one of the words that Red was feeling as his heart was beating a thousand times per minute. He looked at Leaf, the teen taking in her features before his gaze lowered to her lips which are showing to be pink. Taking a deep breath, Red willed in his shyness and moved towards Leaf, closing his eyes and puckering his lips. 'Don't mess up. Don't mess up.'
After a while, he pressed his lips against hers, surprising the brunette whose eyes became wide before a huge smile came across her face. "Hmmm~"
Her arms turned to noodles as she enjoyed every moment of the contact of Red's lips, her stomach feeling like it exploded with butterflies. Red's mind is basically on autopilot as all thoughts have left it, the teen holding up Leaf as much as he could as a second felt like a new eruption of emotions for the two. Seeing this, Meowth put her hand on her mouth while Luxio whistled as the two continued their lip touching session. 'O-oh my!'
Wartortle came out of its Pokeball beside the two felines to look at the situation before he shrugged his shoulders until he noticed what happened.
'About damn time!' He shouted which knocked Red out of his stupor as he parted with Leaf.
"O-oh, sorry. Did I mess up?" Red was worried before Leaf wrapped her arms around his head and took him into another embrace of the lips. As they continued, Meowth huffed in amusement.
'Someone feels mightily proud.' Wartortle nudged Meowth who kept smirking, Luxio letting a sigh. 'Oh brother.'
'I raised that boy!' The white cat said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
After some time of kissing, Red stopped before he noticed the look of pleasure on Leaf's face, her eyes rolling back as she started laughing.
"A-are you ok, Leaf?" He said worriedly as the girl's body lost all of its strength.
"I'mmmmmm oooookkkk." Leaf slurred with a huge smile, the girl a bit dizzy before she decided to rest her head on Red's chest. "I'mmmm gonna take a nap here."
"Oh yeah, she's fine. She's on cloud nine. The expression, not the ability." Kim said as she spun her phone in her hand, much to Red's terror. "What the hell?! How long where you there?! And please don't tell me you did what I think you did."
"Yep, 4K too. Leaf is gonna love this." Kim said with a mischievous expression before she ran away, not listening to Red's pleadings. "Please don't!"
"Haha! No! I'm gonna do it!" She said as she left, leaving the two teenagers by themselves. Red then looked at Leaf who was sleep, drooling coming down her mouth as she muttered in her sleep. "…cherry…honeybun…need another…smooch…"
Wiping the drool off her face, Red let out a sigh as he fell back on his bed and went to sleep, ignoring the taunts from his Pokemon as he had to listen to Leaf's mumbling in her sleep.
"I'm…Red's girlfriend…now…hehe…"
It has been a few weeks since the gang fight incident within Celadon City.
"Erika is opening her gym to male challengers." Leaf exclaimed in surprise when she saw the news on the Pokegear.
"You can get your gym battle, Red!" Leaf turned to Red who was doing exercises along with his Pokemon. "Well, I gotta go anyway. I have archery classes."
They all went to the gym, the trio noticed male challengers coming in and out of the gym, much to the surprise to the two girls. As they entered the building, the trio then heard Julia announcing a gym battle being finished with Erika being defeated.
"What? She got beat?! Who did it?" Leaf shouted in disbelief before she ran to the battlefield, wanting to see the spectacle only to be shocked.
The trio watched as Erika handed the Rainbow Badge to Blue who smirked as he threw up and caught the accessory before putting it in his badge case. He then put his hands in his pocket, about to leave the gym until he and Red made eye contact, his look turning to a glare as he approached the raven-haired trainer.
"So you're still here, huh? Thought you'd be trying to get the badge in Fuschia." The spiky-haired brunette said as he looked at Red before he noticed the bow on his shoulder. "You doing archery now? The hell's that going to do?"
"It does a lot. You know how good my aim is." Red answered to which Blue smirked. "Humph. Let's hope so."
He was about to take out his Pokeball but it was smacked out of his hand by Red who took up the capsule and gave it back to him as he glared. "You-"
"Blue." Red's calm voice shocked Blue before the crimson-eyed teen picked up his capsule. "This is neither the time nor the place to be doing this."
Blue and Red had an intense staredown, Blue surprised by the fact that Red was not deterred by his glare. This continued until Erika came between the two, the woman looking at Blue. "Remember what I said, Blue. You are a skilled trainer but you should learn on how to control yourself."
Clicking his tongue, Blue looked at the woman before he turned his gaze to Red. "Two weeks from now, we're going to have a rematch. A six-on-six battle so you better bring your A-game. You should be able to beat Erika in that time."
Leaf and Kim was surprised at this before they saw the grandson of Professor Oak walking past the raven-haired teenager until he stopped by the entrance doors. "The location will be at Route 7 so make sure that you get your fourth badge quickly. I'll be waiting for you."
"Alright then." Red said with a serious expression before he went to the training room. Leaf and Kim decided to watch the other gym fights against Erika to get some notes on how to improve their battle style. Meanwhile during the fighting, Red put down his bag and items and then picked up his bow and started to train on his archery with a calm mind.
'It's time to continue from where I felt off.'
I had to do this. It is done. The ship has sailed. The rocket has been launched. Red and Leaf are now a couple and the arc is now fully finished. Also, Erika finally opened her gyms to males now. She has not fully recovered but hey, it's the first step. Well, from here, it's just the gym leader battle from here and we can continue the journey. Hope you guys enjoy this new chapter and Enigma out.
Enigma out!