- Chapter 7: Just Count to 151 -
Morning would come much earlier for Haru this next time he would awake, with the familiar tune of one of his favorite games playing on his phone for his morning alarm. It truly was the best, slow way to wake up; the soothing piano melody graced his ears and then his consciousness as the eyes of his opened up. Outside it was still dark, and his Glaceon, Nora, still asleep on the foot of the bed. As per the conversation him and Nessa shared the other day, he was awake very early because she suggested something new to kill time; him joining her on a morning jog. Hilariously he would react a bit negatively but it's not that he was overweight or underweight, it was just due to the fact he hadn't exercised often in order to maintain his own stamina for doing such things. He was more of a lifter, and even then you wouldn't see 30 pound dumbbells laying around his home.
"It should be illegal for humans to wake up this early..." he mutters to himself, slowly heading to his shower to prepare for it. Dressing up, getting a protein shake, and leaving a note for Masako, his very strong and motherly Gardevoir that would keep the others in line when he wasn't around, saying "I'll be back later. Went to exercise with Nessa."
Not wasting any time since it'd go to figure that she would be waiting, he took an Air Taxi to fly himself to Hulbury. The very early morning did at least come with the caveat of viewing the period of which the sun would eventually rise from across the horizon.
- - - - - Hulbury - - - - -
- - - - - Nessa's Home - - - - -
The man who'd be pet-named 'Ruby' by Nessa made his way towards her place, still groggy, and knocked on her door. She opened mere seconds after it came.
"Ah, you did make it! Good morning sunshine: the Earth says hello!" came her greeting, already in a non-swimmer athletic version of her appearance that mimicked her Gym Leader clothing. Of course she would also be cheerful and much more awake than him first thing in the morning.
"Buhhhhh." he muttered as if slurring the idea of trying to respond like a normal human.
"Still sleepy I take it?" walking out to him, after grabbing a small pouch with two water bottles inside them.
Haru nods, yawning. His hand gestures apologetically from doing so before rubbing his eyes. "Apologies m'love. I'm a morning guy but it's not often that I actually wake up this early."
She'd be a bit understanding on his point before asking "So how active would you say you would be, Haru? I don't want us to go at a pace that's too much for you but also not too easy." For a second Haru had to think on it.
"I would honestly most likely be able to keep up a brisk walk-almost-jog for a good while. There was a lot of hours where I would do that with breaks in between when I was attempting the Gym Challenge, but back then there was also the parts where setting up camp for my team was necessary in between PokeCenter visits. Plus anything else that's small or filler stuff." he'd say with whatever amount of 'awake' he had within him to answer seriously before looking her up and down. "Can't say you won't make me eat your dust because you may do that but...I should be okay to endure. What are we going to do this morning?"
She'd point in a certain direction from where they were standing: roughly south-southwest. "We're going to go to The Wild Area and run two laps around it!"
"Ah I see, so will we-" Haru began to ask but Nessa cut him off for the mic drop.
"Ah-ah. We're going to also RUN there, too." She'd state matter-of-fact-ly with an index finger pointing at him then tapping his nose. The lady saw how crestfallen he became but gave a promising follow up by saying "I'll move only at your pace. If you ever feel the ability to go faster, we'll go faster. But don't feel bad if you need a break. Nobody makes progress without pain, but nobody makes progress on too much pain. Got it?"
Despite the looming thought over his head of doing such a task just for a simple morning exercise, Haru would find himself not exactly cursing the morning. Sure, it would probably take more breath to talk doing so, and they'd gain a lot of ground, but without the focus of catching Pokemon it would be strictly just to be in better shape. With that in mind, his expression looked strained meeting her face but with a willingness to pursue regardless. "I'm going to fall behind...but I trust you."
The Water Master herself beamed bright like she were the sun herself. "Good! Let's get some dynamic stretching in, and then get started!"
- - - - - The Wild Area - - - - -
- - - - - The =Entire= Wild Area - - - - -
It...took some time for Haru to be able to maintain some sort of an attempt of a rhythm. Encouraging him the whole time would be Nessa, thankfully being a bit more of an effective push than most people had been in the past to get him to exercise more. If anything, it gave them time to talk on every 'break' they took. When they got down the stairs from the Motostoke entrance to/from The Wild Area, Nessa laid down the way how they would go about regiment. At the lakes they would both take a break to stretch and relax; not for too long however as that would make it a little less effective and would only hinder his performance later. Haru had been here many times before when he was unable to sleep and wanted to go catch some newer Pokemon or help with Max Raids, but told Nessa that being here under an entirely different premise gave him a different kind of appreciation for the scenery.
Alongside her background in fishing, in which she learned from her father, Nessa told him that the region was often just a 'really big playground' to her. Sure she liked the lighthouse a lot for personal reasons, but had grown an appreciation over time for her home. Having experience in fishing herself it was that which got her the idea of learning how to take care of water Pokemon, but also help feed the local area. Her mom is usually often very busy as well being a marketplace manager, but to make up for it helped her learn how to micromanage so that she would be better as a Gym Leader when it came to her dual-life as a model that's also a Gym Leader. Even now, she was still only somewhat managing, behind the scenes. It's at this point Haru divulges something new when they take another break, when stretching together.
"So...I suppose here's something new I can tell you." he'd begin, taking a second to control his breathing, as Nessa is standing on one leg with the other lifting high above her head. "I'm not -entirely- Galarian by blood. I'm part Alolan."
"What?! Get out, really?!" she'd exclaim in a pleasantly surprised tone of voice. He nods, standing up and doing his arm circle stretching.
"Yep. My grandmother was entirely full blooded Alolan, and my mother is half. So that makes me a quarter Alolan. The other half is Galarian but I don't know to what extent my father was Galarian and if he had anything else on his side. I never really got to know him." he admitted, adjusting his glasses and finding himself looking at the fact she was so incredibly, amazingly limber. Seeing the fact she could hold her leg up while standing in an almost perfect straight line sparked a blush to spread across his face, and his mind to go to places he hadn't considered previously. This pose was already shown to him before when she threw her Dive Ball at the start of her Pokemon Gym Leader battle, but with her being his romantic partner it added a bit of extra flair to knowing they were together.
"Oh...I'm sorry to hear that." Nessa replied, now standing on both feet as the two began jogging to the next point. At this section Haru was at least able to keep a conversation going so he would continue. While jogging, she'd be shown an old photo of his biological parents together. "Wow look at him! Shit, sweetie you take after him!" Nessa said with a full smile.
"Heheh, thank you beautiful. But nah don't even fret about those details my dear. Mom never trash talked him, so I have no reason to either. He sounded like a cool guy even! It just turns out they just didn't pair up together. Said he felt responsible for the 'mistake' of giving her me and was willing to make up to it and marry her. But she didn't like that it only came after the fact. From what I understand, it was a bit rough but they maintained contact. But it wasn't long after that he passed away. I must have been 2 years old, if even that before he went to join his ancestors." Haru would go on, recalling what he could about his own beginnings with his dad. "I just feel bad when I do a certain thing and Mom says I 'look like him' or 'that laugh you just did sounds like him' because I can't help it."
Nessa chuckles, pacing with Haru down a hill, avoiding some passers on Rotom Bikes and the sun peaking out finally. "Well, I'll at least say one thing was passed down from your father." Once they got past some Pokemon that were trying to chase the two and lost sight of them, he'd turn to her.
"Something passed down to me? What would that be?" he'd ask, shrugging.
Coming to a stop with Haru and walking up to him, Nessa let a hand grace his cheeks. "His dashing good looks!"
The sun starts to rise a bit more as colors of the morning would mix with the clear skies of night that would fade. A few stars, and the moon itself would be seen slowly disappearing under its immense and powerful shine. It was still very early in the morning, but for the scenery alone and the conversation, it turned out it was all very worth it in the end already for Haru. "Tch. So you say huh?" he blushed, turning and about to start jogging again but she stopped him.
"Hey..! It's a compliment. Take it: you're allowed you know!" she insisted, seeing that hesitation for accepting it.
That she reacted so quickly and didn't let him off made Haru react, blinking and then looking away with a half smile. Caught red-handed. "Sorry, you're right, love. I'm getting used to it." turning back to her. "I appreciate it, thank you."
There would be a pause in conversation when they began again as Haru was starting to lag at roughly 3/4s in. "You must find it really sad that I can't keep up on something you consider so easy for you huh?" he would be heard questioning, with his breath growing ragged. A quick pop off a bottle cap of water and a sip would do him good, as his morning 'coach' Nessa replied. "Not at all. Everyone has to start somewhere. You're not just born an expert on something. Nobody is. You weren't a Pokemon expert out the gate right?"
"Right" he'd say.
"Then you're not going to be better at doing stuff like this until you keep at it. Even when you're doing this in one swoop, look back at the progress you made!" she says swinging her arms behind them to showcase how far they had jogged already. It felt like so long ago that, to him, it would take forever to attempt such a thing. She was, however, absolutely right in saying this much.
"Thank you. I'll continue doing my best...and..." he was speaking in between breaths. "..making sure I don't look down on myself despite the progress done."
"THAT is the Haru I fell for, now come on! We can have another chin wag when we reach back at the stairs to end our first lap!" the athletic, cheerful water trainer said taking him by the hand to lead him to follow her again.
The two would then continue exercising with the intention to complete those two laps as planned. Haru unfortunately felt his 'limit' hit him about a quarter into the second lap, and for that morning, Nessa receded and said it was okay for them to stop there for the day. It turned out that of course, they had things they still had to work on. Haru with his self esteem from his upbringing, trauma of a lost best friend, and generally trying to keep up his appearances for the sake of being 'the better man' at any given situation. Nessa with her own dual career of modeling and being a Gym Leader who was one of the fan favorites of the region. In a way, they both had to keep up appearances and had their own fights.
"Will you be okay, hon? You did eat breakfast right?" she's seen asking him while the two are resting at a lake having 'called quits' to the exercise finally.
"Pardon? Oh..." a bit of sweat forms on his forehead.
"Haru..?" her tone lowers a bit and eyes him seriously. Multiple beads of sweat form on his forehead and he looks away slightly.
"UHhh...?"
Nessa is suddenly closer to him on the grass and eyeing daggers as he's looking away, many beads of sweat on his whole face.
"HARU. If I learn -right now- that you skipped breakfast..." her eyes go half lidded with a sudden tense aura around her with Haru looking back nervously.
"I had a protein shake..!" He began to explain rather poorly.
"A PROTEIN SHAKE!? Haru that's not a meal! You can't DO something like this on just a few grams of protein in the morning! You need sustenance! You're saying you were doing this entire exercise on a near empty stomach?" she said in a heightened tone, flicking his forehead.
He held a hand to his forehead. "Ow!"
"Haru you realize you could have passed out if we exerted you too hard right? That's NOT a good thing! You could have damaged yourself if you were any worse...!" her face changes to worry like that of a mother chastising her child. It wasn't for an energy drink but that moment where she'd chastise him finally came.
"...but isn't it bad to exercise after a meal?" He'd ask, rubbing his forehead.
Nessa is seen rubbing her forehead a bit. He stressed her a bit but couldn't help but see it for what he was and smiled. Inhaled, and exhaled. She didn't want to sound irritated explaining it. "A -heavy- meal, yes. That's why you go with some fruit, maybe a sandwich but nothing heavy. Just so long as you're not running on fumes."
Haru rubs his head a little and looks like he had his hand caught in the cookie jar. "Then let's go get some breakfast then, together. I'll pay since it's my own goof-up."
"I ate already." she replied, stretching her arms behind herself.
"One would guess...but you still wanna spend time with me don't ya?" he winked with a side grin, with his head leaning on his hand. Her face would change to one from nagging him to a receptive one and smiled.
/That damn charm of his.../ "I could -definitely- use some more time with you, yes." taking his hand and smiling.
"Hey, before we go...I need to say something." he said, still holding onto her hand as she stopped herself, turning to him. She holds both of his hands now as her full attention is back to him. The lake next to them has a few Magikarps flop from the surface of the water then back into it, as he takes a second to look at her seriously.
"Okay...what is it?" Nessa said with some hesitation. She would see that the moment from earlier had passed from his mind with another expression taking over; one very similar to what she sees when they're just simply enjoying each other's company but in a new way.
He looked her straight in the eyes with a softer demeanor. "I love you."
Her heart immediately skips a beat as her face goes red right along as his cheeks turn red too. "wwh...wha..?" she almost can't logically register it.
"I know we've been dating for awhile to this point. We've kissed, and had so much fun together already for everything we've done. Cuddled a lot, watching movies both good and bad. We're so close. We've said everything around the phrase except -THE ACTUAL words-. I know it took me awhile and...I'm very sorry I made you wait. There came a worry that a part of me was simply infatuated with you and my mind wouldn't be clear enough to tell after a bit. But...I do know now. My heart is more sure now than before: I love you. I'm -in- love with you, Nessa, the Hulbury Water Gym Leader, Model and gorgeous woman altogether. So, SO very much."
As she heard those words spoken outwards to her, a tear beads at the corner of her eyes. Inside a spark ignites as if it was waiting for this very trigger to occur, and is going off inside her very interior. "Haru..." was all that would be muttered from her while leaning forward as the two shared a kiss together; still holding hands. Her lips part from his after a moment as their eyes maintain contact. "I love you too. I'm so happy we feel the exact same way..."
He chuckles, confidently smiling wide, teeth showing. "Yeah. Wouldn't change it for the whole world, my darling 'Sapphire'." Nessa goes to lean her head against his chest to share a quiet moment as some Pokemon are heard crying out in the distance while they go on a morning hunt for food for themselves.
So to it that they would go on their own 'hunt' of food as well. The couple would traverse out of The Wild Area back to whatever was open for food back in Motostoke: which at that moment just amounted to a convenience store.
"With that in mind, make sure you drink plenty of water okay? Next time we do something like this I'll get you to take some swimming lessons with me how's that?" Nessa went on to explain, in full micro-management mode as Haru held a bag of some quick pick me ups. Fruit, a few croissant sandwiches, jerky, protein supplements, and some equipment he needed for his Pokemon. It had been a hot minute since he made sure they were all physically fine (outside of bathing) and sought to rectify that later in the day.
Haru took a swig of a refreshing chocolate protein drink he got. "Sure, that's actually not a bad idea. I can swim, just not very well. But where are you headed to now, babe?" She looked none too thrilled with her answer to it.
"Since the whole attack having our Gyms being shut down for a short bit we Gym Leaders are also being asked to attend some conference. I imagine they'll basically just be us addressing if there's anything we will be doing to help the repairs may just be fluff to keep some journalists quiet. But honestly I'm not too sure since we had this planned for a bit for a few months...though it accelerated to today because of the aforementioned events. It would have just been centered around other publicity events otherwise." she would say, one hand on her hip looking to the side. Modeling and photo shoots were one thing, interviews were another. . Haru saw as she sighed that she was only apprehensive since it had been awhile and, to be frank, a lot had changed since the previous conference she attended.
"Whatever it is that happens, call me if something goes awry; be it to vent or anything else." he suggested, putting a hand on her shoulder. The two hugged it out and then parted ways; being a busybody adult in the world of Pokemon meant almost never having a dull moment. Despite the boring oncoming conference looming in her mind Nessa took to thinking back on the fact Haru and her had breached new grounds in their relationship, and ended up laughing. The whole ebb-and-flow of almost every interaction they had daily constantly made her excited just to see him, and now the cherry on top?
/"I love you."/ she heard play back in her head. Hearing him say that caused her heart to perform somersaults in glee. The day was already wonderful; there would be nothing that could ruin it.
- - - - - Spikemuth - - - - -
[[HARU: Marnie are you available to talk?]]
He wouldn't get an answer while in his Air Taxi, glancing over at a part of Galar he hadn't visited in awhile. Haru recalled during his Gym Challenge journey how just getting to this point was a weird roundabout way of doing things...almost wondering how the city went on as long as it did appearing as empty as it did on the outside. Certainly nothing wrong with a small town since Hop and Hiro came from small towns too, but wondered from time to time the inability to Dynamax battle for the challenge hurt visitors and tourists. Since he was the newer, fresh face of the Pokemon League, he at least hoped it wold encourage people to not judge a book by its cover.
Touching down near the city, he'd see that there was a bit of populace that made it appear much more lively; a thankful addition compared to last time. Haru's phone vibrates with a tone.
[[MARNIE: What? Maybe in the next 10 minutes, why?]]
He smirked a little, glancing at the large double door entrance to the city before replying.
[[HARU: Too late. I'm already here.]]
[[MARNIE: WAIT HARU WHY]]
[[HARU: You took too long to reply and have to pay the consequences of me visiting you unprepared. Oh no.]]
[[MARNIE: Well I guess this works but seriously give me a few minutes.]]
[[HARU: I have already walked past the Pokemon Center at this point, Marnie.]]
He didn't get a reply back after that text, figuring she just yelled in a mixture of confusion and exhaustion. /It's fun to tease her a bit like that, but why would she be in such a tizzy? No need to get collywobbles over a mere meeting. It's not like I haven't shown up at random before./
One such Galar Region Champion would find the answer to his interior query as he noticed Piers was nowhere in the 'Gym' the city held, and would just continue walking past where he knew the two resided. Just around the bend and down a few other alleys before coming across their residence, Haru gave a proper knocking upon seeing their doorway. A rough half minute passes before Piers leans inwards, seeing that it's Haru before he turns back inside.
Piers comments, "Yeah it's Haru allright."
"BOLLOCKS. Psh. Okay well let him in then." Haru hears Marnie in a whiney sort of voice.
"Bad time?" he asked Piers, who lets him in.
"Nah just...maintenance." Piers explains, helping him take his backpack off for courtesy. Piers had Haru follow him since he knew why he was there and saw Marnie hiked up on a chair with a big apron surrounding his body now eyeing him harshly from across the tile floor in the kitchen. Piers was helping to trim and style her hair so it maintained its length.
Haru's cheeks puff out a little, stifling a laugh.
"WHAT'S so funny?!" Marnie blurts out looking at him.
"Nothing. You just look kinda cute sitting there with just your head appearing from the hair apron. Also I had no idea he did your hair. I figured maybe you had a stylist from your Team Yell or whatever volunteering for it." taking a look at the floor to see the clippings from the scissors and other bladed tools Piers was using.
"They're many things for me, but I wouldn't trust them doing this with a ten foot pole. Besides, how else do you think we do our looks?" Marnie huffed as her arms crossed underneath the cloth.
"I...hadn't considered that. But speaking of not doing things with trust or whatever, I came to talk to you about what you sent me the other day. I had time to drop by!" folding his arms, Haru looked at her. "About the hunch you had."
"Oy. Well as long as you don't mind Piers finishing up-" Marnie began to say as Piers walked away. "I'm finished, sis."
She just sits there and huffs again, smiling afterwards. "This whole attack on Wyndon Stadium the other day; you saw the aftermath and came onto the scene, yeah? Come with me for a sec'." she gestured with a wave, having Haru follow her through their small place. Multiple awards for Piers' performances in music and her own achievements would be hung up on the wall as they walked down the hallway. Funnily enough, Haru noticed how neither Piers nor Marnie looked anything like their parents and chalked it up to his tiredness messing with his brain somehow. Marnie's Morpeko followed them closely before all of them stopping in her tracks to hand Haru a folder. Within it were some newspaper clippings of past events involving either her brother as a blooming celebrity or herself just getting her own 'fanbase' via nepotism or just fanboys being fanboys. These events involving crazed fans weren't up to the same level as rioting fans of opposing teams for sports events, but several times they had to rely on those that employed them to keep them safe.
"So...at times you two have dealt with fans taking things a bit too far then. That about the gist of it?" Haru asked, thumbing through the small folder, sitting on a stool.
"There's that, yes, but overseas these are child's' play." she began to say, crossing her arms.
"What do you mean, exactly?" Haru's left eyebrow raised with a hint of hesitation to know the answer.
"Overseas in other regions, celebrities got fans so gobby, so off one's trolley that at times authorities have to get involved. Things like fans bullying a celebrity so much that they apologize for having a relationship as the celebrity shaves their head to 'apologize' back to the fans. Rabid stalkers. You know how Team Yell tried to be an inconvenience to you and Hop all for the 'sake of cheering on' me to win and how I always told them off? Imagine that, but with far less control over them. Think of a much bigger, worse Team Yell. " Marnie stated, but then switched the angle of the topic slightly. "You're the #1 ranked Galar Trainer; the Champion of our whole region." she would point to Haru decisively.
He sweat a little bit asking. "What does that have to do with anything?"
Her head would roll to the side and kept her glance at him. "You don't think that just because you get along with all of the Gym Leaders, are dating one of said Gym Leaders, are life long friends with the ex-Champion, and even are on good terms with Ex Chairman Rose that you created any enemies along the way?"
His eyes widen as the understanding of her point came through, with one hand going over one of his cheeks in thought. Could someone with a grudge against him be the reason those events occurred, and why certain events are happening? As Haru's look went from Marnie to the floor, she broke the silence. "Of course, that's just a hunch I have since we know that nobody here has the resources to do that, and a majority of the staff that worked under Rose now are employed at The Battle Tower in Wyndon. There's no official comment past what we know, and it is simply just a hunch. But from now on until it's resolved, I suggest you be careful okay?"
Marnie saw that Haru wouldn't say anything to combat the notion; taking to heart the warning she gave even if it was currently on a hunch. Neither of them could confirm or deny anything. With him having visited, she'd let him stay for a bit for some tea before heading back out to run the rest of his morning routine. There would be only one place left for Haru to go to before arriving back home.
Before taking the Air Taxi back, Haru took a second to ponder a few things. One, was the fact that there were many people aiming for his title coming up with this whole slew of events pushing back the Pokemon League Tournament. Two, that he had met one of them on two occasions and on the very first time he met that person outside of a Gym was given a warning by his beloved Nessa after they left. The third, was that while nobody had answers, someone close to him, his friend Marnie, had a piece of the puzzle that Nessa did not connect. Whether he could figure out if neither were correct or incorrect would be led up to time itself.
/This is a really weird moment in my life where I find myself excited to be 'me' but also worried. Are things pacing themselves to some sort of end, like it's part of some big plan? I wish Hiro were here...he would have something really smart to say at this point./ came the thought, overhearing the Corviknight letting out a loud cry. His train of thought would be interrupted, but resided to just not overthinking it and peeking down at the bag of food he still had with him. "...I should probably start finishing this food up before Nessa finds out I bought it then didn't eat any of it."
- - - - - Wyndon - - - - -
- - - - - Galar Pokemon League HQ - - - - -
"Ladies, and Gentlemen of the Pokemon League HQ here in Galar, I know you all are busy and currently at the moment there's a conference starting up soon that will be involving the Pokemon Gym Leaders with someone no doubt being a mediator. I won't take too long of your time today, and am very thankful you all decided to meet up with me." the office of one such Pokemon League building nestled in Wyndon had the top staff for the League itself meeting with Haru, watching him standing in front of the room gesturing to the round-table.
"Miss Chairman, thank you for coming today." Haru said, looking over to the familiar face of one such woman who had one leg crossed, half lidded eyes, and an expression that would normally give way that she was strictly the 'all business' type but had made strides since the Eternatus incident.
Oleana nods, gesturing with a hand. "You said this was something concerning the Gyms that isn't the current situation, as I understood it? Understand that this is not the type of meeting to discuss policy or international Galarian Law, as there is currently a heated debate going on with officials. No such proposals or talks of that ilk can be accomplished here. Now Haru, if you please."
Getting some folders out, and a bunch of notes with a projector near him, he lays out his short presentation. Onscreen it shows some of the things he's been doing recently. It comes quickly to the point that when he settles on Pokemon Champions of the past, and how he can better instill an identity for the region (as well as his own calling), that the staff understands. It is put to the front of everyone's attention when he plants a hand on the table as rough draft comes up with the words "Steel Gym" onscreen, causing several of the staff members to gasp, and start muttering to each other.
Before it got too noisy and distracted, Haru held up his hands. "Allow me to explain. We already have a pretty robust system going on that no other region has; in Stow-in-Side we have two Gyms that rotate between two leaders from time to time with Bea and Allister. The same instance occurs in Circhester with Gordie and Melony. While 'Fighting' and 'Fairy' couldn't be more different if one tried, it's hard to argue how well a single location is for 'Rock' and 'Ice'. In that line of thinking, that's how I came to the idea we can put a 3rd one in the same region; just not the same spot of Circhester that those challenges currently reside. We all know how the challenges are handed out to those taking up the quest: be it they are given the 'Sword' or the 'Shield' goals and go from there. Both sides converge at the end when any and all trainers meet up in Wyndon to compete in the Pokemon League Tournament at the end. This happens after the aforementioned trainers defeat Raihan, who is the current 8th Gym. We know this already. Now what I'm proposing we do...what I wish to do, is add another stadium entirely."
A gentleman with short black hair, goatee, glasses and some expensive watch on his left wrist spoke up. "All well in good intentions, Champion Haru, but unless you plan to propose a brand new step to the process involving the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra...I don't see how this could work. Those areas are also already taken care of, and well...it doesn't feel like an organic fit for either area for our home."
Another staff member spoke up, a woman with long red hair and thin glasses. "I have to agree. Where do you propose this new Gym be added that helps trainers know to 'go here' or 'there' depending on which goal-set they're given? It took our forefathers a bit of time to make a workaround, especially once we had other Gym Leaders involved sharing the same spaces. We're not exactly as large as other regions, mind you." Haru smirks confidently, and makes a pointed gesture to the screen, as it shifts to the Galar Map that's often sold to tourists at shops.
"This is what I thought as well for awhile and is why I went over and over on the spaces trainers already walk around. It took me awhile to think on such a decision. One couldn't make sense to have anyone suddenly go out of their way, west or east, to hit up some new gym be it the first or the last one in the challenge. However, if I may direct your eyes to this part here in north-northeast Circhester..." their attention would be directed as Haru pointed to the area, then expanded the view to photographs of the mountains where he was hinting at putting it. There would be a hike that would have to be taken in order to get there, similarly to when one gets off the train station to Wyndon, or as Haru pointed out earlier 'like Champion Red when he went to train to Mt. Silver', but it could be done. Before he got ahead of himself, a few things had to be made clear. "I realize what I'm requesting is more than just a stadium. A footpath to not only allow trainers to come and challenge the aforementioned Gym, but enough to let people come in and see the games going on during the day. It has to be an extension of Circhester without being a town because quite frankly, I'm not asking you all to help me build a town. That's just silly."
There would be some mumbling between everyone, as Oleana raised a hand to shush the crowd after a bit with herself speaking. "So your plan, no, your request is to have a new Gym instated. Who's going to lead it? Do you have anyone in mind? As it stands out, we would have to search for someone new to take over the supposed spot, and unless it draws in traffic, help the economy, and has a foundation of strong trainers under the Gym Leader's wings, it would complicate things."
Haru narrowed his eyes and decided it had finally been time to tell them all. "I suppose you've made me have to say it, Ms. Chairman Oleana. Yes, I am proposing a new Gym of the Steel type Pokemon variety, as Galar does not currently have one. Yes, I have someone in mind to lead it already and have confirmed it with them behind the scenes here."
An eyebrow of hers raised, half looking interested, half looking satisfied. "Oh? Whom is this mystery trainer?"
He put his arms down to their sides and raised his chin up a little confidently. "That would be me."
The whole room suddenly got real loud but Haru kept a straight face and his posture straightened as several staffers spoke amongst themselves, at him, and otherwise. He had only been a Champion for under a year, and was already ready to give it up after Leon had been it for so long. To their eyes, it would be a problem with the League already under way for this round of Challengers. Oleana had to calm everyone down, putting her foot down and leaned forward with her elbows on the desk and face resting on the top of her hands. "Champion Haru, are you really so willing to throw under the bus the entire career you now see yourself in: what do you propose we do in the meantime? Did you think this through?"
The redhead nodded, as he turned off the projector. "Ms Chairman. I will defend my title for the upcoming Pokemon League. Win or lose, I will hand it back over to Leon. The discussion has already occurred and he has accepted it. When the topic came up, I told him that it felt he was a better fit than I to keep giving new trainers hope. It's not that I dislike my position at all, please don't misunderstand. But there's a part of me that's burning bright and vividly to give new trainers a new way to feel encouraged: to be shown that they can do it if they take care of their Pokemon, study, and work hard they can become a Champion as well."
"Mr Champion, if I may interject, that is a bit cliche to assume that -anyone- can become Champion. Otherwise more people would have done it. You're only the second most recent Champion this region has had, what gives you the right to think that doing this is any more worth doing?" spoke up an older gentlemen of white balding hair and slight overweight. The man did not budge from his look as Haru made eye contact and confidently made his response.
"Of course I know not everyone can do it. It wouldn't be a challenge if it was so easy. We'd have far less of a working economy and different jobs that have Pokemon assisting us in our daily lives if more Champions existed. It would stagnate everyone and everything. However, I believe it's very important to make sure the Gym Leaders are out there every day putting themselves out there and seeking new blood. As a Champion I don't feel I can do that as effectively. As a Gym Leader, I can seek apprentices and constantly build a new family of my own liking." he replied, gesturing to another staffer; a lady with dark blue hair and side ponytail that sat next to Oleana's left.
"Ma'am. Have you been to a Gym Leader game recently?" he asked off the cuff to her. It took a second for her to notice he was speaking to her but she nodded. "Yeah? What was it like? Whose game did you go see that day?" Haru asked, crossing his arms.
"My...my husband got me VIP seating to tickets for a game day for the Gym Leader, Kabu. He knows that fire type is my favorite type of Pokemon, and we had been struggling to figure on a good anniversary gift. As it turns out, we spent the whole morning and mid-afternoon there enjoying the atmosphere, and even got a chance to talk to the Gym Leader himself at one point!" she would go on to say with a bright smile, as reminiscing on the events made her happy.
Haru grinned a bit with a teethy smile, and would speak definitively. "Your experience is your own and nobody can take that away from you. Whether you rooted for the rookies or the Gym Leader is entirely your own way of enjoying that date you had, right? It's just one way how Pokemon can bring people together. Knowing how much I loved the act of fighting Gym Challengers and hearing those speakers blast the battle music was enough to make me see stars before my very eyes every single time. It's not just a bunch of battles, it's an experience. But as your Champion, I'm rife with a lot of other responsibilities. I want to take inspiration from what the other Champions of other regions before me did, and I feel it's my calling. I ask all of you here, to back me on this request and grant it. Not just as your Champion, but as a future Gym Leader who could lead more people here."
The whole room went a little quieter, while still having some mumbling going on as Oleana was seen with a smile. There was a certain way he presented the arguments and his direction that he had spoke that reflected himself as someone who wanted to lead. She saw he wasn't satisfied merely representing oneself as an 'icon'. As the sounds of the staffers murmuring and talking to each other went on, Oleana kept her glance at the man who stood proudly before everyone with the confidence that rivaled Leon when he struck a pose in front of untold numbers of people watching him. For some time now, she had seen of his exploits and recalled how he helped her in the past.
/"I know this is selfish of me, but I must beg your assistance! I want you to head into the underground power plant and stop Mr. Rose!"/
The memory of Haru helping her before at her lowest, recent point of her life came back when the entire region was threatened. Her own blind loyalty had led to a near apocalyptic scenario and it was thanks to Haru and his friend Hop that turned it around; prevented it from happening. Oleana breaks the sounds of the staffers talking with some clapping. Haru's eyes lit up, looking back at her, as the woman then stood up and definitively smacked a hand on the round-table. "Haru, I accept. We'll be in touch soon to discuss this project further, once I get some currently idle hands to be sent your way. For now, we will keep this under wraps until it is possible for us to announce it to the public." He felt his heart was going to burst in pure joy, before going to shake her hand. Oleana met his handshake and smiled. "After all, it's the least I can do since it was thanks to you we stand here today. Taking on my selfish request that day is something I can never repay you in full...but I'll try to do so with this new Gym you plan on leading. "
"I won't let you down, Ms. Chairman Oleana!" putting a fist to his chest, Haru stood straight and nodded. She's called out to by some of the staffers, as Oleana smiles to the extent she could do it, and walks down the hallway.
Haru's dream had finally, and officially gone underway to its first step.
- - - - - Wyndon - - - - -
- - - - - Public Library - - - - -
It was all well and good that Haru had not only settled on a new Gym finally with the officials but now came the question on which Pokemon to try and aim on getting for a team. The best types of teams would try to have a good foundation but not go overboard with dual-type teams. On one hand, it could offer more types of moves they could use in battle. The flip-side of that same coin was they could have double or even quadruple the weaknesses they would have and that wouldn't be a good thing. Upon entering a local library, Haru asked the front desk for assistance, asking about books containing battle data of Steel types, and bestiaries. The kind librarian responded with a note in which she'd write down a few rows to check out before handing him the paper.
"Thank you, miss." Haru said, before he was stopped on heading to check it out.
"Uhm before you go look at that, can I have your autograph? Big fan and all.." the librarian said a bit quietly poking her desk. At this point how could he say no?
With a big grin, he'd say "Absolutely." and signed the back of her League Card she had of his image, and the man went off leaving his fan flustered.
A few minutes pass and Haru has a small stack of 4 books on his arms. It turns out that there had been a lot of research done of so many types of Pokemon, and some were just logs from previous trainers and Champions. Even if he couldn't use such things like Mega Evolutions or Z-Moves, the more knowledge, the better, he assumed.
/This must have been what Hiro went through when he started writing anything. I remember him putting his nose in so many topics at once to make sure what he was going to attempt would be absolutely nuts./ Haru thought, and once he found a 5th book, sighed and found a seat. The memory of Hiro made him a little sad again. He knew that Hiro would have loved to see how far he had gotten, and while knowing a form of him was somehow maybe aware of such things, it wasn't the same. Despite his day being so good to him, depression would knock on his door with a 'How do you do' and ruin his high wind that he was sailing.
That is, until he heard a familiar, tiny voice calling to him.
"Mista Haru!" came someone calling to him from nearby in the library, with another voice telling it to make sure not to yell. Haru's head rises and his eyes meet a pair of very familiar people.
"Donna, and your mother, Martha! What an absolutely pleasant surprise to see you two here!" his face brightened up immediately seeing the little girl from the meet-and-greet awhile back show up unexpectedly. The fact he recognized her however made the fan of his much happier as a result, with him getting out of the chair he was sitting on and took a knee to her eye-level. The little girl, like last time, went and hugged him as he gave one back. "What are you two doing here, if I may be so curious?"
"Donna wanted me to take her here so she can start studying all of the Pokemon. Not for a project, but of her own interests. You know she's taken after you, Mr. Champion." her mother said, pointing to a big book in her arms that was easy for children to read that contained the entire current PokeDex.
Haru whistled. "That's a lot of Pokemon, Donna. You do know we don't have every single one here, why would you want to study all of them?" he had to ask. Per usual, the girl answered with her undying optimism.
"Well what if one day we had more here? Plus if I become a Challenger one day, I would already know everything there is to know a-" she takes a breather. "-and...cuz they're pretty." Admittedly the answer made him chuckle a bit.
"Research is it? Well, nothing wrong with that, then. I suppose it makes sense too, for homework and such. I'd love to sit by and chat with you two but I promise we will meet again." as he put a hand up as if to pretend to whisper. "I got a secret project I'm working on...but don't tell anyone. Promise?"
Donna went wide-eyed at the idea the Champion asked so much of a little kid like her and gestured with her hand in a line across her lips. "Promise!"
He stood up, and took the books he had previously set down. "Good. If we meet again soon, I'll let you two in on it. Be good to your mother Martha, okay?"
With that excitement out of the way, the 3 of them bid goodbyes to each other and Haru just snickered a bit. Watching the girl with her cheerful personality walk off with her Mom in the library, Haru looked off to the side of where he stood as if to address someone that wasn't actually there.
"Okay Hiro, I get it: you aren't going to let me brood for too long anymore." chuckling a little as he reflected upon himself and made his exit after taking the books to the same librarian that he spoke to earlier.
- - - - - Wyndon - - - - -
- - - - - Outside, Shopping Area - - - - -
With a bag of books and a renewed sense of lease on his life, Haru made his way towards the Air Taxis that he took to get there earlier. So much had happened in the day that it hardly felt real. His mind was so cluttered that another thought came up as he passed by some buildings.
/Nessa and I's half year anniversary is coming up in a bit. At the moment there's no telling if she will be open for a date but she is most likely already preparing to spend time with me, or trying her best to have time. I wonder what should I do to celebrate with her? It has to be something special: a woman of her caliber deserves it. Does it even have to be a traditional 'gift'?/ his mind wandered until coming past a school for dancing. A passing glance has him catching people on the inside dancing to slow music in pairs; a familiar song playing being heard from within. His eyes glance over the male instructor moving with the music and also making sure he took care of his students who were still learning. At first came the thought of 'Me? Dance? That's stupid', but then considered briefly the idea of how much Nessa would be swept off her feet if he showed his drive to do something out of his comfort zone like that for the mere sake of being romantic.
It was too good of an idea to pass up, he figured, as he walked inside and made an inquiry to be officially signed up for classes.
- - - - - Stow-In-Side - - - - -
- - - - - Bea's Gym - - - - - -
- - - - - Interior, Conference Room - - - - -
Lots of news reporters and journalists of all types were sitting down as the Gym Leaders of Galar all filed in alongside the tables at the front. There were multiple tables with glasses of water alongside each microphone. In the far west corner there would be a gentleman in a suit with a Pokemon League logo on his breast pocket who would act as mediator. "Good day everyone. I'm Marco, here with the Gym Leaders of Galar as your mediator. With all of the leaders here, let's keep things orderly as we all know why we're here. No questions shall be asked afterwards, and I'll be here to make sure everyone here stays on topic. Who wants to go first?"
All of the Gym Leaders are questioned on basic things pertaining to the incident of the Wyndon Stadium the other day. Lot of the information gathering here is based on journalists wanting to find out more information from their perspectives. Milo is found to be setting up a temporary shop that will be sending whatever money it makes to help fund the repairs, and for now Marnie is getting a fundraiser with her brother's help.
Someone asks Raihan about the apprentices he was training and if he's made sure that they had their records looked into, to which he puts down his phone and replies "Everyone I chose to help out my Gym is clean. You're not going to find myself or anyone tied to this at all. First thing I had my men do when we were alerted of the event, was to secure the place, as one does, and I personally investigated each one."
"You don't suppose that doesn't instill confidence since you're not a figure of authority and it could be misconstrued that it's a case of 'we investigated ourselves and found we didn't do anything'?" said the journalist back to him.
"I already took care of it by also having them looked into by authorities; not just them but my entire Gym staff. It'll take a bit, but it's so far clean. Take that as you will, I'm not going to feed into your paranoia." the Dragon Master said, sounding a little ruffled.
Tensions were no doubt high as it was also important for them to maintain their skills, and someone decided to put one towards Nessa. "Hey Nessa! You certainly are a great trainer, and yet you're still stunningly beautiful! What's your secret?"
Bede is heard coughing a bit as he was drinking from his water, and upon hearing such a crass comment tried to stifle whatever may be happening since Nessa looks like she's just been smacked sideways by a surprise backhanded compliment. One that she's not taking lightly but does her best to stay calm. "If you must know, even with this all going on I haven't stopped doing all my routines to stay fit. Mentality of a swimmer like myself, who happens to take pride in being a model. You all know I do both so I shouldn't have to explain in detail how I do it. Thank you." she said, putting emphasis on the last two words at the journalist who asked.
Bede interjects after she says that going "Remember, folks, we'd like to keep this on the Gyms. It's not about us, it's about doing what we can to keep Galar safe."
The mediator, Marco, nods. "Please do you best to refrain from such comments, thank you everyone." aiming that at the media. Melony, who sat next to Nessa puts a hand on her shoulder to quietly mouth if she's doing okay and Nessa just quietly nods back.
"Hello, Kabu? Cid from GND8, with your locale being the centerfold of the first trio of Gyms in the area are you doing anything to help make sure nobody gets by you? What I mean is, your city is very vertical over some others and-" the media man started to question before Kabu cut him off.
"Sorry but I don't believe physical architectural height is of a concern. What I do know of this morning is my city has a low crime rate. I don't imagine anyone can even fit the modus operandi that pertained to the stadium attack. But to answer, yes. I'm doing what I can, including sending out some of my most trusted groups of Arcanines to help assist cops as they are not only good for police, but mine are especially well trained. That is all I can comment for this moment." the salt-and-peppered veteran of the Gym Leaders table said.
Another hand came up and was picked by the mediator. "Nessa! Hello, Kaitlin from Monthly Motostoke Report. With what's been going on, aren't you worried your relationship has made you weak? What's your secret to staying strong? Do you have any cheats your willing to share?"
Marnie leaned into the microphone immediately. "Hey does anyone here actually want to talk shop? Hmm?" with Nessa having a sudden mixture of emotions hitting her at once with her eyes twitching. Melony saw that her friend's hand was shaking a little before moving to the microphone and saying.
"No. I'm fine. And no to any of that. My relationship is none of your business. Kaitlin was it? Perhaps you should stick to tabloids rather than reporting on official Gym Business."
Her response got several immediate exhales and one gasp from others around her as to the other side of Nessa, Bea leaned over to whisper something to Nessa right afterwards. Whatever was said, caused Nessa to just lean back in her chair and cross her arms. At that point the Raging Wave was starting to imitate the very marquee 'title' she had gained. Sam would intervene, reminding the media again to please stick to topic. However the crowd only took what he said lightly to heart since this crowd of media reporters had several vultures within the crowd.
Another person started to speak, before a hand was even called upon. "Hello, Cal from APDD91; a radio program. You seem to be getting slightly bigger, are you expecting? Should you still be a gym leader in this condition, and if so is this going to hinder your ability to make sure others are safe?". For once not many were sure whom it was aimed at, except for Nessa who saw the person eyeing her specifically.
She was frozen as if something finally snapped. Melony and Bea move in, as Bea grabs her own microphone. "Do you lot not have any manners? What the bloody hell it wrong with you?!" she'd shout but then was interrupted when Nessa stood up from her chair, eyed what felt like lightning strikes to the person who inquired, and walked off.
"Nessa..?" called out Marnie, seeing her get up rather quickly.
Marco leaned forward. "Pardon me everyone, please stay seated as we will take a brief intermission."
Nessa is seen exiting into the hallway as Sam follows her behind. "Nessa! Nessa, where are you going?" to which she immediately turned her face back to him with a fierce glare.
"I'm leaving. This interview is trash! Did you or didn't you screen these vile cretins that dare to be called journalists?! Nobody has any right to talk down to me like this! Nobody deserves to say such things and prod as if assuming my relationship is making me weaker! Who the hell do they think they are?!"
He had backed up a bit since she was yelling; his guard up with his palms facing her direction. "I-I-I apologize Nessa, it won't happen again. What should I do? Should I let them know you're going to be a bit?" the mediator asked, but Nessa turned around and continued walking.
"Tell them whatever you want. I'm done. They can all rot for all I care!" as her walk went into a full sprint. The earlier exercise still weighed on her physical form but heightened with adrenaline and the rise of her blood pressure being asked such vile things made her unbelievably angry and hurt that she had to escape from everything. To her it was insulting to have to answer such questions publicly since it would only invite more of them. Finding the nearest station for an Air Taxi, she tosses some money at a Pilot, and gets inside.
"Where to ma'am?" he asks.
"Motostoke, please." she replies, angrily before huddling up on her seat.
- - - - - Motostoke - - - - -
- - - - - Haru's Home - - - - -
"Masako your mane has grown a little...may have to take a minute to trim this properly." Haru is heard commenting as he's sitting in the kitchen maintaining his Pokemon. Surrounding him were the other Pokemon who lived with him that were already maintained/cleaned. Haru had to make sure his Pokemon were all physically at their peak not just for battle but for hygiene and maintenance. It had somehow slipped his mind but upon brushing his Gardevoir the length of her green mane came to his attention; it had nearly grown to shoulder length. His comment got her to turn around and start cutely swatting his hands away.
"O..oh? What, do you want to grow it longer?" he asked, leaning a bit forward with the hairbrush still in his left hand and some scissors in his right. To his left foot was a kit he had for trimming the fur and various other things found on his Pokemon's skin and hair with multiple tools. For others, like his Lunatone, Luna, he carried several bottles of dry wash to keep it polished and clean similar to rodent Pokemon.
The Gardevoir, Masako, nodded with a blush when he asked about her mane length and shrugged at her response. "Okay but like before with you and Mirukon, don't let it interrupt your battle skills okay? Do you want me to curl it on the ends or straighten it out?" he'd inquire her. She mimed something to him as he understood immediately. "Curled on the ends it is, then. Nora, can you hand me the-"
There suddenly came a knocking that interrupted his thought process, as Yuri, his Hatterene, came and floated towards the door before looking through the peephole. She turned back to Haru and gestured wildly. That having caught his attention he saw who was outside and then opened the door.
"Nessa? Honey hey wha-?!" he began to say before she had already walked forward into the house and clung to him. Haru looks behind him to Yuri, who uses her giant hand-like appendage to close the door and floats away. It took a second but he hears Nessa crying.
"Babe? What happened? Talk to me." both of his arms going around her waist with one hand on her head. It now has gone to sobbing.
"The conference was a bust for me. Why are people so rude? I don't get it!" she's heard saying. "Some people earlier were asking me 'do you think your relationship has made you weaker' and 'you look a little bigger'...and that's not even half as bad as what I've overheard on my way to it. Why not just make the whole conversation about me then? I can't change who I am, and that I'm dating, and it shouldn't matter!" clearly she had heard nasty things being spoken about her whether it was about her, her relationship with him, or otherwise. Haru walked with her inside, sitting on the couch and just held her close. He knew the makeup she wore was probably running a little but didn't mind it.
"Hey hey hey...hey..~" Haru said soothing her with an embrace. "I know. People are cruel. Jeez, I didn't think that was going to happen to you today. I'm sorry, hon. Really." His head turned, looking to the Gardevoir, who blinked at him. "Care to help a fellow girl out?" he said quietly. Haru didn't have to say anymore before Masako used one of her moves in a way to help Nessa: connecting the idea of the move 'Calm Mind' to do what she could to ease her hurt. Haru wasn't certain if this breakdown was simply just from today, or if she had been getting comments like this for awhile...but it didn't matter at the moment. All he knew was he had his beloved in his arms crying from internal pain and was just holding her tightly while Masako did what she could.
A moment passed and the Gardevoir sat on the floor near Nessa, having done what she could. The other Pokemon would stay at this point just to listen to her talk, and if nothing else, lend their ears even if they couldn't speak back like her or their master do. Nessa sits up and wipes her eyes a little. "I'm sorry, I made your shirt all dirty." sniffling a bit.
"Nessa, a dirty shirt can be made clean by being put in the wash. It only takes a bit of time to do it, but a hurt heart takes much longer. It's okay, really." giving her a small kiss on the lips and using a thumb to help dry the tears that didn't have run makeup on it. "I'm sorry those awful things were said about you. People can be heartless, banal things with nothing important to them other than to bring other people down. Maybe they're jealous? I don't know."
Her reddened eyes looked back up at him, nodding a little. "I just...I know I'm only the 2nd Gym Leader. I'm not dumb in knowing where I stand in the grand scheme of the whole challenge. I'm not supposed to be the hardest challenge; far from it. Still, I do it every day because I love it, and others depend on me. You already know that."
With a confident nod, Haru agreed. "I do. Part of the reason I got so damn attracted to you. Still am. Besides..." he looked at her hands. "You were there for me at my worst moment when I had that really violent panic attack. I'm here right now for you. Here, give me your hand, sweetie." he gestured to her right hand. A little confused, and still emotionally charged, Nessa offered to him her right hand which he takes and kisses it. Then guides it back to her chest. "Now I've transferred that caring kiss back to your heart with your own hand." he'd say before doing it again but to his own hand and placing it in the middle of her own. Admittedly he hadn't felt her body at that point but there was no sexual tension: he just wanted to give some sort of gesture that he cared so much.
"...and now, directly to you." he said, as Nessa would lean forward with her head resting on his shoulders.
She mumbles with her eyes glancing away, then back to him. "Haru, that's incredibly cheesy of you. But...I like that. That means a lot hearing such words coming from you." her tone had softened up. The hurt wouldn't be gone so quickly, but the comfort from him was helping to mask what her heart endured earlier.
"I may not be a speech-maker, but does one really have to be in order to express themselves to another? I don't think so." Haru calmly spoke to her, with one hand rubbing her back, and giving a kiss to her cheeks.
"Can I stay tonight?" she asks, causing his heart to go from 0 to 60 in a split second. It initially catches him off guard but for once he keeps himself in check.
"Sure. Don't want to go back home tonight?" he assumed. Nessa shook her head. "Well, I have a shirt you can borrow if you want for tomorrow, and a jacket if it helps. Shorts or whatever you need."
She rubs her nose a little and smirks at him with some of the light back in her eyes. "Ha. That's funny."
"What is?" asked a suddenly confused Haru.
A smile came to her face and his heart skipped a beat again. "That you think me, as your girlfriend, am going to 'borrow' something you wear and not just own it."
His face winced, but couldn't help but find it amusing. "Is THAT how it works?"
She nods. "Yup."
Haru takes a look at his Lucario, Mirukon, who's at a corner of where the glass doorway leads to the backyard. "Hey Mirukon. Do you think that's fair?" The Lucario looks at Nessa and him, then Masako, who simply raises a glance at him like she's judging his answer, and the Lucario just waves his hands back and forth as if refusing to answer. "Okay yeah I get it bud. I got no way out of this huh?" to which both Masako and Mirukon nod in agreement.
Haru finally hears Nessa laugh for the first time since she got there, and sighs with a smirk. "Gotcha. Well in that case, let me get a few blankets and a pillow." as he kissed Nessa before heading upstairs.
"Wait, for what, exactly?" she calls out once he got up. Haru turned to her when he took the first step.
"Well, I need to have some covers for myself, love. You're taking my bed which is plenty stocked with its blanket and pillows. I'll sleep down here. It's no problem: it's comfy and I've napped down here anyways before." before he's heard walking back up. For some reason she found herself slightly unsure how to react.
/He's going that far to be a gentleman for me? I mean...sure he could have invited me up but that also wouldn't really be like him. Then again, I kind of.../ her thoughts stop her realizing that her heart had been slowly growing more intimate thoughts of the two of them. Her face goes red upon realization and Haru is seen coming back with a big blanket for himself and a pillow.
He gave the biggest, dumbest grin. "I apologize if the bed is a bit large for you, but it IS comfy!"
- 1 hour later -
Nessa had found something she was going to change into tomorrow, and for the moment was just wearing one of his shirts and was on his computer while Haru took to some of the books he brought home from the library. After setting up a profile for her on his computer, she would initiate a video call with Sonia, whom she hadn't talked to in awhile and told her everything that happened that day.
Sonia is heard on the other end, just as pissed as Nessa was at the first second those questions were flying. "What a bunch of gobby assholes!"
Nessa rolls her eyes a bit, nodding in agreement."Agreed. I don't know what happened when I left, and I don't personally care. I said what myself and my girls are doing to help and that's all that matters. If there's articles that show up tomorrow, then screw it. I basically ran as fast as I could from that Air Taxi to here."
Sonia was seen putting up a binder, and nods. "Right, right. So did your man come in for you when nobody else would?"
The question elicited a very happy smile from Nessa who looked behind her to her left to where Haru was reading, then back to Sonia on the webcam. "More than I could hope for."
"You two are adorable." Sonia says, before sighing a little. "One day I'll find me someone."
Both Nessa and Haru are heard speaking at the same time "Why not Leon?" catching Sonia off her guard.
"Wha..? Hmm. Maybe. We -have- known each other for a long time." she surmised, with one hand upholding her chin. Nessa looked to the side, realizing something when Sonia commented.
"Speaking of long time, I just realized I didn't eat except before the conference. I'm hungry." giving an extra pouty lip towards the camera then looked back to Haru who was still reading but now somehow apparently paying attention.
"Haru, sweetie?" she called to him.
"Yeah?" he responds.
"I'm hungry." she says again cutely; pouty lip still out.
"Okay well...it's really late. So you don't have that many options. I could cook but that may take awhile depending on what you're hankering." he begins to say, with him putting a bookmark in a spot in his book and turning to her while on the couch.
"Hmm. Not really hankering anything big. Just something to nibble on perhaps." Nessa points out. Sonia has now seemingly invested herself into this random bit of slice of life that is Haru and Nessa as a couple.
"Okay well, I have some leftover curry. Could pour you a small bowl after I re-heat it. We can get something from the nearby store, or that fast food place you like." he's seen counting with his fingers, to which Nessa is seen narrowing her eyes scanning the air as if thinking.
"...or. I have a sandwich in the fridge." he comments.
"What's in it?" her eyes go back to him.
"It's an Alolan sandwich. Wasn't able to finish it because I bought too much after we did our walk. Been home reading and taking care of my Pokemon and you know the rest of course, hon." he points out, getting up to walk to the fridge as if to show it to her.
"I will have the meat of it." she says plainly and definitively.
"Okay you don't have- NO." pointing at her now suddenly as he was mere inches away from opening the fridge when she said that, and Sonia suddenly feels like she's stuck.
"What do you mean 'No'?" Nessa asks, with her eyes re-narrowing back to Haru and begin pouting again.
"I..babe..." he's seen putting both hands to his forehead. "I...that would just leave me with the croissant, and..condiments...and..lettuce I think?"
Nessa is seen wondering where this is coming from but finds some amusement already in pressing on this "Okay but Haru? I JUST want the meats in it."
"Then just..oh my gosh, Nessa just-! Just eat the sandwich! It's not even that big!" he's about to seemingly freak out from this very confusing decision as Sonia is heard speaking up.
"Hey uh should I leave or..?"
"BABE. You know that I just want something small, and I think a few slices of meat will do it: I gotta maintain my weight!" Nessa says in a slightly louder tone.
"You have cheat days: what's a few extra carbs?" he's seen gesturing with his arms in an arc.
Nessa huffs a bit. "Haruuuuuu~ Come on!"
One of his eyes twitch trying to process what kind of person does this. "Okay but that wouldn't leave me with much. Lettuce, bread, condiments...? I mean would YOU even eat that?! Would YOU?" he asks pointing at Sonia on the camera because he sees her.
"Sweetie just add some jam to it- Haru what are you doing?" Nessa asks then notices him open the fridge anyway.
"I am going to put this sandwich into the FUCKING TRASH!" he shouts. Some of his Pokemon is seen dispersing a bit from seeing this go down as Nessa leaps out of her chair.
"Haru! Don't! I'll legit fight you for this!" running to tackle him as Sonia is able to see the two seemingly wrestle as Haru is trying to make his way to the trash can.
"You're going to eat a sandwich like a normal person!" he yells half angrily and half laughing because now Nessa is wrapping her limbs in places that he knows he's going to lose if he seriously tries to pursue 'winning' this debate. Nessa got up very quickly and has already gained an upper hand while still somehow not winning immediately.
"Damn you Haru! I'll make you submit! You're going to lose again on this shit!" she shouts. Sonia sees that Haru has Nessa on his back trying to pin him down to the floor or otherwise grapple him in a way he can't walk. Sonia can't see what happens after a point until she sees Nessa's legs flailing from Haru trying to get her off. A loud thud is heard with Nessa going "AHA!", yanks the sandwich from his grasp, gets the assorted meats from within it and walks back to the chair quietly eating it satisfied. Haru just grunts a bit in irritation looking at the unfinished product that sits inches from his face and decides to not let it go to waste by eating what's left of it.
There's about a few seconds that goes by before either one says anything but Nessa has the happiest of faces on herself looking at the video call with Sonia, then turns her head back at Haru again. Both end up laughing a bit.
"Haru~?" she calls to him. Haru raises his head, defeated, but ruffling his hair a bit from the random pay-per-view event that unfolded in the downstairs area. "Love you~"
Haru just gives a small laugh, sighing. "Love you too Nessa~" then taking a defeated bite of the leftover sandwich bits.
"Cor blimey. You two are rather fierce behind the scenes huh?" Sonia says, scratching her cheek a little having watched both of them fight over the 'rights' to eat a sandwich in parts.
- 45 minutes later -
Nessa is in Haru's room, having slid herself under the covers with herself looking at him as he's showing her where certain switches were at, and unplugs his alarm so it doesn't wake her until she's willing to wake up. Leaning over her while she's laying in his bed, Haru caresses one of her cheeks of her face. "See you in the morning, queen. Love you, and sleep well."
Her face was a little red thinking about how well the night went, all things considered. "Love you too, sleep tight."
Click.
The lights go off and she stares a little at the ceiling for a bit in thought. Time and time again Haru went out of his way to do so many small things just to make sure she was taken care of; paying for a Pokemon battle he lost was one of them. Switching places for sleep so he could just get the couch without being asked was another one. In an occupation where she is constantly being given 'big' things such as publicity and endless fan praise, it all zeroed in on one thought.
/He's always thinking of small things to make me laugh or smile. A dumb comment. A ridiculous over the top reaction. Willing to deal with my bratty moments like earlier. Most guys would feel scared by that kind of a woman. He also has shown up to my gym with a single flower for me to put in my hair. Texting me saying 'You're so beautiful'./
An arm goes over her forehead. /Gosh. I should pay him back sometime by doing something 'small' for him back./ Her eyes would wander a bit before closing, as an answer to her own self imposed idea came to her before drifting off to sleep.
- - - - - Morning - - - - -
- - - - - Downstairs - - - - -
The couch proved to be much comfier and able to put him to sleep than Haru had anticipated. Perhaps he ran himself ragged with the exercise earlier in the morning, or it was the mental exhaustion from reading the books he did. Either way, he slept hard and past the time he was supposed to be up. It didn't seem to matter however, with him soundlessly asleep on his side and glasses on the chair across from where he slept. Something eventually broke him out of his drift in Dreamland as a sensation started to physically make him come to; something soft, elegant. The sounds of a kitchen already being used. Could be another dream. Maybe his Pokemon got hungry. He was unsure but as his consciousness came back his brain recognized the sensation of what felt like small little kisses peppered on his face, before turning in his sleep waking up slowly and getting a small kiss on the lips from Nessa. She was on her knees on the carpet where he was sleeping and giving him a different wake-up alarm than any clock or phone would, and once his eyes fluttered open she smiles back.
"Good morning to you~" she said cheerfully with one hand stroking through his hair.
"Wow...good morning love..I didn't expect-" almost in disbelief he got such a warm wake up from her, being greeted with another kiss. He sniffs a bit. "- that. Are you...?"
Nessa nods "Making breakfast, yes."
His face goes a little red. "Did I oversleep? I'm sorry. I would have made breakfast for you myself. Shit." as he sat up, yawning and rubbing an eye.
"You spend so much time doing small things for me, even before we were dating. So I decided to do something small for you back as a nice gesture." Nessa explained, standing up and then heading back to the kitchen with the other Pokemon helping her finish it since it was mere minutes away from being ready.
/Did I really just wake up from being kissed to a girlfriend that's cooking me breakfast..? Yes, yes I did./ Haru thinks to himself raking his hand through his hair a bit before getting his glasses and going to wash his hands and face.
Within minutes the meal is prepared and it's a full spread of everything that anyone could want for breakfast. Nessa gives a flourishing "Tada~" with Haru sitting at the table in complete awe. All of his Pokemon have their own dishes from her, specially prepared. The second any of them take a bite, they are immediately infatuated with the food and begin eating faster like it's the best thing they've had. Haru takes his first bite, with Nessa eyeing him very closely.
"This...these are the best eggs, and the grilled tomatoes...ahh~" Haru is almost speechless. He looks at Nessa like she's the greatest chef to him. "Once again you're absolutely amazing." which gets her an even bigger smile in response.
"It looks like your Pokemon also think so..." she'd say pointing to how eagerly they were eating.
They'd enjoy each other's company before showering and attacking the new day; whatever it may bring. At that point Nessa didn't want to be approached by a single person from any media firm at all for the rest of her foreseeable future, but knew that if anything happened it wouldn't matter. All they could do was 'talk' and make comments. Still, sometimes the words hurt her, and she knew now more than before she could rely on Haru to be her shoulder to cry on. The two of them were growing ever more intimate with each other with seemingly no way that it could be stopped.
- - - - - ? - - - - -
A bunch of men exit an elevator together; another day, another slew of arguments, allegations, and endless pontificating with no end in sight. It was another day that the Galar Government was dealing with the usual grind for the political side of their ever evolving Pokemon world. One man is seen airing out his gripes to another while waiting outside for his driver to show up with his expensive car. "All of the things being discussed today, and they want to focus on not being able to count all of Kanto's 151 recorded Pokemon...and beyond! The nerve; Mew is just a myth; a legend of something that existed long ago, and Mewtwo is missing after that incident in Rhyme City. Who knows where they are now? The law is the law, it can't be changed so easily. It's almost like other regions want to walk all over us. We're wasting time."
"That may be true but it doesn't stop the others from bringing up the National PokeDex. It is what it is: people want to be able to bring over their whole collection to our shores." said his fellow party member. The conversation would be cut short as the driver pulled up for one of them, and he made his exit into the vehicle's back seat that stretched like a limosine.
While inside the man raises the divider so the driver doesn't hear or see what's going on in the back seat and gets his phone, punching in a few numbers into the phone. His attitude changed entirely from when he was speaking to the party member and speaks with a more assured tone of voice. "Yes? Direct line to the Boss. Yes I'll hold."
The car passes a corner into a busy street as many those within the region have no clue to the actual deep happenings surrounding their area.
"Hello, Giovanni. Glad you had time. We need to talk..."
- - - - - END CHAPTER 7 - - - - -