As the interview with Raihan was slated for the day's end, I left no stone unturned in my research. It'd been a while since I'd done fieldwork so in reality it was a last-ditch effort to get everything in order. Hours were spent poring over articles, interviews, and social media posts to uncover every little detail about that Gym Leader. I couldn't afford to be pegged as some 'clueless editor', not after all the trouble it took to get promoted. I was determined to be thoroughly prepared for the interview.

My time was dedicated behind my laptop screen, diligently watching Raihan's stadium matches. His most recent match against Leon, the reigning champion, garnered the most attention on the stadium's official channel. I clicked on the video.

"RAIHAN - THE TAMER OF DRAGONS!"

The announcer roared as the Rotom drone sped to his location, revealing him in full gear.

From the moment he stepped onto the pitch, my eyes were glued to him. The chants from the stadium were thunderous, and Raihan responded by placing an open palm to his ear and laughing - riling up the crowd further.

Raihan's eyes locked onto the Rotom drone's camera and a smirk played on his lips as if he could see right through the screen and into my soul. I was taken aback by his undeniable stage presence. Raihan's appeal was more suited to that of a performer rather than a Pokemon trainer.

Surprisingly, I found that Raihan was not just a proficient Pokémon master, but a highly competent one. To be honest, I had assumed that he had developed a social media presence as a way to compensate for his poor skills, but now I realized that I had been wrong. It was more of a plus, an add-on to his extensive skillset. This video was a testament to that.

Ping!

Midway through the video, my phone buzzed, signalling the start of my lunch break and interrupting the video. I slung my camera over my shoulder and rose from my desk. Malu's office was 'conveniently' close to one of the building exits, so I decided to drop in. I didn't like the idea of eating alone.

"Let's go out to eat?" I whined as I slumped down onto his table, pleading with puppy eyes. "I'm tired of eating at my desk."

He lightly whacks my head, ushering me off his desk. I grab my head, pretending to be in pain from his playful smack. With a dramatic groan, I voice my 'complaints' to which he rolls his eyes in response. As Malu packs up to leave I watch him gather his things.

"I'm picking the place but you're paying." he teases while he slips on his coat. We both head out of the office building and walk together down the street, chatting along the way. He led me to a small bistro with a Sirfetch'd logo out front.

Although I usually enjoyed curry, today I found myself not in the mood for it. I absentmindedly picked at the food on my plate with my spoon, pushing it aside without much interest in eating. Setting down my spoon, I attempted to start a conversation.

"Have you finished typing out the interview questions?" I asked,

"Ugh, you're bringing up work right now?" he scowled, clearly annoyed.

"I can't help it, I'm nervous," I confessed. "..I need to prove I can handle being an Editor-in-chief."

Originally, in Alola, I served as a section editor for 5 years, and I've been with Trainer's Digest for 12. That's far longer than anyone else in our company including Malu. When my manager began talking about retirement, I had hoped to step up as one of the next managing editors of the Alolan branch. I didn't make the cut. Instead, I was shipped off here. I can't shake the feeling of doubt – did they wrongfully question my capabilities, or perhaps, was their decision justified after all?

I unconsciously start biting at the ends of my thumbnail, lost in thought.

"We just got here, it won't be for another month and a half until we officially start releasing issues." Malu retorts, his tone a mixture of reassurance and exasperation. He gets up from his table and gently pulls my hand away from my mouth. "We haven't even started recruitment yet, What's the point in stressing now?"

I nod back in response, though the feeling of anxiety continues to gnaw at me from within. doubts still linger in the back of my mind and thanks to that, I've lost my appetite completely. I peeked at my watch.

"Let's head back for now."

Returning to the office, I sink into my chair feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. An excessive sigh slips past my lips as I sift through my emails, hoping for a glimmer of good news. A notification draws my attention—it's from Raihan. His follow-up email regarding our interview includes an address. He seems keen on meeting at a restaurant he frequents. I've heard countless tales from our writers that guest features aren't very receptive when they don't get their way. I ponder the subject a little before I yield to his suggestion and make my preparations for the meeting.

I followed the GPS instructions as best as I could, god forbid I get lost. Eventually, I find myself standing in front of a side alleyway obscured by the surrounding walls. Its entrance exudes an eerie emptiness compared to the main street. With apprehension, I take a deep breath and step into the alleyway, My senses on high alert. As I walk deeper into the narrow passage, the sounds of the city fade away, replaced by the distant echoes of footsteps and the occasional flutter of the Rookidees.

"Where is he..." I mumble to myself.

My heart races with uncertainty as I round the corner, my eyes scanning the dimly lit surroundings for any sign of that man.

"Lei!" he calls out, waving me over. "I'm glad you could make it."

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Raihan guided me to a modest building. Stepping inside, we were greeted by a quaint family diner, its charm evident in every corner. The welcoming scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped us the moment we passed through the door, putting us at ease. His choice of restaurant caught me off guard – it was a hidden gem tucked away from the main street.

"I thought you might struggle to find this place, not being a local, and all" Raihan remarked with a hint of amusement in his voice. "This place is quite popular."

I chuckled nervously, relieved that he didn't witness me patrolling up and down the high street in search of this place. For the past hour, I'd run myself ragged. I've never had the best sense of direction. I trailed behind him into the diner. Raihan gestures towards a booth in the corner, and we slide into the seats, the din of the diner providing a comforting backdrop to our conversation.

"Sometimes before a match at the stadium, I like to come here," Raihan explained, a touch of nostalgia in his voice.

"It's a nice change of pace," I said as I observed its interior.

Raihan smiles in agreement. "It helps me gather my thoughts and centre myself before stepping into the battle."

While I don't use any of my Pokemon to battle, I can imagine the immense pressure of battling in front of a stadium filled with spectators. I can't exactly relate though as the life of an editor and a Pokemon trainer are way too far apart.

Once settled, Raihan turns to me with a charming smile. "You want anything to eat?" he asks, motioning towards the menu. "The tab's on me."

"Oh, thank you, I didn't have a proper lunch today," I reply, offering him a grateful smile. "Would it be alright if we made room for one more?"

At this, he tilts his head to the side, likely out of confusion.

I reached for the Pokeball secured on my belt. With a quick flick of my wrist, I released the latch, and in a burst of light, Neve emerged, his elegant form materialising beside me. The Alolan vulpix blinked up at me with bright, azure eyes, a soft bark escaping his snowy-white muzzle.

Neve's icy fur shimmered under the lights as I kneeled to pet him. He snuggles up to me, showering my hands with affectionate licks, eliciting a giggle from me.

"This little guy is called Neve," I say while playing with his paws.

A warm smile spreads across his face as he watches over my friend. "Hey there, little man," he greets, his voice gentle.

Neve cocks his head curiously, studying Raihan for a moment before letting out a faint, friendly chirp in response. I can't help but smile at the interaction.

"He might feel lonely if he's all by himself, don't you think?" With those words, he retrieves his own Pokeball of a striking black and yellow. Pouring out from the light was none other than his signature Pokemon - Flygon. He greatly rivalled him in height as seen when the two sat near each other. I recall first seeing him by Raihans side when we first met but I had never acknowledged that then. Raihan pets him affectionately, and the Flygon revels in the attention.

Our Pokemon got acquainted with each other as Raihan turned his attention towards the bustling diner. He raised a hand to catch the attention of a passing waiter, calling out politely. His voice carried easily over the noise of the restaurant.

As we waited for our food to arrive, Raihan and I delved into the interview as well as discussed the details of its continuation. I'd gotten so caught up talking about our Pokemon and the like, that I forgot I was on the clock. The sky had already started to darken. Switching to work mode, I propose a comprehensive approach, suggesting that we conduct both an interview and a photoshoot over the course of three days.

"We'll carry the interview onto the second day," I suggested, "Then, on the third, we could do the photoshoot. That way, we have plenty of time to capture different angles and settings, ensuring we get the perfect shots to accompany the article."

"Sounds like a solid plan," he approves. "I'm mostly flexible with my schedule, so whatever works best for you."

"So where do you think we should hold our next interview?" he asked eagerly.

I paused, weighing the options for our venue. "How about a coffee shop or a café?"

Raihan nodded thoughtfully but then suggested an alternative. "Actually, why don't we do it over dinner?" he proposed, his tone gentle yet firm.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly..." I began to protest. He'd already bought Neve and my lunch, I didn't want to impose any further but Raihan was resolute. our boundaries of 'interviewer' and 'interviewee' didn't hold much longer.

"Nonsense," he insisted with a reassuring smile. "Consider it my treat. Besides, dinner would provide a more private setting for our discussion."

He had a point. While a diner is perfect for casual conversation, it's not the most suitable setting for a business meeting.

"We can take our time and delve into the details - without any distractions."

I found myself unable to refuse Raihan's offer. His request wasn't outlandish or unheard-off so I accepted.

With our schedule finalized, I lean forward, My eyes alight with eagerness as I discuss my favourite part - the photoshoot.

"There's a studio near our office, just a block away, very convenient and affordable...But," I pause, observing Raihan's reaction closely, "I think it would have a much bigger impact if we had the photoshoot at Hammerlocke Stadium."

Raihan's eyebrows arch at my suggestion, but he attentively listens as I explain my reasoning.

"The stadium has a natural energy and vibrancy that would be hard to replicate in a studio setting," I continued. "Plus, it's where you're most comfortable, where you're in your element as a gym leader. I think capturing that authenticity will resonate with our readers."

Raihan nods, a grin lighting up his face.

"I like the way you think," he says. "Hammerlocke Stadium it is. I'll make sure everything goes smoothly."

With our schedule finalized, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. For the past week, I'd been stressing over this very conversation, hoping to make a good impression. Yet, Raihan proved to be much easier to talk to than I expected. It was all for nought. He treats me with such familiarity, as though we're old friends or colleagues catching up over dessert.

Just as I'm about to express my appreciation, Raihan leans in beside me, his phone in one hand while the other gently rests on my waist, drawing me closer. As he extends his arm to capture the shot, I can feel my face growing warm. I've never been accustomed to physical touch but I push aside my embarrassment for now, focusing instead on smiling for the picture.

"Oh~, look what we've got here." I could feel the corners of his mouth rising without even looking.

A notification comes onto the screen from what I'm assuming is one of his close confidants. I doubt one would call an average friend their "Rival".

'Seriously dude? A rematch so soon?'

He pockets his phone immediately and turns to me with a look that seems rather apologetic.

"Maybe next time, I'll see you around Lei." He says waving as he exited the diner's doors.

The mention of my name sends a warmth to my ears that I hadn't expected. I never realised my name could sound so pleasant coming from another person's mouth.