Rika, a renowned member of the Paldea Elite Four, was still deep in slumber. Her room was softly illuminated by the morning sun filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on her serene sleeping face as she clutched her beloved Clodsire plushie tightly in her arms.
Suddenly, the peaceful ambiance was shattered by the piercing sound of her alarm clock.
"Ugh..." Rika groaned, her voice muffled by the bedsheets. She buried her face deeper into the soft material of Clodsire, attempting to drown out the persistent beeping. However, as the noise persisted, Rika reluctantly peeked out from under the covers, squinting against the morning light.
With a heavy sigh, Rika reached for her favorite plushie and pressed it against the alarm clock, trying to silence the racket. Yet, her efforts were in vain as the beeping only grew louder, echoing within the room. Finally, with a mix of frustration and resignation, Rika fumbled for the clock and squinted at the display.
"10:30 A.M.?!" Rika's eyes widened in shock as the realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. She was supposed to meet Geeta, the esteemed chairwoman of Naranja Academy and a formidable Champion, over an hour ago.
In a flurry of motion, Rika tossed her sheets aside, accidentally knocking the Clodsire plushie off the bed. Sweat trickled down her brow as she clutched the alarm clock, disbelief etched on her features. "I-I can't believe I'm actually late! Boss will be mad at me if I don't hurry up!" she muttered under her breath, urgency lacing her words.
Rika leaped out of bed and dashed to her bathroom. Amid splashes of water and hurried toothbrushing, she managed to tame her unruly green locks into a neat ponytail. Her loose, unbuttoned shirt revealed more than intended, prompting a moment of embarrassment before she hastily fastened it up. Donning her black gloves, Rika bolted out of her front door, her heart racing with apprehension. The academy wasn't far, but every passing minute filled her with dread.
As Rika sprinted through Mesagoza towards Naranja Academy, her mind raced with excuses and apologies she might offer Geeta. The thought of disappointing her close friend and boss gnawed at her, intensifying her resolve to make amends.
Finally, she arrived at the imposing staircase leading to the academy, chest heaving from exertion. Taking a moment to compose herself, Rika straightened her attire and climbed the stairs with determination. Once she reached the top, she spotted Geeta in the distance, standing with arms crossed and an unreadable expression on her face. Gathering her courage, Rika approached, her breath catching in her throat.
"Geeta... I'm so sorry I'm late," Rika began, her voice tinged with remorse. "It won't happen again, I promise."
Geeta regarded her with a stern gaze before a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Rika, what are you even doing here?" she asked, amusement in her tone.
"What? Well... I thought we were supposed to go over preparations for Ash's arrival, weren't we?" Rika replied.
"Well, I did say that," Geeta said, chuckling.
Rika's lips formed a straight line, unamused by the humor she didn't quite understand.
"Rika, it's Sunday," Geeta stated, her smile widening. "The academy is closed for all staff today, remember?" she teased.
"Oh, right..." Rika let out a dejected sigh. "So, I panicked over nothing, then..."
"Apparently so," the chairwoman said with a chuckle.
Rika sighed once more.
"Go back to bed, Rika," Geeta instructed kindly.
"Guess our late-night planning clouded my mind a bit," Rika said, rubbing her head sheepishly.
"No harm done, Rika." Geeta's eyes twinkled mischievously as she glanced downward. "But next time, make sure you're wearing some pants," she added with a chuckle.
Rika blinked, puzzled, then looked down at herself, her face immediately flushing red.
She was still in her black panties!