Nori was expected to check in with Agent Studd every Sunday to report his progress on the Pokemon he was actively rehabilitating. This was regardless of when he got the Pokemon or if something happened necessitating a meeting before that. The only exception, as far as he knew, was being on vacation. Though the boy had called anyway during his own for unrelated reasons.

Despite the problem last time, Mr. Martins still insisted on holding the meeting in-person near the school. He said it was a one-time thing and that it would not happen again, rain or shine. This was proven wrong before Nori even said hello. As he entered the park, he spotted an elderly woman with gray hair tied into a high ponytail, wearing goggles and a biker jacket with a stylized Raitora, sitting on a bench near the swings. She held a parasol with a red tortoiseshell pattern, and wore black leather pants. There was also a portable toilet newly installed at the entrance. Unoccupied. He opened it up just to be sure there was no one less savory hiding within, but it was as empty as it claimed.

Agent Studd was seated at one of the picnic tables, looking at his phone while trying to shield it from the rain. It was so old that some random kid had actually made fun of it a few weeks ago. You had to flip it open and everything.

The boy walked up and greeted the man. "Heya."

"Not now! I have no time to be wasted on you!" Agent Studd poo-pooed with a flap of his free hand. "I am awaiting Mr. Carino to arrive. You know, the Demon Tamer!"

Nori coughed to stifle his laughter. No one had recognized his green coat, and those who noticed didn't say anything, but he wasn't expecting it to fool a trained officer with the International Police. Guess he was wrong. He sat across from the agent and tilted his hat up. "I'm here~" he announced cheerfully like he was making roll call.

"Gah!" The man sputtered as he nearly dropped his phone. In fact, the only thing that kept it from hitting the table was his frantic attempt to hold onto it which resembled juggling. The device ultimately fell into his lap, where he slammed both hands down. His head jerked up, eyes wide. "What is with the attire, sir?"

"It's a raincoat. I'm wearing it because it's raining." Wasn't that obvious? He shrugged and tilted the hat back. "It's also a disguise I guess."

"But it isn't a disguise! You are here now and are seen with me, yes?"

"I know that." He was a little surprised Agent Studd pointed that out. "That's why I still think we should find another place to meet up," he reiterated. He knew what the man's response was going to be and what he was going to say in response to that. "Too many people know about this place."

"You worrier. There is nothing to worry for," he dismissed it as expected.

"There's one right over there!" he loudly retorted with a point for the woman in question to hear and see. He turned and waved wildly at Priestess Satomi Kurusu, calling her out directly. "Hi, Mrs. Kurusu!"

"Ohoho! No fooling you, huh?" The woman rose and came down the path. She was incidentally dressed for the rain thanks to her jacket. "Granted, I was going to speak with you after. But hello now!"

It would make sense that she was here for a reason. Before he could ask why, Agent Studd butted in and flashed his badge. "This is Official business, ma'am! You cannot disrupt it! You must leave!"

She smirked, put her goggles on her forehead, and crossed her arms. "So what, gonna ask everyone in the park to leave so you can have your meeting? They might disrupt this too."

"No, but you…are…in the way!" Agent Studd tried to snap his fingers, but failed to make any sound. "Yes! That's it!"

The boy sighed. Even though he was not the one doing it this time, he felt awkward by association. "Mr. Martins, please."

"Call me by my codename!" the man snapped.

"Codename?" the elderly woman inquired, glancing at the scruffy senior official.

"He calls himself Studd," Nori explained.

"Because I am one!" Agent Studd thrust out his hips.

The elderly woman snorted. She tossed her head and smirked at him. "Well, I'm sure someone out there sees you as one," she said with a vindictive edge that Nori wasn't expecting from her. The boy actually recoiled a little. His hand flew to his mouth to contain a snort.

But Agent Studd physically reacted as if he'd gotten slapped again. "That's what Lady Kannagi said…" the man groaned. He nearly collapsed onto the table.

That made the priestess tilt her head towards Nori and arch an eyebrow at him. Taken alone, it sounded like Prema had said something uncharacteristic or even improper. He cleared up any confusion about it. "She put it far nicer than you, of course."

"Of course," she repeated, taking a seat at the other table. "Anyway, don't mind me. Word of this would've reached me one way or another eventually."

"Right," he said. If it wasn't from a different eavesdropper spreading the news, it would've been when he spoke to Prema or even Satomi herself. The boy turned back to Agent Studd, who was still sulking. "Anyway, stuff to report."

The scruffy man pushed himself up. He retrieved a notepad and pencil from his brown overcoat. The man hunched over the table, positioning the paper beneath him so it didn't get wet. "Go ahead, sir."

"I haven't made too much progress on Pawniard this week. I've been busy with the news club and Qwilfish. He's kind of a jerk to my other Pokemon, and can still be a little unruly at times." He wasn't sure how to put where things stood with his first assignment. Pawniard wasn't rehabilitated yet, but he wasn't a deadly threat anymore. "That said, he hasn't made any negative progress," he added after several seconds.

The man took eight seconds to finish up his notes. "Understood, keep at it." He turned the page. "And Qwilfish?"

He looked over at Mrs. Kurusu. "Well, our first meeting didn't go so well. Just as I thought, she isn't used to being out of water. She panicked and ended up poisoning my friend's Pokemon by accident. She was out for maybe fifteen seconds."

Nori watched Agent Studd for a reaction, but there was none. The elderly priestess likewise didn't react; she probably already heard the story, in fact. So he continued.

"Our second meeting, I had her in a bathtub. I was able to talk for a bit, or rather, have my Pokemon talk. I think she was asking questions, but Pachi didn't understand. She again panicked and attacked. Pachi knocked her out." He pressed a finger to his lips. "I should…probably talk to her again soon. I haven't since that incident."

"There's a creek nearby," Satomi chimed in.

"Not a bad idea to use it, then!" he concurred. "And the rain might help too, I think. It'd sort of like being in water." And Volkner said she needed to keep moisturized.

"Oh, it will!" she confirmed. "Keeps her nice and wet."

He smiled and nodded. "Thanks for pointing the place out."

"You're quite welcome!"

"So is that it?" Agent Studd said as he finished with his notes.

He was about to say yes, when he remembered. "One more thing. Someone at my school wants to battle Qwilfish. She would've right then on Saturday actually, but that was right after the second meeting."

"Well, you do have the legal agreement, don't you, sir?" Agent Studd replied. "There is not a problem if it is signed."

"I know." That was a tool in Nori's arsenal to allow for battling trainers with his assignments. By signing it, his opponents agreed not to hold him or the Officials accountable for injuries incurred in a battle against him. It existed because battling was something certain Pokemon couldn't go without doing. He was at the point where he didn't feel it always necessary for Pawniard. "I thought I'd warn you in advance this time if it ends up happening. I don't know if I want to bother with her or not. I'm leaning no."

There was a good reason he wasn't really feeling it. This was about helping Qwilfish. There were way better ways of doing that than trying to bond in a battle. Sure, it worked before, but he felt that it wasn't going to help this time. Plus, it wasn't like you always had to accept a challenge.

"The warning is fair! You know the rules of what happens!" the man said. He did, keep her in line and don't let her kill again. "Now, is that really it?"

"Yeah, that's it. The rest has just been a bit of research. Less than I wanted to." The thought of going back to Daikatsu had crossed his mind, but he felt he could just use the school computers.

"Very well." Agent Studd pocketed the notepad and paper, then snapped his fingers. "Just one extra thing from me, then!"

"Mhm?"

The man leaned over the table with pleading eyes. "If you are having her out again here, can I come see?" He snapped back and bowed his head. "Er, please, sir?"

Nori turned his head to the left, where Priestess Satomi still sat. It was convenient that she had decided to show up, since he wanted to speak with her as much as she did with him. He still wondered what it was about, but that could come later. "Yeah, I don't see why not. I'm assuming you came by since you were interested too, Mrs. Kurusu?"

She chuckled guiltily. It was safe to assume that she would've just watched from a distance if he hadn't called her out. "I was just about to ask. But that's just part of why I'm here."

"So it is settled!" Agent Studd got up, grabbed his bag, and started to march over to the creek. "Come, the meeting awaits!"

Nori wanted to ask about her other reasons. The two exchanged a glance and shrugged at each other. She could tell him after this.

Between the park and the school was a wooden footbridge that passed over a small creek. It was about ten and a half meters long and three meters wide. Concrete built into the hills served as structural support on either end. The boardwalk had railings which were taller than Nori. It wasn't a long drop down by any means, but it was far enough that he felt it would be better to do it at ground level.

Nori crossed to the school side and slowly sidestepped down while gripping the railings for support. The creek itself was nothing that bothered him. He was worried if it would be enough for Qwilfish. It was only a few centimeters deep, a stream of water flowing over and through stones and dirt. Plants sat on both sides, shrubs and trees alike.

The boy heard a startled yelp from above. He quickly glanced up to see Satomi grabbing Agent Studd by the arm and pulling him back to the center of the bridge. "No need for you to go down there," she scolded like a mom to her kid.

The man pouted like a kid might, in fact. It was enough to make the priestess sigh and press a hand to her forehead. "Will you be okay, sir?!" the agent hollered.

"Yes," he assured them before heading down the rest of the way.

It was not too difficult to find a relatively dry spot that gave good footing. It was only a meter and a half out from a deep enough spot. After checking to see if Satomi and Studd would be able to see, he took out Qwilfish's ball and sent her out.

The pufferfish seemed to scream. It was a loud hissing sound, like air escaping a tire. With a flinch, she shut her eyes, used Harden, and turned away from him.

With eyes watching him, Nori stepped up. "Calm down!" he shouted, before correcting himself. "Try to relax! Pachi isn't here, I'm sorry for what he did!"

Qwilfish thrashed in the little water that was present below her. Nori knew at least there was no chance of her launching barbs as long as she didn't inflate. He kept her capsule in hand just in case. She stayed at her normal size, which was good, right? The young official decided to remain silent, hoping that would help. For a few seconds, there were only the sounds of splashing and rain hitting the trees.

"HEYYYY! YOU OKAY?!"

Qwilfish screeched and began to puff up. Knowing what was coming, Nori sprang into action.

"No! Stop!" he bellowed, leaping between them with the ball at the ready. Water splashed around his feet as he landed. Qwilfish, to her credit, fell backwards and did not attack. Nori spun around and turned his ire on the ignorant jerk above. "Agent Studd, shut the hell up!" Nori snapped. He was not about to have things screwed up a third time!

The man squeaked. He turned to Satomi, who only shook her head at Agent Studd and said something Nori couldn't hear over the wind. But it made the man squirm and slouch.

He stepped out of the creek. "I'm sorry about that. He can be a stupid moron sometimes," he said, turning back to the fish, who was still shrinking back. He didn't care if Agent Studd heard his insult. "But you can't go attacking just because something startles you. That's what got you into trouble."

The Qwilfish hopped forward. Her words were sharp and firm. A question or an argument? Nori was unsure. But she was talking.

"Were you released by your old trainer?" he inquired. Then he realized he had to find a way to let her answer! Luckily, Prema had recently taught him a thing. "Um, er. Puff up for yes?"

It took a moment, but she indeed vaguely increased in size momentarily. Nori wondered, did she know why? Not that he could get an answer.

"Okay," he continued with a nod. "We don't know who or why. But well, stuff happened when you killed that guy, so now the Officials gave you to me to reform."

She just stared at him. Her tail swished. What did it mean?

"Well." He rubbed the nape of his neck. "I'm not good with water, actually. But…" He took a deep breath. "I'll try. I hope you can learn to be out of it too."

The Qwilfish just kept staring. Saying nothing, doing nothing. In a way, it was more uncomfortable than when she was panicking. At least then he knew what was going through her mind.

"Anyway, that's about it. Sorry I can't really answer your questions or have my Pokemon answer them." He tilted his hat back. "Well, one more thing. There's some people mad at you. I know it was an accident, but…" But he wasn't sure what else to say. "So be good?"

He winced, that came out stupid. He looked to Qwilfish. Her whole body was rigid, and she was fixated on him with suspicion in her eyes. But she again inflated briefly, yes. Maybe her not panicking was progress enough. As long as she listened, there was a chance.

Nori looked up at the bridge. Agent Studd and Priestess Satomi were still watching. "That should be good. I'll show you home and feed you when I get back." Feeding worked for Pawniard, so it might here, too? Or maybe it wouldn't.

After a while longer of letting her process, Nori raised her capsule and recalled her. With that, he began the process of climbing back up. Fortunately, the muddy incline wasn't very slippery.

"Sir!" Agent Studd spoke up, raising a palm. "Er, if I may speak a thought?"

Nori had to admit, it was a little strange seeing him act like this. But he wasn't going to complain. "What is it?" he asked.

"That was far less exciteful than I thought," the man said, adjusting his jacket. "But I guess that's life! And I cannot believe I got to see the great Nori Carino in action!"

"Okay?" Was he expecting, like, another psycho like Pawniard? And the great?! "That wasn't really much, though."

"But it counts! Anyways, that should be it for me." The man marched across the bridge, stopping at the edge to dramatically wave. "As they say in your language, sayonara!"

"Tchau, Mr. Martins," Priestess Satomi said in a high-pitched voice. She laughed when he winced at his real name, but he let it go without saying anything. "So that was the new 'mon, eh?"

"First time she's been out in peace," the boy remarked. "It's a relief to know the first two times didn't ruin things forever with her." He didn't believe in first impressions, especially after Sunyshore. But a lot of others did.

He got only a nod in reply. Nori was winging it here. He had no standards to live up to and no template to follow. So he tried to be himself while making concessions where possible. It worked for the Demon. It worked for Pawniard. But would it work for Qwilfish? Was he doing a good job in the first place?

"Hey, Mrs. Kurusu?" he spoke up. "What do you think of how I'm doing?"

"Mm." She shook off and smiled. "Well, let's put it to you like this. Everyone does things in their own way."

"What kind of an answer is that? Are you like, practicing non-interference?" The words on their own were condescending, but her tone wasn't. He let out a fussy sigh. He would've liked a bit of assurance or even criticism!

"I'll tell ya this much," she conceded. "Pokemon can generally understand us, but cultural terms can confuse them."

"Okay. I assume that means I'll need to explain the Officials and stuff?" Another nod. Helpful to know, and it made sense. Come to think of it, she was a member of the Kannagi faith. She could give him another perspective given her position. He asked her about it, "Well, what do you think about Qwilfish, then?"

She crossed her arms. "I have to agree with the agent." Just that sentence alone took Nori aback, but the way she tapped a finger over her heart made him wonder more. "But I don't think he realized the implications behind it."

"What implications? Is there something weird about this?" Volkner said something like that too. Hopefully, he would clarify what he meant.

"Oh, just talking to myself out loud." So he wasn't getting an answer about that either. "You have a new Pokemon, so just do your best for her."

"Don't worry, I will!" he said before pulling down his hat and correcting himself. "I mean, I'll try my best."

He wasn't about to lie and say he was totally sure of himself. But it didn't matter what kind of Pokemon he got or why. He would rehabilitate them the best he could!

"Anyway," he said, stretching his arms and rolling his left, then his right ankle. "You mentioned you came by to see me? And you said you had other reasons besides to check out Qwilfish?"

"Haven't forgotten," she told him with a wink. "Might not be news you want to hear, but figured it's best if you find out about it now."

There was only one thing he could think of given the circumstances and what they'd talked about. "Don't tell me Prema's dad, I mean, Mr. Kannagi is upset."

"Got it in one," came the somber reply that took all the air out of the young official. "Goes without saying you might not want to come by till he cools off."

Nori felt his muscles tightening. Before he knew it, his hands were on his hips. "I thought the head of the shrine would know better than to let his personal feelings get in the way of things." He didn't care if disrespecting the Master would make her angry, it needed to be said!

Yet she only guffawed. "It can be hard to separate personal feelings from logic. Doesn't matter who you are." Priestess Satomi leaned against the railings. "This's struck Haruto harder than you might think. Pete Stephens was one of the few he called a friend."

"But…still!" How was he going to say this? Especially in a respectful way.

"But still," Satomi continued. "You're right." She flashed a smile as she rose and patted his shoulder. "I was able to confirm today what many suspected."

"What's that?" he asked, although he had an idea.

"She's killed, but she's no killer, that's for sure!" She laughed. Exactly what Nori thought. It would have been obvious to a Kannagi Priestess who was experienced in understanding Pokemon. "But we already knew that condemning her, let alone going after her species, is not what Pete would have wanted. More importantly," she added, lowering her brow and talking more seriously, "It is not the way we do things."

By 'we,' she certainly meant the Kannagis. "So why's the head calling for her blood?" he demanded.

"I didn't say that," she corrected, with a light yet firm sternness that made Nori want to stand up straighter. "I'm saying he's in a bad way. Lady Kannagi and myself have been helping, but he doesn't want to see you or that Pokemon right now."

"Well, how long until he does?!"

She tapped her chin. "Hard to say. Knowing him though? He knows it's wrong to feel that way, but he wants validation."

"Validation how? Like knowing it wasn't on purpose? Because you and Prema can say that, right?" He tapped his hat. "Or does he want to see for himself?"

"Could be." She shrugged, again not really answering. "But if you want to be extra sure, you'll need to rehabilitate her and make it official with the Officials!"

It felt like he'd been punched in the stomach from how much it curled. "But how?! I don't even think I can care for her." Convincing people was one problem, but caretaking might be worse. Volkner said it was going to take a lot of getting used to for a Qwilfish, and she might not ever! How could it work if she couldn't stand being out of water, and he couldn't stand being near any significant amount of it!?

"You're the official, you should know better than me." She winked. Her irrefutable logic made Nori sigh and slump. "And well, correct me if I'm wrong, but you only need to rehabilitate her. After that, who knows what happens?"

That was true. He actually didn't know what happened after he succeeded in a rehabilitation. Would the Pokemon just be his? Or have to be his? It was too bad that Agent Studd left, otherwise he could have found out on the spot. "I don't know if I can or if it'd be responsible, but I guess."

"One day at a time, one step at a time," she quoted. "Anyway, that's about it from me."

He nodded. "Thanks for the heads-up. Um, find some way to let me know if things change with Mr. Kannagi."

"Will do." She winked.

"Oh!" And he'd nearly forgotten. "I hear Warutsu, the former Gym Leader, trains an Overqwil? Volkner told me he's the guy to ask for advice on helping her be out of water."

"We'll see, he's quite busy with the original shrine these days."

"Okay."

Nori was hoping it wouldn't come to this. He had planned on leaning on Prema for this, but that was no longer an option. Everyone else he trusted was either too far away like Volkner, didn't know Pokemon like his mom, or was afraid of his Pokemon like Yumi. One day, one step. It was profound advice. What should his next be?

"Now then!" She clapped her hands. "Want a ride back home?"

"Sure!" he agreed. Going back home to think about it was a good start. And riding a motorbike sounded like fun! "Just, uh, one question." He pointed unsteadily to the back of her jacket. He was wondering about the stylized rotund tiger Pokemon depicted on it. "About that design…" The sight of it had made him want to go and ask her about it right away, but he had business to attend to. An old enemy of his practically popularized that Pokemon.

She shrugged. "As the kids say, I liked Raitora before it was cool."