Estimated Reading Time: 18 Minute

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Shy Blonde

Tomorrow is the Super Contest Show. Ness brought Lucas along to help him pick out the perfect outfit. They wandered into a fancy clothing store, where Lucas gave his opinion on Ness's choices. After trying on various options, they eventually agreed that a tux, though simple, was the best choice for the occasion.

Next, it was time to choose an outfit for Lucky. They decided on a tiny tuxedo paired with an adorable top hat, perfectly matching Ness's look.

Lucas: "You guys look cute!"

Ness: "T-thanks. I'm a little embarrassed though."

Lucas: "Why?"

Ness: "I'm not used to dressing up this fancy."

Lucas: "You kinda already do."

Ness: "What do you mean?"

Lucas: "You constantly dress like a school boy who attends private school."

Ness: "It's called business casual."

Lucas: "Yeah, exactly."

Ness: "You make a good point."

Lucas: "So preppy. I love it."

Ness: "I feel like most don't."

Lucas: "They definitely do. You have such a cute style."

Ness: "Thanks, Lucas, haha!"

Lucas: "Are you excited for tomorrow?"

Ness: "I'm a little nervous."

Lucas: "Did Lucky learn stored power yet?"

Ness: "He learned it last night…"

Lucas: "You don't sound too thrilled."

Ness: "He's still struggling to fully master it, and the technique remains unpredictable in his hands."

Lucas: "Yikes–that's not good."

Ness: "I know. But hey, at least he can use it."

Lucas: "What if it doesn't work during the contest?"

Ness: "Then we're screwed."

Lucas: "Hahaha!"

Ness: *Sighs* "That's my life in a nutshell."

Lucas: "Never would I have thought you'd be a Pokemon trainer."

Ness: "Same here."

Lucas: "Are you thinking of challenging gyms too?"

Ness: "No, god no."

Lucas: "Why not?"

Ness: "Listen, I'm not the stereotypical Pokemon trainer ok."

Lucas: "Just the one that enters beauty pageants."

Ness: "When you put it that way, it sounds a bit too feminine for my taste."

Lucas: "Hey, guys enter beauty pageants."

Ness: "Y-yeah, I know but…"

Lucas: "I'm just teasing!"

Lucas elbowed his best friend.

Lucas: "You'll do great."

Ness: "You think?"

Lucas: "Yep. Don't worry, I'll be there to cheer you on. If you lose, we'll get you ice cream to numb the pain."

Ness: "You're already preparing for my failure?"

Lucas: "Yep!"

Ness: "Rude."

Lucas: "But you got this!"

Ness: "I have to admit, the thought of ice cream sounds pretty tempting right about now."

Lucas: "Wanna get some?"

Ness: "Yeah…"

Lucas: "Hahaha! Ok! I'll pay."

Ness: "Nooo, you don't have to do that."

Lucas: "I want to. You used to pay for me all the time. Now it's my turn to treat my lady."

Ness: "Your lady, huh?"

Lucas: "Haha! Just kidding!"

Ness: "Hm~!" *Smirks*

Lucas's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as he quickly averted his gaze, embarrassment creeping over him. He shifted his focus, scanning the mall for an ice cream vendor, his mind eager to distract itself with the sweet idea of a cool treat.

Ness found it adorable when Lucas got flustered. He now understood why Sonic enjoyed teasing others. It was fun seeing their reactions.

In the past, Ness would've never dared to do something like this. The mere idea of playful flirting, even if harmless, would have felt too cringeworthy for him.

Wait, was he just flirting not too along ago? He shouldn't be flirting with Lucas. After all, Lucas was his friend, and the blonde had a crush on him. That would only complicate things further.

He felt a pang of guilt as he contemplated talking to Lucas about his feelings. He needed to make it clear that he wasn't interested in him that way; his heart belonged to someone else. But revealing that truth now would shift the mood completely, plunging them into an awkward silence.

For now, he decided to keep his feelings to himself. He would wait for the right moment to bring it up, but he knew this wasn't the appropriate time.

They arrived at a charming ice cream shop that Lucas had discovered, the air filled with the sweet, creamy scent of frozen treats. As they stepped inside, the cheerful cashier welcomed them with a radiant smile that could melt the hearts of countless people. "What can I get for you two young gentlemen today?" she asked, her voice warm and inviting.

Ness: "I would like mint chocolate chip."

Lucas: "Eww."

Ness: "What, it's delectable."

Lucas: "It tastes like toothpaste."

Ness: "No it doesn't."

Lucas: "Bleh!"

Ness: "Hmph!"

Ness crossed his arms defiantly, a playful smirk dancing on his lips as he turned his head with a flair of sass. His eyes sparkled with mischief, displaying confidence as he looked away, deliberately showing off his feisty attitude.

Lucas couldn't help but find Ness's playful gesture adorable. His eyes widened in surprise, and he instinctively covered his mouth to stifle a grin, feeling a rush of warmth spread across his cheeks.

Shaking his head vigorously, he tried to dispel any lingering, pervy thoughts that danced in his mind. Focusing on the moment, he turned to the cashier and said, "Can I have strawberry, please?" His voice was slightly shaky, but he managed to maintain a casual demeanor as he pointed to the vibrant pink flavor displayed behind the glass.

"Certainly," the cashier replied with a warm smile. She expertly scooped their ice creams into crisp cones, handing them to the two boys with a cheerful smile. She even prepared a special pup cup for Lucky. Ness beamed as he took hold of his cone and the one for Lucky.

"I'm going to find us a table," Ness announced, excitement in his voice.

"Okay," Lucas replied, watching his friend with a smile.

After paying the cashier, Lucas turned back and spotted Ness joyfully licking his ice cream. Lucky was sprawled on the floor, enthusiastically devouring his pup cup, tail wagging in delight. Lucas happily walked over, sliding into a seat across from his best friend, ready to enjoy the moment together.

Ness: "Thanks, Lucas~"

Lucky: "Espiii!" (Thanks!)

Lucas shrugged slightly, his shoulders lifting as he averted his gaze, a bashful smile creeping onto his face. "Y-yeah, no problem," he replied, his voice soft and tinged with shyness.

Ness: "Mmm! This is good."

Lucas: "I don't get you."

Ness: "Have you even tried mint chocolate chip?"

Lucas: "Yes. It's gross."

Ness: "You're crazy."

The two continued chatting, their conversation flowing easily as they enjoyed their ice cream. As Lucas listened, his gaze wandered, eventually landing on Ness's mouth.

The way he licked his ice cream was unexpectedly charming. Each movement was careful and deliberate. Ness's lips remained free of any mess, his movements pristine, as though he were determined not to let even a drop of ice cream fall on his face or clothes. His mannerisms were composed, and Lucas found himself entranced by the sight.

Ness: "Hey, you ok?"

"Huh? Wha—?" Lucas blinked rapidly, shaking his head as he snapped himself out of the daze that had momentarily taken over him. His cheeks flushed slightly as he refocused on the conversation, trying to push the distracting thoughts aside.

Ness furrowed his brows, tilting his head slightly as a faint frown tugged at his lips. "I think you spaced out," he said, his voice laced with a hint of concern, his eyes searching Lucas's face for an explanation.

Lucas: "Oh! Uh, yeah, I spaced out. S-sorry."

Ness: ""No need to worry, it happens to the best of us. As I was saying, though, I plan to head to bed early tonight. I'll need to be well-rested for tomorrow's event."

Lucas: "We both know you can't go to bed early."

Ness: "I'll sure try."

Lucky hopped on Ness's shoulder and licked his face.

Lucky: "Espii!"

Lucas: "You sure you'll be able to? You do have a cat at home."

Ness: "Lucky has a better sleep schedule than me."

Lucas: *Snickers* "That's sad."

Ness: "Shut up. I'm a night-owl. I can't help it."

The two finished up their ice cream. They went to the Pokepark and practiced a little more for tomorrow's show. Lucky has improved significantly. However, he still had a difficult time using his new move stored power. The unpredictability made Ness secretly unconfident.

Lucas: "Well, it's getting late. We've been practicing for hours."

Ness: "You're right. I'll call it a day."

Ness gently patted Lucky on the head. "Good job," he murmured, his voice carrying a blend of exhaustion and pride, as if both drained and deeply satisfied with his companion's efforts.

He and Lucas eventually parted ways for the evening. Back at home, Ness prepared a scrumptious meal for himself and Lucky. Once dinner was done, they crawled into bed, and as the night settled around them, Ness and Lucky snuggled close, finding warmth and comfort in each other as they drifted off to sleep.

The Next Day…

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Leafstorm

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Ness groggily awoke to the sound of his alarm and reached over to silence it. Still half-asleep, he stretched out his limbs, followed up with a yawn.

Slowly, he swung his legs out of bed and headed for the shower. The warm water helped wash away the last remnants of sleep. Afterward, he brushed his teeth and slipped into the sleek tuxedo he had picked out yesterday.

Lucky stretched in the downward dog position. He walked up to Ness and rubbed his cheek on his leg. The brunet smiled as he poured the wet food onto Lucky's bowl. After the Espeon happily ate, Ness suddenly grabbed the Pokemon catching him off guard. There was a bit of a fight, but since Lucky was surprised, it was a little easier slipping the tux on.

"Espii!" The cat-like Pokémon growled, adopting a defensive stance as his fur bristled. Ness sighed, frowning as he placed a hand on his hip. "No, be good," he said firmly, his voice carrying a hint of authority. "Today's a big day, okay? Let's not start it off like this." His tone softened slightly, but there was still a clear expectation in his eyes.

Lucky's demeanor shifted instantly. His fur relaxed, and he sat down with a show of submission, a clear signal of understanding. A smile tugged at Ness's lips as he watched, proud of the progress they had made together.

Lucky was starting to listen and show respect. He was glad he had given himself another chance to raise Lucky properly. And he owed much of that change to Lucas, who had pulled him out of the toxic mindset he had fallen into. Without Lucas's support, he wouldn't be looking forward to today with the same excitement.

The two set off to where the contest was being held. He entered the waiting lobby. Each contestant was given a number and when their number was called, they would enter the door and find themselves on a stage in front of an eager crowd and three judges waiting to be entertained.

He saw Leaf sitting on a bench. When he called out her name, her eyes sparkled with glee. She sprung up and skipped over to him.

A deep crimson crept across Ness's cheeks as he took in her outfit. She wore a simple tight black dress, and he couldn't help but think how strikingly attractive she looked.

Wait, hold on—NO! She's his friend, and he shouldn't be having those thoughts. Yet, he couldn't shake the realization that he was just a guy, and this kind of reaction was something all men were guilty of, whether he liked it or not. The conflict stirred within him, mixing admiration with the need to rein in his thoughts.

Leaf noticed the blush creeping across Ness's cheeks, and she couldn't help but smile to herself, aware of where his eyes were drawn—her chest. She felt incredibly pretty, the tight black dress hugging her curves just right. She had anticipated that this choice would catch his attention; it was no accident.

Normally, she would have chosen a frilly pink dress, but knowing Ness would be here today, she decided to embrace a more alluring look.

She had almost reconsidered her choice of attire after witnessing the connection between Ness and Tina. But as she stood in front of the mirror, she took a moment to give herself a little pep talk that fueled her determination to stand out.

The competitive spirit within her ignited, and she decided that she wanted Ness to look at her, not Tina. Today was her chance to shine, and she was ready to give it her all and win both the competition and his heart.

Leaf: "Hey!"

Ness: "H-hi."

Leaf: "Are you excited?"

Ness: "I'm nervous."

Leaf: "Not so confident anymore that you're here, huh?"

Ness: "W-what! No, did I say 'nervous'? I actually meant to say 'confident.'"

"Mhm, sure," she said, rolling her eyes playfully as a smile tugged at her lips.

Ness: "Lucky and I are going to claim first place!"

He struck a confident pose, accompanied by a smirk that displayed self-assurance. Her heart skipped a beat at his cocky gesture. She cleared her throat to maintain her composure and project her own confidence. "First place is quite a bold claim," she teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Ness: "I guess we'll have to see~"

The conversation died down. The two sat next to each other on a bench. As he was on his phone, she turned to look at him while he was distracted.

She couldn't help but notice that his hair looked different today. Typically fluffy and messy, it was now slicked back, showcasing his forehead. Though there were a few blemishes, they were hardly enough to detract from his overall appearance.

He looked strikingly different—more like a gentleman than a typical fuckboy. She admired how effortlessly he could pull off both styles; no matter how he wore it, he was handsome regardless.

The announcer called out Leaf's number. She looked at her Umbreon and the two gave each other a nod.

Leaf: "Alright, Fate, it's time!"

Fate: "Umbri!"

Ness: "Good luck, you two."

Leaf winked at him playfully and struck a cute pose, her finger resting delicately on her cheek. "I don't need luck," she said with a confident smile, her eyes sparkling in the light.

He gently tapped Lucky on the back and pointed at the TV. The two watched as Leaf and Fate took the stage, and Lucky's eyes lit up with excitement as he focused intently on the Umbreon. A soft blush crept across Lucky's cheeks as he gazed at Fate's sleek form. "Espii…" he murmured, his tone laced with admiration and enchantment.

Ness and Lucky watched in awe as Leaf commanded her Umbreon to perform a series of impressive tricks. The two were in perfect sync, moving as one. Fate weaved gracefully across the stage, showcasing remarkable agility that left them both spellbound.

The dark-type Pokémon summoned bursts of energy that illuminated the performance, creating a stunning light show that dazzled the audience. Each trick was executed flawlessly, and the combination of skill and elegance captivated Ness, making it hard for him to look away.

As Leaf and Fate concluded their breathtaking performance, the crowd erupted in cheers, the judges visibly impressed by their skills. Ness felt a mix of excitement and nerves swirling within him. There was no way he and Lucky could top that.

"Espii…" Lucky sighed, his expression showing his lack of confidence. Sensing his partner's unease, Ness squatted down to meet his Espeon's gaze, a reassuring smile spreading across his face. "We got this. Even if we don't win, at least we gave it our all. I'll be proud of you no matter what," he said in a soft, yet firm tone, hoping to add some courage to his friend.

The Espeon nodded his head in approval.

Ness: "That's the spirit!"

Lucky: "Espii!"

Both Ness and Lucky flinched when they heard their number called, a rush of adrenaline surging through them. This was the moment they had worked so hard for, and he could feel the pressure creeping. Sweat began to bead on his forehead, but he took a deep breath and forced himself to walk confidently toward the stage door, determined to reassure Lucky that everything was going to be okay.