Estimated Reading Time: 18 Minutes

.

Leafstorm

Ness was at work watching, but this time he was scheduled outside with Leaf. The two were watching Pokemon while they chatted.

Ness: "So yeah, I totally won us that last game."

Leaf: "That sounds fun."

Ness: "It wasn't."

Leaf: "Then why do you play League?"

Ness: "Because it's an abusive ex. I can't stop."

Leaf: "I don't understand."

Ness: "It's my job. I can't just quit."

Leaf: "Ya know, you can make it your job."

Ness: "What do you mean?"

Leaf: "Stream it."

Ness: "Oh, no, no, no. Too much pressure."

Leaf: "I can see you being pretty successful. You already have a fanbase on Twitter."

Ness: "Oh, eww. No, I don't want them to watch me."

Leaf: "Why do the weirdos follow you?"

Ness: "You know why. Stupid Isabelle spread that rumor."

Leaf: "Oh… Right."

Ness: "I can't believe she did that to me!"

Leaf: "You don't like her, huh?"

Ness: "Of course not!"

Leaf giggled. Isabelle didn't have to say all that shit about them online. Isabelle is a complete bitch and she's glad that Ness also doesn't like her.

Ness: "Besides, I like working here at the daycare. Lucky gets to play with the others, plus I get to see you."

Ba-dump!

Leaf's heart skipped a beat. She looked away and smiled.

Leaf: "Y-yeah."

Ness: "Hm? You ok?"

He tilted his head in confusion and gave her a blank stare. She knew he was doing a cute face and that would definitely make her blush. She didn't want him thinking that she has a thing for him. He'll get uncomfortable and things will be awkward.

Leaf: "Yeah, sorry. I just want to look this way."

Ness: "Uh… Ok."

Leaf: "Keep talking. Don't mind me."

Ness: "Oh, right. I was just saying that I like being here. I don't care about streaming. Although it does sound a little fun, but eh, not for me."

Leaf: "Gotcha."

Ness: "I am glad that I'm not playing League as much as I used to."

Leaf: "I barely saw you before."

Ness: "I was a total shut in."

Leaf: "How does it feel to actually go out and do stuff?"

Ness: "Liberating. I felt like these past three years, I've been doing nothing but wasting my life."

Leaf: "Three years ago?"

Ness: "Believe it or not, I used to be outgoing."

Leaf: "Whaaaat!"

Ness: "Yup. I used to go out of my way to make friends. That is until I turned sixteen."

Leaf: "What happened?"

Ness: "I don't know. I just kinda… Changed."

Leaf: "Do you have an idea as to why?"

Ness: "No clue."

Leaf: "Maybe something traumatizing happened and you blocked it out."

Ness: "You're probably right. I'm just glad that I'm finally aware of it."

Leaf: "Yeah! It's nice seeing you out and about."

He felt proud of himself. He's slowly becoming his old-self. The happier cheerier version of Ness. He smiled when he saw Lucky chasing a Ponyta. He would've never thought he would have this. An actual job that isn't the tournaments to make himself feel better than everyone, a pet who he loves to take care of, and friends that he occasionally hangs out with. For once, life seems worth living for.

The two closed together like always. They were chatting while walking back to the mansion.

Leaf: "Hey, did you want to hang out and listen to music?"

Ness: "Aww, I would, but I was planning on hanging out with Lucas later."

Leaf: "Oh, that's totally fine. I understand."

Ness: "Yeah, sorry."

Leaf: "It's ok. Next time for sure, right?"

Ness: "Yeah for-

?: "Ness, what's up?"

.

Melodic Discord

Tina tapped on his shoulder. He jumped a little and let out a yelp. He instantly covered his mouth and blushed in embarrassment. He sounded like a dog. How humiliating.

He turned around and awkwardly smiled at his crush.

Ness: "H-hey, Tina."

Tina: "Whatcha guys up to?"

Leaf looked at Tina. The inkling's vibe felt badass. She's like the cool skater alternative girl. Leaf looked back at Ness who looked like a nervous wreck. He was sweating and his face was bright pink. It made her feel… Jealous.

Ness: "Oh, uh, Leaf and I were heading back home."

Tina: "Together?"

Ness: "N-no! Not like together together. You see Leaf and I are closers. We always walk and talk back to the mansion. That's all haha…"

Tina: "That's pretty cool."

Ness: "Yeah, actually we're about to head in different directions."

Tina: "Aww, darn."

Ness: "Huh?"

Tina: "I wanted the three of us to hang."

Leaf: "Me too?"

Tina: "Hell yeah!"

Leaf: "Why me?"

Tina: "I like your vibe."

Leaf: "My vibe?"

Tina: "Yeah, you give off this chill aura."

Leaf: "Thanks."

Tina: "Damn, what a bummer though. Oh well, I'll catch you guys later."

Tina was about to take another step but…

Ness: "W-wait! We can hang out."

Tina: "Aww yeah?"

Leaf: "What?"

Ness: "Yeah!"

Leaf: "But what about your plan with Lucas?"

Ness: "I can invite him too."

Tina: "Hell yeah!"

Leaf was caught off guard. He suddenly flipped a switch. He didn't suggest Leaf hanging out with him and Lucas. It seemed like he wanted to hang out with his best friend alone, but suddenly Tina shows up and he's extra social? Why is she getting the special treatment?

[- Lucas

Calling Lucas…

.

Lucas: "Hello?"

Ness: "Do you want to hang out with Leaf, Tina, and I?"

Lucas: "O-oh, uh…"

Ness: "It's ok if you don't. No pressure at all."

Lucas: "..."

Ness: "Hello?"

Lucas: "No, I'm ok."

Ness: "Aww, are you sure?"

Lucas: "Y-yeah…"

Ness: "You don't sound ok. Are you sure? It'll be fun. Tina wants to see you again."

Lucas: "I would, but I'm sleepy."

Ness: "Oh… Ok."

Lucas: "Yeah, sorry."

Ness: "It's ok. Next time."

Lucas: "Yeah, next time."

Beep!

Tina: "He's not coming, is he?"

Ness: "No, he says he's too sleepy."

Even though Leaf didn't hear Lucas's voice, she could tell that the blonde was upset. It's so obvious, Ness! Lucas wanted to hang out with him alone. How could he be so inconsiderate?

Tina: "Damn, that sucks."

Ness: "Yeah, but I don't want to force him."

Tina: "That's fair. Anyway, wanna eat dinner?"

Ness: "Yeah, we can do that."

Tina: "Leaf, you down?"

She didn't want to be around Tina, but also she was curious. Tina was interesting. She was difficult to read. It doesn't seem like she wants Ness all to herself. In fact, it felt like she wasn't interested in him like that. However, Leaf couldn't help but feel threatened. She felt a one-sided rivalry.

She didn't want Tina to have all Ness's attention. She wanted to feel better than the inkling. If she leaves, then those two will be alone and that made her feel like she was losing.

Leaf: "Yeah."

Tina: "Cool, let's fuckin' goooo."

Ness: "Ok! Where do you think?"

Tina: "I'm down for whatever."

Leaf: "How about a restaurant outside of the mansion."

Tina: "Downtown?"

Leaf: "Sure, why not."

Ness: "Good idea, Leaf."

He praised her. She smirked at Tina, who didn't seem to get the memo that Leaf was trying to one up her. Tina smiled back and said, "Hell yeah! I fuckin' love downtown!"

This fucking bitch…

The three went to the subway and checked the schedule.

Tina: "Aw, shit. That's right, it's a little late. This is the last train. If we take it, we don't got a ride back."

Ness: "Aww."

Leaf: "That's ok, we can fly back to the mansion using my Charizard."

Ness: "That's brilliant! Good thinking, Leaf. I'm glad we brought you along."

Leaf: (He's glad I'm here! He likes my presence.) "Thank you."

Tina: "I know right! Ness, where did you find this girl? She's fuckin' awesome."

Leaf blushed. Tina isn't so bad after all. What was she worried about? If they had a crush on each other, they wouldn't have invited her over. They would want to be alone. Besides, the way they're talking to each other seems like they are nothing but friends.

The three took the train over to downtown. They looked out the window and saw the pretty city lights from afar. Leaf imagined holding Ness tight while the two enjoyed the view together. However, her fantasy was interrupted when Tina spoke.

Tina: "I can't wait to fly on that Charizard's back."

Ness: "Can he hold all of us?"

Leaf: "Yeah."

Ness: "Oh thank god."

Tina: "I've never been in the sky before."

Ness: "I've been on a spaceship."

Tina: "Whaaaat. You fuckin' lucky bitch."

Ness: "Hahaha~"

Tina: "Oh, speaking of Lucky, bring that adorable thing out."

Ness: "Ok!"

Ness summoned Lucky out of his ball. The Espeon rested on Ness's lap while Tina started petting him.

Tina: "Aww, who's a cutie?"

Ness: "Lucky is~"

Tina: "Oh yeah. Cutest lil guy ever."

Leaf pulled her attention away from the view and started petting Lucky as well.

Tina: "Aye, Leaf, you got one?"

Leaf: "An Espeon?"

Tina: "Yeah."

Leaf: "I do. It's back in my hometown."

Tina: "Where's that?"

Leaf: "In the Kanto region."

Tina: "I dunno where that is, but it sounds cool."

Leaf: "It's alright."

Tina: "Just alright?"

Leaf: "It can get pretty boring."

Ness: "I want to go someday."

Tina: "Me too. You should totes show us."

Leaf: "Yeah ok."

Ness: "I'd love to see all your Pokemon."

Leaf: "Saaame. I dunno much about Pokemon, but I can say for sure that Lucky is cute, so the rest are probs just as cute."

Ness: "Not as cute as my Espeon."

Tina: "I'm sure Leaf would beg to differ."

Ness: "No way. Lucky is the cutest. No contest."

Tina: "You're right. He's too cute."

Ness: "See!"

Tina: "Just like you~"

Leaf and Ness: "!"

Leaf: (D-did she just…)

Ness: (Say I'm CUTE?!) *Blushes*

Tina: "Hahahahm~"

Tina had this adorable smile on her face and Ness could not help but fold. He put his hand over his mouth and looked away.

Leaf caught it. He's either really embarrassed or turned on right now. She felt agitated. So, Tina does have a crush on Ness. But why? What's their relationship like? Guess she'll find out pretty soon.

The group made it to downtown. They wandered around looking for a restaurant.

Tina: "What type of food are we thinkin'?"

Ness: "Uh, how about Italian food?"

Tina: "I fuck with dat."

Leaf: "Yeah, sure."

The group found a nice one. The waiter sat them down and handed them their menus.

-The Menu-

.

Carbonara - $23.99

Spaghetti - $18.49

All You Can Eat Salad - $9.99

Chicken Parmesan - $23.99

Caprese Chicken Saltimbocca - $17.89

Handpan Pizza - $15.99

Lasagna - $24.59

.

Wow, the menu is pretty expensive, Ness thought. He should go with the cheapest option, which surprisingly was his favorite. Delicious pizza.

The waiter came back and asked what they wanted to drink. Ness ordered soda, Leaf ordered lemonade, and Tina ordered alcohol.

Waiter: "Certainly. Have you guys decided what you wanted to order?"

Tina: "Um…"

Tina looked at the others and they nodded.

Tina: "Yeah, can I get carbonara."

Waiter: "Of course."

Ness: "Can I get pepperoni pizza."

Waiter: "A classic. I love it."

Leaf: "I'll get the all you can eat salad."

Waiter: "For sure! I'll be back with your guys' orders."

When the waiter left, Tina started chatting.

Tina: "I'm so excited for our food. I'm starvin'."

Ness: "Yeah same!"

Leaf: "Me too."

Tina: "So after this, you guys heading to bed?"

Ness: "I might stay up a little."

Tina: "Whatcha plannin' on doin'?"

Ness: "Probably read."

Tina: "That's so you~"

Ness: "What can I say? I'm a nerd. Haha…"

Leaf: (His nervous laugh is adorable.)

Tina: "What about you Leaf?"

Leaf: "Oh! I'm going straight to bed."

Tina: "Nice! I think I'm probs gonna be on social media until I pass out."

Leaf: "Honestly, me too. I do that almost every night."

The waiter came back with their food and they happily dug in.

Tina: "Oh hey, Ness, have I told you that Turf war season is coming up?"

Ness: "What's Turf war?"

Tina: "Basically two teams compete against each other and try to ink the area with their color. Whoever's team's ink has the most, wins."

Ness: "That sounds awesome!"

Tina: "You should totally watch me."

Ness: "When is it?"

Tina: "It's this month. On the twenty seventh."

Leaf: "!"

Tina noticed the distressed face on Leaf's."

Tina: "You can come too. Sorry I didn't mean to leave you out."

Leaf: "Oh, I would, but I can't."

Tina: "Aww, but there'll be lots of yummy food."

Leaf: "I'm sorry. It's because I have a tournament the same day."

Tina: "Oooh! What tournament?"

Leaf: "It's a Pokemon beauty contest. We don't fight in that one, but more to show off the Pokemon's trick."

Tina: "That sounds super rad. I high-key wanna go. Damn, if only it was a different day."

Ness looked at the two nervously. Their big events just HAD to be on the same day. That sucks. He can't go to Tina's Turf war. He's already signed up to go to the Pokemon contest. Besides, this is Lucky's chance to do something fun and different for a change.

Ness: "Yeah, it sucks that it's on the same day. I would've loved to cheer you on at your competition, Tina."

Leaf: "!"

Tina: "Aww, you can't come?"

Ness: "No, you see, Lucky is already signed up to contest."

Tina: "Aww, that sucks, but I totes get it."

Ness: "I'm so sorry. There will be a next time though, right?"

Tina: "Of course! I do this shit multiple times every year. It's no biggie."

Leaf was unbelievably happy. She felt like she won. She was worried that Ness was going to pick Tina over her, since he easily canceled on Lucas, which still made her upset. She going to have a word with him about that later. She's just glad he didn't do the same to her.

Tina: "Are you guys gonna be on teams or competing together?"

Leaf: "Different teams."

Tina: "Shiiit. Leaf, I'm rootin' for ya~" *Winks*

Leaf: "O-oh! Thank you." *Blushes*

Ness: "H-hey!"

Tina: "Girl power~"

The group shared a hearty laugh. After dinner, Leaf threw out her Charizard. They all hopped on and Charizard flew into the night sky.

Tina was having the time of her life. She's never been in the air before. Ness found her excitement cute. He wanted to hold her, but he kept to himself. He's a gentleman after all.

When they got back to the mansion, they all said goodbye to each other and split ways. When Ness got back to his room, he heard his phone notification.

Ding!

[- Leaf

DM

Leaf: Heyy

Ness: Hi! That was pretty fun, wasn't it?

Leaf: Yeah Tina isn't so bad

Ness: I know right! She's the best.

Leaf: I wanted to talk to you about something

Ness: Ok.

Leaf: I noticed that you were quick to ditch Lucas

Ness: Oh, it's ok. I called him, remember? He was too sleepy.

Leaf: Ness…

Leaf: Even I knew that he was upset

Ness: No he wasn't.

Leaf: He was…

Ness: How so?

Leaf: He said he was sleepy as an excuse to not come. He doesn't like being in a group

Ness: He's getting better about it. He and I hang out with a group of friends every Thursday.

Leaf: Are you sure that's what he wants though?

Ness: Yeah otherwise he wouldn't go.

Leaf: Ok but he doesn't know me and Tina that well that's why he didn't wanna come

Ness: That's why I didn't push him.

Leaf: And that's very sweet of you but tonight was your guys night

Ness: Oh…

Leaf: I've noticed you totally flipped a switch when Tina arrived

Ness: I did?

Leaf: You were so down to do whatever she wanted. It's just a little weird that you told me that we couldn't hang out becaus you were going to hang out with Lucas but as soon as Tina is in the pic you wanted to hang out with all of us

Ness: I'm sorry… That wasn't cool of me.

Leaf: This sudden behavioral change makes me wonder

Ness: Wonder about what?

Leaf: You have a crush on her don't you?

…