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It’s ironic that a wooden door was what intimidated Kukui the most after deciding to make this impromptu trip. Not the decision itself, or the journey, but the inanimate object that he stood in front of for the past several minutes. With his fist partially raised and hovering in mid motion to simply knock on it. Trembling a little in both nervousness and frustration over his inability to act and at how quickly his courage was swept aside for an apprehension that he was unfamiliar with.
If Molayne was here, Kukui knew that he’d wouldn’t be stuck standing here like an idiot. His best friend would have either teased him relentlessly over his paralyzed state or had just shoved him into the building so that they could proceed with the next step. The issue was that, as much as he wished Molayne was here, he wanted to have this discussion alone. That, despite his childhood friend’s unwavering support, this was something outside his vast array of knowledge that him and Kukui’s other friends had yet to experience in their lives.
Burnet had dropped the bombshell on him a few weeks ago and it had been nothing but a whirlwind of overwhelming emotions. Of friends, family, and everyone on Alola congratulating them left and right for their expected child. Gushing over the good news and telling them how they’ll be great parents.
Him and Burnet had discussed having kids for a while so, despite it being a big surprise, it wasn’t unexpected or accidental. Hell, he already loved the kid and he hasn’t even met or seen the baby yet. Since it was still too early to schedule the first ultrasound.
The problem was what came after the surge of pure elation and happiness as the days progressed. Once those positive emotions were overcome by uncertainty and fear that led to some restless nights. Up until this point where he was making a visit that he was starting to regret.
While Kukui got along with practically everyone on Alola, due to his amicable personality, he had a hard time interacting with Nanu the most. Out of all the Island Kahunas, Nanu was considered the least sociable and friendly among the Alolan residents. A lone Lycanroc that mostly kept to himself and appeared apathetic to anyone that wasn’t named “Acerola”.
His first official interaction with Nanu was during Acerola’s Island Challenge last year. In a meeting that wound up surprising him at how quickly his initial impressions were proven wrong. Particularly with how Nanu acted in public compared to how he was with the young orphan.
When Acerola had gotten hurt during the Ghost Trial, it was understandable how emotional everyone was at the hospital. With Kukui, despite not knowing Acerola for long, distraught over the incident and praying for the child’s recovery during the long painful hours they were forced to wait. It had been easy for him to confront Nanu in the hospital waiting room because he was the only one not emotionally invested. A person that could ascertain how detrimental Nanu was in the situation and how he had to be forcefully removed temporarily to allow the doctors and nurses to do their jobs.
What Kukui couldn’t comprehend back then was why Molayne didn’t condemn Nanu’s volatile behavior afterwards when his best friend did damage control. Swiftly ensuring that no one else would spread the incident into the rumor mill and silencing those outspoken with a quiet but firm authority.
It wasn’t that Kukui wasn’t sympathetic for the Island King’s emotional state but his actions that resulted in him lashing out at the hospital staff and striking an apologetic teenager were inexcusable. Things that certainly didn’t warrant Molayne trying to justify them. When he had stared down at his crying cousin and told Kukui quietly that he wouldn’t understand.
It was one of the rare occasions where Kukui had disagreed with him. Arguing back that Molayne was wrong and becoming angrier when the steel type specialist only shook his head and returned his rebukes with a strained smile. As if silently informing Kukui that he’d realize this someday when he could put himself in Nanu’s shoes. A future prediction that led him reflecting on the incident now with some newfound regrets and guilt towards his own actions and ignorance.
He had become so lost in thought that he had nearly forgot his whereabouts. One minute he had been staring blankly at the door and the next he was nearly jumping out of his skin when it suddenly opened. When he was face to face with Nanu and became frantic about this new plight. Feeling like a fish out of water the longer they stared at each other awkwardly with similar surprise and bewilderment.
Upon noticing Kukui at his doorstep, Nanu had stopped abruptly in mid-step of exiting the Po Town Police Station. His keys seen dangling loosely in his hand while he had to readjust the bag slung over his shoulder. Raising an eyebrow at the squirming Pokémon Professor blocking the entryway in front of his makeshift home.
The speed in which Nanu regained his composure almost made Kukui envious. Wishing that he had that fortunate skill when he fumbled down the steps to provide the other some space. While using that time to conceal his uneasiness with his usual jovial smile. Already kicking his impulsiveness for biting him in the ass at his now terrible idea becoming worse by the second.
“Nanu! What a pleasant surprise seeing you here! I was ah, just passing by to say hello. Lovely day we’re having isn’t it?” Kukui hurriedly said, suppressing his cringe at his stupid remark.
An excuse that wasn’t fooling the Island Kahuna and Police officer one bit. “Didn’t know overcast equated to nice weather. Want to use a better excuse for why you’re here? I thought you’d be out celebrating with your wife.”
“Well um, I was until she had to stop by the lab for work. I’m planning on surprising her with dinner later tonight, so I hopped on the Charizard ride…and made a pit stop here. To you know, take in the scenery, maybe visit some friends…” He trailed off.
Unable to hide his involuntary cringe this time when Nanu finished locking the door and turned to Kukui unimpressed with the feeble lies. “Hell, of a pit stop if you wind up on Ula’ Ula instead of Akala, Prof. I got plans so unless you want to continue wasting both of our times…”
“…No, I—Okay yes fine. I wanted to talk to you if you have a minute. In hindsight I should have called but I’m doing this on the fly and maybe we can walk and talk?” He tacked on hopefully.
Watching as Nanu stared at him blankly before shaking his head and heading off towards Ula’ Ula Meadow. “Sure. You have until we reach Route 16. Make it fast because after this I’m meeting with Acerola.”
“Oh! Right, okay. I can definitely do that.” Kukui rushed after him until he easily matched Nanu’s languid pace exiting Route 17. “How is Acerola doing by the way? I haven't had a chance to talk to her after she took your position as a member of the Elite Four.”
“Fine. She’s been a busy Ribombee. Skip the small talk and tell me what this is about. You have about twenty minutes left.”
“Now, come on. There’s no need to be so callous—”
“Nineteen.”
“Okay, geez! Wait just hold on.” Kukui pleaded, catching up to Nanu’s steps that were brisker than before. “Cut me some slack, will ya? I told you that I’m making this up as I go.”
“Not my problem. You’re not usually this tongue-tied, Professor.”
“Well to be fair…A lot has been going on. I mean…you already heard about Burnet’s pregnancy. I’m assuming from Olivia or Molayne?”
“Olivia actually. She hijacked the Kahuna meeting last week to prattle about it nonstop. Got the Trial Captains involved and then we got no work done after that. Which reminds me,” Nanu paused to glance over at Kukui with a polite smile. “Congratulations on your new little bundle of joy. If you see Acerola tell her that I fulfilled my social norm for the day, or I won’t hear the end of it.”
“Uh, thanks?”
“Hm, are you asking or telling me this?”
“Yes. I mean—no, that’s not—” Kukui fumbled, frowning at Nanu’s blatant amusement over his nervous turmoil. “…Are you done?”
“For now. You were saying about Burnet and your kid?” Nanu asked lightly.
Allowing Kukui the opportunity to regroup and fortify his wavering confidence that led him into this current predicament. “Right. Well, here’s the thing. See, after Burnet told me the news, I’ve been doing a lot of research in my spare time. I think I wiped out most of Malie Library by taking out all the parenting books and, once I saw your name, I wanted to pick your brain. About what it’s been like raising Acerola and being her father…Nanu?”
Towards the end of his inquiry, Kukui discovered that he was walking on the wooden bridge alone. Turning back into the light fog confused when he saw Nanu standing completely still a few feet away. The bag on his shoulder sliding off completely until it hit the ground with a resounding thud.
While their positions became reversed with Nanu staring at him like he had become a Doduo. “…What?”
“What do you mean—It’s true! Those books from the library all have your name listed on the checkout card inside. That’s how I thought to ask you about it—”
“—Except that they switched over to a digital catalog around that time—all of them still have it? You have to be shitting me.”
“…I mean maybe not all of them…” Kukui trailed off, realizing that Nanu hadn’t heard him when he started cursing beneath his breath. Now exemplifying Kukui’s uneasiness that tore through his indifference faster than a well-timed Feint attack against an opponent’s Protect.
In truth it may had only been one or two if Kukui really thought about it. Since he had only stumbled upon the old card when one of the books had fallen off one of the many stacks after he had settled down to start reading his newly acquired collection.
The checkout card itself was outdated. Probably left there by accident when they were switching over to the new system like Nanu had said. The last name signed in the borrower’s section, however, was without a doubt Nanu’s and that’s what prompted Kukui to indulge his curiosity and investigate it further. Especially when he may had called Molayne for a favor and his best friend provided him with the digital copy that confirmed his suspicions. That Nanu had borrowed all the books Kukui currently had in his possession within the past four years.
He had already asked for advice from other parents like Hala and Selene’s mom. With both providing him with a similar tone that everyone else had. That he’d be a wonderful father and that this was the greatest thing to happen in his life. They shared with him all the positive aspects of parenthood, about how they raised their own kids, but not the nitty-gritty details.
Not like he knew Nanu wouldn’t hesitate to tell him about when he patiently waited until he had the Island Kahuna’s attention. “…Look. All I want is some honest advice. Not about the sunshine and rainbows but more like…what kind of things I should expect if I screw up or if something happens…like how Acerola…When she had gotten injured—”
“Enough.” Nanu swiftly interjected. His pained grimace an indicator that Kukui needed to stop talking. That he didn’t want to hear the rest. “…You don’t want this. Just stick with what Hala or whatever those books mentioned. You won’t…You’re not going to like what I have to say about it…” He finished reluctantly.
His offered out a nice gesture but not appreciated when Kukui squared his shoulders and accepted the unspoken challenge. For once ready to tackle this on like he had everything else in his life. Unafraid and with upmost determination and excitement. “Try me. Burnet and I have wanted children for a while now. Which means I need to hear both the good and bad if I want to succeed at this. I know your relationship with Acerola is a bit unique but, at the end of the day, you’re still her parental figure. You’re her father—”
“—No. I’m not.” Nanu corrected, his own eyes and voice steeling with its own resolution. “Acerola already had two loving parents that were cruelly taken away from a tragic accident. I’m not raising her as if she’s my kid. I’m giving her advice and tools necessary to help her excel in life. Our situations aren’t similar, Kukui—”
“Bullshit. You can’t honestly—I’m not an idiot. Even I can surmise that you two have the equivalent of a father-daughter relationship—"
“—Then you’re reading into things. Drop it and move on. You want some advice then here it is, go ask someone else.” Nanu concluded in a tone of finality.
Picking up his bag as he attempted to shove past the Pokémon Professor. Only to have it thwarted when Kukui grabbed his arm and glowered at the rude dismissal. Refusing to back down like Nanu was warning him to and instead replacing his irritation with a hint of desperation.
“…Nanu, please. I’ll drop the subject for now, but I need this. I want to be prepared for everything and nine months isn’t enough time. This is my first kid…I’m going to be a father and I don’t know if I’m ready…I’m always sure about everything in life and this is the one time…”
‘…The one time that I’m not.’ Kukui finished in his head. Imploring with the Tapus’ that he could appeal to Nanu’s empathy as he gently released him. Anxiously waiting when the Island Kahuna looked away to glare daggers into the red flowers surrounding the wooden bridge. Before Nanu released a long exhale and closed his eyes resigned to his fate.
“…What I wouldn’t give for a damn drink…Last chance to back out, Kukui. You sure you want my ‘words of wisdom’?” He added, side-eying the younger man sardonically.
Kukui's response was to cross his arms and lift his chin. Peering over the rim of his sunglasses with a wry smirk that only exemplified some of his self-assurance. A halfhearted attempt that Nanu shrugged off carelessly as if silently saying ‘your funeral’ before he resumed the conversation.
“Fine. All the stuff you’re doing right now is pointless. You’re going to fail and you’re going to suck at this. For every good day you may have they’ll be several bad ones that immediately follow. You’re never going to have your life back and you’re going to make a shit ton of mistakes. You’ll disappoint them, make them cry, be their worst enemy, and feel like the worst shit on the planet when they say they 'I hate you'. It’s a full-time job that never stops. You won’t ever be ready for it and you’ll never be good enough. You’re better off taking those useless books and tossing them into the ocean.” Nanu finished.
His words harsh but honest as Kukui removed his sunglasses slightly downtrodden. Before he recalled the elated child that hugged Nanu after she finished her Island Challenge and became a Trial Captain. When that same little girl fell asleep during the celebratory dinner and Nanu carried her back home without complaint. A memory that encouraged Kukui to swallow the hard pill and push past it.
“…And on the good days? On those days that outshine the bad ones…” He calmly inquired.
Scrutinizing the Island Kahuna whose hard gaze softened a little. Lost in some of his own recollections that brought an involuntary smile onto his serious demeanor.
A smile that Kukui knew he wasn’t meant to notice.
“…They’ll be the light of your life. They’ll smile at you like you’re their entire world and you’ll want to do everything in your power to give them that and more. It’ll be a learning experience for you both. They’ll keep you grounded, sane, and then do something reckless or dumb that’ll shave off several years and have you living in a constant state of paranoia and fear. But, as much as you want to protect them, you need to let them go. Let them experience life for themselves and give them the tools necessary for their success. It doesn’t matter what you think or what everyone else will criticize you for. Your kid will be dependent on you and the decisions that you’ll make whether they’re right or wrong. Fortunately, you have a loving supporting wife to help you out. So, it’s not like you’ll be struggling through all this by yourself. Talk to her about all this…and just go from there. The best laid plans are often the ones that go awry anyway.” He shrugged while pulling out his vibrating Poké device from his pocket.
Allowing Kukui a quick glimpse of Acerola’s smiling picture on the screen before Nanu flicked it away and started typing out a quick message. Pocketing the device and silently gesturing for Kukui to continue walking out of Ula’ Ula Meadow. “With that said, our 'lovely' discussion is going to have to end. Acerola’s already on the beach which means I’m about to get inundated with texts until I arrive. Hope you have a lot of money on you, Prof, because I’ll be charging you for each one I get from now until we reach Route 16.”
“I mean…I’m sure that’s a bit of an exaggeration.” Kukui secretly hoped. Only to have it dashed when he heard a string of chimes that followed from Nanu’s direction. Suspecting that the Island King purposefully turned the volume on to prove his point and to reinforce the debt the Pokémon Professor would owe by the end of it. “…Or not. Is she always like this whenever you’re late for a meet up?”
“Only if she’s excited and suspects that I’m late due to laziness. A ‘fun day at the beach’ isn’t something I consider high priority when there’s a perfectly nice napping spot back home that I could be enjoying instead. I have no interest lying on uncomfortable piles of dirt and she tells me to stop complaining. ‘It’s part of the beach experience, Uncle Nanu. I want us to enjoy it together.’” He mimicked her high-pitched voice sarcastically with his hand imitating a blabber mouth. “You know what else is ‘part’ of it? Sand. Lots of sand everywhere followed by potential heat strokes, sunburns, sweat, scorching heat, dead sea life, a public spot overcrowded with idiots, an ocean that’s basically the water Pokémon’s glorified toilet …”
“Aww, come on, Nanu! It isn’t all terrible. What about enjoying the nice ocean breeze? Letting the tranquil sounds of the ocean and wild Pokémon lull you to sleep? Getting some vitamin D to turn that frown upside down?” Kukui countered. Smiling innocently at Nanu’s returning scowl of annoyance.
The light teasing banter took up the remainder of the trip until they reached the crossroad next to the Pokémon Center. Where one path led down to the small beach on Route 15 and the other towards the Aether Base where Dexio and Sina resided.
Making Kukui realize that their conversation was wrapping up. “…Still. Thank you, Nanu. Your advice means a lot and at least the beach doesn’t look too overly packed?” He tacked on for reassurance. Peering over to see some people milling about but measuring out to be an average size crowd.
“…It was a compromise. She wanted to go to Hano Beach and I eventually talked her down to this. Another piece of good advice. Compromising will save you a shit ton of headaches in the long run. Use it often. It’s a good weapon in your limited arsenal.” Nanu advised, twitching when his Poké device pinged three more times consecutively. The third text causing his scowl to darken when he pulled out his phone and read it. “…Or flat out tell the kid no. She is out of her damn mind if she thinks I’m going anywhere near that ocean. There’s a reason I intentionally chose not to wear a stupid swimsuit for this awful excursion.” He grumbled under his breath. Sighing when he saw Kukui’s weak attempts at concealing his laughter behind some conveniently timed coughs. “…Laugh it up for now. Sooner or later you’ll have a little monster of your own. And Tapu help the kid if they have to experience your public freak outs.”
“It wasn’t—That’s not what happened!” Kukui argued despite Nanu’s shrewd smirk.
“Keep telling yourself that, Prof. But next time you have another one, go bother someone else. I charge for my invaluable time and you already owe me quite a bit for the thirteen…fifteen texts Acerola has now sent. Next time we meet I’ll accept payment in the form of cash or check.”
“I’ll show you payment. Attitudes like yours are how you become reborn into Sandygasts, you grumpy lout!” Kukui shouted after the Island Kahuna’s departing figure.
Nanu’s fading chortles left Kukui shaking his head exasperated and readjusting his sunglasses. Before taking out his ride pager to call for the Poké ride that he waited for outside the Pokémon Center.
If he stared off into the distance, he could see all the beach goers down below. Basking in the sunny weather poking out from behind the overcast sky and providing everyone with nice Alolan weather.
Eventually, after walking a little closer to the edge, Kukui spotted Nanu and Acerola. Where the two of them had situated themselves in the furthest isolated corner away from everyone else. They had let out some of their Pokémon, like Nanu’s Alolan Persian and Acerola’s Palossand, to have their own beach fun at their makeshift camp site but the real treat was what was happening at the shoreline.
Taking out his phone to zoom in, Kukui clearly saw one unwilling Nanu being dragged towards the ocean by a cheerful Acerola wearing a black and purple one-piece bathing suit. Trying to delay the inevitable by bending down to roll up his black pants and resembling an Alolan Meowth being tortured the second his bare feet hit the water.
He continued resisting Acerola’s attempts of pulling him any further right before a perfectly timed wave slammed into them and left the two individuals soaking wet. With Nanu looking like a wet miserable cat while Acerola was busy laughing and waving off his displeasure with an apologetic smile.
If Kukui happened to capture the event on video, then that was going to remain his secret for now. Laughing hysterically, he saved it onto his Poké device and hastily rushed onto the Charizard Ride to make his stealthy escape. Already plotting to send Nanu the video later, from a safe distance away, to ensure the Island Kahuna never lived it down.
He couldn’t wait until he could share moments like these with Burnet and their own child. Finding that parenthood didn’t look so daunting anymore and nine months would fly by before he knew it. He just had to trust in himself and learn from one of the perfect examples sitting down below as the Poké ride lifted off into the sky. From the young girl and her uncle that proved family is what you make of it.