Chapter Text
“Ash, are you any good at dancing?”
Ash took a moment to process Professor Kukui's question. “Depends on the type of dancing.”
“So not good, then. I figured as much.”
He pouted at the professor from the other side of the monitor. “Why are you even asking?”
“So there's this event, yeah? It's a big formal thing. Five star meals, dancing, mingling – all that stuff. For two nights.”
“I like the sound of at least one of those things.”
“Right. Of course you would. Thing is, it's pretty high brow. Lots of big wigs from the Pokemon League attend.”
“Oh, like Mr. Goodshow.”
“Yeah. You got it. Anyway, I pulled some strings, and managed to get an invite for Alola's new Champion. It's a chance to put Alola on the map, and what better way than an appearance from our best and brightest?”
“I don't have to dress up, do I?”
“It's a formal event, Ash. Of course you do.” Kukui smiled as Ash's shoulders slumped. “But I have an idea. If you're going as Alola's champ, you have to look the part, yeah?”
That perked Ash up. “What do you have in mind?”
Kukui's smile turned into a grin. “How quickly can you get to Alola?”
Ash was on the plane en route to Melemele that afternoon.
Iris read the letter over and over. Every time, the opening sentence became scarier.
Dear Champion, it began, you are hereby invited to attend the Pokemon League's Annual Dinner Party, hosted this year by Castelia City, Unova.
She poked her tongue out at how stuffy it sounded.
“I'm not going.”
Drayden folded his arms and towered over her, forever the stern teacher. “It's Unova's turn to host. You have to go.”
“Alder wouldn't go!”
Drayden narrowed his eyes. “Do not use the former Champion as the standard for behaviour.”
She sighed. “Yes, Master.”
“Being the Champion isn't all fun and games, Iris. You wield a lot of influence in your position.”
She was under no illusions otherwise, but there was no stopping Drayden's lectures.
Iris didn't even mind the formal stuff she had to do, as long as they were fun. Going to schools and showing off for the kids, taking part in exhibition matches, spectating at tournaments... anywhere she could move around a lot or see a fun battle.
Dinners, dancing, and talking with people in suits, on the other hand, didn't sound fun. Now she knew why Alder laughed at her when she took the title from him.
Her reluctance must have been all over her face as Drayden cut his lecture short. “You're not listening to me, are you?”
“I am! I totally am! I'm just not used to all this yet.”
Drayden's demeanour didn't change one bit. “Then treat this as an important opportunity to grow.”
She resisted the urge to groan. “Fine. I'll go.”
“Good. You should know, you won't be the only Champion in attendance. I hear there'll be an unexpected guest.”
“Who?”
“I'm not privy to the guest list. Think of it as something to look forward to.”
Drayden left Iris to stew on his words. She had a few ideas in mind, but none of them really matched the criteria.
From what she gathered during her short reign as Champion, Lance attended every event possible unless he was doing G-Man stuff, Cynthia and Steven were nomadic but showed up often enough for their presence to rarely be surprising and Diantha was a minor celebrity in Unova due to her film career. That meant it had to be someone she hadn't met yet, from a region she didn't know about. Either that, or...
No. It couldn't be.
Her imagination latched onto the possibility and refused to let go.
Him being there would single-handedly salvage the entire event. It was such an exciting prospect she refused to listen to the logical part of her brain.
She read the invite one more time. The event was in one week's time.
One whole week of wishing her imagination would come true, for a change.
Even the rushing residents of Castelia City found the time to stare at Ash and his shocking blue haori. In an endless crowd of black blazers and sensible dresses, the robe and its bright yellow lightning bolt pattern lit him up like a beacon. He was never one to care about what he was wearing, but it was hard to feel confident when people stared at him like he was an alien.
Then he remembered he once stood in front a crowd of about hundred people, including professional fashion designs, in nothing but a fluffy loin cloth and a colourful afro. His tension melted after that. What he was wearing now was incomparable.
Besides, it could have been worse. If Professor Kukui had his way, he would have turned up at the event shirtless. Now that would've been crazy. Everyone would think Alolans were all nuts.
The venue was located by the harbour, just a short walk from the hotel he was staying at. The Skyarrow Bridge was larger than life in the distance as it shined yellow and red in the night sky. Tourists were gathering by the river front to snap pictures of it while orderly cues formed in front of luxurious yachts. They were too busy to pay any attention to him.
It was just as well. The venue receptionist was doing enough staring for a hundred people.
“Can I help you, sir?” he asked, straining his voice to remain professional.
“Uh, yeah, hi. I'm Ash Ketchum. I should be on the list for the... the... what was it called again? Oh, yeah! The Annual Pokemon League Dinner Party.”
The receptionist exhaled. The tightness of his dress shirt collar threatened to choke the composure out of him. “Let me check. So help me if this is a prank...”
Ash shifted from one foot to another while he waited. He wished Pikachu was with him. He had to remain behind because the venue had a strict “no Pokemon out of their balls” policy. “They don't want fur in the buffet,” Kukui explained to him. Ash got it, but he still wasn't pleased about it.
“Here we are. Ash Ketchum. Do you have your invitation with you?”
Ash patted down his haori, searching for the right pocket. He found it in one of the inner pockets and handed it over. The receptionist grimaced at its crumpled state, read it through once, then handed it back to Ash.
“Everything is in order. The hall is down that corridor, second door on the left. Enjoy your evening, sir.”
Ash followed his directions and came to a set of double doors. He pushed them open. On the other side was a hall about the size of two battlefields. Faint piano music played over the din of the gathered guests; clusters of men and women in various shades of black and grey holding wine glasses. Ash stood in the doorway, gaping. Where do I even start?
He was supposed to say hello, but there were too many people. He wasn't expected to talk to everyone, was he? And what else was he supposed to say? Professor Burnet practised with him, but he'd already forgotten.
There was at least one familiar face. Mr. Goodshow's squat stature and sage-like beard were unmistakable. He was surrounded by half-a-dozen guests, but talked with each of them with practised ease. He looked Ash's way and winked knowingly.
He looks busy. I should say hi later.
Ash took a few uncertain steps into the hall and looked around to gain his bearings. Then, he spotted something magnificent in the corner. A row of tables with purple cloth draped over them, each one decked out with an array of colourful food choices. His stomach clenched, reminding him he hadn't eaten since arriving at the hotel. This would be the first guest he introduced himself to.
The food selection was dizzying. If he could, he would've pulled up a chair and grabbed a bit of everything. He noticed everyone else was picking at the buffet and nibbling at it in tiny, polite bites, so he held back. He took a single plate and reached for the serving tongs. His hand bumped against someone else's. He looked up.
Iris beamed at Ash from across the table. She'd never been so happy to see him before.
Firstly, she wanted her win back after their recent battle and wouldn't have to wait much longer.
Secondly, she was elated to see a familiar face. When Mr. Goodshow told her none of the other Champions could make it, she began to worry.
And thirdly, she was so glad somebody else decided to wear something besides a suit or dress. She had to give him credit. The bright colour and lightning bolt pattern looked cool. It looked good on him, despite the confused expression she knew so well.
“Are you using those?” she asked him, gesturing to the tongs.
“Huh? Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “I mean, ladies first.”
She snickered. “Did you practice that one?”
“I did, actually. For two whole days.” He smiled at her. “Boy, am I glad to see you, though. I was so lost a second ago.”
“I know. I was watching you. Should have known you'd head straight for the buffet table.”
“Can you blame me? It looks so good!”
They each filled up a plate (true to his word, Ash let her go first) and moved over to the side so they weren't blocking the table. She noticed the odd looks they were drawing from the nearby guests. She wasn't surprised, given how they were dressed. Ash was either too busy eating to care, or simply didn't realise.
“Master Drayden kinda hinted you'd be here, but I didn't think dinner parties would be your thing.”
“Professor Kukui asked me to. Oh, he was my teacher when I was staying in Alola. He and his wife were like a second family to me.”
“I've heard of Alola. They're these really pretty islands, aren't they? Lots of Unovans go their on their holiday. Although by the sound of things, you did a lot more than take a break there.”
“Yup. I won the first ever Alola League. That's why I'm here.”
“You could have said something.”
“Sorry. Guess it slipped my mind.”
She sighed. “Only you, Ash. Still, I'm glad you're the same as always.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
She flashed him a cheeky smile. “I wonder...”
Ash frowned and squinted his eyes like he was working out a difficult problem. She had to turn and look away as a severe case of giggles bubbled up and tried to escape. Champion or not, Ash was still fun to mess with. That much would likely never change.
“Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt, but do you think we could chat a bit?” asked a new voice. It belonged to a tall man with greying hair wearing a dark suit showing signs of age. “I won't take too much of your time. I promise.”
Iris composed herself. She spotted a lanyard hanging from his neck. Written on the plastic-encased card was the word “Press” in bold, capital letters. She bit her tongue. Interviews could be a mixed bag.
“Sure,” Ash said, now smiling like a goof. “You don't mind, do you, Iris?”
Actually, I do mind. Unfortunately, she couldn't say that without getting into trouble later. It was one of those “not fun” part of being Champion, but she would have to suck it up.
She'd get revenge on Ash later.
“Of course not. What do you wanna know?”
The reported whipped out a notebook and a pen. “I couldn't help noticing your clothes. Are they from Alola, by any chance?” he asked Ash.
Ash nodded. “You could tell?”
“I've been a couple of times. Great place. I love the malasadas.” He scribbled something down in his notebook. “Am I right in assuming you're Alola's first Champion?”
“Yeah.”
“Perfect! Here, have my card. I'd love to talk more in a less formal setting.”Ash was dumbfounded as the reporter shoved a business card into his hand before turning to Iris. “And what about you, Champion? Your PWC ranking hasn't been looking so good, recently.”
“Really? Is it because I beat you or--”
“I've been really busy lately, but don't you worry. I'll be racing up those rankings in no time. You'll see!”
“I see. I'll look forward to that, then. Thank you for your time.”
He excused himself. Ash raised his brow. “Who was that guy?”
“A reporter, obviously.” She rounded on Ash. “You've gotta be careful about what you say to them. They can twist your words.”
“Sounds like a pain.” He smirked at her. “Besides, I only told him the truth.”
Time and place, Iris. Time and place. But no matter how many times she repeated that, she couldn't help herself. “Oh, yeah? Well I bet I'm a better dancer than you.”
That gave him pause. She followed his gaze to the dance floor. Several pairs were swaying in time with a subdued melody being played over the loudspeakers.
“I don't see what dancing has to do with anything,” he said, returning his attention to the food spread.
“If you're too scared, just say it.”
Ash snatched up a mini sandwich and ate it in one bite. “Scared? I'll show you scared. Come on!”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. She was already laughing. When they got there, he froze. He never let go of her hand.
“How did it go again...?” he muttered to himself.
“Like this.” She took his other arm and placed it on her waist. She lead him for a few steps, in time with the music. “See? It's easy. Didn't you practise?”
He looked away. Shame crept along his face. “Everyone kept laughing at me, so we stopped.”
Oh dear. She bit back more laughter. If Ash was as stiff then as he was now, she could see why they stopped trying.
“Just relax and follow my lead, then.”
He returned his gaze to hers. Competition was kindling in his eyes. “I can do it!”
“Unless you wanna give me sore feet, I'll lead. Okay?”
He wanted to argue back. It was all over his face. But no matter how stubborn he wanted to be, she was not backing down. Her feet were more important than his pride.
“Fine,” he conceded petulantly. “Lead on.”
They danced. Clumsily, and awkwardly, and sometimes too close to the other dancers. It was different. Just the two of them, doing something in the way they only knew how. She enjoyed watching Ash's face change from stiff to focused, as if he was in a Pokemon battle and trying to come up with a winning strategy. Then it relaxed into his usual confidence as the longer they danced, the better he got.
“You know, you're not as bad as I thought you were,” she told him.
“Maybe I just needed the right partner.” She stared at him. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“How'd you get so good at this, anyway?”
“I'm just more graceful than you, is all.”
She didn't tell him she had only practised one dance. The one they happened to be doing at that very moment.
When the music switched tempo to something more upbeat, she pulled Ash away. “Let's take a break. Hungry?”
“Starving,” he said, happy to lead back towards the buffet table.
As they walked, still hand in hand, she failed to spot the reporter from earlier snapping pictures from the corner of the room.
Ash woke up tired.
He'd gotten back late the night before. Once the excitement of the event wore off, he was left exhausted like never before. Not even the most intense battles in his life had made him feeling that way. Who knew talking to people was so tiring?
The longer the event went on, the more curious the guests became. They approached him in groups, asking all sorts questions about who he was, where he came from, and if he'd recommend Alola as a holiday destination. That last one was annoying. He'd be lying if he said no, but saying yes made it sound like he went there just to slack off. “It's good for holidays and for Pokemon battles,” he tried saying, but it didn't convince anyone.
If I could just show them, they'd believe me. Sadly, the chance never presented itself.
Pikachu stretched across the bed sheets and yawned before curling back into a ball. Ash wanted to join him and sleep the day away, but he'd promised to update Professor Kukui after the first night. Reluctantly, he got out of bed and got dressed.
“Come on, Pikachu. It's time to get up.”
“Pika...”
Together, they went down to the hotel lobby to borrow one of the video-phone booths. The professor's tired face appeared. Bags had developed under his eyes.
“Morning, Ash,” he slurred. “How'd it go?”
“Forget about me. Are you okay, professor?”
Kukui yawned. “Night feeding,” was all he said. Ash smiled sympathetically. He told him how the night went; meeting with Iris unexpectedly, the reporter he spoke to, the dancing, and then all the questions he got before the night was done.
“It just wouldn't stop,” he complained. “Worst thing was, I don't think any of them took me seriously. Like they couldn't believe I was a Champion.”
“I'm not surprised. Alola doesn't have the competitive history the other regions do. They think we're just some glorified resort. That's why going to these events is important. So we can change that perception.”
“I guess. It would have been much simpler if I could show them with a battle, though.”
“I agree, but what can you do? Anyway, have you got the Unova Star over there?”
Ash tilted his head. “What's that? Some sort of newspaper?”
“Yeah. There should be one somewhere in the lobby.”
He leant back in his seat to the survey the lobby. A rack full of newspapers and magazines stood by the reception desk. Pikachu hopped off his shoulder and bounded across the room. He examined the rack for a bit, then pulled off a newspaper from the bottom shelf with its mouth. He carried it back to Ash.
“Got it, professor,” said Ash after checking the title. Pikachu hopped onto the counter.
“Check the front page.”
He did so. His eyes widened.
A picture from last night. He and Iris on the dance floor, smiling at one another. Above it, the headline in imperious font gave its judgement. “Watch Out, World!” it began. “Pint-Sized Power Couple Formed at Annual League Bash.”
“When I said represent Alola, this wasn't what I had in mind.” Kukui said, amused. He then smirked. “Lei's been wanting a big sister, though.”
Ash stared back with his best Magikarp impression. “It's not like that. She's a friend I travelled with before. She--” he stopped when Kukui began snickering. His cheeks flushed. “It's true!”
“I believe you. Really,” Kukui said once he'd calmed down. “You didn't happen to speak to any journalists last night, did you?”
“Yeah, just the one.” Ash paused. “Oh.”
“Welcome to the world of low-brow journalism, Ash.”
Ash balled his hands into fists. Iris' words rung through his head. You've got to be careful about what you say to them. He'd laughed it off then, but now he knew exactly what she meant.
If she saw the story, she wasn't going to be happy. Not one bit.
“I've gotta go, Professor. Come on, Pikachu.”
“Hope it all works out for you, Ash. Oh, and bring her round next time. I bet Burnet would love to meet her.”
“Sure. I'll think about it. Bye.”
Ash shut the call down and tore out the hotel, Pikachu riding on his shoulder.
Meanwhile, in another hotel in the city, Iris was trying to hide within her hair.
“'The pair could scarcely keep their hands off one another throughout the evening. Even as the guests dispersed and mingled with others in the room, these two couldn't stand to be apart from another.'”
Drayden read the passage from the newspaper with a face of stone. His tone was completely level. Objective. The words coming out of his mouth were alien; something Iris thought she'd only hear in her weirdest dreams.
He lowered the newspaper. “Mind explaining yourself?”
“I told him to be careful!” she burst. “I didn't even want to talk to the reporter.”
“If this account is true,” Drayden said, unmoved, “not talking to him would have made no difference.”
She held her head between her hands. “It's not what it looks like.”
Drayden read on from the article. “'Given the Champion's recent fortunes in the Pokemon World Championships, some may view her infatuation with the hotshot from Alola as a distraction.'”
“Okay, now that's nonsense. Where's that reporter? I'm gonna have a word.”
“Sit down, Iris.” She did as she was told. Drayden folded the newspaper and placed it out of sight on the video feed. She wanted to reach through the screen and tear the thing to tiny pieces. “Embellishments aside, stories of this nature are no good for anybody. They only deepen public interest in your business.”
Don't I know it, she thought grumpily, recalling the countless looks and hushed conversations she'd experienced that morning.
“Personally, I think openly flirting with your friend in public-” she opened her to protest, but he held up a hand, “-is not behaviour becoming of a Champion. We had enough of that with Alder. However, I am not the Champion. You are. You walk your own path.”
“What are you trying to tell me, Master?”
“I'm saying your course from here on is up to you. It's up to you if you want to prove this article false or not. Listen to your heart. It tends to guide you well.”
She closed her eyes. Her heart was boisterous within her chest. She couldn't make sense of what it was trying to tell her.
“I'm gonna go walk around a bit. To calm down.”
“That's fine, but make sure you remember our appointment later.”
“Just to be clear, Ash and I are just friends.”
“I know.”
“He was the only friendly face in the room, so of course I wanted to have a fun time with him.”
“You've missed him. Ever since your journeys with him came to an end.”
“...Yeah. Yeah, I have.”
“Perhaps there's more meaning in that feeling then you realise. Reflect on it. It might lead you to the answer.”
With that said, he disconnected the call, leaving her to mull over his words once again.
“He never gives me a straight answer,” she grumbled under her breath.
Outside, the daily flow of Castelia traffic was reaching its morning peak. With so many high-strung people around, it wasn't the best place for a calming stroll. She remembered there was a children's park nearby and decided to head there instead.
I wonder if he's even noticed, she thought as she left the hotel. Is it just me feeling weird about it? Is it really not that big of a deal?
She couldn't deny being happy to see him the night before. More happy than when they reunited for the first time in months to battle in the PWC.
Being in his presence felt easy and natural. She underestimated how much she would miss that while she was focusing on her training. When she thought about it, the reason was obvious. He was one of her closest friends, and friends missed each other.
Yet, a question nagged at her. The question, really. One she really needed to answer while he was still around. And the only way to do that was for her to do what she always did: take the Bouffalant by the horns.
She should have known Ash would be in the children's park. Seeing him sitting atop an iron dome with a slide sticking out of it felt less like a chance rendezvous and more like a fated encounter.
“Oh, hey Iris,” he called down to her, idly stroking Pikachu's head. “I was looking for you.”
“In the park?”
“I tried finding your hotel but got lost. Then I came here.”
Iris walked over to a swing set next to the dome and sat down. The plastic seat groaned under her weight. She rocked herself back and forth, the toes of her shoes rubbing against the woodchip covered ground.
“You saw it.”
“Yup.”
“And?”
“I don't really get it.”
“As expected.”
He adjusted his cap. “I thought you'd be mad at me.”
“How come?”
“You told me to be careful who I spoke to.”
“I did, but it wouldn't have made any difference anyway.”
“I guess not.”
“The only way that article wouldn't exist is if we spent the whole night ignoring each other.”
“That would have sucked.”
“Right?”
Ash adjusted himself so he was facing her. “I still don't get it, though.”
She smiled wryly. Things like this had always gone above Ash's head. There probably wasn't a single romantic thought in that Pokemon obsessed brain of his. Even when it did involve Pokemon, which he thought about for at least three quarters of the day (the other quarter being dedicated to food, of course), he still didn't get it.
“You wouldn't know love if it was a Haxorus and sat on you.”
He frowned. “What does that even mean?”
She couldn't help herself from bursting out laughing. Ash's face cycled through confusion and annoyance. It settled into a vacant smile.
“You really are such a kid,” she said, shoulders still shaking.
“Ah, shut it. You're just as bad as I am.” Ash fell back onto his hands and stared up at the sky.“For real, though. It's not like I don't know what love is. I saw Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet get married. They had a kid together. I know about all of that stuff. But when I saw that article I felt... I dunno, kinda weird about it.”
Iris leant forward on the swing. “Good weird or bad weird?”
“Both? Bad because the article wasn't true and making all these misunderstandings. But good because...” he trailed off, struggling to find the right words. “Good because we get along really well and others can see that.”
It was the least surprising thing to come out of his mouth. What had she been expecting? For him to stand on top of the dome and confess his love for her so loud the entire city would hear it? This was Ash she was talking to. He only did such things for the Pokemon he liked. He may not even have the capacity to like another human being like that. If she let the matter drop right then and there, and let the rumour mill run its course, she was sure the idea would never come up again.
Thinking about it like that left her torn. She dared not imagine a future where Ash wasn't one of her closest friends. Like him, she was proud of what they had. Then there was that pesky voice that popped up, asking what if. The one sprouting from a seed that had been planted at one time she wasn't sure when. She could let it die, but it would be a shame, especially when the chance to water it was right in front of her. All she had to do was push a little. Go on the offensive and see how he responded. You might push him away... but you might bring him even closer.
The temptation was too great. She had to try.
“Ash, I have a question for you. It might sound weird, but it's just hypothetical, okay?” Iris steadied herself with a deep breath. “What if the article was true and we really like that? How would you feel about it?”
Ash didn't have to think about it for long. “Not much would change.”
“Really? You think so? Even though we'd be going on dates and doing other couply things?”
“If we went on a date, where would we go?”
She leaned forward and rested her head on the palms of her hands. “A festival or theme park would be fun.”
“Right? But if I asked you to hang out somewhere as a friend, where would we go?”
“...probably a festival or theme park.”
Ash's smile was triumphant. “See?”
“Okay, but what about the other stuff? Like kissing. Friends don't kiss each other.”
“They do in Kalos.”
“You know what I meant!”
He shrugged. “Couldn't tell you. I've never really tried doing any of that stuff.”
She leapt to her feet, a crazy scheme formulating in her head. “In that case--”
Ash suddenly held up at a hand. “Shh! Someone's coming.”
“What? Who?”
“Some guy with a camera.”
Iris jumped to grab hold of the swing's support frame and swung herself up in one smooth motion. Over the bushes, she saw a man in slacks and a button down shirt hovering by the park entrance. He held a digital camera in his hand. A lanyard hung around his neck; the same the gathered press were wearing the night before.
“We need to hide.” She jumped back down and gestured to a crawl space beneath the dome Ash was sitting on top of. “In here.”
He hurried down and followed her inside. It was like a cave, no doubt a secret hideaway for many of the local kids. Light filtered in from a thin gap between the ground and the bottom of the dome. It was more cramped than she expected; she didn't think she could stand up straight without bumping her head on the ceiling.
Ash found that out the hard way. “Ow!”
“Keep it down!” she said in a hushed voice.
“Sorry,” he grumbled, rubbing the top of his head.
They waited in silence, listening out for the reporter. His loafers crushed woodchips. She tensed and grabbed Ash's hand, ready to bolt out of the cave at a moment's notice.
Now that she thought about it, a hideaway like this wasn't the best hiding space. If he finds us, he's going to have a field day!
The footsteps grew fainter until she could no longer hear them. Even then, she didn't relax until Ash got her attention.
“You okay? You're holding on really tight.”
“Oh, whoops.”
His expression was half pained, half concerned as she held his hand in a death grip. But instead of letting go, her mind returned to her crazy idea from earlier.
He was right there. They were alone. Nobody could see them. It was the perfect chance. Her heart was frantic from the tension of hiding, but there was something else. She could hear it.
“Hello, Iris? My hand?”
“Stay still for a second.”
She drew herself closer, keeping contact with his eyes. She searched them for something. A sign that he would try to resist or escape, maybe even a clue he knew what she was about to do. Yet she found no reason to stop.
In the silence, she was painfully aware of her heart trying to escape her chest. She hoped he couldn't feel her clammy palms through his gloves. Take this Bouffalant by the horns, Iris.
She was an inch away from doing something friends didn't do.
Her wrist beeped, smashing the spell to pieces. She clicked her tongue and pressed a button on her X-Transceiver to silence the alarm.
“Shoot. I have to go meet with Master again. I totally forgot about it.”
“That's too bad,” Ash said, a little dazed. “Guess I'll see you tonight, then?”
She lingered by the entrance. “Same as usual?”
“Same as usual.”
Ash stood by the buffet table, but refused to touch any of the food. At first, he feared he was getting sick, but he didn't have a fever, and his stomach was fine... mostly. There was a knot in his gut which refused to unravel itself.
He spotted Iris on the other side of the hall, chatting with people. The knot pulled itself tighter. They hadn't spoken since the party started.
He couldn't forget her face mere millimetres from his. People called him dense, but he wasn't that dense. He knew what would have happened had her X-Transceiver been just a couple of seconds late.
It left him thinking about what it all meant.
Once the night was over, he'd return to Vermillion City and continue his duties as a Research Assistant. She would stay in Unova and carry on as Champion. There was no predicting when they'd meet again.
They could go the whole night without saying anything about it and then split as they always were. Same as usual. The easy way out.
Or, he could ask her some important questions. Find out where they stood. A challenge. Something Ash never backed down from.
The tougher the opponent, the harder I fight!
Fat load of good those words did. When she started crossing the room and headed his way, he couldn't think of what to say.
“Sorry about that. They blindsided me as soon as I entered the room,” she said to him before studying his face a moment. “What's wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You've been here nearly an hour and haven't eaten anything. What's wrong?”
Ash buried his hands into the sleeves of his haori. His palms were sweatier than he'd care to admit.
“About earlier. Did you...” Did you mean it? He frowned. Now that would have been a silly question. “You know what, forget about it. It's nothing big. Now how about some food?”
He willed his apatite into high gear, but that stupid knot refused to go away.
Iris looked around the room. Ash wondered if she was keeping an eye out for the reporter from earlier. She nodded, satisfied about something, and then leaned closer to whisper something. Her breath tickled his ears.
“Let's sneak out.”
He pulled back, surprised. Her smile was scheming.
“Can we?” he asked.
He didn't know much about the other guests, but he assumed Iris and himself were the most important guests in the room. She definitely was, since Unova was hosting the event. On top of that, he'd been sent here for a reason, and it wasn't just to eat food and hang out with her.
“No one will see us. It'll be fine.”
Even he had to doubt that one. There was nobody else in the room dressed like they were.
She must have seen the doubt on his face as her smile slipped. “Come on, Ash. You seriously don't want to stay here, do you?”
“To be honest? Not really.”
“Then what's the problem?” She turned on her heel and began walking off. “Besides, it's not like you to think so much. It doesn't end well when you do.”
She took off giggling. It took Ash a moment to process he'd just been insulted. “Hey!”
He followed after her, indignation fuelling his stride. One moment you're trying to kiss me, the next you're calling me stupid. I don't get you sometimes.
She stopped by a fire escape in the corner of the room and looked around again. Ash did the same. The guests were still in their groups, talking the night away. Some were pairing off to dance. For the moment, nobody was paying attention to them.
Iris pushed down on the bar. The door swung open with a squeak. They both froze. I don't know how I'm gonna explain if we're caught. No doubt the papers would have a field day.
“Go,” he told Iris, nudging her in the back.
“Don't have to tell me twice.”
The fire exit spat them out into an alley way. The outer wall of the neighbouring building stood firm in front of them. A rusting disposal sat at one end, overflowing with bulging rubbish bags. Ash gagged when he caught the stench of rotting, discarded food, and longed for the mouth-watering scents of the buffet again.
“This way,” said Iris, already heading the alley's exit. He followed until the shadows turned into neon lights. Castelia City's harbour area awaited them, bursting with light and luxury.
“So what now?” he asked, taking in the rubbish-free air. He caught the smell of frying doughnuts. The knot in his stomach unravelled a bit.
“Let's go down there,” Iris said, pointing to a set of stairs leading down to the seaside. “The view's really great.”
She hadn't been kidding. Ash had caught a glimpse the day before, but being by the water's edge made all the difference. The Skyarrow Bridge suddenly appeared ten times bigger now he could see it in its entirety. He found himself wanting to run from one end to the other, just to see if he could.
Below them, the reflections of the moored yachts and pleasure ships shimmered on the water's surface. It was completely different to Vermillion City's harbour, where the water was murkier, and there was nothing but cruise and freight ships to look at.
Iris stretched her arms above her hand and then sighed contentedly. “Now this is much better than that stuffy party hall.”
“Yeah...” Ash said, distracted by the frills of her dress playing in the breeze. He never realised how graceful she looked. The first time he saw it, he'd been too focused on their battle to really look. But now, the girl he knew, the one who spent most of her time sleeping in trees and swinging on vines, suddenly looked very pretty.
He averted his gaze and forced himself to look at the water. Get yourself together. She's your friend.
They watched the boats in silence. There was no bickering or name calling. No joking around. Just companionable silence. He enjoyed it. It felt right. Then a dissenting voice reminded him of something he was supposed to ask her. Something he'd backed out off. Once again, he hesitated, wondering if the question was worth ruining the moment.
He watched a boat in the distance pass under the Skyarrrow Bridge and made up his mind. It's now or never.
“I tried asking this earlier, but... yesterday, were you gonna, you know, do that to me?”
He wanted to dunk his head in the water at how unsure he sounded.
Iris didn't answer him right away. Her silence clawed at his nerves, and for one harrowing moment he thought he'd screwed up.
She faced him. “Hey, Ash? Stand still a sec.”
“Why?”
The word barely left his mouth before she closed the distance and pressed her lips against his.
She held them there no longer than a couple of seconds, but it was enough to crash his mind.
Only when she pulled away and smiled shyly at him did his brain reboot.
“What do you think now?”
“I, uh, yeah,” he spluttered. “That answered my question.”
She burst out laughing. That annoying, childish, but infectuous laugh. He caught it, too. A few of the locals gave them odd looks, but he didn't care.
“You can be such an idiot, you know that?” she said, jabbing a finger in his gut. “If a girl tries to kiss you, they probably mean it. What else was I going to do to you?”
“I don't know! For all I know, you were trying to prank me.”
“Oh come on, what do you take me for? I might like messing with you, but I'm not that mean.”
“Well--” He stopped himself. What were they even arguing about? “No, you're right. I'm being dumb.”
“Like always.”
He smiled. “Bet you like that about me, though.”
“Somehow. The heart can be a funny thing sometimes.”
They fell into silence again. Ash wasn't sure what to do next. Girls who kissed him tended to leave before he had a chance to say anything, but Iris was still there. The night would end before long, and they'd have to go their separate ways once more, but for now, she wasn't going anywhere. And as long as that was the case, he wasn't going anywhere, either.
“So hey,” he said, scratching his cheek with one finger. “Professor Kukui said he'd like to meet you, so... do you wanna go to Alola with me?”
Her face lit up as bright as the bridge.
“Of course I will! We can play on the beaches, you can treat me to all that delicious Alolan food, and...” She pointed a finger at him. “I get to kick your butt in front of all your adoring fans.”
“Oh, yeah? How about you catch up to me in the PWC first? Then I'll think about it.”
She gaped at him. He smirked in triumph. For once, she didn't have a comeback.
He was going to accept her challenge, anyway. No doubt she'd be even stronger than last time. This was Iris, after all.
If she was stronger, then he'd be much stronger as well. That much he could guarantee.
And if they both kept getting stronger, then world better watch out, because there'd be no couple stronger than them.