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“Ah! Another day!”
“Another day,” Seungmin sighs, holding his Togepi closer to his chest, who chirps quietly.
“Pika!”
Jeongin walks along the road, his loyal Pikachu by his side. Him and Seungmin are on their way to Eterna City, the next city in their region. Jeongin is going to battle the gym leader there. He has already earned one gym badge in Oreburgh City, and he hopes to earn another.
They’re about to stop for the night, and set up camp in the woods.
Jeongin and Seungmin grew up together in Twinleaf Town. They’ve been best friends their whole lives. When Jeongin decided he wanted to become a real trainer, Seungmin decided to come along with him, despite not having the same aspirations.
Seungmin just wants to photograph Pokémon. He worked as a photographer for the Professor back in Twinleaf. The Professor gave him a camera for their journey, for Seungmin to take photos of Pokémon in the wild.
The main reason Seungmin tagged along is because Jeongin wanted him to. And he would do anything Jeongin wanted.
He may have a small crush, but Jeongin doesn’t need to know that now. A huge crush, actually. But still, he’s too scared to make a move. He doesn’t want to ruin their friendship, or make things weird.
He wants to tell him some day, but today is not that day.
They’re almost at their stopping point when Seungmin’s least favorite person runs into them.
Literally.
“Ah!” Jeongin shrieks as he falls to the ground, Chan on top of him.
“Pika!”
“Oh no, Jeongin! My bad, I didn’t even see you!” Chan says, scrambling off of the boy.
“It’s okay,” Jeongin sighs, getting back on his feet.
“You good?” Seungmin asks.
“Pika?”
“I’m fine, guys,” Jeongin says.
“Well if it isn’t Kim Seungmin!” Chan says, “Long time no see!”
“We should’ve kept it that way,” Seungmin grumbles, shushing his Togepi who is a little distressed from the commotion.
Chan is Seungmin’s rival. He’s also from Twinleaf Town. The two never got along, and fell out even more when Chan decided to be a Team Galactic fan.
“Aw, I missed you too, Seungmin,” Chan smiles, “And you too, Innie.”
“I can’t say I feel the same,” Jeongin mumbles, rolling his eyes. Chan has a habit of flirting with him. He knows the real intention of the flirting, but it doesn’t make it any less annoying.
“What are you doing here, Chan?” Seungmin asks, annoyed as well.
“I was just heading back home, but I was about to set up camp for the night,” Chan replies.
Seungmin nods, “Us too.”
“Ah, so there should be no problem if I stay with you guys for the night!”
Seungmin groans, “Why?”
“We’re lonely. Right, Meowth?”
“That’s right!” His Meowth exclaims.
Jeongin huffs, “Fine, but just for tonight.”
“We’ll be out of your hair in the morning, baby doll!” Chan replies.
“Don’t call me that.”
“You see, Chan doesn’t actually like Jeongin. He’s just flirting to mess with Seungmin,” Meowth says matter-of-factly. All three trainer’s Pokémon are gathered around the campsite’s fire as their companions go hunt for berries.
“Pika?”
“Yes, Seungmin likes your Jeongin! You travel with them, are you blind?”
“Pika!”
“It’s just a matter of time. I bet Seungmin will make his move soon,” Meowth says before turning to Seungmin’s Psyduck, “What do you think?”
“Psy!” Psyduck cries, clutching his head.
“Sorry I asked.”
Snap!
“Seungmin! Quit taking pictures for a second and help us!”
“Sorry,” Seungmin says, “I’ve never seen a Hoothoot posing like that.”
“Fancy camera you got there,” Chan says, pointing, “Where’d you get it?”
“The profess- um, your dad,” Seungmin mumbles, “I always forget he’s your dad.”
“Yeah,” Chan sighs, “We’re nothing alike.”
“You can say that again,” Jeongin says, “Now both of you stop talking and help me!”
The silence that falls between the three is awkward. There’s obvious tension in the air.
“Hey, Seungmin,” Chan smirks.
“Oh, here he goes,” Seungmin groans, holding his forehead much like his Psyduck does.
“When are you gonna tell Jeongin?”
Seungmin freezes, this cannot be happening.
Jeongin tilts his head, “Yeah, Seungmin, when are you gonna tell me?”
Seungmin’s mouth falls open, and instead of replying— he runs.
Chan giggles, “Looks like Seungmin’s blasting off again!”
Jeongin shoves him, “Shut up. Did you really have to do that at this moment? It couldn’t wait?”
“No,” Chan responds, “Someone had to stir the pot.”
“Right now?”
“Just go after him!”
Jeongin huffs, but goes anyway.
Jeongin finds Seungmin by the campfire, sitting on a log by all of the Pokémon. His camera is off his neck for once, and he’s cuddling his Togepi.
“Kim Seungmin.”
Seungmin looks up, “Innie-“
“You’re an idiot.”
“What?”
“A buffoon. You’re as bright as your Psyduck over there.”
“Psy!” Psyduck cries.
“Is it Pick on Seungmin Day?”
Jeongin laughs, “No, dummy. I like you back.”
Seungmin sputters, “W-What?”
Jeongin sighs, walking over and sitting on the log next to Seungmin, “I’ve been waiting on you to make the first move.”
“I-“
“Literally everyone was.”
“That’s right!” Meowth says.
Seungmin gapes, “So you…”
“Yeah,” Jeongin smiles, placing a hand on Seungmin’s knee, “Yeah.”
Seungmin grins back, setting a chirping Togepi down on the ground next to Pikachu.
“This is the part where we kiss by the way,” Jeongin says.
Seungmin blushes beet-red, but before he can say anything stupid Jeongin’s lips are on his.
Seungmin’s eyes are still blown wide, but after a second or two he melts into the kiss. His hand comes up to cup Jeongin’s cheek. It feels so right, like this moment was destiny.
“Not to break up this beautiful moment, but-“
“Pika!”
Jeongin pulls away from Seungmin, “Pikachu is right, you shouldn’t have.”
Chan puts both hands up, “Sorry, I just…got lonely.”
Seungmin sighs, standing up and walking over to Chan. He places a hand on his shoulder, “Y’know, I think I owe you.”
“You…owe me?”
Seungmin smiles, “Without you it would’ve been a while until I made a move. So thank you. I owe you.”
“Ah,” Chan smiles sheepishly, “You’re welcome, Minnie.”
Seungmin drops his smile, “Don’t call me that.”
Chan laughs obnoxiously, heading over to his Pokémon. He fist bumps Meowth and gets comfy on a tree stump, “What a day!”
“What a day,” Jeongin echoes, smiling wide. He catches Seungmin’s eyes and Seungmin flushes, walking back over and sitting beside Jeongin. Their hands find each other and fit together like puzzle pieces. Like fate. Like destiny.
“Pika!”
“Yes, you’re always number one, Pikachu,” Jeongin says fondly to Pikachu, who climbs up onto his shoulder, “You’re getting a little big for this though.”
“Aha!” Chan exclaims, “You know what we need right now?”
Jeongin and Seungmin just stare at him, not at all amused.
“A photo,“ Chan continues, snatching Seungmin’s camera from the ground.
“Be careful with that!” Seungmin says.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Say cheese!”
“Pika!”
“You gotta admit, it’s a nice photo,” Jeongin laughs.
“I’ve already been too nice to Chan today. I need a break.”
“Hey!” Chan whines, “When did it turn into Pick on Chan Day?”
“I think every day should be Pick on Chan Day,” Jeongin grins.
“You’re an evil little guy,” Chan remarks.
“Says the Team Galactic member,” Seungmin scoffs.
“I’m not actually in Team Galactic,” Chan says, “I just…wanna be someone.”
“You don’t need to be the bad guy to be someone,” Seungmin says softly.
“Well I’m not a good trainer, you’re the photographer of Twinleaf. Who else can I be?”
“Just be yourself,” Jeongin pipes up, “You’re not a bad person, Chan. Annoying, yes. But not bad.”
Chan smiles, “Thanks, guys. Maybe I should stay back in Twinleaf. Help Dad out in the lab.”
“He would love that,” Seungmin nods, smiling back.
The next day, Jeongin and Seungmin continue their journey, after saying their goodbyes to Chan.
“Good luck out there! Take care of each other,” Chan says.
“We will,” Seungmin replies, smiling at Jeongin.
“Innie, I know you’ll be the very best. That no one ever was.”
Jeongin winces, “You sound cheesy.”
“I’m trying to be motivational!” Chan defends.
“It’s not working for ya,” Jeongin laughs, “We’ll see you around.”
“Smell ya later!” Chan says, before taking off with his Meowth in tow.
Seungmin sighs, “Time for another day,” he says, holding out a hand to Jeongin.
“Yeah,” Jeongin smiles, taking Seungmin’s hand, “Another day.”