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To Larry, being ordinary was just as much of a job as all the others; arguably, the most grueling out of his lot. Not many would think it by looking at his apathetic expression, but becoming one of the greatest trainers in all of Paldea was no cakewalk. It took years cultivating his team and yes, believe it or not, passion for the sport; yet, it paled in comparison to just being ordinary in every sense of the word.
Still, it came easy to him. Almost everything did, really.
Almost being the apt descriptor.
He had just finished a battle with a fledgling trainer. His Staraptor made quick work of their grass types with a succession of aerial aces. Their last Pokémon, a weaker Wattrel, managed to paralyze his Staraptor. After that, a quick command of facade put that particular trainer’s champion dreams to rest. The battle finished faster than Larry had anticipated, so he managed to squeeze in time to eat before a required Pokémon League meeting in Mesagoza. He was eating grilled rice balls with lemon when a familiar face entered the restaurant.
“What a lovely aroma!” noted Katy, walking slowly over to Larry’s side of the table. Her heart-shaped pupils bounced around as she took in her surroundings. The pleasant smile on her face was hard for Larry to ignore. He stole a glance before their eyes could meet. She seemed happy to have crossed paths.
“How are you doing, Larry?” she asked, waving a gloved hand at him.
He continued to eat, but he was as much a gentleman as he was ordinary, swallowing his food before he could speak. “Fine. Just got done with another battle.”
Katy nodded and steadily eyed him. “How was it?”
“The way they usually go,” he replied nonchalantly.
“So your Staraptor took care of business,” she said, giving an easy laugh.
Larry managed to crack a faint smile but was wordless.
Katy used his silence as an opportunity to order. She got the house special. Same as him.
“What brings you here?” Larry was never one to partake in casual conversation but his curiosity piqued his interest. He thought of what Katy was usually up to, experimenting with ingredients to bake exceptional treats. People from all over Paldea would make the trip to Cortondo to get a bite of whatever she had to offer, while some made use of her bakery’s online ordering. Larry often did the ladder.
Her eyes widened, surprised to hear his interest. Katy spoke quicker than she usually did. “Oh, well, if you’re really interested…” She was interrupted by her food arriving. Steam danced excitedly from the fresh rice balls. Katy looked away from Larry to admire the edible work of art. “I’ve been struggling with baking recently.”
Larry raised an eyebrow. “Really?” He hoped he didn’t sound condescending or the least bit rude. His plain tone would confuse others at the most inconvenient times.
Katy seemed to understand his concern and that relieved him. “It’s just awful,” she confessed a little shyly. “I haven’t felt satisfied with any of my creations. You know, cooking and baking are art just like painting and sculpting. I’ve talked about it with Brassius and Hassel but none of their advice seems to stick.” She poked one of the rice balls with a frown. “Maybe I’m losing my touch, like with my battling. I feel constrained.”
Greeted by Larry’s thoughtful stare, Katy grew a little color on her face. Apologetically, she started to fidget with her gloves. “I’m sorry for rambling like that, Larry. I know how you value your time.”
He waved her off. “Don’t be sorry. And don’t worry about wasting my time. You’re not.”
I mean, she technically is. If I talk for another minute or so, I might be late for that meeting.
Taking in Katy’s distraught expression, Larry put that thought away. Geeta and the others would have to wait, just this once. He ignored the sudden prickling feeling in his chest at the uncharacteristic decision. Maybe it was more than helping a coworker in need. Yes, Katy was a fellow gym leader, but he really did not owe her much. On principle, that is. He’d be lying to himself if he said he didn’t have some fondness for the bug-type specialist and highly talented baker. Like him, Katy mostly kept to herself and was far more interested in honing her craft. The remarkably talented woman that she was, Larry knew of the limitations that kept those talents at bay. Oddly enough, he felt a great sense of sympathy for her.
“I know about Geeta’s request to take it easy,” he said. She didn’t seem surprised by his revelation, but Katy still nodded.
“I raised one of my Teddiursa into an Ursaring. I see why you love normal types as much as you do. My Ursaring takes hits so well and has such a wonderful move pool. But the poor thing has so little battle experience since it’s much too powerful for all of those beginning trainers. I understand where Geeta is coming from with her request, but I feel so—”
“Limited,” Larry answered for her.
“Yes,” Katy started playing with her pale green hair. She gave another one of her easy laughs. It soothed Larry just hearing it despite her troubling predicament. “It’s odd, Larry, but you seem to understand me quite well. I appreciate it more than you’d think.”
It suddenly became harder to keep his impassive face together. He settled his elbow on the table and kept a hand behind his neck. “It’s really nothing, Katy.” he quietly said.
Sensing his awkwardness, Katy began to pick at her food. She ate a rice ball and did not conceal its deliciousness. She smiled warmly. “It’s so simple but so good!”
Again, Larry kept quiet.
“I think I’m starting to get it.” she assessed. “I won’t lie about how I feel. I wish more trainers saw me and my bug Pokémon as strong. I know that I am, and I know that they are, too. But I can’t let that discourage me, you know?”
It was like a fire was lit behind her, making Katy ablaze with determination. Larry couldn’t look away from her.
“If I want to get over this slump, I just have to have more faith in myself. I didn’t become a gym leader or a renowned baker overnight. I’ll use this as a chance to crystallize and emerge as an even stronger trainer.”
“For what it’s worth, Katy,” he started with, edging closer to her part of the table. Her face gained some noticeable color that Larry found particularly endearing (for a reason he’d rather not admit). “I have faith in you, too.”
She stalled for an answer, blinking two or three times at him with dazed eyes. “Thank you, Larry.”
“Here,” Larry said. He rose from his seat and slipped a hand inside his coat to fetch his wallet. “Eat your food before it goes cold, okay? And it’s on me.”
Katy was stumbling for her words again. She shook her hands at him adamantly. “No, no, Larry. You don’t have to!” He slid the money to her, but she tried sliding it back to him. With a sigh, Larry let his hands meet hers.
“It’s on me, Katy.”
She let her gaze linger where their hands had met. Her thumb accidentally brushed against his as she accepted the money, albeit with great timidity. “Thank you,” she breathlessly said.
Larry continued to stare at her, not bothering to remove his hands from her. In spite of the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, he could only fixate on those heart-shaped pupils that stared right at him. He felt like he was caught in her web; yet, he managed to find the will to distance himself from her. When he pulled his hands away from hers, he noticed how her fingers seemed to have lingered, not wanting him to part.
“I have somewhere to be now but don’t feel bad. I won’t be late.”
I will be, actually. I just don’t want her to panic.
“Oh, well,” Katy withdrew her hands and settled them atop her lap. “At least I didn’t keep you for long.” Her chuckle was as light as a feather.
Larry picked up his suitcase and turned his back towards her. In a moment of inexplicable hesitation, he peered his eyes over his shoulder. “Take care, Katy.”
“I will,” she sheepishly said, watching as he walked over to the door.
Upon leaving the restaurant, Larry was doused in harsh sunlight. At this rate, he’ll be at least five minutes late for that League meeting. He’d be in a little bit of a panic in any other instance but this was a special exception he could make.
Larry closed his eyes in an attempt to steady himself. One thing he did try ignoring was the way his heart had suddenly raced back there.
Now that was out of the ordinary.
Two weeks later and with some free time to spare, Larry decided that a visit to Cortondo could be arranged. He found the time when one of his scheduled meetings was mercifully canceled. The obvious reason for his visit did not go ignored: he wanted to check up on Katy. If Larry really wanted to, he could chalk up the reason as work-related with her being a gym leader and all; to any outsider looking in, it was a perfectly ordinary reason to go see her.
That didn’t explain, however, why his heart was racing before he could even enter her bakery. He adjusted his tie for reassurance and opened the wooden door.
An aroma so sweet wafted in the air. It calmed Larry a great deal. Now came the question of actually finding her in a moment’s rest. Not wanting to intrude, he concocted a very simple plan. Larry settled his suitcase next to a small table and sat down, interlacing his hands together as he waited patiently for Katy to notice him.
He glanced at his wristwatch. Larry made sure to have ample time. He didn’t have anywhere to be soon. Truly unbecoming of him. Thankfully, it only took Katy about ten minutes to stumble out of her kitchen and see him sitting in there.
Surprised, she brought a hand to her gaping mouth. “Larry, I didn’t think I’d see you today! Why didn’t you call? I would’ve greeted you sooner. Don’t tell me you’ve been there for long.”
Larry shook his head. “Just a few minutes.”
Katy maneuvered from behind the counter and into the dining space. She patted her flour-covered apron as she settled into the seat in front of him. “You must have somewhere to be. Why are you in Cortondo today?”
“This was on my schedule,” he replied.
Realizing the implication, Katy shifted her gaze away from him. She pursed her lips into a thin line. “That’s awfully nice of you. Believe it or not, I was hoping you’d visit.”
His blank expression did little to reveal the happiness her words gave him. “Why’s that?”
“I was baking for you.”
At that, Larry couldn’t fight back the wave of bashfulness that struck him. He felt his face catch a considerable amount of heat. If he was lucky, the lighting in the bakery would make it hard for Katy to see.
“Just give me a moment,” she said, shooting up from her seat. Katy excitedly ran back to her kitchen to fetch her baked goods, leaving Larry to process just exactly everything.
I’m starting to think that maybe… Just maybe…
She came back with a pale green box, cradling it in her hands before proudly putting it atop the table. Katy sat down again and waited for his reaction with great patience.
He hated to admit it, but Larry was nervous. His mind went frantic, scouring through his memories to remember the last time someone—anyone did something this objectively sweet for him. There was no other way to interpret this, he rationalized. She was being so exceedingly sweet.
Larry made sure to carefully open the box. When he finally did, a baker’s dozen or so of butter croissants greeted him. He was terribly eager to give them a try, but he eyed Katy instead.
“Butter croissants are as simple as they get!” she cheered, clasping her hands together. “These are a Kalos specialty, but they have variations there, too. I figured you’d enjoy these ones the most, though.”
Larry felt frozen in place. Wordless.
Katy closed her eyes and smiled at him, giggling, “Don’t be shy, Larry. Try one!”
He reached inside the box for a croissant. It was baked to a perfect golden color and smelled heavenly. Larry took a generous first bite and was not surprised whatsoever at its delicious taste. Light, fluffy on the inside, and just the right amount of buttery sweetness. He took another bite, this one more eager than the last, and thought how there were even more waiting for him inside that pale green box.
He couldn’t recall the last time he was so unabashedly happy. The fresh, still warm croissants were quite literally warming his heart, as saccharine as it was to admit. And all thanks to the lovely, jubilant woman sitting in front of him.
Just maybe… Maybe she makes me happy.
“What do you think?” Katy sweetly asked.
“I think you’re wonderful, Katy.”
“They’re wonder—wait! Did you just say me?” Her face went red.
“I did,” admitted Larry. “Thank you,” If he was any other man, he’d have more words to say than just the standard fare. But if Katy’s bashful expression told him anything, she understood how he truly felt.
Love or whatever you wanted to call it was most certainly out of the ordinary for a man as ordinary as him, but Larry found that perhaps, conceivably, it could be part of the job, too.
With Katy, the job came easy.