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The crowd roared. Their melody echoing around the stadium. Many held colorful banners up high for their favorite to see. Others shouted their name out into the wind.
"Now let us welcome our returning gym leaders!"
The chairman announced boldly.
And that was their cue. Just as everyone had practiced weeks in advance, all eight gym leaders stepped out in unison. Melony squeezed Kabu's hand for reassurance, giving him a soft smile. It was enough to knock him out of his funk, to pick up the pace. His hesitance was causing him to fall a bit behind he noticed. She let go of his hand just as the first one was introduced.
The crowd sung their praise as the second was called out, the man waving his hand around in greeting.
Then it his turn.
"Returning for another year of firey battles all the way from Lavaridge, Hoenn is none other than our fire type expert—"
Kabu sat on baited breath as the chairman got through his wordy introduction. His hand had gestured out his way. Directing the audience's attention directly on him. It felt like an eternity. Every step in slow motion. His heart was in his ears, pounding away madly. He swallowed the lump in his throat. But it came back, soaking all the saliva up, leaving his mouth dry as a bone.
"—Kabu Hibana!"
The confused glances in the stands hadn't gone unnoticed. Kabu paid it no mind as the chairman gave a smile and wink his way, the older man coming through with his promise, keeping his trust intact.
And like that, his chest filled with new found confidence. Kabu carried himself with a small bounce in his step. Shoulders held high. He felt light on his toes. Like he was walking on clouds. A smirk, as if he'd just won a competition, adorned his face.
Kabu could breath again. They had made it through the sea of paparazzi successfully unscathed. "I thought I was about to lose a leg out there!" Peony exaggerated with a thunderous laugh. It was punctuated by a clap to the back, Kabu nearly falling over. Melony laughed as she double checked the door to the locker room. Once sure it was indeed locked tightly, she sat herself down onto one of the benches and fanned herself, the difference in temperature here obvious and unbearable.
"I had no idea you were even doing this today, bruv!" Peony slung his arm around Kabu's shoulder, guiding him over to the floor length mirror. Gripping his shoulders gently, just tight enough to turn him but loose enough to be shaken away if Kabu so desired, Peony stood him there with an approving smile plastered on his face. Both rows of teeth perfectly shining in the artificial light above. "I like this new look of yours, too. It really suits you."
Melony swung herself around to face the mirror. But her gaze was focused on Kabu. "You sure? It ain't too uneven is it? I have to admit, I'm not the best at haircuts..."
Kabu touched the side of his head and smiled fondly. It was still very odd not having so much on his head. His back felt cold, almost nude, with it gone. But, mostly, it felt freeing. He recalls himself almost crying last night when he saw how much hair had fallen onto his kitchen floor. "Trust me, Mel," He spoke. "When I say it's perfect, it really is perfect."
His friend blushed at the comment.
"And that new name of yours?" Peony tapped his foot to garner the other's attention.
Kabu turned from the reflection to look at the real Peony. "Kabu, yes. What of it?"
Peony held his hands up in panicked surrender. "Oh nothing, nothing! I like it is all!" He was quick to say. "Sounds like you've picked a good name, yeah?"
Kabu nodded wordlessly. He then turned to sit on the bench next to Melony. Bending over to untie his shoes to change into his others.
"It was my grandfather's name," He explained. "He was the only one who really allowed me to do 'boy's activities' or teach me 'boy's skills'— as my parents would call them. If he were alive today, I am sure he approve. If not immediately, he surely would over time. He was a very open minded man."
"Plus, I felt it was finally time to switch things up. I enjoyed the other name I used, but it never felt... fitting, I suppose? Didn't really have that specific ring to it I wanted."
Peony sat down on the bench opposite the other two. "Hm. Yeah. I guess I get what you mean?"
"Its fine if you don't."
Melony stood to shed herself of her uniform coat, leaving the long undershirt underneath. She stood to go to her cubby hole where her duffel sat, unzipping then stuffing the coat inside carelessly, just glad to be rid of that extra layer. She then stripped herself of The undershirt in favor of the blouse already sitting beside the bag, folded neatly on top of some jeans. Peony looked away, bashful. Kabu rolled his eyes as this wasn't the first time Melony has undressed in front of him, the woman clearly not caring about his presence. He chuckled at himself, thinking of their little drunken camping experience during the new years. Melony's insistence at skinny dipping. Peony's flustered stuttering as both his friends were way too ready to be completely nude in the forest.
"I'm not so sure we should go to the bar now, boys." Melony says as she straightens the wrinkles in her shirt out.
"Why not? We told Mustard we'd meet him and the others there after we changed." A small pout crossed Peony's face for a second.
"Well you saw the amount of press out there," Melony looked back at Kabu sympathetically. "I don't think I would feel alright if our dear friend got followed and bombarded like that in public."
"Yeah... Now that you mention it, it is pretty likely they would come and ruin our time out like that..."
Kabu shrugged as he stood. "So?" He went to his own cubby where he began to change into a plain red tee and baggy jeans. "Why do you think I came out so publicly like this? On live tv no less."
Melony and Peony didn't respond.
"To get as much coverage as possible. No matter how invasive. I want it to reach my family as fast possible and rub it in their faces. Afterall, I have changed my telephone number so they could not contact me."
He was very stern with his explanation. He was so sure of himself and his actions. Confidence spewing forth. Breaking from its confines.
But really, the anxiety couldn't be anymore present.
Truth is, he was scared. Being asked any and all possible question. His privacy invaded. But he thought this through extensively. He mauled over the pros and cons over and over in his head until the pros outweighed the cons. This was his decision. And it's already happened anyway. No turning back now.
The whole of Galar knew he was Kabu. They knew who he really was. Who he's always been. He already expected to be met with tons of negative feedback, but he was prepared for it. He was already used it, as his parents weren't so hush-hush about their views. But even so, he wasn't fully prepared for his parents' words if they somehow are able to contact him. But he would cross that bridge when he came to it. He didn't owe them an explanation. He didn't owe them a thing.
"Now, I would like to get as wasted as possible. And this time I will not let Opal beat me." Kabu says, straightening up from tying his laces. He slung his bag onto his shoulder, taking the starting steps towards the door. Melony followed behind, obviously trying to get there before him with that overprotective air around herself.
Peony scrambled to his cubby where his casual wear hung on its hanger. "Hah!? Now wait just a second! Lemme get dressed, too! Don't leave me behind, you guys!"
The pair laughed as their friend struggled to break free of his pants, hopping around on one leg like a madman.