Chapter Text
Summer, 2004.
Love is seeing them in your surroundings, no matter where you go.
"What's the matter, Ash?"
"Huh!?" The young man jolted, as if woken from a trance. "Sorry, what'd you say, Professor?"
"I told you you can drop the formalities, cous. Call me Kukui." The brunet who, for some reason, walked around shirtless with an open lab coat, cracked an amused grin. "You were really caught up in your Own Tempo. Something on your mind?"
"Oh! It's…" Ash laughed, scratching his cheek. "You see that lady over there? The blonde one?"
The human duo was walking down the streets of Hau'oli City, headed for the local market. Alongside the road were the fine, pristine white shores of Melemele, where many beachgoers enjoyed their day, young and old, human and Pokémon.
But, one passerby had caught Ash's attention; a tall woman in a swimsuit, with blonde, wavy hair framing her shoulders.
Kukui snorted, covering his grin behind his hand, to hide his amusement, lest he encourage Ash's behavior. "I'm surprised at you, Ash. You should know it's not polite to stare at strangers, no matter how attractive they may be. I know it's typical for your age…"
"N-not like that!" Ash waved his hands, while Peeks snickered at his expense. Ash shot his partner a dirty look, and Peeks started to whistle. "It's just… She reminded me a lot of my girlfriend, Serena. I actually thought I might've seen her for a second, but it was just the hair."
Kukui belly-laughed, shaking his head. "Sorry, cous. I guess I jumped to conclusions at Extreme Speed!"
"I should say so!" Ash huffed, crossing his arms with a mischievous smirk playing out. "Besides, I see you get the same look in your eye when you talk about your wife. And I haven't even had the chance to see her!"
"Ah, that's…" Kukui suddenly looked nervous, knowing he'd been caught. He idly scratched his cheek. "Well, that's love for you! It can seek you out like a Shadow Sneak, no matter how far that person may be! But, you know how that feels, don't you?" The Professor grinned, ruffling the hat atop the young man's head.
Kukui felt like he was raising his very own, at times like this, despite his live-in assistant being freshly 18, complete with 5 o'clock shadow. "W-wait!" But, that didn't stop him from noticing one crucial detail.
"Huh?" Ash frowned, readjusting his cap after Kukui removed his hand. "What's wrong?"
"I may have just run into Amnesia," Kukui frowned. "...But, wasn't your girlfriend's name Dawn?"
"Well… that's…!" Ash grinned sheepishly, a chuckle hissing through his teeth. Peeks shook his head.