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“Now then, let's get this started, eh?" Rika adjusts her gloves, staring down at you. Noticing the slight blush on your cheeks, she smirks. "Let good ol' Rika be the first of the Elite Four to take you on!"
Placing a hand on your shoulder, she smiles softly, “You’ve got this kiddo, don’t let me scare ya too much.” The reassurance feels nice as you watch Rika saunter away slowly. How she manages to look so confident and attractive by simply walking; you’ll never understand.
She takes her position across from you on the court and pushes a strand of her wispy green bangs back.
"I'd say I'll go easy on you, but...I'd be lying! Think fast!" Rika smiles, releasing her Whiscash from the Pokeball she was bracing in her hand.
"I finally get to battle you! I've been looking forward to this, so don't you give up too soon!" She smiles, throwing an attack at your Pokemon, fresh on the court.
Every time you knock out one of her team members, the look of despair and excitement grows on her face. Her ponytail drifts softly as she throws open her Pokeball. You want so hard to focus on the battle, but much like the interview, you find yourself distracted by the powerful woman in front of you. Something in the way she adjusts her gloves, and the menacing look she gives you as she gets down to her final pokeball make you want to crumble.
You wanted to focus on the battle, you really wanted to be a champion, but when your fate rested on the shoulders of such an attractive trainer, you didn’t know how it would be possible.
Noticing her grip tighten on the Pokeball in her hand, she lets her Dugtrio retreat, before cracking a smile.
What you didn’t know is Rika had been watching you since day one. Whenever Clavell mentioned an exciting new student would be entering the academy, her interest was piqued by nothing more than sheer curiosity. But as she got to see you on the battlefield, and heard rumors of your defeating gym leaders, titans, and Team Star, she knew it was only a matter of time before she got to meet your greatness.
It didn’t hurt that you were cute with your big doe eyes and soft expression. God, the things she wanted to do to you. Distracted by her thoughts, Rika heard her Dugtrio cry, before calling them back into their Pokeball. Seeing your exhausted yet cheerful expression, she couldn’t be more content.
"Nahahaha! You really are something else, kiddo!" she began to clap
She knew you wouldn’t expect what she had coming for the last hurrah. Tossing out her beloved Clodsire, she couldn’t wait to see your reaction to the next trick.
"Let's finish this! Go on, Clodsire! Shake things up a bit!"
She knew she had you cornered with this maneuver, what could you possibly do? You had four fainted Pokemon, one on the verge of fainting, and whatever other small mon you kept in the back for levels. It was time to admit defeat, and despite wanting you to succeed for your advancement, a little part of her wanted you to fail so she could see you again.
Rika’s eyes widened as you smiled, terastallizing your Pokemon. All of your fangirling over the member of the Elite Four paid off, as you knew her final Pokemon would likely be a pure ground Tera. Pulling out your own orb, you throw a move so strong her precious Clodsire cannot attack before fainting.
“There is no way…” Rika thought to herself before opening her Pokeball again. “How did you possibly know what she was going to do? Did Nemona tell you? Did you cheat?” Regardless, she had to maintain her composure. Taking a deep breath she smiled at you.
"Not bad, kiddo." Rika placed her arm back on your shoulder, reassuringly
“You don’t have to call me Kiddo, Rika. I’m your age.” You laugh, hoping she won’t get upset by your comment
“Hm?” Rika looked puzzled “Got somethin’ else you wanna be called instead?”
“Yours”
You choked on the reply, realizing what you just said without thinking.
She looked up and smiled softly, acting as if you hadn’t said anything. Meanwhile, you were a stammering red mess.
“Oh god, Rika, I am so sorry, I just messed up and wasn’t thinking, I think I’m just tired from the battle and…”. You ramble on until she places a finger under your chin, making you look up at her.
“Don’t worry about it, kay? Let’s just move on before the others get here” She smiled, her remark only leaving you more of a mess than you already were. You couldn’t help but think that wasn’t exactly a rejection.
Rika turned around, thinking about your comment. “No way was that an accident, right?” She brushed it off with a slight laugh, “Gotta stay composed, Rika.” She thought.
"Talk about unfair. No way was I ever gonna win that one. Still, though, what a great battle. Felt good even to lose!" She looked at you, as you were spraying a potion on your Pokemon, and got on her knees to pull a revive from her bag for Clodsire.
"Not a whole lot of Trainers have the skill to make it past the Elite Test... But who knows? I'm beginning to think you might be one of the few that do”
“Do you think so?” You question, unsure if she is just being nice after you embarrassed yourself or genuine in her remarks.
“Of course I think so, otherwise I wouldn’t have said it” She looks up, confusedly
“Oh,” you stammer, “I guess that makes sense, I’m sorry…”
Rika cuts you off by placing a gloved finger on your lips.
“You are far too nervous sometimes. It’s cute, but you can breathe around me, alright? Calm down, and stay calm. You’ve got this”. She softens her gaze, eyes watching yours. You try not to meet her eyes, knowing if you do so, you won’t be able to contain the pink of your blush. There is no way THE Rika of THE Elite Four just called you cute, right??
You eventually meet her gaze after feeling her ruby eyes burning into your body.
“Thank you, Rika,” you say, feeling your heart rate slow
“No problem doll,” you fluster at the nickname “You’ve gotta focus for the next three members, but I’m sure you’ll be able to defeat them in battle if you try hard. Now Geeta on the other hand…”
Rika let out a chuckle, her laughter bouncing her hair softly
“You won’t have a problem winning against her. I was able to take her in battle with no problem, dunno how she got to be considered the best of the best around here.”
The reassurance calms your nerves. you were surprised enough that you beat Rika in battle, she’s known for her powerful Pokemon. But you couldn’t imagine taking on La Primera, let alone winning against her.
“Also” Rika broke you from your thoughts with her words “If your comment earlier was some sort of Freudian slip, I think I’d like to take you on, and I don’t mean in a battle. So, if you’re free and interested.”
She looked at you, noticing your dilated pupils and puppy-like stare “And it seems you are… then meet me outside the building at 7, kay? After you become Paldea’s newest Pokemon champion.”
Rika winked at you before heading towards the door on the other side of the room, noticing the way you were having trouble collecting yourself.
“How cute,” she thought.
“Oh, and you better stay on your toes, the second of the Elite Four is stronger than me!"
She smiled, knocking on the door.
"You're up next, squirt! Come on out!"