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The dim glow of the League building cast long shadows on the pavement as Larry stepped outside, the night air cool and crisp against his skin. He pulled his coat tighter around him, feeling the weight of another long day settle on his shoulders. As a top-ranking member of the Pokémon League and a businessman, his schedule was relentless. Meetings, strategy sessions, and the endless demands of trainers seeking his guidance.
Tonight, however, the hustle and bustle of the building had quieted down. Most of the staff had gone home, leaving only the hum of the fluorescent lights echoing through the empty halls. Larry took a moment to savor the stillness before turning to leave. Just as he reached the entrance, something caught his eye, a flicker of light emanating from Rika’s office.
Curiosity piqued, he walked toward her door. Rika, the brilliant and charismatic member of the Elite Four, was notorious for her late-night work habits. He had often found her burning the midnight oil, surrounded by paperwork and the remnants of takeout containers. But tonight felt different. The light spilling from her office felt almost like a beacon in the darkness.
“Hey, Rika,” he called out, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet hallway. “Need me to turn off the lights outside?”
She looked up from her computer, the glow illuminating her features. Her normally vibrant eyes appeared a bit duller, and the tiredness etched on her face struck a chord in him. “I’ll handle it,” she replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “Hope you get home safe, Larry.”
He nodded, about to turn away when a pang of concern twisted in his stomach. He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was pushing herself too hard. “You know, you really should head home too. It’s getting late,” he suggested, trying to keep his tone casual.
Rika arched an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes. “And you’re one to talk? Mr. Overtime himself?”
He sighed, realizing the hypocrisy in his words. It was true, he was often the last to leave the office as well. “That may be, but you’re looking more tired every day. You can’t keep burning the candle at both ends.”
“Wow, do you think I’m ugly now?” she shot back, feigning offense. There was that familiar spark in her voice, teasing yet playful, that Larry didn't know how to properly respond to
“Not at all,” he said, crossing his arms. “But at this rate, I might have to inform Geeta that you’re the main contributor to the light bill.”
Rika rolled her eyes, but a smile broke through her facade. “You should just go home, Larry. I’ll finish up here.”
He shook his head, standing his ground. “Nope. You really need to get up now.”
With a reluctant sigh, Rika began shutting down her computer, her movements slow and deliberate. As she removed her glasses, he couldn’t help but comment, “Without your glasses, those dark circles are easier to see.”
“Thanks for that,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm as she swatted at him. “You’re welcome to leave anytime, you know!”
But he didn’t move, a part of him unwilling to leave her there alone. “Rika, seriously. You need to take care of yourself.”
“Do I need a babysitter now?” she shot back.
He stepped closer, watching her carefully. “I’m not saying that. I know it's hard to believe but even I take breaks.”
Rika paused, her expression softening as she met his gaze. “Like once every 4 months. Listen, just have a lot on my plate, Larry. You know how it is. The League never sleeps, and neither do I.”
“True, but if you keep this up, you’ll start hallucinating from lack of sleep,” he replied, trying to infuse some levity into the moment.
Rika rolled her eyes. “So, what you’re saying is I’m going to start seeing ghosts?”
He frowned, unsure if she was joking or not. “We're not equipped to handle that. You could go mad.”
With a deep breath, Rika finally stood, pulling her coat around her shoulders. “Okay, fine. I’ll pack it up. But you have to call me a flying taxi first.”
“Are you low on money?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No, but my Rotom Phone is almost dead.” She fished out some cash, her expression resolute.
“Keep your money,” he insisted, already dialing for two flying taxis. “I’ve got this. I am…a working man after all.”
They stepped outside into the cool night, the stars twinkling above like scattered diamonds. The evening air was refreshing, a stark contrast to the sterile confines of the office. Larry leaned against the wall, watching Rika as she stood beside him, a comfortable silence enveloping them.
As they waited, he noticed her inching closer, pressing against his side for warmth. He looks down at her. “You know, you wouldn’t be so cold if you gained a bit more weight.”
“Shut up, Larry,” she retorted.
“You are constantly in the Treasure Eatery sucking Medali dry of ingredients yet you still look the same. If something’s bothering you, you should talk to someone.”
She turned her gaze to the ground, her tone more serious. “I just have a high metabolism and stay active. But…thanks for worrying.”
Larry felt a mix of frustration and concern. “Rika, I’m serious. It’s okay to lean on someone. You don’t have to carry everything by yourself.”
“I know,” she said softly, looking up at him. “But I’m okay. I just need to find balance.”
A comfortable silence fell between them once more, the tension of the day melting away. Then, with a playful glint in her eye, Rika turned to him, her voice teasing. “So, how about a kiss?”
Larry’s expression morphed into confusion. His face so confused as if Rika asked him if the Torchic or the egg came first.
Rika nearly burst into laughter again but managed to hold it back. “Okay, I don’t want a kiss. But I do want to go on a date sometime.”
His heart raced at her boldness, but he shook his head, disbelief written across his face. “No way. I’m always working late, and you’re about to start hallucinating from lack of sleep.”
“I’ll fix that,” she said with a confidence that was both charming and unnerving.
“It’s not that simple,” he replied, his brow furrowing. “You can’t change who you are just to date me.”
“Why not?” she challenged, a fierce determination sparking in her eyes. “I could.”
“Rika, knock it off. I’m beginning to get irritated,” he warned, crossing his arms.
“Can we start slow?” She asked, her tone earnest. “I’m working on my sleeping habits, and I’m going to become so rich you won’t have to work so much anymore, dating or not.”
“Almost sounds like an obsession,” he replied, trying to gauge her seriousness.
“Who wouldn’t be obsessed with you?” she shot back.
“Anyone sane,” he countered, glancing around as if to affirm his statement. Rika looked skyward, then back at him, a playful grin on her face. “Is there a Pikachu floating around here?”
Larry just gave her a deadpan look before putting his hand over his face. “You’re impossible.”
She reached to move his hand but he turned away, quickly adopting a stoic expression again. Rika’s gaze bore into him, challenging him to maintain his composure.
“Who’s the prettiest woman you’ve ever met in person?” She asked suddenly, her voice softer now.
He hesitated, caught off guard. “This isn’t meant to boost your ego, but you just happen to be my type.”
“What’s your type?” She pressed, listing off her qualities: her hair, her eyes, her skin, but Larry firmly shook his head at each one.
“Nope. Not it.”
“Come on, just tell me!” She insisted, her excitement palpable.
“Someone who likes me,” he replied, serious.
Rika’s expression shifted to one of surprise, and then softened. “You’re really cute.”
The moment hung between them, charged with unspoken feelings. As the flying taxis approached, they stood side by side. The warm glow of the taxis’ lights contrasting against the cool night.
“Hey,” Rika said, looking up at him. “Thanks for being here.” Larry nods and she goes to her taxi. Rika stops and Larry sighs as he walks up to it and opens the door for her. She gets in and he closes the door behind her. She waves at him before her taxi takes off.
Larry watched her go, his expression going calm finally. As he settled into his own taxi, he pulled out his phone, intending to check for any messages from his boss. To his surprise, a notification from Rika flashed on the screen: a selfie of her, radiant and playful despite her tired apparance, with the caption “Already miss you.”
A warmth spread through him, and he almost couldn’t resist a smile. Almsot. He quickly replied, fingers flying over the screen, “Miss you too. Get some rest.”
As the taxi glided through the night sky, Larry couldn’t help but replay the evening’s events in his mind. The way Rika had looked at him, the easy banter that had flowed between them. There was something special about it. He felt a feeling in his chest that he hadn’t ever experienced.
The taxi’s steady hum offered a calming backdrop as he stared out at the passing lights of the city below. His thoughts drifted back to Rika, how she had playfully challenged him, her laughter echoing in his ears. He chuckled to himself, imagining her rolling her eyes at his stubbornness.
His phone buzzed again, jolting him from his thoughts. Rika had sent another message: “So, are we really going to ignore that date suggestion?”
He raised an eyebrow, typing back quickly: “Are we? You seemed pretty serious about working on your sleep schedule.”
A few moments passed before her response came through: “True, but I can multitask! Sleep, work, and a date with you! You're not seriously considering missing a date with me? With ME?”
Larry felt a frown cross his face. The idea of a date with Rika was both thrilling and terrifying. He replied, “You know I’m not the dating type. My schedule is packed.”
“Sounds like you need a break then.” Rika sent back almost immediately, as if she knew he'd say that. “And I promise I’m not a total distraction…at least not a bad one.”
He typed back slowly: “Fine, I’ll consider it. Just know I might need to bail if something comes up.”
“Deal!” came her quick reply. “But don’t think you can use that as an excuse forever!”
The back and forth messages continued as he arrived at his apartment, and Larry felt a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in ages. After exchanging a few more light-hearted texts, he finally settled into bed.