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May strolled slowly through the streets of Evergrande City, Blaziken by her side, peering curiously into shop windows. It was Valentine's Day, and she was soaking up the atmosphere—while preparing for action. By tomorrow morning, all the unsold chocolates, lollipops, and pastries shaped like hearts and cute Pokémon pairs would be on sale.
She adored Valentine’s Day. She loved the atmosphere that many people around her dismissed as cheesy. But even more than that, she loved sweets, and since her wallet wasn’t bottomless, she always appreciated a good discount. It didn't even bother her much that this year, just like the ones before, she had no one to celebrate the holiday with.
"Oh well, I’m still young, I’ve got plenty of time," she thought, her face lighting up when she noticed a shop offering free samples.
She was already rushing toward the door when a claw on her shoulder stopped her. She looked back to see Blaziken’s reproachful gaze.
"I’m just going to have a little taste, it’s not a big deal," she countered. The Fire-type Pokémon let out a deep sigh and shook his head. "Hey, those three trays from before don't count, okay? I only had a light lunch, we’ve been walking around the city all day, and they shouldn't have made that chocolate taste so incredibly good," she defended herself, though no one had uttered a single word of blame.
Blaziken gave her a weary look.
"I promise I’ll bring something for you too... and that I’ll buy a proper snack later?" she tried to bargain, for a moment forgetting who was actually the Trainer here.
Blaziken let her go and crossed his arms skeptically over his chest. Sometimes it chilled her how expressive he could be, even with avian features and almost no voice.
"Thanks, you're the best!" she hugged him enthusiastically and headed off to shop, never noticing that someone was watching the whole exchange very closely.
Drew knew he was in over his head, but he couldn't help himself. When he happened to find out that May would be in Evergrande City on this specific day, he just had to come. His perfectionist streak wouldn't allow otherwise. The perfect time, the perfect place... For what? He didn’t even know that himself yet.
When he finally spotted May in the crowd of visitors, he realized all his plans were foolish.
He hadn't had much time to prepare; it was clear to him now that Solidad had let the secret slip right at the last minute on purpose, so he wouldn't have time to overthink it. And he had fallen for it like a little boy. Still, upon arriving in Evergrande, he’d had a plan—one based on the fact that May loved holiday atmospheres and on his reading of several girls' magazines. It was supposed to be a dream-like date invitation. But now, seeing her again—energetic, natural—he realized how contrived and artificial his plan would feel in reality.
He quickly ducked behind the nearest corner to avoid being spotted by her or Blaziken, weighing his options. His heart was pounding, his palms were sweaty, and his throat was dry.
Ever since those Christmas holidays in Johto, he had known he wanted to be with May, whatever that meant. He was sure they could figure it out together. But he had no idea how to arrange it without embarrassing himself and while keeping May safe.
He glanced around quickly and breathed a sigh of relief. No sign of his fangirls anywhere. Usually, they didn't swarm outside of contests because he didn't share his itinerary, but appearing in a city always carried the risk of a crowd gathering.
Maybe he should just pack up and leave. Slip back into training and leave things as they were. Settle for the certainty of a teasing friendship rather than take the risk. But then, May’s cheering reached his ears. He looked out just in time to see her hug her stern-looking Blaziken and dance-walk into the supermarket she had been standing in front of.
He felt a chill when he heard May singing about heading toward a fateful encounter with her true love. It was only when the words "free chocolate" replaced a specific name that he started breathing again.
"Yeah, I should get out of here before I do something stupid," he muttered to himself and turned to leave, when suddenly Roserade’s Poké Ball shook and his floral companion let herself out.
"Roserade?" he gasped in surprise, but she was already marching toward him, shaking her head.
"Rose, rose, rose..." she grumbled stubbornly.
"You want me to go after her? I can't, I'm not ready, I don't have a plan. What if it goes wrong? What if someone sees us and a riot breaks out?" he began to argue. The memory of Veronica Grimes almost paralyzed him. He couldn't just drop this on May. What if she rejected him and someone from the press noticed? His fans would hunt her down... He couldn't do that to her. Even if it hurt.
"Ro, rose, rose, ro!" the floral Pokémon scolded, waving her hands until clouds of pollen flew from them. She had only recently evolved and didn't quite have full control over her new power yet.
"I'm not making up nonsense!" he countered the sensed accusation, and Roserade put her hands on her hips.
"Ro? Ro, rose, ro, ro, rose," she challenged him.
"I don't have to prove anything to you! This is my business. Or do you want her to end up like Veronica? I thought you liked May too," he went on the offensive.
"Rose, rose, Ro," she waved a hand, dusting the surroundings with pollen again.
"And how can you know that? You're not a Psychic-type. If she says no..." Drew’s voice trembled. He didn't even want to imagine how much rejection would hurt. She would surely tell him gently, sensitively... and that would make it even worse, because he wouldn't be able to stay mad at her. Plus, she would probably start avoiding him; she was considerate like that. She would disappear from his life. He had convinced himself he should be satisfied with the little they had.
"Rose, rose..." Roserade grunted resignedly.
"Maybe I'm a lost cause, but at least I won't lose her entirely," he defended himself, but his companion was no longer listening. She simply started walking away. "Wait! Where are you going?!"
"Ro, ro, rose, ro," she answered curtly without slowing down, elegantly dodging the laser as Drew tried to recall her to her Poké Ball.
"I’ll give you 'it was a long journey here so I want to at least see the city'! Roserade, come back this instant! I'll snap you like an Ekans!" Drew hissed under his breath, rushing after her. He ducked and dodged, hoping to catch her before she caused trouble, but Roserade was cunning enough to lead him all the way to the shop and show herself to Blaziken, immediately shouting something at him.
He grabbed her in a flash and covered her mouth, but it was too late—May’s Pokémon guardian was already fixing his unreadable gaze upon him.
May felt like she was in seventh heaven. She loved the charming architecture that made even a supermarket look like an ancient temple. She enjoyed every minute, even though she practically sprinted through the aisles of "real food" just to get to the sweets. At the same time, she was scouting the fastest route to the candy for tomorrow's hunt. So many wonderful treats. And those samples...
She couldn't resist and ended up buying one box of chocolates right then. To make it less awkward, she pretended it was a gift and had it tied with a beautiful ribbon. She turned down the wrapping paper so she could get into the box as quickly as possible and then skipped happily out of the shop.
"Blaziken, before you say anything, let me explain, okay?" she turned to her partner, completely ignoring her surroundings. "They were really well-priced, and once you taste them, you’ll understand. It’s a unique experience, really. I wouldn't be able to get these chocolates tomorrow; they told me so, it was the last box. And I’ll share with you—I know you can't have many, but I promise, nothing will go to waste. I’ll sacrifice myself and finish them off," she poured out her carefully prepared speech, then faced her Pokémon’s judging look.
"Oh, come on, I really meant to share and only eat half. Is it my fault I forgot Pokémon shouldn't overdo it with human food?"
Blaziken just sighed.
"It’s not my fault none of my friends were free! Really, I’d rather be with someone on Valentine’s Day too, but it’s not that easy, you know? I can't just turn around and snatch someone up. Watch," she reacted defensively.
"Hey stranger, want to be my Valentine?" she turned around with a wide grin, certain no one would be there, and froze in shock. "D-D-Drew?" Her eyes widened. He was standing there, leaning casually against one of the ornamental pillars, holding a single rose ready in his hand. He looked perfect, as always.
"Hi, May. I didn't expect you to be quite so progressive. You always seemed more like the shy girl who blushes and loudly denies it whenever someone suggests there might be something between us. I must admit, I'm shocked," he responded provocatively, handing her the rose. "For Blaziken. Watching your figure must be exhausting," he added with a wink, to which Blaziken squawked in agreement, throwing his claws up as if complaining to the heavens.
"Hey! You arrogant..." she started to huff, but quickly calmed herself. She didn't want to ruin her mood. "And here I was thinking about sharing. No way," she hugged the box of chocolates to her chest.
"Well, I think you've already made the offer. Do you want to take your word back? Or were you lying to Blaziken?" he said smoothly, with that irritating smile of his, as Roserade giggled beside him. Even Blaziken was piercing her with his gaze.
"Of course I meant it, but you're not interested anyway, right? Since you're always thinking about 'figures,' you're probably just projecting," she tried to counter.
"And who says I'm not interested? I haven't said no yet, have I?" he toyed with her, and May narrowed her eyes crossly. She tried not to think about what day it was and that he had appeared there like some twist of fate. Or how the whole encounter was, in its own way, like something out of the romantic comedies she loved so much. Or that in recent months, she had been thinking of him more and more often, enjoying every moment they spent together.
"And... are you interested?" she asked, her voice coming out as a whisper filled with hope and dread.
For a moment, silence fell between them, and Drew’s smile wavered slightly. The rose in her hand felt like it was burning her fingers. She hoped. She hoped he would say yes and something would change. She hoped he would say no, nothing would change, and they would stay forever in that familiar limbo of teasing between truth and lies—the zone where broken hearts and worries didn't exist, only pleasant time spent together without commitment.
"It would be an honor if you’d keep me company. I’d like to walk around the city a bit and see some of the sights," he replied, his voice hitching slightly as he swallowed hard. The world seemed to stop. He didn't say no, he didn't say yes. But he wanted to spend time with her.
"What a coincidence, I have similar plans. But you'll have to buy your own chocolate," she accepted. Not as a date, but as hanging out with a friend. Nice and safe.
"Fine, I think I can live with that. Do you have a specific destination? You’ve obviously been here longer, so what have you already checked out?" Drew responded, his smile widening slightly.
Before May could answer, Blaziken squawked and pointed to the shopping alley. May turned a shameful shade of red. Since morning, she had indeed been circling various stalls, shops, and confectioneries like a greedy Meowth, planning her strategy for the discount sales.
"Ehem, I’m here on a certain mission and I’ve been... planning the logistics," she said by way of explanation.
"A mission, of course. I understand. Clearing the world of chocolate is a demanding calling," Drew teased, and Roserade laughed again.
"Hey! It’s important! Do you know how expensive chocolate is? After Valentine's and Easter are the only times you can get it at a good price. I have to stock up for at least six months!" she defended herself. It wasn't that she was in need—she didn't have to count every cent—but she was practical enough not to want to spend unnecessarily. Why buy one piece when she could have two for the same price at the right time? "Besides, I'm preventing waste. Unsold goods have to be disposed of, and destroying perfectly good chocolate just because a heart shape isn't 'in' for the rest of the year is sacrilege," she added.
"Alright, alright, you've defeated me with your arguments," Drew tried to stifle his laughter. By now, even Blaziken was chuckling.
"Ha ha, hilarious. What are you actually doing here?" she decided to change the subject before she made an even bigger fool of herself. That finally silenced Drew. He even seemed to get nervous for a moment. But May attributed it to her dropping blood sugar and her craving for the chocolates.
"Me? Training. Unlike you, I don't waste time," he answered quickly. Perhaps a little too quickly.
"Really? To me, it seems more like you don't know how to have fun and relax," she retorted.
"Hey, I know how to have fun and relax," he responded, offended.
"Well, I guess you're right, because right now, at this very moment, you're clearly not training," she teased.
"But I’m not wasting time, unlike you. I’m gathering inspiration. There’s another contest coming up soon, and I think giving the audience a performance with the theme of this holiday will leave a good impression. In fact, that’s why I’m here. Because of the Luvdisc festival," he clarified his motives, and May felt inexplicably disappointed. Sure, it was still a pretty romantic coincidence that they met like this, but with every logical answer, the magic was fading.
"Well, since you're the one with the plan here, why don't you take the lead? To be honest, I just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere and secure a ton of chocolate, so I didn't even bring a guidebook this time, thinking I wouldn't have time for sightseeing," she resigned from further bickering, determined to enjoy the meeting properly.
"Your wish is my command, milady," he responded with a laugh, and May rolled her eyes.
"For someone who's always so serious, you can be quite the clown," she smirked.
"I didn't quite hear that last word, but thanks for the compliment," he smirked back, and May felt like hitting him over the head with her box of chocolates—but she valued the chocolate far too much for that.
One moment, Drew was trying to pull away his rebellious Roserade, and the next, May came charging out of the shop. Completely oblivious to her surroundings, she began defending her frantic candy shopping to Blaziken, and Roserade used her Trainer’s shock to wriggle free, leaving him holding a single, perfect rose.
Only years of experience on stage in front of thousands of fans prevented Drew from becoming a stuttering wreck when May turned around with that question. He didn't even know how he managed to keep a straight face. His heart was pounding so hard he feared he’d have a heart attack, and his palms were so sweaty they were practically dripping.
The teasing was familiar. It was safe, and it slowly allowed him to calm down at least a little. As soon as he mentioned the Luvdisc festival, he wanted to bang his head against the nearest lamppost, but May was, as always, enchantingly unaware. Or at least she played it well. He didn't know whether to be disappointed or grateful. In the end, he leaned toward gratitude, because he had managed to get what he wanted: a day with his beautiful rival without losing face.
Being allowed to lead the way also gave him the chance to subtly show off his knowledge of Evergrande City.
Drew had noticed long ago that May actually liked learning things, as long as it wasn't delivered in a preachy way. It was enough to change his tone, and she would hang on his every word as he told her about the history of the cobblestone streets, the ancient pillars, and the unique gardens created to admire the beauty of individual flowers, in which the city was literally drowning.
In the side alleys where they walked, there was an otherworldly calm despite the festival. For long hours, they didn't meet a soul, as if they were entirely alone in the city; if they hadn't occasionally spotted a local or heard the festival music in the distance, he would have thought he was dreaming.
When they reached the lookout point outside the city toward evening—accessed by a long white staircase with a marble balustrade—they sat on a bench with a view of both the ocean and the city, whose main streets and squares glowed with countless Luvdisc-shaped lanterns. May opened her treasure and started eating, while Drew just enjoyed the peace, until something touched his lips. He flinched in surprise before realizing it was one of the pralines, also shaped like the heart-shaped Water Pokémon. May wasn't just sharing. She was feeding him.
He accepted it, and as he took the chocolate into his mouth, his lips brushed gently against her fingers. Both turned red and quickly pulled back. Internally, Drew was soaring. Blood was roaring in his veins. He had already experienced plenty of pleasant, heart-attack-inducing moments that day—whenever she touched him unintentionally, whenever she looked at him with admiration for his knowledge... But this was different. That fleeting touch sent needles of excitement through his whole body and made him wonder what it would be like to feel her lips instead of her finger on his. How would she react? Would she kiss him back, or would she run away screaming?
"Look! A school of Luvdisc! And look at them playing, they’re so cute!" she jolted him out of his thoughts as she threw an arm around his shoulders and pointed enthusiastically toward the ocean, where a school of the heart-shaped fish was indeed frolicking. In the light of the setting sun, they leapt above the surface in a spray of crystal drops, as if bathing in a rainbow, before disappearing beneath the waves like a beautiful dream. Like a fleeting moment with someone important.
He felt a chill down his spine. He knew the local legend behind this festival. He couldn't focus on the beauty of the Pokémon with May right beside him. His eyes drifted to her. The feeling of her pressing against him, her arm around his shoulders... A thought flashed through his head that he really had suffered cardiac arrest during the day and had now made it to heaven.
And then May turned to him. She looked him straight in the eyes. Her pure, childlike joy slowly faded, replaced by something else. Something heavier, warmer. He gazed at her lips. Those full, soft-looking lips, like two red, velvet cushions. What did they taste like?
"S-sorry, I guess I got carried away," she finally whispered, pulling back. As the spell broke, they both moved apart.
"I understand. I'm simply irresistible; you don't have to be ashamed of that," he responded in the only way that could help him find his composure again, shifting slightly in his seat. Suddenly, he felt an uncomfortable tightness in his trousers and hoped fervently that he was managing to hide it.
"You're impossible!" May snapped, throwing the empty chocolate box at him.
"I suppose you're right," he laughed. "That chocolate really was very good, but I can't eat a whole box by myself. If I buy one too, will you help me dispose of it? So it doesn't go to waste." He offered a truce.
"I'd love to," she accepted, a bit shyly.
They sat for a while longer, watching the city and the ocean in the deepening twilight. However, as soon as Drew’s body allowed, he stood up and suggested they head back to get the chocolates. He wasn't going to risk anything happening that would push him over the edge again.
May skipped down the stairs toward the city like a schoolgirl, and Drew realized he could watch her forever and never tire of the sight.
"Drew? Do you happen to know why they value Luvdisc so much here? I mean, sure, they're heart-shaped, but you could link other Pokémon to Valentine's Day too. Like Roselia or Roserade. Flowers and all that, you know? So why aren't there decorations shaped like other Pokémon? Why specifically a Luvdisc festival?" she asked innocently as they neared the city and prepared to enter its streets. Drew let out a cough as he choked on his own breath.
"I don't really know that. Probably some local legend about the founding of the city or something," he lied quickly. He certainly couldn't tell her the legend about how couples who see a Luvdisc together are fated to be together. He couldn't tell her that he had known all along and that he had shown up on purpose. Maybe one day, but not yet.