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The Secluded Beach could no longer truly live up to its name. As one of the Ten Sights of Paldea, it became a tourist attraction. A Pokemon Center was established on the shore to accommodate the many trainers making their way here. It makes the trip easier, the beach more accessible.
During the day, it's full of trainers. At night, it's different.
"You see," Juliana starts as she lets her bare feet sink into the sand. "The best time to come is at night. Because no one wants to be out here this late."
It's a simple explanation. Nothing spectacular or some crafty way to get the beach cleared out. Most people would prefer to sleep at this hour rather than exploring one of the Ten Sights of Paldea, let alone a beach.
"Huh." Kieran follows after her. He's not used to having his feet dig into the sand. Kitakami doesn't have the ocean; it has rivers and streams. There is the Coastal Biome at school, but he can't remember the last time he kicked off his shoes when running through that biome.
The view is nice. Unlike the biome, here he can see the endless view of the ocean. There isn't any barrier stopping the waves from far away. He even gets to see the reflection of the moon on the water. It ripples and distorts whenever a Pokemon from under the water's surface pokes its head out.
The sound of the ocean sounds more natural, too. He knows the biome is supposed to mimic real ones, but this feels more authentic. Buizels curiously scamper around them, a Shellos lingers just where the waves lap onto the shore, and Wattrels hover over the water even at this hour. There's also the small waterfall, the rushing water creating natural white noise that mixes well with the ocean's waves.
"It's...nothing spectacular," Juliana admits. "But it is a nice beach."
"I mean...the view is pretty," Kieran replies.
He slowly makes his way to her side. He wants to make sure he doesn't accidentally upset any Pokemon hiding in the sand. The last thing he wants to do is get on a Sandygast's bad side. Eventually, he finally stands beside Juliana. Both are standing right where the waves lap at their feet. The cold water causes him to shiver.
"I dunno a lot about the Sights and all...but I think this one is my favorite so far."
Kieran knows each of the locations are special in their own way. The Colonnade Hollow does look pretty cool, but did it really need to be turned into a tourist spot? Maybe there is history behind it, but the signboard hardly offered anything.
The other spots were the same. And he expects the remaining ones to look nice, but not offer any history. As much as he would like to ask Juliana, she admitted before taking him to see the Ten Sights that she doesn't know much either.
Maybe he's just used to the sights he has back home, or what he would consider them to be. Every spot has a story, a meaning to being chosen.
"You like this one?" She asks curiously. Her gaze shifts from him to the water. "It is a nice spot to come to just...get away from everything, you know?"
Kieran notices the slight shift in her tone. It's nothing big, and that smile of hers doesn't falter, but it's enough that he knows the feeling.
"Yeah...I get it."
His gaze follows hers. The reflection of the night sky is peaceful and clear. Something shoots across the water, yet doesn't interrupt the serenity of the ocean. He assumes it's a Pokemon, but then another streak goes by. And another.
"What's...?" He frowns before lifting his head. When he looks at the sky, his eyes go wide.
"Juli! Look!" Kieran tugs on her sleeve, his free hand pointing up at the sky. Juliana tears her eyes away from the ocean and tilts her head up. Her eyes widened, just like his.
"Whoa...shooting stars!"
Streaks of light shoot across the night sky. Some appear on their own, while others are accompanied by a few other stars. It's a rare sight, one to truly appreciate.
"Kieran!" Juliana shouts, startling him. "We have to make a wish!"
"A-A wish?"
"Yeah! We have to make a wish before they stop!"
Right. He remembers that little myth about wishing on shooting stars. His sister was the one to tell him about it when they were younger. He'd never been lucky enough to catch them until now.
The boy watches as his friend claps her hands together and closes her eyes. She doesn't speak, but he imagines that she's silently making a wish. Letting go of her sleeve, he mimics her actions to make a wish.
"Umm...how long do we gotta stay like this?" He asks as he peeks an eye open to see if she's still wishing or not. It seems like a long wish since she hasn't moved. Maybe he's done something wrong by peeking at her.
"Not long," Juliana answers, letting her hands fall and her eyes open. Kieran feels comfortable enough to do the same.
"What matters is making the wish with all your heart. And to not forget it," she says with a warm smile. "Oh! And you can't tell anyone your wish."
"Cuz if you do, it won't come true, right?"
"Yup!" Juliana returns her gaze to the sky.
The shooting stars continue to fall, but not for too long. They start to slow, and eventually the night sky is back to normal, as if the shooting stars were never there to begin with.
"They really don't last long, huh?" Kieran says.
"Not really, but that's what makes them special. Anyway, we should head to the Pokemon Center before it gets too late. Or we become one with the sand."
Juliana gestures down to their feet. Being distracted by the stars had caused the sand and water to team up against them and engulf them up to their ankles.
"Agh!" Kieran gasps as he wiggles his feet out of the wet sand. The sand still clings onto his feet, intent on not being shaken off so easily. "Ugh...please tell me the Pokemon Center has something to help get the sand off..."
"Don't worry, they do. I'm pretty sure they're prepared for this stuff. Come on!"
Juliana moves so naturally, as if the sand clinging to her feet doesn't bother her at all. Meanwhile, Kieran has to adjust to the feeling of sand sticking to him. It doesn't help that his feet are now wet, and the dry sand is hitching a ride on him now, too.
"Hey, Juli," he calls out to her to try to distract himself from the sand. "Do you think our wishes will come true?"
Juliana pauses in her steps, waiting for the boy to catch up to her. She goes quiet for a moment, thinking about his question.
"I think so. If anything, we can always make it come true ourselves."
She seems so positive about that. It makes him wonder what she wished for. Is it something that can come true on her own? Or maybe he could help? It's probably silly to think he can.
Then again, his own wish isn't something outlandish. In the past, he definitely would have made it related to Ogerpon. It always seemed so out of reach, but things changed. His gaze falls onto Juliana, and how her steps slow just for him. A lot of things happened because they met, both good and bad. Despite everything, he’s happy their paths crossed.
And now, all he wishes is to stay by her side.