Chapter Text
The hall is trimmed and ornamented in light gold; off of which lights reflect from the colored glass high on the walls, creating an other worldly feel. It's too gaudy for Eijun's taste, but considering where he is, it's seems only fitting.
It feels like years, since he left his home to set forth towards the Pokemon League, to defeat all eight gym leaders and the elite four, in order to challenge the champion, but in reality it's only been a few weeks.
Eijun feels different, never having ventured so far from his home before. He'd become homesick quickly, calling his parents and his friends the end of his first day, already missing their voices and the warmth of home. He had half a mind to turn around and go back, but he had a goal, and he was going to achieve it.
He learns the region was much larger than he had anticipated, and he had had to stop for new clothes several times to match the climate. He can practically hear his grandfather calling him an idiot for only packing a few changes of outfits, which definitely hadn't protected him from the harsh snow in the south. His hair falls in his eyes now, more than usual, and his mother would be livid that he'd gone so long without trimming it.
But it had been worth it, as he stands now in the chambers of the the regions champion, knowing that most trainers cannot hope to get this far, it's more than enough to make up for what small hardships he had encountered.
The hall opens into an equally grand room, adorned with the same light gold decorations, a grandiose statue of the regions legendary stands at the back wall. Colored glass serves as a ceiling, bathing the room in myriad of rich hues.
There's a figure standing in the center of the room, Eijun's heart hammers in excitement. He's reached his goal, standing right in front of him. The champion.
The figure steps forward, light momentarily glinting off of a pair of glasses, and Eijun stops cold in his tracks.
No.
"You finally made it"
The person standing before him is as familiar to him as his own reflection. Black rimmed glasses, light brown hair that he insists that he should trim, and a smirk that has been present in nearly every unpleasant moment in Eijun's life.
"Y-you..." Eijun stammers, at a loss for words.
Kazuya gives him a smirk, "you seem surprised to see me"
Surprised didn't even begin to cover it. Eijun knew Kazuya was a good trainer. More than good, he was incredible. He had always been the best in their home town, even from the time they were children. He'd been forced into plenty of battles against his will, saying he didn't like to fight. Even so, Eijun had never seen him lose a single battle.
Suddenly the pieces come together, that Kazuya had been gone for weeks years before, only coming home for a day or so at a time, not bothering to tell Eijun where he had gone. Running into him more than once over the course of his journey, Kazuya laughing it off, saying he had 'business in the area.'
He had heard talk that the region's champion had changed a few years earlier, but he hadn't cared enough to find out who it was, only caring about the fact that he would defeat whoever it was.
"You knew!" Eijun accuses, finger pointing forward, despite his mothers constant reminders that it was impolite.
Kazuya rolls his eyes, unimpressed with the reaction. "That I was the champion? That you were coming here after making a point to tell the world? It was hard not to know."
His words make Eijun seethe. They had seen each other more than once over the course of his journey, Kazuya simply telling him that he 'had business in the area.' He had helped him, had bought him pokeballs and supplies when he was running low on resources and money, had dropped hints and lent him advice on trainers and leaders in the area, even though Eijun had argued he would be fine on his own, he can't deny that it had helped.
The realization hits him. Kazuya had wanted him to get this far. Had helped him, supported him in his own way, because he had wanted Eijun to challenge him here.
Cunning bastard.
"Are we going to do this, or are you just going to stand there staring all day?" Kazuya says, genuine happiness hiding within his trademark grin.
Eijun frowns, blush coloring his cheeks pink. He hadn't expected to face Kazuya, not like his at least. But it somehow makes it even more exciting. He was finally facing the person he'd been chasing his whole life, on a stage only accessible to the strongest trainer and those worthy to challenge them.
"Of course we are!" Eijun huffs.
Kazuya smiles, the most genuine expression Eijun thinks he's ever seen him wear . He looks...excited.
"Don't disappoint me."