Hard Enough

It wasn’t my alarm the next day that woke me up but rather the flash of a teleport. “Sabrina?” I said groggily.

“Bro—” she paused as her face went red, even as her eyes darted down and then back up before dipping down once more. I pulled the sheets up feeling oddly exposed. Sabrina twitched before turning her head. “I’ll give you another ten minutes. I shall order you breakfast.”

“Juice and tea! No coffee for me!” I called out to her back as she walked into the lounge of the hotel room I’d taken for my stay. It wasn’t quite the penthouse but it was still more than enough room for me, and a few of my mid-sized pokemon if I desired.

I smacked my lips and lay back in bed. I’d allotted myself another hour of sleep and planned to… My waking mind prodded me. I really wanted to ignore it but it was operating on a level of experience with little siblings. It was like having an all too quiet house with little children in it. Or perhaps it was the prodding reminder that I should be doing something. Reacting in some way. Like I had failed to smile at Suzie or pat Sabrina on the head and offer her a spot next to…

I sat up. Sabrina was in my hotel room. I burst out of bed and cursed as the sheets snagged. I fell in a tangle before shooting back up to jump to the doorway where Sabrina was ordering breakfast. “Urgh damn it,” I sighed as I ran a hand over my face.

I fully expected that the bellhop would sell the story that a woman visited my room and ordered ‘breakfast’ to the news before they even gave me said breakfast. Sabrina tilted her head, unaware of what she’d unleashed and perhaps, in a way, unable to understand. Her eyes raked over my form once more and I recalled how she’d earlier checked me out.

Part of me wanted to really perk up at having a beauty like Sabrina checking me out while I only wore shorts. I turned away cursing my hormonal body. “I’m going to have a shower!” A cold one I mentally added to myself... I felt a prodding of memory and sighed. “Just ask them to leave it at the door please?”

“I can do that. I have also ordered my own breakfast.”

I waved at her, the ‘gossip’ would already be out. Instead of worrying about it, I slipped into the shower in an attempt to get my mind up to speed for the rest of the day. At the very least, it was breakfast with my ex.

Sometimes I really cursed past me’s ideas and decisions. I could only blame hormones and lack of foresight when I’d agreed to be her ‘boyfriend’ years ago. She’d been so innocent in her reasoning that I hadn’t seen the harm. I’d tried to be innocent about it, but a mature mind often led to different thoughts than that of a child. I’d been forced to discover the difficulty that came with having Sabrina as your girlfriend due to this.

I still cringed at having to explain what holding hands and kisses meant.

Then again, this was something that I could place at the seemingly societal issues of ‘poor parents’. Or maybe I was projecting my own issues with Sabrina’s admittedly lesser issues with her mother still being around, but being terrified of her when we first met? Her dad giving her space to sort things out hadn’t really helped, but then again it would have been hard to interact with her being able to read your mind if she wanted. She’d intimidated most people until I came along.

I switched the shower off and chose some normal clothes to greet the day. I entered the lounge to find the breakfast that Sabrina had ordered floating towards a table where said woman was seated.

“Anyone out there?” I claimed a seat across from her with the small table between us.

“No, they were lurking down the hallway hoping to film me. I made them sneeze when I took our breakfast.”

“Good, that’s good I suppose.” I wasn’t really sure how to tell her that might have made it worse. I wasn’t sure I’d understand their reactions and couldn’t really account for it, so I instead pushed it aside for future Brock to worry about. Food first. Between bites of the meal, I looked up to find her own meal untouched. “What brings you over?” I asked, deciding to be direct with her. She always seemed to react best to direct questions.

“I was concerned you might have been ‘freaking out’ after yesterday’s events.”

“Huh.” I took a sip of my juice and made a face at the pulp to water ratio the hotel used. “Thanks but I'm actually feeling fine. If anything, it feels like a weight has been taken off my shoulders. Just getting to throw it in his face like that.” I grinned as I recalled the way his eyes had widened. Another sip, another grimace. “I’ll probably freak out a little before the match but I plan to treat it like any other match at a tournament.” I looked around the room. I’d probably still need to find some form of distraction, however. I pointedly did not look towards her as I thought of ways to stay out of trouble and ‘distract’ myself.

“That is good. If you need, I can be there for you,” Sabrina said earnestly.

I nodded and considered asking her to help with some PG distractions, before also considering who it was talking to me.

For all that she appreciated me being direct, she sometimes came at things like a hopped-up Pikachu or seemed to overthink things to such a degree that she actually looked slothful in her reaction, or she suddenly appeared next to you like her psychic types were known to do. “Sabrina, you know we’re no longer ‘dating’, correct?”

Sabrina nodded slowly. “Yes, your reasoning was accepted at the time.”

I relaxed before feeling a niggle over what she’d just said. I was about to question her further, but a knock on the door made me glance there before looking back at Sabrina. She glared at the door before clicking her tongue and teleporting away. I stared at the spot she’d vanished from before understanding what it meant

“Okay, so they’re important enough that you’re saying I can’t ignore them eh?” I stood and walked to the door, opening it to reveal a hotel bellhop that looked past me, gaining a glare from me, before I noticed the other people with them.

“Erika?” I stared at her in surprise. We… didn’t really know each other, so for her to seek me out raised some questions.

The small woman smiled up at me. Despite it being early in the morning, she was wearing a formal kimono that gave her the traditional beauty look she was famous for. It was immaculately styled and really worked for her. In her hands was a towering bento box that I was more used to seeing in manga.

“Annnnnnd me!” Drawled another voice that I was very familiar with. I looked up from the smaller grass specialist to see the Electric Gym Leader looming to the side with a grin. “Howdy Brock!”

“Hello Surge,” I said with a sort of fond exasperation you only get when you realise you have a friend that is way higher energy than you were. But simply shutting the door would result in something that was way, way, more energy-consuming than just relaxing into things until you needed to fight against the flow. I looked back at Erika who I wasn’t as familiar with, beyond the basic interactions over general check-ins with other Gym leaders during annual meetings.

Meetings that were, typically, a simple conference call with everyone reporting how the circuit was going for them. Also, something that usually was done quickly with little time for actual interaction. Gym Leaders were busy people after all.

“Hello, Brock!” She rushed to say while bowing only to stop as her bento box tipped precariously. “I came for the conference, but when I heard about your challenge to Lance I…” She paused for a moment to think about what she was going to say before continuing, “I thought I better come and talk to see how you’re doing!” She offered a smile but when I merely raised an eyebrow at her, she hurried to continue, “As a fellow Kanto gym leader, that is!” She rushed to add.

“Heh! Kanto represent! That’ll make at least four gyms united against Johto pricks!” said Surge with a pump of his fist.

Erika gasped. “What?! No That’s not what I’m here for at all!” She honestly appeared a little sickened by the idea.

Surge searched her expression for a moment before waving it off. “Eh, me too, don't worry about it!” He gave a wide, easy smile to show he meant no harm but Erika didn’t seem to know what to say. I remained standing in the doorway watching the byplay with a raised eyebrow.

“Sooooo you both came to… check in on me?” I said, to move things along.

“Yup! Erika was interested in getting to know you.” He waggled his eyebrows at me and I glanced at Erika who had stiffened. Surge huffed and continued, “So I brought her along.” Surge walked past me and into the room. “I’m gonna order in some food! Erika! You want anything?” Surge started making himself so much at home, he had already lifted the phone and popped open his signature Raichu to claim a chair.

She shifted back and forth, eyes sliding from me to Surge. She proffered up the towering bento box. “May I, Brock?”

I sighed and stepped to the side, “Sure, sure, come on in.” I looked to Surge who sprawled onto the couch, his huge frame taking up most of the space.

“I don’t mean to impose?” Erika said, still glancing from me to Surge.

“I was just about to have breakfast.” I gestured in and she happily trundled into the room. She set her bento box down on the table and looked over my meal.

“Oh you ordered a lot, you must be hungry?” She asked. I glanced at the second plate and noted that the bacon and eggs had been arranged into a smiley face that made me chuckle.

“Growing lad! Growing appetite!” He then gave me a wink that garnered a flat stare from me. I looked back to Erika before returning to Surge. What on earth was he doing?

Erika gave me a confused glance before I waved her off, an excuse coming easily to my lips. “Actually, it’s just that I’m used to eating with my family around and needing more food than just a meal for myself.”

“Ah! Of course!” She chirped, happy to accept what I had said at face value.

“Would you like to have some of it?” Manners drilled into me from a previous life warred as they considered the issue of offering what had been Sabrina’s food to another. But she had left, hadn’t she? I looked around surreptitiously but Erika caught me glancing around as she sat.

“Is something the matter?” Surge narrowed his eyes before giving the room a sharp look over. I even saw his nose twitch as though he was sniffing quietly. Raichu stood and started sniffing the air, making me mentally curse at Surge for bringing it out.

“Nope! Just thought I left one of my pokemon out but they must have put themselves back last night while I slept.” I waved at the food. “Let’s eat, I'm starving!” With food in my mouth, I’d even have a reason not to talk so much and not appear so odd. I threw myself into Surge’s side and pushed him to one side.

He didn’t accept that without a fight though and tried to eject me from the chair. I now knew what he was up to though and was expecting him to use his weight only for my Rock energy to come to the fore and make me way too tough to handle. He huffed and leaned back, slightly dejected that he couldn’t make me sit in the other chair that happened to be next to Erika.

I pointedly didn’t offer him any of the food I had. But it didn’t take long for the hotel to bring up some food for him along with a small tray to pick from that Erika selectively partook from. While waiting, Surge decided to take up the slack. The man apparently abhorred silence.

“So! I got a call up from one of my girls and she was all keen to meet up only she also brought along this here cutey!” He gestured towards Erika who looked slightly grossed out from having a man twice her age call her ‘cutey’. I gave Surge a look to calm it down which didn’t seem very effective.

“So I decided I’d bring her along! I was always gonna come check in on you of course Brock! And I thought, well, two’s friendship but three’s almost a party!” I sighed at him.

“Thank you for that… thoughtful gesture Surge but I’m fine.”

“Heh! Fine he says! Nah Brock, you’ve got a huge match coming up! No way you’ve not got the jitters.”

“I don’t,” I said firmly. One of the worst things you could do was think about how nervous you were supposed to be before a match. I just had to work through my own methods to stay calm. Which was usually just kicking back and watching some comedy. Surge nodded seriously before winking at Erika dramatically.

“I can see you doing that,” I said seriously, pointing to his eyes.

“You’re supposed to!” He said without any shame.

Erika giggled at our back and forth. Her laugh was like the tinkling of a little bell. “You two are obviously good friends.”

“Oh heck yeah! Let me tell you of the first time I met little boy Brock here!” Crowed Surge.

“Oh Darkrai… take me now,” I said pleadingly. I glanced towards the bedroom. If I thought hard enough and pushed as much Dark energy out as possible, could Sabrina save me? Sadly that wasn’t an option, even if she was still lingering nearby. Surge alone would see her closing off due to being shy. She wouldn’t come out with Erika here as someone she wasn’t used to.

As much as it wasn’t her fault, I was starting to feel like I should have just ignored Sabrina, well-intentioned as she had been, and stayed in bed.

Thankfully it didn’t take long for to start digging into his own plate, and with food in hand Surge shut up… somewhat.

Erika ate with small nibbling bites while I cut through chunks of my breakfast before pausing to enjoy a drink. I was thankful I had already finished up my meal which helped me cut him off when he made too ridiculous a claim. “Please, I was not at all worried about facing you! Most of my team was Rock or Ground pokemon at the time!”

Surge sniffed and waved away the comment. I huffed before turning to Erika. “Don’t mind Surge, he loves working stories for everything they’re worth… And then some.”

Surge raised a hand before shrugging and accepting the accuracy of that statement. Erika giggled at that before returning to her meal.

When they were done with their food, I settled back and pulled a leg into my lap. It was time to address the Donphan in the room. “Sooooo…” I drew it out, “Was there something you wanted to talk about?”

Surge merely shrugged. “I was just coming over to hang out while I had some free time.” I accepted that before looking at Erika.

Erika fidgetted at the attention, glancing towards the bento box. “I also thought I might show my own support, in a way? If you’d like, I prepared a meal for you to eat later, but I am ashamed to say I made too much?”

“Yeah Brock, she made up something for you to eat!” He nudged me in a ‘friendly’ way that made my face twitch a little. The implication he was attempting was not lost on me but I wasn’t going to push for that. I’d gone to university and dated in my past life, I knew how such things worked and had more than enough self-confidence in myself that I didn’t need to chase every girl that showed me some kindness.

“Thanks for that Erika,” I said while blocking Surge’s nudges. “I appreciate it. I don’t really get many home-cooked meals that aren’t burnt or just rice and some fish if I don’t make it myself.” It was both touching and slightly depressing to be reminded of that fact. Surge paused for a moment before deciding to settle down for the moment.

“Oh! I didn’t mean to make you sad!” Her hands waved back and forth causing her sleeves to flap like a pidgey.

I waved it off. “No, no, it’s good. Just caught me by surprise, is all.”

Surge sniffed, cutting off her response. “Daww! You cute kids!” Surge gave us both fond looks before nudging me. “Say Brock, can I give you a word real quick-like?”

I was pretty sure about what he was going to say. “I’m sure I don’t—” Surge leaned forward to loom over me, a hand on my shoulder. “Brock, quick chat.” He looked over and waved his hand to Erika. “Please don’t go anywhere! We’ll be right back!”

This time I let him pull me up. He led me to the bedroom before rounding on me as soon as the door clicked shut. “Alright real talk bro, you should sleep with Erika. I know you had something with Sabrina. That’s cool, she’s hot, and it’s cute, but Sabrina is also very scary. You need someone to keep you loose and ready for a fight against the champ. Best way to do this is to sleep with someone!”

I nodded at him before putting my hands together. “Surge, thanks for looking out for me but that’s super inappropriate. I barely know her.”

Surge pinched the bridge of his nose. “Brock, you’re young, she’s young, it’s not supposed to be a Professorship thesis you’re working out alright? It’s simple, guy meets girl. Guy charms girl and offers to let her into his tent for ‘warmth’ and all that good stuff and they walk out in the morning after having a good night or day of it!”

“Surge I’m not—” “Brock listen to me, I fought in the war. You need to be in your best form. Don’t go into something with any tension. I had troops that didn’t take leave when they could and they went off the rails. You’re practically your family’s parent… No, that's wrong. You’re the dad with all the kids but you ain’t had any of the fun in making them! You’re wound too tight! Got too much on your plate. Live a little! You need to blow some sparks, you’ll fight better I guarantee it!”

I found I didn’t really have anything to say regarding that. I’d always known about Surge fighting in the war between … pretty much everyone but to hear him talk of his own past like that wasn’t something I was ready for. I almost wanted to step back into the room and see what in Kanto Surge was talking about. He seemed to think all you had to do was throw two people together and it was done. Erika, in the whole thirty minutes we’d actually talked, hadn't come across that way at all. I almost wanted to ask if we were talking about the same woman. I licked my lips and swallowed my words before coughing. “I think I’m good”

He grunted and clicked his tongue. “Alright, I get it. You’re shy. Listen, I can be a wingman for you, it's all good.” Surge gave me a look before pointing at my bed. “But if I find you flub it…” he shook his head mockingly. “Don’t make me go find a working girl…” I stared at him in wonder. How did his mind work? I really couldn’t help but wonder sometimes. He gave me a stern look, “Or a riled up Jynx to slip in later!” He flicked two fingers from me to himself. “I’ll do it.”

“Is that a threat or…” Was he threatening me with what he thought would be a good time? I was slightly worried he’d send in a Jynx tonight regardless.

He just flicked his fingers at me again before leading the way back out into the loungeroom. “Hey! Sorry bout that had to have some guy chat about tomorrow.” He then made a show of looking toward the clock. “Oh, ghost types! Is that the time? Damn, this is gonna make it tough.”

Erika tilted her head. “Make what tough?” She glanced between myself and Surge, obviously thinking something else had gone on in the bedroom. I mentally marked her down as having good instincts.

Surge rounded on me and tsked while shaking his head. “Brock, you know you’re going on out to fight against Lance tomorrow right?”

I blinked at the strange segway. “Yes? I’m aware of that” I said

“You realise you’re going to appear on international television, right?”

“Yeeeessss,” I said, sensing a trap in his words but unsure where it would come from.

“You’re going to represent your nation?” I raised an unimpressed look at him, “Your city?” I grimaced slightly, “Your family?” I straightened up and knew he had me right where he wanted me as something sparked in his eyes.

“Yeah I am,” I said much more firmly. Erika made a sound of understanding that had me glancing at her before snapping back to Surge.

“Brock. I can’t let you go out there looking like just another hiker that fell off a mountain and bumbled his way onto the Indigo Plateau!”

I stared at him. “You are worried about my look?” I said incredulously. Pointedly looking at his rumpled fatigues.

“Hey! This is military issue from the old days and the uniform of my unit! It’s timeless!” He said defensively. He then twisted his hand towards Erika on the other side of the table, a grin stretching across his face. “Thankfully, we just so happen to have a woman’s perspective.”

Erika gave us a wide-eyed look that made me think she wanted to peer behind the couch in case someone else was standing behind herself. She coughed and straightened up. “If you will have me, I could assist?”

“Nice! It’ll be awesome, just us Gym Leaders hanging out!” Surge crowed.

A thump of something falling over in my bedroom had everyone glancing towards the door. Raichu sat up and sniffed the air once again.

I sighed and pinched my brow, knowing who had been listening in.

It seemed I was not going to escape ‘complications’ in my future. Perfect. Had Sabrina still been back there when Surge and I’d gone to the bedroom or had she teleported out? I really hoped it was the latter. She’d have questions if it was the former. I wasn’t sure how future me would handle that issue.

Future me was supposed to only have to deal with the immediate problem of beating the Champion like a drum. Somehow, beating up a Dragonmaster for dissing my gym and making my family sad sounded easy. Especially when navigating Surge’s attempts to help.

“When should we go?” Erika asked obliviously.

Surge stood, “Let’s go now!”

I merely held in a groan. Damn high energy people. Surge was probably a natural morning person.

“Try this!” was all the warning I got as another three shirts were flung over the top of the dressing room to fall on my head.

“I think that’s enough!” I said but got no reply. I sighed and tried on another shirt, trying to envisage how that would go with some of the pants I had been practically ordered to buy. I had kept to the more ruggedised look with my clothing selections. Lots of pocket space with room to move.

Erika had attempted to drag me into a more formal shop, but I’d refused and then had to hold strong against her rather adorable pout. Sadly for her, I was used to better pouts from smaller children almost daily. My resolve had held strong. This only seemed to make her work harder at shops that I did express interest in.

Thankfully she’d been on my side when we’d walked past a military outlet. Surge had been like a child denied candy at not getting to dress me up in fatigues. He had made Erika pause with the promise of how good I might look suited up with formal army dress. I’d had to shout that ‘offer’ down while power walking to the next shop.

I looked at the sky blue shirt in my hands before shaking my head. “I don’t think blue is really my colour!”

“Can I see?” I shrugged and walked out to show her. Erika looked me over with one of the shop’s attendants that by now had cash symbols for eyes. They both shook their heads before the attendant pointed to another rack. “More earthly tones? Browns, greys, greens, burnt oranges or even browns?” Surge was off in another corner tangling with another clerk. I could see he was arguing over belts and pouches of all things.

Erika seemed to agree with the clerk’s assessment and set off as I handed back the previous load.

I sat and exhaled, feeling oddly tired from the task that wasn’t all that arduous. A soft weight was dropped on my head and I blinked as another voice spoke. “Try this.”

“Sabrina?” I said before watching her step around a clothing rack to vanish. I glanced down at what she’d dropped in my hands. It was actually a pretty good combination. A darker undershirt that would be form-fitting and even offered to wick away sweat when I was working out. Then on top was a thinly woven burnt orange jumper. In fact, I seemed to recall a version of Brock wearing this look.

I took it to the changing room and tried it on. It looked really good on me. I stepped out in time to halt Erika in her tracks. “Oh? You found something you wanted…” She eyed it critically, “That’s very nice actually?”

“Oh! A black undershirt! We have a range of those that also come in—” The attendant immediately rambled but when they were done I tugged the jumper and nodded. “Two of these for me and another black and green forest undershirt please.”

Erika stepped forward. “You might look better with longer hair for this look. Ever thought of growing it out?” She gently tugged my hair before blushing. “Sorry! I usually do this with the girls in my gym!”

I waved it off, not bothered by the casual touch. I was used to not having a ‘personal space’ due to my family.

“No, I hadn’t thought of growing out my hair before.” I looked into the mirror and found I liked what I imagined. This outfit wasn’t as practical for me with fewer pockets than my usual tactical vest I wore over a plain shirt, but for style, it was a clear winner. It made it funnier that it was Sabrina who was sneaking in her selection.

A few raised voices from the shop's entrance made me grimace as I realised that word had gotten around about my appearance. I collected up a few other shirts and singlets I had liked before placing them on the counter. Sadly the counter had a clear line of sight to the shop front and vice versa. The reporters didn’t even bother waiting, they merely stormed into the shop. A few racks were pushed out of the way to make way to me.

“Brock!” “Brock!” “Gym Leader—” “Quiet down!” I shouted over the top of the reporters. “You! Fix that display you knocked over! All of you, go back outside if you’re not shopping! I’m not running off, I’m just shopping. Wait outside for me to finish up.” I turned back to the attendant that was now shooting me a thankful look.

“Ah, I forgot to apply your discount Gym Leader Brock. Your total now comes to—” I smiled and winked at the attendant. Knowing full well that no discount had actually been available. I nodded in farewell then glanced at Erika.

“You going to be alright dealing with this group? I’ll need to handle them before we can continue.” I then looked around to find Surge approaching with his own purchases.

“I’m fine staying with you. I’m a Gym Leader as well, and while I don’t get this much attention normally, I have handled the press before,” Erika said while pumping her fists seriously.

“Surge are you going to—” Surge shook his head as he approached. “Sorry I got a call that I need to attend to straight away.” He gave me a serious look before turning to Erika.

“Hey, been great hanging out. Looks like I can leave Brock in your hands. He might not be showing it but I know he’s freaking out. Don’t listen to him claiming he’s fine, alright. That’s BS. What he actually means is that he is frenetic, insecure, neurotic, and emotional.”

He clapped a hand on my shoulder to shut me up before I could speak. This time I wasn’t ready for it and I buckled slightly, which stopped me from getting a word in. “You cute kids enjoy your lunch together!” He then handed back Erika her giant tiered lunch.

While Erika was too short to see it, I noted the wrappers on the top tier. “What happened to the food?”

Surge coughed sheepishly when Erika glared at him. “Got hungry carrying it around? Anyway I got gym duties to see to so I’ll leave you young ones to enjoy yourselves!” He nodded at Erika and turned to me. He gave me a wink that made my eye twitch. This guy!

He got out and when the reporters tried to close on him he gave them a stern look. “No comment! I have a gym emergency! Out of the way!”

I rubbed my forehead with exasperation. With Surge gone, I just knew what people were going to assume with me and Erika being spotted together in the mall. I gave Erika another look. “Still up for this?” I said, gesturing towards the prowling reporters.

She swallowed before nodding stoically. I drew in a breath before nodding. I turned back and squared my shoulders before walking to the front of the shops, readying myself for another mini-press conference. I already knew what the first question was going to be.

“Gym Leader Brock, are you and Gym Leader Erika on a date?”

Called it.

I’d denied the insinuation between myself and Erika, not that it would stop the tabloids from printing their own theories on what we’d been up to. I just knew they were going to ignore that we’d been chaperoned by Surge for all intents and purposes. Other questions had flown, which were expected, such as my chances against the Champion. And others such as what my lineup would be, which I refused to answer. They’d repeatedly asked me, in various ways, throughout the ordeal If I was sure this wasn’t a date I was on. The more they asked for it, the more they’d likely get to print on it was my assumption.

I’d spotted Celia during this and nodded at her, she’d brightened up and given a huge wave. She’d initially started to approach only to balk when she registered all the reporters and cameras surrounding me. That had caused her to about-face with huge eyes. That had gotten a chuckle out of me… which I’d then had to explain to the reporters.

When I’d ended the impromptu interview, I’d stepped on one of the landmines I really should have avoided. I’d announced I was going to go have lunch. Erika had then poured fuel on the fire by collecting her towering bento box. That had merely solidified my previous thoughts on this whole… day. That it was too complicated to be worth getting out of bed.

When we’d gotten away from the reporters and found a quiet spot. Erika had the bento box that we’d brought along with us down and began to lay out the various tiers. Steam wafted off offering the scents of well cooked and spiced curries with small dividers of rice. I could see multiple simple sushi dishes made up that made my mouth want to water. Erika had some serious skills in the kitchen if she’d cooked all of this herself. I was finding myself rather impressed with how Erika had rolled with the rather tumultuous day.

Erika saw my gaze on the food and seemed happy. She went about setting up a tasting tray as I got to lay there. Sadly I couldn’t enjoy it without my traitorous mind supplying all the ways today could work out. I found myself less than pleased with a few of them.

I let out a sigh before rubbing my eyes. In some ways, it was easier to be ignorant of the implications and possible overtures. It was easy to walk through a landmine field when you didn’t know it was there. I was probably overthinking things but… I should probably not set future me up for any more issues.

“Erika… I’ve got to be honest, today's been a lot of fun… and I’m probably making an ass of myself by saying this but… I’m not looking to get into a relationship with anyone right now.” I kept my hands over my eyes so I didn’t see the blow coming. If I saw it coming I might flex and use aura to block it out of habit. She might end up breaking her hand.

I fell silent expecting a slap only for the wind to quietly blow through the garden. I decided to risk a peek at her and found her blushing and tottering as if she was about to faint. She swept her hands up to hide her face when she saw me peeking at her From the depths of the fabric she said.. “I-is! Is that H-how it looks?” She sank into herself and like a flower closing up,.her kimono seemed to fold up over her hiding her from view.

“Uhmmmm,” I said intelligently. “It did until now?” When she merely curled her legs up so her face could push into them and sigh loudly I decided to keep talking “I apparently have been reading way too much into… this?” I gestured at the secluded garden with the towering bento that she’d hand prepared herself.

Erika sprouted out of her hiding place and flapped her hands back and forth her face still red. “That’s not what I was intending at all! I just wanted something to give you to make a nice first impression!” She glanced around and noted the picturesque gardens and our privacy. “Oh Bellsprouts, this does look like a date doesn’t it?” She put her face into her hands and groaned.

“So you weren’t trying to get me alone?”

She sighed hugely into her sleeves. “No. Yes? I’m not sure anymore. I think I was reading into it too much. I listened to my girls when they were gossiping and heard all the people cheering for you and cheering for Lance and thought it might cause tension and I wanted to know if you were doing that deliberately so I needed to meet you but I didn’t know you so I had one of my girls call up Surge to introduce us…” She sucked in a huge breath before continuing “And you’re not like that at all… you’re doing this all because what Lance said affecting your family.”

“O-oh uhm yeah?” I scratched my cheek at that and found myself now blushing.

Erika didn’t look up. “It… it was kind of obvious. You check your phone for messages from or about them while we were walking around. You even said as much. You outright didn’t even bother looking at light-toned clothes because they’d get so many stains on them.”

“Ahaha? Did I say that? I don’t recall?”

She huffed turning her head and looking at me her blush having calmed down. “I am really bad at this… even when I’m not trying to date someone…”

“Had some troubles?” I said, more to make conversation than to pry.

She flapped her hands about, her sleeves flapping about in frustration. “Yes! What is up with some of the guys that ask me out! They all get cold feet and ditch me on the first date! Do you know how embarrassing it is to be stood up and have half your gym know?”

“Wouldn't know, I’m a bit too busy these days to do anything like go on dates.” I looked up at the sky, it was a beautiful crisp blue today. Only a few clouds ambled along. I could see a few pokemon with riders on them. I exhaled and looked down to find Erika watching me.

“Well that’s a shame for some girls…” She blushed and straightened. “Not that I’m—” “I know it’s fine Erika,” I said with a chuckle as her blush returned.

She grumbled into her knees. “I’ll have to tell the girls that you’re not looking for anyone, I know a few of them were talking about seeking you out.” I snorted amused by the very idea.

Anyone that tried would run into a very firm turn down. I’d had to explain as much to Sabrina of all people that I didn’t have time for a relationship when I’d started being a Gym Leader.

“Yeaaaaah, I have way too much on my plate these days.” I started ticking things off on my hands, “There’s this whole like challenge I have to deal with tomorrow, don’t know if you’ve heard of it?” She giggled at my antics but remained silent to watch as I continued ticking things off. “There’s going to be a lot of drama over this, win or lose for the next few months at least. I also have my gym, my pokemon, the trainers that are part of my stable. Hmmm what else?” I made a show of waving my hands before appearing to remember something, “Oh! Right! I have to look after my nine younger brothers and sisters.” I lay back and looked once more to the open skies.

“I love my family but it’s not something I can or will drop. For so, so many reasons beyond anything I’m willing to get into here.”

I sighed again, “I can’t date anyone right now and really make it work.” I give her a small grimace, “Sorry for… reading into things so much. My bad.”

Erika hummed thoughtfully at that before accepting my words. “Well, I can’t say that I’m enjoying such insinuations,” she drew herself up and sat primly, turning so her legs rested underneath her. “I shall have to forgive you… this time.” She stared at me but the look was rather ruined by her twitching lips.

“That look doesn’t work if I know you’re holding yourself back from laughing. I’ve seen that on Yolanda too many times for it to work.”

She giggled at me before shaking her head. “You’re very mature aren’t you?” She glanced at her towering bento box. “I wanted to meet you and see what you were like. This… this was a bit much wasn’t it?”

I could only shrug at her. I eventually went with, “I mean, I liked it but it seems like a ton of effort?” She didn’t respond beyond a hum. I glanced at the bento box. That had probably been the biggest thing that made me think ‘date’. I’d read way too many manga in my past life not to connect dots into the wrong shape. Apparently, she was just a very traditional girl?

“Well, now that we’ve cleared that out of the way, we can eat, I suppose!” she said cheerfully.

Thankfully nothing else occurred after that. The food was good and I made sure to politely compliment her. We enjoyed our lunch together and I asked after how she’d felt the circuit went for her before we eventually drifted back to the hotel. Before she left, Erika patted me on the hand.

“Don’t put yourself too down Brock there’s going to be a lot of people cheering for you and I think you’ll do wonderfully.”

“Thanks Erika, today was great. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She bowed in farewell and I watched her walk off before heading up to my room.

Tomorrow, the symbolic flame of Moltres would be lit and the trainers would march before the assembled host to be welcomed officially.

And then I would fight Lance. I entered my room and called my family to check in on them. I’d do the same tomorrow before my match. It was good to hear their voices and hear that everything was going fine. Part of me unclenched. I’d half expected to have to fly back home tonight.

I lay on the lounge for a few minutes after that before closing my eyes and cycling through my rock and dark type energies. After half an hour I rose and decided to head to bed, but not before making sure the door was locked and barred. I entered the bedroom fully expecting to be able to lay down and go to sleep. But I didn’t find myself too surprised when Sabrina teleported into the room. She turned a serious gaze upon me.

“I failed as a friend.” She slumped slightly.

“Huh?” I replied, confused about how this wild Sabrina encounter was going, a somewhat normal state of affairs all told.

“Today when you said you were fine, I did not understand the significance.” She looked into my eyes and I noticed how tired she was. Her hair, usually so straight, was out of place. She had small bags under her eyes and they were clearly a little red from strain. “I tried to stick around today but the crowds and all their emotions and thoughts were too much. I’m sorry, I couldn’t help as a friend should have.” She looked thoroughly put out. I relaxed a little, comprehension of Sabrina’s point of view on this entire day now laid out.

“That’s not a problem, it looks like just staying nearby was rough for you. I know you have a hard time of it with crowds, so don’t stress yourself on my account.”

“I will be there tomorrow… in the stadium… I should be able to handle the match… but there is something I can help you with tonight.”

“Tonight?” Concern settled in as my mind slowly clicked on what she might be alluding to. Had anyone explained sex to her? Surely she had picked up thoughts of people and looked into it right? Or had she ignored those thoughts and decided they weren’t important enough to look into? Sometimes you could never really know with Sabrina. This also fell at the feet of bad parenting. Did I need to have 'The Talk' with her? That felt… vaguely wrong.

While I was pondering on this, she grasped my arm in her hands and tugged me over to the bed before pushing me onto it with gentle hands. My throat bobbed as I felt my body freeze and my mind began to race. Was she going to? She joined me on the bed, walking on her knees before positioning herself behind me. She then rolled us both on our sides so that I was the little spoon to her big spoon.

“There, you may relax well as we will ‘sleep together’,” she said with a slightly triumphant tone.

I turned my head. Was she? She actually looked smug. I felt suddenly disappointed with how this was turning out. That was quickly followed by guilt. Sabrina was naive. I shouldn’t exploit her. It wasn’t quite the same as sleeping with a drunk or drugged girl, something I’d always steered clear of but it still felt skeevy to contemplate.

I also didn’t need the complications of mudding the waters once more with Sabrina.

Sabrina rubbed my head gently. “What are you doing?”

“Something my mother has started to... try to do with me." she remained silent a moment before continuing, "I have to ‘not be creepy’ with her and not tell her what she’s thinking." I sighed. For a psychic as powerful as Sabrina that was a tough ask. Surface thoughts could sometimes feel like people were shouting at her. Emotions that were attached to them must have made it like an Escher painting that held so much more context than I could understand. Sabrina continued. "It’s not as nice as now... but I understand the intention. She's trying, I don't like having to ignore her thoughts, but the physical sensation is nice, no?”

I felt my desires wither in the face of that reveal. “Is… Isn’t that progress for you and her?” It sadly was from what I knew of her home situation.

Sabrina nodded from behind me. “Am I doing it right?”

“S’nice,” I grunted and thought about that. It was nice. And it was also the only hug I’d received in ages. My siblings liked to get and give hugs but was this different? When was the last time I, as Brock, had been hugged by my Mum or Dad?

In that light, the hug was actually way nicer for the lack of them. “Thanks Sabrina.” I bit my lip before tapping her arms. “Hey, when this fight with Lance is over, come over and I’ll explain what Surge meant.”

“I know what he meant.” I stiffened in her arms. “But I know you as well, Brock. You didn’t need that.” She rubbed my head again. “Rest Brock, I don’t mind. And I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed tonight.”

I felt my heart thump a little at her words, her hands continued to rub and I slowly relaxed. “You’re a good friend, Sabrina,” I said back to her. Her hug tightened in response but she didn’t say anything. I knew if I turned to look she’d have a large smile.

I went to sleep that night and found myself relaxing easier into the sleep than I had in many, many nights. Some part of me that usually stayed clenched relaxed more as sleep claimed me.

I didn’t see Sabrina sit up slightly and squint at my front door, her eyes glowing blue for a few moments. Just as I didn’t I hear the screams of shock or outrage from people down the hall. Another part of the hotel also got rather loud, I’d later learn. I heard nothing of this. Instead, I enjoyed the hug and comfort she gave.

I didn’t see her leave before I woke up.

I awakened with a small indent in the bed and vague thoughts about what I should do. I rolled my shoulders and found them oddly loosened and ready.

She’d been right, I had needed that. It felt strange to be the one that got comforted. Usually, it was Sabrina that was overwhelmed with too many thoughts, her mind turning on her and her reaching out to me for a calm focus to centre herself lest she reverted to how she was so long ago. She’d been so calm, she’d been scary and unemotional. And fragile. She had obviously been rather stressed from the day’s events but she’d been able to push through her own stress to offer me comfort instead. If tonight’s reversal didn’t show me how she’d grown as a person, I couldn't think of a better example.

I resolved to do something nice for her in the future. She was a good friend to have. I smiled to myself as I stood, ready for the day and the coming match with the Champion.