Pokemon: My Trainer Simulator

"Take them out of here; there are only a few steps left."

"Huh? You're going back?"

"Yes."

"I'll—"

"Don't waste time. Once you're out, you can't come back in. If you don't leave, who's going to carry them? Hold on a little longer."

"…I'm sorry, Kashiwagi. I'm really sorry. We're the ones dragging you down. Oh, take this with you!"

"Alright, go."

Kashiwagi's mind replayed the moment of parting with Naruhiko, recalling his friend's face filled with both regret and apology.

Carrying the hammer he had found near the exit, Kashiwagi adjusted his headlamp and took even breaths.

He knew that Aron might not lose to the Rhyhorn.

He also knew that even if it did lose, the Rhyhorn likely wouldn't kill Aron.

All in all, there was no real need for him to turn back. There was no point in risking his life for this.

But he still came back.

To be honest, Kashiwagi had always thought of himself as selfish.

Every act of kindness he displayed was a facade—methods to fit in, to form alliances, and to gain advantages.

And so—

Returning was, of course, to gain Aron's goodwill and to uphold his principle of repaying debts.

Kashiwagi repeatedly reinforced these reasons in his mind, hypnotizing himself into believing them.

Otherwise, how else could he stand firm against the blood-red eyes of that Rhyhorn and suppress the instinct to flee?

"Kill him for me!"

Shibata's shout pierced the air as the Rhyhorn charged forward.

Boom, boom, boom—

The ground trembled beneath its pounding steps, and countless small rocks were shaken loose and scattered everywhere.

The Rhyhorn wanted nothing more than to finish its task quickly, if only to shut Shibata's endless shouting.

In the narrow confines of the collapsing mine, dodging the Rhyhorn's charge was nearly impossible.

But Kashiwagi only needed to dodge once.

Just once.

Taking two steps back, he positioned himself behind a pile of rubble to the far left.

The rocks wouldn't stop the Rhyhorn's charge but could obscure its vision somewhat.

Even ground-type Pokémon couldn't see through rocks and soil.

Come on.

He inhaled deeply, locking eyes with the frenzied Shibata and the Rhyhorn, its horn lowered and charging straight ahead.

No room for failure—only success.

Bang!

The rubble was obliterated as the massive beast crashed through it.

At that precise moment, Kashiwagi turned his headlamp to its brightest setting and rolled to the right.

"Guh!"

Intense pain shot through his left arm and ribs as if he had been struck by a bullet.

But Kashiwagi knew he had dodged the charge.

The pain came from the rocks blasted away by the Rhyhorn's collision, a testament to the sheer force of its attack.

As he scrambled to his feet, searing pain flared up from his scraped elbow and shoulder.

Endure it!

Strike back!

Kashiwagi turned to see the Rhyhorn had slammed into the wall behind him, its rider Shibata yelling at it to turn around for another charge.

"Eat this!"

Kashiwagi bellowed, throwing the hammer in his hand.

Before Shibata could react, the hammer struck him, knocking him to the ground.

The screams that followed suggested it had hit a sensitive spot.

Shibata's headlamp had been on the whole time, making him an easy target.

"Ruhh!"

With its rider gone, the Rhyhorn panicked, stepping back and accidentally stomping on Shibata's leg.

"Ahh—my leg!!"

Shibata's cries of agony rang out once again.

The Rhyhorn froze, unsure of what to do, its bulky frame only adding to its confusion.

Mission accomplished!

Kashiwagi didn't hesitate and sprinted toward Aron's location.

He had always seen Pokémon as natural creatures, not mythical beings.

As such, understanding their behavior made it possible to "fight" them effectively.

Take out the leader, and the rest will falter.

Since the Rhyhorn was Shibata's ally, it wouldn't abandon him entirely.

"We're leaving!"

Kashiwagi quickly scooped up the semi-conscious Aron, surprised at how light it was.

Turning on his heel, he bolted, running as fast as possible past the struggling Shibata and his Rhyhorn.

The Rhyhorn sensed his escape and prepared to pursue.

"Ruhhh—"

"Shut it!"

Kashiwagi pulled another ball from his pocket and slammed it to the ground.

Bang!

A blinding flash of light erupted, engulfing the entire cavern.

"Ruhh!?"

The Rhyhorn recoiled, its vision overwhelmed by the intense brightness.

Blinded and disoriented, it began thrashing wildly, and Shibata's screams echoed as he was caught in its rampage.

"Don't—don't leave me—ahh! Help…"

"Huff…huff…"

Kashiwagi sprinted forward, covering dozens of meters in a matter of breaths.

Glancing back, he saw the Rhyhorn rampaging aimlessly and Shibata's cries growing faint.

Relief washed over him.

Good thing I didn't foolishly use that flash bomb Naruhiko gave me earlier. It's more powerful than I expected—caused total chaos.

Maybe that's why Naruhiko hadn't used it himself.

Shaking his head, Kashiwagi cleared his thoughts and kept running.

To be honest, using a Poké Ball to carry Aron would have been far more convenient in this situation.

In its dazed state, it likely wouldn't have resisted.

But—

He decided against it.

What if his earlier assumptions were wrong?

What if Aron was actually a plant by the Quicksand Squad?

What if Aron would rather die than enter a Poké Ball?

Many Pokémon were known for their unshakable resolve, never backing down once they had made up their minds.

Instead of overthinking, he chose to focus on running faster.

Ripping off his mask to take in more oxygen, Kashiwagi pushed himself to sprint even harder.

The uphill climb was grueling.

Fortunately, just as the light of the exit appeared ahead, no sounds of pursuit came from behind.

As he burst out of the cave, fresh air rushed to greet him, carrying the cool breeze of sand and wind.

"Hah…hah…"

Kashiwagi gasped for air, the blinding sunlight forcing him to squint.

Barely holding himself upright, he ignored the startled cries and stares around him.

He fished out a jade stone and tossed it to the middle-aged examiner.

"Proof!"

The man caught it and gave it a cursory glance before turning his gaze to the battered Aron in Kashiwagi's arms.

"You brought a Pokémon out of the cave?" he asked with a frown.

"No, it's probably wild…" Kashiwagi replied, shaking his head.

"How is that possible—"

The examiner's words were cut off as a Galarian Yamask suddenly flew out of the cave and hovered before him, shaking its head.

The man's tone immediately changed.

"—Take him and the Aron to the hospital! Quickly!"

Attendants with stretchers rushed over, carefully placing Kashiwagi and Aron onto them before carrying them away.

Glancing at the Galarian Yamask, Kashiwagi whispered to Aron, "We're safe now, don't worry."

As he spoke, he finally allowed himself to relax.

The journey through the mine had been short but perilous.

Especially the part where he went back to save Aron—thinking about it now, he realized how reckless he had been.

"Sigh…"

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