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Beginning
Upon being prompted by Coo, Chisato looked out the window and saw a long line of girls outside their establishment. The said girls were around the age of fourteen, and were undoubtedly all Kimono girl hopefuls. Privately, she thinks that today was going to be a long day.
Caution
Any owner of a manor that trains up and coming Kimono girls must exercise great caution in their selection. But as Chisato is the owner of the newly established Ishiya, she must be even more careful in choosing which girls to take on as apprentices.
Narrow
The day was spent on personal interviews, a series of tests comprised of singing, dancing, and instrument playing-the three core skills any Kimono girl or Kimono girl apprentice must have, and some deliberation between her and Coo. But at the end of it all, the list of sixty four names were finally narrowed down to six.
Process
Becoming a Kimono girl was a process. Any girl who wished to become one starts off by apprenticing at one of the Kimono Girl Manors in Ecruteak City. But apprenticeship also means it becomes necessary for the girl to live in their affiliated manor. As such, the very next day after being chosen as apprentices, the six girls returned to the manor. Each of them carrying luggage, with some having brought more than others.
Seven
Soon after the new apprentices and their luggage are all inside the manor, Chisato introduces them to the seventh apprentice of Ishiya. The introduction of Rinne goes well, and the other girls are thankfully welcoming towards the new girl. From the side, Chisato quietly observes them. For better or for worse, they are Ishiya’s first generation of upcoming Kimono girls.
Switch
After the touring of the manor and announcement of room assignment are done, Coo and his Infernape enter the room, both of them pushing a rolling table each. On said tables were Pokemon eggs encased in incubators. Coo then takes over at that point, distributing the Pokemon eggs before giving tips on how to care for the eggs.
Practical
As the girls marvel at their respective Pokemon egg, Chisato belatedly remembers to tell them to give nicknames to the Pokemon inside the eggs. It was both tradition and practical for anyone entering the Kimono Girl profession to do so. After all, Kimono girls only specialized on one Pokemon and its evolutions.
Disorderly
Chisato observed the scene before her. Naru tripped midstep and was currently being helped up by Bell. The roommates Wakana and Ann had stopped dancing and were arguing for some reason, while Otoha was panicking and trying to get them to stop. Ito, on the other hand was off to the side looking at her Pokegear as if the events of the room had nothing to do with her, and Rinne was nowhere to be found.
Forget
Chisato takes another bite of her Pecha berry shortcake in the hopes of forgetting the first(disastrous) dance lessons of the apprentices. As she finishes the whole cake, she thinks to herself that raising them to be proper Kimono girls was going to be an uphill battle.
Return
Truth be told, Chisato had left the matter of room assignment entirely to Coo. But when several requests to change roommate comes up, she grants them. In fact, she tells them that they can choose their roommates for themselves as long as they give her a list with the final room assignment. Strangely enough, though the girls tried all sorts of roommate combinations, they still decided to return to the original room assignment, even the ever bickering Ann and Wakana.
Baby Steps
Once the girls have somewhat adjusted to their new lives as Kimono girl apprentices, it begins to show in their lessons. Their moves are less sloppy, they’ve become more focused, and their motions begin to have some precision in them.
Partner
“Eev.” The newly hatched Pokemon cries as Naru takes her into her arms for a hug, which the normal type happily accepts. “It’s great to finally meet you, Lovelin!”
Footsteps
Not long after Lovelin hatched, the other eggs hatched as well. Soon, the manor was filled with the sounds of the footsteps of both the girls and Pokemon.
Formality
There were some formalities in the Kimono girl industry. Both apprentices and Kimono girls alike had to call the owner of their affiliated manor, mother, while Kimono girls with seniority would be called sister. But as the current apprentices were Ishiya’s first generation, only the the former applied. “Mother watch out!” Otoha calls out, and Chisato barely dodges the blur that is Femini who races towards Coo who is serving up boiled pumpkin for lunch.
Participation
A Kimono girl’s Pokemon was not merely for show. Said Pokemon was an irreplaceable partner both on and off stage. Thus not long after all the Pokemon eggs have hatched, they join in with the lessons as well.
Transfer
When Bell, and Naru go up to Chisato to ask if the Rinne could room with them, it takes a moment for Chisato to reply. Ever since her arrival at the manor, Rinne has roomed alone. She then looks at Rinne who is in between Bell and Naru. “Are you all sure about this?” She asks and three nods are given in response. Chisato gives a curt nod. “Then I shall allow it.”
Progress
Chisato watches as the girls, even those from different rooms, help out with the moving process. The girls engage in small talk while they work, and she sees a reticent smile briefly flit on Rinne’s face. She feels relieved; the emotionless girl her teacher entrusted in her care has made some progress.
Routine
The life of a Kimono girl and Kimono girl apprentice was founded on routine. For an apprentice, Eight AM was breakfast time, then from Nine AM to Twelve Noon was time for dance lessons. At Twelve Noon it was lunch time, and One PM marked the start of a lesson on instrument playing until Three PM. Then from Three PM to Six PM was time for singing lessons, and at Six PM dinner was served. Of course, the aforementioned didn’t include the daily rotating chores.
Clashing
There was a clear contrast between the rooms’ inhabitants. Otoha’s side of the room looked like it came straight out of a fairy tale while Ito’s side screamed rock. Ann’s preferred bright and vivid colors in decorating while Wakana opted for earthy and neutral colors. Bell’s side of the room was neat and chic, Naru’s bottom bunk was slightly cluttered and well decorated, while Rinne’s top bunk was minimalist for the most part, save for the few strange trinkets properly lined up in her shelf.
Manor
On one particular free day, Chisato woke up later than usual and had a late breakfast. She knows that it is just her in the manor today, the girls had previously asked permission to go out into the City today, which she granted. But as she tries to come up with a new Kimono design, she wonders when did she start thinking that a quiet manor as slightly disconcerting.
Roam
“It really does look like autumn...” Ito mumbled in shock. Honestly, when Otoha had told her about the Bellchime Trail that had trees that were in autumn colors all year round, she was more than skeptical. But true to her roommate’s claims, despite being spring, the surroundings looked like it was fall. A few meters ahead, Ito could see both Coolun and Femini jump on a small pile of fallen leaves. “An ever unchanging forest, it’s just like a fairytale!”
Pause
Ann and Wakana walked down the main roads of Ecruteak, while Ethni and Poppun took the spot on their respective partner’s shoulders both looking content and full from the Apricorn juice they had earlier. “So where to-“ Wakana wasn’t able to finish when Ann suddenly stopped. Wakana followed her roommate’s gaze and saw that on the other side of the street were two Kimono girls. “…One day, we’ll definitely be like them.” Ann suddenly says. “Well that goes without saying.” Wakana replies.
Plan
“Hmm? So Bell-chan, you weren’t originally going to apprentice under Ishiya?” Naru asks. In answer, Bell shakes her head. “Actually, Waka, Oto, and I were planning on apprenticing at another manor. But because it suddenly closed down, we started looking elsewhere.” She answers before glancing at her companions- Naru sitting with her on the bench outside the Ecruteak Dance Theatre, while Rinne was currently exploring with Lovelin, Seshini, and Starn. “…But things probably worked out for the best.” Bell says quietly to herself.
Wardrobe
By the time summer finally rolls around, the apprentices are finally deemed ready to start working in the industry. To celebrate the occasion Chisato gives them the seven Kimonos gifted to her by her teacher when she first decided to start Ishiya.
Aid
Mere apprentices cannot perform on stage like Kimono girls. Instead the work of an apprentice means to become an aid to the Kimono girls. Their work compromised of helping with backstage work, providing musical accompaniment, or even simple tasks such as holding the Kimono as the Kimono girl walks so the cloth doesn’t get dirty. But as the Ishiya had no Kimono girls to speak of, they were sent to aid the Kimono girls of the other manors.
Prohibition
There was a prohibition on men entering the Kimono girl manors. Of course there were certain exceptions, like DJ Coo. The said man was not only the all around handyman of Ishiya, but he was also its resident builder, and stage assistant. It has already reached the point that Ishiya probably couldn’t function well without him.
Queen
It is at the Midsummer Dance Festival held at the Ecruteak Dance Theatre when Ishiya's apprentices see the top Kimono girl, Amou June, for the first time. Her performance was unlike anything else. Her singing was impeccable, every movement graceful and elegant, and her instrument playing was melodious and went perfectly with her partner, Umbreon's dance. Truly, the woman was a queen.
Decision
Not even a day has passed since seeing June performance when Chisato gathers all of Ishiya’s apprentices to make an announcement. “I’ve decided that in two weeks, Rinne will graduate from being an apprentice.”
Graduation
An apprentice’s graduation was a rather big deal in the Kimono girl industry. Graduation marked the end of the apprenticeship and the start of a career as a Kimono girl. It was an occasion to celebrate as another girl has become a full fledged Kimono girl. But conversely it also involved a lot of preparations. Safe to say, the two weeks leading to Rinne’s graduation was a busy one.
Shine
Rinne took to the stage. She sang, played her instrument, and danced together with her partner Starn in her new brilliant white and black Kimono. But unlike an apprentice, the traditional makeup was painted on her face, and she wore the black haired wig of a Kimono girl. Her performance was beautiful and full of life, and she moved perfectly in sync with Starn, but what really captivated everyone was her and Starn’s expression that radiated such joy. Rinne was undoubtedly shining.
Brace
Coo was not the first, and probably won’t be the last to notice how the other apprentices of Ishiya seemed to have changed since Rinne’s graduation. It seemed that after seeing their friend graduate, the others have began to triple, if not quadruple their efforts in their lessons and their work as apprentices. Coo thinks that if they keep this up, all of them will graduate before fall ends. He consequently starts making preparations, should-no when that situation arises.
Succession
The apprentices’ efforts are rewarded and they end up graduating in succession. Mere hours after the last graduation, Chisato finds herself dead tired and unable to move from where she is currently propped up against the wall. Around her she can see Ishiya’s Kimono girls and their partners have all similarly collapsed somewhere in the manor. While the successive graduations had been doable as Coo had made some preparations beforehand, it was still far from advisable.
Change
But as the seasons change so do the partners of Ishiya’s first generation. The first was Lovelin who evolved into a Sylveon during Naru’s graduation. The next was Femini who became a Jolteon using the same Thunderstone that Otoha’s mother used to evolve her Pikachu. Afterwards, it is Poppun who evolves into a Vaporeon using a Waterstone sent to Ann by her grandmother who was living in Unova.
Invitation
It comes as a surprise when no less than the chairman of the Theatre Arts and Performances Association, Himuro Hijiri, personally visits Ishiya to extend an invitation to all its Kimono girls to put on a performance at the White Winter Festival to be held at Ecruteak Theatre at the end of the year. The man later leaves in a rather dramatic fashion-with a flourish and on his Braviary’s back, But perhaps that is to be expected of a former Pokemon musical actor.
Growth
Ethni evolves into a Leafeon on a family outing during Wakana’s free day, while Coolun evolved into an Espeon shortly after Ito’s parents decided to live together again. But it is only after Bell has pulled off a rather difficult performance with Seshini, that she decides to evolve her partner with a Firestone she had won from her first competition years back.
Errands
“Cool! Looks like we’ve got everything on the list Bell-chan.” Coo said and Bell nodded before they began their trek home, both of them carrying shopping bags. But Coo paused upon seeing a familiar brunette and his Malamar skulk inside a theatre. Thinking that he was looking at the theatre, Bell spoke up. “If I remember right, June-san is supposed to perform at that theatre today.” She said and he only nodded. “So he hasn’t given up yet, huh.” He murmurs much too quietly for her to hear.
Mystery
Starn’s evolution was a mystery. When Rinne’s health took a suddenly nosedive, she and Starn momentarily went back to Blackthorn City where her other guardian currently resided. But when they returned, Starn had already evolved into a Glaceon.
Souvenir
Rinne did not return empty handed. She returned with seven new Kimonos made by her other guardian, which were apparently called the Platinum Series. "Wouldn't these be perfect for the Winter White Festival?" Ann comments, and the agreement is unanimous.
Festival
At the White Winter Festival, the Ecruteak Theatre had been completely decorated with lanterns and flowers. The theatre seats were filled with excited guests, while staff and apprentices hurriedly flit about with last minute checks backstage. But the performers themselves are not immune to the excitement that permeates the air, and Ishiya’s Kimono girls huddle up and put their hands together once before finally taking the stage.
Stage
As Coo and Chisato watch all seven of Ishiya’s first generation Kimono girls perform together onstage, the former couldn’t help but grin. “I told you that they’d be just fine.”