Chapter Text
Mitsuru spend the walk to the PokeCenter clutching the Ralts' pokeball tightly, staring at it like he still couldn't believe he'd actually caught it. Gyoza was preening, rubbing against Senri's ankles in exchange for ear rubs. Torchic, for once, seemed a little tired from her battles. But there was a proud glint in her eye that spoke of victory. Sayuri ducked her head to hide a smile.
She's gonna get such a stuffed head when we start winning gym badges. Even if it wasn't her own, helping a successful capture had left Sayuri feeling a little more grounded, as if her half-impulsive, newborn dream of becoming a Pokemon Trainer had already borne fruit. It made her feel more confident for the next step: training to beat Kanazumi's stone gym.
I wonder if I'll run into Nami... probably not, she's gotta be headed to Touka Woods by now. Sayuri looked up at the dark line of the horizon past Touka City. She'd trust her father's assesment that she wasn't ready for it yet. Not to mention, even the Wurmple had given Torchic a workout; Torchic might have the temperament for battle, but Professor Odamaki hadn't exactly been actively training with her.
We'll learn together. The thought made her feel warm.
When they reached the PokeCenter, Gyoza was through the doors first. Sayuri blinked, but Senri chuckled, seeming unsurprised. The doors whooshing open to let them in finally made Mitsuru finally look up.
Gyoza had hopped up on the counter, practically purring as the nurse on duty scratched under his chin. She giggled, cooing at him. Torchic made a quiet gagging sound, and Sayuri bit back a laugh. I guess she wouldn't be one for cooing and baby talk. Rousing pre-battle prep talk is probably more her style... guess if I want to win any Cuteness Contests, I'll need a different pokemon.
The nurse looked up from Gyoza when Senri approached. “Suzuki-san! I don't mind a visit, but Gyoza seems fine today!” Rubbing his ears, she added in a sugary tone, “Don't you, cutie! If you're good, I have a berry for you!” Gyoza let out a happy bark. The nurse beamed.
Senri sighed, but he was smiling as he said, “You're going to spoil him rotten, Nurse Shiraishi. But I'm not actually here for him today.” Senri gestured at Mitsuru, who swallowed nervously as he held up his pokeball.
“I- um. Caught a pokemon. It's a Ralts. Can you-?”
Nurse Shiraishi's smile gentled, and she was careful when she took the pokeball. “I'll have them good as new in just a moment, Trainer-san.” Mitsuru started to stammer that he wasn't a trainer, but she had already turned away, placing the pokeball into a machine behind the counter. Sayuri watched curiously: she had only seen a pokeball restoration machine on television. Nurse Shiraishi pressed a few buttons, then watched as the machine started to light up. Three pulses later, the pokeball was released. Still handling it delicately, she handed it back to Mitsuru.
“Good luck with her, Trainer-san!” This time, rather than correct her, Mitsuru only nodded, eyes fixed on the pokeball again. Sayuri remembered what her father had told them: the true test was the first release. If Ralts ran off, Mitsuru would have to try and catch another Pokemon...
Senri put a hand on Mitsuru's shoulder. “Let's get back to the grass, Mitsuru-kun. That'll give Ralts space to make her decision.” Mitsuru blew out a breath, then squared his shoulders. Holding the pokeball tight to his chest, he turned and walked out the PokeCenter doors. Senri paused long enough to grab Gyoza (happily munching on his promised berry) and nod to Nurse Shiraishi; then he and Sayuri followed.
*
At the edge of the city, Mitsuru stopped next to the Touka City sign. Taking a deep breath, he held out the pokeball. Sayuri held Torchic a little tighter. Even Gyoza had calmed, settling by Senri's feet to watch Mitsuru.
“Go, Ralts!” At the command, the pokeball lit up, then released a red light a few feet in front of Mitsuru. It solidified into the pale figure of Ralts, then faded. For a moment, Ralts seemed to be getting her bearings, glancing around and fluttering, as if checking herself for injury. Then she looked up at Mitsuru. A few seconds passed in total silence. Mitsuru swallowed.
Ralts titled her head, then glided forward a few steps. She bowed, her train flaring out in a shape that resembled a curtsy. Senri exhaled, and Sayuri realized that she wasn't the only one holding her breath. Mitsuru smiled, genuine if a little shaky. Slowly, he knelt and extended his hand to the Ralts. She leaned forward, then copied the gesture, touching her arm to Mitsuru's hand.
Mitsuru's shoulders relaxed, and he asked, “Do you like the name Suzume?”
Sayuri blinked. Eh? A glance over at her father showed that he was similarly startled, though he looked pleased as well. Sayuri fought down a blush. Maybe he was already planning that name? It'd be a bit of coincidence, though... since our surname is Suzuki...
After a moment of consideration, the Ralts chirped happily. Mitsuru glanced over, and promptly looked back down at his shoes when he caught sight of Sayuri's expression. “I hope you don't mind,” he mumbled, “but you two helped me catch her, so it felt right...”
Senri beamed. “It's an honor, Mitsuru-kun. We were glad to help.” Sayuri nodded, smiling despite her embarrassment. Suzume was already poking Mitsuru's chin to get him to look up again: it looked like the beginnings of a beautiful partnership.
*
Later, after Mitsuru had gone home, Sayuri sat outside the gym, waiting for her father to upload the last of her paperwork. After this, they'd probably grab lunch; then Senri had promised Sayuri that he'd show her some of the training spots he'd used for Gyoza, since her Torchic was about that level. But Sayuri had something important to do first.
Mitsuru-kun used one of the kanji in 'Suzuki' because we helped him... and because he looks up to Dad a lot.
Naming a Pokemon after someone you admire... that's not a bad way to do it.
Looking over at the Torchic poking around the field next to the gym, and remembering a childhood hero, Sayuri asked, “Torchic? How do you feel about the name Anzu?”
Despite halfway expecting it, Sayuri still fell back, wind knocked out of her, when the answer was a cannonball to the ribs followed by a cacophony of happy chirping. Rolling her eyes and getting her breath back, Sayuri managed to choke out, “Okay, okay, got it. Anzu it is.” Sighing, she sat up again. Conversationally, she told the Torchic, “Dad's gonna have a field day, you know. 'Anzu' means apricot.”
A smug huff was her only answer. Apparently Anzu considered her name above reproach.
Sayuri smiled. It was a good day to be a Pokemon Trainer.