Want to read ahead. You know where
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Canalave City.
A sleek white yacht drifted lazily across the blue waters just off the coast.
With the Golden Poaching Group case wrapped up, Cynthia was finally free from her duties.
For the past few days, she had stayed in Canalave City, sticking close to Sam like a shadow—tired, perhaps, of being a Champion.
They'd roamed every corner of the city together.
Tried every snack stall and hidden café.
Laughed their way through museums, parks, arcades—even that silly little karaoke bar tucked behind the Pokémon Center.
And in the quieter hours, when the world stopped watching, they devoted themselves to deepening a bond that had already grown far more intimate.
Eventually, with most of Canalave explored, Cynthia had suggested something different.
"Let's go out to sea."
Now, Sam sat on the yacht he'd rented, letting the early summer breeze tousle his hair.
The wind was still tinged with a touch of cold, but the salty air was refreshing.
Invigorating, even.
Cynthia lay stretched across the deck in a sleek black swimsuit, her pale skin glowing in the sun.
She had her long blonde hair tied up, tucked under a wide-brimmed sunhat that shaded her face.
Sunglasses perched on her nose, she looked every bit the goddess of summer.
"The sea breeze is perfect~," she sighed, voice light and languid.
Then, without moving much, she reached into a nearby bag, pulled out a bottle of sunscreen, and handed it to Sam with a playful tilt of her head.
"Baaaby~," she cooed, dragging the word out.
"Help me put this on, will you?"
Before he could answer, she rolled over, giving him her back without a hint of shame.
Sam took the bottle with a soft chuckle.
"Alright, alright~"
He squeezed the lotion into his hands and gently rubbed it onto her bare back.
Her skin was as smooth as silk, cool to the touch from the sea breeze.
He traced careful lines down her spine, along her shoulders, then over her waist.
She had the kind of figure sculpted by both genetics and grace—slim but strong, soft in the right places. Just helping her with sunscreen felt like a privilege.
When he was done with her back, Cynthia turned to face him again, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Make sure it's even," she said, voice like honey.
"If I get tanned spots, that's on you."
Sam smirked and nodded.
"Wouldn't want to be responsible for that."
He kept working, hands careful and thorough.
Once she was fully covered, he applied a bit to himself, then leaned back against the deck's railings, eyes half-closed as he basked in the warmth.
"Perfect day," he murmured.
"Mhm~," Cynthia agreed, stretching languidly.
She reached out and rested her soft feet on his thigh, casually like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Thanks to you, baby~ I get to relax."
Sam's gaze flicked down to her feet—small, pale, and flawlessly kept.
He couldn't help but toy with them in his hands, thumb brushing along her arches.
Cynthia giggled, but didn't pull away.
For a guy like Sam, raised in another world and now navigating this one, even quiet moments like these were surreal.
Yet here they were—sun, sea, and silence between them.
Cynthia and Sam had been lounging on the deck for a while, the steady lull of the sea rocking them gently.
Their gazes eventually drifted toward the dark silhouette standing alone near the railing.
Darkrai.
It stood motionless, cloak-like body fluttering slightly in the breeze, watching the horizon in solemn silence.
Cynthia tilted her head, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
Then, with a playful hum, she turned to Sam and purred, "Baaaby~"
He glanced at her lazily, raising a brow.
"Your Darkrai… It's a rare kind of Pokémon, isn't it?"
Sam smirked slightly but didn't interrupt.
"I've never had the chance to battle a Mythical Pokémon before," she continued, brushing her fingers along his arm.
"Why don't we turn the boat around and have a match? You use Darkrai… give me a little battle experience~?"
Her tone was casual, but Sam could see the gleam in her eyes.
Actual combat.
It was always the best form of training—Cynthia knew that better than anyone.
He made a show of rubbing his chin, pretending to think it over.
"Hmm... I don't know…"
Cynthia, seeing right through him, slid closer and clung to his arm.
"Okaaay, okay~ Please?" she sang, full of charm.
Sam let out a dramatic sigh.
"Well, it's not impossible…"
"But," he added, leaning in with a sly glint, "you said it yourself—Darkrai is a rare Pokémon. A literal dream-walking legend. So, if I'm going to pit him against your Garchomp… I need something in return."
Cynthia blinked innocently.
"What kind of condition~?"
Sam's gaze dropped. Slowly. Purposefully.
To her feet.
Bare, resting atop his thigh from earlier.
Pale, soft, well-kept. She followed his line of sight, then turned back to him, one brow raised.
Sam gave a fake cough, clearly not hiding it at all.
"Ahem. Battle's fine. Totally fine. But, uh, you know… You gotta give me a little something too."
For a second, she stared at him.
Then a knowing smirk curved her lips.
With a soft giggle, she reached out and lightly flicked him on the forehead with her fingers, cool and smooth, with a faint scent of sunscreen.
"You mean you want some *fun*, don't you?" she teased.
Sam grinned.
"Knew you were smart."
Cynthia rolled her eyes in mock exasperation.
Men.
"Of course, that's what you were thinking."
Still, she leaned in, eyes sparkling.
"Well, it's not impossible to earn~" she said, sweet as syrup.
"But I have a condition too."
Sam perked up. "Let's hear it!"
Cynthia rested her chin on her hand and said casually, "I'll use my Garchomp. You use Darkrai. One-on-one."
"If you can beat me…" Her voice dropped just slightly, playful and dangerous.
"Then you get~"
Sam's hand shot out instantly.
"Deal. Shake on it."
They clasped hands firmly.
For fun—
He was going to win this battle if it killed him.