"Eevee, wait up!" I cried, pedaling my bike as hard as I could until momentum took over. I lifted my feet from the pedals, flying down the sloped road to my village. The wind whipped against my face, carrying the scent of seawater—a smell you could experience anywhere here, even all the way up top! It was the smell of the sea, the cries of fishermen along the docks, the Winggulls wheeling overhead… it all just screamed home, ya know?
"Oh, Aya!" A voice called out to me as I descended. A fisherman stood tall and proud on his wooden boat along with his dragonair, Ceto, coiled behind him—it was a miracle that old wooden boat could carry them out that far into the sea.
"Mr. Takamura!" My hand flew up to greet him, not stopping my momentum as I flew on by. It was late afternoon by the time I braked in front of my café. It stood tall and proud even after all these years. The sign hung loosely at the top Seastrut Café.
I would always look at it with new fondness in my eyes, seeing that it was a gift from my mom and all. Her dream was to always see this cafe shoot off the ground and be more than this little place in the middle of nowhere! And now, that's my dream too!
The sound of scratching took me away from my thoughts. Eevee's claws dug against the shut wooden door, waiting to be let in. My brows furrowed, and a weary smile formed on my face. Well, first I'll have to get there…
I guided my bike to the door, reaching into my pockets to open the door. At the slightest crack, Eevee bolted in, running upstairs without wasting a second.
"Hey Aya, can I get the usual!" A boy just struts in without a genuine care in the world, his hands resting on the back of his neck with a wide grin and a white band on his head.
"Can I have the fish you promised me—" The boy froze at my accusation even though he had already sat down at that point.
"It's hard work fishin' it's not my fault the karp aint biting!" I slam my hand on the wooden barrel table, the boy flinching at the sudden BANG.
"It is your fault your tab is this high." I scowled at him. Eevee running downstairs with her food bowl between her jaws.
"I'm good for it, I promise! Please, Aya, I'll catch the golden Magikarp soon, so please?" his hands clapped together, begging, yet he leaned so far back it was not sincere at all. I gave him a look before groaning and folding my arms.
"Fine, but this is it! No more after this! You got that, Kai!?" I scolded, my finger pointed in his face. He just nodded, that stupid grin never leaving his face, I swear…
"Eevee!" Eevee nudged at my feet dropping her bowl to the floor aswell. I smiled softly as I picked it up.
"Right right I'll serve you first."
"So where'd you go for so long?" Kai pondered, leaning on his arm as he watched me move to the back, tying my apron on with practiced efficiency.
"Seeing my dad," I replied, pouring out pokefood into eevee's bowl, no matter how many times I do it I could never get used to the smell grainy cereal and meatpowder as I poured it in.
"He's like the champion right?" He continued, watching up to the small tv that hung just over the kitchen. I looked to it too, seeing him there standing tall and proud infront of a bunch of others, waving proudly.
"Only the in blitzbattles, he never actually trained a pokemon in his life," I groaned, It was just luck anyway…
I turned on the stove, the flames shooting up like an engine springing to life. The flames flickered with a newfound energy, only tamed by my stainless steel pan.
"You're one to talk—" Kai quipped but his snarky comment was quickly silenced by my sharp look. He choked on his words. "S-sorry…"
I slapped the plate of lemon-soy-baked Arrokuda; its fillet was sizzling. glistening under the juices of baked lemon that leaked onto the plate.
"There, don't ask me for any more freebies." I warned him, but Kai watched the dish with longing eyes; it was clear he wasn't listening to me anymore—I let out a sigh of frustration as I went to the back once more, waiting for whoever else will make their way by. "I swear—"
"Don't forget, you're helping me with the delivery boxes later," I reminded, turning to Kai, his head cocked to the side in confusion.
"What boxes?" He said, his mouth filled to the brim with Arrokuda. I swear he had less manners than the fish he supposedly catch—-
"For today's delivery—"
"Ohhh!" Kai finally swallowed, almost choking on his meal as, trying to finish his sentence. "They're not coming today."
"Eh?" I froze, turning towards the boy who simply stared at me with thoughtless eyes.
"There's a road block or something, gonna take a while to clear,"
The world seemed to shrink to the space between his careless words and the sinking feeling in my stomach. "A while?" I echoed, my voice dangerously quiet. "Kai. What roadblock? How long is a while?"
"I-I dunno, Old Man Hengle just said it might be a couple of days."
A couple of days. The words hit me like a physical blow. My mind raced, an internal inventory screaming at me. The Berries for the Poképuffs, the Moomoo Milk, the fresh Pecha—we were low on everything!!
"Aya?" He called out to me once more, but by the time he looked I was already out the door. Eevee ran out after me as I snatched my bike from where I rested it, Riding off as fast as I could.
Kai ran to the door leaning against it, he watched as I was already almost gone, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Well…guess I'll just stay behind."