The realization hung over Kian like a storm cloud. He stood frozen on the pavement, the bustling sounds of Viridian City fading into a dull roar in his ears.
"Fuck," Kian muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I have to go back. I actually have to go back."
He looked south, toward the gate that led back to Route 1. The path was long, winding, and filled with the trainers he had mentally scoffed at yesterday. Walking back to Pallet Town just to retrieve a piece of paper felt like a defeat.
"Or..." Kian tapped his chin, his eyes drifting back toward the sliding glass doors of the Pokémon Center. "Should I just go to the Viridian Forest blindly? No, Kian, don't be an idiot. The System gives you stats, not GPS. You'll get lost and starve."
He sighed, turning his body slightly back toward the Center. "Wait. I can ask Nurse Joy. She definitely has spare maps behind the counter. And considering how we left things... she probably wouldn't mind me coming back for a 'favor'."
A smirk tugged at his lips. Yes, that was the better plan. It saved him the walk, and it gave him an excuse to see Joy's flushed face one more time before he left.
He took a step toward the doors.
"Hey! You! Kian!"
A sharp, breathless yell cut through the morning air.
Kian stopped mid-step. The voice was female, high-pitched, and laced with distinct irritation. It wasn't Joy. It was louder, brasher.
He turned around slowly, scanning the street.
Running toward him, dodging a slow-moving Machop and a surprised businessman, was a girl.
It was Daisy Oak.
Kian's eyebrows shot up. He hadn't seen her since his awakening yesterday morning, and even then, it had been a blur. But seeing her now, running full tilt toward him, he took a moment to appreciate the view.
She was fit—far fitter than her grandfather. She wore a casual, light blue summer top that clung to her torso with the dampness of sweat, and a short white skirt that flared around her thighs with every stride. Her long brown hair whipped behind her like a banner of war.
She skidded to a halt in front of him, bracing her hands on her knees, gasping for air. Her chest heaved violently, drawing Kian's gaze downward.
"Wait..." she wheezed, holding up a hand. "Wait... it is you... isn't it? Kian?"
Kian crossed his arms, leaning back on his heels with a casual, amused grin. "In the flesh. What is it, Daisy Oak? Did you run all the way here to ask for my autograph?"
Daisy stood up, her face flushed red from exertion—and anger. She didn't dignify his comment with a response. Instead, she reached into her small shoulder bag and whipped out a folded piece of parchment.
She practically shoved it into his chest.
"This!" she yelled, poking him with the paper. "This is the map you forgot! You... you absolute moron!"
Kian blinked, taking the map from her hand. It was indeed the standard-issue Kanto Town Map. He unfurled it slightly, checking the corners.
"Oh," Kian chuckled, scratching the back of his head, acting the part of the carefree rookie. "Thank you, Daisy. I was actually just worrying about this. I was in such excitement yesterday to start my journey that I completely forgot to grab it from you. My bad, haha."
He flashed her a dazzling smile, the kind that usually melted hearts.
It didn't melt Daisy's. It seemed to fuel her rage.
She looked up at him, her brown eyes blazing. She stepped closer, invading his personal space, pointing a manicured finger in his face.
"Your bad? Your bad?!" she shrieked, drawing the attention of a few passing trainers. "You idiot! How the fuck can you forget the one thing you need to navigate? Do you have a brain in that thick skull of yours?"
She gestured wildly back toward the road. "Do you know how far I ran? I had to sprint all the way from Pallet Town! My legs are burning! I'm sweating like a Rapidash! And it's all because you couldn't be bothered to stop for two seconds yesterday!"
Kian watched her rant, unfazed. In fact, he was enjoying it. Her anger made her cheeks flush a lovely shade of crimson, and the way her chest rose and fell with her shouting was... distracting.
"It's okay, Daisy," Kian said smoothly, waving his hand dismissively. "It's not a big deal. Mistakes happen. And besides, Pallet Town isn't that far. It's a good cardio workout, right? Look at you, you're glowing."
Daisy's jaw dropped. She stared at him in disbelief. "Not that far? Not a big deal? I ran through tall grass! A Rattata tried to bite my ankle!"
She let out a frustrated growl, throwing her hands up in the air. "You know what? Fuck you. Fuck you, Kian. Take your stupid map. I'm going home. Never come in front of me again, you idiot. If I see you, I might just have my Clefairy slap you."
She spun on her heel, her hair whipping around, and started to stomp away back toward the southern gate.
Kian watched her go, his eyes tracing the sway of her hips in the white skirt.
"Such a bitch," he whispered to himself, though the smile on his face was decidedly predatory. "Fiery. I like that."
Ring-ring! Ring-ring!
The cheerful, electronic chirping of a PokéGear halted Daisy in her tracks.
She froze, shoulders stiffening. She groaned loudly, tilting her head back to the sky. "Oh, no. Please no."
She reached into her bag and pulled out the device. She looked at the caller ID and winced. She pressed the answer button, jamming the phone against her ear.
"What?" she snapped. "No, Grandpa, I just gave it to him... Yes, I'm in Viridian... What? No way!"
Kian leaned against a lamppost, watching the drama unfold.
"I am not going!" Daisy argued, stomping her foot. "I just want to go home and take a shower! ... What do you mean urgent? ... Can't you send a courier? ... Oh, come on!"
She went silent, listening to Professor Oak's distinct, rambling voice on the other end. Her expression shifted from anger to resignation, and finally to defeat.
"Ahh, okay! Fine!" she yelled into the phone. "I'll do it! But you owe me big time!"
She hung up aggressively, shoving the phone back into her bag. She stood there for a moment, taking a deep, centering breath, before slowly turning around.
She looked at Kian. Her eyes were narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Kian raised an eyebrow, pushing off the lamppost. "Now what happened? Trouble in paradise?"
Daisy marched back toward him, stopping a few feet away. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.
"It was my Grandpa's call," she muttered, refusing to look him in the eye. "He... he said plans have changed."
"Oh?" Kian grinned.
"He needs a parcel picked up from the PokéMart in Pewter City," Daisy explained through gritted teeth. "Apparently, it's some rare fossil or evolution stone he ordered, and the delivery service is down because of the swarm activity in the forest. He needs someone to manually pick it up and deliver it to a contact there."
She looked up at him, her expression a mix of annoyance and reluctance.
"Fuck, I didn't want to go. I hate the forest. Bugs are gross. But... guess what? I have to."
She sighed, blowing a stray strand of hair out of her face. She gestured to Kian with a begrudging toss of her head.
"Since you're heading to Pewter for the Gym badge, Grandpa suggested—no, ordered—that we travel together. For safety."
Kian's grin widened. This was better than a map.
"Travel together, huh?" Kian mused, looking her up and down. "I don't know, Daisy. You seem pretty high maintenance. Are you sure you can keep up with me?"
Daisy scoffed, putting her hands on her hips. "Excuse me? I'm an Oak. I know more about Pokémon than you'll ever learn. I'm doing you a favor by making sure you don't get eaten by a Beedrill."
She forced a fake, sarcastic smile. "So, call yourself lucky, Mister. Because I am going with you. Haha."
Kian laughed, a low, genuine sound. He stepped forward, extending a hand—not to shake, but to gesture toward the north gate.
"Well then, Lucky is my middle name," Kian said, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her falter slightly. "Lead the way, partner. Let's see what the forest has in store for us."
Daisy rolled her eyes, but a faint blush dusted her cheeks at his tone. She turned around, marching toward the exit of the city.
"Just don't slow me down," she called back.
Kian fell into step behind her, watching the sway of her skirt.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "I'll be right behind you."