Chapter 5: Mitsuki — We'll Meet Again
Two days flew by in the blink of an eye.
Hau'oli City was a place that radiated joy and tranquility. The atmosphere was relaxed, carefree — everything a vacation destination should be.
On the beach, Mammon lounged in a beach chair with his sunglasses on, sipping coconut water through a straw as he watched the people playing in the surf.
Yep — the Pokémon world really does have a lot of gorgeous women. Mammon reaffirmed this fact once again.
"Hey there! What a beautiful day, am I right? How about a fun Pokémon battle right here on the beach, young man!"
Out of nowhere, a guy in swim trunks, a swim cap, and goggles popped up in front of Mammon, flashing a blinding white grin.
A Swimmer — one of the classic random NPCs from the games. Of course.
"?"
Mammon tilted his head. A question mark practically materialized above him as he stared at the Swimmer in complete silence.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds…
The Swimmer's sunny smile faltered. Why was this kid just… staring at him and saying nothing?
"You're blocking my view. Would you mind moving?"
Mammon's smile was devastating — but paired with the wisp of purple gas rising ominously behind him, it was downright terrifying.
"So sorry to bother you! I'll get out of your way immediately!"
The Swimmer bowed deeply and scrambled off. What a scary kid!
"All right, Gengar, reel it in." Mammon settled back into his chair, and the ghostly haze vanished.
"Keh heh heh~"
From the shadow on the ground, two crimson eyes lit up. A pudgy arm shot out of the darkness at lightning speed, snatched the slice of cake off the table, and retreated. The red eyes squinted into happy crescents.
Mammon set down his coconut and reached for the table. His hand grabbed air.
"Where's my strawberry cake?! GENGAR!!"
He froze, then immediately looked down at the ground.
"Keh?"
Gengar poked its upper half out of the shadow, stubby little hands spread wide in a picture of pure innocence.
"You little sneak thief…"
Mammon's eye twitched as he spotted the cake crumbs at the corner of Gengar's mouth.
"Go buy me more. Several." He chucked his wallet at Gengar irritably.
"KEH KEH!!"
Gengar's red eyes lit up instantly. Its chubby gray-purple body bobbed into the air and rocketed toward the shops at top speed.
Keh keh~ little cakes~ my little cakes~ keh keh~
Mammon watched his Gengar zoom off into the distance and couldn't help but laugh despite himself. That glutton — dangle something tasty in front of it and it moved faster than anything alive.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the beach:
"Wooow!! The ocean is SO pretty!!"
A girl wearing a floral straw hat gazed out at the water, her eyes sparkling with wonder.
"Right? Alola's ocean is so clear, so blue, so gentle. Mitsuki — if you're going to travel around Alola, you absolutely have to try Mantine Surfing. It's basically the signature experience here."
Another girl — blonde, dressed in white — clutched her bag and smiled warmly as she made the suggestion.
"Hmm…"
Mitsuki chewed her lip, torn, watching the surfers in the distance ride across the waves on the backs of Mantine. That looks SO cool!!
"Okay! I'm gonna go sign u—"
"Hey there! What a beautiful day, am I right! How about a fun Pokémon battle right here on the beach, young lady!"
A Swimmer bounded over, flashing a gleaming grin and giving both girls a thumbs-up.
"Sure!! I LOVE Pokémon battles!" Mitsuki's face lit up with excitement.
"Then let's bet our pocket money on it — winner takes all!"
"Huh?"
The Swimmer blinked. Why were they betting money on a battle??
"Wait — miss, I don't have any cash on me!"
"Then bet your swim trunks! A real Trainer doesn't sweat the small stuff! Now let's go! Dratini, I choose you!"
"??!!"
The Swimmer was starting to think today just wasn't his day. All he wanted was a friendly battle.
First that creepy kid nearly gave him a heart attack — and now, not even ten minutes later, he'd run into a girl who looked completely harmless but turned out to be a total bandit!!
Watching Mitsuki throw herself into battle with the hapless Swimmer, Lillie smiled softly.
She and Mitsuki had only known each other for a few days. According to Mitsuki, she'd moved to Alola from Kanto to train and become a powerful Trainer — a promise she'd made with her boyfriend.
Lillie had never met this boyfriend, but Mitsuki's Dratini had been his gift to her — her very first Pokémon.
Clearly, Mitsuki's boyfriend cared about her a great deal. Even someone like Lillie, who wasn't a Trainer herself, knew that Dratini was one of the rarest and most prized Pokémon in the world.
A gust of wind swept across the beach, tossing Lillie's golden hair. She quickly reached up to hold down her white sun hat.
But her bag popped open on its own — and a tiny creature that looked like a living nebula drifted out.
"Wait! Nebby, don't run off again!"
Lillie called after the little Pokémon in a panic, but Nebby floated away as if it hadn't heard a word, zipping off into the distance.
Lillie sighed and gave chase. She had no choice.
Nebby had an insatiable curiosity, and every time it got out, it wandered off — sometimes causing Lillie no small amount of trouble.
Like the day she'd first met Mitsuki. If Mitsuki hadn't stepped in to help, Lillie might have gotten hurt.
Lillie hurried after Nebby, but the beach was crowded, and before long, she'd lost sight of it completely.
Her heart raced as she asked passersby and scanned in every direction.
"You like this stuff, huh?"
"Pew~ Pew~"
Lillie heard Nebby's cry and spun toward the sound. Sure enough, not far away, the little Pokémon had settled into the lap of a young man.
The boy was teasing Nebby with a piece of candy. Lillie exhaled in relief.
"What a cute little thing."
Mammon slipped the candy into Nebby's mouth, his other hand gently stroking its head. Nebby squinted happily, munching away in bliss.
Lillie paused, momentarily transfixed by the scene.
The handsome boy sat cross-legged on the sand, feeding the little Cosmog in his lap. Dappled light filtered down around them. His lips curved in a gentle smile — peaceful and warm, like a painting.
Sensing someone approaching, Mammon looked up.
"Is this little one your Pokémon?" His clear, pleasant voice snapped Lillie back to reality.
"Oh — yes. I'm so sorry, Nebby seems to have bothered you."
Lillie bowed her head apologetically.
"Don't worry about it. It's adorable. But you should be more careful — try not to let it wander off like this."
Mammon scooped Nebby up, stood, and gently handed it over to Lillie.
"Thank you so much." Lillie took Nebby back into her arms.
"Nebby seems to really like you — it's rarely this friendly with strangers."
Lillie watched curiously as Nebby squirmed, clearly trying to float back to the boy.
"Probably my ability. Pokémon tend to take a liking to me."
Lillie tilted her head. An ability that makes Pokémon like you? That counts as an ability?
"Oh — here. This strawberry cake is pretty good. Give some to the little one." Mammon smiled at Lillie and gestured to the cake on the table.
"Oh no, we couldn't possibly—"
"Lillie! Lillieeee, where are you?!"
Mitsuki's voice rang out from somewhere down the beach. Lillie instinctively turned toward the sound.
"Sounds like your friend is looking for you. Take care."
Mammon glanced toward Mitsuki in the distance — she hadn't noticed them — and his smile deepened. Then he turned and walked away.
Mitsuki… we'll meet again. But not today. Your journey isn't over yet, and I'll be waiting.
I'm a very patient man.