Sated at last, Skitty's grip loosened, surrendering her prized position to the other Pokémon Girls whose patience had long since worn thin.
"Mmm..."
The Pokémon Girl loli swallowed, a deep blush blooming across her cheeks. The fluid was rich, its flavor foreign yet deeply satisfying, leaving a lingering warmth that filled her more than any berry ever could.
"Alright," Wade managed, one hand pressed to his side. He felt thoroughly drained—quite literally—after over a dozen "encounters" with his enthusiastic partners. "I'm counting on you all to watch the farm this afternoon."
His original plan remained: a trip to Hiyori Town's market. He needed berry saplings for expansion and fresh berries for Poké Puff recipes to diversify their meals.
"Understood, little Master~"
Mienshao's voice was a silken purr. Her tongue slowly traced a stray droplet of pearlescent fluid from her lip, a gesture so deliberately tempting it nearly made Wade abandon his errands to give her the "comforting" she so clearly sought.
Hiyori Town, nestled in Sinnoh's northeastern reaches, lay cradled between the ancient slopes of Mt. Coronet and the wind-whipped expanse of the Cutpeak Sea. It was known for two landmarks. First, the northern lighthouse, its frame said to be constructed from the fossilized bones of Aerodactyl, casting an amber glow each night that drew shimmering schools of Luvdisc close to shore. Second, and more pertinent to today: the bustling Hiyori Market.
Whoosh~
The disorienting pull of Teleport subsided. Ms. Gardevoir opened her eyes, her psychic presence gently scanning their new surroundings. Rows of red-brick buildings with distinctive black-tiled roofs lined orderly streets. From where they stood, Wade could make out signs for a "Moomoo Milk Specialty Store," a fragrant "Herbal Medicine Shop," and a well-stocked "General Store."
Guided by memory, Wade led Gardevoir across a cobblestone intersection. A short walk brought them to their destination: a modest shop with bundles of greenery visible through its window. The hour was late, the interior quiet. A bald man in a simple shirt snored softly in a recliner behind the counter.
Thump. Thump.
A Skitty, lounging atop the wooden surface, patted the dozing shopkeeper's cheek with a soft paw.
"You're here!" The man started awake, his face breaking into a wide, welcoming grin. "Come in, come in! Just got a fresh shipment of the finest berry seedlings in the region."
Wade's eyes scanned the orderly bundles arranged in the corner, each tagged with a familiar name.
[Oran Berry: Slight HP restoration.]
[Pecha Berry: Cures poisoning.]
[Cheri Berry: Remedies paralysis.]**
"Sha."
Gardevoir glided forward. She extended a slender hand, a soft pink-purple aura emanating from her fingertips. Her Psychic power, so often used for battle or translation, now served a gentler purpose: reading the vibrant life force within each plant, discerning the strongest and healthiest specimens.
"I'll take these," Wade indicated after a moment, selecting the most vigorous-looking Oran, Pecha, and Cheri saplings, along with a basket of assorted ripe berries. "All together, please."
"Fine choices! That comes to 15,000 League coins."
Transaction complete, Wade stepped back into the cool evening air, Gardevoir following silently, their purchases floating beside her in a gentle psychic embrace. He had barely taken two steps when a voice, light and tinged with concern, stopped him.
"Excuse me? Pardon the interruption."
A gentle tap on his shoulder. Wade turned.
The setting sun seemed to save its final, most perfect light for her. It haloed a face of delicate fairness, highlighting wide, cornflower-blue eyes that held a trace of worry. Her hair, the warm hue of steeped tea, was styled into two charming buns that rested on her shoulders.
His gaze traveled, inevitably drawn downward by the striking silhouette she presented. The soft fabric of her top curved over a chest of breathtaking, generous fullness, rising and falling gently with each breath. The tension in the material suggested a softness barely contained.
Yet, in a dramatic and alluring contrast, her waist tapered sharply into a slender, delicate line before flowing out again into the gentle, rounded curve of her hips. The overall effect was a portrait of impossible, captivating proportions that held Wade's attention for a heartbeat longer than courtesy typically allowed.
"No," he answered, finally finding his voice. "There isn't. Not in Hiyori Town."
The realization struck Wade with the clarity of a bell. The striking blue eyes, the distinctive hairstyle, the... generous proportions that perfectly matched the fan art he'd seen in a past life.
Isn't this the female protagonist from the Unova games? Rosa?
The image clicked into place: the youthful face, the signature style, the Serperior by her side. She had been immensely popular, a symbol of vibrant adventure.
"Th-then... may I ask how far the nearest Pokémon Center is?" she repeated, her worry pulling him back to the present.
"The nearest one?" Wade thought for a moment, the geography of southern Sinnoh coming to mind. "That would be Eterna City. Dozens of kilometers east. If you set out now, you wouldn't arrive until tomorrow at the earliest."
"Ah, seriously?!" The busty girl's shoulders slumped in despair. She clutched her head, a picture of adorable distress. "I've been camping in Hiyori Forest for days... if I don't get a real bed and a proper shower tonight, I think I'll lose it!"
She added, her voice dropping, "And my team... Serperior and the others got pretty banged up in a forest skirmish earlier."
After a moment of flustered panic, she seemed to remember her manners. She straightened up, offering a quick, graceful bow. "My name is Rosa. I'm from the Unova region. I'm so sorry for being rude just now!"
"It's quite alright," Wade said, waving off her apology with an easy smile. "You looked genuinely cute in your panic. I'm Wade. A pleasure."
"C-Cute...?" The word seemed to catch her off guard, sending a fresh wave of crimson across her cheeks. Her cornflower-blue eyes widened, then darted away, now shimmering with a new layer of flustered shyness.
Chuckling, Wade deftly steered the conversation. "So, are you traveling through Sinnoh?"
"Yes!" The question opened a floodgate. Her initial shyness melted into enthusiastic storytelling. "After competing in the Unova League's Hiun Conference, I wanted to broaden my horizons. So I flew here to Sinnoh for a journey! But... I got hopelessly turned around in Hiyori Forest a few days ago, and now I can't even find a Center for my team..."
"I see," Wade nodded, taking in her slightly bedraggled but spirited appearance. Inter-regional travel was a rite of passage for aspiring Trainers—seeking new challenges, catching new partners. Nights in a sleeping bag and getting lost were part of the unofficial curriculum.
"Sha~"
Ms. Gardevoir, standing silently beside him, gave his sleeve a gentle, knowing tug. Meeting her serene, perceptive gaze, Wade understood immediately. His "main wife," as he sometimes thought of her, was already several steps ahead, considering how to gracefully welcome this new girl into their orbit. Her psychic empathy had likely already sensed Rosa's honest distress and good nature.
"If you're in a real bind," Wade offered, his tone casual but kind, "you could stay at my place for the night. Temporarily."
"Eh?!" Rosa's reaction was instantaneous. A blush so deep it rivaled a Cheri Berry exploded across her face. "W-w-wouldn't that be... i-inappropriate?!" Her mind clearly raced, leaping to conclusions despite the genuine kindness in his eyes. Handsome or not, staying with a strange man was... unconventional.
Seeing her deer-in-headlights expression, Wade couldn't help but laugh softly. "Don't worry, it's not like that. I have a spare bed." He gestured vaguely in the direction of the outskirts of town. "I run a farm here in Hiyori Town. The house isn't huge, but we can easily clear out a separate room for a guest. No funny business."
He understood her hesitation perfectly. Trust had to be built.
"Of course," he added, offering an alternative, "if you're uncomfortable with the idea, Ms. Gardevoir here can Teleport you a good part of the way towards Eterna. You'd just have to walk the last stretch."
"Sha~" Gardevoir inclined her head regally, confirming the offer. Her powerful Psychic abilities could bridge a significant distance, though not the entire journey.
"I... see." Rosa's tension visibly eased. She processed his explanation, her intelligent eyes flickering between Wade's open expression and the majestic, calm presence of the Gardevoir beside him. In the Pokémon world, Gardevoir were renowned as empathic guardians, fiercely loyal and acutely sensitive to the hearts of humans. They would never bond with a Trainer of ill intent.
That fact, combined with Wade's straightforward manner and the practical solution he offered, tipped the scales.
"Then... I'll be in your care. Thank you so, so much!" Rosa finally said, offering another, deeper bow, her gratitude evident in her sparkling eyes and relieved smile. A night of safety and a chance to heal her team had been unexpectedly found.