Sato and Ryoko's match had ended, while Wallace and Phoebe's match was scheduled for the afternoon.
Although it would've been easy to finish two full 6v6 battles in one morning, the organizers weren't about to pass up the chance to sell an extra ticket, so they had no problem splitting them up.
The two of them walked side by side off the field. After a moment of silence, Sato finally spoke up, "Earlier, you said this would be your last public tournament…"
"Yeah, this is my last time participating in a major event like this. Becoming an Elite Four isn't my dream."
Ryoko nodded without hesitation, showing no trace of disappointment from losing the match.
"You already have a clear plan then, huh? What is it?" Sato nodded and continued asking.
"I want to be a 'teacher'!"
"…A teacher?" Sato was momentarily stunned. Hearing that, he instinctively felt a bit sorry on her behalf.
"Not just any teacher. I'm going to be a training instructor for League Investigators!"
"Oh!" Sato suddenly understood, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
What kind of people are League Investigators? None of them are below Peak Elite level, Aces are barely considered squad leaders in that organization.
And Ryoko was going to "teach" them. Without some serious strength, there's no way she could earn their respect.
Sato had taught trainees before, and he knew full well that teaching others was a completely different beast from just being strong yourself.
He suddenly remembered that the first time he met Ryoko, her title was already Gym Inspector.
Maybe she had this goal in mind even back then.
"Congratulations!" Sato offered his genuine blessings.
"Thanks~"
After that, the two walked down the empty corridor in silence for a while.
"Sato."
"Hmm?"
"I… really believe in you. You'll definitely become an Elite Four Trainer someday… n-no, a Champion! GOOD LUCK!"
Ryoko's cheeks turned slightly red as she suddenly shouted, and the moment she finished, a flash of regret crossed her eyes.
"I will!"
Sato smiled as he replied. Perhaps due to the dim lighting in the corridor, he didn't seem to notice Ryoko's reaction at all.
Thankfully, they had reached the end of the corridor by then. The two of them turned and walked into the waiting room, where Wallace and Phoebe greeted them with enthusiastic applause.
"That was an amazing match! What do I do? I feel like I won't be taking home the Champion's trophy anymore~" Wallace clutched his chest in mock agony after just a few claps.
"SHUT UP!" ×2
"Ah! Sato-kun, Phoebe-chan, you're both so heartless! So cold~"
"→_→" ×3
With Wallace playing the fool like some chaotic gremlin, Ryoko's racing heart quickly settled down.
Then, joining forces with Sato and Phoebe, she gave Wallace a pair of synchronized eye rolls.
"Come on, let's eat! Watch me dominate this afternoon!" Phoebe couldn't be bothered with Wallace and dragged Ryoko out the door.
"I'm so scared! Sato-kun, let's go grab a bite to calm our nerves!"
"Your method of calming down takes a little too long…"
"Hahaha, not important, not important~"
The four of them joked and bickered as they left the waiting room, completely lacking the composure expected of the Top 4 in the Ace Tournament.
---
It was a sunny day with clear skies.
A one-sided beatdown was currently taking place on the deck of a ship.
An Altaria flapped its cottony wings and effortlessly dodged Swellow's attack, then turned around and knocked it out with a single Dragon Breath.
"That's enough. Swellow's reaction speed still isn't there yet!"
On the deck, Elite Four Drake, dressed in a captain's uniform, said calmly, then recalled his Altaria.
"Swellow, come back!" Norman also recalled Swellow, and respectfully said to Drake, "Thank you for your guidance, teacher!"
Drake ignored him and turned to pick up the latest newspaper handed over by a crew member.
"Hmm? He made it to the finals!"
Drake nodded in satisfaction, then ordered loudly, "Change course, head to the nearest supply port!"
"But Captain, we just set sail!" the crew member replied with no sense of awareness, earning nothing but a sideways glare from Drake.
"Yes, Captain! I'll get on it right away!"
"…Mhm, go."
After the crew member ran off, Norman came trotting over and glanced at the newspaper.
"Sato made it to the finals! So it's really going to be him versus Wallace for the championship?"
"Yeah. Keep pushing, Norman. The future belongs to your generation."
"Yes, I'll definitely catch up to them!"
Drake shook his head inwardly. 'Just aiming to catch up isn't enough,' he thought, but said nothing more.
Some things have to be understood on your own. Like Sato; when he first started out, he said he wanted to stand atop the peak and take in the view.
So bold!
---
In the backyard of Shadownight Gym, Joseph was packing his luggage in his room. Looking at the place he'd lived in for years, all he felt was reluctance to part with it.
Knock knock knock!
"Come in!"
The door opened, and in walked Sia, who had just returned from her journey to Shadownight Gym.
"Joseph, at least stay until after watching the Leader's final match," Sia said softly with her hands behind her back.
"I'm afraid if I wait, you guys won't let me leave. I can't beat Mark right now."
Joseph chuckled, then turned and picked up a thick notebook from the desk, handing it to Sia.
"This is…?"
"It has detailed notes on every Pokémon at Shadownight Gym. Their growth, preferences, dietary restrictions, training focuses, and everything else.
After I leave, all the Pokémon care tasks at Shadownight Gym will fall to you. You've been learning long enough, it's time for you to graduate."
"Joseph…" Sia's eyes welled with tears and her throat choked up. For a moment, she couldn't say a word.
When Shadownight Gym was first established, it was Joseph and the others who visited in person and brought them out of that abandoned factory. That's how she and her brother finally gained an enviable future.
And all of her Breeder knowledge had been taught by Joseph.
To Sia, who had lost her parents at a young age, the most important people in her heart besides her brother Sina… included Joseph as well.
"Why are you crying? It's not like I'm not coming back."
Joseph laughed helplessly. He had told Sia in advance about his departure because there were too many things he couldn't let go of and wanted to explain thoroughly. But now, he regretted it… maybe it would've been better not to say anything.
Sia shook her head, forced back her tears, then pouted on purpose and said, "Fine, go if you want. Let's see how you explain this to the Leader when he gets back!
He might get so mad he takes all of us from Shadownight Gym to Kalos and drags you back here hogtied!"
Joseph twitched at the corner of his mouth. 'What is that even supposed to mean? Is that how you use "hogtied"?'
Shaking his head, Joseph pointed to a cardboard box on the desk. "There's a letter for each of you in there. Don't take them yet…"
He waved Sia off as she reached for it, then continued, "You can only read them after I'm gone. Otherwise, I'll be too embarrassed."
'Once Sato reads his… he probably won't tie me up and drag me back… right?'
.
.
250 PS - CH
P'atreon/Romeloff