Night had settled quietly over Pewter City. The Pokémon Center's lights dimmed one by one, leaving only the soft glow of the hallway lamps.
Alex sat by the window of his shared room, half-absorbed in his notes. Outside, the stars glittered like shards of crystal across the black sky. Delia, sitting on the edge of her bed, brushed her long auburn hair and smiled faintly at him.
"You never stop working, do you?" she teased gently.
He looked up, chuckling. "Habit, I guess. When I was younger, I spent more nights with research papers than people."
Delia tilted her head, setting her brush down. "And now?"
He paused. "Now… I think I'm learning to enjoy the quiet moments. Especially when you're around."
The words made her heart flutter. For a moment, silence filled the room, warm and calm — only the faint hum of the Center's air system could be heard.
Delia shifted closer, curiosity in her eyes. "Do you ever get nervous, Alex? You always look so confident out there."
He smiled wryly. "I do. Especially when I'm not sure how to express what I feel."
Their gazes met — steady, searching — and something unspoken passed between them.
Outside, the night wind brushed against the glass, soft and cool. Delia rose, slowly stepping beside him. "You don't always have to explain everything," she said in a near whisper. "Sometimes… just being here is enough."
Alex turned slightly, and the distance between them vanished to a breath. The warmth in the room shifted —filled with intense sounds and moans.
Moments later, Misty, returning late from the vending area, passed by their door. She froze as she heard faint, muffled voices through the wood — hushed tones, and the creak of movement. Her face went bright red.
"U-uh… maybe I'll just… sleep in the lounge tonight," she muttered, retreating quickly down the hall, flustered beyond words.
Back inside, Alex and Delia continued their activities under the dim light .
---
The morning sun shone softly through the Pokémon Center windows, filling the lobby with a gentle glow. Trainers were already gathering their Pokémon, getting ready for a new day of travel and battles.
At one corner table, Alex, Delia, and Misty sat together for breakfast. The air, however, carried a faint awkwardness.
Delia stirred her tea quietly, her face still a light shade of pink. She tried not to meet anyone's eyes, especially Alex's. Every time he looked her way with that calm smile, her heart skipped a beat.
Misty, sitting across from them, poked at her food with her fork, her face also a bit red. She kept stealing quick glances at Alex and then looking away just as fast.
Alex noticed both of them — Delia's quiet shyness and Misty's flustered expression — and couldn't help but chuckle softly. "You both look like you didn't get much sleep," he said lightly.
Misty's spoon clinked against her cup. "W-well, some of us heard things last night…" she muttered under her breath, face turning crimson.
Delia froze mid-sip, coughing in surprise. "M-Misty!"
Alex raised an eyebrow but simply smiled, leaning back in his chair. "So you were awake outside the room last night," he said calmly, meeting Misty's gaze with a knowing smirk.
Misty's eyes widened. "Y-you knew!?"
"I could sense your aura," Alex replied with a teasing tone. "Next time, you should knock if you're that curious."
Misty turned away in embarrassment, hiding her red face behind her cup. Delia glared at Alex, though her blush deepened even more.
"Stop teasing her," Delia scolded softly, though there was a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Alex laughed quietly. "Alright, alright. I'll behave—for now."
After breakfast, the tension slowly melted away. They gathered their things, stocked up on supplies, and checked on their Pokémon. Rena, standing nearby, gave her master a subtle smile of understanding.
By late morning, the three of them stepped out of Pewter City's gates, the sunlight shining bright over the rocky paths ahead.
Alex adjusted his backpack and looked forward. "Next stop—Mt. Moon. Let's see what new adventures are waiting for us."
Delia smiled softly beside him, while Misty let out a cheerful sigh. "I just hope it's not full of Zubats this time!"
Alex chuckled, walking ahead with confident steps. The group followed.