(3rd person pov)
Inside the car, the change was immediate.
The weight of the ballroom vanished with the closing of the door its heat, its polished stares, its golden chandeliers left behind in favor of cool leather seats and the muted hum of the city outside. The world through the tinted windows blurred into streaks of light neon signs, streetlamps, the occasional flash of headlights chasing across wet pavement.
Arata sat stiff at first, shoulders brushing both sides of the seat. On his left, Mira had already kicked off her heels, curling one leg beneath her as if she owned the space. Her dress, a playful blue with ribboned waist, bunched awkwardly when she shifted, but she didn't seem to care. On his right, Rin sat straight-backed, posture perfect despite the way the hem of her green gown tugged against her ankles whenever the car rocked.
It was… awkward. They weren't dressed for slouching into leather or squeezing into tight spaces, not like this. The formal clothes felt out of place against the low thrum of the engine and the flicker of city nightlife spilling past the glass.
Arata cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So… where are we going, exactly?"
Mira leaned forward immediately, eyes catching the faint glow of passing lights. "Pool party."
Arata blinked. "A… what?"
"A pool party," she repeated, drawing out the words as if he were slow. Her grin widened. "Music, water, people our age, actual fun. Rin's official party is all speeches and suits. The real one's just starting."
He looked at Rin for confirmation. She sighed lightly but didn't deny it. "It is common in circles like mine. Appear at the formal gathering, then attend something more… relaxed."
Arata shook his head, half laughing. "You two really planned everything."
"Of course," Mira said proudly. "We couldn't let you come all the way here just to suffer in a ballroom. Trust me, you'll thank me."
The car wove through Saffron's night streets, neon signs flickering past, crowds bustling on the sidewalks. Eventually, it slowed outside a tall building marked with glowing lights and sleek architecture. It was a private club, Fancy enough to feel exclusive, but not overwhelming like Rin's estate.
The heavy doors opened, and the sound hit like a wave.
The steady thump of bass vibrated through the floorboards, blending with laughter, chatter, and the splash of bodies diving into water. The club's air was warm, heavy with chlorine, perfume, and something fruity-sweet that clung to the back of the throat. Colored lights danced across the walls, shifting from deep blues to radiant purples, painting everything in a haze of motion and glow.
The pool stretched wide across the center of the club, glowing from below with submerged lighting that made the water shimmer like molten sapphire. Steam curled gently from the surface, hinting it was heated, and cabanas framed the edges like miniature sanctuaries of silk and shadow. A bar curved along the far wall, bottles stacked like trophies, their contents shimmering in unnatural shades. Glasses clinked, a misty drink of green-and-gold passed from one laughing hand to another. There were people everywhere
It was alive in a way the ballroom wasn't.
Arata slowed near the threshold, wide-eyed. He'd been to docks in Vermillion, to markets at their busiest, but this was different. This wasn't just noise it was energy, woven into every beat of music, every shouted greeting, every burst of laughter echoing against the high ceiling. The air practically pulsed.
Beside him, Mira was already grinning like a cat. She leaned closer to Rin, her voice pitched just enough for Arata to catch. "I still have your present, by the way."
Rin arched a brow. "You didn't need to… "
"Oh, I did," Mira cut her off, her smile sly in a way Arata couldn't decode. Rin's lips twitched with something caught between exasperation and some form of amusement a wordless exchange, sharp and fleeting, the kind only women seemed to understand.
Arata frowned faintly. What's that supposed to mean? He didn't bother asking.
Mira would only laugh, and Rin would give him that cool, unreadable look with a smile.
Before he could puzzle over it more, Mira clapped her hands. "Alright, changing rooms are that way. Don't take forever!"
The three split, Rin gliding toward one door, Mira bouncing after her. Arata hesitated, then ducked into the men's side.
Inside, the lighting was dimmer, tiled walls lined with lockers, mirrors stretching along the far wall. A couple of other guys were already here, laughing as they switched clothes, the smell of chlorine sharp in the air. Arata pulled off his shirt, rolling his shoulders.
Training had left its mark on Arata lean muscle lined his arms, definition tracing his chest and stomach, nothing exaggerated but honed, natural, like stone shaped by steady water. His daily sessions with Caesar and Livia had done more than sharpen his mind. His body carried it too, the discipline, the work.
Still, stepping into swim trunks that the club provided, he couldn't help but feel exposed. He grabbed a towel and draped it loosely around his shoulders before heading out.
He didn't expect to be hit like that.
Rin was already at the pool, her gown gone, now in a dark green bikini that clung to her frame, simple triangles of fabric tied behind her neck and low on her hips. Her breasts were small but firm, nipples visible beneath the thin material. Below the dip of her waist, her hips flared dramatically. Thick thighs met a rounded backside that swayed slightly as she walked
Meanwhile, Mira showed up. Her bright blue bikini straining against full, heavy breasts, the fabric puckering where deep cleavage began. Little ribbons fluttered at her hips, drawing the eye down to the swell of her ass, round and high. She locked eyes with Arata like she was daring him to look twice. Heat crawled up his neck. He forced his gaze steady, locked somewhere just past them, trying to look casual. He didn't trust his face not to give him away.
"Finally!" Mira called, splashing a bit of water his way. "Took you long enough."
Arata exhaled, settling his towel. "Yeah, yeah. You two were faster than I expected."
They didn't press it. Rin simply gave a small nod, then Mira linked her arm with hers dramatically and tugged her toward the center of the pool deck.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Mira's voice carried over the music, surprisingly loud for her size. "The birthday girl is officially here!"
The announcement turned heads. Cheers rose from the crowd, hands lifted, a couple of whistles cutting through the bass. Rin, for once, allowed herself a faint smile, inclining her head as if acknowledging some formal introduction.
Arata trailed behind, watching as twenty, maybe thirty people converged, mostly Mira's acquaintances, faces young, their energy bordering on chaotic.
And it wasn't just the people.
Pokémon dotted the scene. A polished-looking Growlithe lounged near a lounge chair, coat brushed to a shine. A Politoed croaked happily near the pool's edge, splashing a group of giggling kids who didn't seem to mind. On a ledge above, an elegant Espeon flicked its tail lazily, eyes glowing faintly as if keeping watch.
Arata caught sight of rarer ones too, a Scyther whose wings shimmered like glass, a Roselia with blossoms brighter than any wild bloom he'd seen. He realized, with a jolt, that many of these trainers weren't just rich kids, they had connections, money, maybe both.
The bar caught his attention first. Drinks shimmered in translucent blues, sparkling yellows, glowing greens. One glass seemed to smoke from within, as if alive. A boy bragged loudly about it, claiming it was mixed with Gloom nectar "just enough spores for a kick." Another showed off a drink made with crushed Berries Arata didn't even recognize, the scent sharp and tangy. It was a strange mix of indulgence, wealth, power, and youth colliding in a single place. And Arata stood on the edge of it all, watching Rin and Mira melt into the center like they belonged.
Mira leaned against the polished counter, ordering something bright and fizzing. The glass came back glowing faint orange, bubbles rising in sharp bursts that smelled faintly of Cheri berries. Without hesitation, she sipped, lips curling into a satisfied smile. Then she pushed it toward Rin.
Arata almost expected Rin to wave it off. Instead, she hesitated only a breath before tipping the glass to her mouth. The glow painted her face warm, and she sipped once. Then again, longer.
"That's… actually good," Rin admitted, voice lighter than usual.
Mira crowed triumphantly. "See? That's juice with personality." She waved at the bartender. "Get her one of her own."
Soon Rin was holding a glass of her own, pink this time, the faint sweet tang of Pecha berries wafting up. She sipped slower than Mira but she still sipped, shoulders easing as laughter trickled into her tone. Mira loosening up was expected. Rin? Rin with a pink glow to her cheeks and a real smile? That was… new.
Arata took a step back. Close enough to watch, far enough not to be swept along. He half-listened while Mira spun practice matches into stories that earned laughter and impressed whistles, while Rin accepted Birthday wishes with dignity.
After a while, Mira tugged at his sleeve. "Come on, let's grab a spot before the vultures take them all."
They slipped over to a shaded table by the poolside, where two figures were already setting down drinks. One of them was a tall guy, Arata didn't catch the name and gave a casual nod, and went back to scrolling his Nav. The other, a blonde in a sharp-cut bikini top with a matching wrap, had a camera rig propped neatly on the table and a mic clipped to her strap. Even sitting, she radiated confidence, the kind of presence you only get from living in front of an audience.
"Mira!" she called, grin bright. "You actually showed."
"Of course I did," Mira shot back, plopping into the seat beside her. She glanced at Arata and Rin, then gestured with both hands. "Guys, this is Ashley. She's one of my closest friends, and yes, she's a Poke tuber. Try not to act starstruck."
Ashley rolled her eyes but smiled, offering a small wave toward them. "Ignore her. Nice to meet you."
Arata mumbled a greeting, suddenly hyperaware of the camera pointed their way. Rin, unfazed, gave a polite nod.
Ashley laughed, flipping a switch on her rig so the lens folded down. "Relax. Off the record. For now."
Time passed in a blur after that, snippets of conversation, Mira and Ashley trading jabs that came from long familiarity, Rin politely fielding questions from passersby, and Arata nursing a drink while trying to fade into the background.
Then Mira's Nav chimed. A sharp little ping, slicing through the hum. She slid it out with practiced ease, thumb darting, eyes lighting. Her grin went private, secretive. Rin leaned closer, curious.
"What is it?"
Mira flicked the screen dark, slipping it away. "Nothing urgent. Just… timing worked out."
"Timing?"
"You'll see. Think of it as a present." Mira sipped, eyes gleaming. "I invited someone special."
Arata frowned, Rin blinked, caught between confusion and curiosity. Mira only leaned back, satisfied. The chatter rolled on, but for Arata every laugh sounded thinner.
An Older boy walked through the doors as it swung open, broad, with a hint of softness around the middle, the kind of belly that came from a comfortable, sedentary life. Pool shorts and an open shirt gave him a casual air, as if the party existed for his sake alone. His face was handsome enough, though there was a touch of arrogance in his expression, the kind that suggested he expected attention without asking for it.
His gaze swept the room, cool and practiced, and landed on Mira. Her smile bloomed instantly warm, just a little too perfect, like she'd been rehearsing it all night. Then his eyes moved to Rin.
Rin froze. She'd been halfway through lifting her glass, and now it hung motionless, fingers tightening on the stem, her shoulders drawing taut.
Arata felt it before he understood it recognition.
"Over here!" Mira's voice cut across the noise, bright and triumphant. She stood up and waved him over like she'd just revealed a rare catch, her grin almost daring anyone not to be impressed.
The boy strode forward, not strutting but moving with a natural assurance, the kind that made space seem to shift around him. Conversations dipped as he neared their table, eyes following the easy confidence in his steps. Arata found himself straightening without meaning to. Mira was practically glowing. Rin hadn't moved at all.
"Everyone," Mira announced, one hand planted on her hip like she was unveiling the night's main event. "This is Kieran. From Crestmont. He graduated last year."
Kieran's smile flashed, easy and polite, the sort of expression polished by practice. His voice was deeper than Arata expected, carrying cleanly over the music. "Good to meet you. Been keeping busy helping out at my dad's firm nothing glamorous, but it's alright."
He slipped into the open seat, the one beside Rin. The chair creaked softly under his weight as he leaned back, relaxed as if he already belonged there. Stockier up close than he'd first appeared, his broad shoulders and easy posture seemed to press in on the space between them. Rin shifted just slightly, glass still poised in her hand, and the subtle tension in her frame did not escape Arata's notice.
They'd all been drinking by then, not enough to lose themselves completely but enough that Mira's laughter was freer, Rin's cheeks faintly flushed, and even Arata felt the slow warmth in his veins. At one point, leaning closer so his words wouldn't get lost under the music, he asked, "So… who exactly is he?"
Mira leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper only he could catch. "That's Kieran. Rin's ex. They were super lovey-dovey back in the day. I figured inviting him might make her unwind a little, girl never lets herself breathe, you know?"
Arata felt something twist low in his chest, small, sharp. He forced a nod, hiding it behind his drink.
And then the beat hit.
It rolled over the courtyard like thunder, shaking through the tiles, the tables, the water itself. Neon strobes pulsed in rhythm, bouncing color across every surface, and the DJ's voice crackled through hidden speakers: "Let's go!"
The crowd erupted. Laughter and shouts tangled with the thump of the beat. Students poured toward the pool, drinks forgotten, sandals kicked aside. One by one, they hit the water, splashing like fireworks under neon light.
Mira stood, eyes bright. "Come on!" she said, not just to Rin but to all of them. Her arm looped through Arata's without hesitation, tugging him along.
Arata barely had time to set down his glass before the group surged forward, swept up in the wave.
The heat of the evening cracked open as he hit the edge of the pool. Then coolness swallowed him whole.
For a moment, he was submerged, the world above blurred into distorted flashes of pink and electric blue. The beat thudded even down here, muffled. Bubbles roared past his ears. When he broke the surface again, it was into chaos shouts, laughter, splashes that glittered in the strobes like shards of crystal.
Arata wiped the water from his face and blinked. Mira was already there, close enough that droplets sprayed him as she flicked her hair back. She laughed, grabbing his wrist, spinning him once before shoving him deeper into the crowd of students.
Arata moved with it, not resisting. It was impossible to. The pool had become a second dance floor, and everyone pressed together by music and water. Bodies gleamed under the lights, slick and shining. The scent of chlorine tangled with perfume and faint traces of berry-sweet alcohol.
Hands brushed against him too many to track. A girl in a pale bikini slid past, grinning as she glanced over her shoulder. Another shoved lightly at his chest with a playful "watch it!" as she and her friend splashed by.
Arata wasn't used to this, the sheer press of people, the lack of boundaries, but his body adjusted before his mind did. He moved easily in the shifting crowd, his frame cutting through water.
And Arata noticed the looks. Curious.
Mira noticed too. Her grin turned sharp as she grabbed his shoulders, half-pulling, half-pushing him into a rhythm with the music. "See?" she shouted over the bass. "Told you you'd have fun!"
The beat thumped harder, and Mira pressed closer, her body moving with the rhythm. She wasn't shy about it hips rolling in time with the bass, her Chest brushing against him again and again. Arata's hands came up without thought, catching at her waist. Heat and softness met his palms as she leaned back into him with a teasing sway.
Arata could feel the warmth of her skin even through the thin fabric, each bump against him sparking something equal parts dizzying and electric. Mira only laughed, throwing her head back, hair brushing his cheek as the song climbed higher.
Arata laughed, ducking his head as someone splashed them from the side. The water clung to him, heavy, cooling, and heating at once as his body adjusted.
out of the corner of Arata's eye, Rin.
She was in the pool, just a little way off, her dark hair plastered against her back, her bikini clinging under the neon.
And Kieran was with her.
The older boy moved easily. His hands settled low on Rin's waist, thumbs pressing at her hips as he drew her into the rhythm. She didn't resist. Her fingers trailed from his neck down to his chest, tapping lightly against his stomach as if playing along with the song. Then lower, brushing against the line of his belt, teasing the edge of bare skin before curling back up again.
His fingers curled possessively, pulling her flush against him. Water sloshed around their thighs as she rolled her hips forward, grinding into his swim trunks, back, then forward again, each thrust deliberate, synchronized with the music's thump.
Arata could see her face when she tilted it back toward Kieran, lips parted in a smile that was softer than I'd seen all night. She looked free. Unburdened. Happy.
And then, without warning, the tempo shifted.
The DJ let the beat drop away until only a low, pulsing rhythm remained. Smooth, drawn-out notes filled the silence that followed, a soft love song.
The pool shifted with it. Movements slowed, smoothed. Laughter turned lower, voices quieter. Where moments ago everyone had been leaping and splashing, now they swayed, close together, bodies brushing, hands finding shoulders, hips, waists.
Mira danced in front of Arata,
Her hips began a slow roll against the current, the movement intimate. Thigh-deep water shifted around them. She turned, pressing her back against his chest, her head tilting to rest just below his collarbone. Arata's breath hitched as her body slid against him. Her hands guided his palms flat against her stomach, urging him lower.
The music pulsed louder, drowning everything but sensation. She arched into him, a soft sound escaping her throat as his fingers traced the dip of her hipbone beneath the bikini's edge. She shuddered when his thumb circled the sensitive skin just above her waistband. They danced for a time, along with the crowd as music continued slow and silky.
Then Arata blinked as his vision swam, the neon lights scattering into streaks across the surface of the water. His chest tightened not from emotion, but from the sudden heaviness in his head. Dizzy.. Maybe from the heat, maybe from the press of too many bodies, maybe from the drinks still lingering in his system.
A hand touched his arm, pulling him back. Mira.
"You okay?" she asked, her voice closer now, almost gentle compared to the noise around them. She leaned in, lips near his ear so he could hear. "You're swaying."
Arata blinked, forcing the blur to settle. "I'm fine. Just… " He stopped, shook his head lightly. "Dizzy."
Mira studied him for a beat, then smirked. "Don't push it. Go upstairs. Chill. You've got the stamina of three guys when training, but parties are a different kind of fight."
He laughed, weak but real. "You're not wrong."
She tilted her head toward the far side of the courtyard. "Talk to one of the staff, they'll show you. Sofas, quiet. Good place to catch your breath."
Arata hesitated, glancing once more at the pool, and walked to the edge of the pool. His hand brushed the railing, cold metal under wet skin, and he climbed out. He walked alongside the pool towards the stairs near the building. Each step carried him away from the music's center, away from the neon chaos below.
An employee in a crisp vest waited at the landing, polite but unreadable. "This way, sir."
Arata followed down a short hall, past glowing signs and muffled laughter. The door opened into a lounge, dim and quiet, the hum of air conditioning cool against his skin. Couches lined the walls, deep and plush, their fabric dark but inviting. A low table sat in the center, untouched.
He stepped inside, water still dripping from his hair, his arms, his shorts. The silence wrapped around him, thick but welcome after the chaos outside.
Arata dropped onto the nearest couch, the cushions sinking around him. His body eased instantly, like it had been waiting for this. He leaned back, eyes half-closing.
He exhaled slowly.
The couch cradled him, steady and cool. For the first time that night, the world stopped spinning.
And before he realized it, his eyes slipped shut
A/N: So some of my Pats didn't like this particular Chapter, but I tried to build up the world a bit more and ah... Rin... Sometimes love doesn't work out....