RiNG Pokémon Training Grounds.
Satoshi and Anon were wandering aimlessly around the large facility. The grounds were fully equipped and spacious—but unfortunately, they weren't here to train today. They were here for something else entirely:
Finding teammates.
If they were going to build a team, then finding reliable members was a must.
Initially, Anon had thought about recruiting people from their own class. But it didn't take long for her to abandon that idea.
Everyone worth recruiting had already joined a team. The ones left... well, let's just say they weren't going to carry anyone to victory anytime soon.
That said, there was a girl from Class B named Togawa Sakiko who'd once used her Milotic to beat a teacher. Hands down the strongest in her class—and a lone wolf with no team. Anon had tried to catch her after school once, but the girl vanished without a trace the moment class ended.
So, she dragged Satoshi along to RiNG again, hoping they'd find someone here instead.
After school, most of the students from Rainbow Wing Academy came to RiNG. The school's training grounds weren't large enough, but RiNG's equipment and open space made up for it.
But they couldn't just pick anyone. Their teammates couldn't be weak.
Like, if someone showed up with a Caterpie or something... What would they even do? Electrocute Rayquaza with String Shot?
Of course, if someone had drive and wanted to battle alongside Pokémon for life, they were still welcome.
Still, after wandering around for a while, they hadn't found a single person who seemed interested in joining.
The term had already been in session for a month. Anyone who wanted a team had probably already found one. Most of the people here were already in established groups. Finding someone free was a long shot.
At this point, their only real option might be to start asking people outside the Battle Department.
"I'm exhausted... Maybe I really should rest for a bit... Ugh. Satoshi, how about you go scout on your own for a while?"
Anon slumped onto a bench, her patience wearing thin.
She glanced at Satoshi, only to find him still standing tall, not a hint of weariness on his face.
They'd been walking for nearly an hour, but he looked just as energized as when they started—like time itself didn't apply to him.
Is he some kind of superhuman?
Anon couldn't help thinking that.
"Alright. I'll go, then. I'll let you know if I find anyone."
Satoshi clenched his fists, eyes ablaze with determination.
Not finding anyone only fired him up more.
Without hesitation, he turned and walked away, undaunted and unshaken.
Boys really are something else... Or is Satoshi just built different...?
Anon watched him go, a sliver of envy rising in her chest.
She picked up the menu beside her, mind already drifting to which drink might give her the quickest boost of energy.
But then her hand slipped, and the menu fluttered to the ground like a feather.
A sudden wave of panic hit her—cold sweat formed on her brow.
...Contact? Wait—do I even have Satoshi's contact info?
They'd only known each other for three days. The whole time, they'd been busy figuring out the team—neither of them had even thought to add each other as friends.
"Crap..."
Anon clutched her head in despair—until a girl with long brown hair casually sat across from her.
"If you don't know, want me to tell you, little Anon~?"
Soyo picked up the fallen menu without a care. Anon's gray eyes widened as she lifted her head—only to exhale with relief when she realized it wasn't someone from her old school.
"Who are you? Actually—how do you know my name?"
"Nagasaki Soyo. Mm~ I guess you could say I'm a classmate of Satoshi's."
This morning's long message? Satoshi had interpreted it as a polite rejection and casually replied, "Maybe next time."
Which nearly made Soyo pass out on the spot from sheer rage after staying up all night to write it.
Got ghosted by my emotionally-dead boyfriend.jpg
Time to take matters into my own hands!
This time, Soyo was going on the offensive. She was confident in her own strength—and she was going to join that team herself.
"I'm really interested in your team. Would you let me join?"
Soyo leaned forward with a soft smile, fingers interlaced beneath her chin.
To Anon, this was the first time someone had ever approached her about joining.
She wasn't sure what was going on—but she had zero intention of saying no.
Amazing! Soyo-san, LOVE~
"No problem!"
Anon beamed and nodded hard.
But Soyo's smile darkened ever so slightly as her eyes narrowed.
She was sizing Anon up—guardedly.
This overly positive girl is dangerous.
If I want to stay with my boyfriend, I have to kick her out of the picture.
Take down Chihaya Anon!
This mission shall not fail!
...
"Now I can finally have a Pokémon battle with you."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the grounds, Satoshi was watching a silver-haired girl with heterochromatic eyes polish off a matcha parfait. He felt a sense of anticipation rise in his chest.
Her name was Kaname Raana. When he'd struck up a conversation and learned she didn't have a team, he invited her immediately. She'd asked for a parfait first, and Satoshi had agreed without hesitation.
They'd made a deal: if Satoshi won the battle, she'd join the team. If he lost, he'd buy her another parfait.
"Alright, let's do it." Raana looked at him, eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement. She nodded.
A 1v1 match—it was fair. Satoshi only had two Pokémon, and Raana had readily agreed to the format.
The two stepped into the battle area. As he looked at Raana across from him, Satoshi couldn't help but sense something in her—an aura that hinted at immense strength.
She might even be stronger than their practical battle instructor. She exuded raw confidence... and a kind of wild, feline grace.
She's like a cat...
Now this is the kind of opponent that gets my blood pumping!
Satoshi pulled a Poké Ball from his pocket and threw it with force.
"Froakie, I choose you!"
A flash of dazzling light, and Froakie appeared on the battlefield.
"Kero~!"
"Go, Torracat~~"
Raana casually flicked a luxury ball from her pocket and launched it forward.
"Meow!"
Torracat landed opposite Froakie with a fierce growl that made Froakie flinch instinctively.
"Whoa... that's some next-level [Intimidation]..."
Sweat beaded on Satoshi's forehead. He could feel Torracat's presence.
But after a moment, he composed himself again—though he couldn't help thinking:
Is it even legal for your Torracat to use [Intimidate] trainers?
He looked down at Froakie, who was still frozen in place, warily eyeing its opponent.
Torracat was clearly on another level. The gap in strength couldn't be bridged by type advantage alone.
"Scared?"
Raana gave a sly smile.
[Host, this girl's seriously annoying. Let's crush her!]
Even Furiko had something to say now. The moment she heard that smug tone, Satoshi's fists clenched tighter, resolve rising like fire.
"No way. This is just the beginning. Froakie—show Torracat your strength!"
"Kero!"
Froakie snapped out of it and responded to its Trainer's call.
"Oho~ A fiery one. Interesting~"
Raana raised a hand, eyes gleaming.
"Torracat—use [Shadow Claw]!"