"Mutsumi's still got solid strength. Even if she doesn't match her mother's level, just using her mother's Pokémon makes it nearly impossible for challengers to win."
As Soyo explained, she casually leaned in closer to Satoshi, scooting up beside him.
If Mutsumi couldn't tell, then a little flirting wouldn't hurt, right? Anon, meanwhile, was watching the whole thing unfold with a face full of black lines, utterly speechless at Soyo's behavior.
And now the situation was...
SoyoSatoshi Anon
...and Anon felt like she was the odd one out.
Seriously? Aren't we the ones in the same class, the same team? Why does it suddenly feel like I'm the third wheel in my own party?
With no other option, Anon edged in too. It felt a little awkward, but she managed to stand right next to Satoshi without backing off, keeping a respectable but close distance.
[What the hell do these two think they're doing?! Hands off my sweet, precious Satoshi!!]
To make matters worse, Furiko was still chirping away over Satoshi's head.
The result was—
Furiko
SoyoSatoshiAnon
—a layout that was truly ridiculous.
Drapion only has a Ground-type weakness, and with a 500 base stat total, it's seriously powerful.
That pressure just now—it might actually surpass my Raichu.
Satoshi, like a seasoned veteran of romantic dramas, didn't even blink at the love triangle forming around him. His full attention was locked on the ongoing Gym battle.
This... is the confidence of Nagasaki Soyo.
She was certain that a Pokémon-battle-loving boy like Satoshi wouldn't even notice this kind of stuff.
What she didn't expect... was that someone even more shameless would start copying her behavior!
...Killing intent?!
Anon froze. She didn't even know how to describe what she was feeling—just that it felt like a giant Incineroar was glaring straight at her.
That's one [Intimidate] drop...
Anon barely managed to endure the effect, trying to ignore the wave of pressure crawling up her spine.
Compared to those powerful Trainers back in Galar, Soyo was still manageable. Anon didn't activate her ability and flee this time.
After all, she had run away from Galar once already. If she ran again here, then she had no right to call herself a Pokémon Trainer.
[Run Away]...
Anon's expression darkened, that shadow in her heart swirling again, refusing to lift.
What made it worse?
It wasn't even that the Galar Trainers were too strong—that wasn't why she ran. She just couldn't keep up with their English.
Her conversational English was terrible, and she panicked. The shame of running away for that reason...
If anyone found out, I'd die on the spot. I'd rather be KO'd in battle than admit it!
"Ahem—Satoshi, who do you think's gonna win?"
Trying to break the tension, Anon cleared her throat and tossed out a casual question.
She looked back at the battlefield.
The Rainbow Gym's arena was a lush field of grass.
Sunlight streamed through wispy clouds, painting the field in soft light. The tall grass swayed gently, rolling like green waves in the breeze.
Perfect terrain for a Fire-type Pokémon. Just one spark could turn it into a blazing inferno—instant victory.
Normally, Satoshi wouldn't judge so quickly. In this world, relying on type matchups and stat blocks alone could be misleading.
But this time—he was certain.
Hachiman Umi will win. 100%.
"Hachiman Umi."
"Why?" Both girls arched their brows, curious about his confidence.
That kind of certainty was bound to draw attention.
Why?
Because Wakaba Mutsumi had sent out a Torterra.
And Satoshi could see with his own eyes—against Umi's Poison/Dark-type Drapion, Mutsumi had chosen a Grass/Ground-type Torterra.
Just from typing alone, she was at a disadvantage. Add to that Torterra's reputation as anime cannon fodder and in-game dead weight... Satoshi had zero doubts.
This one's in the bag.
Torterra's typing was a liability: four weaknesses—Flying, Bug, Fire, Ice—and Ice was a 4x weakness. Its resistances were lacking, too.
Compared to Drapion, who only had one weakness—Ground—the difference was night and day.
Just one word:
Lame.
"Umi's Drapion already has the edge in type matchups…"
Satoshi kept his critique measured and factual, avoiding any negative talk about the Pokémon themselves.
Because no matter how weak a Pokémon might seem, each one had its value.
Take Kricketune, for instance—it could use [Perish Song] and [Sing] to lull you to sleep.
Delibird couldn't match Iron Bundle in power, but it was beloved, and delivered gifts every Christmas.
And Vaporeon... well... its body was quite... versatile...
"You're right, Satoshi. Looks like Mutsumi might lose this one." Soyo nodded, her eyes gleaming as she stared at Wakaba Mutsumi.
"Huh? That's it? I actually think Mutsumi-chan still has a shot. Ground beats Drapion, right?" Anon tilted her head, puzzled.
"Anon-chan" Soyo said flatly, "you clearly don't understand battle theory."
Anon blinked, a little taken aback.
"...Mutsumi-chan's your friend though, right?"
"Not really."
Soyo was secretly itching to see Mutsumi lose. Her dark little heart blazed with anticipation—wanting Satoshi's prediction to be proven right so she could praise him wholeheartedly.
As for being friends? That was just surface-level stuff.
"…"
Damn lovebrain...
Letting go of the conversation, Anon turned her attention back to the match.
Drapion vs. Torterra.
"Drapion—use [Pin Missile]."
"[Protect]."
Umi issued her command calmly. Drapion obeyed with fluid precision, summoning a flurry of shining white energy needles around it. They fired like arrows, zipping toward Torterra.
Torterra activated [Protect] just in time. A green shield flared to life, deflecting the barrage. The needles struck the ground, exploding into plumes of smoke.
But even through the smoke, Satoshi could tell:
Those [Pin Missiles] are way more powerful than Heracross's yesterday.
Hachiman Umi was clearly stronger than Shiina Taki. That much was obvious.
"[High Horsepower]." Wakaba Mutsumi gave her next command coolly.
Torterra charged forward, its heavy frame barreling toward Drapion with a Ground-type attack that would hit for double damage if it landed.
But Umi didn't flinch.
"Grab it—then use [Ice Fang]."
Drapion darted in. Its massive claw-like arms intercepted Torterra mid-charge, locking it in place.
Then, with a guttural snarl, Drapion bit down hard with freezing jaws.
Drapion's raw power was no joke—its pincers could twist a car into scrap metal. Even without [Toxic], it had the sheer physical strength to destroy its foes.
And Torterra? Not exactly known for its speed. Landing a grab was child's play.
"[Iron Head]—counter it!"
Torterra's head suddenly gleamed with silver light. With a defiant roar, it slammed its metallic forehead into Drapion.
The steel-type move managed to partially overpower the [Ice Fang], dealing minor damage to Drapion and breaking its grip.
"GRAHH!" Drapion hissed, stumbling back slightly.
Even attacks had type matchups. Steel resisted Ice, so [Iron Head] was a decent counter.
Unfortunately, Drapion wasn't weak to Steel—so the damage wasn't huge.
But it still had Torterra locked down.
"[Pin Missile] again."
Another flurry of glowing needles erupted around Drapion, lashing out like lightning.
Torterra tried to [Protect] again—but this time, it was too close. There was no time.
CLANG! CLANG!
The steel-like needles struck Torterra dead-on, blasting it backward in a shower of sparks.
"GRAOOOH!"
The heavy Grass-type tumbled through the air, finally landing at the edge of the battlefield.
"It's over. Finish it—[Pin Missile], one last time."
Umi's voice was cold and unwavering.
And with that—Torterra was done.
…
"Wow... She's incredible. No wonder they call her an Elite Trainer." Anon's eyes widened.
"And no wonder Satoshi could predict she'd win." Soyo said sweetly—but didn't spare a glance for the battlefield. She hadn't been watching the match at all.
Her full focus was on her "boyfriend."
As for Satoshi—watching the battle had only stoked the fire in his chest. His fists clenched with excitement as he turned to the two girls beside him.
"Soyo, Anon—can you two stay with me a bit longer? I've got this sudden urge to pull an all-nighter!"
"...Huh?" ×2
An all-nighter?To do what?!
Both Anon and Soyo turned bright red.
But in Satoshi's mind, the answer was crystal clear.
Girls, you smell amazing!
Now—battle with me all night long!!