That battle earlier had genuinely gotten him fired up.
With the announcement concluded, Satoshi and Anon headed toward the school's main hall. Honestly, Rainbow Wing Academy was seriously enormous—with plenty of "meaning☆less☆areas"—so just wandering around casually was enough to get Satoshi and Anon thoroughly lost.
Their reason for heading to the hall was to meet up with teammates, collect the Cup rewards, and maybe grab a celebratory meal. For a first-year team competing for the first time to finish in the top three was essentially rocket-level success.
For Satoshi, though, none of that really mattered too much. All he cared about was qualifying for the High School League and gaining access to the EcoDome. Besides, with a top-three finish, the school would provide some helpful subsidies. That was a genuinely important resource for him.
"Ah..."
Oh no, looks like I'll have to do some real-life combat with Soyo-san now.
Reaching the hall, Anon's head instantly began aching. She knew the photos she'd sent to their group chat would definitely rile up the jealousy-prone Nagasaki Soyo.
Meeting her face-to-face now…she had absolutely no clue how to deal with it. Was this going to turn into actual hand-to-hand combat?
I'll lose for sure!
"Let's walk together."
"Eh?~"
But to prevent the huge crowd from separating them, Satoshi naturally reached out first, grabbing Anon's soft hand. Feeling the sudden warmth, Anon's heart skipped a beat, electric currents jolting through her from the wrist up.
As for Nagasaki Soyo… Who's that again?
No clue, really.
Now that the Cup had just ended, plenty of students filled the hall to collect their rewards. Even those outside the top ten had prizes to claim.
Naturally, higher rankings meant better prizes, and rankings could be checked through the app.
According to group messages, Soyo had already claimed their rewards and was currently sitting nearby, waiting for them.
"You two…shouldn't you let go already?"
The moment they appeared, Soyo greeted them smiling sweetly, eyes fixed pointedly on their intertwined hands. She did her absolute best to keep her voice gentle and pleasant.
Inside, she was already aiming a punch at Anon's face, along with visions of giving her an explosive afro hairstyle courtesy of her Fire-type Pokémon.
Hearing her words, Satoshi and Anon quickly released each other. Since they'd already reunited, Satoshi had no need to keep holding her hand just to avoid getting lost. Anon reluctantly let go.
Hmm… Taurosing face-to-face actually feels pretty good. Even if Soyo-san definitely isn't Satoshi's girlfriend.
Seeing this, Nagasaki Soyo secretly let out a relieved breath. She gently pulled out a handkerchief from her bag, tenderly wiping away the wetness from Satoshi's rain-dampened hair.
Her touch was delicate, careful not to hurt him. Her fingers brushed through his hair, softly pushing the damp strands aside so she could clean him up better.
Such motherly vibes…
Nagasaki Soyo…truly a woman capable of becoming my mother.
A thoroughly embarrassing line flashed through Satoshi's mind.
"You're soaking wet, are you really okay?"
"I'm fine. Just had a battle against an opponent who used [Rain Dance]."
"Are you sure you don't need a rest? Should I go buy you some snacks, or berries? Or maybe give you a lap pillow? Sing you a song?"
Soyo's entire being turned gentle, radiating motherly warmth. Her voice had changed completely from her earlier forced sweetness into something genuinely soft, like she'd transformed into another person.
"I'm really okay."
[This woman is such a nag~~]
Yeah, Soyo really is nagging.
At this moment, both Satoshi and Furiko shared the exact same thought.
"You don't have to act tough, you know. Lean on me a bit more, okay? Don't hesitate to ask. Want some hot milk? Maybe a relaxing massage? Or perhaps a gentle head pat?"
Every word, every gesture revealed her overwhelming affection for Satoshi.
Under this combo barrage, Satoshi nearly agreed—but Anon couldn't endure another second.
"Soyo-san, please don't cling onto Satoshi so much. He's exhausted after that tough battle."
I'll kill you!
Soyo's bright blue eyes instantly lost their light—but her fake mask remained firmly in place.
"Little Anon, that's exactly why he needs a massage after a hard battle."
"Then…maybe Soyo-san can massage me first?"
"Eh?~~~ You wanna die...? I think Little Anon really has no sense of self-preservation at all."
Their eyes locked in fierce combat, fiercer even than a Pokémon battle—
A war to steal a man!
[I think Anon has exactly one day left to live. …But women fighting? More! More! (Moto moto~)]
What nonsense are you even saying?
I think Anon and Soyo actually get along pretty well. Seems like good rival energy.
Satoshi tilted his head, puzzled.
[To me, they look filled with murderous intent.]
"Well then, Little Anon, let me massage you—first!"
Soyo's face remained sweet and gentle, but her hands clenched tightly into fists. If Satoshi hadn't been present, she would definitely have lost control and swung by now.
A brat like you… I, Nagasaki Soyo, will never forgive you!
Seeing this, Anon shivered slightly and hurriedly grabbed Satoshi's hand again.
"We don't have much time. Since we've already gotten our prizes, let's just wait here for Tomori and Taki to arrive~ Right, Satoshi? Soyo-san can take Satoshi's other hand~"
Forgiven!
"You're right. Then the three of us can wait hand-in-hand."
Hearing this, Soyo gently took Satoshi's free hand. The touch of her beloved's palm sent tremors through her entire body.
For this day only, she was willing to acknowledge Anon as a human being.
Caught between the two girls, Satoshi fell into confusion and uncertainty, utterly lost in this sudden scenario.
"Hmm? Does this even mean anything?"
[Satoshi, you really are an idiot~~]
Soyo-san is such an easy woman to handle...
After all, in places you can't see, Satoshi and I have already done so much together~
"Ehehe~"
Anon's mood immediately improved, a silly smile curving her lips as she let out a few foolish giggles.
Soyo's free hand clenched into a fist once more.
Can I punch her? This rookie woman giggling like an idiot—is it okay if I hit her?
Urgent answer needed—waiting online!
"Hmm?"
Satoshi blinked, suddenly realizing something. Normally MYGO should be in pairs, but here was only Soyo. Where was Raana?
"By the way, where'd Raana go?"
Satoshi asked curiously, eyes fixed firmly on Soyo.
His gaze is so intense...? Oh no, I can't lie now.
I really want to 'capture' him!
Maybe I should catch a Hypno and use [Hypnosis]...?
As his eyes met hers, Soyo's cheeks flushed red. Her gaze overflowed with affection, turning the atmosphere soft and romantic.
And so, she answered truthfully.
"I lost her."
"Eh?" ×2.
...
"Come back, Steenee."
With the Cup ended, Wakaba Mutsumi recalled her Pokémon coldly, while Togawa Sakiko beside her packed up her belongings and shouldered her bag.
"Good work today, Mutsumi. I've got something else today, so I'll be leaving first."
"Sakiko, where're you heading?"
"They'll probably hold a victory celebration soon. I want to go see Satoshi—and maybe work a bit."
Togawa Sakiko answered without hesitation.
Nagasaki Soyo's sudden provocation earlier today had seriously annoyed her. In times like this, just being with Satoshi would help her feel calm again.
He felt…like family. And Sakiko basically had none left—even her father had turned into a useless drunk.
She took out her phone, lowered her head, finger hesitating over Satoshi's contact. A shy blush gradually spread across her face.
"...Does this count as me initiating a date?"