Snap!
Beep—beep—beep… ding!
A large and a small Pokémon turned into streaks of red light and slipped into their Poké Balls. With a special confirmation chime, the balls stopped shaking.
Capture successful!
[Ding—You have gained the recognition of Zorua and Zoroark. Reward: Master Points ×20!]
The system notification echoed in his ears, and Peter's smile grew even brighter.
"Uh… Pe—Peter…"
The girl's voice sounded hazy and uncertain.
"Hm? What's wro—mmph!!"
Before he could finish, a soft body suddenly pressed against him. Warm, sweet lips sealed his without warning.
Peter's question was swallowed in his throat, reduced to a muffled sound.
He didn't know why Whitney had suddenly done this—but the burning softness in his arms, the breath brushing against his face, and the sweetness spreading across his mouth made him instinctively wrap an arm around her slender waist.
In the room, two figures clung tightly together. The clash of lips quickly grew more intense, more desperate.
Soon, Peter found himself wanting more. His hands roamed upward without restraint, until he was completely lost.
"Mmm…"
The overwhelming sensation only made him sink deeper.
But just as he was about to push further, a sudden chill brushed his cheek.
Peter opened his eyes.
Whitney was crying.
Tears streamed silently down her face.
The fire in his chest vanished in an instant.
Peter cupped her face, gently wiping away her tears, his voice full of concern.
"Whitney… what's wrong?"
She shook her head, saying nothing, only clinging to him tightly—like she wanted to disappear into his arms.
"Tell me, okay?"
Peter leaned closer, brushing a light kiss over her lips, slowly tasting the salty tears at the corner of her mouth.
"I… I don't know…"
Whitney pouted, sorrow written all over her face.
"I just suddenly felt that… you're really amazing.
Whether it's battling or handling crises—you're incredible. You've only been traveling for two months, but you already feel like a veteran Trainer…"
"At first, I was really happy for you.
That meant you'd reach your dream faster. I really wanted to see you standing on the highest podium—
I know you'd look amazing."
"But later… I realized your steps were getting faster and faster.
So fast that I started to feel unfamiliar with you.
So fast that I couldn't keep up…"
"You know so many strategies.
You can solve problems like Zoroark's crisis.
You can even suddenly appear with items I've never seen before…"
"And me… all I can do is hide behind you.
Dragging you down…"
"I suddenly felt like… a half-baked Gym Leader like me…
might not be worthy of you anymore…"
"You shou—"
"Mmm…!"
Before she could finish, Peter sealed her lips completely. She could only close her eyes and let him steal the rest of her words.
After a long while, he finally let her go.
His gaze was firm—unshakable.
"I won't allow you to think like that. And you don't need to."
"Everything I've achieved so far—
at least half of it belongs to you, Whitney."
"If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be begging on the outskirts of Goldenrod City, eventually becoming an unknown Bug Catcher."
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have committed to the Normal-type path.
I wouldn't have met Norman.
And I wouldn't have these amazing partners."
"If it weren't for you, Zorua and Zoroark would've already been taken by Kodai."
"So without you, there would be no me today."
"We're one, understand?"
"To me, you are you—
and you are the best Whitney in the world."
"A-ah…"
Whitney's lips parted slightly. Her pink eyes shimmered as tears spilled over.
"Peter…!"
Her soft voice trembled as she threw herself into his arms again—this time with absolute resolve.
By her ear, his whisper sounded like a vow etched into her soul:
"If you feel like I'm moving too fast…
then climb onto my back."
"I'll carry you.
And we'll walk forward together—okay?"
Her body trembled slightly.
"…Mm."
After a moment, she looked up again, hesitating.
"Peter… why are you so good to me?"
Peter lowered his head, meeting her gaze, a doting smile curling at his lips.
"Because I love you, you silly girl."
Whitney froze.
A flush of pure happiness spread from her cheeks down her pale neck.
Sunlight poured through the window, bathing the two figures in golden light—as if even time itself refused to interrupt them.
Whitney smiled.
Not the innocent smile she usually wore—but one touched with quiet allure.
"Peter…"
"Hm? What is—mmph!"
She suddenly leapt forward, knocking him backward onto the bed.
A suffocating softness pressed down on him, stealing his breath.
Clatter…
Two Poké Balls rolled across the floor, soon buried beneath scattered clothing.
-----
Pokémon Center Lobby
"This is ridiculous… why are those two taking so long?"
DJ Mary stood with her bag in hand, irritation written all over her face.
She'd been waiting here for two and a half hours.
Peter and Whitney had gone to treat Zorua and Zoroark—
and then just vanished.
"We were supposed to catch an afternoon flight! What time is it already…?"
She rolled her eyes. She'd already taken almost a month off—
if she didn't go back soon, the radio station director would fire her!
Just then, Peter finally came downstairs.
But his steps were unsteady.
For once, he looked… weak.
"Haa… that troublesome little yō—
no… big, big, big fairy…"
He squeezed the air with his hand twice, wearing a strange grin.
DJ Mary walked over.
"Peter! Where's Whitney? Still not done?"
"Ah… she's… kind of tired. Probably needs to sleep for a bit…"
"Huh? Then we're not leaving today? I already bought the ticket!"
DJ Mary pouted.
"It's fine… uh, I'll treat you to a big meal later.
You go rest in your room first."
Peter waved her off, then asked Nurse Joy for some food and carried it upstairs.
"Wait—Whitney's not eating?" DJ Mary asked, confused.
"She probably can't eat right now. We'll eat together tonight."
DJ Mary: ???
-----
Later that night, after the storm finally settled, Whitney slept soundly.
Peter didn't disturb her.
Instead, he went next door to sort through the spoils of this ordeal.
Finances first:
From selling three premium Evolution Stones, Peter had 2.11 million Poké Dollars left.
Add the 1 million Poké Dollars reward for "righteous bravery," and the total came to 3.11 million Poké Dollars.
As for Master Points—
Thanks to emptying Kodai's bank card, he now had nearly twenty thousand points left.
At moments like this, the system's forced spending really deserved praise.
As long as there was money in the account—
no password required. Direct deduction.
"Alright… time to whale."
Peter opened the system panel without hesitation.
He was rich now.
Time to spend big. Spend hard. Spend mercilessly.
But before he could start, the system chimed again:
[Ding—Your total spending has reached 10,000 Master Points.
System upgrade conditions met.
Do you wish to upgrade now?]
--------------
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