Catch Feelings, Not Just Pokemon

Aside from the local siblings, Carmine and Kieran, Haru and the rest of the group were staying at the Kitakami Village Civic Hall, just as originally planned.

Prior to their arrival, Naranja Academy and Blueberry Academy had already coordinated with the local authorities and even made advance payments. So the residents of Kitakami had everything prepared.

The person in charge was a bald old man in a yukata. Despite his age, he seemed lively and welcomed them with notable enthusiasm.

But...

That girl from Blueberry Academy—Carmine—didn't seem too fond of the Naranja Academy students.

If the two teachers hadn't been there, she might have straight-up declared war on Liko and her friends.

Actually... she did challenge someone. And that someone was Lillie.

Just as the group was about to divide up the rooms, Carmine suddenly dragged her younger brother Kieran over to block Haru—or more precisely, Lillie, who was clinging to Haru's right arm—and locked eyes with the blonde girl.

"Is something the matter?"

Lillie didn't take offense at Carmine's rudeness. Her voice remained calm and composed.

"You from Naranja Academy? How about a Pokémon battle? Greengrass Town isn't some place you can just waltz into."

"If you want to stay here, you'll have to go through me first!"

As a local of Greengrass Town in Kitakami, Carmine was fiercely territorial. She had zero interest in letting random outsiders trample on her hometown's land.

And seeing Lillie's behavior only made her dislike Naranja Academy even more.

When Professor Haru first arrived, he had someone clinging to each arm.

The one on his left, Iono, had introduced herself as a Gym Leader from Paldea and clarified that she wasn't a student—she was participating independently and at her own expense.

Carmine thought to herself: Traveling all the way here just to stick to the professor like that… come on, isn't it obvious? She's gotta be his girlfriend. Sure, she might be laying it on a bit thick with the whole arm-hugging thing, but it's understandable.

But this Lillie girl? What was her deal? She was a student, and still hanging off her teacher like a toddler without any independence.

Didn't she notice the professor's girlfriend was already clearly annoyed? What a clueless airhead.

Even the most hardened soldier of pure love would lose it at a sight like this.

Just imagining this oversized baby wandering around her hometown made Carmine feel like she'd encountered every imaginable nightmare at once—flying cockroaches, multiplying cockroaches, dueling cockroaches, and cockroaches that fight back.

She knew she was being unreasonable—but that fiery, overprotective big-sister side of her just wouldn't back down.

"You… want to battle me?"

Lillie didn't let go of Haru's hand. She was just baffled by how sudden this all was.

Come on—she hadn't even done anything! Why was she always getting dragged into these things?

She was just holding onto her beloved Professor Haru—was that such a crime?

While she had grown more confident over the past year, Lillie still disliked unnecessary conflict.

Carmine's behavior irritated her instantly.

Meanwhile, Liko—who had been preoccupied thinking about the Explorers—was snapped back to reality.

"You want to battle Lillie? Seriously?"

Sure, she didn't love how clingy Lillie acted around Haru, but she knew better than anyone what kind of power that seemingly fragile girl held.

Maybe back in Alola, it was Lillie's strength that had forced Professor Haru to his knees—and that's how they'd gotten so close...

"What's the matter? Scared? Or are you gonna go crying to your professor?"

Carmine didn't think much of Liko's odd reaction.

She and Lillie were both students—why should she be afraid of her?

"..."

Haru stood silently nearby, inwardly marveling at Carmine's unmatched knack for picking the absolute worst opponents.

Where did she get that kind of misfortune? Was one of her ancestors a battle-happy war god or something?

"I don't want to battle someone like you," Lillie said plainly. "But if you insist…"

She looked to Haru, who gave a slight nod. Only then did she pull out a uniquely designed Poké Ball.

Anyone who interferes with a girl's love life deserves to be kicked by a Rapidash—and Carmine was no exception. She'd already interrupted Lillie's sweet time with Haru!

That alone sealed her fate.

Seeing both girls fired up, Iono put on her usual cheerful grin, clearly enjoying the drama.

"Well, why not? A battle's just another way to bond!"

"Tension tends to disappear once the fight starts."

"..."

The bald old man had initially considered stepping in to stop Carmine, but now he just looked helpless.

What was with these city kids? Start fights at the drop of a hat—complete maniacs.

"Hmph! I thought someone like you would chicken out, but you actually accepted? Alright then, get ready to witness my strength!"

With that, Carmine flipped her bangs dramatically and tossed out a Poké Ball.

"Let's go—Mightyena!"

A flash of light burst forth, and a large black-and-white canine Pokémon landed in front of the crowd.

It was clearly well-trained—its coat gleamed, and its physique was strong and intimidating.

With everyone's eyes on it, Mightyena bared its fangs at Lillie, exuding menace as it prepared to strike.

"Well? Where's your Pokémon? Let's see what you've got."

"Cosmog, go. But don't be too rough."

With Lillie's casual command, the moon goddess descended.

"?"

Everyone—except for Haru and a few who already knew Lillie's true strength—was completely stunned.

Dude… what is that?

You're using that in a student battle!?

The stronger trainers in the group were the first to realize just how absurdly powerful Lillie's Pokémon was.

Iono, who had no real battle sense, simply thought the sparkly creature was adorable—totally her style.

As for Mightyena… at some point, it had dug a shallow hole and buried its head.

Even so, its whole body trembled uncontrollably.

Too scary. Way too scary. There's no way a normal Pokémon can take that on—this thing's clearly a legendary!

Panicking, Carmine began yelling and stomping her feet:

"Mightyena, what are you doing!? That has to be an illusion—it's gotta be a Zoroark, a Ditto, maybe even a Typhlosion using some trick!"

"There's nothing to be afraid of! Just attack and everything'll be fine!"

"Cosmog, I'm tired. Let's wrap this up quickly."

"I still want to spend time with Professor Haru afterward... you know what mean."