The Pokémon journey begins in Galar

Turffield was a town nestled in the heart of a basin, known primarily for its agriculture. Surrounding it were large expanses of terraced farmland, cultivated in rings around the town.

It was nothing like Motostoke, with its towering smokestacks and heavy industry. Turffield was peaceful, smaller in scale, almost sleepy yet every year, when the Gym Challenge began, the place would come alive with visiting Trainers and tourists, all drawn in by the Power Spot nearby and the first official Gym.

This season was considered peak tourism time, and during peak season… finding an available hotel room often came down to luck.

"I'm terribly sorry, ladies," the innkeeper said apologetically, "but we only have one single room left."

Marie hesitated. She hadn't expected even the standard rooms to be fully booked. Sure, they had camped together plenty of times out in the wild, sleeping in the same tent… but a hotel felt different.

Yuri probably didn't mind. But Marie, burdened with memories from a previous life and all its baggage, couldn't help but overthink things.

"Well... we can squeeze in for now," Yuri said, glancing at the night sky outside. "There's no telling if the other inns even have space left."

It had taken them quite some time to get here from Route 4. The sky had long since darkened into deep night. More than anything, Yuri just wanted a bed to sleep in.

"...Alright. We'll take it, then. Thank you," Marie said.

"Of course. Just a moment, please."

The innkeeper smiled and took their League Cards for ID verification.

"Haah..."

Yuri yawned, covering her mouth with one hand and blinking sleepily. The three Pokémon clinging to her didn't look much better each of them had drowsy, half-lidded eyes.

"Ralts... (So sleepy...)"

The Ralts in Marie's arms rubbed its eyes beneath its fringe and clung tightly to her arm, curling up with a sigh.

"How about you, Baru? Sleepy yet?"

"Gooar... (I'm okay.)"

Baru seemed alert enough, but the two tiny Pokémon nestled on his head had already curled up and drifted off into their own dreams.

Though Turffield's inns might not have been the most abundant, they were certainly spacious. Thankfully, Baru didn't need to return to his Poké Ball he could just float around in the room freely.

Soon, the innkeeper returned with their key cards and IDs.

"Your room is on the third floor. Thank you for staying with us."

"Got it. Thanks."

Marie took the card and turned to see Yuri half-asleep, leaning heavily on Baru's tail. It was a miracle she hadn't dropped any of her Pokémon along the way.

"...Wake up, Yuri. The room's ready. You can sleep once we're upstairs."

"Mmm... okay, okay... Just carry me a bit longer, Baru..."

Marie exchanged a glance with Baru, both of them clearly resigned to the situation. She carefully picked up Fluff and let Chewtle rest in her hands, while Sobble stayed tightly wrapped around Yuri's arm, not budging an inch.

And so, with Yuri dangling off Baru's tail, the group made their way up the stairs.

The room wasn't large, but it was clean and well-kept. Being a single room, there wasn't much space Baru would have to rest on the floor tonight.

Marie gently helped Yuri onto the bed, then turned to Baru and whispered, "Do you want to go back in your Poké Ball?"

"Gooar... (No need. I'm used to sleeping with everyone now.)"

"Alright, then."

She nodded, satisfied with the answer. After getting the Pokémon settled, she placed the incubator with the egg onto the table nearby.

Finally, she turned her attention back to Yuri.

"Yuri? Do you want to shower first?"

She gave the girl a small shake, but there was no response. She was completely out.

"...Seriously?"

Marie sighed softly. She picked up the hat Yuri had dropped and hung it on the coat rack, then helped her out of her shoes, socks, and outer jacket.

She didn't touch the rest of Yuri's clothes. Sleeping in a dress like that probably wasn't very comfortable, but Marie didn't want to cross any lines. She'd already done enough.

After pulling the blanket up over Yuri, Marie stood and fetched her own sleepwear from her backpack. Smiling softly at the group of curled-up Pokémon, she whispered, "Good night, everyone."

"Gooar... (Night, Marie.)"

"Pi... (Good night, Marie-chan...)"

"Ralts... (Sleep well...)"

Their bond had really grown lately. It made Marie happy to see. Still smiling, she undressed quietly, taking off her accessories, hair clips, and ribbon, letting her long hair fall free.

Now barefoot and down to her underclothes, she walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

"...Nngh."

Yuri, eyes shut just moments ago, cracked one open just enough to see that Marie had gone.

She let out a breath of relief and slowly turned onto her side, facing the frosted glass that separated the bedroom from the bathroom.

Burying her flushed face into the blanket, she stared at the faint silhouette of the girl behind the glass.

Truth was, she had woken up when Marie started undressing her. But she'd been too flustered to say anything, so she just kept pretending to be asleep.

She thought Marie would undress her completely down to the dress but she hadn't. A part of her was relieved. Another part wasn't so sure.

Turning her head toward the Pokémon still awake, she froze.

"..."

"..."

Several eyes stared right back at her.

Yuri blushed even deeper. Marie could talk to the Pokémon directly. Wouldn't she find out what had happened right away?

"Shh...!"

Yuri pressed her finger to her lips, signaling the Pokémon to keep quiet. Whether they understood or not... that was anyone's guess.

Yuri lay there for a while, unsure what she was even embarrassed about. Her heart felt like it was doing flips.

Finally, she sat up, got off the bed, and rummaged through her backpack for a water bottle. After taking a few sips, she lay back down and picked up her phone to pass the time, ears tuned to the sounds of water from the bathroom.

She kind of wanted to take a shower too.

About twenty minutes later, Marie stepped out of the bathroom, her hair damp and her body wrapped in clean clothes.

"Hmm? You're awake?"

"Yeah. I want to shower too..."

Yuri glanced at Marie briefly, then quickly looked away. She scooped up her own change of clothes and made a beeline for the bathroom.

"..."

Marie watched her go, puzzled, then looked to the Pokémon.

"What's with her?"

"..."

Baru and Eevee shook their heads. They had no idea either.

"Alright then. Good night, everyone."

Marie said good night once more, climbed into bed, pulled the blanket up, and closed her eyes, drifting off almost immediately.