Chapter 98: Next Plan

Raichu sat across from me, perched on the chair like a small child, shoveling spoonfuls of mashed berries into his mouth with reckless abandon. His cheeks sparked faintly every time he hit a particularly sweet one. Erin, as usual, sat across from me, her eyes calm and unreadable, poking at her plate like it was an alien specimen. The restaurant buzzed around us—families laughing, trainers chatting about their recent catches—but our table felt unnaturally quiet.

I took another bite of my sandwich, the bread too chewy, but I wasn't here for the food. I was waiting for Erin to talk.

"How's Alakazam now?" she asked, her voice even and calm as she speared a piece of lettuce and lifted it to her mouth.

I chewed slowly, thinking back to Alakazam's last battle. The memory of his Psychic tearing through that Rhydon was still fresh. "He's fine. I'm just happy he can still fight," I said, setting my sandwich down. "I mean, considering he took down five Pokémon in his first official match, that's no small feat. If we don't count the ancient Dragonite, of course."

Erin didn't react, just chewing her food, her expression blank as ever.

"He's recovering fast," I added. "The injury's almost healed, but he needs rest." I leaned back in my chair, glancing at Raichu, who had finished his berries and was now eyeing Erin's plate with too much interest. I gave him a look, and he sulked, stuffing his cheeks with air instead.

Erin took another bite, her fork moving in deliberate, slow motions. "What's the next plan?" Her tone never wavered, like she was talking about the weather. 

I wiped my mouth with a napkin, considering. "Summer's ending. There's a festival at Maiden's Peak," I said casually, but my mind was already thinking ahead. There was something I needed there. Something… important. "I've got something to catch."

Erin paused mid-bite, her fork halfway to her mouth. "I want to go home," she said, her tone still calm, but something about the way her eyes held mine gave me pause.

I stared at her for a second, feeling a twinge of tension settle between us like an invisible wall. "What's wrong?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Erin rarely spoke unless something bothered her, but when she did, it always hit like a hammer.

She didn't hesitate. "I'm worried about my grandfather," she said, her hazel eyes not betraying a flicker of emotion. "He's probably… worried sick about our relationship."

I glanced at Raichu, now sulking because his food had run out, and I took another bite, trying to chew through the sudden awkwardness. "We can talk on the video phone," I offered. "If you're still worried, I'll take you back to Pallet Town myself."

Erin pressed her finger to her lips, the calm calculation. After a moment, she shook her head. "We can talk on the phone."

I swallowed another bite and leaned forward. "You want to do it now?"

"No," she said, her voice level. "Later. First, tell me about this festival."

I shrugged, my mind already racing through a mental list of what I needed for Maiden's Peak. "I don't know much about it," I admitted. "But there's something there I need to catch."

"Pokémon?" Her voice was a little more focused now, curiosity creeping in just a bit.

"Yeah." I took another bite, my eyes flicking to Raichu, who had managed to beg more food from Erin without her even noticing.

"Don't give him too much," I warned, pointing at Raichu with my fork. "He'll get fat, and then he'll need extra training."

Raichu froze mid-bite, his cheeks puffed out like balloons. His wide eyes darted to me, panic flashing across his face. He quickly set down the food, and I sighed, patting his head. "Not more," I said, gentler this time. Raichu relaxed and went back to eating, though slower this time, his ears drooping like he'd been scolded.

Erin, still as calm as ever, watched the whole scene play out with mild interest before speaking again. "How are we traveling?" she asked, her fingers tapping absentmindedly against her plate.

"It's been a while since we flew anywhere," I said, wiping my hands on my napkin. "Pidgeot's ready, and you're not scared of him anymore."

"I want to go by sea." Erin's voice was firm, but still held that eerie calmness, like she was stating a fact rather than a preference. "Not on a Pokémon."

I blinked. "The sea?"

She nodded, her expression unwavering. "Yes. By boat."

I finished my food and pushed my plate away, standing up and tossing a few Pokédollars on the table for the bill, plus a generous tip. Raichu jumped into my arms.

"I'll see if there's a way to make that happen," I said, heading for the door.

Erin followed, her footsteps light and steady behind me. "It's not necessary," she said. "If you don't like it, we can fly on Pidgeot."

I paused, glancing down at her, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "We'll travel by sea," I said, leaning down and planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "Even if I have to buy the boat myself."

Raichu gave a contented purr in my arms, and Erin just nodded, as if that settled it.