Chapter 99: Hutber Port Speedboat Departure

The dock at Hutber Port was quieter than I expected, the usual cacophony of voices and footsteps reduced to the occasional shout of a sailor in the distance. My Pokégear chimed softly in my hand, flashing a reminder of our booked speedboat, and I glanced up, scanning the waterline for any sign of our ride. Erin stood beside me, her calm demeanor always unsettling in its lack of urgency.

"When are we going?" she asked, her voice cool, even, as if time wasn't a concept that concerned her.

I didn't bother looking up from my Pokégear, flipping through the schedule with a relaxed shrug. "I already booked a speedboat. Should be here soon—it's dropping off a client for the Trainer Market Association."

She nodded, the question slipping from her in the same flat tone. "Did you buy that?"

A smirk tugged at my lips. I slipped my Pokégear back into my bag, shaking my head. "I didn't."

Erin only blinked at that. Nothing rattled her—not money, not chaos, only Pokémon, which was given her deep-rooted fear of them. I was about to make some comment about her deadpan delivery, but before I could, a sleek, black speedboat cut through the water, slowing as it approached the dock. The driver gave us a sharp nod, motioning for us to board.

I stepped forward, feeling the creak of the dock beneath my sneakers as I hopped into the boat. I held out my hand, glancing over my shoulder. Erin looked at it for a moment, her face unreadable, then took it, her grip light as she followed me onboard.

"Know the location?" I asked the driver, sinking into one of the cushioned seats. "I want to be there before evening."

He grunted his acknowledgment, starting the engine with a low rumble. We took off, the boat slicing through the water with ease, the wind whipping at my face. I let out a breath, the tension from the waiting slipping away. Erin settled beside me, her posture straight, eyes fixed ahead on the endless stretch of sea.

After a while, I reached into my bag, pulling out Raichu's Pokéball. With a flick of my wrist, Raichu materialized in a flash of light, landing softly in Erin's lap. He chirped happily, immediately nuzzling into her. To her credit, Erin didn't stiffen—just watched him.

Raichu let out a joyful laugh, his yellow tail twitching as he gazed out at the passing waves. Erin glanced at me, her lips curving into the faintest smile. It was small, but it was there. I leaned back, grinning at the sight of my Pokémon so content. The cold spray from the sea splashed up against my hand as I dipped it into the water, the chill biting into my skin.

The boat sped up, cutting through the waves faster, and I found myself lulled into a sense of calm. Before I knew it, I had leaned back, closing my eyes. Sleep crept up on me faster than I expected, pulling me under.

I woke to Erin gently shaking my shoulder. My eyes blinked open, the light of late afternoon casting a golden glow over the water. I sat up, blinking away the haze of sleep, and saw Maiden's Peak looming ahead—a jagged, ghostly shape rising from the water. We were close.

As the boat pulled into the dock, I stood and returned Raichu to his Pokéball. Erin climbed out first this time, not waiting for me to offer a hand. I followed, nodding to the driver as he threw me a brief wave before turning the boat back out to sea.

We stepped onto the dock, the quiet town of Maiden's Peak ahead of us, bathed in the deep orange of sunset. I glanced up at the cliffside, a flicker of movement catching my eye. A girl stood at the peak, her form outlined by the dying light. But I knew better. It wasn't a girl—it was a trick, the same ghostly illusion that had drawn countless trainers to their doom.

I waved at her, a sardonic smile tugging at my lips, and she vanished like smoke. Erin didn't seem to notice, or if she did, she didn't care. She was focused on the path ahead, her steps light and measured.

The town was eerily still as we made our way through the cobblestone streets, the festival preparations evident but deserted for the evening. I spotted the hotel, its grand facade glowing warmly in the fading light. We entered, the cool air inside a welcome relief after the long boat ride. The receptionist looked up, offering us a polite smile.

"We have a room booked," I said, keeping my tone relaxed.

"Name?" she asked, fingers already poised over the keyboard.

"Punit Setia."

She clicked through her system, then nodded and handed us a key. "Room 215."

I pocketed it and led Erin to the elevator. It hummed quietly as it took us to the second floor. The doors slid open with a soft ding, and we walked to our room. I unlocked the door, pushing it open with my shoulder. Erin stepped in first, immediately collapsing onto the bed, her exhaustion clear.

I dropped my bag onto the table, tossing my jacket over the back of the chair, and kicked off my shoes. The bed looked too inviting to resist, so I lay down beside her, the mattress sinking beneath my weight.

"There's a parade tomorrow evening," I murmured, staring up at the ceiling. "Get some rest until then. We'll hit the Pokémon Center in the morning to heal up."

Erin didn't reply. I turned my head to see her already asleep, her breathing deep and even. I smiled, reaching over to turn off the light. As darkness filled the room, I closed my eyes, feeling her small form shift as she curled closer, her arm resting lightly on mine.

I let myself drift into sleep, her quiet presence comforting.