Chapter 27: Unforeseen Encounters

I trailed behind my Pidgeotto, eyes locked on the fleeing Pikachu darting through the underbrush. It zigzagged left, then right, limping ever so slightly—the poison Ivysaur hit it with earlier clearly still working its way through its system. This was the same Pikachu I'd almost caught before Alisha showed up with her usual, annoyingly loud energy. And now, hours later, I was still chasing it down.

Ivysaur, on the other hand, wasn't in any hurry. He ambled lazily beside me, dragging his feet like we were on a leisurely afternoon stroll. I clenched my fists, patience wearing thin.

I shot him a sideways glance, irritation bubbling up. "Get serious," I growled, slapping his backside just hard enough to make my point. He startled, his vines rustling as he perked up and sprinted ahead. About time. The leaves on his back swayed with each movement, catching the breeze as he darted ahead, eyes sharp again.

I smirked. That's more like it.

Checking my watch—3:50 PM. Good. The afternoon was still ours. Finally, Pidgeotto swooped low and perched on a high branch. He flapped his wings once, twice, then motioned for me to follow. I crouched, nodding toward Ivysaur. He understood the cue immediately, slinking forward, parting the thick ferns and brambles with his vines. We moved like shadows, slipping through the foliage until we reached a hidden cave.

I paused, eyes scanning the entrance. No sign of the Pikachu. Nothing but the faint hum of insects and the occasional chirp of a faraway Pidgey.

We waited in silence for five minutes, ten minutes—nothing. I bit the inside of my cheek and then called Pidgeotto back to my shoulder. "Are you sure it's here?" I asked, voice low.

Pidgeotto nodded once, his sharp gaze never leaving the entrance of the cave.

"How many Pikachu?" I pressed.

He tilted his head, feathers rustling.

"One Pikachu?" He shook his head.

"Five?" Another shake.

I raised an eyebrow. "More than ten? Including the poisoned one?"

This time, he nodded.

My heart skipped a beat. Ten Pikachu, all in one place. The sheer thought of them unleashing a synchronized Thunder Shock sent adrenaline surging through my veins. This was it. I could feel it—a chance to catch more than just one, a chance to gain some real power.

I was about to give the order, my lips parting to speak when a voice—loud, shrill, and unmistakably irritating—echoed through the forest.

"Punit! Hey, Punit! Where are you?"

My heart dropped.

Alisha.

Her voice rang out again, calling every thirty seconds, as if she thought I'd just materialize in front of her if she shouted loud enough. 

I clenched my jaw. Of course, she'd ruin this too. Without a second thought, I sprinted toward her voice, Pidgeotto flying overhead and Ivysaur racing beside me. After a few minutes, I saw her—back turned to me, kneeling in the tall grass, rustling through it like she'd lost her keys or something.

I couldn't help myself.

Moving quickly, I snuck up behind her, clamped my hand over her mouth, and wrapped my arm around her waist, lifting her clear off the ground like some deranged kidnapper. She flailed, her muffled screams barely audible as she kicked and thrashed in my grip.

Her Squirtle, Splash, sprang forward, eyes wide, but when he recognized me, the little turtle hesitated. Smart move, for once.

I dragged Alisha behind the bushes, her feet still kicking in the air. Finally, I set her down but kept my hand over her mouth, locking eyes with her. They were wide, scared, and on the verge of tears. Great.

Then my hand brushed against her chest. Just a graze, really, but it was enough to make her eyes snap even wider, brimming with shock. She looked like she was about to burst into tears any second now.

Thinking fast, I fumbled through my sling bag and yanked out a sandwich, shoving it toward her. "Don't cry. Just… eat," I muttered, thrusting the sandwich in her face.

She blinked, stunned, her expression frozen between terror and confusion. For a second, she stopped struggling, eyeing the sandwich like it had appeared from nowhere.

She pulled it away from her mouth, but before she could scream—or worse, yell some childish insult—my hand moved to cover her mouth again. That's when it happened.

Splash slammed into my back with the force of a freaking truck, knocking me forward. I lost my footing, stumbled, and the next thing I knew—I was on top of Alisha, my body pinning hers to the ground.

Our faces inches apart.

And my lips—against hers.

The world froze.

For a second, neither of us moved. Her wide, shocked eyes locked onto mine, and I swear mine were just as wide. My mind raced, but my body wouldn't move. My chest pressed against hers, heart hammering against my ribcage as the reality of what had just happened sank in.

It was like time itself had stopped. 

Then it hit me. My lips were still on hers.

I shot up so fast I nearly tripped over myself, stumbling backward. "That… that was an accident!" I sputtered, my face flushing as I pointed wildly at Splash, who was sitting there, looking innocent as ever. "It was him! I swear it wasn't me!"

Alisha sat there, mouth slightly open, cheeks flushed red, eyes still wide in disbelief. Her hand slowly moved to her lips, as if checking to see if the kiss had really happened.

I groaned internally. This was bad. Really bad.

Before I could say anything else, she finally moved, sitting up slowly, the sandwich in her lap forgotten. Her eyes narrowed, but a smile—a dangerous, mischievous smile—crept onto her lips.

"Well, well, Punit," she said, voice low, teasing. "Didn't know you were so forward."

I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out. My mind raced, trying to come up with something—anything—to explain myself. But all I could do was stare, caught in the aftermath of one incredibly awkward mistake.

And then she laughed. That infuriating, playful laugh that told me she was never letting this go.

"Oh, this is going to be fun," she grinned, brushing the dirt off her clothes and standing up. "You better be ready, Punit. I won't forget this."

I groaned, running a hand through my hair as I watched her walk away, her Squirtle waddling after her.

Great. Just great.

The Pikachu was forgotten. For now.