Chapter 100: Healing Pokémon and Raichu

The morning air at Maiden's Peak clung with a sharp bite as I made my way towards the Pokémon Center, my sneakers crunching lightly over the gravel road. Erin trailed behind, arms wrapped around my Raichu like he was some stuffed animal. He nuzzled her cheek, looking almost too smug for a Pokémon who'd already eaten enough for a week.

"I'm hungry," Erin said, her voice calm, almost detached.

"We'll heal the Pokémon first. Didn't we have breakfast already?" I replied, my tone as even as the rhythm of my steps. I glanced over my shoulder at her and then at Raichu. "Why do I feel like 𝘩𝘦'𝘴 the hungry one?"

Raichu leapt out of her arms and into mine, guilty eyes wide. He burrowed into my neck, his tiny paws clutching my jacket like a toddler seeking forgiveness.

I patted him on the back, smirking as I caught Erin's blush. "Don't be too soft on him," I said, my tone light, but firm. "He'll turn into a ball of fur if you keep this up."

Raichu gave me a half-hearted look, as if to say, 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴?

As we reached the Pokémon Center, the automatic doors whooshed open, the smell of antiseptic and polished metal greeting us. I set Raichu down on the counter, pretending not to notice his dramatic flop as he tried to act like he was half-asleep already. Beside him, I placed the rest of my Pokéballs, their metallic sheen catching the morning light.

Erin walked up beside me, her two Pokéballs held gently in her palm. She handed them over with a faint smile.

"Nurse Joy," I said with a casual wave, "can you heal our Pokémon? And maybe check on this little fatty here."

Raichu snapped his head up, glaring at me before dramatically pretending to sob. He jumped into my arms again, his fake tears soaking into my shirt as he rubbed his face against my chest.

"Alright, alright," I chuckled, patting his head. "You're not fat. We'll train later, happy?"

He nodded, bouncing from my arms onto Nurse Joy's desk with newfound energy, prancing over like nothing had happened. Joy smiled at him, giving me a knowing look.

"You've got a great bond with him. Is he your first Pokémon?" she asked, her hands already moving through the motions of healing the others.

"No, he's my third," I said, leaning casually against the counter. "I've got a good bond with all of them. The only difference is Raichu's not too big for me to carry around anymore."

She chuckled softly, giving Raichu an affectionate pat before gathering the Pokéballs. "You can take a seat and wait. It'll only be a few minutes."

Erin and I made our way to a small table with two chairs in the corner of the center. She moved like she always did—quiet, calm, almost too controlled. I headed for the vending machine, feeding it some Pokédollars and grabbing two cold drinks. I slid one across the table towards her as I sat down.

"The parade's in the evening," I said, cracking open my can. "We've got some time to kill. Anything you want to do before then?"

Erin's eyes softened, but her tone remained as serene as ever. "No. I just want to stay with you."

She stood abruptly, the chair scraping lightly against the floor. "I'm going to call my grandfather. If he sees you in the video, he'll be angry again." Her words were blunt, but I could tell she was looking out for me in her own way.

I shrugged, taking a long sip of my drink. "Fine. I'll be here."

She was gone for about an hour. When she finally returned, her expression was the same, but her eyes hinted at something brewing beneath the surface.

"What did he say?" I asked.

"He wants to talk to you later. About us. And your Master Ball."

I nodded. "We'll deal with him later. Right now, I've got something else in mind."

Erin tilted her head slightly, her hands resting on the table. "What?"

"I'm going to teach my Pokémon a few moves I came up with. Ultimate ones. I'll need some space, though—probably near the forest." I paused, letting the moment hang in the air. "You want to come with me or stay at the hotel?"

"I'll stay with you," she said quietly, her unwavering calm like a constant undercurrent.

Just then, Nurse Joy motioned us over. My Raichu, as lively as ever, hopped back into my arms, his laughter like static in the air. I grabbed my Pokéballs while Erin collected hers.

"Thanks, Nurse Joy," I said, turning to leave.

She smiled warmly. "It's my job. And your Raichu is delightful. Such a jolly little thing."

Raichu wiggled happily in my arms, the corners of my lips tugging into a small smile despite myself. I headed for the doors, Erin walking by my side, silent but steady.

We stepped out into the sunlight, the forest looming in the distance.