Chapter 86: Discussion with Erin

The ballroom of the S.T. Anne buzzed with restless energy. Voices overlapped, hushed whispers rippling through the crowd as eyes flicked between me and Misty. The chandeliers above cast fractured light over the polished floor, making the space feel even smaller as anticipation built. I could feel the weight of their stares, their expectation, but I wasn't in the mood for a fight. Not now.

"I'll battle you later," I said, my voice cutting through the tension. Misty's brow furrowed, her arms crossing over her chest. She looked annoyed, and I couldn't blame her.

"You owe me a battle, Punit," she shot back, her voice laced with impatience.

"I know," I said with a nod, keeping my tone steady. "I just have some things to discuss with Erin first. It's important."

A low murmur ran through the crowd, dissatisfaction clear, but what could they do? I wasn't going to budge. Misty sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Fine. But don't think you're getting out of it," she warned before turning away.

I barely acknowledged the disgruntled audience as I scanned the room, spotting Erin in the corner. She stood there, cradling Raichu in her arms like a small child. The electric mouse sat quietly, nestled against her, its eyes drooping with an almost serene innocence. As I approached, Raichu stirred, hopping from her arms to mine. The weight of him was familiar, comforting, as he nestled into my chest, quickly falling asleep again.

"Let's go," I said, my voice quieter now. "We'll talk in my room."

Erin gave a calm nod, her expression unchanged as always. Together, we left the ballroom behind, the murmurs and glares of the crowd fading into the distance as we moved through the ship's polished hallways.

Inside my luxury cabin, Raichu settled himself onto the bed, his small body curling into the soft blankets as he drifted into a peaceful slumber. I took a seat in the armchair by the window, my back sinking into the cushion. Erin sat on the bed, her posture as composed as ever, legs crossed casually, hands resting in her lap.

"So," I began, relaxing into my seat, "what did they talk about?"

She stood up suddenly, crossing the room in that calm, deliberate way of hers. Without hesitation, she sat down in my lap, looping her arms around my neck. Her hazel eyes locked onto mine, her expression unreadable, and then, without a word, she kissed me.

It wasn't soft or tentative. Her lips pressed against mine with a surprising intensity, and for a moment, my mind stuttered. But I didn't pull away. I kissed her back, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, the steady rhythm of her breathing.

"They told me what you meant," she said when we finally pulled apart, her voice calm, as if we hadn't just crossed a line. "In detail."

"And what did you say?" I asked, my voice steady but curious.

Erin didn't hesitate. "I told them I didn't care. What matters to me is that you stay with me for as long as you can. I don't need anything else."

Her words hit me with an unexpected weight. She wasn't dramatic. She wasn't emotional. She was just… matter-of-fact, like she was discussing the weather.

"I don't mind when you leave," she continued, her voice still calm. "I'll wait for you. And if you want, one day, I'll marry you. But I don't mind if you marry someone else. It would hurt, but I'll deal with it."

She kissed me again, her lips soft but firm. I kissed her back, but my mind was racing, sorting through the weight of her words, her unwavering calm in the face of something that should've been messy.

"What about Alisha and Lucy?" I asked when we broke apart.

Erin's calm eyes didn't waver. "Alisha doesn't love you. I think she's just obsessed with the idea of you because you're nice to her. She doesn't have anyone else who's that kind to her."

I sighed, leaning my head back against the chair. "And Lucy?"

"She has a crush on you, but your last words crushed her heart." Erin's voice remained steady, like this was all just a simple observation. "She'll be fine. It's better this way. Lucy will get over it, and Alisha… she's decided not to marry you."

"Then why did she challenge me to a battle, saying if she wins, I have to marry her?"

"She's angry," Erin said with a shrug. "She told me that the next time you meet, you'll be rivals, nothing more. And Lucy… well, she'll be traveling with her."

I nodded, the tension in my chest easing, but not entirely. There was still too much to untangle, too many loose threads.

"So it's over then," I said, my voice low.

Erin nodded. "Yes."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "What about your grandfather? I'm pretty sure he'll want to skin me alive when he finds out about all this."

Erin's lips twitched in what might've been a smile—if I didn't know her better. "I'll protect you," she said, her voice as calm as ever.

And then, she kissed me again.