Chapter 30: Camping and Johto Stories

The sun dipped low behind the trees, casting long, jagged shadows across the Viridian Forest. A fiery orange sky blazed above, the day's last light flickering through the canopy. I glanced at my watch—7 p.m. 

"We should camp here and continue tomorrow," I said, voice steady.

Alisha, walking just behind me, flashed a grin. "Aye aye, Captain."

I ignored her usual banter, scanning the area. The clearing looked safe enough—no signs of hostile wild Pokémon lurking about. With a quick motion, I shrugged off my sleek black sling bag and pulled out the Luxor Pavilion – VIP Camp Tent. It was top of the line, naturally. The automatic folding system whirred, the tent springing to life. Within seconds, it stood proudly before us, like something out of a futuristic catalog.

Alisha raised an eyebrow. "Are you a platinum member of the Trainer Market Association or something?"

"Yes," I replied without embellishment, stepping inside the tent as the automatic door slid open. I gestured for her to follow, and she did with a curious smile tugging at her lips.

Once inside, I motioned to the plush living room area. "Sit."

Alisha collapsed into a chair, arms stretched lazily behind her head, while I set up the folding dining table and chairs. Heading over to the fridge, I grabbed two bottles of cold water, tossing one to her without looking back.

She caught it, as usual, a smirk curling her lips. "You're rich."

"You could say that," I answered, taking a long drink. The cool water slid down my throat, refreshing after the long day of trekking. 

She leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. "So… are you going to kiss me now?"

I met her gaze without flinching. "Tell me about yourself. Why do you act like this?"

The question caught her off guard—her smirk faltered, her teasing demeanor fading for a second. But Alisha was quick, always quick. She recovered, her voice taking on that familiar playful tone. "So, you want to know about your future wife, huh?"

"You can think whatever you want," I said, tone steady as ever. "But if you want to travel or stay with me, it's necessary."

Alisha let out an exaggerated sigh, the playful mask slipping for a moment. "I grew up in New Bark Town, Johto. My love for Pokémon started young." She hesitated, as if weighing her words. "I spent most of my days exploring the forests around the village, catching glimpses of wild Pokémon and dreaming of becoming a trainer. My older brother left on his journey when I was five—he's the reason I started."

I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you're from Johto?"

She narrowed her eyes, voice teasing again. "What, don't like Johto girls?"

I waved off her bait, urging her to continue. She rolled her eyes, but pressed on. "At ten, I got my first Pokémon, Squirtle, from Professor Elm. After that, I left for Kanto. The goal's simple: collect all the Gym Badges, become a Pokémon Master." She grinned, a familiar spark lighting up her face. "And maybe marry you along the way."

I ignored the comment, keeping my gaze on her. "Why do you act like this around me? Am I special, or would you act this way with anyone?"

For the first time, her playful mask cracked. "You are special."

Her voice lowered, her posture shifting. "You know what Professor Elm said about me?"

I shrugged. "How would I know?"

She smirked, the tension easing a bit. "He said I'm bright, bubbly, and playful. I love teasing people for fun, love being the center of attention, but when it comes to battles, I'm serious. Dead serious." Her tone sharpened, and for a moment, I could feel the intensity of her words. "I never lose focus. I'm fiercely loyal to my friends and my Pokémon."

Her eyes locked onto mine, unwavering. "And I like flirting. It's just who I am, not some deep thing."

I leaned back, crossing my arms. "Well, we'll see."

She chuckled, but there was a vulnerability there now—something unspoken. The banter between us had become a game, but tonight, for the first time, it felt like we were edging into something real.

"So," she said, the tension evaporating with a shrug. "Tell me about you, husband."

"There's not much to tell," I said quietly. "I'm an orphan. My parents were Pokémon Trainers. They never came back."

Her teasing demeanor was gone now. She nodded, solemn. "So, we're the same."

"You could say that." I stood up, the weight of the conversation pressing down. "Let's eat."

I motioned toward the resting zone I'd set up for the Pokémon. "Release your Pokémon. There's food, space, and an alarm system if any wild ones try to get in."

She nodded, releasing her team—Splash the Squirtle, Jolteon, Vaporeon, Butterfree, and Pikachu. I followed suit, releasing Ivysaur, Pidgeotto, and my recently caught Pikachu. The Pokémon settled in together, a quiet camaraderie between them. They knew the drill by now.

I rummaged through my pack. "Veg or meat?"

"Whatever my Punit eats," she quipped.

I didn't bother with a reply, pulling out two Instant Heat Meals. After a few minutes, the meals were ready—hearty beef stew with carrots and potatoes, alongside a soft roll. We ate in silence, the quiet of the forest surrounding us.

Once finished, I pointed to the sleeping quarters. "There are six beds. If you want Splash to sleep with you, that's fine."

She nodded, stretching as she headed toward her corner of the tent. I retreated to my own space, drawing the curtains shut. The exhaustion from the day weighed heavy on me, but before sleep could claim me, I checked Ivysaur's stats. It was nearing evolution—just a little more training and it would be ready.

Satisfied, I lay back on the mattress, the cool air from the tent's temperature control lulling me. As my eyes drifted shut, one last thought flickered in my mind—whatever tomorrow brought, I'd be ready. 

But Alisha… she was an enigma I wasn't sure I wanted to solve.