章 103: Chapter 103: Plans and Kimonos

The restaurant had that upper-class polish to it—soft lighting, pristine tablecloths, and waiters who moved like shadows between tables. Erin and I sat on the second floor, a perfect vantage point to watch outside below without getting swept up in the noise. I adjusted my black jacket, glancing over the balcony, waiting for our food.

The waiter came by, silent but attentive. "Green Bean Mushroom Pie," I ordered, leaning back in my chair, letting my voice carry a relaxed tone. "Do you want to add anything?"

Erin's hazel eyes flicked to me, her expression as calm as ever. "No," she replied, voice soft but sure.

I shrugged, my fingers drumming lightly on the table. "Tomorrow night is the main event. Do you have a kimono for that?"

She tilted her head slightly, that blank expression of hers almost comical. I sighed, leaning forward just a bit. "You know what a kimono is, right?"

Erin blinked once. "Yes."

"And do we wear matching kimonos?" she asked, her tone still calm, almost like she was asking about the weather.

"We'll buy them tomorrow morning," I replied, more amused than annoyed. "For now, let's just focus on eating—the parade's about to start."

The waiter returned, placing the Green Bean Mushroom Pie between us. The smell was rich, earthy, with just the right amount of herbs. Erin picked up her fork without hesitation, and I watched her for a moment before digging in myself.

I cut a piece, the fork slipping through the buttery crust easily. "After this, we'll head to the Pokémon Center. I need to heal my team."

Erin nodded silently, taking a small bite. She had a way of doing that—communicating without really saying much. It could be unnerving if I wasn't used to it by now. After a few bites, I wiped my mouth with the napkin and then, without thinking, reached over to clean a stray crumb from the corner of her lips.

She froze, her eyes wide with shock, while I chuckled under my breath.

"Dumbfounded already?" I teased, tossing the napkin aside. I threw a few Pokédollars on the table, more than enough to cover the meal, and stood up, offering my arm to her. Erin blinked again, then slipped her arm through mine without a word.

As we walked toward the elevator, the restaurant buzzed around us—other patrons, waiters gliding by. In the elevator, we stood side by side, silent but comfortable in it. A few people glanced our way, probably curious why a ten-year-old boy was acting like he owned the place, but I paid them no mind. I had bigger things to focus on.

The Pokémon Center was packed, as usual. Trainers lined up, their Pokémon resting beside them, some chatting excitedly about their battles. Erin, however, tensed up the moment we stepped inside. I felt her fingers grip my sleeve tighter as she eyed the Pokémon warily.

She pressed herself closer, her arms wrapping around me in a tight hug. I glanced down at her, noticing how rigid she'd gone.

"Go sit over there," I said, my voice calm. I pointed to an empty chair on the far side of the room, well away from the Pokémon milling about. "You'll be safe there. I'll handle this."

Erin hesitated for just a second before she slipped away, finding the chair and sitting with her knees pulled up, her eyes still darting around the room like a cornered Rattata.

I moved to the line, keeping an eye on her out of the corner of my eye. It wasn't long before my turn came.

"Hey," Nurse Joy greeted me with a polite smile. "I didn't catch your name last time. What is it?"

"Punit Setia," I replied. "The girl with me—Erin Oak. She's my girlfriend."

Nurse Joy raised an eyebrow. "Oak? As in Professor Oak?"

I nodded, handing over my Pokéballs. "We trained a bit after our last visit. I want to heal them again."

She took them without another word, her hands moving deftly as she started the healing process. After a few minutes, she handed them back, and I turned to head back to Erin.

Except something was wrong.

I spotted her slumped in the chair, unconscious, with a girl trainer crouched beside her, trying to wake her up.

My heart skipped a beat. I rushed over, kneeling next to her. "What happened?"

The girl trainer looked up at me, panicked. "I was just sitting down with my Pidgeot, and she suddenly fainted. I didn't mean—"

I cut her off with a shake of my head, already understanding. "It's not your fault. She's terrified of Pokémon. Any Pokémon. She'll be fine after a while."

The girl hesitated, guilt etched on her face. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," I muttered, brushing a lock of hair from Erin's face. "Just give us a minute."

Before I could say more, Erin's eyes fluttered open, and she spoke in that eerily calm voice of hers. "Punit, carry me. I want to go back to the hotel."

I sighed, slipping my arms under her, lifting her up with ease. "Alright, let's get out of here."

The girl trainer stepped aside, watching us with a mix of curiosity and confusion. But I didn't care. Erin needed rest, and I wasn't about to let some over-excited Pokémon make her condition worse.

We left the Pokémon Center, the noise fading behind us as we walked back toward the hotel. Erin's head rested against my shoulder, her breathing soft and steady now.