After finishing their battle with Tapu Koko, Satoshi headed back with Uika in peace.
To be honest, his battle addiction was flaring up again—but with Uika already running on fumes, Satoshi chose to play it safe and return with her, settling himself back down.
The fight with Tapu Koko had been more than satisfying. Even with the gap in strength being absurd, just getting a glimpse of that peak level was reward enough.
And time-wise, it was already close to sunset—perfect to head back and grab dinner.
"If you're really tired, want me to carry you on my back for a bit?" Satoshi held Uika's hand, matching his pace to hers as much as he could.
The path here was rough, and she'd nearly tripped earlier—so they were walking hand in hand.
"Huh? No." Uika shook her head.
If Saki finds out, I'll absolutely die!
Right now, Uika had no intention of fighting Togawa Sakiko over a guy. At most, what she felt for Satoshi was a vague, ambiguous flutter—still at the "friends" stage, nowhere near lovers. Between her and Satoshi, it was just childhood-friend friendship.
Stealing a man was something Uika had never planned to do!
I'll never betray Saki! And I definitely won't fall for Satoshi!
After thinking it through, Uika steeled herself. The corner of her mouth lifted into a confident curve as she squeezed Satoshi's hand lightly.
It feels really nice… one more squeeze, then another… mm, three more.
Oh no… I think I'm getting hooked!
Her cheeks warmed. Without meaning to, she stroked and squeezed a few more times, then completely gave up.
Whatever. As long as Saki doesn't find out, it's fine.
She definitely won't mind!
Sakiko: I mind!
Satoshi didn't pay any attention to her hand-squeezing. His mind was entirely on the future.
He'd come to Alola with his first goal being a battle with Tapu Koko—only to clear it with ridiculous ease.
Which meant there were roughly two things left to do: the Grand Trial on Poni Island, and a fifth teammate.
That teammate had to be able to fly!
In Alola, with its natural EcoDome-like environments, there were an absurd number of Pokémon you could catch.
For example: on Ula'ula Island, there were traces of a little Solgaleo—Metagross appearing, and traces of a Garchomp that couldn't use Dragon Dance. Extremely rare, but not impossible. In fact, in an EcoDome you basically never saw late-blooming Pokémon.
Coming here to catch new Pokémon—and to meet even more Pokémon—was what mattered most.
They emerged from the forest and returned together to the hotel they were staying at.
"So you're at the Tide Song Hotel too. I thought you'd be at Hano Grand Resort."
Only then did Satoshi realize Uika was staying at the same hotel.
"Mm. I had my reasons."
I can't say it's because I'm accommodating Saki being poor, so we're not going to Hano Grand Resort!
Misumi Uika knew Togawa Sakiko definitely hadn't told Satoshi she'd left the Togawa family, so she used that phrasing on purpose to hide the truth.
Uika had only found out a few days ago about Saki's overworked wage-slave life—and she'd also learned that Saki hadn't told Satoshi.
Not wanting the person you like to worry. Wanting to stand beside them through your own strength.
So Uika, with her gentle maiden heart, truly wasn't going to steal a man.
Probably… maybe… surely…
"Anyway, Satoshi, I still have things to do, so I'll go first." After gently letting go of his tightly held hand, Uika studied Satoshi with those violet eyes, then gave a small wave.
"Yeah. See you tomorrow."
At that, Uika spun around and ran off.
If I stay any longer, Saki will find out—then it'll be a shuraba!
Time to activate my Ability—Run Away!
"Why does it feel like she still has plenty of stamina…?" Satoshi tilted his head, confused.
[Maybe she was taking the chance to enjoy your body, Satocchi~ Nng… I want that too.]
"No way. More importantly, dinner comes first."
Satoshi pulled out his phone. He could already see countless messages—most of them from Soyo.
Text-bombing was something he'd basically gotten used to by now.
Most of the reminders were dinner invitations.
Which meant…
It was time for Snorlax to make its entrance!
I eat eat eat!
...
That night, after dinner, Satoshi returned to the room. Anon was watching videos from a beauty blogger—Yuutenji Nyamu.
And the ultra intense girl Soyo was carefully observing Satoshi.
Satoshi cheated!
Soyo's nose twitched as she sniffed the air, desire and urgency flickering in her gaze.
There was a really strong scent of another girl.
It was coming from Satoshi's clothes. Based on Soyo's judgment, the two of them had definitely had some kind of contact.
As his girlfriend, Soyo absolutely could not forgive this!
As for when they started dating—she only needed Soyo's unilateral approval.
If anyone objected—say, Chihaya Anon—she'd just have Hydreigon beat her up!
She could only say she'd let her guard down. Soyo truly hadn't expected that even in Alola, Satoshi would still be out there flirting.
Maybe Satoshi was a succubus.
No choice, then. Tomorrow, she'd tail Satoshi to Poni Island—make sure no other woman got close to him.
With that ironclad belief, Soyo made her decision.
I'll protect my boyfriend myself!
Unfortunately, Satoshi was currently chatting away with that "other woman."
After dinner, Uika had sent quite a few messages, and Satoshi replied to each one.
They talked about a lot—like their upcoming itinerary.
Uika had already achieved her goal in Alola by battling Tapu Koko, so what she wanted now was the Island Challenge. During the chat, she also "accidentally" asked which island Satoshi planned to challenge next.
This absolutely doesn't mean I'm interested in Satoshi.
Saki definitely won't mind.
After learning that Satoshi's target "just so happened" to be the same as hers—the strongest, Poni Island—Uika immediately invited him.
[Uika]:See you on Poni Island tomorrow!~ Let's go challenge the Totem Pokémon, Kommo-o, together!
[Satoshi]:Mm.
[Satocchi, this woman is definitely into you.]
Childhood-friend feelings, okay?
Low-EQ Furiko—Satoshi didn't take it seriously at all.
[Nng~ Why won't you believe my EQ is higher than yours?]
"Satoshi~"
"Hm? What is it?"
At that moment, Anon's cheeks were tinted red like sunset, shy feelings spilling out of her.
"I'm going to take a bath… Satoshi, can you leave the room for a bit?"
Her voice carried a different sort of temptation—soft, faintly nervous, lashes trembling.
In short: I'm going on the offensive. I'm going to tempt Satoshi!
Watch closely, Soyo!
This is how a normal girl courts the boy she likes!
Not whatever nympho nonsense you're doing!
Hearing that, Satoshi immediately stood and left.
"Sure. I'll go to Tomori's room."
"Huh?" Anon stared at his retreating back, stunned.
Where's my charm? You can't even hesitate a little?
I knew you'd leave~~ but are you saying I, the legendary weakest in MYGO—Chihaya Anon—have zero charm at all?
With Satoshi being the only boy around, Anon had been doubting her appeal more and more. That was why she'd done this—only for it to completely fail!
Do I have to kiss him before he notices?!
In an instant, Anon's lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, shimmering with shy, captivating light.
Kissing him and posting it to social media was… honestly tempting for someone vain like Anon.
But that was still too early for high schoolers!
Still…
Anon failed to notice that Soyo's expression was steadily turning ugly.
"Anon, you chased him out—so what am I supposed to do? I really was planning to seduce him!"
I'm going to take you out, Chihaya Anon~
Bam bam, two punches!
In that moment, Nagasaki Soyo was already ready to swing.
Soyo… we're still high schoolers. That's a bit much.
Anon got a headache instantly.
Soyo might be even more down bad than I thought!
Help! My rival is a nympho—how am I supposed to fight this?!
...
So tomorrow is my date with Satoshi?
Uika set down her phone and lay back on the bed, content.
"Uika, did you run into Tapu Koko today?"
Beside her, Sakiko was looking up information about Poni Island. She brought it up casually—after all, battling Tapu Koko was the reason Uika had come, and Sakiko did care.
Hearing that, Uika's lips curved, a gentle smile surfacing.
"No. I didn't run into anything today."
I can't let Saki find out.