Month 5-2: May of Ordinance (first part)
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I randomly thought of what might've happened if Nori and Sofie were at the other Gym.
- There would be not much to say about school. He'd have friends there, not sure what.
- Alicia would attend the same school, wouldn't be in his friend circle. He would theoretically be closest to her due to being the same age, but she could be dismissive. She'd develop a crush on him and express it in the worst way. He'd find out from Candice, even though she's more his type (she wouldn't come between them even if she likes him too). Definite RomCom elements here. And drama.
- Kimmy would be similar to his dynamic with Maylene: a young girl who looks up to him. Minus the precocious crush.
- Firuz would in turn be one who Nori primarily looks up to himself, which in turn does a lot for Firuz's confidence.
- Nori would ship Flint+Hinata. He would get along fine with her, maybe sometimes come to her for advice with Alicia. As her divorce goes along, he'd encourage the relationship after.
- It would take some time for Tai Ying to accept him, because it can't all be nice. I'd use him to flesh out the Mitsutri Shrine.
- The March meeting would still happen with Nori roadtripping to Sunyshore. Not sure how I'd play that.
- Nori would accompany Flint to Galar. This might make him move by his "I don't want to catch anything" issue he has.
- I would still find a way to {SPOILER}
Sofie at Sunyshore would also go well. She'd fit right in with them, but there'd be friction when she wants to hook up with Eddie and/or Tono or Kallisto, and none of them accept her. Still, they wouldn't stop her, and Kallisto's criticisms would be something she'd listen do and do her a lot of good.
In short, things would've turned out better. But the way things are have the potential to be even better. Adversity brings growth.
- There would be not much to say about school. He'd have friends there, not sure what.
- Alicia would attend the same school, wouldn't be in his friend circle. He would theoretically be closest to her due to being the same age, but she could be dismissive. She'd develop a crush on him and express it in the worst way. He'd find out from Candice, even though she's more his type (she wouldn't come between them even if she likes him too). Definite RomCom elements here. And drama.
- Kimmy would be similar to his dynamic with Maylene: a young girl who looks up to him. Minus the precocious crush.
- Firuz would in turn be one who Nori primarily looks up to himself, which in turn does a lot for Firuz's confidence.
- Nori would ship Flint+Hinata. He would get along fine with her, maybe sometimes come to her for advice with Alicia. As her divorce goes along, he'd encourage the relationship after.
- It would take some time for Tai Ying to accept him, because it can't all be nice. I'd use him to flesh out the Mitsutri Shrine.
- The March meeting would still happen with Nori roadtripping to Sunyshore. Not sure how I'd play that.
- Nori would accompany Flint to Galar. This might make him move by his "I don't want to catch anything" issue he has.
- I would still find a way to {SPOILER}
Sofie at Sunyshore would also go well. She'd fit right in with them, but there'd be friction when she wants to hook up with Eddie and/or Tono or Kallisto, and none of them accept her. Still, they wouldn't stop her, and Kallisto's criticisms would be something she'd listen do and do her a lot of good.
In short, things would've turned out better. But the way things are have the potential to be even better. Adversity brings growth.
One final aside before moving onto "Act" 3: Alicia in the previous Gaidens is actually sort of a canon character! She's a Gym Trainer in Candice's Gym, and indeed - has a Tentacruel. And actually, she's the third DPP Gym Trainer to show up or get mentioned, but first in a more notable role.
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Month 5: May of Ordinance (first part)
May 14th, 2015
Nori involuntarily stepped back as Volkner lowly snickered like an evil overlord. It was more than a little unnerving. "What's so funny?" he hesitantly asked, despite being a little afraid to get an answer. Did he say something stupid again?
Volkner flashed a wicked grin. "What you said just now," he explained. "Reminds me of myself."
Nori tilted his head. He said he wanted to crush Tono and rub it in his face. "Against Flint?"
The Gym Leader nodded to confirm this. "He's always been better than me at everything. Except battling. That's the one thing I can hold over him."
The boy understood what Volkner was getting at here. "Just like how Kallisto's better than me at everything. Except I don't know if I can hold anything over him."
"Your integrity," came the quick reply.
"Maybe. But I'm curious," Nori said, briefly changing the subject. "What's with you and Flint?"
"You've seen him. He talks too much. He goes on about stuff, like how to improve my life, or bragging a lot. Know it's not on purpose. He's always...kinda...been an all right friend I guess. But he still pisses me off sometimes..."
"So you shut him up by challenging him to battles?"
"Exactly."
"I did that once before when training the Demon, when this youth protest group was mad at me. Or well, tried to."
"Hate can be a good motivator. Just don't let it blind you."
Nori absolutely hated Kallisto and his friends. Losing Lux was bad enough. But losing Betsy-Ann, just because they were paranoid? He was sick and tired of this. He'd already shut up Eddie and earned his respect, so if he could crush Tono too, even better! Even if it didn't change anything, it'd feel good at the very least!
Volkner stretched, pulling up a chair and motioning for Nori to sit at his workbench with him. The boy commandeered a scrap of paper and a pencil.
"All right. First thing. Know your enemy," he started out. "Tono's Jolteon favors fighting at range and staying out of harm's way with high speed, augmenting it with Agility and paralysis to gain an even greater advantage. Its moves include Thunderbolt, Pin Missile, Hyper Voice, and Shadow Ball. It's weaker, but not defenseless at close range, and can use Double Kick, Thunder Fang, and Iron Tail."
He jotted this down. "Okay, okay. What else?"
"Tono is unafraid to use moves in creative ways. For example, spreading Pin Missile to use as a trap, or combining Electric moves with Agility."
"Mhm! What else? What else?"
The Gym Leader paused, tapping the table. "You're fighting an uphill battle. He managed to defeat Kallisto."
Nori nearly dropped the pencil. "What?!" he gasped, leaning over with both hands. "How?! I didn't know about this!"
"It was a private battle, last December. After hours on exhibition day, last day the Gym was open that year. Stayed between the three of us. Until now. One-on-one. Raitora vs. Jolteon." Volkner leaned back. "He'd taught his Jolteon Reflect. He had a concise plan for dealing with Raitora and countering Kallisto's go-tos. Kallisto adapted, but it was close. They both did brilliant combos at the end. He called his Thunderous Iron Tail. Raitora fell. Jolteon was more hurt, but held on long enough to get called the winner."
Tono defeated the super invincible Kallisto?! That was insane! He'd never come close to beating him, and the supposed third-strongest in the Gym pulled it off?! What the hell was he dealing with here?
"He had a concise plan for dealing with Raitora. And he'll do the same for the Demon."
"Randomly curious, how did Kallisto take the loss?" asked Nori.
"He took it fine. He thanked Tono for the battle, and exposing some of his weaknesses."
Ugh, so much for the thought of him getting humbled, even if it was by a friend and just between them and Volkner. "So should I throw him off by using Pachi instead?"
"Hm." Volkner gave this some thought, yet shook his head. "No. It's a good idea, but Pachi isn't experienced enough. Furthermore, your own Electric moves will be useless."
That must mean his Jolteon had an ability like Volt Absorb. "So don't try Shock Wave either, got it. So what should I do?"
"Let me think." Volkner shut his eyes. After a minute, he nodded and opened them. "See three options for you."
"Okay, what are they?"
"One, evolve the Demon."
"How?" he countered. She was ultra experienced and hadn't changed yet, so he wasn't sure how she was supposed to evolve. "And won't a new body throw her off if it's sudden like it should be so he can't plan for it ahead of time?"
"I was just stating it for completionist's sake. Impressed you realized that about evolution, however." Well, yes. That just seemed logical. If his body suddenly changed on him, it'd take him a while to get used to it. "Second option, change your strategy."
"There's only so much the Demon can do." She wasn't good at ranged moves herself, and they didn't have time to master another TM. It'd taken them this long to get Shock Wave down pat.
"There's ways. Leading into option three, your best bet." Nori gripped the pencil tightly to get this down as Volkner said a single word, "Attrition."
"Attrition?" he repeated.
"His Jolteon is faster than the Demon. It's a match in power, and that Reflect can give it comparable toughness. He's uh, also smarter." Volkner scratched his cheek. "No offense. But you're angrier. And the Demon has more staying power. The longer the fight goes on, the more it's in your favor."
Huh, attrition. He got what Volkner was saying. He heard a few boxing matches on the radio, where the winner beat the loser by...well. They called it dragging them into the deep end, but that's not a metaphor he wanted to think about. But the point was, they outlasted their opponent. Could he and the Demon do the same?
"Any other weaknesses?" he asked.
Volkner simply looked. "Besides Ground?"
"Oh, right." That was obvious. "But it won't be easy to land Earth Power."
"Reflect won't help them there."
"Hm." It was a special attack, and Reflect only guarded against physical ones. Maybe if they were to catch it off-guard...
"As a species, Jolteon have weak defenses. Trainers of them rely on having them avoid attacks, rather than enduring them. He'll most likely open with Reflect, and use Light Clay to ensure it lasts longer."
"Tono likes those items, doesn't he?" Even Kallisto didn't regularly make as much use of them as he did. "Maybe I should use one too. What would you recommend?"
"A simple Cheri Berry."
"That's the one that heals paralysis if eaten, right?" He was certain it was, but wanted to double-check.
"Along with its relative, the Przcure. You can conceal it and have her eat it at the right moment. He's going to try to paralyze the Demon. Make sure you delay that happening for as long as you can."
Exactly how he was thinking to use it. "Okay. Try to outlast him, use a berry to heal paralysis to surprise him, try to land Earth Power, and go crazy once Reflect's down. What else?"
"Keep up with his strategies, counter them as best you can, and change your own routine up a bit." Volkner smiled. "I think you have a good chance at this if you do those things."
"I can try, but..." But he still wasn't sure. Tono beat freaking Kallisto! Could he really keep up with and counter those kinds of strategies?!
"Above all, remember. This is brawn versus brains," assured Volkner. "It does not mean you have to strictly rely on brawn. And Tono's biggest weakness as a trainer is that he can overrely on strategy."
"Wait, that's a thing?" Strategy was a huge part of Pokemon. Even he knew that! And Volkner was saying it was possible to have too much of it?
Volkner confirmed. "It's a trap a lot of seasoned trainers fall into. To reach the very top, you can't neglect power. It's just as important, if not moreso. You already get that."
"My cynicism and fighting Kallisto beat that into my head," Nori sheepishly replied. He thought he had to toughen his Pokemon up to even come close to that kind of level. With Volkner putting it that way, he felt maybe there was hope of winning after all. Tono relied on strategy too much. So if he could nullify that...or maybe defy his expectations...
"We'll do a bit of practice sparring in a little while." Volkner looked up and whistled. "Galvantula," Nori glanced and recoiled at sight of the electric spider on the roof above. He wasn't afraid of bugs, but seeing it right over his head was startling. "Your style's the closest, so you can help. And we'll practice with Luxray later, since he has a similar body style."
"Right!" The Gym was even closed for the day, so they wouldn't have to worry about any of them coming in and watching! "I'll feed her and Pachi and let them know, then we'll get to it!" He clapped his hands and turned to leave.
"One more thing," Volkner called out to him. "Tono is being challenged for the position of captain of his school's battling team tomorrow. He's been training all month for it. It'll give you a chance to see how he performs at his best."
He paused and turned around. "I heard, it's tomorrow afternoon during class. I'm not sure if I can watch it."
"You're in the news club. You can."
"I know, they're going." He shook his head. "But everyone but Arumi and this other guy hates me now, and probably wouldn't want me there."
Volkner smirked. "She's all the support you need."
---
Three of the Gym Trainers of Sunyshore were going for an afternoon drive to nowhere in particular. It was highly unusual to be doing so on a non-holiday; their job was one you had to commit to. There were no days off when it came to training Pokemon for a living. Even though this wasn't the first time the Gym had been unexpectedly closed for the day, this was the first time any of them had been told to not come in at all. Worse, the absence of one of their number was hanging over them.
"Still can't believe Eddie left like that!" Ollie was the first to bring it up. "Do you think he's gonna quit?"
Kallisto shook his head. "No, he'll be back." The only reason, at least Kallisto was hoping, was that he wanted to avoid being grouped in with them. The head Gym Trainer didn't doubt he'd be blamed anyway, at least by Nori for not stopping them.
"Volkner said the Gym's closed for the day, too!" squawked Ollie. "I mean, can't blame'em, but still!"
"One of the staff had to be let go, for sensitive reasons," Kallisto said. "If it were anyone but Volkner, the Gym might be closed even longer."
Ollie leaned back. "Glad it's over, at least."
Tono agreed. "Yes, I am glad your crusade has ended."
Such was Kallisto's surprise that he nearly slammed on the breaks and pulled over. He glanced at his best friend through the rear-view, eyes wide. "Tono?" he asked, holding things together enough to keep driving. "Did you not want to do this?"
"Since you are asking, I was indifferent towards the issue at best. But I chose to support you as your friend." He pushed up his glasses. "It took time out of my training that I rather it would not have. For me, as I have stated, the rest of today will be preparing for tomorrow."
That was a huge relief. He wouldn't know what he would've done if even his best friend didn't have his back on this one. "I need to take my mind off this, too. Mind if I join you?"
"Yes, let's go."
"Guess I'll come too..." Ollie agreed. "And yeah, also glad this is done."
There was nothing else. Kallisto took the next left and started off towards Tono's home. As he sat at a red light, self-doubts started to seep in.
This wasn't over as his friends thought it was. Nori was going to make sure of that. Was this not the right thing to do? Kallisto didn't think it was wrong either. If he was right and he didn't act, that would've been even worse than acting when he shouldn't have. You can never be too careful, and yet you can't act recklessly either. Maybe this was one of those things where there was no right answer.
Yet it was what he did. And he was fully willing to accept the consequences of his actions.
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May 15th, 2015
To Nori's relief, Volkner's assertation turned out to be correct. Regardless of his actions yesterday or prior, Nori simply asked Arumi if he could attend with the rest of the club. She said the more the merrier, which got Mr. Rekted to agree to it. He would have to make up the work he missed in his afternoon class, but this was nothing new to Nori.
Halfway through lunch, they met up in the video production room. After some prep, it was off to the senior school to watch the battle. Arumi led the way, or more specifically, was running ahead of everyone. The teacher was in behind. Gino and Lorant were carrying most of the equipment, with Nori taking what remained. The others only had little things on their person.
He spoke up. "So–"
"Save it," a bitter Beau interrupted. "You are here to learn, so be quiet and listen."
Gino looked as if he wanted to cross his arms, if not for holding a boom and camera. "That's uncalled for, Beau."
She turned her head. "Perhaps, but I would rather not speak with him."
"Same to you!" Nori fired back.
The teacher peered back. "Is there a problem?"
"It's nothing," he waved off. Exactly as he thought, the others were barely tolerating him. Well, except for two. Arumi and Yuki. He glanced back at the frowning strawberry blond boy trailing behind. He smiled, slowing his pace to walk alongside him.
They gradually fell further behind the group. After about a minute, Yuki finally spoke. "Sorry, Nori..."
"It's okay," he assured him. "I get it."
"No, I mean, about what happened."
"Oh."
He couldn't blame Yuki if he didn't want to openly speak in his support. Arumi could get away with it because of who she is, but Yuki? A whole different story. This must've been what Lux was feeling about him, Nori thought. Not everyone could get away with associating with someone hated.
"Kallisto really stepped over the line there," the strawberry blond boy remarked.
"He did."
After a moment's thought, Yuki quietly remarked. "So it is true...everything you said about him."
"Unfortunately."
It took another long pause for him to process this. "I know Kallisto isn't a bad person. I know he wouldn't do things like that for a good reason, but..."
As he trailed off, Nori cut in. "No buts, not this time. He was assuming things, and he may have ruined Betsy-Ann's life because of it. And I know at least some of this goes back to not wanting me to get with someone before he does."
"Well, um, did you...like her?"
Nori shook his head. "Not like that, no."
"So...do you have anyone you like?"
"Not yet." Well, Claris, but that was in the past. This was a weird change of subject, but anything to get away from talking about Kallisto. After some consideration, he returned the question. "What about you?"
"Well," Yuki pressed his fingers together, blushing slightly. "There is one person I've had my eye on for a while..."
"Really? Who?"
He smiled. "It's a secret."
"Well, I guess not everyone's like Arumi." He stole a glance at her; she was nearly in the building at this point. "Sure she'd shout her love for Sato from the roof if she got the chance."
"Well, I'll tell you someday," he said with a soft giggle.
"When you're ready?" he asked, getting a nod. That'd make the second person he'd be a wingman for. But whoever Yuki liked, he'd be there to support him through it.
"Thanks, Nori," Yuki blurted.
He tilted his head. "What for?"
"For being you."
"Oh, um, no problem." Nori rubbed his head, flustered by the sudden praise. "And thank you for being a good friend."
"I wish I could be more of one..." he thought he heard Yuki mumble under his breath.
"Well, do you want to hang out when we can?"
After some initial surprise, Yuki grinned. "Yes! I'd love that!" he said with delight. "I'd ask if you want to hang out today, but know you're going to be busy training the next little while."
"Yeah, so after the 20th."
"You wanted to come to watch Tono at his best, right?"
He laughed. "Saw right through me, huh?"
"It's fine! I really wanted to watch this battle, too!"
Nori could only smile at this. That picked his mood up a lot! It was great knowing he really did have a friend in Yuki! He could tell right away that this was going to make things a lot easier for him.
---
Just as being in a middle school was different from elementary, a high school was very different from middle school. They walked into a wide hallway where many students were congregating. There were two stairways up to the second floor of the three-storey building. The offices were in an open space to the left, and hallways leading to classrooms were on the right and directly ahead.
"Wow, so this is the high school!" Yuki marveled aloud.
"Sure is!" Arumi confirmed. "It's where my darling Sato goes to!"
The strawberry blond boy pumped a fist. "I wanna go look around!"
"And I want to go see Sato!"
"Settle down, you two," Beau the killjoy said. "We are here on club business, after all."
Arumi smirked. "Sato should be where we're going, shouldn't he?"
"Just remember not to smother him too hard," Nori reminded her.
"Oh! Right!" She'd forgotten?!
Gino checked his watch. "Mr. Rekted's already gone on ahead. We should get moving ourselves."
"Actually," said Nori, moving a little closer to Yuki. They'd talked about doing something together on the way here. "We were thinking of going to find the competitors to see if we could get a pre-battle interview with them."
Beau shook her head. "Interviews are more traditionally done after the battle. Furthermore, do you even know how to conduct an interview?"
He winked and snapped his fingers. "I learned from the best!" He flashed a grin at Arumi.
She cheered. "Atta boy, Nor'!"
Exasperated, Beau lowered her hand into a hand. "And how, pray tell, are you going to find them?"
"We'll just wing it!" he affirmed.
"Ugh." She used both hands this time.
"Leave'em be, Beau." To his relief, Gino took their side in this. "The video production room's straight ahead down that hall. You can't miss it. Just be back before the warning bell, all right?"
"We will!" said Yuki.
"Gotcha." Nori passed the stuff he was carrying to Beau, who begrudgingly accepted. He had a notepad and pencil in his pocket.
As the others set off, Yuki shuffled a little closer to him with a happy beam. "So we're doing this, just you and me, Nori!"
"Mhm." He couldn't think of anyone else he'd rather be doing this with. Even Arumi, who'd probably be too overwhelming with her technique. It was a chance to learn, get some practical experience, and maybe get some extra insight into Tono as a trainer for the 20th. Not to mention, a chance to get to know Yuki a little more. "Let's get to work."
"Yes, let's!" The strawberry blond boy's head darted around in excitement. "So where should we start looking for Tono?" he asked, as they started to walk.
Nori considered this. "If I had to guess, he's either getting some last minute practice in or browsing the internet somewhere. Or he's with Kallisto and Ollie."
"Maybe." Yuki's eyes caught something and he pointed. "Wait, that's them!"
Whoa, that easy?! No, unfortunately, it was simply Kallisto and Ollie hanging out behind the stairwell together. Still, maybe the next best people to run into here. The two Gym Trainers waved as they approached.
"Nori!" greeted Kallisto. "And a friend of yours?"
Yuki's arms fell slack. It was a good thing he wasn't holding anything. "K-Kallisto Keravnos!"
The orange and pink haired teenager laughed. "That's me!"
"I-i-i-it's s-so good to meet y-y-you!" He bowed and bowed, and anxiously stuck out a quivering hand. "I'm Y-Y-Y-Yuki! Yuki Omi!"
"Yuki." His friend jumped as he gently pulled him away. "Give the guy his space."
"A...ah," Yuki sputtered nervously until Nori took his hand off. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine, Nori. I'm used to this." And with this, Kallisto snatched Yuki's hand and gave it a firm shake. His friend was left starstruck.
"What're you doing here, man!?" Ollie inquired.
Nori saluted, miming one of Arumi's poses. "We're here on behalf of the news club."
"Oh yeah, the understudy thing," Kallisto understood what they were talking about. He rubbed the nape of his neck. "It's not just the two of you today, is it?"
"There's others," Norl clarified. "We're just striking out on our own for a bit."
Yuki grinned, putting an arm around Nori and holding him by the shoulder. "The two of us are looking to get an interview with Tono before the battle!"
"And Haruna."
"Right, and Haruna," repeated Yuki, as if it slipped his mind or he didn't care. "Do you know where they are?"
Kallisto nodded. He glanced up at the ceiling, tapping a foot. "Well, I couldn't tell you where Okazaki is. As for Tono, go upstairs that way." He gestured to one of the sets of steps. "Hang a right, then the first left down the hall. Keep going until you come to an open area. He's probably in the office off to the side."
"He has an office here?" Nori inquired.
Ollie and Kallisto chuckled at his question. Even Yuki laughed with them. Come on, he thought! It was a legitimate question! "No, he's just allowed to use it," Kallisto clarified. "Actually, want me to show you the way in case you get lost?"
Yuki beamed, placing his palms together. "Yes!"
"No, it's fine," the boy disagreed. "I think I can follow that. I'm good when it comes to finding these things! Did it all the time as a kid."
Mercifully, Kallisto accepted his request. For once. "All right. Good luck."
"Thank you!" Yuki again bowed politely. At least he was also fine with doing this without help.
"You're quite welcome. See you soon." He went back to talking with Ollie as they got on their way.
As they went up the stairs, Yuki couldn't help but gush. "I can't believe I got to talk with Kallisto!"
Nori glared at him. Friend or not, that was still annoying. Maybe it was a little unfair, but seeing someone talk about Kallisto that way always bothered him. Moreso if they knew what Kallisto was really like!
Yuki picked up on his disdain. "Oh. I'm sorry, Nori. I know what he did, but still, he's Kallisto Keravnos! I still really respect him! And I know he's done some bad things to you, but he wasn't doing it out of malice or because he hates you."
Unfortunately, true. Everything Kallisto did was some sort of accident or with good intentions, at least from his perspective. And it wasn't out of hostility - at least, he hoped not. He didn't want to think about Kallisto being openly against him.
"Besides," Yuki again put a hand on him. "That doesn't erase his talent or all the good things he's done!"
Nori yanked away. "And all the good doesn't erase the bad."
Yuki sighed. "I guess not," he conceded. "Sorry, I just can't hate him like you do."
He closed his eyes. "I get it. Can we at least not talk about him?"
His friend accepted this. "Okay. For you, Nori."
"Thanks." He smiled back at his friend. He wasn't going to let something petty like this come between them. "Let's go get that interview."
"Yes, let's. You and me together, Nori."
---
Before long, Nori and Yuki came to what appeared to be the place. The end of the hallway in question opened up into a hexagonal area that led into three classrooms. And the office in was just off into a tiny hallway to the right, a dead-end if not for the emergency door.
"Nice and quiet over here..." mused Yuki.
"Yeah, it is. Reminds me of where I used to eat lunch with my friend Lux back in elementary." He totally got why Tono might want to hang out over here. He found himself trying to find similar places in middle school, with no luck.
Yuki checked around. "Is that what Kallisto was talking about?" he asked, gesturing to the office.
"Let's find out." He marched up and knocked. "Tono!" he called out, peering through the window. "Are you in–what the frick!?"
Nori nearly fell over as he stumbled away from the grotesque sight on the monitor. "What's wrong?" asked Yuki, looking inside as well. "Yikes!" He had roughly the same reaction. The door flew open seconds later.
"Do you not know how to give someone their privacy?" an enraged Tono barked.
"You weren't looking at that in a very private spot!" Nori fired back. "And what the hell was with that guy and weird Lopunny?!" It had boy and girl parts! And he thought Rashid was weird with those magazines with Cynthia naked in them!
"I'm surprised the internet filters let you do that..." Yuki nervously remarked.
"They do not. I hacked them to allow it." The nerd crossed his arms. "Now. What are you doing here, what do you want, and why is she with you?"
Nori sneered. "Why are you asking that many questions?! I have a lot myself! And what do you mean she?!"
He turned around and got at least one answer, finding a teenaged girl with fiery orange hair and equally ablaze blue eyes. She was in what Nori could only describe as a battle gown: a dark green dress tied at the waist, with frills on the bottom, neck line, and arms. It had a vague military feel to it, giving a powerful yet flashy vibe.
"I thought I'd find him if I tailed you two," she replied. "Ohoho, this is rich."
"Haruna..." Yuki whispered, both intimidated by and in awe of her presence.
"What about you?" Tono demanded. "And what's with the ridiculous outfit? Are you battling me today, or competing in a contest?"
Haruna chuckle dripped with derision. "For as smart as you claim to be, you don't understand simple style and grace."
Tono lowered his gaze, fiercely glaring at his opponent and rival. "Hmph. It's a waste of time."
"But to answer? I thought I'd come by and talk before the battle. And I walk in on you playing with your other Seviper."
The nerd glared. "Don't act as if you haven't ever pleasured yourself. The only difference is, I willingly do so, and no one will touch you."
"Hmph." Haruna turned cold. Did Tono hit on the mark? "Maybe if you weren't so busy pleasing Kallisto, you could've," she retaliated. And, she may have known why Tono rejected her?
"Hmph. This is why 2D is better."
Whereas Yuki appeared overwhelmed by these two trainers exchanging barbs, Nori was more stunned at Tono's attitude. Usually he was so formal, and here he was talking more like Eddie would.
"Well," he jumped in, not so much to mediate as to get down to business. "It's a good thing you're here, Haruna. We were hoping to get an interview with both of you beforehand."
The Gym Trainer scoffed. "What, are you taking after Ms. Overcompensation now?!"
"Yes," he replied without a shred of irony.
"Pft," went Tono, followed by yet another harrumph. He started walking off. "A foolish waste. My results will speak for themselves."
Nori jotted that down. "Foolish waste, results will speak for themselves," he repeated under his breath. "Got it, thanks." Wasn't much, but it was something at least. That said, he hoped Tono ate those words.
"What about after?" Yuki called out to the departing Gym Trainer.
"We shall see." Tono did not even look back.
That just left Haruna. "How about you?" Nori asked her. "You want to give us an interview, or a statement like he just did?"
The fiery-haired teen laughed. "But of course," she agreed.
He turned to Yuki. "You have the tape recorder, right? It might be easier to use that and write it down after."
"Right here!" The strawberry blond took it out of his front right pocket and passed it to Nori. He in turn handed his fellow news club member the pencil and notepad.
"Good! Let's start!" He switched the device on and started speaking. "Hello, Gama Junior! I'm Nori Carino, here with Yuki Omi, to bring you an exclusive interview with one of the competitors in today's battle to determine the captain of Gama Senior's battling team!"
He got funny looks from both Yuki and Haruna. Hey! He may as well, in case they ended up doing an audio version!
"So!" Nori declared. "Let's start off with an introduction!"
The fiery orange-haired teen chuckled. "I'll play along, sure. My name's Haruna Okazaki. Eighteen years old, born and raised in Sunyshore. People call me the Empress of Gama Senior."
"Interesting!" quipped Yuki. "Compare that to Tono's title, ‘The Shocking Genius,’ being self-given!"
"What are some of the ways you've been preparing for this battle?" asked Nori.
"I know a lot of people in the tournament have been getting ready for it since before it started. Me? I've been getting ready since last year for this very moment. Golden Week, I was at it all day, every waking hour. Practicing at Mynwest Court, the Fight Pits, random guys on the street, you name it. When I wasn't practicing, I was plotting strategy in my head. I always knew it was going to come down to me and Tono in the end. I'm ready for anything he throws at me, and have a few surprises that he'd better be ready for."
Yuki jumped in with a question. "Any insight to your strategy?" the strawberry blond asked.
Haruna simply chuckled. "Now that's one thing I can agree with him on. Sit back and enjoy the show today."
Nori had a different question. It had been on his mind for a while, and now was the chance to get it from the source in an official capacity. "Can you tell us some of the personal history between you and Tono?"
"Wait, no!" protested Yuki, "We can't ask her that!"
"Nah, I'm fine with it," she said, not upset by it. "It's true. Some of this goes back to tenth grade. Yes, I thought he was hot. A scrawny little nerd with a tough side." She unabashedly declared her tastes for the record. "Asked him out, and he rejected me. It was how he did it that got me. Called me quote unquote, ‘a domineering bitch who no man would want.’ You believe that?"
"No." Nori couldn't. He could see him rejecting her, just not with those words. Again, it seemed out of character for Tono. but maybe he didn't know him as well as he figured.
Yuki nudged him. "Can we even print that?" he pondered.
"We'll ask." Maybe they could simply censor out the word. He turned back to Haruna. "So your rivalry is a personal thing stemming from that incident?"
She waved a hand. "Oh, I'm long since over that. Our rivalry really began last year, when Kallisto Keravnos stepped back from the club and Tono got chosen as the successor." Haruna's lips scrunched up. "He didn't earn that, he had it handed to him. I have nothing but respect for Kallisto, but as for Tono? He wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for his best friend."
"But Tono won whenever you challenged him, didn't he?" Yuki protested, with a hint of anger. "He won against everyone!"
"Make no mistake," she said. "Tono Takuma is an excellent trainer, and he managed to keep hold of his spot last year no matter what came his way. But that ends today. I'm going to become the captain for Gama Memorial Senior, and lead our team to their third consecutive victory in the nationals! And that's something you can believe in."
Haruna took this moment to walk off, informally concluding the interview. As good a note as any to end on, Nori figured. "Good luck out there!" he said, after switching off the tape. She waved without looking back and disappeared down the hallway.
Nori glanced up at a clock on the wall, seeing it was around eight minutes before the warning bell. "Well, we should get moving too. Don't want to be late, or the others will yell at us about it."
"Oh! Uh, y-yes." Yuki said, as if he was momentarily distracted by something. Even though there seemed to be nothing else here besides them. "Let's go, Nori." His arm flinched as they set out.
Nori wasn't sure what to expect out of Haruna. He thought she'd be harsh and serious, but certainly didn't think she'd be a little showy. All the more reason to cheer for her in today's battle.
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