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ch o3.
The Proposal

I was cleaning the counter where Team Rocket had indulged in their beverages when I felt the air stir around me. 

Looking up, the thing within my chest gave a jolt. There it was, the most beautiful pair of blue eyes, deeper than the ocean, proving the mystery of love. 

"Er—" I stammered, almost letting the tablecloth slip from my hand, but I managed to flimsily catch it before it hit the floor with a wet slop. Flashing her an awkward grin, I tossed it under the counter. "Can I help you with anything, ma'am?" 

The girl hesitated before she pushed a stray lock of her hair behind her ear and spoke in a tone as gentle as her smile. "Could I have a few minutes of your time, please?" 

My eyes widened, my heart skipping a beat. Behind her, Pikachu and Talonflame were snickering. Needless to say, Greninja might be an intensified mirror to the duo. Goodra, however, was watching with softened eyes. 

"Um, yeah, sure, ma'am." 

The girl smiled warmly, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "I'm Serena, and please don't address me as ma'am. That sounds really weird coming from you." 

I blinked. What was that supposed to mean?

The girl — Serena — seemed to have realized her blunder, for she hurriedly added, "Since you look my age... you know?" 

"Oh," I mumbled, face falling. You're just her barista, dude. Inhaling, I gave her a tight-lipped smile, despite my chest tightening. "Okay?" 

"I—" she started, fidgeting. I motioned for her to sit down when Goodra brought in the order from Professor Oak. 

"Excuse me for a moment. A Cubchoo Brew, coming up!" I announced, taking out the pitcher of settled cold brew and pouring some into a cup. Hawlucha added a mint leaf to the saucer and slid it to Goodra to deliver. 

As soon as the Professor gave a curt nod, I got back to Serena. "My apologies. What can I help you with?" I asked, confidence miraculously blooming in my voice. 

Serena tucked her hair back again and looked up. "I— I wish to book the house for Christmas Eve." 

Blinking at her, I considered the question. Christmas Eve, or any festival for that matter, was the growth time of my beverage sales. Not to mention the additional treats I would have to come up with. A total pain in the neck, if you'd ask me. 

"I'm ready to pay over Pokédollars!" she added, clasping her hands as if in prayer. Her eyes glimmered softly, tugging at my heartstrings. 

"Pika!" 

"Lonflame!" 

"Noi-Noibat-Noi!" 

I shot my Pokémon a sarcastic smile. They seemed to be egging her on, cheering for her to flash more of her Lillipup-eyes. 

"I— um," I stammered, looking at Hawlucha, who shrugged. My eyes wandered to the other two; Goodra smiled, while Greninja shook his head as if to say, You're in deep, and so am I.

With a resigned sigh, I voiced out, "I might have to consult my mom on that, if you don't mind. She's the accountant, you see." The girl nodded eagerly, and I reached into my pocket for my phone. Thankfully, Mom's number was on speed dial, and the call was connected duly. Spontaneously, Pikachu put the call on speaker. 

"Mom, we've got a customer for the full house on Christmas Eve—" 

Mom, being the businesswoman that she was, spoke on speakerphone before I could complete. "What’s the hold-up? Accept it!" 

The girl squealed, exchanging high-fives with Pikachu, Talonflame, and Noibat. I eyed them wearily before masking my expression with a well-practiced smile. I'll see to you guys later.

"That's great, thank you!" she exclaimed, clasping my hand in her mad rush. Heat rose to my face even though I tried to beat it down miserably. "Can I ask for one more thing?" 

Huh?

Gulping, I nodded. 

"Can you bake a customized cake?" 

This time, I did not hesitate. Blast the love at first sight off—I have no freaking knowledge of baking anything but holiday cookies. 

"My apologies," I said, eyeing our intertwined hands. The girl didn’t seem to have noticed it or was probably being a luvvy. Either way, it was driving me crazy. "But I've got no sincere clue as to how to bake cakes." 

The girl's face fell, and she withdrew, her hands resting on her chest. My stomach squirmed. One glance at my Pokémon, and it made me sick to the core. 

"Um, maybe," I started, pausing when Serena looked up sharply, her lips twitching. I bit my own, trying to find the right words and hoping that I wasn’t landing myself in a self-created mess. "I could... try?" 

"You will?!" she asked, the glimmer returning to her eyes. I gave her half a smile and nodded. 

"Oh my good gracious! You're so kind!" Her hands were back too, grasping mine and squeezing gently. My cheeks burned. "I know! I'm a decent baker, so why don't I teach you?" 

If it were possible, my eyes would have left their sockets. Was this an opportunity to bond with her or mess my business up? 

But of course, my mouth had a mind of its own. "Sure." 

"That's great!" Withdrawing for real this time, she slung her bag over her shoulder and handed me the right amount of cents for Cyndaquil Chocolate. "I'll meet you tonight here, if you don't mind!" 

"I don't mind, thanks." 

The girl gave one last warm smile before hopping away. My eyes softened at her retreating figure before I was jolted out of my daydream reveries by Pikachu's Thunder Shock. The electric mouse smirked, echoing his friends'. 

"This is all because of you," I mumbled, moodily swiping the counter. "And you are helping me with the cakes, so be prepared." 

Greninja's expression, although well-meant, was a sarcastic nod to Yeah, like we never do, but what cracked the wall of seriousness with my Pokémon was Noibat's innocent affirmation. 

"Noi-Noibat-Noi!"