ılı.lıllılı.ıllı.

ᴺᵒʷ ᵖˡᵃʸᶦⁿᵍ; [ Love Me Not by Bao the Whale ]

1:07 ——◦———— -3:00

↠ⁿᵉˣᵗ ˢᵒⁿᵍ ↺ ʳᵉᵖᵉᵃᵗ ⊜ ᵖᵃᵘˢᵉ

———

-Gladion's POV-

Even as the rain drenched me, the chilling water droplets weren't enough to cool my burning face. Heat rose in my cheeks and stubbornly left a blush in its wake.

She had asked me on a date and even went as far as to give me flowers.

There had to be something wrong with that girl. Who'd want, in their right mind, to ask me out? What in the world did she think she was doing?

But more importantly... Why was I so ashamed? It wasn't like I'd lost a match sort of embarrassment, but rather, one filled the pit of my stomach with dread, like I did something wrong. If I had accepted... wait. What am I saying? I have no time for this.

Before the rain subsided, I still challenged all trainers whose eyes met mine. I won each battle, pushing Null to the limits, until finally, we were forced to take a brief break. It was nighttime, when I glanced up at the moonlight sky, sprinkled with bright stars.

Still, the fact remains that I have to get stronger, not fuss over a girl who's been following me like a lost Rockruff.

- - - The next day - - -

A waft of something flowery washes over me as I jog down the street flanked by Null. We were going for our morning run in front of Hano Grand Resort, and of course, I raced alongside him, to enhance my speed along with his. Nothing stops the daily run, but for some reason or another, something increasingly floral wafted in the usually still air.

I turn and follow the heavenly scent of someone dancing in the middle of the street to no music while reading a book, a smile of pure joy visible on her face. Her (h/c) hair twirled around her as she spun in circles, on rollerblades too.

As she skated by, I recognized her stunningly bright, (e/c) eyes almost instantly. It was (Y/N).

Without meaning to, I suddenly blushed at the sight of her. She looked so happy... When was the last time I felt that way?

Her gorgeous (h/l) hair whipped behind her as she picked up speed, then abruptly launched into the air, arms raised to the sky. When she safely landed on the pavement, she spoke, "What d'you think?" At first, I thought she was speaking to me, but then she turned to the Trial Captain of Melemele Island's Verdant Cavern. Ilima. "Good enough to earn the approval of the 'Prince of the Trainers' School'? Be honest."

The tan-skinned, pink-haired guy nods enthusiastically, charming, soft gray eyes shimmering with awe and respect. Those two were close, huh?

"I'll admit, I was watching you." Ilima chuckles, adjusting his left hand's half glove. "I've never been quite so brilliant at multitasking myself, and yet, still the children on Route 1 continue to proclaim me their hero."

"Must be nice, though." (Y/N) says, beaming and tucking her book away after marking the page with a small (f/c) note card.

So, it wasn't just me that she shared that irresistible smile with. I guess it makes sense, with her being just about the nicest person in the region. No, scratch that. The whole world. If she dared to continually confront me without any ulterior motives... it's something I won't so easily forget.

But... She hasn't spoken to me all day, which is a first.

Is it possible that she's moved on? I pushed her away for so long... has (Y/N) finally given up on approaching me, for whatever bizarre purpose she'd found? And now, she was pursuing another talented trainer from an entirely different island.

I whipped around, surprising my partner, Null, with a sour face. Stalking in the opposite direction of the happy-go-lucky girl behind me, I gradually pick up momentum and begin racing to the motel that I've rented out for the longest time.

Once I loudly slam the rickety door behind me, I drop face-first onto the striped sheets. When I lift my face, I see Null nudging a transparent glass vase toward me from where it sits on my desk. The jar was filled with crystal clear water, and the bundle of brightly-colored and eye-catching blossoms that she handed to me the other day sat where I cautiously placed them. I stared at the flowers she gave me and sluggishly sat up on the bed, heat rising on my cheeks.

It doesn't matter if she stays or leaves me all alone. I've always managed before.

So why does this crushing weight drag my shoulders down and bring water to the rims of my eyes? "Can't you just get out of my mind?" I grumble, head in hand as her cheerful, delighted grin burns into memories. And her crest-fallen expression the last time we spoke was equally seared into the recollection stronger than them all.

I had really messed up this time.

———

Word count: 853