More Than Rivals Pokémon SWSH Hop x reader

Part 4: Our first gym challenge.

I woke up to see an excited Hop, he seemed a lot more happier than I was yesterday.

"(y/n)! Come on, let's go!"
Hop said.

"Alright, alright I'm going."
I slightly smiled.

Hop grabbed my arm, it caught me by surprise a little knowing I grab his arm a lot more than he does to me. As kids for some reason to not get lost or for Hop to slow down with me he'd start to hold my hand.

It was a pretty odd choice, but it did help him slow down at chances he was being too quick and running up ahead.

Still, we've grown so holding hands for us now would seem a lot weird.

We both arrived at the gym, however one of us had to go first instead of the both of us. Hop decided to let me go first so he can see my victory and cheer me on. Or maybe it was a ladies first case.

I put my uniform on, feeling some nervous tension rise up in me. I began trembling a little for I was about to be live streamed and seen across the world while fighting against the first gym leader, Milo.

I felt Hop place both his arms on my shoulder, he looked at me with a serious face and said

"Good luck (y/n)."

I nodded, feeling a lot better from Hop's words of encouragement.

Before the actual gym challenge were to start, I was assigned to finish a small little fun course. A gym challenge. This was all new to me but I managed to pass through it all.

In the end I got to pet all the Wooloo's and the little Yamper that Milo has trained. This reminded me a lot of Hop's Wooloo who had been with him since he was a baby. Hop really loved his Wooloo.

I eventually went to the main course being the gym battle. I felt a little nervous but with Hop's encouragement I believed in myself a lot more now.

I began to defeat Milo's Pokémon one by one until one was left.

I had to defeat a gigantic Pokémon, sort of like Leon's battles where he'd dynamaxed his Charizard.

I had to dynamax my Pokémon to and with that I had finally defeated Milo. We both smiled and shook hands as people had cheered for me.

I've never felt that happy, but this was only the first gym and there'd be more to come to.

Once I left and won the gym challenge I saw Hop sitting out there and waiting for me.

"Hop....!"
I said excitedly.

Hop looked over at me.

I ran up to Hop and hugged him, all this happiness from winning my first gym badge had gotten to me.

I felt Hop hug me back.

"Good job (y/n)! I was watching you back then! You were really cool!"
Hop said.

I let go of Hop and gave him a high five.

"Thanks Hop, I really appreciate it. I wouldn't have done well without your support."
I smiled.

"It was nothing... I'm just glad you did well. Looks like I'm up next."
Hop smiled.

"Do you want me to wait for you?"
I asked.

Hop put his hand on my shoulder.

"Nah, go on your own. We can meet each other again after I win this battle. Meet me in Hulbury."
Hop said.

I nodded, agreeing that I'd meet Hop at Hulbury.

I left the gym, clenching my very first gym badge in my hand. I placed it in a safe soft alongside where I'd store all my gym badges.

"Come on Sobble, let's go."
I smiled.

Sobble and I headed towards Hulbury. It was a long walk from Route 5 all the way to Hulbury. As I noticed, people around Hulbury started to notice me. They kept talking about me beating Milo at the gym and some even cheering me on.

I smiled a little, I didn't really know winning gets you this popular.

I saw someone push the crowd away a little as he stepped in front of me.

"You...! You have a lot of nerves acting so cocky!"
Bede pointed at me.

I looked at him with confusion.

"When you.... Beat me in a battle in that mine....! You have any idea how embarrassed you made me feel??? Not only that, you shamed me then and there!"
Bede began rambling on.

I saw someone pat Bede on his shoulder, a man. He smiled and walked over.

"You must be (y/n) correct?"
The man smiled.

I nodded.

Everyone began to whisper about the man being some sort of rich man. I didn't recognize the man for a bit until I realized who he was.

I remembered the fight with Leon before, the man known as Chairman Rose. This guy was famous, everyone loved him.

"Mr. Chairman....!"
I bowed.

"No need to bow, I've heard about you from champion Leon."
Chairman Rose laughed a little.

"R-Really....??"
I questioned.

"Yeah, would you like to have dinner with me and my assistant? I'd like to talk to you."
Chairman Rose said.

"Of course....!!"
I nodded.

"Great, I'll set up things for tomorrow then. Hope to see you then."
Chairman Rose.

My heart was racing, I felt like talking to him even more would have killed me by now.

If only Hop were here, what would he say?

-Hop's pov-

After finally doing so, I earned my first gym badge. I shook hands with Milo but something stopped me from going to Hulbury. Milo had asked me to hang out with him for a bit to do some stuff.

"The way you beat me back there showed how determined you were. It was like you were fighting for someone."
Milo smiled.

My eyes widened.

"F-Fighting for someone...??!"
I blushed.

"Yea! Whenever I fought in Pokémon battles I'd think about my family back home and my Pokémon!"
Milo laughed.

"The look on your face from when you fought showed how much you think of this person. If you do get the chance, tell them how much ya love them and appreciate them."
Milo said.

The person I was thinking about was (y/n), she's a lot special to me too.

But I don't think I want to say anything about my feelings yet. So I'll wait until I think I'm worthy.