I'm not a Trainer

XX: Together again

VAPOREON

Something is worrying me, though, that can be said pretty much for everybody now. The radiant orange glow of the sun casts its ray inside our house. Our furs reflect much of their beauty, and the sun is close to setting as time passes. This is also right after the Trainer decided to go out alone. He mentioned he's not going to the gym but instead heading up the hill to clear his mind. He left in a hurry. It seems like something is really disturbing his mind.

I hope he will be normal once the night is over, but I know it's not that easy. Espeon has always been our main lead when it comes to reading the mood. A gifted esper is what everybody thought of her, so it's normal for her to be able to do such a thing. However, there is something that Espeon can do; I can do better. I've always neglected this "Ability" of mine to the point where I had forgotten about them.

It just doesn't feel right to do.

Since becoming a Vaporeon, I've always tried to keep the mood happy. This persona I've developed isn't something I do out of the blue. It's because... I hated it when I sensed that someone was feeling sorrow.

Vaporeon's Pokédex entry: Vaporeon detects nearby moisture with its fin. When its fin begin trembling rapidly, that means rain will fall in a few hours.

I'm susceptible to humidity, and the slightest change can alter my actions. Initially, I thought it was only limited to the weather until I realized that I had sensed the Trainer shed a tear right before my eyes.

It was when I accidentally cut my forehead during one of my training.

I still remember how he reacted. He panicked and immediately tried grabbing anything inside the house that could treat my wounds quickly. Of course, I just sat still while he treated my wound. I often chatted with him as a sign that I was fine, trying to put away his worries and mentioning it was technically my fault for pushing myself too much, even through rough fatigue.

During the entire duration of our spending time together, he showcased nothing but a smile. He laughed with me, petted my fins, scratched my back and told me to stay cautious. Getting treated like that by the Trainer, I was happy, so I thought he would be as well.

But the moment he left me, the smile on my face that I carved for him disappeared. I sensed a flow of water. It was warm, and it flowed like an endless river. It was the flow of the tears of someone who was devastated. I couldn't vividly remember what had happened to me, but I subconsciously dropped a tear. It was as if the water talked to me, telling me about him, about how much he despises himself.

That was the first time I'd felt such a way.

Compared to Espeon, who excels more in reading emotions, I can only do something similar, albeit it's limited only to sorrow. I'm confident, however, that I can do it better than Espeon.

It's also one of the reasons why I feel worried. When Trainer announced he would stay above the hill, I could sense him holding his misery. That's also why he left in a hurry. One more push, and he would probably break into tears. It got me on edge, and I didn't know what to do. He went there alone to sort through his thoughts, but I doubt he can manage it alone.

I tried fending off my feeling by forcing myself to sleep on the couch, but I couldn't. It just keeps getting stronger.

It is until I hear two of my allies arguing near the front door. The living room and the main door are pretty close, and I could easily listen to their words from behind the couch.

'I'm telling you, Espeon, bring us with you. We can help.'

'I... I can't. I need to ask him about something, and I would prefer it if you don't hear it.'