Pokemon Regression

Chapter 37: Blue is Better

I thought carefully about what Blue had been trying to say after he left. 

I'd always thought of myself as the weakest battler in any given room. I had a few tricks to help me gain the upper hand and turn things around, but not enough to make me truly strong.

But that didn't seem to be the way that Blue viewed things. 

From his point of view, I was genuinely strong. I probably gave off that impression because of the experience I had from my last life, but to the others around me... Talent was the only reasonable explanation for my sudden battle skill. 

Well, it was true that I intended from the very start of my second life to stand on the same stage as people like Blue and Red, but I'd assumed that I'd do so by leveraging every trick I'd ever come up with. The idea that I would ever have the capacity to rival them through legitimate strength seemed almost laughable. 

But Blue believes I can.

As I was considering how I felt about that nugget of information, the young black-haired girl who'd been travelling with me for some time now sat down by my side, gently rubbing her gloved hand over my cheek.

"Hh-." I inhaled sharply in response to the sting of the bruise. 

Are you alright? The silver eyes of my companion asked compassionately. I watched as her pupils flittered back between meeting my own gaze and checking the bruise repeatedly. 

"I'm alright Chee." I answer softly, pulling her hand away from my cheek. "Thank you for checking on me."

Chee puffed her cheeks out with indignation. Honestly that Blue! How dare he punch you like that! Next time, I won't let him get away with that!

I couldn't help but chuckle at that response combined with her cheeks, filled to the brim just like a Lickilicky trying to hide it's tongue. 

"Thanks Chee." I smiled, placing a hand on her head and rubbing it gently. "But you don't have to force yourself. I can tell that you don't handle it well when Blue gets angry..."

Her gaze fell as I said that. That's... Different. Her hands curled into fists in her lap. 

I dusted off my pants and stood back up, turning my attention back to Yeller. "For now... I'm going to finish training for the day, then we'll head back."

...

Despite training for most of the day, I found that Yeller's level still didn't increase. As I returned to the Pokemon Centre, I continued to hear Blue's words ringing in my ears. 

"Ruin your growth for all I care."

...Does he know I'm struggling to raise Yeller's level at the moment?

I felt a tap on my shoulder as I struggled with my thoughts, and returned my attention to the girl in front of me. I'm heading up to our room. 

"...Alright. I'll catch up with you in a minute. I want to talk to someone."

The young girl puffed up her cheeks and put her hands on her hips, giving me a disapproving glance. Young man, you're not planning to get into any more fights, are you?

"Pfft-" I couldn't completely suppress the urge to chuckle. "No mother, I shan't get into any more fights, I promise."

Chee gave me a cheerful smile as the air left her cheeks. Good to hear it! I'll see you later~ And with a spring in her step, she leapt all the way up the stairs in a single hop and skipped out of sight. 

Looks like she's back to normal. I smiled to myself for a moment, before shaking away the thoughts. Carefully, I found a secluded seat in the Foyer and sat down, giving Yeller a small pat as the rodent curled up in seat beside me to wait.