Operation Kindness: Gladion x Reader

Step 6 - Success at Last?

ılı.lıllılı.ıllı.

ᴺᵒʷ ᵖˡᵃʸᶦⁿᵍ; [ waiting for a sign by LilyPichu ]

0:55 ——◦———— -3:08

↠ⁿᵉˣᵗ ˢᵒⁿᵍ ↺ ʳᵉᵖᵉᵃᵗ ⊜ ᵖᵃᵘˢᵉ

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-Your POV-

My last and final strategy was something that just came to me the night after I was utterly rejected. Sure, he seemed so done with my existence, but I promised myself that this was the last one.

Be myself.

If he noticed me, not expecting anything from him anymore, maybe the ice barrier between us would start to break. Of course, I would have a little help.

Before I arrived on Akala Island, I was required to complete the trial on Melemele Island. The test there was created by a scholar named Ilima, who had many fans across the island and was known to be ready to help any challenger in any way he could. We had grown moderately close over my time there, and he currently owed me a favor since I repainted a whole bunch of the old gates in Hau'oli City for him while he was doing business as a Trial Captain.

According to Lillie, jealousy was the strongest force to push one off the edge and get the ball really rolling. How I would combine these two tactics would be the key to completing this operation of kindness.

Here's how Ilima would fit into my puzzle. While I had decided just to do what I'd regularly do for fun, Ilima would be there to praise me and to strike up a pleasant conversation. Hopefully, Lillie's deduction would prove correct, and Gladion would come to me for once.

As I strapped on my rollerblades, a widening smile crept onto my face as I let Rowlet flutter around me, then nestled into my backpack. I picked up the novel I was reading and began to skate down the street, whizzing past everyone while slowly turning the pages of my book, swiftly making my way to where I'd promised to meet up with Illima in front of the lavish and exquisite Hano Grand Hotel.

In the corner of my eye, I see Gladion jogging on the sidewalk across from me. Deciding to show off a little, I quickly jump into the air, giggling with pure glee.

When I land, I notice another pair of eyes watching me – other than Gladion. I turn with a smile and ask the Trial Captain of Melemele Island's Verdant Cavern, Ilima, "What d'you think?" I pause as the pink-haired male steps forward. "Good enough to earn the approval of the 'Prince of the Trainers' School'? Be honest."

Ilima nods enthusiastically, his charming, soft gray eyes shimmering with awe and respect. "I'll admit, I was watching you." Illima 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," I note, beaming and tucking my book away after marking the page with a small (f/c) note card.

He opened his mouth to say something, then stopped and said something else. "He's gone," Ilima states, blinking.

I whip around and catch Gladion dashing away with his partner hastily trying to keep up with his rushed pace. Before I could try to stop him, he was entirely out of sight. When I faced Ilima again, he merely shrugged in response. "I wonder what that was about... Do you think it worked?" I ask hesitantly, now worried that I'd finally gone too far as if asking him out yesterday wasn't an absolute failure.

"I can't tell for certain." Ilima mumbles, watching as I glance over my shoulder and wishing he'd return.

- - - Later - - -

"Here."

"Wha...?" I stare, pupils trembling as my eyes widen and watch as he lifts a bouquet.

"I won't repeat myself again. These are for you, in return for those that you gave me yesterday. That's it." Gladion's choppy blonde hair obscured his expression as he purposefully turned his head away from me.

He didn't turn, flowers in full bloom in addition to his flustered demeanor. My grin was goofy but never more genuine as I reached out to receive the rainbow of lovely blossoms. I was standing in the entrance frame of my flat – he had gone as far as to come over and knock on my door. But before I let the bundle fall into my grasp, his other hand snatched my wrist suddenly.

"What's the matter?" I ask as for once I can see his emerald eyes clearly.

Gladion examines the Rockium Z on my wrist with a deep, unmoving frown. "You've cleared the Grand Trial." He says, no hint of a question in his words. "Why are you still here in Akala? You should be challenging Ula'ula Island by now."

"It's because of you," I confess sheepishly, gently accepting the bouquet from his hands. "I'm here today for you, but don't worry, I'll be gone early tomorrow morning. I will be a bother to you for any longer."

He simply stares at me point blank, and several petals from the flowers fall to the ground below me, much to my disappointment. Then, after a moment, he speaks in a soft whisper. "You'll be gone...?"

I blink, and it takes a second to sink in. Scrutinizing his sudden alarm, I bite my lip and look away, eyes watering. I was unable to meet his eyes. "Yes, that's correct. I'm so sorry, Gladion." Then, after turning and shutting the door behind me, I let tears fall to the floor, bouquet shivering in my tight grasp.

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Word count: 929 words