1. Ash's Story (Part 9: Alola)

Chapter 38: A Day Before Paradise

Hano Grand Resort looked like the kind of place that wanted everyone to forget difficult roads existed for a little while. White walls shone under the Akala sun, palm trees moved in soft wind, and the beach stretched beside the hotel like a bright ribbon of water and sand.

That made the day feel almost unfair, especially after everything Akala had asked from us. Faba's invitation to Hano Grand Resort waited ahead, and Aether Paradise waited beyond that. Lillie had already told me she would not go. I understood why, but understanding did not make the thought easier.

"We should spend the day together before then," Lillie said, looking toward the sea instead of the hotel doors.

"Yeah," I said. "No rushing into Faba's plans before we actually have to."

Pikachu chirped from my shoulder, and Dusk Lycanroc walked beside us with Midday and Midnight nearby. The three Lycanroc had settled after the green-flash evolution, but they still drew curious looks from people passing through the resort.

Selene stretched her arms with Brionne at her side. "A beach day before mysterious Aether business sounds better than worrying in a lobby."

Rosa adjusted her sunglasses. "I approve of any plan that includes not listening to Faba longer than necessary."

Nate opened his notebook. "That quote deserves preservation."

Trenor nodded toward the beach. "Then we make the time count."

That sounded simple, but it steadied me. We had been moving from trial to trial, from jungle to tunnel to ruins, and every victory had led to another warning. The Hano Grand Resort was beautiful enough to make the next road feel distant, but Aether's invitation still waited like a white ship on the horizon.

I decided not to let Faba steal this day before it even began. If tomorrow asked me to step away from Lillie, Nebby, and part of our group, then today would belong to them as much as I could make it.

We walked down to Hano Beach together. For a while, it really was just a beach day. Snowy and Brionne played where the waves thinned. Midday Lycanroc raced the tide and stopped perfectly before the water reached its paws, while Midnight Lycanroc pretended not to care and then splashed farther than anyone else.

Dusk Lycanroc stayed close to Lillie and me, still carrying the memory of last night's pain. It was calmer now, but every time Lillie's sleeve moved in the wind, its green eyes flicked toward the tear.

Lillie noticed and placed her hand on its head. "I am all right. You do not need to punish yourself for being scared."

Dusk Lycanroc leaned into her touch, its meaning clear, "I will remember without running."

Before I could answer, Selene stopped near a line of beach workers. A familiar boy stood there with a Torracat, preparing to lift a round black sea Pokémon from the sand.

"Elio?" Selene called. "What brings you here?"

Elio turned with a grin. "Oh, hey, everyone. I am doing Pyukumuku chucking. If you throw them back into the sea, you can earn a lot of prize money."

He said it so naturally that for a moment nobody answered. Behind him, several workers used careful scoops and gloved hands to move Pyukumuku away from the crowded swimming area. It looked ridiculous until I saw one tourist nearly step on a hidden black shape and slip backward into the sand.

Nate blinked. "Pyukumuku chucking is real?"

"It is a Hano Beach job," Elio said. "They keep washing up, and people step on them."

The Pyukumuku on the sand puffed slightly, looking deeply offended by the entire conversation. Elio's Torracat prepared to toss it carefully back toward the waves, but I stepped forward.