Evidently So

Something about the sunset that broadened the outskirts of the sky made the chemistry around Jessie and James feel unusually electric. It was as if the sun's dying rays infused them with a renewed sense of purpose and energy.

Without a word, they turned towards each other, their eyes meeting in a gaze both intense and vulnerable. And then, it happened. They leaned in for a kiss, their lips meeting in a soft, gentle embrace. It was a kiss that spoke of longing and passion, a connection beyond words. But as they pulled away from each other, the duo briskly reflected upon their action, and the realization afterward struck them like cupid arrows piercing their hearts. They looked away, their faces flushing with humiliation.

"D-did we just-"

James nodded swiftly, scrunching his pants firmly as sweat droplets trickled down his forehead. They landed on the ground in low plops, soaking into the dirt. Jessie gradually turned around and watched his lips quiver while he was compelling a smile. Emotions inscribed all over their faces, but neither could bring themselves to say anything. The duo knew they crossed barriers no one dreamed of accomplishing, but regardless, they didn't regret it.

For a moment, they continued to kneel in tranquility, basking in the afterglow of the kiss, striving to make sense of what it meant. Upon gathering her composure, Jessie calmly inched closer and touched James's hand, which resulted in him letting out a sudden yelp.

"W-we're still friends, r-right?" she mused with a shaky whisper, her voice barely audible over the sound of their heartbeats.

It's only one kiss, James pondered. Friends must kiss platonically, if I may assume.

The man swayed his head and leered at the sparkles in her eyes, his smile finally visible after fighting against the quivers. He faced Jessie and placed his hands above hers, their fingers intertwining. "Of course, Jessie. We're still friends," he winked. She chuckled airily at his response and restrained a deep sigh.

An exaggerated cough from their feline partner shattered their moment of peace, making Jessie and James snap out of their thoughts. Meowth stood there with his arms folded, a smug look on his face. "What's goin' on ova 'ere, eh?"

Both blushed furiously as they quickly pulled away from each other, attempting to compose themselves, and looked in opposite directions, avoiding all eye contact.

"N-nothing, Meowth," Jessie stammered.

"Just enjoying the sunset, that's all."

Meowth raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying their excuse. "Uh-huh, I'm sure you'se were jus' 'enjoyin' da sunset,'" he said, air-quoting the phrase. "Totally, not enjoyin' each otha's lips, roight?"

Jessie and James both turned red as a tomato, mortified. They didn't know how to respond and looked at each other awkwardly instead. Meowth chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. "So, you'se are da type ta kiss 'n' not tell?"

She stood up and clenched her fists firmly, slightly leaning forward as veins popped around her forehead. "No, we aren't!"

"Yeah, you got it all wrong, Meowth! It's not what you think!"

Snickering, the cat ignored them and widened his smug as he cocked his head with his eyes closed. Wobbuffet emerged behind Meowth, proposing its signature call and saluting. "Wobbuffet!"

Jessica stepped back in a defensive stance, her eyes and brows twitching in sync. "Not you as well, Wobbuffet!"

Everything that went on up to that point left her and James losing all their brain cells. Their little situation escalated so promptly that it was difficult for both to find the correct words to proclaim. They couldn't fathom that a simple kiss had formed a crazy charade between them and their Pokémon. Then again, did they regret it?

Not one bit. After all, it was just one kiss.