How to Act as a Pokémon Champion

Chapter 13: Unexpected Affairs

(Professor Kukui’s POV)

The Alolan sun beat down on the construction site, a stark contrast to the air-conditioned labs I was more accustomed to. Yet, there was a buzz in the air, a sense of purpose that drew me out of my research and into the whirlwind that was Ash Ketchum's life.

"Professor! Look at this!" Ash's voice, always at the epicenter of any action, beckoned me closer. He and Anabel were poring over a holographic site plan for the Battle Frontier. A month ago, watching them interact had been akin to observing fire and ice forced into a confined space – volatile, with an undercurrent of tension.

Now, though… Anabel's usual cool demeanor was punctuated by genuine laughter, a sound I hadn't associated with her before. Ash, ever the ball of restless energy, had a focus about him, a determination fueled not just by the challenge of establishing Alola's League, but by something else… or rather, someone else.

"The terrain here is perfect for a Fire-themed challenge," he was saying, his excitement infectious. Anabel nodded thoughtfully, her fingers tracing a path along the volcanic ridge simulation.

"This elevated platform allows for aerial maneuvers," she countered. "A great stage for showcasing Flying and Dragon types."

Their banter was less a clash of wills, more a collaborative dance. It was in the tilt of their heads, the way his grin softened when directed at her, the unguarded gleam in her usually calculating eyes. Were they… flirting??? The very idea seemed outlandish.

Later that week, under the guise of League business, I found myself observing them on the beach. Not as a lurking Peeping Tom, mind you, but as a concerned friend… with a healthy dose of scientific curiosity.

Ash, board under his arm, was offering Anabel pointers on her surfing form. The sight of the usually composed Salon Maiden in a swimsuit, wobbling precariously on the waves, was almost worth the sunburn.

"Bend your knees more! And keep your focus on the horizon," Ash instructed, demonstrating with effortless grace.

Anabel, determined as ever, managed a few shaky seconds upright before tumbling into the water with a surprised yelp. Ash dove in, surfacing with her in tow, both of them laughing. It was a scene of pure, unadulterated joy – the kind of joy Ash thrived on. But seeing it reflected in Anabel… that was something new entirely.

And Ash, well, he shone brighter than ever. The League responsibilities hadn't dampened his spirit; instead, they seemed to fuel his determination to excel both as a Champion and a competitor. Seeing him back in his element – strategizing, anticipating his next World Coronation Series opponent – filled me with a warmth that had less to do with the Alolan climate.

Perhaps, amidst the blueprints and budgets, these two had found a different kind of battleground. A battle not of wills, but of hearts opening to unexpected possibilities. Me, with my lab coats and data, I was ill-equipped to analyze matters of the heart, but one thing was for sure: watching Ash and Anabel together was as thrilling and unpredictable as any Pokémon battle I'd ever witnessed. And perhaps, somewhere in their evolving dynamic, lay a new kind of championship for both of them.