Pokemon Ranger: The Hero of Oblivia

Clink of Morning Juice

Ben walked inside of the house and I followed after I talked to Drapir for a few seconds. Nema, Leanne, and Rand were all downstairs with concerned looks.

"What was that noise?" Nema asked, running over to give me a hug. "Are you both alright?"

I gave her head a pat. "Of course we're okay! It was just Drapir causing a commotion, but it's alright now."

"Drapir?" Leanne questioned.

"Summer caught a rampaging Drapion in the forest near the house and the Pokemon seemed to be really fond of Summer already." Ben said, sitting down to eat his breakfast. "It's amazing how Pokemon are so attracted to her kindness." He continued. "It's sickening how sweet she can be." Ben popped a forkful of eggs into his mouth carelessly.

I slipped into my seat beside him and tried to sneak a piece of bacon while his attention was elsewhere. His eyes opened and gave me a look. Ben caught the thieving hand underneath his own and gave my wrist a squeeze. "Drop it," He warned, as if he was scolding a greedy Growlithe.

I dropped the bacon with a scowl and folded my arms over my chest. "Whatever, bacon hog."

"Bacon hog? Summer, you haven't even touched your own food!" He exclaimed.

I looked down at my plate and realized he was right. So I began eating, stopping only when Jet limped in the room, followed by Eve. I pushed back my chair and fixed the Pokemon, as well as Nema, Leanne, and Rand, a plate. Gizelle twirled in, Gale catching her when she jumped and brought her over to where I had fixed them a plate.

"This was a nice surprise, you two." Leanne said, examining her spotless counter and floor. She crossed to sit at the table when I put a plate in front of her. "You even made breakfast!"

"That wasn't me." Ben said. "This was all Summer."

I flushed at the sudden praise. "Well, I woke up a little early and decided to do something." I said, hoping they wouldn't notice my lie about sleeping.

As we all were at the table, we made some small talk. "So me and Summer were planning on heading to the mansion on Mitonga Island to poke around for useful information." Ben said.

"I'll do the patrol, then." Rand said. "I'll come find you if there's an update on the Wireless Tower. Go by the dock and check on The Union's repair progress for me."

"Sounds good." I said before chomping into a piece of bacon.

"Oh, we were also planning on dropping by the market in Tilt Village to get some things." Ben said. "For some of our more dragging missions, you know?"

"So if you need us to get anything while we're out, we'd be happy to do it." I added.

"Oh?" Leanne said. "I'll be sure to let you know if I think of anything, then."

"Can I come with you?" Nema asked. "I want to spend some time with Summer, too!"

"Maybe you can tomorrow, Nema. I really need you to work on that project I gave you a while back." Leanne said.

Nema slouched. "Okay."

"We'll definitely hang out tomorrow, Nema." I promised her. "We'll have a day, just you and me."

"Hey!" Ben interjected, offended.

"... And Ben." I added as an afterthought.

Nema squinted before extending her hand. "Promise?"

"Promise." I assured her. She made Ben shake her hand, too, so that he couldn't back out now.

And that was the last we spoke of that topic. After that, we cleaned up the remainder of our breakfast and washed the dishes. Ben slung on his backpack and I got my Pokemon to come with me.

I was really nervous about Jet and Evee coming with us, but I didn't want to continue leaving them behind. Yuka hopped onto my shoulder, giving me an eager look. Ben was similarly draped with Pokemon, Gizelle on his shoulders and Gale right below him.

Leanne insisted on giving us a generous amount of money for our trip to the market even though we told her we had money that we kept on us from Almia. Then she gave us a really short list of things for us to get for her, and told us the money was for that. But, if that's the case, who spends that much money on notebooks and soap?

Once we were all set, we waved goodbye to the household. Drapir decided to stay and sleep a little to regain some of the sleep he lost. I guess it's like a kind of jet lag from that leap across time. I guess it would technically be a 'Time lag', then.

"It's a beautiful day outside," I remarked as we strolled along. I contemplated riding on Raikou, but decided on just enjoying my surroundings with a nice walk.

"Yeah, it really is. We could probably have a picnic out by the old mansion, if we wanted to." Ben mused.

I felt woozy from eating all of my breakfast since my stomach was still wonky, but at least I was able to keep my food down. Just for good measure, I finished off the Pecha berry from earlier this morning while Ben was busy examining the sky above us.

"This is nice." Ben said. "I like just going on these little, peaceful strolls with you. It's calming."

"You're a sap," was my automatic reply.

"Hey! I just meant that..." He trailed off, kind of flustered from my remark. "I'm not a sap." He huffed.

I opened my mouth to object.

"Shut up." He said before I could say anything.

"I notice that you only tell me to shut up when I'm right." I pointed out.

"I— Shut up." He said again, crossing his arms and sinking to hide his reddening face in his bright yellow scarf.

Gizelle and Gale gave each other knowing looks. Gizelle dropped off of ben's shoulders and was caught by Gale. Me and Ben looked down at the two when Gale swung Gizelle around before bringing her in and pecking her on her forehead affectionately.

I looked up and caught Ben's gaze. Ben's face grew darker and whipped his head away from me, sinking deeper into his scarf. "Well, they don't hide their affection for each other, that's for sure!" I said with a laugh, trying to get Ben to loosen up.

He shrugged. "Well, the little guy sure has game, I'll give him that."

I blinked in his direction and he buried his face more and more in the scarf until I could only see his eyes. "That's adorable." I chuckled.

"W-What did you say?"

"Ben, you look like a scarf turtle." I said. "It's actually kinda cute."

"... Shut up."