Alola, Alola

✽2. Enough Time

"Here you go, Rowlet!" Mizuki set down a bowl in front of the cute bird Pokémon's rounded beak, feeling both happy and sad as he-as usual-gladly gobbled down every last morsel.

The black-haired girl glanced at Popplio, who sang her thanks as she-unlike her messy partner-humbly began nibbling at the pellets in her bowl, her smile a bright crescent moon as she enjoyed her meal.

Finally, there was Litten. Mizuki set down the food-filled bowl in front of the cat-like Pokémon, not at all surprised when all he did was give it a blank stare. Unable to keep herself from grinning, the smiling preteen reached out a hand and began rubbing the stubborn fire-type's chin until he surrendered in the form of a purr that rumbled deep in his throat.

Litten was a rather difficult Pokémon, one who often had to be coaxed before doing anything. Throughout the short time she'd been acquainted with the starter, Mizuki felt that they'd gotten closer. After all, she was the one who took care of him most, taking him for walks, feeding and brushing him, as well as occasionally training the Fire Cat Pokémon whenever Professor Kukui had called for it.

Quietly, her brain occupied by her thoughts, she watched the small Pokémon eat, her smile slowly fading into one of wistfulness as if the sight were being replayed from a deep pocket of her memory. She was on her fourth day, and the end of her happiness was closer than her own skin.

"Mrow?" Litten glanced up from his bowl, a rarely displayed curiosity glinting in his eyes.

Mizuki shook her head, giving his ear a couple of scratches before rising to her feet. She didn't want to say anything now-she didn't want to start a random fit of crying that would scare the Pokémon. Besides, she'd be taking Litten on their weekly walk-the last one they'd ever have together. She would speak up then.

She stood by the door, absentmindedly gazing out of the window beside it. Even on the stretch of beach away from the city, Alola was as lively as ever.

The black-haired girl watched with growing sadness as people-tourists and natives alike-filled the sandy area, all happily relishing in the peace and jubiled that was Melemele Island. I'll miss the beach, too.

"Mrow."

Mizuki started and dragged her head away from the window as she felt something soft brush against her leg. She glanced down to see Litten sitting at her feet, giving his chest fur a few impartial licks as he waited for her return to reality.

With a great effort, the black-haired girl forced her feelings away, plastering a casual smile onto her lips.

"Let's get going, then!"

✽✽✽

The sky had become awash with pleasant hues of orange and light purple, the sun taking a well-deserved rest behind the endless blanket of ocean that stretched beyond the horizon. Like the afternoon, Mizuki and Litten's walk was nearing its end, and the girl had yet to reveal her upcoming departure to the Fire Cat Pokémon.

I don't know if I want to say it just yet. She knew that time was doing what it did best-passing with no signs of stopping-but a fearsome doubt had sewn her lips shut. What if he gets mad, or sad? She didn't want to hurt the Pokémon's feelings, knowing that no matter how much he failed to show it most of the time, that he really did care.

They were now walking along Hao'oli City's beachfront, already on the way back to the lab. Not wanting to end their stroll just yet, Mizuki veered closer towards the beach, Litten seeming to instinctively follow.

"Let's walk on the beach for a little bit," Mizuki told him, doing her best to crease her lips into a believeable smile.

"Meow?" Litten was staring up at her, his head tilted to the side as if examining the preteen. Then his eyes narrowed, his pupils sharp, and she was certain that they had already managed to stab through her poorly executed facade.