Finding Hope (Ongoing)

Chapter Three: NO! Ice breaking sucks!

"Well then, what are you gonna choose?" I asked, leaning against the wall.

Hiromi picked up the Pokéball on the table that I knew contained Squirtle.

"So you choose the Water Type? Is it just because there's a type advantage?" I said, raising an eyebrow, still leaning against the wall of the Laboratory.

"Yes and no, Red-Head. I'm not that bad."

He did not just -

I turned around to glare at him and snapped at him. "I am NOT a Red-Head. I'm an Orange-Head! I don't mind being called that, because at least it's true!"

"Whatever," Hiromi said, shrugging my shoulders, but he looked like he was still trying not to laugh. Grr. "Anyway, why'd you choose the fire type?"

"Hmmm? Oh, because you look like you'd choose water. You're, um......"

"Huh?" Hiromi asked, obviously confused. Until he noticed how blatantly obvious it was. HA!

To cover it up, he coughed and changed the subject.

"Doesn't that give you a type disadvantage?"

"Um, yeah," I answered, rolling my eyes. That was obvious too. "But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Hiromi groaned and face-palmed. "Don't quote!"

I ignored him. Why wouldn't I?

"Besides," I said with a smile, "I've always wanted a Fire Type."

The expression on his face changed drastically fast.

What?

I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have any secrets to hide.

***

I reached my hand for the door handle. Hiromi's freak out session had been amusing, but the faster I got out off Pallet Town, the happier I would be.

Even if I was throwing down Myouki......

No, you're not. She's the one who told you to go anyway.

Ayame would want you to go too.

If she was here to see you.

I shook the last doubts out of my heart before opening the door, only to have a hand clamp on my arm.

I winced inwardly, making sure not to show any signs of pain. Those weren't fresh, but they sure hadn't faded yet.

"The Professor over there says we need to do ice-breaking," Hiromi grumbled, rolling his eyes.

I shook his hand off first. I didn't let anyone touch me anymore.

Then I complained.

"Yep we have to do it."

Well, crap.

Seems my departure would be delayed.

***

"I was born in Viridian City, and my mother died three years after my little sister was born. Two years ago, said sister got into a serious accident, and we moved here. One year leave to let her recover, and then I had to finish my last year," Asaki said, shrugging.

An average story that anyone could believe, except for one thing.

She wouldn't meet my eyes.

I smirked. Liar.

Well. Couldn't blame her. I had my own secrets.

I'd keep mine, and she'd keep hers.

Guess it was my turn now.

***

"It's simple. I was born in Johto, we moved over to Kanto on my final year at Trainer school. I wasn't a top scorer, so I had to redo all four years because we moved to a new region."

Wow. Even simpler story than my own. One thing bothered me, though.

"If you weren't a top scorer than......"

"What?" Hiromi asked.

"Then how come you're a top scorer now? Only the top two scorers of this region's Trainer School gets to go on a Journey with the official starters. The rest have to wait two weeks for the various Pokémon eggs to come in for them to start their Journey."

"Well, I didn't want to miss this chance, and being a top scorer will at least make sure I'll be able to go on my Journey on my rightful year if I move again."

Believable. But he said it too fast.

He was deviating. So simple. A liar.

Secrets? I wouldn't try to investigate his if he didn't try to find mine.

"And now, how about a battle?" Hiromi asked politely, a smile tugging at his lips.

I smirked. "You are so on."

"But be prepared to lose!"