Sapphire - The Adventure

A friend

"So yeah, that's why I needed five thousand bandaids."

Sun Mei munched on a spoonful of cereal as her tale came to an end. Her eyes were on the TV as she flicked through the channels.

"Hey, isn't this dad's new gym?"

A spoon fell to the floor behind her, and Sun Mei turned her head about. Her mother and sister were openly staring at her, eyes wide and mouths agape. Realising her mistake, Sun Mei rolled her eyes and turned back to her cereal.

"Sorry, sorry." Her mom laughed behind her and moved from the kitchen to the lounge where Sun Mei was sitting. "My ears must have gotten blocked on our long drive yesterday. You did what, dear?"

Sun Mei finished the cereal in her mouth before speaking, and she made sure to take her time doing it. "I had a Pokemon battle."

"Ah! I can't believe it!" Dramatic hands covered the older woman's lips. "You finally did it! How did it happen? What was it like? Wait, why are you only telling us now?"

"Because I knew you'd make a big deal."

"But it is a big deal!"

"No, it's not!" She imitated her mother's tone, getting up to move to the kitchen and place her empty bowl in the sink.

"You said you'd never- "

"Mom, a man's life was in danger." Sun Mei interrupted, her face set in an unbelieving scowl. "I had to do something, Pokemon battle or not."

Argument deflated, so did her mother. At a knock at the door, the older woman slumped towards the front of the house with a glum "I'll get it.".

"You coulda spared her little, y'know." Her sister commented in her usually nonchalant way.

Sun Mei rolled her eyes as a guilty "I know.." rolled off her tongue.

"I mean, who battles their first time in a situation like that, with a Pokemon that isn't even theirs, and wins?" Soo Jung pointed out, as blandly as ever. "Mom's not just excited. She's probably jealous too."

The older of the two sisters could do nothing more than hang her head in shame. Yes, their parents met and bonded over their love of Pokemon. But where one was talented, the other was not. Try as she might - and boy did she try - their mom was never able to beat the average kid in battle. She was able to experience the journey through their father, but at some bittersweet cost.

With a sigh, Sun Mei got up to offer a well-thought over apology, when she heard voices at the front door.

"No no, take her out as much as you'd like!" Came her mother's all too sweet voice. "She sure could use the sun."

Sun Mei sped up at an alarming pace when she realized the responding awkward laugh belonged to no other than Baekhyun.

"Haha, I don't know about that-"

"Heeey!" She greeted quickly as she reached the two, her voice pitchy.

"Hey." Baekhyun grinned on the other side of the door, relief in his slanted eyes.

Sun Mei stared pointed eyes at her mom, who seemed to be openly ogling the youth. "Uh, mom. I think Soo Jung's calling you."

"Hmm?"

"Mom."

"Huh - oh!" The older woman shook herself and smiled a glittery greeting before leaving the two alone.

"What's up?" Sun Mei shot, clear and true.

"I've been sent to summon you." Baekhyun grinned, as if he were party to some secret.