Aya's glare was sharp, her voice cutting through the tension. Even though Kai could've come up with a dozen excuses to dodge her fury, maybe even lie to soften the blow, he hesitated only briefly before deciding to tell the truth.
"…Sorry. I left in such a rush that I forgot to wake you."
"You forgot me!?" Aya's voice shot up, practically exploding with outrage. "You jerk!!"
She was livid veins practically popping from her forehead. Even though Kai's tone was apologetic, his face remained calm, completely lacking remorse. That only made her angrier.
Left alone in the middle of nowhere?
And to top it all off someone doodled all over her face while she was sleeping!?
Aya clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and forced herself to calm down. She crossed her arms, gave a cold snort, and declared, "It doesn't matter what excuse you have. Abandoning a girl like that is unforgivable! I swore I'd get back at you, and now here you are, right on time!"
Kai sighed, shaking his head.
Who's she talking about?
She's more dangerous than most wild Pokémon…
Despite her shouting, Kai knew she didn't really intend to hurt him. A handful of shuriken were embedded in the ground near his feet, their placement precise but nonlethal.
She was just making a statement. If she'd meant harm, Genga, his ever-vigilant shadow companion,n would've intercepted them without hesitation.
Just like before, she was flexing. Showing off. Letting him know she hadn't forgotten.
Her technique was flawless, though. Power balanced with finesse. A skilled ninja and a master of control.
Nearby, the headmaster of the academy blinked, watching the tense scene unfold. He looked from Aya to Kai and asked, surprised, "Wait… do you two know each other?"
Aya didn't break eye contact with Kai. "Headmaster, I have… a score to settle with this man. Please allow us to use the battle court."
The headmaster hesitated. This was an academy, after all not a personal battle arena. If word got out that students were using official facilities for private duels, it wouldn't look good for the school.
But before he could say no, Aya added with a smirk, "Did I mention he's the Indigo League Champion? A battle would be an incredible learning experience for the students."
"…The Indigo Champion!?"
The headmaster's expression shifted. He studied Kai more closely now, clearly stunned. 'So young, yet already the Champion of the Kanto region… the students could learn a lot from watching him in action.'
Still unsure, he glanced toward the courtyard where curious students had started to gather. Seeing the growing interest, he gave in with a resigned nod.
Aya smirked triumphantly, finally satisfied. She turned to follow and then caught sight of the woman standing beside Kai. Her eyes widened in recognition.
"Wait—isn't that… Miss Erika!?"
Aya's shock was understandable. As one of the most well-known Gym Leaders in Kanto, Erika's face was familiar to many.
More importantly, Aya was the younger sister of Koga, Fuchsia City's Gym Leader, so she had long since memorized the profiles of her peers.
Erika smiled politely and offered a graceful bow. "Miss Aya. A pleasure to see you again."
Aya returned the bow awkwardly. "You're traveling with him?"
"I am," Erika replied. "We're working together to research and catch Grass-type Pokémon in Johto."
Aya's eyes narrowed slightly. She had questions many questions but before she could ask, the group had arrived at the battlefield.
The students who had been training there quickly stepped aside, clearing the area while still sneaking glances at Kai. Most hadn't heard the full conversation, but they could feel the tension.
Something was definitely going on.
Aya wasn't just any student. She was the academy's rising star personally trained by the headmaster himself. A naturally gifted ninja and one of the most talented battlers on campus.
Beautiful, deadly, and infamous Aya was the academy's queen bee, and everyone watched her moves closely.
The headmaster cleared his throat, signaling for attention. "Everyone, take a break from your lessons. I'd like to introduce you to Kai—the current Champion of the Indigo League. He's agreed to a friendly Pokémon battle with our own Aya."
Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd.
About to battle Aya!?
And just like that, the rumors began. Some students eyed Erika, then looked back at Aya, already constructing elaborate drama in their minds.
Was this a love triangle? A bitter betrayal?
Did the Champion two-time Aya get caught red-handed?
Whatever the truth, the crowd was eating it up.
Kai and Aya stepped onto opposite sides of the field.
And just as word began to spread, more students poured in from classrooms and dorms, packing the edges of the battlefield until it was completely surrounded.
Kai scanned the crowd. At least two hundred spectators had gathered basically the entire school.
There was no turning back now.
Don't forget to drop some PowerStones!💎💎💎
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