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After lunch, Kai and Erika rested under a large tree. Once they'd recovered some energy, they recalled their Pokémon and resumed their journey toward Violet City.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting golden rays over them, while their shadows stretched long behind them on the country road.
They still had quite a distance to cover, and Kai expected they might need to camp out again. But luck smiled on them. Before nightfall, they reached a quaint little town nestled at the base of a mountain and found a family-run inn.
The warm smile of the innkeeper instantly put them at ease. Even Erika, normally graceful under pressure, looked visibly relieved.
After all, nothing beats a soft mattress and hot shower after a day of hiking especially compared to a cold sleeping bag under the stars.
But during check-in, something a bit humorous happened.
The innkeeper, accustomed to young couples traveling together, glanced at the handsome young man and the beautiful girl beside him and assumed they were romantically involved. Without confirming, she gave them a single room with a double futon.
She even smiled warmly, thinking how perfect they looked together.
Kai and Erika only realized the mistake when they were shown to their room and saw the futons laid out side by side.
With a soft blush, Erika gently corrected the misunderstanding. The innkeeper laughed it off, apologizing as she quickly reassigned them to separate rooms.
Neither of them minded the incident, and after enjoying a hearty dinner, they soon forgot all about it.
That night, the town streets lit up for a local festival.
Colorful lanterns danced in the air, stalls lined the road, and laughter filled the air. Small shops sold trinkets, food, and souvenirs. Since it wasn't quite bedtime, Kai and Erika decided to explore.
They wandered through the crowd, buying a few mementos and snacking on roasted berries and sweet dumplings. By the time they returned to the inn, both had small bags of souvenirs and matching smiles.
"Goodnight," they said to each other, retreating to their own rooms.
The next morning, refreshed and recharged, they set out once more.
Wanting to strengthen her bond with her Pokémon, Erika released her newly caught Hoppip to walk beside her. After a night of gentle care, the Grass-type was noticeably closer to her and followed with cheerful bounces.
Kai couldn't help but envy that connection. His Suicune, while powerful, was still distant. Because of its Legendary status, it wasn't something he could casually travel with either.
Erika's nurturing spirit and natural affinity with Grass-types gave her an edge. Her serene presence and familiarity with plants made her an instant favorite among nature-loving Pokémon.
Still, Kai believed time would change everything. Just as he'd bonded with the Legendary Birds, Suicune would one day see him as its true Trainer.
The pair strolled along the peaceful country trail, talking about everything and nothing. Erika's gentle voice and curious questions kept the conversation flowing.
She was so different from Sabrina open, warm, and effortlessly talkative. For Kai, what would've been a dull journey became a pleasant walk filled with laughter.
Gradually, he realized that not only had Erika and Hoppip become closer, but so had he and Erika. Their bond had grown, naturally and warmly.
By late afternoon, the buildings of Violet City came into view. The wilderness gave way to paved streets and towering buildings.
But just as they approached the city gates, someone called out.
"Hey! Trainer over there—wait a second!"
Kai turned and spotted a young man and woman sitting on a bench. The moment they saw him, they sat upright, their eyes sharp and focused.
The man looked to be in his early twenties, with dark glasses and a calculating expression. The girl beside him had a trendy bob haircut and an unmistakable spark in her eyes.
Kai raised a brow. "Can I help you?"
The man pushed up his glasses, glanced at his phone, and then back at Kai.
"Knew it. You're Kai, right? The Trainer who battled my sister on the Ice Path."
Kai tensed slightly. "You know me?"
The man gave a smirk. "Let's say we've heard of you."
Erika tilted her head as the girl stepped forward with a grin.
"We're the Week Siblings," she said brightly. "Each of us represents a day of the week, and we battle in order. I'm Starla, the Thursday sibling, and this is my brother, Sterling, Friday."
That name triggered something in Kai's memory.
He recalled the intense battles on the Ice Path—he had faced Stella and Stellan, Tuesday and Wednesday if he remembered correctly. They had introduced themselves as part of the same strange family of Trainers… the Week Siblings.
"You're related to them," Kai said. "Stella and Stellan?"
"Exactly," Sterling replied, adjusting his glasses. "When one of us loses, we pass it on. It's tradition."
"We're not part of the official League," Starla added, "but we challenge strong Trainers as a way of testing ourselves. Each sibling carries a badge that represents more than just strength."
"And if you beat us," Sterling said, "you'll receive the Bloom Badge and the Volt Badge. Not official… but we don't hand them out lightly."
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