Ch.142 Gardevoir's Little Secret

"Gardevoir… I'm about to collapse…"

On a summer evening, Akira lay alone on the floor, one hand reaching upward like a drowning duck.

With Gardevoir's keen sensitivity to human emotions, of course, she knew Akira wasn't really about to collapse. But she still gently took his hand, moved his head from the floor to her lap, and softly asked:

"Gardevoir~ Gardevoir~"

"Tired. Mentally tired. Physically even more tired. None of these new little ones are easy to handle. You're still the best."

Akira turned halfway, burying his head into Gardevoir's stomach, his voice muffled.

When there were fewer Pokémon, he wanted more. But now that there were more, he felt overwhelmed by the endless troubles. Even though he had distributed them for everyone to help raise, the pressure was still immense.

It's a simple truth: everyone is raising Pokémon for the first time, and you're the only one with experience. Who else would they turn to?

By the end of the day, Akira had become even more of a salted fish than Feebas—a Magikarp.

The corner of Gardevoir's mouth curved into a faint smile as her free hand gently patted Akira's back.

Within a few minutes, Akira's breathing gradually evened out.

He had fallen asleep.

Gardevoir didn't leave. Her patting hand didn't stop, and her eyes were filled with softness.

She remembered when she was still a Ralts, timid and unable to sleep after her first encounter with a cursed spirit. Back then, Akira had comforted her to sleep just like this.

He had comforted her for years. Even after she stopped being afraid, she couldn't sleep well unless Akira was there to soothe her. It wasn't until she evolved into Kirlia that things improved.

Just based on this, Gardevoir didn't think she was easy to handle.

"I was just lucky to come into this world earlier, so I could have my master all to myself for so long."

In her memories, her master almost never refused her requests.

If she didn't want to sleep, he would stay up with her.

If she didn't want him to go to school, he would skip class.

If she wanted to go out for a walk, he would always accompany her. Except for not being able to fly, he was always by her side.

When she was sick, he stayed by her side.

Even when she was in a bad mood, he would try to adjust his own mood so she wouldn't feel any unhappiness.

Looking back, she realized that her entire life was filled with him.

From that moment on, she never said no to Akira again, because that's how Akira had treated her.

And from that moment on, she began to overcome her timid nature, trying to interact with the outside world and learn various things so she could help him after he left that secluded mountain village.

If it were just her, she would have been willing to stay in that small place forever, never going anywhere, living a quiet life.

But since he wanted to step out, she had to become stronger so she could help him.

She didn't really care that her level had been surpassed by Darkrai. What she truly cared about was her place in Akira's heart.

This was the one thing she didn't want to, and wouldn't, give up.

Unconsciously, her lowered head drew closer and closer to Akira's cheek.

So close that her emerald hair brushed against the boy's neck.

Perhaps feeling a little ticklish, Akira turned over again, shifting from lying on his side to lying flat.

The boy's breathing remained even, his eyelids still closed, but the girl's face suddenly turned red.

Even though she had long been used to sticking close to him, and it had only been a few months since she got her own room, for some reason, her heart felt a little flustered, like the side effects of overusing psychic powers.

But she didn't dislike this feeling, because she had seen similar reactions in many people.

There was Rika with Yuuta.

There was that awkward woman, Mai, with Akira and Maki.

And even the seemingly tough Maki, who was harsh to everyone, had occasionally blushed without realizing it.

But her careless master probably hadn't noticed, right?

Or was it because his attention was always on her?

Thinking about this, Gardevoir felt a small sense of delight.

Unconsciously, she twirled a strand of her hair and gently brushed it against Akira's face.

This was a habit she had developed during her time as a Ralts.

Normally, Akira would wake up quickly.

If he didn't, it meant he was very tired and needed rest.

The fact that he hadn't woken up yet meant he was truly exhausted.

Using the most delicate psychic power, she lifted Akira's body as if on an invisible bed, careful not to disturb his sleep.

However, what you fear often comes to pass.

As the sun set, Serperior, who had been basking in the sun all day, returned.

Seeing Akira lying down, she ran over without a second thought.

Gardevoir gave her a look, but Serperior just tilted her head, stomped her short legs, and jumped, aiming to wrap herself around Akira's neck.

Gardevoir's eyes instantly glowed with tangible psychic energy, and a powerful, invisible force pressed down on Serperior like a mountain, immobilizing her.

Serperior was a bit annoyed.

Back when you wanted to wrap around our master, I gave you my spot. Now you're stopping me?

Just because you're older and came earlier, you think you're so great?

She used the move Glare.

It had no effect at all.

Gardevoir would risk her life to protect her master. How could these little troublemakers compare?

"Di Lu~ Di Lu~"

Altaria sang as it flew by at low altitude, noticing that its "rival" was in a bad state. It initially wanted to swoop in for a dragon-bird vs. snake showdown, but it too was caught in Gardevoir's psychic wave and blown away.

Only after Altaria disappeared from view did Gardevoir retract her gaze, coldly staring at Serperior.

Serperior turned her head away in dissatisfaction but didn't make any further moves.

Being older and arriving earlier really did have its advantages.

Not only was Gardevoir higher level, but even the most intimidating Darkrai obeyed her.

Sensing Gardevoir's displeasure, Darkrai obediently ran back from afar, picking up Serperior and carrying her away, even neglecting the Dratini and Feebas Akira had asked him to watch.

As he moved, he didn't forget to "advise" Serperior:

"Don't mess with the boss lady, especially when it involves our master. Otherwise, I'll have to put you to sleep first."

Seeing the black hole Darkrai conjured, infused with the power of sleep-inducing tea, Serperior finally backed down.

Being contrary doesn't mean being stubborn. If I'm going to rebel against the boss lady, I'll have to wait until I evolve into Serperior!

Gardevoir, though aware of Serperior's little scheme, didn't bother with it. Her eyes were only on Akira.

Pursing her lips, the Pokémon girl finally uttered a sound unrelated to her species:

"Aki…ra…"

Her voice was so soft that even Akira, who was right next to her, didn't hear it.

This was the only secret she kept from Akira.

She knew she had no talent for language and hadn't truly learned to speak human words, but she had worked hard to memorize Akira's name.

One day, when she could say it fluently, she would call out to him openly, just like other humans did.

Until then, wait just a little longer, my most beloved master.