Chapter 313: Takashi and Ayame

Chapter 313: Takashi and Ayame

This is absolutely absurd...

That was the only thought running through Hikaru's mind as he stared blankly down at the information he was receiving about the silver Gyarados.

Fairy-type moves? Fine. But Charm and Sweet Kiss too?

A Gyarados that could flirt?

Was that really okay!?

Hikaru shook his head, snapping himself out of the stupor.

Still, he had to admit—this Gyarados was pretty amazing.

Champion-level potential and apparently quite clever, too.

He definitely had the urge to catch it…

But unfortunately, this was a runaway from the lab. Its ownership belonged to the research facility, so he had no right to claim it.

Maybe someday.

He patted Latias, and with a nod of understanding, she started to rise into the air, preparing to leave.

But just as they reached the edge of the reservoir—

Hikaru told her to stop.

Some chatter from below caught his attention.

Before coming to search for the Gyarados, he had scanned all of Kyoto's water sources.

He'd only given them a quick glance, but thanks to his [Photographic Memory] trait, it was enough.

He remembered this reservoir.

"Shuiyan Reservoir," it was called—divided into several zones:

Fishing Zone

Breeding Zone

Commercial Fish Zone

Central Zone

The breeding area housed native Water-type starters.

The commercial zone bred fish for consumption.

And the fishing zone?

That was the money-maker.

People from all over came to fish here.

Rich collectors, hobbyists, Trainers hoping to catch a rare Pokémon.

Occasionally, the facility would release starter Pokémon into the fishing zone.

Anyone lucky enough to catch one could engage in a battle—and if they won, they'd take home a Water-type starter worth millions.

More often, though, people caught Magikarp.

And today—

The regular anglers were beginning to complain.

"Weird... didn't someone catch a Mudkip here just a few days ago? Why is it all dried up now? Not even a Magikarp!"

That kicked off a chorus of grumbling beneath the sunshades.

"The whole joy of fishing is in the catch, isn't it?"

"I get it if rare stuff like Poliwag or Wooper don't show up. But even Magikarp's gone now?"

"At least Magikarp could be traded for some credits…"

It wasn't just the fishermen.

Even the staff were running around in a panic.

Watching from above, Hikaru chuckled.

He hadn't expected the Gyarados's presence to have such a big economic impact.

"What a troublemaker."

He sent a quick message to Professor Ayame with the Gyarados's location.

[Hikaru]: Found the Gyarados. It's in the Shuiyan Reservoir.

No response right away, but Hikaru didn't wait.

He patted Latias once more, and in the blink of an eye, she shot up like a beam of light, disappearing into the clouds.

---

At the Oak Research Institute…

Ayame had just finished her lab shift and swapped her white coat for a sleek brown turtleneck sweater and skinny jeans.

With one change of outfit, the uptight researcher transformed into a fashionable urban beauty.

She hadn't even checked her phone when she noticed Takashi waiting outside.

A soft smile touched her lips, but her expression quickly returned to neutral.

In their relationship, Ayame was the dominant one.

She let her hair down, handed Takashi a hair tie without a word, and waited.

He obediently took it.

This 6'0" Dragon-type specialist now looked like a docile lamb in front of her.

She pulled his hair into a neat ponytail and fastened it.

Radiant, elegant, and stunning.

Takashi stared at her, totally mesmerized.

Ayame couldn't help but laugh.

"What? Lost in a daze?"

Takashi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Ayame, you look amazing today."

She raised an eyebrow.

"What, I don't look good on other days?"

Takashi flailed.

"No, no! You always look good! Today's just… especially beautiful!"

Ayame chuckled softly.

They had known each other for six or seven years.

She understood his personality perfectly.

When it came to emotions, Takashi was a total coward.

She'd waited so long for him to confess—

But he was dense as a rock.

If not for Hikaru nudging things along, they might still be dancing around each other.

Whatever. If he was going to be shy, she'd just be bold.

Ayame took his hand.

Takashi froze, then smiled like a puppy who just got praised.

"I'll let that slide for now. Come on, let's grab something to eat."

She reached for her phone to find a nearby restaurant…

But then a message caught her attention.

From Hikaru?

She opened it.

Her smile vanished, replaced with a serious look.

Takashi immediately noticed.

"What is it, Ayame?"

She sighed.

"Remember the Gyarados that escaped the lab? I asked you to keep an eye out, right? I also asked Hikaru for help—he has Aura."

"Well, he found it."

Takashi's eyes widened.

"Already?"

He had just started setting up a satellite-AI sync with Metagross to track the Gyarados's movements through Kyoto's waterways.

Gyarados might have "dragon" in its name, but it wasn't a true Dragon-type.

That meant even with Dragon Mastery, tracking it underwater was like finding a needle in a haystack.

But this kid—

He looked at Hikaru's message and felt stunned.

The Shuiyan Reservoir... that place is massive. Hundreds of square kilometers.

Did Hikaru's Aura level up again?

Still dazed, he got a tap on the forehead.

Ayame rolled her eyes.

"Yup, he found it. Took just a few days."

"A few days!?" Takashi scowled.

"Don't tell me he just happened to start with the reservoir..."

Before he could finish that thought, Ayame smacked his shoulder.

"Who cares how he found it? Take me there!"

Ayame wasn't going to wait.

This Gyarados was a major research subject.

Now that its location was confirmed, she wanted to retrieve it ASAP.

"Ugh... fine."

Takashi sighed in defeat and muttered curses at Hikaru under his breath.

Couldn't you have found it earlier? Or later?

Why today—my only date night!?

Grumbling, he summoned his Dragonite.

As a national-level Gym Leader, he was allowed to use Pokémon freely in the city.

He hopped on, then reached down for Ayame.

She sat in front of him, and he hesitated about where to put his hands.

In the end, he awkwardly placed them on Dragonite's back.

Ayame gave him a look and then, with a smirk, grabbed his hands and wrapped them around her waist.

"Hold me properly, will you?"

"Wha—? Uh, are you sure?"

Her eyes glinted playfully.

"Don't want to? Then don't."

"No, no! I want to! Definitely!"

Takashi's heart nearly exploded from happiness.

Just moments ago, he had been cursing Hikaru.

Now?

"My future brother-in-law is the best."

---

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