168. Vacation
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Few Days Later
The scorching sun blazed down, baking the earth beneath it.
Since the end of the Indigo League, the weather had inexplicably heated up, growing more oppressive with each passing day.
Somewhere in the distance, a male Kricketune chirped incessantly, its high-pitched song adding to the discomfort of the sweltering heat.
At this stifling moment, two travellers, a man and a woman, arrived at Big Riddle Resort, a well-known resort in the Kanto region.
Despite the intense summer heat, Big Riddle was as lively as ever. The beach was bustling with people surfing, swimming, playing volleyball, and shopping. Even the scorching weather couldn't dampen their enthusiasm.
Amidst the crowd, the pair of travellers stood out. Heads turned as they passed, and whispers followed their graceful forms.
Both appeared to be in their early twenties. The woman, with her long, flowing black hair, carried an air of elegance that was accentuated by her delicate, cool features. Her beauty drew many admiring glances from passersby.
Her companion was tall and lean, though his baseball cap and large sunglasses obscured his features.
These two were none other than Kai and Sabrina, fresh from their journey to the Indigo Plateau.
As they walked side by side, they gave the impression of being perfectly matched.
However, Sabrina seemed uneasy under the weight of the onlookers' gazes. She frowned slightly and asked, "Why are they all staring at us like that?"
Kai chuckled lightly. "I take it you're not used to going out much. If I were them and saw a beauty like you walking by, I'd probably do the same!"
It was a clever response direct yet flattering, wrapped in subtle humour. Sabrina, catching the compliment, allowed a faint smile to form at the corners of her lips. At that moment, even the relentless sun seemed a little less oppressive.
They continued walking, eventually leaving the crowded streets behind. The scene opened up to reveal a stunning coastline, with waves crashing against the fine white sand.
Watching the beachgoers frolic in the surf, Kai sighed wistfully. "If I didn't need to head to the Orange Islands so soon, I'd love to spend a few carefree days here."
Sabrina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her tone light. "I hear the Orange Islands are even more beautiful a perfect place for a vacation. Why rush? Once your business is done there, we can take our time and find somewhere quiet to relax."
Kai couldn't help but let his mind wander at her words. He imagined Sabrina on a tropical beach, basking in the sun, clad in a stylish swimsuit. The thought of applying sunscreen for her crossed his mind, and he felt a sudden surge of heat unrelated to the summer weather.
"Oh no," he muttered to himself, quickly shaking his head to dispel the vivid mental image. If he kept this up, he'd risk a Boner!
Determined to focus, he turned his attention back to their immediate plans.
The fastest route to the Orange Islands was via a ferry departing from Vermilion City. However, taking that route meant a long trek overland, which neither of them found appealing.
Instead, they had decided to take the shorter route from Cinnabar island, crossing the sea directly by riding their Pokémon.
Before setting off, they made a stop at an outdoor goods store to pick up essential supplies for their journey.
"Welcome!" the shop assistant greeted them as they entered. The cool blast of the store's air conditioning was a welcome relief from the sweltering heat outside.
Kai stretched and grinned. "This feels like heaven."
Looking around at the neatly arranged goods, he gestured grandly toward Sabrina. "Go ahead, pick whatever you need. Today, it's on me!"
Sabrina rolled her eyes at his theatrics but said nothing, knowing he was trying to impress her. She came from a wealthy background and didn't really need him to pay, but she appreciated the gesture nonetheless.
As Sabrina scanned the shelves, she paused. "This is my first time travelling like this. I'm not sure what to buy. Any suggestions?"
Kai nodded thoughtfully. "Well, first things first clothing. You'll need something lightweight and comfortable, perfect for a long journey."
He selected a few items for her, and when Sabrina emerged from the fitting room in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, Kai was momentarily struck speechless.
Gone were her usual black stockings and formal attire. In their place was a breezy, casual look that highlighted her long, elegant legs.
"How do I look?" she asked, her tone tinged with shyness.
Kai gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "You look amazing! I told you you can trust my judgment. With your looks and figure, anything you wear will look great!"
Sabrina's expression softened into a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Your sweet talk is unbelievable. Were you always like this?"
After settling on clothing, they moved on to other essentials water bottles, sleeping bags, and some canned food. When they reached the tent section, Sabrina stopped and shook her head.
"I don't like sleeping outdoors. It feels too exposed. A tent would be better it's small, but it feels more secure. Like a temporary home."
Kai blinked in surprise when Sabrina chose a tent designed for four people, far larger than they needed. Still, he didn't question her decision.
"Sure, if that's what you prefer," he said with a shrug.
With their purchases complete, the pair left the store laden with supplies. The weight of their bags, combined with the heat, made travelling on foot unappealing.
Kai reached for one of his Poké Balls, releasing his Charizard. The powerful Pokémon let out a roar, stretching its wings as it emerged.
"Charizard can carry the load and give us a lift," Kai explained with a grin. "No point in exhausting ourselves when we've got help."
Charizard snorted, clearly unfazed by the weight of their gear. With their loyal Pokémon ready, Kai and Sabrina prepared to embark on the next leg of their journey to the Orange Islands.
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