Chapter 2: Gut Feeling

Two years ago, Joe was doing the usual, working at the PokeMart. It started to rain lightly, he could see it on the windows. Early afternoon meant few customers anyway. People were at school or work.

"You met that weirdo at the Gym? Jasmine? She's, like, so annoying. And this weather is trash. Such a pain." One of Joe's coworkers, some pompous brat no normal person liked, spoke to a friend while twirling her hair with a finger and creating bubbles with pink bubblegum.

Both were useless employees. The brat was supposed to be out right now, delivering product. Apparently she felt she was too good to handle a delivery in this weather. Joe wasn't surprised. She was probably worried her makeup would wash away in the rain and she'd be revealed as ugly, just like her personality.

The PokeMart, having been around for a century, was a powerful brand despite competition being fierce now. There were shops selling items for Pokemon on every street but this brand persisted. The PokeMart's owner had struck a deal with the Pokemon League, the biggest tournament in the world, when it was first created. Items were sold cheap to Gyms and, in return, the League and the PokeMart brand kept doing business. Being able to advertise the company as the official supplier of the Pokemon League was a big deal.

Monday and Friday were delivery days, and today was Friday. Joe knew this because he needed to understand why the pompous brat disappeared at certain times of certain days.

Joe's eyes narrowed at the brat from his seated position behind the counter. He hoped she turned his way and saw the look on his face. Maybe scare some sense into her.

He'd been relegated to cashier because the manager had received complaints from customers saying he was frightening. People avoided him if he were walking the shop's lanes, stocking shelves. The manager didn't want to fire him over such a thing though.

When he was put behind the counter, they learnt he was too tall for his own good. He had to bend over to work the cash register. The manager wouldn't have that, he didn't want Joe to have a hunch by the time he was thirty. So the manager got Joe a chair. It was the perfect height, and it made people question how tall he really was since he was sitting down. Made him less scary.

Joe was prepared to give his coworker a piece of his mind. He didn't like the way she spoke about Jasmine. He didn't know the Gym Leader, but he still felt defensive of her. Maybe it was because she wasn't here to defend herself. It was one thing to tease a friend, but insulting a stranger behind her back annoyed Joe. Nevermind his earlier thoughts about the pompous brat. That was deserved. He had a feeling Jasmine hadn't earned this hatred.

Before he could confront the brat, the phone on the wall next to him rang. Ancient technology. Few people called the store anymore. On occasion a member of the elderly might call and ask if a certain item was in stock, but that was it. Joe forgot it was there most of the time.

He picked up the sun-bleached plastic phone and put it to his ear. Since it was so old it actually fit his size. Big and chunky. Joe spoke a scripted line he had been sure to memorise when he got the job. "Olivine PokeMart. How can I help today?"

After a few seconds of no reply, Joe opened his mouth to ask if anyone was there when someone spoke. It was the softest, quietest voice he had ever heard.

"H- Hello… When is the delivery arriving…?" The voice got quieter towards the end.

It wasn't hard for Joe to figure out who was talking. Jasmine. The delivery was fresh on his mind since the pompous brat was supposed to be handling it right now.

Jasmine sounded like she struggled with talking. Not the first time Joe had encountered someone with anxiety. She would be thinking through every single word, scrutinising them to make sure she got the point across. The definition of thinking before she spoke. It explained the silence at the beginning, the slight stutter and the lack of confidence in what she said. Might explain his coworkers' opinions, too. If someone wasn't as extroverted as they were, they were weird.

Maybe he was thinking too hard about it. Only time would tell.

"It'll be there soon, don't worry." Joe replied, continuing to glare at the pompous brat. If she wasn't going to do her job then Joe would pick up the slack. Not for the brat's sake, but for Jasmine's. If the delivery wasn't important then the Gym Leader wouldn't be personally phoning to ask about it. He figured Jasmine was expecting a certain item.

Another few seconds passed before a reply came. Joe made sure to be patient with Jasmine. "T- Thank you… I need medicine. My Pokemon…"

She confirmed Joe's thoughts. Important delivery. Jasmine went silent after that, perhaps feeling like she messed up. It wasn't her medicine, it was for a Pokemon. Joe got the point. But Jasmine's anxiety was preventing her from moving on. She was stuck on what she considered to be a mistake.

"Give me ten minutes and you'll have your medicine." He tried his best soothing voice. Difficult for a big, burly man.

Without waiting for a response, Joe put the phone back on its perch, ending the call. He hoped Jasmine was calmed now that she didn't have to talk to someone. It was fifty-fifty. Either Jasmine was panicking and lost in her own thoughts after believing she misspoke, or she was able to move past that and be relieved she managed to confirm the delivery was on the way. Handling someone with anxiety wasn't easy, but Joe tried.

Joe rose from his seat, catching the attention of the pompous brat and her friend.

"Watch the till." He growled. Hiding his emotions wasn't something Joe did often. No point. He'd rather be an open book that people could easily understand.

Much to his amusement, the pompous brat didn't seem to care. Too full of herself. "Sure, whatever."

Not wanting to delay, Joe fought the urge to start an argument. He barged through the staffroom door and went to the storage area. He knew where the pallet of items for delivery was, he saw it when he started his shift. A small collection of products that could fit in someone's car. The brat was hired specifically because she could drive. Earned a bonus from an activity that took ten minutes there and back. Well, not for much longer. Joe knew the manager hated people that wouldn't do what they were paid to do.

With no car, Joe eyeballed the items and figured it'd all fit in the largest hiking bag the store sold. He grabbed one from a nearby shelf and opened it, then ripped the plastic wrapping off the pallet and shoved all the items into the bag within a minute. The selection of items for the Gym was mostly Potions and food. There was one product that stood out. A glass bottle. It looked like medicine for kids that could be found behind the counter of any corner store.

It was a bit of a close shave, but everything fit. Good. Joe shouldered the bag and headed out the back door, wincing at the metal on concrete. Like nails on a chalkboard. Horrid.

He was immediately hit by rain. Or more like drizzle. Barely noticeable. He grit his teeth and started walking as he held onto the shoulder strap. He was annoyed that the brat was scared of this tiny bit of water.

The thought of catching a bus or ordering a taxi crossed his mind, but Joe didn't mind the faint rain. He liked a good walk too. Everything he needed in life was a thirty minute walk from his apartment, so he made sure to use his feet to transport him everywhere.

Since he was travelling via foot, he cut through back alleys and got to the Gym within ten minutes like he said he would. Street signs directed him when he could spot them. The weather worsened over time, but not enough to force Joe to use public transport. Instead of a light drizzle it was just normal rain now.

Joe ogled the structure he walked towards. He'd seen the building before. It stood out. It took up more space than the PokeMart since it had a big arena for Pokemon battles inside. A perfectly kept stone tile path with grass either side led to a metal construct, hinting at the steel-types within. The building looked like the head of a giant metal snake called Steelix, mouth open to reveal stairs leading to automatic glass doors. Steelix had an angular, mean face. Sharp eyes. A jawline that put Joe's to shame. Each tooth was the size of a human child. Stepping into its mouth was eerie, even though it was fake.

He walked into the building. At this point he's dripping wet, leaving small puddles of water along the shiny white floor of the reception area. Someone's going to have to clean that up. Joe was a little apologetic in his mind.

"Sir?" A bespectacled woman with black hair fashioned into a bob cut came around the counter. Much nicer than the PokeMart's. This one was clean, proper wood covered in a layer of glass. Fancy.

"Delivery, from the PokeMart." Joe said as he drew a circle with his shoulder, forcing the backpack to drop down his arm. He caught the strap and unzipped the bag. The woman looked inside and confirmed the items were on a list she memorised. She nodded and Joe started placing items on the reception desk.

Once he was done, Joe shouldered the bag again and turned to leave. He spotted a short woman peeking around the corner, a hand on the wall. He could tell by her visible arm that she was slender. Brown hair so light it could be mistaken as blonde and so long it touched the back of her thighs. She had simple orange accessories to create wings out of her hair, one on either side of her head. She wore a simple white dress. A sun dress. Joe loved them, very appealing on the right woman. It reached her knees, revealing some leg. Didn't cover her arms or shoulders either. Part of what made sundresses so good.

Must be Jasmine keeping an eye out for the medicine. Joe shot her a smile and began walking to the exit when Jasmine ran from around the corner. With Joe out of the way, she had finally spotted a bottle the size of a fist. She swiped it, held it to her chest and rushed past Joe. She got out the door before him. If she wasn't involved in a running sport already, she should consider trying it out.

But more important to Joe was that she thanked him. She had more manners than his coworkers. As she passed, Joe caught the faintest of nods as she looked at him. It was the best she could do due to her shy personality. It was a small gesture but one that made Joe warm up to Jasmine immediately. Manners cost nothing.

He exited the Gym and walked along the path, watching Jasmine run right. She must really care about whoever that medicine is for.

The rain had really picked up now. Coming down faster and stronger. Was a storm coming? Joe felt the need to stop by his apartment. Change his clothes and grab an umbrella. With the backpack empty he'd lost some weight so maybe he should jog. It should only add a few minutes to his journey. Surely his coworkers could handle him being away for a bit longer.

In fact, he was tempted to force them to deal with work while he wasn't there. Maybe they'd learn something.

He turned left, opposite of Jasmine, when thunder and lightning made themselves known. It was distant. He was too far away to see the flash. Jasmine should've changed her clothes before heading out, but maybe she hadn't checked the weather. Actually, the delivery was meant to be done half an hour ago. She probably would've been back at the Gym before the storm arrived.

Joe stopped walking and looked over his shoulder, blinking water out of his eyes. He couldn't see Jasmine now. Not surprising with all the roads branching out all over the place and buildings to hide them. Something about the situation was bugging him. With a confident stride, Joe started back to the Gym. He had a question for the Gym assistant, the woman with glasses. He had a bad feeling. Vivillons in his stomach. He'd learnt to listen to his gut a while ago. It was usually right.