Pokémon: Breeding Simulator [19]

"L-let Eevee be the ace instead… I-I don't want the role anymore."

After much hesitation, Gardevoir finally forced out the words—words she never imagined she would ever say.

After all, being the ace meant being the core of the team, the center around which all battle strategies were built.

Even though Eevee's strength was now on par with hers—perhaps even surpassing it slightly—when it came to team battles, everything was still structured around supporting her.

This wasn't favoritism; it was simply the unspoken rule of Pokémon battles.

And that was exactly why Gardevoir wanted to step down. Not knowing when she might collapse, she didn't want to be a burden on Elias's team.

But… things didn't go the way she expected.

Instead of acknowledging the end of her role as the team's ace, Elias scooped up Eevee—who had been rolling around in the dirt—and asked,

"Gardevoir, do you really think Eevee wants to be the ace?"

"Garde?"

Uncertain of Elias's intent, Gardevoir nonetheless glanced at Eevee, now a mess of dust and grass stains.

Thinking back to all their past squabbles over Elias's attention, she nodded firmly.

She was sure this Eevee had ulterior motives. No doubt about it.

Naturally, that meant Eevee had been eyeing the position of team ace for a long time.

But to Gardevoir's surprise, the moment she nodded, Eevee started flailing in Elias's arms, kicking and struggling in outright refusal.

Clearly, Eevee didn't want the role.

Seeing this, Elias gently smoothed down Eevee's fur before turning back to Gardevoir. His voice was warm as he said,

"Gardevoir, do you see? Neither Eevee nor I believe there's anyone more suited to being the ace than you."

"Because only you can synchronize with me completely, making our battle coordination seamless."

"So, Gardevoir, I need you to continue as my ace. Will you?"

Elias instinctively knew this was the perfect chance to ease Gardevoir's inner turmoil.

And he was right.

For a few seconds, Gardevoir just stood there, stunned. Then, her lips pressed together slightly, and for the first time in a while, a faint light returned to her once-dim eyes.

"…I-I understand," she whispered. "Since neither of you want the position…"

"…I suppose I'll reluctantly hold onto it for a little while longer."

As she spoke, the corners of her mouth betrayed her—curving ever so slightly upward.

Suddenly, everything didn't seem as bad as she had thought.

Elias hadn't resented her after all. And the reason he had stopped pursuing Celebi… maybe it really was just out of respect for her wishes.

"Thank you, Elias."

For the first time in a long while, Gardevoir felt genuinely happy.

Meeting Elias's wide eyes, she stood on tiptoe and left a soft, damp kiss at the corner of his mouth.

The instant Elias froze in shock, Gardevoir stifled a giggle behind her hand. Then, her gaze flickered toward Eevee, who was now bristling in absolute outrage.

This little thing… was she sure she didn't want the ace position?

Gardevoir eyed Eevee suspiciously.

Sensing her doubt, Eevee shot her a look of pure disdain.

There was a saying—conquering a kingdom is easy, but holding onto it is the real challenge.

Likewise, being the "victim" in Elias's affection battles was nothing compared to being the favorite.

If she became the ace, she'd have to fend off other Pokémon trying to steal her spot all the time.

Eevee wasn't stupid!

---

[Thanks to your intervention, Gardevoir's mindset has improved significantly, though you still haven't dared to tell her you're continuing the search for Celebi.]

[According to your calculations, the next full moon is in two nights. That's when Celebi will appear in Ilex Forest.]

[To prepare, you've been surveying the terrain repeatedly, making sure nothing will go wrong when the time comes.]

[Still, every time you think back to that masked man and Lugia, an unsettling feeling lingers in your chest.]

[You suspect it might just be the stress getting to you, so you decide to take a day off tomorrow—and take Gardevoir out for some sightseeing.]

"Gardevoir, do you want to go out shopping tomorrow?" Elias asked, slightly awkward.

Ever since that little stunt she pulled, he couldn't help but feel weird whenever he looked at her.

Pokémon kissing their trainers was normal… right?

Unlike Elias, Gardevoir seemed completely unbothered. She simply nodded obediently.

"Do I need to prepare anything?"

"If possible, you should pick out a yukata."

"I heard Ecruteak City has a strong yukata culture, and there's a festival tomorrow night. We could check it out."

It wasn't that Gardevoir had never worn a yukata before. In fact, Elias vividly remembered how stunning she looked at a festival in Goldenrod City.

Back then, though, she was still a Kirlia, and her smaller frame hadn't been able to fully bring out the elegance of the outfit.

Now that she had evolved into Gardevoir… Elias couldn't help but look forward to it.

"Oh, right."

Elias suddenly remembered another important detail.

"The day after tomorrow, we'll need to take a trip to Azalea Town. Lance has a favor to ask of me."

Of course, that last part was a lie. The real reason was that Ilex Forest—where Celebi would appear—was right next to Azalea Town.

Staying in Ecruteak City would make it impossible to reach the location in time, so he needed to relocate in advance.

Unaware of any of this, Gardevoir simply nodded without hesitation.

Most of her thoughts were now preoccupied with what kind of yukata would impress Elias the most tomorrow.

---

[That night, for once, you slept alone—because Gardevoir had gone out to buy a yukata and absolutely refused to let you come along.]

[Just as you were about to drift off, a familiar voice called out.]

"Bui~"

Hearing Eevee's voice, Elias forced himself to stay awake.

"Eevee, do you want to sleep with me tonight?" He had a pretty good guess about what she was after.

Ever since losing her spot at his left side, Eevee had been sulking and retreating into her Pokéball every night.

But now that Gardevoir wasn't here, this was definitely her chance.

Just as Elias was convinced he had guessed correctly, Eevee shook her head.

"Bui~ Bui~ Bui Bui—"

Elias: …Huh?

Without psychic abilities, communicating with Eevee was a nightmare.

But after an entire round of exaggerated gestures, Elias finally pieced together her message.

"There's something going on back home, and you need to return for a bit?"

Seeing Eevee nod in confirmation, Elias sighed in relief—then hesitated.

With the Celebi capture happening in just two days, Eevee's sudden departure could introduce a lot of unpredictability.

But… seeing the urgency on her face, Elias found himself unable to refuse.

Besides, ever since he saw Eevee flying back at the Bell Tower, he knew she was hiding a secret of her own.

As her trainer, he shouldn't interfere.

"Go and come back quickly." Elias ruffled her fluffy head.

In the end, he chose to trust in himself and Gengar.

"Bui~ (I'll be back before then!)"

With his approval, Eevee bolted out of the room.

Once she was out of sight, she leaped into the air—

And in an instant, her body shifted into a pink, feline form.

"Mew~"

Mew cast one last glance in Elias's direction, her eyes filled with worry.

"With that Gardevoir around, no one should be able to hurt him…"

Still, she couldn't shake her unease.

After hesitating for a moment, she pulled out a pendant, gathering some of Elias's psychic energy into it.

That way, if something happened to him, she'd be able to sense it no matter how far away she was.

Only after finishing this did Mew finally vanish into the night.

---

T/N: ooooh... yikes.... yes... nothing will happen... ahahaha...