Kiyomi Tsugumi was extremely confused.
A one-in-twelve chance of meeting him, and I still end up facing him? Am I really the protagonist here? Aren't all time-travelers supposed to have protagonist halos? Then why is my luck so terrible? He mentally asked three rhetorical questions, each more desperate than the last.
The opponent looked at him gently from behind a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, his dark green pupils calm and unwavering. A warm, knowing smile sat on his handsome face. Standing quietly beside him was a massive turtle-like Pokémon—Blastoise.
The fully evolved form of Squirtle, Blastoise was an imposing, bipedal creature, though it could move on all fours as well. Each of its limbs had three toes, and its short, thick tail was blue like the rest of its body. Its jaw was milky white, and triangular ears jutted from either side of its head. But what stood out most were the twin water cannons protruding from the front of its massive shell, retractable and fearsome.
Charmeleon stood firmly in front of it, eyes narrowed, sharp and unwavering. Fear didn't exist in its vocabulary.
'Yeah... my partner hasn't given up yet. How can I lose hope so easily?'
"Yan, this is a strong enemy," Kiyomi Tsugumi said solemnly.
His opponent still hadn't spoken since entering the battlefield, simply watching him with calm, almost nostalgic eyes. Blastoise stood like a seasoned warrior, silently guarding its trainer.
"The match will now begin," the referee announced, followed by a sharp whistle.
This time, Kiyomi made the first move.
"Spark first! Prepare Alloy Claw!" Charmeleon dashed forward like a high-speed engine. It opened its mouth and spat out a stream of blazing crimson sparks while spreading its arms, both of which transformed from crimson skin into gleaming steel claws.
"Water Gun—deflect it—and grab its arms."
This was the first time Kiyomi heard his opponent's voice. It was soft, elegant, and composed.
Blastoise launched three high-pressure water jets from its cannons, covering the entire spread of Charmeleon's spark attack. With surprising swiftness, it reached forward and seized both of Charmeleon's arms.
Charmeleon's claws instantly reverted to normal under the pressure, the steel sheen fading. It thrashed in frustration, trying to break free—but the power difference was overwhelming. No matter how it struggled, Blastoise didn't budge an inch.
"Damn... is the gap really that big?" Kiyomi muttered.
Then—unexpectedly—Blastoise released Charmeleon.
The fire Pokémon blinked, stunned, then quickly leapt back several meters, instinctively widening the distance between them.
Blastoise still wore that serene smile. His trainer's eyes carried the same quiet encouragement.
Only then did Kiyomi realize—it was a deliberate gesture. Not a show of superiority, but a silent form of respect.
Yet even though he understood the intention, the anger and frustration in Kiyomi's chest refused to fade. Instead, it burned even hotter.
"Close-range Alloy Claw! Sparks on standby! Use Screech to disorient it!"
His emotions had clouded his judgment.
Just like his trainer, Charmeleon felt offended—belittled. It now fought with reckless passion, determined to show its worth. It lunged, claws gleaming like blades, constantly shifting its attack angles—slashing upward, sweeping left, stabbing forward like daggers.
Its tail whipped violently, and from time to time, sparks erupted from the flame, expanding midair into fist-sized fireballs. Its mouth opened wide, releasing piercing screams that echoed around the ring.
But Blastoise blocked every blow.
Alloy Claw? Its sturdy arm scales deflected them with ease. Sparks? Barely left a scorch mark after multiple hits. Screech? It flinched slightly, but nothing more.
Suzuki Go, the opposing trainer, was puzzled. Why is he so angry? All I did was encourage him... Did I misjudge the situation?
But there wasn't time to dwell.
"This isn't going anywhere. Block its next attack, push it back to create distance, and then use Water Gun to force it out of the ring."
Suzuki gave his command swiftly.
At his signal, Blastoise caught Charmeleon's incoming claws once again. This time, it gave a powerful shove, throwing Charmeleon off balance.
And in that instant, Blastoise's twin cannons erupted, shooting a high-pressure water stream—not for damage, but for momentum.
Charmeleon couldn't resist the force and was launched backward, out of the ring.
Kiyomi stared, stunned. His brain refused to process what had just happened.
Only the referee's voice broke the silence. "Match over! Blastoise wins!"
Still in a daze, Kiyomi reached into his back pocket, pulled out Charmeleon's Poké Ball, and returned his partner. He didn't even notice the brief flash of disappointment in Charmeleon's eyes before it disappeared into the ball.
Suzuki Go watched as Kiyomi walked away unsteadily. After thanking the referee for the match, he quickly jumped off the stage and jogged to catch up with him in the hallway.
"Hey, wait! Let me introduce myself—I'm Suzuki Go, a senior trainer. I started my journey a year before you. I'm from Azalea Town, right next to Pallet Town. And I just wanted to say—you're amazing. Out of all the new trainers I've seen, you're definitely one of the best."
Seeing how flustered Suzuki was while trying to cheer him up, Kiyomi couldn't help but laugh.
Yeah, why am I so upset? I'm just a rookie who recently started my journey. I've only won a few battles—what's there to be proud of? Why did I even act like that?
So what if I lost? Kiyomi Tsugumi, how does it feel having your fragile pride shattered?
"Haha, senior... you're kinda cute," Kiyomi said, grinning. Then his tone turned serious. "Hey, if—just if—we ever meet again, I won't lose next time. I'll win. So I won't say goodbye all gloomy like this."
Before Suzuki could respond, Kiyomi turned around and walked off, leaving him stunned in the hallway.
Outside, under the dazzling sunlight, Kiyomi pulled out Charmeleon's Poké Ball.
"I'm sorry, Yan. I didn't realize I'd take a loss so hard. I showed you such an embarrassing side of me. I let you down. But I swear—I won't be like that again. Can you forgive me?"
The Poké Ball shook gently in his hand, as if saying, What choice do I have? Of course I forgive you.
Yes—Charmeleon was happy. It wasn't disappointed by the loss at all. In fact, it was more level-headed than its trainer. It knew that battles were full of ups and downs. Defeat wasn't something to be ashamed of—it was a chance to grow stronger.
What had upset it was Kiyomi's attitude after the loss, not the loss itself.
But now, as Kiyomi smiled again, truly and sincerely, Charmeleon too felt at peace.
There was still a long road ahead of them—but they would walk it together.