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summer fun(...?) part 1

"You don't trust me, do you?"

Hideki flinched from the smooth question casually hurled out by the older trainer as if it's nothing of importance.

They were still inside the aquarium, although this was their second visit, for they couldn't finish looking at all of it yesterday. The aquarium wasn't actually gigantic in size; one that could be easily explored within half a day, or a day at max. Not in Hisei's case, however, considering how he took his grand time with each and every tanks and exhibition, thus often leaving his (somewhat bored) brother with Seiba waiting on the sideline.

Grateful by the fact that the rooms were dimmed so the visitors could enjoy looking at the fishes behind the glass better, Hideki genuinely hoped Seiba couldn't properly see his face at this moment: a furrowed expression and a faint of embarrassment painted his face. Hideki awkwardly turned toward Seiba who was not even looking at him but watching over Hisei's back with a gentle expression. The younger squinted at the middle-aged man who was surprisingly sharper than he had expected. He was glad the old man only brought it up once he's sure they were alone; Hisei was too busy looking at the fishes and Kusanagi was by Hisei's side wagging her tail as she pressed her muzzle to the glass.

"Since when..." Hideki hesitantly asked, almost choked on his own breath. He directed his gaze to Hisei's back as well. "Since when did you realize it...?"

"From the moment you stepped out of the customs inspection building."

Hideki felt like he wanted to smash his face to the aquarium's thick glass from that answer just now. Was he really that obvious? Or it was Seiba who has a keen sense regarding this matter?

"I'm just joking, kid." Seiba snorted a giggle in amusement and now Hideki stares at him with jaw lightly dropped in disbelief, couldn't believe he was toying him. That old man was more mischievous than his generally kind outer-look.

"Well?" Seiba asked again, his tone was almost sounded half-joking.

"Yes," the youngest man huffed and groaned in defeat, rolling his eyes away from Seiba for various reasons. The cat's out of the bag anyway, although it won't stop Hideki from conveying the truth or his feeling even though he perfectly aware Hisei was indebted to Seiba long before he actually moved to Nation years back. "I don't trust anyone who is friendly to my brother."

"A little too harsh on that, don't you think?"

"You don't know what we have gone through!" Hideki snarled, although he did try to keep his voice low, can't risk Hisei hearing him being disrespectful again. "What he had gone through just because one person wormed himself into his life!!"

"You love your brother, don't you?" Seiba casually asked again, didn't fazed by the youngster's temper. Hideki himself blinked, didn't expect such question directed toward him.

"Of course I do!!" He snorted as if Seiba was asking him the obvious. "We... only have each other now..."  Seiba merely nodded in response.

"But can you be by his side, forever?" Seiba asked in return, "Can you promise or swear that you will always be available, by his side, anytime and anywhere?"

"What...?" Hideki immediately turned to look at the older man who has yet to look at him in the eyes. Hideki gritted his teeth, those questions caused a pang in his heart.

"Of course, I'll..." He stopped and turned his head away. Couldn't finish his own sentence. He knows he shouldn't give out a promise like that. He wanted to, but can't, realizing it was an impossible task. As much as he wants to, there will be times he couldn't be there for his brother. A simple fact.

"I don't mean to be rude or harsh, and you probably think I should mind my own business and not poking my nose into your life - both you and Hisei's," Seiba softly said, now it was his turn to look at Hideki. "Sure, I have no slightest idea of what had happened, but being possessive over your brother - shielding him from the world - won't help the situation, for both of you."

Hideki's gaze trailed to the floor. Seiba was speaking the truth, yes, but he was too hard-headed thus having a hard time accepting or admitting it. When Hisei's shoes entered his gaze, Hideki flinched. Hisei looked at him, asking him what's wrong.

"No, nothing!!" Hideki stuttered, "Let's- let's go to the next section! You're done with this area, right?" and immediately pacing away to the next section. Hisei raised an eyebrow before turning toward Seiba for an explanation. The older man shrugged and merely smiled back at him, indicated that it's not something Hisei should be worried about.

"Come on, don't let your lil' brother wait for too long," He said, gently pushing Hisei's back with his palm hand. Hisei was reluctant but walked forward anyway, catching up on his brother in his own pace. Seiba tucked his hand close to himself as he stood there, didn't follow the brothers, simply watching their back stretching their distance with him.

-

"I'm sorry for earlier..."

Seiba raised an eyebrow at Hideki, had to admit he didn't expect an apology from him, nor expecting him to come looking for him at this hour. Hisei had turned to bed earlier after all the walking in the aquarium and Seiba was merely having his routine, quick smoke on the porch before off to sleep as well.

"It's okay," Seiba answered, going to put off the fire of his pipe but Hideki told him he didn't mind him smoking thus Seiba now held his still-lit kiseru in his hand instead. "I'm sorry too if I crossed my line back then."

Hideki shook his head. Seiba patted the empty space of the outdoor wooden bench he was sitting, asking him to sit down. The younger man was reluctant, though did as told. An awkward silence quickly falls between them however and Hideki quietly shuffled in his seat, anxious and unsure of what to do or to say to the older man beside him.

"We used to do this a lot many, many years back - your brother and I," Seiba spoke up, eyes toward the starry sky above. Hideki gave him a look before he too looked up into the night sky.

"How..." Hideki hesitantly spoke up, earning a glance from the older man besides him, "...do you and my brother met for the first time?"

"Relax yourself down, boy," Seiba chuckled, "It will be a long story..."

-

"...so that's what happened?"

"Long story short, yes..."

Hideki gaze turned to the ground between his feet. He only knows the vague story of what his brother was doing back in Nation until before they were reunited back in Alola, but almost nothing of what happened to him after he left their parents' home. With how Hisei finds it too troublesome to tell him the full story, this was Hideki's first time learning Hisei's unknown past, directly from someone who was kind enough to be there for his brother. Now he felt like a jerk for has not been fair to Seiba; to his brother's savior.

"Thanks... for telling me about it," Hideki said, almost whispering.

"My pleasure," Seiba replied with a smile. Part of him was glad that at least the younger brother was more honest and open in saying what in his mind; unlike Hisei from years back.

"Get some rest," he added, patted the youngster on his shoulder blade. "We can go to the beach tomorrow for lax and relax, it's just south of the ranch's border and I doubt Hisei will want to travel far tomorrow."

Hideki nodded, bid the older trainer a good night before retreating back into the house. Seiba watched on until the door was closed behind him and he carries the kiseru-pipe back to his mouth again. Simply enjoying the stars as he exhaled the smoke out of his mouth and softly murmured a "Good night" to the sky.

-

As promised, they went to the sea bordering the southernmost part of the ranch where most of Seiba's gigantic Pokemon resides as well. Orochi was the first giant they spot - all eyes on each of her head were closed in relaxation as she quietly sunbathing nearby. A tiny bee-like Pokemon could be seen resting on one of her head too.

"Say, have you consider the coconut?" Seiba suddenly asked the two brothers out of the blue.

"The what...?" Hideki asked back, confused with the weird question.

Before he could get his answer, however, a snorted laughter escaped Hisei, causing the nearby Pokemon (especially those belongs, or used to belong to Hisei) startled from that rare sound coming from that trainer. Hisei carries his hand over his mouth to stop himself to burst into a laughing fit. Hideki stares at his brother, baffled.

"What...??" Hideki asked again, demanded an answer. He hates it when he's the only one who doesn't understand the joke. "What so funny about it!?"

"You humans are weird," Tako huffed, equally confused.

"Oh kid, you need to watch more movies," Seiba snickered, patting Hideki on the back.

"I prefer reading," he said while rolling his eyes away.

"Oh shi-" Seiba suddenly muttered, a hint of panic in his voice.

"What now?" Hideki turned toward Seiba who was not in the position he was standing literally a second ago. Seiba was making a hasty retreat away from the seashore.

"Splash incoming!!" He practically yelled, running away into further inland, leaving the dumbfounded brothers together. "Run!!!"

"Splash?" Hideki scoffed, "What's so scary with splash...!??" By the time they felt a huge shadow cast above them, they hesitantly yet immediately turned around to look at the source - a wave, one big and tall enough to easily swipes them off their feet. Kusanagi yelped at the sight and fled as fast as her paws could carry her with Extreme Speed while Tako teleported himself away, leaving the two trainers still in the immediate direction of the incoming wave.

"YOU CALLED THAT A SPLASH!???" Hideki shouted and the Surfing wave crashed into them, swallowing them from the sight.

"REST IN PEACE!!"Tako shouted, now by Seiba's side, on the safety spot on top of Orochi's back.

From further behind the said wave, a happy bellowing sound could be heard coming from the open sea. A black-and-white colored female whale resurfaced from below the deep blue water. On top of her was a form of a man laying on his stomach - it was Hisei who was soaked to the bone. Perfectly fine aside of the slight annoyance. Hideki soon resurfaced near them, gasping for air followed by angry choke of swears escaping his mouth.

"Oh- too bad," Tako clicked his tongue when he spotted the two trainers on the sea.

"What the hell was that!??" Hideki growled at Seiba after he swam back to the beach. His usual slicked-back hair was drenched down - almost look identical to Hisei now except Hideki's build was bigger yet with shorter hair. The gigantic Wailord with Hisei on top swam as close as she could to the beach before allowing the human to return to the beach with his brother. Kusanagi returned to her trainer's side with a soft, apologetic whine although he paid her no heed.

"Well... Her son 'teaches' her to use Splash whenever I was around as a form of greeting," Seiba chuckled, although he did(?) feel bad for the brothers. "A Splash from Pokemon of her size will not be that friendly."

"Should have told us sooner!!" Hideki snapped, wiping the sea water off his face.

"Sorry, totally forgot about that."

"Or was he?" Tako added, eyeing the older trainer with a smirk.

Seiba merely chuckled, didn't actually deny the Pokemon's accusation and the two brothers glared at him. They have only been here for a few days and they were already made well aware that Seiba will pull a 'friendly' prank on them whenever given the chance. Hisei sighed. Not that it matters if they got wet, they came to the beach for fun, it just neither has expected to be drenched like that and without warning...

-

Days went by and today will be the third to last day before the two brothers will be going back home. The three of them were having a dinner in Solumn city again, on an outdoor cafe overlooking the main street. As crowds of people passing through the busy street, a silhouette of a man caught Hisei's attention from the corner of his eyes and he immediately rose to his feet. He wasn't sure what he was seeing yet he rushed toward the busy street, leaving the dumbfounded Seiba and his brother behind.

Kusanagi was surprised with the sudden burst too, never in her life she thought she'll ever see Hisei moving at such speed. Quickly back to her paws as she runs after him, however. No time to be wasted if she didn't want to lose the sight of her trainer among the bypassers.

Hisei stood in the middle of the crowd of people, glancing around and eyes intensely scanned the area as if his life depends on it.

"What's wrong?" Seiba worryingly asked once they caught on to him. Hisei didn't reply him right away, however.

"...Nothing," Hisei shook his head and eventually opened his mouth, giving the concerned trainer his usual light shrug and the typical short reply.

"If you say so..." Seiba added. He has a feeling Hisei was not okay, but he also was not in the position to pry into one's problem, more so when Seiba has no clue what it was or what was causing it.

On the other hand, Hideki stares at his brother - easily reading him like an open book. Hisei might be able to fool that nice, old man; but not him. Hideki remembers those eyes. That look Hisei wears and the reason behind it. Only one man who could cause his brother to react as such. With teeth gritted and veins boiling in rage, it took all his effort and mental energy to not slashed out at his older brother again - just like what happened back in Alola region. Even from his grave, that man still caused misery to his brother. How dare!

Hisei breathed out a soft sigh through his nose. He could feel Hideki's sharp glare on his spines as well as could guess what his brother would say; thus he deliberately avoids an eye contact with the younger. Another sigh and he looked up to the night sky. There were no stars decorating the dark sky tonight, hidden behind the clouds. The man he once called father was gone. It has been more than a year since he went missing. Knowing him - and if he was still alive - would never leave him in the dark. He would try to find a way to contact him at all cost. But the good news never came. Hisei has to accept that man will never return, that he will never barge into his house or his room again just to show him a picture of a Magikarp. He was here no more. Gone. Disappeared from his life. That he was just seeing things. There's no way he could actually find him in this somewhat isolated island. His shoulders drop in defeat. He should move on, there's no point in clinging to the past... then the majestic form of the colossal redwood tree - the Wishing tree - entered his sight despite the darkness on the horizon.

"...Hideki?"

The said younger sibling have to admit it caught him by surprise when the usually silent Hisei suddenly calling his name. He studies his older brother, squinted at him; could senses how Hisei was in conflict with no one but himself. Possibly pondering over whether he actually wanted to ask or say something to his younger brother. Seconds flew by before Hisei eventually raised his gaze and look at his brother in the eyes. Hideki's eyebrows furrowed as he watches how Hisei seemed to be swallowing his pride. When Hisei eventually opened his mouth again, he hesitantly asked:

"...do you still want to visit that tree?"

total: 2714 words

part 3 [end]

LVL LOG: Masamune-Evolution 's pokemon: > Ogami / Blue / Kujira / Uragiri each gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)
> Ashinaga gained 2 lvls (silhouette 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)
> Orca-san gained 14 lvls (story 13 lvls + gift 1 lvl) + 1 CC - also learned Surf
> Orochi gained 14 lvls (story 13 lvls + gift 1 lvl)

Furuitcake 's pokemon: > Medica in underwater gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)

OriginofDoubt 's pokemon: > Phantom gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)

Yoriden 's pokemon: > Cheeto / Tobiko / Zora / Bait each gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)

PlaguesLament 's pokemon: > Valentine gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)

EXP share log:
> Blue, Kujira, Orca-san, & Orochi were already in their lvl of 100
> total leftover lvl: 6+6+14+14 = 40 lvls
> gives 20 lvls each to Akumu & to Gozu

Log for PKST
story 13 lvls for Tako <
story 13 lvls + silhouette 1 lvl = 14 lvls for Kusanagi + learned Extreme Speed <
their leftover lvl: 13 + 14 = 27 lvls <
gives all 27 lvls to: Rilakuma <

I know I deliberately skipped that part in this story but Seiba & Hisei's "backstory" will comes after I finished all of them, so I could dump 'em up in one go |D;;;
(hopefully wont take too long lmao)

Description

summer fun(...?) part 1

"You don't trust me, do you?"

Hideki flinched from the smooth question casually hurled out by the older trainer as if it's nothing of importance.

They were still inside the aquarium, although this was their second visit, for they couldn't finish looking at all of it yesterday. The aquarium wasn't actually gigantic in size; one that could be easily explored within half a day, or a day at max. Not in Hisei's case, however, considering how he took his grand time with each and every tanks and exhibition, thus often leaving his (somewhat bored) brother with Seiba waiting on the sideline.

Grateful by the fact that the rooms were dimmed so the visitors could enjoy looking at the fishes behind the glass better, Hideki genuinely hoped Seiba couldn't properly see his face at this moment: a furrowed expression and a faint of embarrassment painted his face. Hideki awkwardly turned toward Seiba who was not even looking at him but watching over Hisei's back with a gentle expression. The younger squinted at the middle-aged man who was surprisingly sharper than he had expected. He was glad the old man only brought it up once he's sure they were alone; Hisei was too busy looking at the fishes and Kusanagi was by Hisei's side wagging her tail as she pressed her muzzle to the glass.

"Since when..." Hideki hesitantly asked, almost choked on his own breath. He directed his gaze to Hisei's back as well. "Since when did you realize it...?"

"From the moment you stepped out of the customs inspection building."

Hideki felt like he wanted to smash his face to the aquarium's thick glass from that answer just now. Was he really that obvious? Or it was Seiba who has a keen sense regarding this matter?

"I'm just joking, kid." Seiba snorted a giggle in amusement and now Hideki stares at him with jaw lightly dropped in disbelief, couldn't believe he was toying him. That old man was more mischievous than his generally kind outer-look.

"Well?" Seiba asked again, his tone was almost sounded half-joking.

"Yes," the youngest man huffed and groaned in defeat, rolling his eyes away from Seiba for various reasons. The cat's out of the bag anyway, although it won't stop Hideki from conveying the truth or his feeling even though he perfectly aware Hisei was indebted to Seiba long before he actually moved to Nation years back. "I don't trust anyone who is friendly to my brother."

"A little too harsh on that, don't you think?"

"You don't know what we have gone through!" Hideki snarled, although he did try to keep his voice low, can't risk Hisei hearing him being disrespectful again. "What he had gone through just because one person wormed himself into his life!!"

"You love your brother, don't you?" Seiba casually asked again, didn't fazed by the youngster's temper. Hideki himself blinked, didn't expect such question directed toward him.

"Of course I do!!" He snorted as if Seiba was asking him the obvious. "We... only have each other now..."  Seiba merely nodded in response.

"But can you be by his side, forever?" Seiba asked in return, "Can you promise or swear that you will always be available, by his side, anytime and anywhere?"

"What...?" Hideki immediately turned to look at the older man who has yet to look at him in the eyes. Hideki gritted his teeth, those questions caused a pang in his heart.

"Of course, I'll..." He stopped and turned his head away. Couldn't finish his own sentence. He knows he shouldn't give out a promise like that. He wanted to, but can't, realizing it was an impossible task. As much as he wants to, there will be times he couldn't be there for his brother. A simple fact.

"I don't mean to be rude or harsh, and you probably think I should mind my own business and not poking my nose into your life - both you and Hisei's," Seiba softly said, now it was his turn to look at Hideki. "Sure, I have no slightest idea of what had happened, but being possessive over your brother - shielding him from the world - won't help the situation, for both of you."

Hideki's gaze trailed to the floor. Seiba was speaking the truth, yes, but he was too hard-headed thus having a hard time accepting or admitting it. When Hisei's shoes entered his gaze, Hideki flinched. Hisei looked at him, asking him what's wrong.

"No, nothing!!" Hideki stuttered, "Let's- let's go to the next section! You're done with this area, right?" and immediately pacing away to the next section. Hisei raised an eyebrow before turning toward Seiba for an explanation. The older man shrugged and merely smiled back at him, indicated that it's not something Hisei should be worried about.

"Come on, don't let your lil' brother wait for too long," He said, gently pushing Hisei's back with his palm hand. Hisei was reluctant but walked forward anyway, catching up on his brother in his own pace. Seiba tucked his hand close to himself as he stood there, didn't follow the brothers, simply watching their back stretching their distance with him.

-

"I'm sorry for earlier..."

Seiba raised an eyebrow at Hideki, had to admit he didn't expect an apology from him, nor expecting him to come looking for him at this hour. Hisei had turned to bed earlier after all the walking in the aquarium and Seiba was merely having his routine, quick smoke on the porch before off to sleep as well.

"It's okay," Seiba answered, going to put off the fire of his pipe but Hideki told him he didn't mind him smoking thus Seiba now held his still-lit kiseru in his hand instead. "I'm sorry too if I crossed my line back then."

Hideki shook his head. Seiba patted the empty space of the outdoor wooden bench he was sitting, asking him to sit down. The younger man was reluctant, though did as told. An awkward silence quickly falls between them however and Hideki quietly shuffled in his seat, anxious and unsure of what to do or to say to the older man beside him.

"We used to do this a lot many, many years back - your brother and I," Seiba spoke up, eyes toward the starry sky above. Hideki gave him a look before he too looked up into the night sky.

"How..." Hideki hesitantly spoke up, earning a glance from the older man besides him, "...do you and my brother met for the first time?"

"Relax yourself down, boy," Seiba chuckled, "It will be a long story..."

-

"...so that's what happened?"

"Long story short, yes..."

Hideki gaze turned to the ground between his feet. He only knows the vague story of what his brother was doing back in Nation until before they were reunited back in Alola, but almost nothing of what happened to him after he left their parents' home. With how Hisei finds it too troublesome to tell him the full story, this was Hideki's first time learning Hisei's unknown past, directly from someone who was kind enough to be there for his brother. Now he felt like a jerk for has not been fair to Seiba; to his brother's savior.

"Thanks... for telling me about it," Hideki said, almost whispering.

"My pleasure," Seiba replied with a smile. Part of him was glad that at least the younger brother was more honest and open in saying what in his mind; unlike Hisei from years back.

"Get some rest," he added, patted the youngster on his shoulder blade. "We can go to the beach tomorrow for lax and relax, it's just south of the ranch's border and I doubt Hisei will want to travel far tomorrow."

Hideki nodded, bid the older trainer a good night before retreating back into the house. Seiba watched on until the door was closed behind him and he carries the kiseru-pipe back to his mouth again. Simply enjoying the stars as he exhaled the smoke out of his mouth and softly murmured a "Good night" to the sky.

-

As promised, they went to the sea bordering the southernmost part of the ranch where most of Seiba's gigantic Pokemon resides as well. Orochi was the first giant they spot - all eyes on each of her head were closed in relaxation as she quietly sunbathing nearby. A tiny bee-like Pokemon could be seen resting on one of her head too.

"Say, have you consider the coconut?" Seiba suddenly asked the two brothers out of the blue.

"The what...?" Hideki asked back, confused with the weird question.

Before he could get his answer, however, a snorted laughter escaped Hisei, causing the nearby Pokemon (especially those belongs, or used to belong to Hisei) startled from that rare sound coming from that trainer. Hisei carries his hand over his mouth to stop himself to burst into a laughing fit. Hideki stares at his brother, baffled.

"What...??" Hideki asked again, demanded an answer. He hates it when he's the only one who doesn't understand the joke. "What so funny about it!?"

"You humans are weird," Tako huffed, equally confused.

"Oh kid, you need to watch more movies," Seiba snickered, patting Hideki on the back.

"I prefer reading," he said while rolling his eyes away.

"Oh shi-" Seiba suddenly muttered, a hint of panic in his voice.

"What now?" Hideki turned toward Seiba who was not in the position he was standing literally a second ago. Seiba was making a hasty retreat away from the seashore.

"Splash incoming!!" He practically yelled, running away into further inland, leaving the dumbfounded brothers together. "Run!!!"

"Splash?" Hideki scoffed, "What's so scary with splash...!??" By the time they felt a huge shadow cast above them, they hesitantly yet immediately turned around to look at the source - a wave, one big and tall enough to easily swipes them off their feet. Kusanagi yelped at the sight and fled as fast as her paws could carry her with Extreme Speed while Tako teleported himself away, leaving the two trainers still in the immediate direction of the incoming wave.

"YOU CALLED THAT A SPLASH!???" Hideki shouted and the Surfing wave crashed into them, swallowing them from the sight.

"REST IN PEACE!!"Tako shouted, now by Seiba's side, on the safety spot on top of Orochi's back.

From further behind the said wave, a happy bellowing sound could be heard coming from the open sea. A black-and-white colored female whale resurfaced from below the deep blue water. On top of her was a form of a man laying on his stomach - it was Hisei who was soaked to the bone. Perfectly fine aside of the slight annoyance. Hideki soon resurfaced near them, gasping for air followed by angry choke of swears escaping his mouth.

"Oh- too bad," Tako clicked his tongue when he spotted the two trainers on the sea.

"What the hell was that!??" Hideki growled at Seiba after he swam back to the beach. His usual slicked-back hair was drenched down - almost look identical to Hisei now except Hideki's build was bigger yet with shorter hair. The gigantic Wailord with Hisei on top swam as close as she could to the beach before allowing the human to return to the beach with his brother. Kusanagi returned to her trainer's side with a soft, apologetic whine although he paid her no heed.

"Well... Her son 'teaches' her to use Splash whenever I was around as a form of greeting," Seiba chuckled, although he did(?) feel bad for the brothers. "A Splash from Pokemon of her size will not be that friendly."

"Should have told us sooner!!" Hideki snapped, wiping the sea water off his face.

"Sorry, totally forgot about that."

"Or was he?" Tako added, eyeing the older trainer with a smirk.

Seiba merely chuckled, didn't actually deny the Pokemon's accusation and the two brothers glared at him. They have only been here for a few days and they were already made well aware that Seiba will pull a 'friendly' prank on them whenever given the chance. Hisei sighed. Not that it matters if they got wet, they came to the beach for fun, it just neither has expected to be drenched like that and without warning...

-

Days went by and today will be the third to last day before the two brothers will be going back home. The three of them were having a dinner in Solumn city again, on an outdoor cafe overlooking the main street. As crowds of people passing through the busy street, a silhouette of a man caught Hisei's attention from the corner of his eyes and he immediately rose to his feet. He wasn't sure what he was seeing yet he rushed toward the busy street, leaving the dumbfounded Seiba and his brother behind.

Kusanagi was surprised with the sudden burst too, never in her life she thought she'll ever see Hisei moving at such speed. Quickly back to her paws as she runs after him, however. No time to be wasted if she didn't want to lose the sight of her trainer among the bypassers.

Hisei stood in the middle of the crowd of people, glancing around and eyes intensely scanned the area as if his life depends on it.

"What's wrong?" Seiba worryingly asked once they caught on to him. Hisei didn't reply him right away, however.

"...Nothing," Hisei shook his head and eventually opened his mouth, giving the concerned trainer his usual light shrug and the typical short reply.

"If you say so..." Seiba added. He has a feeling Hisei was not okay, but he also was not in the position to pry into one's problem, more so when Seiba has no clue what it was or what was causing it.

On the other hand, Hideki stares at his brother - easily reading him like an open book. Hisei might be able to fool that nice, old man; but not him. Hideki remembers those eyes. That look Hisei wears and the reason behind it. Only one man who could cause his brother to react as such. With teeth gritted and veins boiling in rage, it took all his effort and mental energy to not slashed out at his older brother again - just like what happened back in Alola region. Even from his grave, that man still caused misery to his brother. How dare!

Hisei breathed out a soft sigh through his nose. He could feel Hideki's sharp glare on his spines as well as could guess what his brother would say; thus he deliberately avoids an eye contact with the younger. Another sigh and he looked up to the night sky. There were no stars decorating the dark sky tonight, hidden behind the clouds. The man he once called father was gone. It has been more than a year since he went missing. Knowing him - and if he was still alive - would never leave him in the dark. He would try to find a way to contact him at all cost. But the good news never came. Hisei has to accept that man will never return, that he will never barge into his house or his room again just to show him a picture of a Magikarp. He was here no more. Gone. Disappeared from his life. That he was just seeing things. There's no way he could actually find him in this somewhat isolated island. His shoulders drop in defeat. He should move on, there's no point in clinging to the past... then the majestic form of the colossal redwood tree - the Wishing tree - entered his sight despite the darkness on the horizon.

"...Hideki?"

The said younger sibling have to admit it caught him by surprise when the usually silent Hisei suddenly calling his name. He studies his older brother, squinted at him; could senses how Hisei was in conflict with no one but himself. Possibly pondering over whether he actually wanted to ask or say something to his younger brother. Seconds flew by before Hisei eventually raised his gaze and look at his brother in the eyes. Hideki's eyebrows furrowed as he watches how Hisei seemed to be swallowing his pride. When Hisei eventually opened his mouth again, he hesitantly asked:

"...do you still want to visit that tree?"

total: 2714 words

part 3 [end]

LVL LOG: Masamune-Evolution 's pokemon: > Ogami / Blue / Kujira / Uragiri each gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)
> Ashinaga gained 2 lvls (silhouette 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)
> Orca-san gained 14 lvls (story 13 lvls + gift 1 lvl) + 1 CC - also learned Surf
> Orochi gained 14 lvls (story 13 lvls + gift 1 lvl)

Furuitcake 's pokemon: > Medica in underwater gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)

OriginofDoubt 's pokemon: > Phantom gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)

Yoriden 's pokemon: > Cheeto / Tobiko / Zora / Bait each gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)

PlaguesLament 's pokemon: > Valentine gained 6 lvls (lineart 1 lvl + color 2 lvls + shading 1 lvl + BG 1 lvl + gift 1 lvl)

EXP share log:
> Blue, Kujira, Orca-san, & Orochi were already in their lvl of 100
> total leftover lvl: 6+6+14+14 = 40 lvls
> gives 20 lvls each to Akumu & to Gozu

Log for PKST
story 13 lvls for Tako <
story 13 lvls + silhouette 1 lvl = 14 lvls for Kusanagi + learned Extreme Speed <
their leftover lvl: 13 + 14 = 27 lvls <
gives all 27 lvls to: Rilakuma <

I know I deliberately skipped that part in this story but Seiba & Hisei's "backstory" will comes after I finished all of them, so I could dump 'em up in one go |D;;;
(hopefully wont take too long lmao)