[Mission Complete: No missing persons during the Maiden's Peak Festival!]
[Linking Cord has been placed into the System Inventory]
[Justice Reputation +1]
[Gastly Species Affection +50%]
Kazuki retrieved the Linking Cord and studied it closely—he now had the evolution item, all he needed was a Gastly to complete the set.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from inside the cabin.
Kazuki put the item away and turned back inside.
Officer Jenny had sat up, and as the blanket slipped down, the faint bite marks that hadn't yet faded offered Kazuki another glimpse of a beautiful sight to start his morning.
"Morning, Kazuki! Who were you talking to just now? Did someone come to visit us?"
Jenny blinked sleepily, and when she noticed her bare skin, she quickly pulled the blanket back up. Last night's bold confession under the influence was now giving way to a shy flush in the light of day.
"No one. You probably just dreamt it. Come on, the sun's up—we should get going." Kazuki picked up her pencil skirt that had flown off last night and handed it to her.
Blushing furiously, Jenny hurried to get dressed. But halfway through, she suddenly let out a cry.
"Oh no, Kazuki! Last night I was so caught up in… in enjoying myself, I completely forgot—what if something bad happened during the festival?!"
Kazuki chuckled as he walked over to smooth the strands of green hair from her face. "Nothing happened."
"The most dangerous thing last night… was the two of us."
Jenny tilted her head to nuzzle into Kazuki's touch, and a smile crept up on her lips.
"Hehe, totally safe! That's why I dared to let myself go with you!"
"Hearing that makes it sound like you planned the whole thing," Kazuki teased, tracing a finger from her cheek down to her chin.
Jenny playfully stuck out her tongue. "W-Well, I did think about planning something..."
"But last night really was a beautiful accident!"
"Alright, I believe you. Let's head back—someone's bound to get worried if we're gone too long."
Jenny nodded, finished dressing quickly, and followed Kazuki back toward the Pokémon Center.
—
Turned out Kazuki was worrying too much. When they returned to the Pokémon Center, Misty was still fast asleep, snoring away.
If not for Nurse Joy's breakfast bell ringing through the hallway, Misty might've slept straight through till noon.
"You've really gotten lazy here at Maiden's Peak, haven't you?"
"You do remember your goal, right?"
"Of course I do! My dream is to become a Water-type Pokémon Master!" Misty exclaimed, yanking her toothbrush from its cup and splashing water everywhere in the process.
"Yah!" A few droplets splattered onto Officer Jenny, who yelped and instinctively clung to Kazuki's arm.
Kazuki tapped Misty's head lightly. "What the heck? How can you make such a mess just brushing your teeth?"
"Ah—s-sorry! I just got a little excited when you mentioned my goal!" Misty stuck out her tongue sheepishly.
Then she noticed Officer Jenny still holding onto Kazuki's arm.
Jenny quickly let go.
Misty, toothbrush still in hand, sidled up to Kazuki with a mischievous grin and raised her eyebrows. "So? Did it happen?"
"Did what happen?" Kazuki feigned innocence.
Misty rolled her eyes. "Men never admit anything until the end! Move—I'm asking Jenny directly!"
She shoved Kazuki aside and leaned close to Jenny.
Jenny's expression tensed, her eyes darting nervously—clearly flustered.
"Come on, Jenny~ We stayed up all night talking, didn't we? Aren't we sisters now?"
"I…" Jenny wasn't unwilling to admit it—it was just hard to find the right words in such a public place.
This was a Pokémon Center, after all. Her usual colleague Nurse Joy could walk in at any moment. If she said something too bold and Joy overheard, she'd never hear the end of it.
But Misty had spent enough time around Kazuki to learn the art of reading people. Watching Jenny's reaction, she'd pretty much figured out the answer.
And hanging around Kazuki had taught her a few tricks of her own.
"Don't lie, Jenny! I…" Misty leaned in close and took a dramatic sniff. "I can smell it!"
Jenny's eyes went wide with panic—she can smell it?!
Did Misty really have that kind of power?
There had been a couple drops of… Kazuki's essence on the inside of her skirt. She hadn't had time to change yet!
If Misty could smell that—
Ugh, it's only a matter of time anyway. Might as well come clean now!
"Yes, Misty… I'm now in the same relationship with Kazuki as you are."
"Heh! Not bad at all! Kazuki, I'm impressed. You move fast." Misty praised him proudly, then affectionately wrapped her arm around Jenny's.
"It's okay, Sis—"
"Huh? W-What did you just call me, Jenny?!"
"Big Sis Misty?" Jenny repeated, then explained, "That night, didn't you say the next girl Kazuki gets, you want to be the 'big sister'?"
"So I'm calling you that."
"Ughhh~" Misty shivered. "It sounds so weird!"
"Jenny, you sneaky little…!"
"Come on, tell me about last night! How did Kazuki break through?"
"H-Huh? That—" Jenny glanced at Kazuki for help.
Kazuki grinned and pulled both girls into his arms. "Jenny just got back—give her a break!"
"Right, right! Misty, I need to go change. Let's all join the final bonfire party together this evening, okay?" Jenny quickly used Kazuki's diversion to escape the awkward topic.
"Alright then! Go rest up—we'll see you later!"
After saying goodbye to Misty, Jenny tried to pull out of Kazuki's embrace.
But Kazuki pulled both girls back in. "What's this? You two said goodbye to each other, but not to me?"
Misty and Jenny exchanged glances, both giggling shyly. "You're really not shy, huh? Already enjoying the company of two beauties at once?"
"Jenny?"
Jenny nodded, and together with Misty, kissed Kazuki on the lips.
"Ahem!" Just as they finished, the very person Jenny feared—Nurse Joy—walked in.
"Look, I know what you're doing is perfectly legal and all, but this is a Pokémon Center. Please be mindful of the fragile hearts of others, okay?"
"And you, Jenny—I didn't expect this side of you!"
"Where's the tough policewoman I used to know?"
"Eep! Kazuki, Misty—see you this afternoon!" Jenny's face turned bright red. She stomped her foot, marched up to Joy, and tapped her on the forehead. "Not a word of this to anyone!"
Then, in a whirl of embarrassment, she stormed out of the Pokémon Center.
Misty also tugged Kazuki along as they quickly left, red-faced and laughing.
Nurse Joy's uninhibited giggles echoed behind them.
—
Later that afternoon, Jenny returned, freshly showered and refreshed, and joined Kazuki and Misty for the final night of the festival.
The three of them spent a joyful, unforgettable evening together.
But as the officer stationed at Maiden's Peak, Jenny couldn't follow Kazuki on his travels like Misty could.
So she gave him a temporary farewell.
"Kazuki! Do your best! I'll be cheering you on when you reach the Indigo Plateau!"
"Misty—take good care of Kazuki for me, okay?"
"Got it! With me around, he's in good hands!" Misty cheerfully waved back at Jenny.
Hearing that, Kazuki turned to Misty with a raised brow. "Who's taking care of who?"
"Jeez! Let's just say we take care of each other!" Misty grinned and clung to Kazuki's arm as the two resumed their journey of training and adventure…
---
New Goal:- 100PS
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