Having been busy for a full day and night, Steven ultimately decided to schedule the celebratory banquet for two days later. To this, all the Trainers present nodded repeatedly in agreement—everyone was exhausted, and naturally had no mind to celebrate during this time.
Zinnia rode her Salamence, preparing to return to the Sky Pillar.
Before leaving, she specifically asked for Hakuya's contact information for future communication.
As the host, Steven arranged for the participating Elite Four members and Gym Leaders to stay in rooms prepared in advance by the Devon Corporation.
Hakuya and Roxanne, meanwhile, prepared to accompany each other back to the teachers' dormitories to rest.
"Hakuya, regarding your assistance to the League in repelling the two super-ancient Pokémon, I'm sure you must be tired of hearing mere verbal thanks." Upon parting, Steven called out to Hakuya, who was preparing to leave, and said with a bright smile, "The League will absolutely not mistreat any Trainer who has made contributions. Afterward, there will naturally be no shortage of material rewards either."
"In addition to the League's rewards, I will also be giving you a few gifts in my own personal name. I hope you won't refuse them when the time comes."
"Alright, then I'll definitely be looking forward to it."
Hakuya nodded and responded.
He had never been an awkward or overly pretentious person to begin with.
Although he hadn't hoped for any heavy rewards before helping out—only thinking about protecting this town and enjoying the thrill of battling Primal Kyogre—now that Steven had put it so bluntly, he naturally had no reason to refuse.
"Since that's the case, I can be completely at ease." Seeing Hakuya agree without the slightest hesitation, Steven breathed a small sigh of relief. He then glanced at the beautiful silhouette of the girl waiting not far away and smiled at Hakuya. "You've worked hard for so long, Hakuya. You should head back and get some good rest now~"
"Mhm..."
After parting ways with Steven and the others, Hakuya and Roxanne walked together toward the teachers' dormitories.
The Trainers' School teachers' dormitories were located in the western part of Rustboro City.
Although Rustboro City had suffered a considerable degree of destruction due to the crossfire of the battle between Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre, the scope of the damage was ultimately limited. At the very least, the buildings and roads along the western side of the town remained perfectly intact.
At this moment, the morning mist had dissipated, and warm sunlight spilled over the spacious street beneath their feet.
Compared to yesterday afternoon, the urban area of Rustboro City was clearly much livelier now.
On the streets, a courier wearing a sun hat rode his bike through the alleys, working with his partner Pelipper to swiftly and orderly deliver packages to customers' homes.
Battle Trainers traveling through the area threw their Poké Balls, commanding their Pokémon in move practice to make ample preparations for their upcoming Gym challenges.
Meanwhile, two or three children walking together to the Trainers' School were arguing until they were red in the face over something they had been chatting about, yelling about whose Metapod was stronger, or whose Metapod was superior.
After enjoying the world-famous masterpiece of a "Metapod vs. Metapod" battle, Hakuya finally pulled himself away, feeling quite satisfied.
Even though Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre hadn't left for very long, judging by the smiles radiating from the pedestrians' faces, that terrifying battle between the two gods didn't seem to have caused them any irreversible trauma or impact.
Having composed themselves, the rhythm of everyday life could simply carry on as usual.
Watching the scene before her, Roxanne, who had been silent the whole way, couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"It's truly wonderful that everyone has returned to their normal lives..."
She looked at Hakuya beside her, her eyes brimming with deep gratitude and worship.
"It's all thanks to your help, Mr. Hakuya, that Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre were ultimately forced to retreat. The Hoenn region was able to restore peace, and the people of Rustboro City can return to their normal lives without having to live in fear of impending disasters..."
"Therefore, for this situation where everyone can live and work in peace, as the core backbone of that massive battle, your contributions cannot go unnoticed, Mr. Hakuya. You can absolutely be considered the savior of Rustboro City~"
"Savior?"
Hakuya shook his head and chuckled lightly.
"I'm not quite that noble. Haven't I said it before? The reason I volunteered to stay and help was simply because I didn't want to see this prosperous city destroyed, and I didn't want to see so many people become homeless and displaced in the future as a result. Furthermore, the battle wasn't won by me alone. Steven and you, Ms. Roxanne, made undeniable contributions as well..."
"Seeing everyone looking so happy now, I am completely satisfied."
Roxanne was already long accustomed to Hakuya's unpretentious and humble demeanor.
Handsome as a devil, warm-hearted, kind, and incredibly strong. Although he sometimes liked to pretend to be a rookie Trainer just to smurf in low-level lobbies with his Pokémon... no matter from which angle you looked at it, he was a Trainer worthy of deep friendship and admiration.
This was the Hakuya she had always known.
"Also, about that..."
As if recalling something, Roxanne's cheeks suddenly flushed red.
"Mr. Hakuya, I am truly sorry."
She bowed slightly, her face bearing an apologetic smile.
"My actions just now on the scenic beach must have caused you unnecessary trouble~ I had no intention of ruining your relationship with Miss Zinnia, so please, Mr. Hakuya, don't mind it too much..."
Hakuya looked at Roxanne in slight surprise as she suddenly brought up this past incident.
Immediately after, he instantly understood the underlying meaning in the young teacher's words.
"Hah~ I thought you were just tired from the battle, Ms. Roxanne, which was why you were silent on the road at first. I didn't expect it to be because of this~" Hakuya shook his head and couldn't help but chuckle. "You're overthinking things way too much, Ms. Roxanne. How could I possibly be that petty?"
"Rather than calling it trouble, I'd say it's exactly the opposite. I thought it was very cute."
"C-Cute?"
Hearing these words, Roxanne's eyes suddenly widened, and the heat in her cheeks instantly soared.
—Does this count as an alternative way of confessing his feelings from Mr. Hakuya~?
"That's right!"
Hakuya nodded in confirmation, voicing his opinion once more.
"I'm so used to seeing your steady and serious demeanor, Ms. Roxanne. Seeing such a completely different side of you all of a sudden... although it was a bit surprising, it gave me a refreshing and adorable feeling~"
In all honesty, that was exactly what he thought in his heart.
A young girl is a young girl, after all. How could she remain as rigid and steady as a rock all the time? Throwing a little tantrum occasionally genuinely provided a refreshing feeling.
Of course, next time he still needed to try his best to avoid having Roxanne and Zinnia present at the same time.
Recalling the Shura Field on the scenic beach just now, Hakuya felt fine sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.
Although it hadn't reached the level of a knife-wielding bad ending—as both Roxanne and Zinnia were girls with an excellent sense of boundaries—having to balance a bowl of water evenly while simultaneously tending to both of their little moods was absolutely a headache-inducing task.
He could only say that it was truly all thanks to Steven.
Hakuya ultimately gave Steven a secret thumbs-up in his heart.
A Champion's field of vision was indeed far broader than that of an ordinary person.
Spotting his predicament right when he was caught in a pincer attack by the two women and delivering a timely assist... he was truly an absolute bro.
Just based on this alone, even if Steven tried to pawn the Champion position off on him in the future just so he could go mining, Hakuya wouldn't reject him as decisively as before. Instead, he would actually think it over a few times before making a decision.
"Hmm... speaking of which, Steven mentioned he was going to give me a few gifts after the celebratory banquet, right?"
Hakuya rubbed his chin, falling into brief thought.
As one of the top wealthy young masters in the Hoenn region, and even the entire Pokémon world, the things Steven could bring himself to gift would naturally not be items you could casually find on the side of the road. He blindly guessed they would belong to the 'inhumanly wealthy' category.
Hiss... Could it be an offspring spawned by his Shiny Metagross?
While Hakuya was fantasizing about the gifts from his rich bro, Roxanne was also in an absent-minded state.
She was still savoring Hakuya's response to her apology just now.
He-He doesn't hate me... That's truly wonderful.
The young teacher lowered her head, hiding her rapidly heating cheeks, and silently clutched her chest. She felt her heart beating like a pounding drum.
They say a young girl's heartbeat is like a skittish deer, but Roxanne currently felt as if a wild dragon was thrashing around inside her chest, ready to fly out at any moment.
—Because not only was Hakuya not displeased by her throwing a little tantrum, he actually thought it was very cute.
This answer was so straightforward and natural that Roxanne—who had initially been worried Hakuya would hate her for it—felt completely dizzy upon hearing it. Her brain felt like vigorously boiling porridge, and like a night sky illuminated by countless blooming fireworks. For a time, it was simply impossible for her to calm down and think rationally.
Her slender fingers pressed tightly against her chest. Her falling hair slightly covered the rosy blush on her face. The girl tried her absolute best to suppress the violent thumping in her chest, her sparkling, glowing eyes landing on Hakuya.
A critical hit. There was probably no more accurate description than this.
To the point where Roxanne felt that if she didn't do something during this time they were alone together, she would probably regret it for the rest of her life—
Finally, as they had already entered the teachers' dormitory area...
Roxanne mustered all her courage.
She was preparing to initiate her attack.
"Mr. Hakuya."
At the corner of the stairs, Roxanne called out, stopping Hakuya, who was walking in front.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Hakuya was slightly confused, but still instinctively turned around to look.
The usually elegant and steady young teacher was currently clutching her skirt hem with her fingertips, looking somewhat conflicted.
Just as Hakuya felt something was off and was about to speak, Roxanne's arms had already reached forward and wrapped around his neck. Immediately after, he saw the girl's bright red cheeks and constantly trembling eyelashes right in front of him.
Before he could utter any doubts, a gentle yet undeniably passionate breath completely enveloped him.
Roxanne raised her hands and gently embraced Hakuya's neck. Although her pure and pretty face was as flush as a ripe peach, she still pulled at the corners of her mouth—lifting her head, the girl suppressed her immense shyness and leaned in, pressing her bright lips, as beautiful as cherry blossom petals, against Hakuya's.
Am I... being forcefully kissed right now?
Feeling that soft sensation transmitting from his lips, Hakuya instinctively felt his mind blank out for a moment.
The girl's lips were moist and dewy. With just a slight touch, he could feel a sweet, delicate, and warm softness, involuntarily evoking the desire to carefully savor and pluck it.
—She's clearly the type to strictly follow the rules, yet sometimes she can be unexpectedly and incredibly bold.
But quickly, Hakuya noticed the girl's slightly trembling, delicate body, and those eyes that never dared to open and look at him—clenched so tightly shut that he could practically count how many eyelashes she had.
The deep kiss lasted for about a minute.
Roxanne, whose kissing technique was clumsy but invaluable for its genuine, raw emotion, finally snapped awake with a jolt, her arms hurriedly releasing Hakuya's neck.
With an unconscious whimper, her exquisite, snow-white face was instantly dyed a moving, blushing crimson. Even a stray lock of her soft, light-brown hair falling loosely over her snow-white shoulder couldn't hide her jade-like earlobes, which were now burning hot and visibly radiating a bashful heat.
This situation was very easy to understand.
After all, stealing a forceful kiss was undoubtedly something that required her to muster her courage over and over again before she dared to act on it.
And just as this young teacher finally recovered her senses, Hakuya's words flowed into her ears.
However, it was completely different from what Roxanne had imagined.
It wasn't like a standard romance novel script where the male lead wept tears of joy, fast-forwarding to the classic trope of reverse-confessing to the female lead. Nor was it like certain romance movies where, faced with the female lead's proactive kiss, the male lead acted like a dense, unromantic block of wood from beginning to end, frustrating the audience to no end.
What Roxanne heard was a tease that caused her brain to instantly crash all over again.
"Ms. Roxanne, you really are such a little creep~"