Pokémon: Above the Top

With Sakura joining them along the way, the four of them returned to the Pokémon Center.

Sato had suspected there might be an ambush or revenge attempt from the Hanazaki siblings on the way back. He had mentally prepared for a fierce battle.

Unfortunately, Sato had overestimated their efficiency, or maybe they simply didn't dare try to retaliate?

Sato didn't believe that.

People who become bounty hunters were never good news. Though Sato appeared calm on the surface, he remained cautious the entire time.

"Weavile has fully recovered. Please take your Poké Ball."

"Thank you, Miss Joy!"

After dinner, Sato came to Nurse Joy to retrieve Weavile's Poké Ball. Just as he was about to return to his room, he suddenly overheard a few Trainers chatting.

"Did you hear? Someone spotted a Milotic at the lake!"

On a sofa in the lounge, a young Trainer in a leather jacket said excitedly to his companions.

"You mean that Milotic? The one said to be the most beautiful Pokémon?"

"Milotic is really rare, isn't it? the lake is so small, could there really be one there?"

The words of the Trainer in the leather jacket immediately stirred up a commotion among the others nearby. Most people didn't really believe it.

"Not just that! I heard this Milotic is different from the rest… its whole body shines gold, and even its tail is golden!"

The Trainer, getting fired up, swore by it and revealed even more shocking news.

"That has to be fake. Milotic is already super rare, and now there's a golden one? You must be kidding me!"

"Exactly! I don't believe it either."

"…"

"Believe it or not, I'm heading to the lake first thing tomorrow morning. A golden Milotic… I'm going to catch it no matter what!"

With that, the Trainer in the leather jacket stood up and left in big strides, not caring what the others thought.

Sato stared at the Trainer's back for a couple of seconds, then silently returned to his room.

In the living room, Joseph was still studying the notes given to him by Madam Kaori. When he saw Sato return, he gave a quick wave before going back to his research.

Sato didn't bother him. "Top" students didn't like to be disturbed while studying.

Looking around, Sato noticed that Mark still hadn't returned. Clearly, he had gone out to goof off again.

Though Sato was a little worried, all he could do was shake his head helplessly.

It was still a bit early to sleep. Sato sat on the single sofa in the living room, pulled out his tablet, and began casually browsing the latest news online.

---

"New Mega Evolution discovered by the Joy Research Institute: Hoenn starters surge in value!"

"Shocking! What the Dragon Clan did to Camerupt!"

"Leaving men speechless and women in tears: What did the young scientist Bill do?"

"Genius Trainer Lance promoted to deputy leader of the League's investigation squad!"

"Ghostly beauty Phoebe challenges Sinnoh: 'None of you are my match!'"

---

"…"

Sato ignored the clickbait headlines and quickly filtered out the important information. He was already used to this kind of tone from the League's official news platform.

In the living room, Sato and Joseph didn't talk, but the atmosphere wasn't awkward. Only the occasional page flipping or screen tapping broke the silence.

Even Pichu quietly lay in Sato's arms, peacefully sleeping.

For a moment, everything felt calm and serene.

"Bang!"

Sato and Joseph both jolted unconsciously and turned toward the door; one with a calm but dangerous gaze, the other frowning tightly.

"Uh… I think I got the wrong door," Mark said with desperation in his eyes, trying to escape immediately.

"Come back." ×2

"On it!"

Mark quickly stepped inside, "gently" closed the door, and slipped into the bedroom in a flash.

"…"

"Two minutes," Joseph said to Sato with a meaningful look.

Sato shook his head and glanced at the tightly closed bedroom door. "One minute!"

Thirty seconds later, Mark poked his head out from the bedroom. "Hey, I have some crazy news. Want to hear it?"

"Ha, we really overestimated him."

Joseph closed his notebook and muttered to Sato, then looked at Mark with a face that said, 'I'm listening.'

"Did you know? A Milotic with a golden tail appeared at the lake!" Mark said as dramatically as possible.

"That's it? And?" Sato had already figured it out and wasn't surprised at all.

"You already knew?" Mark widened his eyes in disbelief.

"Yeah. And you're about to suggest we go check it out tomorrow, right? Sounds good. I'm heading to bed." Sato stood up with Pichu in his arms, shutting down Mark's next sentence and casually walked off to the study.

"I hadn't heard about this. Why don't you tell me more?" Joseph, seeing Mark's face turning red and then pale, decided to save the poor guy.

Three minutes later, Joseph, filled with regret, pointed toward the bedroom door. "I think you should go to sleep."

…

The next morning, Mark -excited beyond belief- actually made it to breakfast without Joseph having to wake him up.

As they stepped out of the Pokémon Center, Sato saw Sakura standing at the entrance, seemingly waiting for something.

"Sakura, over here!" Mark waved enthusiastically, even though they were only about three or four meters apart.

"Good morning, Sato! Morning, everyone," Sakura skipped over to them, deliberately dodging Mark's enthusiastic greeting. Even the order of her greetings seemed very intentional.

"Morning," Sato nodded and continued walking.

"Sato, I heard you're heading to the lake today. May I come with you?" Sakura quickly caught up, eyes full of hope.

Mark felt an arrow strike through his knee. 'Does it not count when I say it?'

'Could it be… she doesn't even remember my name? So, all that talking last night… was she chatting with a ghost?'

Mark didn't dare think further. His whole worldview was collapsing.

Sato looked at Mark, then at Sakura. He didn't even need to guess to know what was going on.

"No."

"Great! Huh?" Sakura stumbled, nearly falling, stunned as she looked at Sato's expressionless face.

Was she hearing things? Was he a devil?!

Joseph held back his laughter, pulled Mark along, and quickly caught up to Sato.

Behind them, Sakura watched the trio walking away quickly and felt the world's deep malice toward her.

"Sakura's not coming with us?" Mark, finally catching on, asked as he instinctively turned his head… only to be firmly held down by Joseph.

"I rejected her and she agreed right away. Clearly, she just wanted to be polite. Didn't you see that?" Sato said seriously to Mark.

"Maybe… but something still feels off." Mark frowned, deep in thought, unable to refute it.

"Come on, the golden Milotic is still waiting for us!" Joseph laughed, patting Mark on the shoulder.

"Yeah! That golden Milotic must be absolutely stunning!" Mark's eyes sparkled, instantly forgetting what had just happened.