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7:26 PM, and Ecruteak's vibrant night market was in full swing.
Under the hazy, cloud-veiled moonlight, Kai and Erika strolled down the lantern-lit pedestrian street, blending in with the crowd.
Neon signs and colorful paper lanterns bathed the stone road in warm hues. Market stalls shimmered with flashing lights, their owners calling out in rhythmic voices, advertising steamed buns, mochi, grilled skewers, incense, incense burners, and miniature Poké Ball keychains.
But it didn't feel noisy.
It felt… alive.
Even the street performers dancing with their Pokémon partners or juggling Poké Balls added charm to the scene. This was the kind of night that made cities like Ecruteak feel like they had a heartbeat of their own.
Kai walked leisurely through the crowd, a stick of cotton candy in one hand, his phone in the other. Every few steps, he took a bite. Sweet. Airy. Almost childlike.
Erika followed beside him, her arms full of street snacks. She'd sampled nearly every stall they passed, though judging by her delicate frown, nothing quite measured up to her own refined cooking.
Tonight, she had changed into a brilliant kimono, blending beautifully into the traditional aesthetic of Ecruteak. Her elegance drew looks from passersby, some admiring, some curious, and all respectful.
Then came laughter bright, innocent.
A group of children in festival masks and yukata darted past, lollipops in hand. One nearly collided with Erika.
The kids skidded to a halt, bowing repeatedly. "Sorry, miss!"
Erika just smiled gently. "Be careful running around now. Watch where you're going."
As the children scampered off, she gave them a wave before hurrying to catch up with Kai.
Kai was oblivious to the commotion. He was focused, thumbing through his phone. Finally, with a triumphant smirk, he held up the screen toward Erika.
"Got 'em. After thirty minutes of refreshing and near-numb thumbs, I finally snagged two last-minute tickets."
Erika tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and laughed softly. "Well, we did arrive a bit late. If we'd planned ahead, we might've landed front row seats."
Kai shrugged. "True. But hey, this just proves how popular the Kimono Sisters really are, right?"
They reached the end of the road, stopping in front of an ornate three-story building.
Its sloped wooden roof was trimmed with waving banners. Lanterns flickered along its eaves, casting golden reflections in the polished wood. A large wooden plaque above the entrance read:
Ecruteak Dance Theater
"This is it," Kai said.
He paused to examine a nearby signboard, a decorative event poster. On it, two Legendary Pokémon were depicted in vivid brushwork: Lugia and Ho-Oh, their bodies spiraling in a dance of water and flame, forming an elegant circle.
In the bottom corner, a calligraphy inscription read:
> Tonight's Performance: "The Legend of the Burned Tower"
"…Oh," Kai murmured, a little disappointed.
He and Erika had already read about the tower's history in their travel guide earlier today. Seeing it turned into a dramatized stage show kind of killed the mystique.
Still, they'd come this far. They had the tickets. No point backing out now.
After having their e-tickets scanned, the two entered the theater, removed their shoes at the entryway, and followed the polished wooden hallways with the rest of the audience.
The auditorium was packed.
Hundreds of guests filled the seats: young couples, curious tourists, groups of kids with their Pokémon in tow. Even the second-floor balcony sections were full. Kai and Erika located their seats, marked on the side balcony, with comfortable floor cushions instead of chairs.
Kai knelt down like the locals, folding his legs beneath him.
Not bad. From up here, he could see the entire stage clearly, even if it wasn't dead-center.
Cool air drifted down from the ceiling vents. Despite the crowd, the theater remained refreshingly pleasant.
He glanced toward the main seating area below. Most of the crowd was younger audiences, teenagers, kids, and families. Very few older folks.
Guess the locals have already heard this story a hundred times.
Then, Kai blinked.
"…Huh."
"What is it?" Erika turned her head.
Kai nodded subtly toward the opposite balcony.
There, kneeling silently, was a man in a monk's robes. Next to him sat a solemn-looking Bellsprout, arms folded like a miniature sage.
"A monk?" Erika asked, a little surprised.
"From Violet City, maybe?" Kai mused.
Monks weren't unheard of in Johto. Like in traditional Japanese culture, they could marry, eat meat, and even run family businesses. Still, seeing one casually enjoying a theater show? That was… unusual.
But not unwelcome.
As showtime approached, the velvet curtains remained drawn, but Kai, sharp-eyed as ever, spotted a narrow gap near the stage door.
A girl was peeking out from the side, scanning the audience.
She looked young. Dressed in a dark kimono, her expression was a mix of nerves and excitement.
Probably a performer or one of the backstage staff.
She was clearly trying not to be noticed.
But when her gaze met Kai's, she froze.
Like a startled Deerling, she ducked back behind the curtain and vanished.
Kai raised an eyebrow.
Curious.
----
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