"Thank you."
Courtney took the Potion from Aoki and carefully healed her Pokémon.
Once the treatment was complete, she found herself at a loss for words.
She wasn't sure how to interact with Aoki now.
"Let's get out of here first," Aoki said calmly. "This place just saw a battle, and if we stay too long, we might attract unnecessary attention."
He didn't recall his Pokémon.
Even though Courtney seemed to have taken a liking to him, he had to remain cautious in the wild.
Trust was not something freely given.
Boss Lairon stood guard by his side, his steel-plated body exuding a newfound power.
If Courtney decided to attack him for some reason, she'd have to face Boss Lairon first.
Though it was unlikely, Aoki had learned never to underestimate the unpredictability of others.
Courtney hesitated for a moment before recalling her Pokémon and obediently following Aoki.
"By the way," Aoki suddenly said, "that trainer we just dealt with had a few decent Pokémon. If you want them, take them."
His tone was casual, but there was a deeper meaning behind his words.
If he truly wanted to bring Courtney under his wing, he needed to help her grow stronger.
Tropius and Ludicolo, while decent, were not worth his time. Their potential wasn't high enough to reach the Elite level without extensive resources.
He had Boss Lairon—his trump card.
A single Elite-level Pokémon, when pushed to its limits, could take down an entire team of weaker opponents.
Even a quasi-Elite Pokémon wouldn't stand much of a chance unless they had overwhelming numbers.
But for Courtney, those Pokémon could be useful.
Whether she sold them for resources or kept them as temporary power boosts, they would help accelerate her rise within Team Magma.
Courtney looked at Aoki with a flicker of surprise before nodding.
"Then I'll accept them. Thanks."
A quasi-Elite Tropius was a valuable asset.
It would be a great addition to her current lineup and would certainly aid her position in Team Magma.
"One more thing," Aoki added. "Neither Tropius nor Ludicolo has the potential to reach true Elite-level strength. If you really want to improve, focus on training your Ninetales."
Courtney's grip on the Poké Ball tightened.
She already knew Ninetales was her strongest Pokémon, but hearing Aoki confirm it made her even more determined.
"I understand," she said, her voice more resolute.
Her decision was clear—she had to focus all her efforts on making Ninetales as strong as possible.
They soon arrived at a riverbank.
Aoki casually took out some food, preparing a quick meal.
Courtney did the same, but her main concern was her Pokémon.
They had just recovered from battle and needed to replenish their stamina.
Boss Lairon, meanwhile, was still adjusting to the immense power he had just unlocked.
While he adapted, Aoki trained his other Pokémon nearby.
Courtney sat silently, watching him.
There was a strange warmth in her gaze.
Her admiration for Aoki was growing.
She had fought strong trainers before, but Aoki was different.
He wasn't just powerful—he had a presence that drew people in.
"The hero saves the beauty… That's how it always happens," Courtney murmured to herself.
She wasn't even sure why she said it.
But Aoki heard her.
He pretended not to react, keeping his focus on his training.
This woman really was falling for him.
The thought made him smirk slightly.
It wouldn't be long before she was completely under his control.
For the next two days, Aoki remained in the forest, continuing his training.
And Courtney?
She never left his side.
Her feelings for him deepened with each passing moment.
By the third day, Aoki knew it was time to move on.
He had spent enough time here.
Now, he needed to head to the next Gym.
Training was important, but so was taking action.
Standing at the edge of the forest, he turned to Courtney.
"I'm heading to the next Gym," he said. "This is where we part ways."
Courtney's heart clenched.
She didn't want to leave him.
But she knew this moment would come.
Aoki was a League trainer.
She was a Team Magma officer.
Their paths were bound to diverge.
Unless…
She confessed.
But should she?
Would Aoki accept someone like her?
Her hands clenched into fists.
Then, just as Aoki was about to turn away—
"Aoki, wait!"
Aoki stopped, looking at her with mild curiosity.
Her heart pounded.
She had made up her mind.
She had to say it.
"Aoki, I… I have something important to tell you."
Aoki raised an eyebrow.
Interesting.
If she took the initiative, things would be much easier.
If she truly liked him, it was only a matter of time before she fell completely under his influence.
"Go ahead," he said smoothly. "We're friends, after all. If there's something you need, just tell me."
"Friends…"
Courtney's face turned red.
No.
She didn't want to just be his friend.
She had to take this chance.
"Aoki, I like you," she blurted out.
Her voice trembled slightly, but her gaze was firm.
"Can you be my boyfriend? Will you have a relationship with me?"
Aoki's smirk widened.
Now, this was interesting.
She was straightforward.
He liked that.
But should he accept right away?
Or should he play hard to get?
…Forget it.
There was no point dragging this out.
Besides, she was bound to be useful in the future.
"My path is difficult," Aoki said, not answering directly. "If you choose to follow me, it won't be easy."
But his words had already given her the answer.
Courtney's eyes shone.
She barely stopped herself from jumping in excitement.
"I don't care!" she said, nodding eagerly. "No matter what happens, I'll stand by your side."
Aoki sighed internally.
She was completely serious.
Even though he was a League trainer and she was a Team Magma officer…
She still wanted to be with him.
"Alright," he said finally. "Let's try this out."
The moment he agreed, Courtney rushed toward him.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, pressing herself against him.
Aoki: "…"
Well, that escalated quickly.
But he wasn't complaining.
Beautiful women taking the initiative?
He liked this kind of development.
She was still clinging to him when he suddenly spoke.
"I'll be traveling for a while," he said. "Do you have time? Want to come along?"
Courtney hesitated.
Her heart told her to say yes.
But her responsibilities with Team Magma wouldn't allow it.
"I… I have things to do," she admitted. "But when I get the chance, we'll travel together again."
She watched him nervously, worried he might be upset.
But Aoki simply nodded.
"That's fine," he said. "We'll part ways for now."
Her heart ached at those words.
But she knew…
This wasn't the end.
They would meet again.
And when they did—
She would make sure she was even stronger.
For Aoki.
For herself.
For the future they would share.