codeforhope | Voicemail

There's nothing wrong with not wanting to evolve. Zip never did, and he's still just as happy as any of my other Pokemon. And Shiruku, she's one of my Pokemon who reached level 100.

[She perks when she hears her name, turning back long enough to smile at the two before continuing down the sidewalk, their destination looming on the horizon.]

O-Oh, I know, I-I didn't mean it like that, zura! I don't want Shiro to evolve either, he'd have two whole heads, zura! [And that's weird, you can't just spring two heads onto someone.] I-I just know that the two-headed version is still stronger, zura. It's not really fair...I think Shiro can be monge~ strong with just one head, zura...

[Pokemon sure have a lot of strange rules when it comes to strength.]

But... [He looks over at Shiruku, studying her hard.] ...It'll feel nice to have a Pokemon at level 100, zura. Even if he isn't as fancy as the two-headed version, zura.

I think Shiro is fine just the way he is, anyway.

[He punctuates that with a smile in Komasan's direction, lifting his bag a bit higher up onto his shoulder.]

You know, I think it's even more impressive to have a Pokemon at level 100 that has never evolved. Training is harder that way, so it shows how hard both you and Shiro have worked to get that far.

[Oh shit, he never thought about it that way before.]

Monge... You almost make me sound like a good trainer, zura...

[Komasan looks at Chihiro, truly touched by what he said. Sure, they got thrown into a new world against their will and were just told to do this thing for no reason, but Komasan kinda likes the idea of being slightly good at it.

In fact, he's so awestruck by this revelation that he doesn't even notice that they've reached their destination and walks right into the building, smacking into the window.]

Eh-?!

[Chihiro jumps, stopping in the doorway when Komasan...doesn't quite make it there.]

K-komasan-chan...are you alright?

[OH GOD, everything hurts so much. It's a really good thing he wasn't looking forward, Komasan can only imagine the excruciating pain that would come out of smashing his nose against that building that totally jumped out in front of him.

Instead he'll just live with the embarrassment. And the sore jaw. ...And the sore back considering that's what he landed on.]

W-We're here, zura!

[Noko gasps for air as she tries to slither out of Komasan's bag, currently being crushed by her trainer. At least she's more durable, but this is not how she planned to spend her day, thanks.]

[KOMASAN...

Chihiro waves for Shiruku to come back (as she'd apparently gone on in without them, she's got her shopping blinders on) as he kneels down next to Komasan, carefully reaching out to try and help him sit up.

...and don't mind him just putting a hand to the side of Komasan's face, gently feeling to make sure he didn't break his jaw or a tooth or something.]

I'm sorry, I should have said we were getting close to the door...

[...Chihiro is the only person in the world who would apologize for Komasan not paying attention.

As he sits up, Komasan's inner dog kicks in as he leans into Chihiro's hand without even really thinking about it, much like any dog would when receiving pets. He's still a little dazed and it feels good, why shouldn't he?

Thankfully nothing's broken, only his pride. It doesn't even look like it's going to bruise.]

N-No no, it's fine— heh— that was all my fault, zuraa~

[Noko can only shake her head and sigh now that she's free. This guy sometimes.]

[It's a good thing Chihiro's used to this sort of thing by now, then, because all he can do is give Komasan a sympathetic smile before holding out a hand to help him up. His other hand- which he removes from Komasan's cheek- gives him a light pat on his head. You know, since he knows Komasan likes that sort of thing.]

Well...if you're sure. Come on, we have a lot of things to look at inside, so we should probably get started.

[Funny enough, the pat on the head is exactly what snaps him out of his...whatever you want to call that, and soon enough he finds himself back on his feet after taking Chihiro's hand. He'll try not to freak out about it, Komasan has thankfully been getting a lot better at that. Chihiro wouldn't do things if he didn't want to, that's the main thing to remember.]

A...a lot, zura? [SWEATS] H-How many swimsuits could one store have, zura...?

[It's not like he has to wait long for an answer, Komasan slides through the door, this time sure to avoid any and all windows. His fat snake isn't too far behind, slithering her way between Chihiro and her trainer's legs to get a good look at all those clothes!]

[Many. So many. But Chihiro won't subject you to hours and hours of looking unless you really want that, Komasan.]

There can be a lot to choose from, but that's for you to decide. And we can't forget to get some yarn for Shiruku before we leave.

[The moment they're inside, Komasan almost feels overwhelmed. There are a lot of clothes... I mean, that should probably be expected...from a clothes store...but golly.]

Monge...

Ah! W-Well, I'm not in a hurry, z-zura... We can grab the yarn first and she can take as much time as she needs picking it out, zura.

[Yeah, okay, that wasn't subtle at all.]

Are you sure? We came to get you a swimsuit, after all...

[Shiruku tilts her head a bit to one side as she comes back over to where Chihiro and Komasan are standing. It's true, she can wait! Besides, she...probably will take a little while deciding on what she wants.]

[...Of course Shiruku is so understanding, she's only Chihiro's Pokemon. Why does he have to raise such well mannered Pokemon?]

S-Swimsuit it is, zura... Heh...

[Komasan begins his search for any and all beachwear and eventually comes across...the women's section. He holds up a two piece and can't help but look concerned.]

Eh... I like that it comes with a shirt, but it doesn't cover a whole lot, zura...

[Not sure if a bikini top counts as a "shirt," but what else would you call it?!]

[Chihiro isn't sure what to do at first when Komasan winds up in the women's swimwear. He just watches him with his arms folded in front of himself.]

Well...those kinds of swimsuits are usually made for...women to wear.

[He pauses, looking over what Komasan picked up.]

But if you like it, you should wear it. Whatever you decide to choose.

[Oh.]

I think I'd like it more on a different person, zura.

[aka anyone who isn't him. As much as Komasan appreciates Chihiro's support, he's just not that comfortable with his human body yet to show off that much...body. Tiny "shirt" or not. He puts it back, it can find a home with someone else.]

Maybe something bigger, zura...

Hm...let's look over this way.

[Chihiro says, taking Komasan by the arm and leading him to some more modest selections. Ones that...you know. Aren't bikinis.]

[Komasan follows obediently, Noko close behind. Unlike her trainer, she's a little bummed they couldn't look at more bikinis. Let's be real, she'd totally rock one.]

Hmn...

[He's still not sure when he sees the new selection, but that's okay! He has a Chihiro to help him out.]

Well...what sorta swimsuit would you pick, zura?

[That seemed like the safest route to go, Chihiro has experience with this sort of thing. Maybe they can even match. That's not too weird, is it...?]

Me? Well...the last time I went swimming, I had something like that.

[Chihiro points to a wall that holds wet suits of all different lengths, shapes, and sizes. Chihiro always felt most comfortable wearing something that kind of went straight down the middle in terms of style.]

[The wet suits were not something he expected.

Not in the sense that he's surprised that's what Chihiro would pick, but that they exist at all. It wasn't a type of suit that came up often -- if at all -- in the pictures of beaches he saw so very long ago.]

Monge...

I-It's like a whole outfit, zura!

Mhm. It's like...it's all-purpose, I guess. You don't have to worry about multiple parts, or getting sun burnt because something wasn't covered properly...it's all one piece.

[And, it keeps you warm in cold water! So that's a plus.]

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