Was she fulfilling Aki’s personal dream? Perhaps? Did she enjoy this to the fullest? Most certainly!

Cathrine didn’t let go. She allowed Aki to implode in her arms, and found herself a bit surprised that the color of Aki’s cheeks found new shades of red to apply, and now her ears were taking on the color too! Aki’s cuteness was reaching almost illegal levels. Cathrine was definitely considering snatching her if she wasn’t already taken. But given how cute she was, well surely she would be.

And while Cathrine considered the levels of cuteness Aki was reaching, she noticed glances being thrown her way. Is she checking me out? The thought was amusing in an affirmative way. Perhaps she was available after all.

Their walk reached its conclusion as they reached their goal. Cathrine gave Aki an affirmative nod as Aki proclaimed It so. However, Cathrine’s arm didn’t leave Aki’s shoulders until the last possible moment, as she instead moved in to chivalrously open the door for her most cute companion. “After you.” She beamed her pleased smile at Aki, though now it carried but the faintest hint of seductiveness.

But would Aki pick up on that?

Another shade of red? Cathrine didn’t let the surprise catch her. She had thought it impossible, but here Aki was defying her expectations.

But their small interaction was quickly interrupted once they got through the door. The worker there seemed to know Aki rather well and perhaps they had caught onto Aki’s redness. They certainly fired a compliment in Cathrine’s direction.

Though Aki tried to stammer a response, naught but a hey emerged.

“My name is Cathrine Fisher, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Cathrine smiled, though the smile was kind it was also devoid of the seductiveness she used on Aki. “Aki has been telling me about how great the tea you serve here is. So I was hoping to try some of that Tomato Tea.” Cathrine said, her voice ever polite.

The teasing eyebrow wiggle in Aki’s direction did not go unnoticed. But as she saw Aki dying inside she figured she did not need to comment on it. Luckily or perhaps not so much for Aki, Cathrine’s name was familiar to the worker.

A small but understanding giggle escaped Cathrine as Aki quickly shushed the worker. By now Cathrine wasn’t sure she would be able to tell Aki apart from a real proper Tomato. Still, as the worker summarized their order, Cathrine would send in a nod their direction confirming the correctness of it before turning to her attention to find a seat.

“So, Aki. Do you have a preferred place to sit?” Cathrine asked. After having briefly looked at their options. Now, her best guess would be one of the tables at the back. Cozy and perhaps slightly hidden? Definitely, the better place to be reading her exotic books in public, if Aki was so inclined.

The assertive grip around her wrist came as a surprise. Though Cathrine could appreciate it when it came from someone so seemingly timid as Aki.

She allowed Aki to lead her through, squishing through the tight path which led to Aki’s favorite place. Another thing Cathrine appreciated was the sight of Aki’s light smushing. While she could boast of not needing to turn sideways to get in there, the emphasis on Aki’s curves that this gave was, as some might say, a gift from Arceus.

But Cathrine made sure to not let her falling victim to Aki’s thirst trap be obvious as she found a comfortable spot there. Instead, she saw the beautifully lit area, stained glass window, and fairy lights. With the two couches, tables, and enough pillows to make oneself comfortable, It was a really cozy place.

But what is that smell?

Cathrine knew better than to ask, but it was certainly peculiar. Luckily Aki’s peculiar wording caught her attention. With a slightly raised eyebrow, Cathrine said with a jesting smile. “Hide?” Her gaze clearly questioned what sort of shenanigans Aki was getting up to at a secluded spot like this.

TAG: Aki Kumori

Aki’s reaction amused her. She wondered if the smell was perhaps the reason for the reaction. For a moment her thoughts were led towards paths illegal, smoked herbs in particular.

Whether or not Aki did those, well Cathrine did not care about that.

Though the words that Aki offered did hit Cathrine fairly spot on. She knew well how shallow people could be. Though her dreams had always been of being an author, even she had to eat and she had always been selling as many books as she did now nor she did have the skills to live off of Pokémon training.

“Yeah, people can be sorta rude.” She mimicked Aki’s wording as she went to place a caring hand on Aki’s shoulder, as she’d send the timid bookworm a reassuring smile. “But don’t worry. I like to think of myself better than that.”


TAG: Aki Kumori

Cathrine gave an understanding nod. “That is true, and I won’t fault for it,” Cathrine replied. Just in time for Minerva to pop in with the tea and a dose of good mood.

Cathrine smiled and snickered as she saw Aki almost pushing the clerk out.

“Well, to be honest. I can understand why.” An almost alluring edge appeared on her smile as she continued. “Has anyone ever told you, that you look rather cute when you are flustered?” Her gaze did not move from Aki, gauging whether Aki would be taking these compliments in a favorable way or whether she should pursue another topic.

TAG: Aki Kumori