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Yumi reclined on the back of her Sharpedo, enjoying the push and pull of the waves around her as the sun warmed her skin. A floppy straw hat and a pair of sunglasses kept her face and eyes shaded from the bright sky while she watched the clouds pass by. The conversation and laughter from other beachgoers was a muted buzz in her ear, easily ignored.[break][break]

However, one noise roused her from tranquil serenity: the bark of her Popplio, who swam nearby. "What is it, Suimei?" the woman asked, sitting up.[break][break]

The sea lion pup swam closer and held something up out of the water. Peering closer, Yumi recognized it as an encased, waterproof camera.[break][break]

"Did someone drop that and you found it?" she asked Suimei.[break][break]

The Popplio barked again and offered it to her mistress.[break][break]

Yumi took it, careful not to drop it back into the water. Lips pursed in thought, she turned her gaze to the shore a short distance away. "Hmm. Did you see who owns it?"[break][break]

The Pokémon shook her head, uttering a small yip of concern.

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"You're probably right," Yumi said with a dramatic sigh when Sen mentioned the shits. Contrary to what he might think, she was not a delicate flower who fainted at the sight of blood. Some conversations were not meant for polite company, but Sen was neither.[break][break]

She ignored his unspoken protest about the selfie, inwardly appreciating that he got his act together at the last second to take a decent photo. So when he suggested the House of Mirrors, she shrugged, willing to cooperate.[break][break]

"I bet you'll get lost because you can't get your life sorted," she shot back, even as she allowed him to lead her to the attraction.[break][break]

The gaudy building offended each one of Yumi's aesthetic sensibilities, but she made no comment as she and Sen entered together. Her Stoutland immediately started barking at the multiple reflections that surrounded them.[break][break]

"Shush, Kiba," Yumi said softly, petting the dog between his ears. "You'll help me get through this successfully, won't you? Come on, let's go this way."[break][break]

Though her step was tentative, she started off in a random direction. Whether Sen followed her or not was up to him.

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Yumi's mouth watered at the smell of the funnel cake's fried dough. "Yes, thank you," she said, pinching off a bite-sized piece and popping it into her mouth. An explosion of sugary sweetness covered her tongue.[break][break]

"Mmm, this is almost too sweet," she commented after chewing and swallowing.[break][break]

In the meantime, they had made their way to the stall with the Magikarp fishing game. The children from earlier jostled each other for a spot around the pool's edge, small nets in hand.[break][break]

Yumi paid for two nets and handed one to Hitoshi. "You try first."

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Nomi recovered consciousness and immediately began apologizing in a hoarse, panicked whisper. Yumi didn't catch all of it, but she heard her own name and the words "asked about her", and that was enough.[break][break]

"There's nothing to ask, Miss Sato," she said to Nomi with the cool apathy of a woman who was ready to move on with her life. "Parker and I know each other from a past time, that's all. You have nothing to worry about."[break][break]

Still, Yumi's heart twisted with an unexpected ache when Parker called her 'Yums'. Shoving away the wish for a friendship she'd likely never have, Yumi nodded silently before turning on her heel and stalking toward the exit.

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A Pokéball.[break][break]

Not the rarest or most precious of treasures, no. But it had its uses.[break][break]

Yumi tried not to think too hard about the whimsical nature of so-called fate as she dove once more into the water. She let her Sharpedo do most of the work, swimming down into the depths. Once at the bottom, she grabbed the nearest object and swam back to the surface.[break][break]

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Yumi sauntered up to the gates of the Magnificent Funtasia set up outside Mauville City. It was not her first time attending the carnival, but she'd enjoyed it enough to go again, especially since she'd promised this visit to her oldest and dearest friend.[break][break]

"We have to win some games and get a souvenir," she told Hitoshi Inoue as they showed their tickets to the staffers at the gate. "And I'd love to watch the fireworks at the end of the night, too."[break][break]

They joined the throng of people just inside the gate. A group of children ran past, squeezing between adults so they could play a Magikarp fishing game. At the opposite end of this first area, a clown shaped long, thin balloons into Pokémon.[break][break]

"What do you want to do first?" Yumi asked, turning toward Hitoshi.

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Yumi's eyes widened as she registered this new information. "Wait, wait. You have a goddaughter?" she asked, stepping closer to Enzo. "I didn't know this! Who are her parents? Why didn't I ever see her around the hotel?"[break][break]

Admittedly, imagining her mentor trying to wrangle a six-year-old girl was just too funny. Though she didn't laugh again, Yumi continued to beam at Enzo.[break][break]

"You and her dad are close, then." It wasn't a question but an observation. "Do you know him from before? When you were younger?"

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Yumi should have expected such an answer from Topher. She noted, too, that he avoided answering her question about what brought him to Hoenn.[break][break]

That was fine. She had his name; she could dig up information about him soon enough.[break][break]

Topher departed for the bathroom to continue his work, leaving Yumi alone with her henchman in the bedroom. Patient, she lowered herself onto a nearby chair untouched by the carnage. Only when Topher returned to share more about himself did she speak again.[break][break]

"And were those people your syndicate? They hired you afterward?" she asked. Then she tilted her head. "How old were you when it happened?"

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The conversation ebbed and flowed with their meal, and as they drank more champagne. Yumi, secretly a lightweight, found herself losing more of her elegant mask as the night progressed.[break][break]

Though she maintained her poise and grace thanks to a lifetime of training, her genuine emotions revealed themselves to Nikkari the more they drank, ate, and spoke. Her expressions gained an edge of frankness to them — every sparkle of her eyes, twist of her lips, and peal of laughter.[break][break]

By the end of their meal, Yumi was deeply satisfied — by the alcohol, the food, and the company. Much to her delight, conversation with Nikkari had been entertaining. When they lapsed into silence to eat or digest each other's words, it didn't feel awkward, and their next words flowed easily.[break][break]

Yumi had, of course, brought up the topics of his travels and his work, sharing enough about herself to satisfy the requirements of this first exchange. Nikkari fascinated her: his wealth, his refined manners, even his stylish dress.[break][break]

But that night was their first meeting, and she did not know his intentions. She doubted, too, she would find out.[break][break]

Then he stated them quite plainly, catching Yumi off guard. A pleased smile stole across her face a heartbeat later. "Not often," she said, appreciating his forwardness. "Only if I have reason to believe they'll be worth my time."[break][break]

Staff came to collect their used plates and silverware. She paid them no mind as she continued, equally blunt, "Dinner off the clock sounds fun. You can reach me with this."[break][break]

Reaching into her clutch purse, she removed a single business card containing her work email and direct office number. She slid this across the table toward Nikkari.

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TAGS – Inigo del Rosario[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit

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After snagging a Tera shard from her second dive, Yumi was determined to keep diving until she could amass a considerable collection of treasures.[break][break]

She readied herself for a third attempt, stretching so her body wouldn't be too sore from the effort, then released her Sharpedo into the water. Together, they swam to the bottom, where she grabbed another object.[break][break]

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Yumi approached the entrance of the Magnificent Funtasia carnival that had set up shop in the heart of Mossdeep City. Lights, noise, and music filled the air long before she reached it, growing louder with every step. Upon arrival, she swept the entrance with her dark gaze, seeking the familiar face of her companion for the evening.[break][break]

Finally, Yumi found her. A broad smile spread across her face as she waved down Mei Liu.[break][break]

"Mei! So glad to see you," Yumi said, embracing her friend. "I know I haven't been home much. It feels like ages since we've just hung out."[break][break]

Linking her arm with Mei's, Yumi walked through the gate, flashing their tickets at the staffer in a clown costume.[break][break]

"Tell me everything about how you've been and what you've been up to."

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