Yumi's eyes soften at Hitoshi's admission: at his sincere use of the word 'friends' and the warmth of his smile as he recalled them. Whoever these people were—Senpai, Blondie, and the rookie—Yumi felt compelled to send her silent thanks to them. They had made this region a home away from home for her companion. [break][break]

Yet a part of Yumi wavered, too, upon seeing the way Hitoshi smiled. It was an expression he had only used in her presence before, when speaking with her, when speaking about her. Now he used it with others. [break][break]

Though she normally showed every emotion, unfiltered, in front of him, she resisted the urge to frown. He deserved happiness and celebration, not whatever creeping emotion wormed its way through her heart at that moment. [break][break]

So Yumi shelved it for later introspection and smiled back. "I never thought I'd see the day when you made friends of your own," she said. "I'm really glad. I feel like you've changed a lot since we've come here, but maybe I have, too." [break][break]

She fell into a silent contemplation as she gathered up the papers to clear the table.

TAGS – Hitoshi Inoue[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Nikkari murmured Yumi's name like a prayer, and she welcomed him into her arms. A soft, low moan fell from her lips at how well they fit together. She clung to him, hands groping his shoulders and back, nails raking across his skin to spur him on. Her mouth pressed against his neck, grazing teeth leaving marks to purple later. [break][break]

After a blissful eternity of their sweat-slicked bodies moving in perfect unison, the wave of ecstatic pleasure crashed through Yumi again. She could not stop her cries even if she wanted to; let the whole world know she had been given devotion that night. [break][break]

Panting, her head fuzzy with euphoria, she kissed Nikkari on the lips again. Sweetly, this time. Whispered words urged him to keep going, to find his own release between her thighs.

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi caught sight of the look in Nikkari's eye as he stared down at her; for the briefest moment, she felt all-powerful, a siren luring Odysseus into darkened waters, breaking the will of a man she so admired. [break][break]

She smiled at him in her triumph, inviting him the rest of the way into her den. [break][break]

And then he was upon her, ravishing her, and all other thoughts burned away in the wake of her ecstasy. Her legs spread instinctively as first his fingers, then his mouth, found their way to sweet ambrosia. Both hands tangled in his long hair. Soft groans grew louder until she was begging for release, pleasure winding tighter and tighter inside her. [break][break]

When Yumi could take no more, she cried out his name and clutched at him. Stars burst in her vision as euphoric bliss exploded through her, leaving her quivering and boneless. [break][break]

She had but a moment to catch her breath, she knew. She lifted her hand to her lover, beckoning for him to join her on the bed. "Come here, Kari," she said, voice low and thick with want.

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Torn fabric gave way to the lean, hard muscles of Nikkari's torso and arms. Yumi found herself transfixed, unable to look away. Her hands ran along the planes and angles of his body, while her eager mouth pressed kisses along his jaw and throat. [break][break]

She couldn't remember the last time she'd desired a man so strongly. Nikkari was irresistibly handsome, of course; any woman could consider herself fortunate to receive him in her bed. But the famished gleam in his eye and the roughness of his hands fanned her lust in a way most never did. [break][break]

At his urging, Yumi wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Another thrill ran through her at the thought of his tongue bringing her to the heights of pleasure. Unable to help herself, she teased him with a roll of her hips against his. [break][break]

"Then what are you waiting for?" she asked him breathlessly, a smirk curling her lips.

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Nikkari's obvious hunger sent shivers through Yumi's body, while her skin burned wherever he touched her with those eager hands. Slender fingers threaded through his hair, pulling it loose from the cord that still half-bound it, and tilted his head up to deepen their kiss. [break][break]

She straddled his hips, her nightgown hiking up to reveal lace panties and ample curves. When she arched her whole body into his, she ground against the hard length of him between her thighs and breathed out a tremulous moan. [break][break]

"Bedroom," Yumi gasped, tugging at Nikkari's hands. "Now." [break][break]

She discarded her robe and nightgown along the way, tossing them onto the sofa. Her fingers reached for the buttons of his shirt and pants, impatient, demanding.

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The sudden warmth of Nikkari's hand engulfing hers prompted Yumi to look up at him. The intensity in his golden gaze sent a thrill down her spine; it pooled low in her belly and burned with unexpected heat. When his hand grasped her chin, her heart fluttered in anticipation. [break][break]

Since when had he regarded her with such fervent interest? And when had she started wishing he would? [break][break]

Setting aside her glass, Yumi shifted in her chair to face Nikkari. One hand tenderly caressed his discolored jaw, while the other rested meaningfully on his thigh as she leaned closer. [break][break]

"I don't want you going anywhere else," she murmured, before pressing her lips against his. It was no shy maiden's kiss, but the bold act of a woman who knew exactly what she wanted. [break][break]

Who was daring him to show her the same.

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi was not a woman to shy away from violence. She'd seen enough of it in her lifetime, watching from her mother's side as bloodied men reported on dark deeds carried out in her family's name. Nikkari's disheveled state was not an unfamiliar one. She imagined, too, that it was not unfamiliar to him, either. [break][break]

That was why she didn't blink at the mention of a job gone wrong. She simply led him by the wrist to her kitchen table and bade him sit. [break][break]

"You don't have to say anything," Yumi said softly, squeezing his hand. "You're here, and that's what matters." [break][break]

She'd meant to say alive instead of here, but the word spilled out anyway. [break][break]

Pulling away, she rifled through the apartment's modest liquor collection and settled on a bourbon. Though Nikkari was a lover of wines, she had a feeling he wanted something stronger. After pouring him a glass, she poured one for herself and brought both over. [break][break]

"Here," she said, pressing the glass into his hands. She sat in the chair next to him, accidentally bumping his knee with hers with the movement. Her robe slipped off her shoulder briefly, exposing porcelain skin; she absently readjusted it as she took a sip of her own drink.

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi's meetings with Nikkari had started out as happenstance, impromptu run-ins whenever he showed up at her casino, or that serendipitous moment at Lilycove Beach. Over time, they became scheduled: coffee here, lunch there, and the rare drop-in when she was sick. [break][break]

She appreciated the structure involved in their relationship. Despite her rambunctious spirit, she was a daughter of ritual and formality. Some lessons from her childhood had been buried into her skin too deeply to not be a part of her. [break][break]

So when Nikkari showed up at her door unannounced, and at such a late hour, he caught her completely off guard. Alone in the apartment, she was dressed only in a silk nightgown with a robe thrown over it. [break][break]

"Nikkari? What happened?" Yumi asked. It was not the first question that came to mind, but she shoved aside the what are you doing here upon taking in his physical state. The bruised jaw, the bandage. [break][break]

Without thinking, she stepped closer to pull him inside by his uninjured wrist.

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi laughed, feeling normalcy return as Hitoshi chattered away. "I know it wasn't your favorite game when we were kids, but I hope you'll stop by occasionally to eat some of the food. We're hiring a top chef who specializes in Johtonian food." [break][break]

She had tried teaching him how to play mahjong shortly after he entered her family's employment, but the rules had proven too complicated. Not being able to connect over her favorite game had disappointed her at first, but she'd gotten over it as soon as they became accustomed to their expected roles. [break][break]

His mention of the takeover of Hoenn prompted her to glance up at him. Of course, she'd heard the rumors, but she felt so detached from it. War was not her business. When had it become his? [break][break]

"Johto Boss, huh?" Yumi sat back, allowing herself to imagine it. "When I imagined myself running my family's empire, I never thought about it like that. Grandfather works alongside Team Rocket back home, like we do here." [break][break]

She tilted her head at her bodyguard. "But you've been taking on more jobs for them, haven't you?"

TAGS – Hitoshi Inoue[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi could not help but laugh when Nabi stopped herself mid-sentence. "No, no! I get it," she said, her eyes alight with mischief. "Men with muscles are way hotter. If a man can't lift you up and throw you around, what good is he?" [break][break]

She'd grown up surrounded by power in all its forms: wealth, influence, violence. Her bodyguards had all been chosen for their physical prowess, lack of morality, and loyalty. What ordinary man could possibly satisfy her? None. [break][break]

How strange, then, that the person who came to mind first was not one from her childhood. Yumi faltered ever so slightly at the mental image of nikkari hect's face. She was quick to dispel it with a shake of her head. [break][break]

Turning her attention back to their meal, she finally revealed the reason for choosing that restaurant. [break][break]

"I'm looking to expand my business. The casino pulls in a lot of revenue, but Sootopolis is only one city," Yumi said to Nabi. "The chef here is world-famous, and I'm satisfied that his food lives up to his reputation." [break][break]

She took a sip of water before continuing, "After our meal, I'm going to offer him a job working for me."

TAGS – nabi park[break]
NOTES – social | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi's eyes lit up in a mirror image of Nabi's when waiters placed their entrées on the table. Thanking the staff, Yumi picked up her chopsticks and returned to the conversation at hand. [break][break]

"Remiel Calcifet?" she echoed, raising a slender eyebrow. She recalled the directive to kill issued by declan walsh when the former admin had left Team Rocket. [break][break]

The look she shot Nabi from across the table was one of girlish conspiracy. In a teasing voice that nevertheless suggested how little she thought of the Galarian royal, Yumi asked, "Is he as handsome as he looks in the tabloids?" [break][break]

She began to eat, her table manners graceful and elegant. A pleased hum escaped her throat at the crispiness of the duck's skin and the juiciness of the meat. After swallowing that first bite, she glanced over at her friend's plate. [break][break]

"How's your meal?"

TAGS – nabi park[break]
NOTES – social | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi placed an order of udon for Hitoshi and an order of chirashi don for herself. Her hands stilled at his question about the casino. She, too, could feel the un-rightness about it, and a part of her wanted to say, "Don't you know?" [break][break]

But he didn't. He hadn't been at her side as frequently these past few months. A whole team of guards carried out his orders—Yumi's orders, really—at the casino, so he didn't need to be present there every day. [break][break]

"Everything's going well," she said at length. Putting down her phone again, she picked up one of the papers on the kitchen table, an overview of a building up for lease. "We're expanding. I want to open a mahjong parlor and restaurant in Slateport's upper district." [break][break]

Turning the paper around, she showed it to Hitoshi, then paused. He had been learning how to read, but she doubted he could grasp the industry jargon and complexity of the paper's contents.

TAGS – Hitoshi Inoue[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]