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Yumi had to admit — when Callan mentioned the otome game RONDEZ-VIEW OF LUV in DMs before setting up the date, she'd been more than a little surprised. Of course, she had played the game, even his route, but it came as a shock to know Macro Cosmos had designed one based on her, too.[break][break]

"Don't worry, my agent looked up your social media to make sure you were the real deal and not someone posing as you," she reassured him, taking his proffered arm. "It was pretty out of the blue, though."[break][break]

Tapas, drinks, and dancing sounded great. She hadn't gone on a date in a couple of months, unless one counted the occasional sandwich lunch with parker jones. That woman had a tendency to look at Yumi with something akin to puppy love. She'd have to quash that sooner or later, before Parker got any ideas.[break][break]

"Did it now?" she asked, eyebrow raised even as she took Callan's proffered arm. Mischief danced in her eyes. "I have to know more. You said I was an empress. Did you play the role of emperor?" she teased.

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Yumi had not gone clubbing in a long, long time, not since her university years in Galar. Some of the nightclubs in Hoenn did not suit her taste — Walpurgisnacht in Mossdeep came to mind, as she recalled the time she'd visited with her boss — but a few in Slateport City's lower district seemed more than promising.[break][break]

And naturally, Yumi knew better than to go alone. Her bodyguard wasn't going to enjoy dancing, so she needed to bring a friend who could ensure creeps didn't approach. And who better to hang out with and beat up creeps on her behalf than parker jones?[break][break]

After two cocktails and an hour of dancing to electronic remixes of the latest pop hits, Yumi found herself wanting a break from the sweat and grind. However, Parker was nowhere in sight. Where'd the redhead go?[break][break]

Frowning, Yumi disentangled herself from the crowd and headed for the bar that had stools for sitting. Reaching into her clutch purse, she reassured herself with the familiar feel of the minimized Pokéball that contained her Tsareena. Then she pulled out a 20 PD bill and slid it to the bartender.[break][break]

"Whatever's fun for this much," she ordered. "Keep the change." Then she surveyed the dance floor again, looking for Parker.

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Yumi should have been surprised when Callan Young slid into her DMs the other day, but she wasn't. After all, she was a social media star; it wasn't the least bit unusual for celebrities to know each other.[break][break]

The offer to grab a drink was a little too familiar, however. She recalled the route for Callan she'd played in that new mobile game, RONDEZ-VIEW OF LUV. It had ended on a romantic — if somewhat cheesy — note, but that was to be expected. It was a dating sim, after all.[break][break]

But now she was meeting the real Callan for a real drink. While getting ready, she'd spent an hour just debating on what to wear. If social media hadn't announced his recent breakup with Councilwoman Elinor Anderson, Yumi wouldn't have given her outfit much thought.[break][break]

But because they had, she felt greater pressure to ensure her clothes made a statement. But what statement was that?[break][break]

Eventually, Yumi settled on a black lace tank top, off-the-shoulder sweater, and black skinny jeans. She put her hair up in an elegant ponytail, lightly spritzed herself with perfume, and took a Corviknight taxi to Slateport Park. Upon arrival, she immediately spotted Callan at the entrance to the park.[break][break]

"If it isn't Mr. Callan Young, in the flesh," she remarked, defaulting to a haughty tone and knowing smirk. She held out her hand for him to shake. After all, it was their first meeting. "I'm Yumi."

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It took no effort for Rinkan to overpower the Mismagius. The Ghost-type huffed, annoyed, before fleeing through the wall. Immediately, the temperature in the room rose back to normal.[break][break]

Yumi huffed, too, upon seeing how the man had done nothing to assist her. She grabbed the bottle out of his hands, inspected the label, then took a large swig herself. The strong liquor washed down her throat with a distinct burn, yet she swallowed it with only the slightest grimace. Then she shoved the bottle back into his hands.[break][break]

"I'm leaving. Stay here if you want. I'll find the admin offices myself," she said before stepping toward the door.[break][break]

If she never saw the stranger again, she wouldn't even notice or care. They hadn't even exchanged names.

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Yumi frowned, confused when the man called out to someone who wasn't there. Who the fuck is Sam? she wanted to ask, but instead shook her head in disbelief as he drank straight from a liquor bottle.[break][break]

However, he had a point. "Haunted might just be right. Rinkan, cast SUNNY DAY, please."[break][break]

The Leafeon mewed affirmatively, and Yumi shielded her eyes. At once, the small storage room filled with the brilliant light of the midday sun. An angry howl filled her ears, followed by Rinkan's exclamation of surprise.[break][break]

A Mismagius phased into sight, scowling with fury. She lashed out at Rinkan using SUCKER PUNCH. The Leafeon dodged and countered with RAZOR LEAF.

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Yumi's eyes sparkled with delight as she read the text. It seemed she was inching closer to securing a good ending for this route. Remiel also seemed like a prince charming in every way. Perhaps he wasn't her type in truth, but she found herself pleased with the writing for this scenario regardless.[break][break]

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The man's abruptly personal question caused Yumi to pause before she stepped boldly into the room. She shot him a dismissive look. "I don't care for labels like that," she admitted, unsure why she was humoring him. "I just don't fuck strangers. You have to earn it from me first."[break][break]

Without a second look at him, she took the first few steps into the pitch black room. In a vehicle without windows like a submarine, even a large room could feel claustrophobic. Yumi tamped down on the nervousness that threatened to rise in her chest and turned on the flashlight in her phone.[break][break]

Rows of unopened liquor bottles arranged on shelves gleamed in the beam of light. Against the side of the room was a large refrigerator, its hum ceaseless.[break][break]

"Is this the storage area for the open bar in the foyer?" Yumi wondered aloud as realization dawned on her. She swept the room with light, searching for the source of the sound. "It's empty here."[break][break]

Her voice carried an edge of exasperation, as if she'd just wasted her time. She turned to leave when, suddenly, the storage room's temperature plummeted and a ghostly shriek filled her ears. It seemed to resound within the whole room, from all around them.

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Yumi listened to the recommendations with rapt attention. She had to admit, she was not the most avid tea connoisseur, and the owner did seem to know what they were talking about. So when they finished, Yumi nodded in understanding.[break][break]

"I'll have the rosehip tea," she said, pulling her wallet out of her purse.[break][break]

20 PD per hour was nothing for Yumi, but she felt no great desire to sequester herself from the general public while enjoying her tea. A seat by the window so she could watch the rain fall was enough.[break][break]

"The general area, but I do want to see the rooms, too. I might use them in the future," she replied. Surely the owner could spare a few minutes for a quick tour before preparing her tea.

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Yumi shot the man an incredulous look as he fell into step beside her. "So are you actually a dumbass, or are you a newbie?" she asked, an undercurrent of genuine surprise softening the acidity in her voice.[break][break]

The shriek stopped her in her tracks. With how brief it was, she couldn't tell if it had been a scream of horror or ecstasy.[break][break]

"I don't know how much of a good time they're having," Yumi said, skeptical. Then her brain registered the last part of the stranger's comment, and she frowned. "'Without us'? Bold of you to think I'm interested."[break][break]

Yet she resumed walking. Rinkan bounded toward a closed door, and when the noise pierced the submarine's silence once more, it did seem to come from whatever room lay beyond.[break][break]

Unafraid, Yumi grabbed the knob and pushed. The door swung open easily, revealing darkness.

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Ah, so he was an idiot. Yumi withdrew her hand, recoiling. She instantly regretted her initial attraction.[break][break]

"No, dumbass," she said, rolling her eyes with exasperation. He'd looked down at his stomach when the first of the strange noises had echoed around them in the foyer. There was no way his hearing was that bad, was there?[break][break]

The noise interrupted her thoughts a third time. Rinkan bounded toward a hallway, his ears pricked, before glancing over his shoulder at his mistress.[break][break]

"It's coming from down that way," Yumi said, though she didn't expect the idiot to care. She started off after her Leafeon, letting him lead the way. A quick inspection would satiate her curiosity, then she could resume geting lost in the maze of the submarine.[break][break]

Actually…[break][break]

Half-turning back to the man, Yumi asked, "Do you know the way to the admins' offices?"

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Yumi was about to yell at the stranger again when suddenly, he hissed back at Rinkan, catching her off guard. She stared at him, her expression a mix of shock and personal offense. Then he turned his fox grin upon her and…[break][break]

Wait, was he trying to be smooth with her? Surprise immediately gave way to complete and utter irritation. The fucking audacity of this man.[break][break]

How dare he be attractive and forward? If he hadn't just hissed at her Pokémon as if he was one himself, he'd be just her type.[break][break]

"Doing better than you," she grouched, scowling. Her prickliness was a defense mechanism to detract from how flustered she felt in that moment, but he didn't need to know that. "You sound like you're about to cough up a hairball."[break][break]

She pressed a hand against the center of his chest in an attempt to shove him out of the way. "Do me a favor and don't get it all over me."

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