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Not long after the distressed cries of the shiny Pelipper echoed through the beach, the culprits responsible for ruining her grilled lobster appeared—not some mysterious group, but a few rowdy kids in swimwear.
These kids, realizing their mistake, looked visibly panicked. Seeing the shiny Pelipper's furious expression, they were too scared to approach her for the moment.
Pelipper, still heartbroken and enraged over her ruined delicacy, was on the verge of flying over to teach them a lesson if not for Sato and Marshtomp holding her back.
Never underestimate the fury of a foodie whose meal has been ruined.
Soon, the rest of the kids who had been playing beach volleyball with the culprits arrived to check on the situation. Among these were AJ and his group, who had previously been with Elsa.
AJ and his friends, having experienced more daunting situations in the past, were far less intimidated.
Moreover, since Sato wasn't wearing the Ditto mask disguise he used earlier, they quickly recognized him as their savior from before.
"Ah, so it's you lot causing all this trouble. Hurry up and apologize to Pelipper; your stray ball ruined her grilled lobster," Sato remarked, recognizing them with a hint of amusement.
Unexpectedly meeting these familiar faces, Sato felt genuinely delighted. After exchanging greetings, he firmly instructed the kids to apologize to Pelipper.
Unfortunately, Pelipper wasn't moved by their empty apologies. Turning her head away, she made it clear she wasn't forgiving them so easily.
One clever child, however, quickly bought a three-scoop chocolate ice cream for 100 PokeDollars from a nearby vendor as a peace offering for Pelipper.
Winning over a foodie with treats is always the best approach. The shiny Pelipper's anger melted away as soon as she tasted the delicious chocolate ice cream.
Seeing this, the other kids scrambled to buy treats for Pelipper, and before long, she was happily bonding with her newfound friends.
One even got to enjoy a brief flying experience with her, further cementing their friendship.
The kids' delay prompted the adults accompanying them to arrive shortly after. Among them was Elsa, along with a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties, with strikingly handsome features.
"Oh, it's you, Mr. Sato! What a pleasant surprise to meet you here," Elsa greeted warmly, her genuine smile lighting up her face.
She didn't hesitate to approach Sato, showing none of the reservations one might expect from their benefactor.
During their encounter in the Sea Cave, Sato had not only saved Elsa's life but also gifted her a significant portion of the spoils—a rare Premium Water Stone and eight high-quality Water Stones.
These treasures had allowed her to resolve several longstanding issues, including restoring the dilapidated facilities of the Lilycove Gym and reclaiming assets previously sold off to cover her late father's debts.
Grateful for the monumental changes in her life, Elsa had been determined to thank Sato properly. Running into him so soon felt like fate, and she wasn't going to miss the opportunity this time.
The handsome young man accompanying her, who was clearly an admirer, couldn't hide his envy.
Though he maintained a polite demeanor, his frustration was evident to Sato, who caught the fleeting glimmer of resentment on his face.
"Hello, I'm Matis, a friend of Miss Elsa. A pleasure to meet you," the young man introduced himself with a flawless smile and extended his hand to Sato.
Sato, noting the brief flash of jealousy earlier, still reciprocated politely.
"I'm Sato Kaede. Nice to meet you as well."
Matis's subtle disdain became apparent when he discreetly wiped his hand with a handkerchief after shaking hands with Sato.
While the gesture went unnoticed by others, Sato caught it effortlessly, thanks to his sharp perception.
When Sato invited Elsa and Matis to join him for lunch, Elsa readily accepted, noticing how much the children were enjoying themselves with Sato's Pokémon.
Matis, despite his distaste for dining in such a casual setting, agreed as well, determined to maintain his gentlemanly facade in front of Elsa.
Over the meal, Matis revealed that he was the second son of a prominent shipbuilder from Lilycove City and had participated in the Hoenn League.
His polished manners and cultured conversations dominated the table, though his occasional air of superiority betrayed his privileged upbringing.
Sato, however, remained unfazed.
Having recently interacted with individuals like Alice, a true heir of a prestigious family, he could discern the difference between genuine nobility and a second-generation rich kid trying to emulate it.
He also noticed Elsa's subtle but consistent attempts to distance herself from Matis, confirming her lack of interest in him.
"So, Mr. Matis, you mentioned you recently participated in the Hoenn League. That must mean you've earned eight Gym Badges, right? Would you be open to a Pokémon battle with me? I'm still early in my journey and would love to experience the strength of a skilled trainer," Sato asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Matis, eager to show off his prowess in front of Elsa, immediately accepted. "Of course! A battle after lunch sounds perfect."
Thus, the stage was set. On a sandy patch of the beach, Sato and Matis prepared for their Pokémon battle, with an eager crowd gathering to watch.