Conan: UBF Continuation
Walking alone through the busy crowd of trainers and spectators was Conan. He was pretty bruised and scratched up, but he’s standing all in one piece. At age nineteen, he’s experienced things some never have to experience in their whole life time. Despite being chase by grunts who wanted to steal his Pokémon or having close calls with man-turned-hybrids; participating in the UBF was a hell of a time for him. He was able to meet new people, some that he can even call his close friends. Grow as a person and really gotten to know himself as an individual. It was definitely a fun run, but as all adventures goes, this one is nearing the end.
Of course, he didn’t let anyone know that he’ll be leaving today since he didn’t like that sort of thing to begin with. His plan was to pack his things early in the morning and head out without anyone’s knowledge. It was Conan’s least favorite thing to do so he’d rather leave quietly without the goodbyes. At least, that was what he intended.
“Conan,” A meek voice was said from behind him. He turned slightly to see a shy girl who hid most of her face behind her scarf. It was Omni. A sheepish smile formed on his face before he faced her completely with his hand scratching the back of his head.
“Hi Omni,” He watched her as her eyes trailed to his packed bags and back to him. “I guess you caught me.”
“Y-you’re leaving?” She asked her voice soft but with a sense of disappointment. “B-but shouldn’t you stay a bit longer to heal?”
“Nah, I think I’m good to go. I was discharged early for a reason.” Conan answered with a small laugh. “Luckily for me, not only am I stubborn in the head, but also my body.”
Conan had a stupid grin on his face that made Omni falter deeper in her scarf. Her eyebrows furrowed together in worry and sadness. A mixed emotions of the two and it showed clearly on her face. She wasn’t sure what to say, or if she should try to convince him to stay. She already knew even if she tried, Conan had already made up his mind.
Her thoughts were racing, trying to figure out what to do or say, but it all stopped soon after. She was caught off guard when his hand met with her shoulder. She looked up to meet his light eyes. She wasn’t sure how to react to the gesture. She just stood frozen, her eyes locked on his. She couldn’t look away even if she wanted to.
“Omni,” He started. She could feel her heart beating faster. She held her breath, waiting eagerly anxiously to what he had to say.
“I wanted to thank you.” Well that really threw her off. Her eyebrows arched in confusion and waited for him to elaborate. “Throughout my whole time here in UBF, I noticed you were always there in the sidelines cheering me on. Every hardship I faced in each round… all the way until the end, you were with me every step of the way. And I really do appreciate it. You’re really a good friend.”
Omni was touched by his words, enough to feel her face warming up. She grew a liking to this fellow that stood before him. As she watched him through the rounds of the tournament, she didn’t realize how concern she was for his safety and well-being. And apparently not in a friend kind of way either which is probably the cause of her confusing feelings she had to deal with. Little didn’t she know she grew to care for Conan, and grew in a way that is more than just a friend.
From the way she was currently feeling, and being overwhelmed with all that he had told her, for some reason, she was able to muster enough courage to tell Conan.
“Conan, you mean a lot to me… And it’s hard for me to tell you how I really feel but…” She started, her face beating red. “I…I like you.”
Conan was taken back by what she said. His eyes slightly widen, and it looked like he was at a loss for words. He clearly wasn’t expecting her to confess to him at all. It wasn’t something he would be prepared for, but still this was definitely something thrown from the left field.
“Omni…” Conan meekly said, with a hint of uncertainty.
As soon as she saw his reaction, she quickly pulled back, hiding her face even more behind her scarf. Her blossoming and new found discovery of feelings came crashing down. Because she knew in that instant, he didn’t feel the same way.
She only smiles weakly while looking down. This made Conan retreat and he looked worried at his friend, afraid that their relationship will change from here on out. Even though he couldn’t return her feelings, he did like and appreciate her as a dear friend. To lose that as he’s departing now… would be horrible.
“It’s okay Conan.” She said. He looked to her and their eyes met again. It was as if she could read his thoughts. “You don’t need to say anything, I understand. But just know that I’m glad I was able to meet you. Wherever you go, any challenges you meet… Know that I’ll always be cheering you on.”
Omni didn’t give him a chance to say a word as she tipped toed and kissed Conan’s cheek. She quickly drew back, her face as red as can be, and scurried away. She left him with a gift that she felt the need to give at that moment, and never looked back.
Conan placed his fingertips where Omni’s lips touched, and didn’t really know how to respond to the unexpected gesture of affection.
He merely stood there… befuddled.
--
Meanwhile, there was another friend in particular that was looking for him as well. The one who he also became quite close with, the girl named Kaoru. Without his knowledge, she was actually looking for him moments after his departure from the hospital. She was shocked to hear from the nurses that he had already left without anyone’s knowledge. Which was of course was his plan all along.
She wanted to apologize for what happened the last time they spoke. Everything was all so confusing to her along with her feelings as well. She didn’t mean to ditch him like that, and she would sure like to owe him an explanation for that.
“Conan!” The girl with dark hair called out. She was now in a sea of people who were also planning to take the ferry out to return to their homes. It was literally looking for a needle in a hay stack. She bent over, resting her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. She was running all over the place and still she couldn’t find him. But despite the odds that were against her, she quickly got back up, wiped the sweat off her face and continued her search.
She looked in every direction her head can possible turn, tilting her head high to view over those that were taller than her. She had even crouched low to see if she can spot familiar looking shoes.
Just as she got closer to the peer, an alarm sounded which caught her attention. The ferry had already loaded the first batches of customers and is now sailing off. “Maybe...” She whispered to herself before turning in that direction. Just as she thought, she spotted a unique black hat of a trainer that was dear to her. She knew instantly that that was him. She gasped, “Conan!” She called out, hoping he’d hear. He didn’t budge which meant, no luck. He was too far.
So with all the strength she had left, she mustered up momentum to get through the crowd before she finally found an opening for a clear view of the ferry. As she came to a clearing, she pulled her Pokémon ball to release her Braviary. She had to get his attention somehow and she knew just how to do it. She removed something around her neck and smiled to her Braviary before nodding in Conan’s direction.
With a gush of wind, the Pokémon took off in the direction of the oblivious trainer. She watched as her heart beats faster the closer he gotten to Conan.
As the ferry moved for departure, Conan was leaning against the railings of the ship, with his back turned. He inhaled deeply, taking in all the fresh sea air before exhaling it all out. As much as he enjoyed his time in the tournament, he was still excited to finally be heading home. He needed the rest and if he’s being fully honest, he was a bit homesick and missed his friends and family back at home. So he was pretty excited to sail back.
He leaned against the railing, taking some of the rays of the sun in that engulfed him in warmth. A smile crossed his face. “I’ll be home soon.” He said quietly.
Suddenly breaking his trance, Conan felt a blast of wind hit him; nearly having his hat flying off if he hadn’t caught it in the nick of time. A shadow formed above him before he felt something land on his shoulders gently until he felt the complete weight of the creature. He turns to find a Braviary’s eyes peering back to him. And not just any Braviary, he knew pretty quickly that it was Kaoru’s.
“Leon?” He said a little bit surprised, “What are you—” Before he could continue he saw a glint of colored light, flicker in his eyes. Something sparkly caught his attention which he soon realizes was dangling from Leon’s beak. It was a necklace. A blue gem with a delicate chain attached. Conan took the necklace from his beak to examine it.
“Isn’t this—”
“Conan!” A voice called out. Conan turned and saw a familiar figure in a distance. The owner of the necklace; a necklace he knew that she held close to her heart; a treasured item to speak.
Conan saw Kaoru having her hands cupped around her mouth to amplify her voice. He fully turned to her direction, to face her.
“We’ll meet again, Conan! This isn’t goodbye!” She said, her face glowing red from the words she spoke. “The day you return that pendent to me is the day we’ll meet again! Promise to keep that safe for me until then! You hear me?!” As the sea air brush her face, she waited for his response. She could feel her heart racing with adrenaline.
Conan held the necklace close to him and gripped tightly. He broke into a smile that reached from ear to ear. He waved, “I promise to keep it safe, you can count on me!” he grinned, “I’ll see you again!”
Kaoru smiled as her eyes glistens. She was sad for their separation, but hopeful at the same time; hopeful that she will see him again. She held both hands in the air, waving back in big motions. “Until we meet again, Conan!”
She watched as he drifted further and further away. She hadn’t notice she was now alone on the docks as everyone started to leave. She was left there, standing firmly while the sound of the waves crashed the rigid rocks around her.
All her thoughts were to the trainer…the trainer who changed her world in many ways.
Kaoru’s Braviary returned to her side and with her eyes still focused ahead, he gracefully landed on her shoulder. She took a sharp breath and gripped her fists. Her face was calm but surprisingly determination stirred within her, growing more and more as the time went.
“I’ll tell him then Leon.” She said, her eyes fixated on a boat that now looks like a speck of dust in a distance. “That’s a promise.”
END