there's a stricken moment where the only sounds are those of the waves outside gently lapping at the beach, & the ambient hum of the aquarium some steps away.
❛ are you sure ... ?? ❜
" positive. "
professor kukui's — chairman kukui, in this moment, — expression says nothing, in that it does not pressure one way or the other, his expression the same gentle smile he gives to students when offering an assignment, when waiting for them to explain their answer before giving his own opinion. satoshi knows that expression well — he's been on this side of it many times.
so many opportunities granted, so many doors opened, so many roads crafted ... & this — another.
❛ but ... i — what about kahuna olivia ?? ❜
" we wouldn't be having this conversation if i hadn't already had it with her. she seemed perfectly satisfied when i told her who i was considering to take her place. "
❛ ... she's the only kahuna in the elite four right now ... the others have their connections to the trials, but ... professor kukui, are you sure this is a good idea ?? ❜ the breath he huffs the question out with is caught somewhere between distress & exhaustion, shoulders moving in a helpless shrug.
" you completed the trials once. that puts you in the same league as kahili. & perhaps it's for the best the kahunas don't get bogged down by league politics, when their respective islands give them plenty of work as is. "
the chairman leans his elbows on his knees, hands loosely connecting where they overhang. satoshi feels himself nod along.
" it was good to have them as elite four members for the sake of easing the league's introduction to the region, but, well, the longer there's any kahunas in the line - up, the harder it is to deny rumor & allegation that the league's been trying to replace the trial tradition. "
❛ sure ... ❜ that ... had been a concern, actually — the whole tradition - replacement thing. part of satoshi was worried total removal of the kahunas might be interpreted as a symbolic replacement. but perhaps people would see it as a further distinction ... & if there's still trainers with close connections to the trials involved ...
satoshi shifts in his seat, gaze suddenly falling much easier on the action of petting pikachu's back in his lap.
❛ i'm still not gonna be around much. ❜
" i know. " there's a smile in kukui's words that tells satoshi he's thinking " it's you, i wouldn't expect any different " ; is thinking " same as kahili, again " . the fact of a set precedent does alleviate some of the now - former - champion's worries.
❛ i guess elite four members do get a lot more leeway with their responsibilities than champions ... ❜ it's said with a rather wry expression. it's not like satoshi was ever any good at sticking around for a lot of those champion responsibilities. he's awful lucky for a chairman like kukui, & a region so indulgent of their first champion. ❛ & ... i guess this way i could still keep an ear to how ree's doing ... & if there's trouble, it'd be easier to argue their case if i'm still part of the alola board ... ❜
he hears kukui hum, an affirming thing, hears the shuffle of him leaning back into the couch cushions. satoshi probably just reached himself what the chairman would have otherwise said aloud. maybe that's the whole reason he's doing this : so satoshi can keep a direct line with ree. so he can still feel like he's in a position to help his second home grow.
an awful, suspicious part of him suggests there's a lack of trust towards the new champion. the rest of satoshi stamps that idea right the fuck down fast as it arises. even if it holds any merit, he doesn't want to think he's being used as a sentry or something. especially not by professor kukui. especially not for a skull grunt. especially not ree. especially not by professor kukui, what the hell, he thought he was past this.
( his treacherous brain tripping on the thought of " being used " still has satoshi digging his fingers a little further into pikachu's fur. awful idea. awful, awful idea, who's in charge of his thoughts anyway ?? who invited paranoia to this discussion ?? )
he breathes.
kukui sits patiently, & pikachu buzzes beneath the pads of satoshi's fingertips, soft static playing at his palms & thighs.
❛ i want to think on this a bit. i've got ... there's some stuff i wanna consider before i give you my answer. that alright ?? ❜
he chances a look at kukui, seeing him through the curtain of his fringe. kukui nods, expression soft, perhaps satisfied. probably glad to hear satoshi's going to take the matter into deeper - than - a - five - minute - conversation consideration.
" take your time, kiddo. "