1x1 A typical Adventure (122xTala)

Acerola and Drifblim ignored Kirito and went to check on Erina, wondering if the sick girl needed help. She looked better than earlier but could still use some extra support. That was when Acerola helped her to stand. "My friend! Why are you out here? Are you okay?" she said.

"I'm okay. I just... want to see Evergreen again. Is she around?" she said.

"Oh yeah. She's..." Acerola trailed off. Was Evergreen well enough to be back on her feet too?

Speaking of Evergreen, she welcomed the familiar sight of the crowd of Pikachu at the pier. Nodding like Mimikyu, she said to the guide, "I didn't expect to see you here! And you brought everyone, it seems!" she said. She smiled at the Pikachu gathered around.

 

Even Evergreen was surprised to see Pikachu run off like that. "W-wait up!" she said. Leaving Mehealani and Mimikyu at the pier, Evergreen tried her best to catch up with Pikachu, even in her weakened state.

That was when Evergreen spotted Acerola and Drifblim helping Erina on her feet, with Pikachu looking right into Erina's eyes.

"I think he wants to stick with you," Acerola remarked.

"Wha? Why?" Erina said, surprised and confused.

 

Erina looked still shocked and surprised, not sure what to say. Coughing a little, she felt Pikachu hug her shoulder tightly, and then she cradled the mouse in her arms. "You really want to stay with me?" she said, while Acerola and Drifblim kept her on her feet.

Evergreen watched from the distance what was happening.

 

Erina looked back into Pikachu's eyes. "Why, though? I w-would only make your siblings sad."

"Unless if he really likes you and wants to stay with you, that is." Acerola grinned.

Evergreen went to look around for Kirito. He had to see this. Where could he possibly have gone? She walked ahead to look for him, hoping that she glimpse his usual black robes. Wait, wasn't she used to this when she was a Kirlia?

 

Acerola laughed. "See? Even the Pikachu agree!"

Erina looked at everyone with a surprised look on her face. Nodding back at them, she said, "I-I promise to visit you again. You came from near Kantai City, right? My s-sister lives on that island. I'll be sure to come by sometime." That said, she hugged Pikachu tightly.

Erynn's inn was located in Koniko Town, back on Akala Island (the second island Kirito and Evergreen had travelled to). The only legitimate place to moor boats was at Kantai City, so Kirito would have to take a boat there. As it happened, Evergreen to arrive at the pier in time to see Kirito leave the island on his own. Where could he possibly be going? Evergreen thought. She let out a groan of frustration. He could have taken the shopping bag at least!

 

Even Acerola broke into a smile. It was very heartwarming to see this!

Evergreen felt something sink in her stomach. Why did Kirito abandon her and the others just like that? Dejected, she turned around to look for Mehealani. On the way, she ran into Nanu.

"Lady Evergreen," he greeted her. "Something the matter?"

"No, nothing's wrong," Evergreen replied. Then she kept walking forward. As Nanu was able to see Acerola from here, he decided to meet up with her.

 

(Aw... Kirito. Ha, I realised that Kirito hadn't seen Evergreen since she was in bed)

Evergreen looked back into Mimikyu's eyes (or rather, her costumed head). "He's gone away again. Like, does he even care about me? I mean, us?" she muttered.

Acerola and Nanu then talked a little bit in private. Mostly it was to do with the follow-up from the Skulls' defeat. Then they noticed Evergreen looking confused and worried.

 

Evergreen shook her head. "I'm... meh. Like, why did Kirito just go away like that?" She knelt down to pet Mimikyu's head. "Isn't there some way to see where he's going?" She turned her head to look at the pier's direction.

 

"I... I suppose I should do that," Evergreen said. She couldn't help feeling a tight feeling in her chest, like she had a longing. One of these days, she would have to express her feelings to him. Leon's wife did mention that to her before. So Evergreen stood up and brought her shopping bag and purse with her towards the pier.

Acerola, Drifblim, and Erina decided to escort Evergreen to the pier too. As they did, they invited Mehealani to come along.

 

Evergreen was reminded that Mehealani lived essentially in Ekaeka Town, the place where Evergreen and Kirito started their journey. Well, Evergreen would need to go there anyway as the SBC was based there. What mattered first was finding Kirito.

She went up to one of the sailors. "Um, excuse me. Would you have seen a dark haired mage in black robes? He should have gone in this direction."