RIPTIDE

{{ a g-g-g-g-g-GHOST!!!

As far as theme teams go, this would be it - a combination of Ushio’s favorite Water Pokemon as well as Snorlax, his overall fave. The boy takes his Pokemon battling seriously, so this team isn’t just a bunch of awesome Water types - it’s a Rain Dance team centered around Kingdra and Swampert sweeps.

“I thought Maeda-chan was the only girl who could shapeshift!!”

     His continuous babbling had been enough to stop her yet again. The boy spoke to her in such a casual manner, why was that she wondered. It was a new reaction, one she’d yet to experience before. Milkshakes? He even commented on her meek state. “I don’t need a mood lifter.” Peculiar. “I don’t want food.” She wasn’t an expert on reading people so despite sensing the fear, she couldn’t understand what was going through his mind, or why he was treating her in such a way. He’d seen her, had he not? This mild interest had her attention fixated on the boy, no longer focused on those she’d chased down before. 

     “You must know what’s happening. I don’t understand.” People were strange. No. People were PREDICTABLE but not him. How would she feel killing him, she wasn’t sure. A part of her was eager to test that out, but… “Are you playing dumb, I can’t tell. You’re not normal. No one would make that expression in this situation.” A smile, at her? This truly was an odd encounter. 

     “You’re not leaving. Does that mean you wish to stay?” Ren’s frown deepened, and her expression would darken. “Then you want to die.” 

Without even thinking, Ushio shivered - and he knew it was not from a sudden draft. Then you want to die.

Of course he didn’t. The boy had many insecurities, but he knew one thing for sure: he didn’t put his hero costume on today just to get murdered in an alley. Recomposing himself, Ushio steeled himself before taking one measured step forward. His smile had faltered in the wake of the girl’s menacing reply, but he was quick to patch it up.

“Ahaha... Well, I would rather say I’m playing smart. Who wouldn’t, right?” Good one, Ushio. “Still, it kind of hurts my ego to be called abnormal by a girl - even if she might also harbor a much more malicious intent.”

Another step. The student planted his feet firmly in the ground as he counted the seconds in his mind. Just another minute or so - that would be all he needed before he could disengage from this menacing girl. “...So come on, what do you say? If you don’t want food, maybe we could take a stroll around the city?”

@brinestar  continued from here 

“WHAT!? OH, THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!” Ookami barked, seeing the swear jar. He hated that damn thing. Half of that income had to be from his own money. Sighing, Ookami reached into his pocket and tossed in the 50 yen coin. 

“This ain’t just for me, doofus” Ookami said, dragging him by the back of the shirt. “There ain’t no harm in learning ya some hand to hand combat. And ya water splashes count as my shower for the week..” 

Clink! The sound of money in the bank (show me what you drank) was music to Ushio’s ears. Next to Akira, Ookami was the biggest donor to the second year’s swear jar. He’d make sure they got the best seats on the flight.

Back in reality, Ushio found himself suddenly flailing as he was dragged along by the wolfish teen. “Gaaaah! I’m gonna fall, I’m gonna fall!”

Spoilers, he didn’t fall.

Trepidation crawled along Ushio’s spine as he stood across the girl in the alley. He’d stalked behind her on impulse, on a whim - the only thought in his mind at the time was that he didn’t like the way she was trailing after someone else.

Something else tugged at his thoughts as she glanced back and forth between him and the rapidly retreating figure in the distance. There was an aspect to her features that struck all the wrong chords with him. Her gaze, while narrowed, didn’t seem too irked. Those words of hers rang the typical villain alarm bells, but it was her voice that bothered him more.

It almost seemed as if by sheer chance, Ushio had bitten off more than he could chew. . .

“...Sorry, sorry! My friends have always called me a bit of a goofball, haha....” Ushio’s words carried steadily across the alley towards the girl, but the twitch in his lips and the way his fingers clenched over his crossed arms conveyed his nervousness.

“You look like you could use a bite to eat - food is one of the best mood lifters, you know? Why don’t we step out of this alley and I’ll treat you to a milkshake instead?”

He had no probable cause to go with for now, but Ushio’s gut told him that he shouldn’t allow this girl to return to her pursuit. If nothing else, he could at least distract her long enough to let the other person retreat.