Context:

  The events in this chapter took place before Ch 161. Before the beginning of Part 3 and before Nina set out on her journey.

  ***

  “Hmm-hm, hmm~? Hmm-hm, hmm~?”

  “Sus…”

  “Hmmm? Whazzat?”

  Nina was just humming a merry little tune as she touched up on her makeup when Beverly called out to her with a skeptical look.

  “You’re always whining every time we have to go on stage. So why’re you vibing all of a sudden?”

  It was the New Year and the young apprentices of the Cerulean Gym had been asked to make an appearance in the city’s communal Coming-of-Age celebration where kids who had just turned 10 years-old congregated to celebrate with their local community — mostly for those with smaller families who preferred a more vibrant atmosphere or for those who simply could not afford to celebrate privately.

  The Cerulean Gym held their own communal celebrations on occasion as well, usually within the premises of the theme park attached to the Gym when they had an especially rough year and Violet felt the need to bolster the Gym’s image.

  The one they were attending this time though, was one usually organised by the City Council, the largest in the city and also doubled as a New Year’s Market of sorts — each newly minted 10 year-old were given a generous allowance of vouchers to spend in the stalls for the occasion.

  It was normally a few of the adult mermaids who took on the task but Beverly volunteered Nina and the twins for it this year just to get some time under the spotlight. And the older girl was right. For once, Nina actually didn’t mind performing on stage.

  “It’s different this time because we’re doing it for charity.” Nina answered. “I mean, did you see how excited those kids were? And the way they were clinging to their brand new starters… So adorbs!”

  In the region of Indigo, reaching ten years of age was a big milestone. It was when one was legally allowed to own Pokemon and journey out into the wider world without supervision. And while they weren’t yet old enough to be considered adults, it was still a fact that this world’s denizens were afforded a very liberal amount of autonomy at that monumental age.

  “I mean, my parents — Miles’s parents — wouldn’t even let me go down into the streets unsupervised back when I was ten the first time around.” Which really served to accentuate just how different the customs were between the two worlds.

  Natsumi nodded fervently at Nina’s response. “Yup! I even had a girl come up to me for an autograph earlier! She and her Growlithe was so adorable~”

  Beverly groaned. “Why does no one ever ask me for an autograph?”

  “You’re always doing meet and greets at the Gym though?” Fuyumi chimed.

  “It’s not the same! I want someone to recognise me on the streets then nervously come up to me for pictures and autographs like you guys!”

  Nina snorted. “Your fans aren’t exactly the shy and nervous sort. And besides, you’re too accessible. It’s because you’re doing all these in-person events so often that people don’t feel the need to approach you — they’re taking you for granted.” Because of course Beverly Mizuhana would be roaming around the Cerulean Stretch and being a stuck-up Karen. She was practically a fixture in the city at this point.

  Whereas Nina and the twins actually had enough common sense to maintain some degree of privacy from their celebrity life. Honestly, she could never understand the sort of people who so flagrantly lay bare every aspect of themselves on social media, both in her former and current life.

  “Urgh…” Beverly groaned. “It’s not fair…” She whined, eliciting dismissive shrugs from her colleagues — this wasn’t the first time they’d heard such complaints from the girl.

  “Five minutes til go time!” cried Mizuho, Nina’s manager.

  “““Osu~”””

  Nina and the twins called out in affirmation as they languidly got up to stretch and warm their voices. Their performance today was nothing too elaborate, given the limitations of the venue and their allotted time — 10 minutes, since there were other performers scheduled.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  It was just going to be a simple song and dance in the style of an idol pop group. No doubt another one of Beverly’s harebrained schemes to found her own personal team of idols centered around herself.

  The song to the lyrics were simple and vapid as well, and the dance choreo was more cutesy than anything — Nina and the twins had outright vetoed most of Beverly's more salacious ideas. Even their outfits were tailored to match; frilly Japanese idols with a touch of K-Pop flare. Very reminiscent of Lisia’s style, though Nina wouldn’t dare to say it to Beverly’s face.

  The older girl had a very complicated love-hate relationship with the Pokemon World’s number one performer, envying Lisia’s success and worshipping her talent in equal measure, and had a tendency to get very touchy whenever anyone compared the two.

  “One minute! It’s go time, people!”

  “““Osu~”””

  Nina sighed, then did a little bounce on her feet to lock herself in for the performance.

  ***

  “Nghhh…! It’s finally over.”

  The roar of the audience steadily faded as the quartet of young mermaids returned to the back of the stage.

  “I want cotton candy!” Natsumi declared. Because of course they were gonna go check out the market after this.

  “And I want chocolate almonds!” The other twin echoed. “I saw an old grandpa roasting nuts on the way in and the smell was just Mmmm…!”

  Nina chuckled. “Hehe. And I want candied apples — can’t come to a festival without getting candied apples. What about you, Bev?”

  “I want everything!” The oldest girl proclaimed. “One from each stall!” But first they had to get changed out of their outfits. “Keke… I wonder if anyone’ll come over for pics later. Too accessible my perfect ass! I’ll show her!”

  “Look, mom! It’s Aquarium Girl!” A kid exclaimed the moment that Beverly and her posse stepped back into the public eye.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Jones, could I trouble you for a picture with my daughter?”

  “Of course, ma’am. I’d love to.” The insufferably sunny girl beamed in response. So predictably, that opened the floodgates for some of the other schmucks loitering around the stage to pile in on the action as well.

  “Err… If we all crowd around like this, we’re gonna cause a public nuisance. Why don’t we move over a little bit.” Nina then turned towards her companions. “Sorry, Bev, Fuyu, Natsu… You girls go ahead, I’ll catch up once I’m done here.”

  “Okay, Big Sis Nina! You wanted candied apples right?”

  “Yup. And choco bananas, and those candied Berries on a skewer as well if they have it. Thanks Natsu!”

  The younger girl flashed a smile at her senior then continued on with their mission before they were stopped again. This time, by a trio of kids who wanted autographs from the twins.

  “Err… We’re sorry but um…” The twins sputtered then guiltily peered towards Beverly in sync.

  “Urgh. It’s fine! I’ll go ahead and get the food on my own. Cotton candy and chocolate almonds right?” Beverly huffed. She was a magnanimous senior after all.

  “Yup! Thanks, Big Sis Beverly! And don’t forget Big Sis Nina’s candied fruits and choco banana too.”

  “Hmph!” Beverly turned away with a snort and released her Quagsire for an extra set of hands. Because no way was she able to carry so much on her own.

  “Just you wait! Someone’s gonna come up to me next and then they’ll be the ones who’ll have to play gopher. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Nins, are you done already? As you can see, Big Sis Beverly is just too popular~ the line won’t end. Why don’t you run along and grab some food on your own. No need to wait up on me.’” She giggled, already imagining the sparkly looks of adoration on her juniors’ faces.

  So she waited, and waited… wearing her most vibrant and approachable smile as she flitted from stall to stall to pick up her extensive list of items. But no one ever came. “Dammit! Are these people all blind! I’m surrounded by Zubats here!” She cried, invoking looks of disdain from the crowd as they unconsciously veered away from the crazy girl.

  “E- Excuse me, are you Miss Beverly?”

  “Yes! Yup! That’s me! Hi little boy, are you looking for a picture? An autograph? I can do both. Let’s do both!”

  The boy and his Marill flinched, then cautiously stepped away from the girl’s manic fervour. “Err… No. I mean, yes! I would like a picture, if you don’t mind?”

  “Of course! As many as you like, Big Sis Bevy is nothing if not generous. Are you one of my Bevlings? What do you think of our performance just now? I have to be your fave right?”

  “Err… well, I didn’t go see the stage. It’s kinda boring, you know?”

  “Oh…”

  “But I do think you’re cool! Dad brought me to watch a Gym battle the other day and I saw you using a Marill — it’s why I asked him to get me one for my starter!”

  “Rii! Marill!”

  Beverly relaxed her posture then blossomed into a sincere smile. “That’s good to hear, kid. I hope you and your Marill go kick some ass on your journey!”

  “Yup! Sure thing!” The boy affirmed with a toothy grin. “Marill and I are gonna go all the way to the top of the conference in one go!”

  “Heh. Settle down, lil’ firecracker, let’s get you that photo first. I’ll even give you some tips later on how to train your Marill.”

  “Thanks, Beverly! And hey, erm… Can you do the thing?”

  “What thing?”

  “You know? ‘Ice is just frozen water innit?!’ That thing! With the face and the laugh too if you don’t mind.”

  Beverly froze, eye twitching, her genial smile cracking at the seams.

  ***

  “Phew… Sorry, Bev — had to get a little creative in my getaway.” Nina said as she emerged from the crowds and made her way to the table where Beverly was sitting.

  The girl’s iconic yellow jacket was turned inside out with the midnight blue interior facing out, her ballcap pressed low, casting a deep, dark shadow over her face — too dark. No doubt, a result of her Gastly’s intervention.

  “Wow! Erm… Did you leave any for us Bev?” Nina asked, once she saw the bevy of empty cartons and half eaten food scattered all over the table.

  “Fuck you! Go get your own grub!” Beverly belched, stomach bulging from the excessive amounts of food she consumed. “And I’ll have you know! I had a kid come up to me for pictures too!”

  Nina chuckled and slid next to her friend with a comforting embrace. “Sure, Bev... Why don’t we ease off on the binge for now? Do you want something to drink? I saw them selling mulled Shuckle Juice earlier — it’s nice and warming and the spices will help with your digestion.”

  Beverly sniffled then nodded as Nina got up to go make the purchase. But right as she did, a loud explosion sounded in the distance and the cloudy night sky bloomed into a dazzling choir of fireworks.

  From brocades, to strobes, to crosettes and even some shaped like Rapidashes as a squad of Charizards took to the air, their fiery breath forming the equine Pokemons’ manes while dancing along with the flashing lights, the polished white constructs of Cerulean City’s vibrant skyline reflecting the colourful neon glow in the foreground.

  “Happy New Year, Bev. I’m sure you’ll catch a break in no time.”

  “Yeah… Happy New Year, Nins. I wish you all the best in your journey this year.”

  The two girls sat shoulder to shoulder, utterly mesmerised by the grand visage. Embers of hope flaring deep within their souls — hope for a better and brighter tomorrow, and hope that burns away all the regrets of yesteryear.