3rd POV

Kenta is practicing in the wild after a good night's sleep. Erika is still sleeping it looks like she has not slept in the night comfortably.

Kenta as usual is training his pokemon for the upcoming challenges. His pokemon were training to overcome their weaknesses.

Suddenly pidgeotto stopped the training program and asked Kenta the important question which is bugging her ever since the last gym battle?

"[Master, why did you pick such a weak woman as a companion when you could pick a much more capable woman] " Pidgeotto asked him the question that is bugging her mind.

Kenta replied to her question with "It's very simple pidgeotto, Erika possesses some skills which might be useful for us in our journey. Her ability as a pokemon nurturer, botanist, and as an assistant, it is much more valuable than they seem to be " Kenta explained to pidgeotto.

Pidgeotto returned back to her training.

" Everyone, try to cover up all of your weak spots. "

"Pidgeotto you have to improve your resilience, you still need to drop your ego and focus on how to live in the present situation. Charmeleon focus on your speed, Pikachu focus on your defenses, so that you could avoid being a glass cannon, and Mankey focus on your accuracy, hitting is important that power when you battle against the pokemon that are faster than you. Dragonair, you should learn from the pokemon, you need much more experience in battles. You should learn to be more calm and patient, and don't be so impatient. And finally Seadra you are still hesitating to attack. You should be more aggressive and pump up the killer instinct within you " Kenta told each of his pokemon the flaws they possess.

It's true that they have done their mistakes in their previous battles. But the trainers they battled earlier are inexperienced so they got away with their mistakes.

But that is not the case with the upcoming trainers who are experienced and have well-trained pokemon themselves. They might not be merciful as previous trainers when it comes to battles.

So, they have trained hard and well including Kenta focusing on his aura skill until the break time.

They had stopped the training session and went inside the pokemon center to re-energize themselves for the breakfast. They are preparing to leave today.

Kenta found Erika wandering inside the Pokemon center looking for someone. Erika made eye contact with Kenta and suddenly Erika's worries have been left. She is relieved to see him

"Where you have been? I have been looking for you since morning " Erika told Kenta. It seemed she is worried that Kenta might have left her.

"I don't break the promises I make. And if I may not be able to fulfill the promise I never make them. I am confident and well-decided when I have decided to allow you to travel with me " Kenta told Erika.

"Right. I have missed your confident and smug attitude. Let's go. I have prepared the equipment you have mentioned last night. And I have decided to full fill your demands. " Erika told Kenta

"But don't misunderstand. I am doing this because I have the utmost respect for you. I don't have any ulterior motives " Erika told Kenta.

They have finished their breakfast at the pokemon center for a while and they are prepared to depart for their journey.

"I felt homesick last night. But I have decided to not turn away from my fears anymore. I can't be the pampered princess anymore. So I have decided to face the struggles which help me to grow " Erika declared her vow to Kenta. She said all of that with a genuine attempt of commitment.

She had expected some praise and some response from Kenta. But all she got is.

"It's good. Maintain that attitude " Kenta simply told her unaffected by her words.

Erika understood that she needs to show Kenta how committed she is to her vow. Mere words couldn't budge him. It raised her respect for him more.

They have picked up dozens of water bottles to stay hydrated and they have picked up dozens of food to prevent starvation. And they have purchased brushes and hygienic materials like brushes and potions which persevere their hygiene. It's clear they both like to be hygienic very much. They have purchased tents, sleeping bags, and all the materials which help to survive in the nature.

"Will this be enough? " Erika asked Kenta. She doesn't know about the basic materials that people take on their journey as she is not much accustomed to it.

"More than enough. We can always travel back to towns easily. In case we need something " Kenta told her back. In fact, Kenta has prepared much more than necessary items in his arsenal but he has not revealed that to Erika as he wished to study her behavior more. And to figure out how she is different from the games he used to know.

After traveling for a while they have decided to rest a bit as it is the first time for Erika to travel longer distances. So they took a gap for a while. Kenta on the other hand has decided to check out for wild pokemon here. Professor Oak has informed him that there is a chance he might have encountered a Snorlax here.

Snorlax is a lazy but a powerhouse pokemon. Who has monstrous stats? It might not be available for every battle but it is still a worthy Pokemon to capture. It can be used as a last resort if everything else fails.

Kenta's Plan-A is to battle and weaken the Snorlax in case it appeared, Kenta wanted to test out his pokemon's strength against a real challenge. Kenta plan-B is the poke-flute he obtained in the game corner. Plan-C is using aura and to use items to distract the Snorlax and trap the lazy head. Kenta has released all of his pokemon outside and makes sure they are alert to prepare for surprise attacks. It's time for Kenta to relax after the long planning and heists he has done.

"Erika you know our agreement right " Kenta reminded Erika of their little agreement.

Kenta pulled a portable chair in his bag and sat on it.

While Erika on the other hand reluctantly and willingly move closer to him and began to massage his shoulders. Her elegant yet gentle fingers run throughout his shoulders in an attempt to relax his muscles from the strain. She liked massaging the rough and yet pale hands of Kenta. Her shame is the only thing making her reluctant. Meanwhile from his physique, she has observed Kenta has well-trained in martial arts but he doesn't have six-packs like a bodybuilder.

She wondered how a martial brute like Kenta doesn't have six-packs despite him having the reputation of beating surge. Erika felt herself more drawn to the mystery man Kenta. It seems like there is more to him than him just being a brute.

"Now do it for my legs " Kenta commanded her in an authoritative tone.

Erika without a gap. Kept her focus on his legs and began to massage his legs with atmost caution. She massaged his thighs gently squeezed them and gently rubbed them with her sensitive and smooth hands.

A/n: Humane reactions may seem deranged to some people.

She is massaging all of his legs as gently as she can while running her fingers through his legs smoothly.

After massaging him, she instinctively took his hand and kissed his hand gently with her mouth.

Kenta is surprised by her sudden action toward him.

"[Master, I have found a Snorlax near here]" Pidgeotto flew to him and reminded him of the Snorlax location.

Kenta rose up from his seat surprising Erika who is currently massaging him. She wondered why he suddenly raised up from his seat.

"I am going somewhere. Pack everything. And you have the choice to come with me " Kenta told her.

She is not able to comprehend his behavior for a long period of time. She has packed all of the stuff with her in a portable bag with her and she left with him.

Pidgeotto now understands what Kenta meant by making her a companion. It is too hard to understand human beings. They are complex creatures ruled by emotions.

A/n : This chapter and book might not be up to the mark. But it is still satisfying to read.

I don't this chapter counts as r-18. I don't even think it is like that. You all know how Kenta is right. I am not planning to change his personality out of nowhere.