321. Openhearted
Tomorrow was Valentine's Day, and Candice was absolutely, positively, one hundred percent single. And it didn't bother her one bit.
Not at all. Not in the least. Not even when one of the less tactful trainers at her gym had come right out and asked her how she could possibly be looking forward to the big day when she didn't even have a date.
It'd be silly to let something like that ruin it for her. Date or no date, it was still a fantastic holiday filled with romance and chocolate. What more could a girl ask for?
Okay, and if she was being totally honest, she was still clinging to the tiniest shred of hope that a certain Gym Leader might somehow make his way into her Valentine's Day plans. Not that she'd ever tell her trainers that. They'd probably just laugh. But they hadn't seen the way Volkner looked at her sometimes.
She hadn't thought he liked her much at first. She'd actually thought he was kind of a jerk. But now she understood why Volkner was the way he was. He wasn't exactly the friendliest guy in the world—not until you got to know him. And she hadn't known him. Not really. But then his best friend Flint had thrown this blowout of a party, and while Flint had gone off to be his party animal self, Volkner had happened to sit down next to her.
They'd talked almost the whole night, and that was when she'd started to see that Volkner wasn't just another gorgeous guy with an attitude problem. He was a gorgeous guy with a tendency to get a little depressed from time to time, but a strong sense of loyalty to his friends and a knowledge of advanced Pokémon tactics that even she was jealous of.
Not to mention the most electrifying smile she'd ever seen—when he let her see it, that was.
So she and Volkner had kept talking. They traded battle strategies, which had done wonders for her gym record, and sometimes they even met up for a quick battle themselves. (He won about three-quarters of the time. But someday she was going to change that.) And every so often, when she caught him staring at her in Pokémon League meetings and he glanced back for that brief moment before turning his attention to something else, she wondered if there was even a slight chance…
But anyway. She couldn't think about it now. She had to focus. She'd already stepped into the path of her Glaceon's Water Pulse once today, which was exactly what she deserved for daydreaming about Volkner in the gym.
And it had hurt. But it wasn't anything to be concerned about. She didn't even panic when her trainers said she'd better get herself to a doctor, because if a move like that caused confusion in Pokémon, who knew what it would cause in her?
They worried too much. It was just water. How much harm could that do?
But then she started to feel different. Her mind was going a mile a minute, and everything that seemed like a good idea to her was met with less-than-subtle suggestions that it might be nice to take a pre-Valentine's afternoon off. And when one bad decision after another nearly lost her a practice match with a trainer who'd started there a week ago, she knew something wasn't right.
So, after reminding everyone for the millionth time that Valentine's Day was serious business and the gym would be closed tomorrow and nobody (absolutely nobody) was to set foot in it, Candice went home.
Well, almost. She stopped at the Poké Mart first. The gym was running low on potions, and since she was already skipping out on a half-day of training, stocking up now was the least she could do.
That was when she saw them. Valentine's Day cards. Really, really pretty ones. She hadn't given out valentines in forever.
Candice had an idea. The best idea she'd had all day. Why not buy them for the other Gym Leaders? It'd be so much fun…
Roark,
Hope you're having a great Valentine's Day! And I really hope you're not spending it down in the mines!
I'm just going to come out and say this. You like Gardenia. I can tell. Everyone can. She's the only thing you talk about more than fossils. (Don't worry, I think it's cute. And I know she does, too.) So do something about it, why don't you?
I'll even help you out. Her favorite flowers are roses. (Not gardenias—surprising, right? It must have to do with that Roserade of hers.) So put my advice to good use, because this is the one day a year pretty much anybody can get away with grand romantic gestures.
Wishing you luck,
Candice
Gardenia,
How's your Valentine's Day so far? Romantic? Well, it's going to be soon enough!
That's right. I don't want to spoil it, but I've got a little valentine surprise for you. Maybe. It depends on whether a certain someone has the balls to—never mind. You'll find out when it happens!
Or, if it happens. And if it doesn't, let me know ASAP so I can give you-know-who a real hard time about it, mmmkay?
Love ya,
Candice
Fantina,
I was wondering… do they even have Valentine's Day where you're from?
Well, they should. It's an awesome holiday, or, as you would say, a fantastique one. So enjoy it, and try not to worry too much about still being single at your age. I'm sure some hot thirty or forty-something Coordinator will come along eventually.
And if not, well, there's always Wake.
Just kidding,
Candice
P.S. Sorry, Fantina, I couldn't resist! Don't hate me, okay?
Wake,
Oops. I meant Crasher Wake.
You know what would be super cool? If you gave your theme song a Valentine's Day remix. Spreading romance across the seas, Crasher Wake! Riding on the waves of love, Crasher Wake!
No? Well, I liked it, anyway.
Have a good one,
Candice
Maylene,
It's Valentine's Day, so give the workouts a rest and go have some fun! Eat lots of chocolate (sure, it won't help your training much, but today, who cares?) and get in touch with that cute bug expert I know you're dying to see.
I've said it again and again, but you and Aaron are made for each other. So hurry up and send that boy a valentine before I do it for you!
No, really, you'd better move fast. Unless you want him getting one of those cheesy Combee My Valentine cards with your name on it. I'm only half joking.
Lots of love,
Candice
Byron,
Happy Valentine's Day! Have a nice time with your wife!
Wait, you do have a wife, right? I always kind of assumed you did since you have a son and all, but if you don't then this is super awkward and you should probably just forget I wrote that.
Speaking of your son, you might need to give him a kick in the pants if he doesn't get his act together and make a move on —well, he's your son. I'm sure you know who I mean. I doubt you're one for matchmaking, but pretty please? It'd make two people's Valentine's Day a whole lot happier.
Actually, three. Mine too, because it was my idea.
Thanks in advance,
Candice
Volkner,
Before you read this, relax. The last thing I want you to do is freak out thinking I'm head over heels in love with you and never talk to me again. Because it's not like that.
I'm just really starting to like you. That's it. No big deal. Since it's Valentine's Day, and I'm pretty sure you don't have plans besides possibly causing another citywide blackout, maybe we could get together and hang out? I bet you can't say no to the Battle Frontier!
So am I right or what? If you want to be my valentine, or even just my friend, I'm around. Happy Valentine's Day either way!
XOXO,
Candice
And with all of her valentines finished, Candice made one last trip to the gym to leave them for pickup by the official Snowpoint Gym Delibird, who would deliver them throughout Sinnoh the next morning.
Tomorrow was going to be awesome.
