One year before he gets engaged
Two years later—
"Come on, Satoru, hurry up!"
James grabbed his wrist lightly, pulling him along.
"Or we'll be late—and you know Granny and Pop-Pop…
they'll be standing at the gate just waiting for us."
Satoru frowned slightly, walking beside him.
"Big bro… is it really that important to go?"
James blinked, then laughed.
"Oh right—you've never been there before, have you?"
He leaned closer, excitement slipping into his voice.
"Their place is amazing. And they've got a ton of Pokémon."
Satoru gave him a suspicious look.
"…Are you sure?"
A pause.
"Because last time you said that, we ended up on a 'wild adventure'…
and both got punished by the tutor."
James winced.
"…Okay, that happened once."
Then he smirked, ruffling Satoru's hair.
"Also, you don't have to keep up that act when it's just us."
Satoru went quiet for a moment.
Narrator:
After ten years in that suffocating household, James had learned well.
The subtle manipulations.
The planted doubts.
The quiet attempts to turn brother against brother.
Servants whispering.
Hints of betrayal.
Small lies meant to grow into distrust.
James had shut it all down early.
"Act like a brat around others," he had told Satoru once.
"Push me away when they're watching."
Satoru had refused at first.
But eventually… he had to agree.
Back to present-
The carriage came to a stop.
At the gates—
Granny and Pop-Pop were already there.
Waiting.
The moment James saw them, his expression changed instantly.
He marched forward—
and started scolding.
"Why are you standing out here at the gate?!"
His voice sharp. Harsh.
"It's not good for your health. You should be inside!"
Granny and Pop-Pop froze.
Speechless.
Then—
Granny stepped forward, her eyes softening.
"You've gotten so thin…"
She cupped his face gently.
"Don't they feed you properly?"
James paused.
Just for a second.
Then looked away.
"…I'm fine."
Behind him—
Satoru watched quietly.
Not saying anything.
But noticing everything.
Grandpa chuckled, eyes shining with nostalgia.
"Ohh, look at him, honey…
He looks just like me when I was younger."
Grandma smiled warmly, bending down.
"He has your eyes…"
She gently pinched Satoru's cheek.
"Woof! Woof!"
From the side, Growlethe barked happily, tail wagging as it circled around them.
Satoru blinked, then let out a small laugh—
reaching toward the fluffy creature without hesitation.
After a day of rest—
The next morning, sunlight filled the villa.
James stretched his arms dramatically.
"Alright, Satoru—tour time."
He dragged him along excitedly—
through wide halls,
open gardens,
and lively spaces filled with Pokémon moving freely.
"This place is way better than that boring mansion, right?"
James grinned.
Satoru didn't answer immediately.
He just… looked around.
Carefully.
Taking everything in.
"…It's nice."
James paused.
Then smiled a little wider than before.
Later—
As the tour came to an end—
a voice called out from behind.
"Oi."
Grandpa stood there, arms crossed, pretending to look serious.
James grinned instantly.
"Yo, Pop's! How are you doing?
Your back alright?"
Grandpa waved him off.
"Don't worry about this old man."
Then—
he leaned down toward Satoru, lowering his voice like it was a secret.
"Hey, little one…"
A small grin formed.
"Wanna see some Pokémon?"
Satoru's eyes lit up instantly.
He nodded—fast and eager.
Grandpa chuckled.
"Thought so."
James laughed from the side.
"Yeah, you've done it now. He's not leaving your side."
Well from now on
Bonus chapter -75 power stones
I will try to post at my earliest which I can't due to my illness