Part two of the series. I'm hoping you guys enjoy this, even though it's more lore and character based

---

Birds chirped as a cool breeze blew through the fall air, the temperature cold enough for most to wear jackets when they were out and about. All those except Randal, and other ice types, as they aren't affected by the temperature dropping. The only thing blowing in the wind for him was his hair, overshirt and tail, something that seemed to make Umi a tad bit jealous. The Eevee was walking beside him, bundled up in a winter cap and light jacket, which also blew in the wind alongside his hair and tail, as the pair walked towards their destination: the Big Buns Bakery. Umi glanced over at Randal and shivered slightly

Umi: I wish I had the same kind of cold resistance you have, Randal.

Randal returned his gaze and raised an eyebrow playfully

Randal: Aren't you able to evolve temporarily? Why not just make yourself a Glaceon until we get to Duncan's bakery?

Umi: Because when I temporarily evolve, it makes me bigger, and I don't want to risk splitting my jeans. You know I like them form fitting, so me getting any bigger would mean split seam city.

Randal: Why not talk to Dante about that? You've gotten plenty of custom tailored clothes from him before.

The pair turned to their right, glancing at the Crown Joules custom clothes shop they were walking past. Seemingly the only reason Randal brought it up was because they were already walking past it. They could see inside that Dante was hard at work showing off what looked like some custom tailored underwear to a shiny Umbreon - Goon, as Randal knew from a few brief conversations at his escape room facility - and a few Hawaiian styled button ups to a Quaxley, one they recognized from TV (and as a commentator at the wrestling company Randal worked for) named "Party" Marty. Dante didn't notice the pair outside, too busy doing what he did best: selling his fantastic clothes to a pair of lucky customers. Umi looked back at Randal and smiled, but shook his head

Umi: Maybe another time, he seems a bit busy with some other customers. Besides, we told Duncan we'd be at the bakery by 10, and we're cutting it real close.

The Eevee turned forward again and resumed walking, quickly followed suit by the Alolan Vulpix

Randal: I know, I know, keep your pants on. We won't be late. Besides, even if we are, it's not like Duncan's going to get his undies in a bunch for showing up a few minutes after we said we would.

The Eevee looked back with a slight smile, one both sincere and a tad bit teasy

Umi: Well if I want to keep my pants on, I can't very well turn into a Glaceon. And yeah, I know Duncan wouldn't mind, but I don't want to hold him up any longer than necessary... though I'm sure the only thing that would affect his underwear would be seeing you~

Randal's eyes widened a bit, a gesture returned by Umi smiling wider and playfully sticking his tongue out at the Vulpix

Randal: You've been talking to Sid too much.

Umi: If it gets you to react that way, I'd say not enough~

The pair continued to walk towards the bakery, which was only a few buildings away at this point. Absentmindedly, Randal glanced to his left as they passed the library, seeing Cylia's brother Domino in there. He knew from what her and Jalyn had told him that the Lycanroc was looking to put his brains to good use as a tech hand and organizer for the library, and it looked like he had his hands full with something on one of the laptops. Randal could see him showing something on it to a Unown he hasn't seen before (though, to be fair, he never really had much reason to visit the library, so he didn't know it's employees), which laughed at whatever Domino had showed them before patting him on the back. The Vulpix couldn't tell if it was an intentional joke Domino told or if it was something some young vandal had done to the laptop that made the Unown laugh, but it made Randal smile slightly nonetheless

Randal: Didn't know Dom could tell jokes.

Randal had said it aloud expecting to get some sort of response from Umi, likely defending their quiet introverted acquaintance, but he got nothing. Curious, Randal looked ahead and saw that Umi was looking into the next building up: the Sweet Tooth. And judging by the blush on his face, he seemed enamored by something. The Vulpix walked up to him and looked in, seeing a female Cinderace giving a customer a shake, the rather quick to annoyance Drizzile Leichter looking incredibly over whatever the customer he was serving was saying (after craning his neck, Randal saw it was Umi's Rattata friend Lenny, and he immediately understood Leichter's mood) and Jalyn's Spinda friend Alexis behind the counter fixing up some sort of ice cream dish. It didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary, not until he followed Umi's eyes and saw what had him captivated: cleaning up some leftover plates and dishes on one of the tables was his and Jalyn's shy friend, the Quilava Kira. She had recently moved in with Jalyn and, during a stop the previous night at his house for a hairbrush she had forgotten, seemed really flustered. Come to think of it, so did Umi last night... and now. Randal had some suspicions last night, but now they were beginning to seem more and more obvious. He smiled a bit, before lightly nudging the Eevee on his shoulder, startling him a slightly

Randal: What's up, Umi? I noticed last night you seemed a little... I guess flustered is the right word when Kira came over for her hair brush. And even moreso now. I hate to ask in a public place, but do you have a crush on her?

Umi looked at the Vulpix, seemingly trying to hide something before he exhaled loudly. Randal was his closest friend, he had no reason to hide anything like that from him

Umi: Y-...yes, I have a bit of a crush on her...

Randal smiled widely and put an arm around Umi's shoulders

Randal: Daww, dude that's awesome. Why don't you ask her out then?

Umi's ears shot up, his face red

Umi: I-I can't... I'm too nervous, have been for a while...

Umi could see Randal raising an eyebrow, so he elaborated

Umi: When I started working more at the bakery a few weeks ago, Kira was always the one that brought over the ice cream and sweets deliveries from here to the bakery. At first, I was as friendly as I usually am, I saw she was shy and wanted her to feel welcomed, so I made small talk as much as I could. Each time she delivered something, I'd find out more and more that we liked a lot of the same stuff, like shows, bands and games. It felt really cool. One day, she had accidentally knocked something over and I went to help her clean it up, and our hands touched. I looked up at her, wanting to apologize, but that's when I got a good look at her eyes, got... lost in them, in her adorable face.... I felt so warm inside, like how I am with you but a bit... different. The past few days when she came in, I felt myself trip over my words more... I just didn't want to say the wrong thing.

Randal pulled him closer under his arm. He had a sneaking suspicion that the attraction went both ways, given how Kira acted around him last night

Randal: I know the feeling, Umi. But I don't think you have anything to worry about. Why don't we just head in, say hi, maybe get a shake or something to go, then head to the bakery?

Umi looked at the Vulpix, a mixture of nervousness and excitement on his face. The Eevee had been a pretty shy person when Randal met him, but his confidence had grown immensely since then, and Randal's comforting hand and guidance seemed to only boost that. He nodded affirmatively - he might not have the nerve to ask her out yet, but Umi would at least have more of a cover to get to talk to her more

---

A bell rang out as the pair entered the Sweet Tooth, the two were immediately greeted by the sweet smells of chocolate, the background noise of customers talking and faint music playing, the most prominent noise being the voice of Leichter, the Drizzile arguing with Lenny

Lenny: The temperature of my chocolate topping is too warm, it is melting my precious, delectable peanut butter ice cream!

Leichter: You ordered a hot fudge sundae, of course the fudge is going to start melting your ice cream!

Randal rolled his eyes and set his sights on the main counter, grabbing Umi's hand to bring him with, though Umi remained anchored to the ground. Confused, the Vulpix looked back and saw why; the Eevee was staring at Kira as she worked to clean up a now empty table, a slight blush on his face spreading as he smiled, the Quilava unaware of her admirer. Smiling himself at this, Randal lightly patted Umi's fluffy chest to get his attention, startling the Eevee as he quickly turned to look at his friend

Randal: Uh, Romeo, you stare at her any longer and you'll burn a hole through her. C'mon, lets grab some shakes.

Umi: Y-yeah... ok.

Umi's response was dreary, clearly not paying much attention, though he did eventually turn forwards towards the front counter. As they walked, Randal turned back to the Eevee

Randal: Sorry for snapping you out of your daydream, but you're being a bit too... obvious.

Umi: What do you mean?

Randal: I know you're trying to find the right way to talk to her about your feelings, but staring at her across her workplace is only going to weird her out.

Umi blushed a bit in embarrassment, his ears drooping

Umi: Oh, I'm sorry, I... I didn't know.

Randal comfortingly put a hand on Umi's shoulder and smiled at him, bringing a slight smile back to the Eevee's face

Randal: It's not your fault; you just gotta be a bit more confident in yourself is all. You've never had any issue saying what's on your mind before, and while I'm not saying to go up to her and immediately confess your feelings, I am saying you should be able to at least talk to her like you usually do, build up to it when you feel the moment is right.

Umi: But I'm just so nervous about messing up what we have now. When I was a kid, I tried telling what was my one close friend that and they didn't feel the same way and stopped being friends with me. I... I don't want that to happen with Kira.

Randal could see it was a bit tough for the Eevee to recall a long buried memory from his childhood. He'd known his genetic uniqueness made him a bit of an outcast, but his self-confidence had grown so much since then with all the friends he's made that the Vulpix knew that wouldn't happen again. He wrapped an arm around Umi, bringing him in for a small hug for reassurance. Before Randal could open his mouth to respond, he caught a glimpse of Kira heading back to behind the counter herself, the Quilava looking right at the Eevee and smiling, her hair turning blue temporarily before she seemingly shook herself from what stupor she was in. Randal looked back at Umi, now more confident than ever having seen it in person that Kira had the same feelings for him

Randal: Trust me Umi, you have nothing to worry about. Whatever happened back then was back then, a lot of things have changed for you even since I met you. You've gotten more confident and outgoing, you've made tons of friends, and, between you and me, I just caught her staring and smiling back at you as she walked back behind the counter.

Umi's eyes began to sparkle, a warm, natural smile returning to his face as he embraced Randal for a tight hug

Umi: R-really? Th-thank you, Randal. I wouldn't know what I'd do without you. But... how will I know when the right time to tell her is?

Randal: Umi, what would I have to gain from lying to you about this? Believe me, it'll all be fine. And you'll know when the right moment is, it'll just click for you inside your chest.

Umi nodded, taking in all his advice. Randal might not be a relationship expert, nor was he claiming to be, but Umi had seen how strong his bond and relationship was with Jalyn that he wholeheartedly trusted any word Randal said about taking that next step. The pair turned and finished walking up to the counter, making eye contact with the familiar Spinda sitting at the register

Randal: Heya Lex.
Umi: Hi Alexis!

Alexis: Umi, Randal, so good to see you two here! What brings y'all to the Sweet Tooth today? The usual triple decker shooting star sundae?

Randal smiled and shook his head

Randal: Nah, we're just looking to get some shakes to go, we've gotta help Duncan get stuff prepared at his bakery. They're doing renovations and we've been pitching in to help out.

The Spinda smiled wide

Alexis: My my, how gentlemanly of you two. So, what'll it be then?

Randal: I'll take a root beer float please.
Umi: And I'll have a vanilla shake please!

Alexis: Coming right up! Hey, Kira, you mind helping me out on this? The boys here gotta get going soon!

Kira called back from the kitchen

Kira: I'll be right out!

Alexis turned back towards the pair as Randal slid her his card, along with a few bills

Randal: Here, and add the usual tip too, for both of you.

Alexis: You really are a true gentleman, I can see why Jalyn fell for you~

Alexis scooted her stool to the side to begin making Umi's shake as Kira came to the counter, a cup in hand to make Randal's float. Randal smiled as he took notice of both Kira and Umi stealing glances at one another, seemingly too nervous to try and talk. The Vulpix nudged the Eevee, jolting for a moment before he turned to see Randal flaring his eyebrows, a clear sign from him to make conversation with his crush. Umi steadied himself to work up some courage before speaking

Umi: H-hey, Kira. Always nice seeing you here!

His voice was as energetic as it usually was, though with a bit of a shaky undertone Kira didn't seem to notice. The Quilava's hair burned blue for a moment before reverting to its usual red, seemingly too nervous herself on what to say, that was until Alexis nudged her and gave her a wink. Seems that Jalyn filled in her other close friends on Kira's crush to try and encourage her

Kira: H-hey Umi. I-its always really nice seeing you too.

Umi: You, uh, you see any of the trailers for the theatrical rerelease of The Prestige? Always thought that movie looked cool from the commercials.

Kira looked up at Umi as she continued mixing Randal's root beer float. Randal had a feeling his float would be a good deal meltier than usual, but he didn't mind seeing the pair of flustered love birds try and talk

Kira: Y-yeah, Jalyn's been telling me how good the movie is ever since she saw the original version with Randal. Not sure what's new about this version other than it being shown in 4K, but it's a movie I'd like to see sometime.

Umi felt something in his chest at that moment, something like a flare going off. He turned to Randal, the Vulpix smiling widely at him. He was right; this must be the moment he was talking about. Taking in a deep breath, Umi steeled his nerves as be quickly spoke

Umi: Would you... would you maybe want to go see it with me this Friday?

Time seemed to crawl for the Eevee, almost stop as he awaited the response. For Kira, her heart skipped a beat, her hair turning to a veeery deep shade of blue, the size of her tail growing high, her face blushing as red as beets. It was something she had been dreaming of hearing for the past month since she met Umi, and now it was finally happening. She had to discretely pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming before stammering out her reply

Kira: I-I-I'd... I'd love to.

The smile that spread across Umi's face was only outsized by the amount of relief he felt inside. Randal had been right! And now he had a date with Kira! He felt so happy, beaming so much outwardly that he almost seemed to shine

Umi: Awesome! It's a date then!

Kira, still hopelessly flustered, again nervously but clearly excitedly responded

Kira: My... my first one. H-here

She pulled out a small paper and shakily scribbled something onto it, giving it to Umi as she and Alexis gave the boys their drinks. Umi looked at it and saw it was digits - her phone number. Randal didn't think Umi could smile any wider without his mouth spreading off his face. The pair grabbed their drinks and turned to head out, Umi giving Kira a cute wink that flustered her even more before they returned to the street, Umi practically jumping for joy and hugging Randal with the might of a boa constrictor

Umi: You were right!! Thank you thank you! I'm soooo happy!!

Randal: I can tell haha. You got her number too, that's awesome. Normally I'd suggest not calling her immediately, but I'd say you can give her a call or text after we're done at Duncan's, judging from her reactions she's definitely as head over heels as you are.

Umi's eyes widened as he realized just how much time had passed

Umi: Oh yeah, Duncan! We really need to get to the bakery, we're running a bit late.

Randal: I'll take the flak from him if he says anything, don't worry. Wouldn't want him to make a big stink about it and ruin your mood.

Umi gave a teasy smile towards Randal

Umi: But, just like me, he likes giving you a big stink~

Randal blushed as he saw Umi cutely stick his tongue out again. Rolling his eyes and chuckling, the pair headed next door to the bakery