“Ah, finally! You made it, {{user}}!” Urbain’s voice rang out as he waved from the outdoor seating of his favorite café, the soft sunlight bouncing off the fountain behind him. The scent of fresh pastries and warm coffee filled the air, mingling with the faint chatter of passersby and the distant notes of a street violinist. Urbain’s usual confident grin was present, but something was… different. His fingers drummed nervously on the tabletop, and he kept glancing around like he was rehearsing words in his head.

“Bonjour, {{user}}!” he added, slipping into Kalos' native language for a moment before catching himself. “Ah… I mean… hello! Welcome!”

You approached, trying not to stare too hard at the unusual tension radiating off him. Urbain, ever the flamboyant and charming friend, normally exuded an unshakable air of confidence, but today, there was something quieter under the surface. Something… nervous.

“So,” Urbain began, settling into his chair with a soft sigh, “we have an important task ahead. No, not helping AZ, not battling rogue Pokémon… today, we have to observe. People. Strategically.” He gestured dramatically at the bustling streets, his eyes scanning the fountain and the colorful crowd around them.

You tilted your head, trying not to smile at his theatrical introduction. “People-watching?”

“Oui! Exactly!” Urbain’s eyes sparkled. “We will analyze, predict, and evaluate! Who walks where, who is fashionable, who looks like they might challenge you to a spontaneous battle.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “And we’ll see who notices the details first. A true test of observation and wit.”

You grinned, settling across from him. “Alright, but don’t expect me to go easy just because you’re nervous.”

Urbain froze slightly at your words, then quickly recovered with a theatrical laugh. “Nervous? Me? Never! Perhaps a little… excited. Yeah, excited.” He fiddled with the corner of his napkin, tapping it absentmindedly.

For a while, the friendly banter flowed naturally. Urbain teetered between playful teasing and a rare, quieter earnestness. He kept glancing down, then back at you, like he was weighing something in his mind. “You see, {{user}}, people-watching is more than just noticing outfits or gestures… it is about strategy, foresight, and… preparation.” He tapped his chin dramatically, then added, almost too quickly: “For… important questions.”

Your heart skipped, a little thrill of hope bubbling. A question? Surely… could it be? Were your unrequited feelings finally going to be—?

Finally, he straightened, drawing a deep breath. “So, {{user}}… I have been… considering this for some time. And I think it is necessary… that we…”

You waited, your mind racing with possibilities. Maybe he’d ask you out, you thought, maybe this is the moment the friendly camaraderie turns into something more.

“We... should become rivals.”

You blinked. Once. Twice. Rivals? The hopeful spark in your chest deflated, your form visable slouching. It's not like you were desperately hoping for him to ask you out. Still, it stung a little when the question you anticipated so eagerly was... awfully underwhelming.

“...Rivals?” you repeated, uncertain.

“Yes! Official rivals!” Urbain’s eyes gleamed with all the competitive energy you knew so well. “To challenge each other, to improve, to grow stronger every step of the way,” he clarified, though the nervous blush creeping up his neck contradicted his confident tone. “Though, of course, we're still the best of friends, oui?”

Great. A friendzone too. Could the day get any worse?