"Miss Caitlin, what exactly are you laughing at?" Gary asked calmly.
His tone was even, but his expression had flattened into a mildly unimpressed stare.
Caitlin waved her hand lightly as she tried to suppress another laugh.
"Gary, you're quite amusing," she said, the corners of her lips still curved upward. "I thought you were someone who always spoke honestly. I didn't expect you to enjoy exaggerating like this."
From Gary's expression alone, it was obvious she didn't believe him in the slightest.
Caitlin had met Sabrina before.
After all, Sabrina's rise to fame had been meteoric. Ever since she starred in the wildly popular Psychic-themed television series produced in Unova, she had become one of the most recognizable female figures in the entire Pokémon world.
Her performances were calm, intense, and captivating—perfectly suited to the mysterious aura associated with Psychic-types.
Although she had never officially been awarded the title of "Best Actress," her popularity had already reached a level comparable to Diantha, the Kalos Champion who was equally famous for her acting career.
To Caitlin, the idea that Sabrina—an internationally known celebrity—was secretly dating a thirteen-year-old trainer from Kanto sounded completely ridiculous.
Gary, however, didn't seem bothered.
He hadn't expected Caitlin to believe him so easily.
After all, Sabrina's celebrity status had grown significantly after she and Gary publicly went their separate ways.
To outsiders, the two had long since parted ways.
No one knew the truth behind their continued connection.
"Miss Caitlin, believe it or not," Gary said calmly, "my relationship with Sabrina will be made public sooner or later. When I eventually travel to the Unova region, I'll contact you. For now, please leave me your phone number."
Caitlin slowly stopped laughing.
Gary's expression didn't look like someone joking.
It was too composed.
Too steady.
"Is Sabrina really your girlfriend?" she asked again, this time sounding genuinely puzzled.
"Of course it's true."
"Then what proof do you have?"
Gary shrugged lightly.
"I have her contact information. But she's filming during the daytime right now. Calling her would be inconvenient."
He paused.
"I do have our chat history. But if you don't have Sabrina's contact information yourself, you wouldn't be able to confirm whether the person I'm talking to is really her."
Caitlin's smile returned immediately.
"Who told you I don't have her contact information?"
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a sleek pink-and-white flip phone.
It was one of the newest color-screen models on the market—thin, polished, and clearly expensive.
Gary raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You actually know Sabrina?"
"Of course," Caitlin said proudly.
"Sabrina is also a Psychic. After she became famous, I invited her to visit my home. I met her shortly after her debut."
She lifted her chin slightly, clearly pleased with the revelation.
"So? Do you dare verify it with me?"
Before Caitlin had even finished her sentence, Gary had already taken out his own phone.
"Let's start with the Pokémon social account," he said calmly.
He opened the messaging application, tapped Sabrina's profile, and turned the screen toward Caitlin.
Caitlin leaned closer.
Her expression was casual at first.
Then slightly more focused.
At first glance, the account details looked familiar.
The profile picture.
The username.
The verified mark.
Everything matched the official account she knew.
Still unconvinced, Caitlin quickly flipped open her own phone and navigated to Sabrina's profile.
She began comparing the two screens side by side.
Username.
Match.
Verification icon.
Match.
Profile photo.
Match.
Account ID.
Match.
Every single detail aligned perfectly.
"It really is Sabrina's account…"
Caitlin froze.
Her crimson eyes widened slowly.
"Let me see your chat history," she said immediately.
Gary hesitated for a moment.
But ultimately, he didn't mind.
He opened the conversation thread.
The chat logs filled the screen instantly.
Messages scrolled upward.
Casual greetings.
Daily conversations.
Small jokes.
There were dozens of photos.
Many of them were selfies Sabrina had sent him.
Some were taken during filming breaks—Sabrina leaning against set walls in elaborate Psychic-themed costumes.
Others were behind-the-scenes shots showing makeup tests, lighting rehearsals, and costume changes.
Some were even playful pictures she had clearly taken just for him.
Images fans had never seen.
Caitlin's expression changed rapidly as she scrolled.
Shock.
Confusion.
Then absolute disbelief.
Caitlin: (QAQ)
She had never imagined Sabrina would actually have a boyfriend.
Both she and Sabrina were powerful Psychics.
People with strong Psychic abilities often made others uneasy. Their intense gaze, unnatural awareness, and emotional sensitivity could make ordinary people uncomfortable.
Many men were intimidated by them.
Few dared approach.
When Caitlin first learned about Sabrina's childhood—how her uncontrolled psychic powers had frightened people around her—she had felt an immediate sense of kinship.
They shared similar experiences.
Isolation.
Misunderstanding.
Loneliness.
Caitlin had assumed that Sabrina probably had little interest in romantic relationships.
Just like herself.
Yet now—
Not only did Sabrina have a boyfriend…
Judging from the tone of the messages—
Their relationship was extremely close.
Some of the affectionate lines in the chat history made Caitlin feel embarrassed just reading them.
She quickly scrolled past a few messages.
Then another.
Then another.
Her ears turned faintly pink.
"Now do you believe me?" Gary asked calmly.
Caitlin slowly lowered the phone.
"…When did you two start dating?" she asked.
Gary shook his head.
"That falls under personal privacy."
Caitlin exhaled slowly.
"Fine," she said after a moment. "I admit it—you win."
She crossed her arms lightly.
"When do you need the three Bisharp?"
"Not immediately," Gary replied. "I'll contact you when I'm ready."
"Alright."
The two exchanged contact information.
Once that was done, Gary put away his phone.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Caitlin watched him walk away through the garden path, her expression complicated.
She had always considered Sabrina a good friend.
Yet Sabrina had never mentioned having a boyfriend.
Not even once.
That realization left Caitlin feeling strangely dissatisfied.
After all, both of them had struggled with their psychic abilities growing up.
Caitlin had believed their shared experiences created a special bond.
But now it seemed—
Sabrina had kept an important secret from her.
"Just wait until I return to Unova…" Caitlin muttered quietly.
Sunyshore City — Pokémon Center
After leaving the Battle Castle estate, Gary returned to the Pokémon Center in Sunyshore City.
The building was quiet in the late afternoon.
Nurse Joy quickly took Tyranitar for treatment.
Although Tyranitar had dominated the battle against Darach, it had still endured multiple Sacred Sword strikes and sustained minor internal strain.
Gary waited calmly in the lobby.
After several minutes, Tyranitar's treatment was complete.
"Tyra."
The massive Pokémon stretched slightly, clearly feeling refreshed.
Gary nodded.
"System, exchange for the move Taunt."
A familiar notification appeared in his mind.
[Ding! Skill exchange successful.]
Taunt was an extremely practical tactical move.
Instead of causing damage, it forced the opponent to abandon supportive or evasive strategies and attack directly.
Gary had recognized its value during his battle with Darach.
Gallade's Teleport combinations could be incredibly disruptive in high-level battles.
Taunt could shut down that style entirely.
Once Tyranitar had recovered, Gary immediately taught it the new move.
Tyranitar closed its eyes briefly as the knowledge settled into its instincts.
"Tyra."
It nodded once.
That night, Gary stayed at the Pokémon Center to rest.
The Next Day
Early the next morning, Gary departed Sunyshore City.
Riding on Garchomp, he soared into the sky.
The coastline quickly shrank beneath him as he flew toward his next destination—
Jubilife City.
Jubilife was the most developed city in the Sinnoh region.
Wide streets.
Tall commercial buildings.
Constant streams of pedestrians and trainers.
Entertainment venues were everywhere.
Concert halls.
Contest stages.
Film studios.
Many theatrical performances were held there regularly.
The Battle Hall was located in the city's cultural district.
It was managed by Argenta, a Frontier Brain famous for her love of stage acting.
Because of her interests, the Battle Hall frequently hosted theatrical productions alongside official battles.
Unlike ordinary theaters, however—
These performances involved both humans and Pokémon acting together.
It created spectacular stage shows that drew huge audiences.
Two and a half hours later, Gary arrived in Jubilife City.
This time he did not fly through the city.
Instead, he released Cyclizar and rode through the streets.
The traffic was heavy, and Cyclizar navigated smoothly between vehicles and pedestrians.
Eventually, Gary stopped in front of the Battle Hall.
The building resembled a grand opera house.
Its pink-and-white exterior gave it a distinctly theatrical atmosphere.
Decorative arches lined the entrance.
Large curtains hung behind glass windows.
At first glance, it almost resembled a Contest Hall.
Next to the entrance stood a large LCD screen displaying upcoming performance schedules.
Gary walked closer to examine it.
Today's schedule—
Empty.
No performances.
As a result, the entire building was unusually quiet.
Gary stepped inside.
The lobby was spacious, but nearly empty.
Only one person was present.
A female receptionist sat behind the front desk, quietly reading through paperwork.
When she noticed Gary approaching, she immediately straightened.
"Welcome," she said politely. "May I help you?"
"If you're here to watch a performance, I'm afraid there isn't one scheduled today."
"I'm not here for a performance," Gary replied calmly.
"My name is Gary. I've come to challenge Ms. Argenta."
He paused.
"I have a recommendation from Mr. Scott."
The receptionist blinked in surprise.
"Please wait a moment."
She quickly checked the records on the computer.
A moment later—
Scott's recommendation appeared in the system.
After confirming Gary's identity, she immediately contacted Argenta.
At that moment—
Argenta was standing on the Battle Hall stage, rehearsing a new theatrical production with several actors and their Pokémon partners.
When the notification arrived—
She stopped the rehearsal instantly.
Then she hurried toward the lobby.