This Pokédex was indeed incredibly versatile. Beyond recording Pokémon habitats and storing Professor Oak's research findings, it also had internet access, messaging, video calls, and many other functions—far more advanced than the Pokédex Ryuuske remembered from the anime. Of course, its exterior design was still outdated.
However, Professor Oak had already accepted Ryuuske's suggestion and was looking for skilled designers to improve the Pokédex, aiming to give the new model a sleek, futuristic aesthetic.
"Who are you chatting with?"
Erika lay beside Ryuuske, her cheeks flushed, curled up lazily like a cat. One slender, porcelain leg peeked out from under the blanket, adding a touch of early spring to the mountain forest. The lingering fragrance in the tent and the sticky sensation on their skin bore silent testimony to what had just transpired.
Erika's beautiful eyes, shimmering with a watery glow, turned to gaze at Ryuuske as she asked the question with feigned casualness, though a thread of tension hid beneath her words.
Women were always sensitive. No matter how much they trusted their man not to cross the line, there were times when they still wanted to probe in subtle ways.
Ryuuske didn't pick up on the nuance in Erika's tone and answered casually, "…It's Blaine. He's looking for me."
A clear conscience fears no accusation. If a man was truly chatting flirtatiously with another woman right next to his girlfriend, unless he was an exceptionally experienced scoundrel, he would instinctively hide his phone when questioned and say, "It's nothing."
That was just guilt. Being a good man was hard, but being a bad man wasn't easy either.
"Blaine? The Blaine from Cinnabar Island? What does he want with you?" Erika asked curiously.
"Blaine wants me to go to Cinnabar Island. Says he has something for me. Apparently, he's been hiding in his underground research facility there these past few months. Seems he also knows there's going to be a final showdown with Team Rocket and is preparing to come out."
Ryuuske explained.
"…So, we're leaving?"
Erika's voice carried a hint of reluctance as she nestled against him, exhausted.
Her clothes were loose, and the way she held him was practically skin-to-skin, radiating a gentle warmth.
"The two months were up long ago. You still have your Gym duties and your teaching position at Celadon University. Besides, Erika, you've barely contacted anyone these past two months. If not for everyone knowing you were on 'special training,' they'd probably think you'd gone missing."
Ryuuske deliberately emphasized "special training," making Erika blush in embarrassment.
Several days had passed since that night, and during that time, their "special training" had shifted from Pokémon skill drills to… exploring techniques and variations between themselves. The girl who had just tasted forbidden fruit found herself craving more, and if not for Ryuuske's reminder, she might have forgotten her responsibilities entirely.
Sitting up and pulling on her clothes, Erika hugged her knees and fell silent, an inexplicable air of melancholy settling over her.
"I'm barely sixteen, and you're only about two years older than me. We'll have plenty of time in the future. But right now, we have to deal with Team Rocket first. If we don't overcome this crisis, there won't be a future."
Ryuuske inhaled the fragrance of Erika's hair as he murmured softly.
"Don't say that, Ryuuske! We will win this time!"
Erika's voice suddenly turned resolute, as if she had transformed in an instant from a lovestruck girl back into the wise and decisive Gym Leader.
"You're right. I've been slacking lately. Time is running out, and Team Rocket won't give us any more chances to prepare. I'll return to Celadon City and gather our forces immediately!"
Erika declared firmly.
"Then let's set off. You head back to Celadon, and I'll go to Cinnabar Island."
Ryuuske pondered for a moment before adding with a grin, "…But before that—"
"Hmm?"
Erika tilted her head.
"—why don't we test out that position from earlier and see if it really works?"
"Eep—!"
A soft gasp escaped her as Ryuuske pressed her down once more.
---
The Celadon City Gym reopened after more than two months, welcoming challengers once again. Inside the dojo, Erika knelt on the tatami in her red-and-white shrine maiden-like attire, addressing the servant bowing before her:
"…In my name, notify all the trainers in Celadon City. Inform them of the current crisis in Kanto and declare that I am gathering those willing to stand together against Team Rocket—participation is voluntary."
She paused, then continued with closed eyes, "…Frame Team Rocket's atrocities and Kanto's plight in the most righteous and stirring terms. Make the appeal impassioned. Have those trainers who already know the truth and are willing to join the fight speak up first, to sway the others."
Erika understood human nature well. As the Celadon Gym Leader, she had the authority to summon trainers for a major undertaking, but trainers also had the right to refuse. Thus, she had to rouse their collective indignation while ensuring a few key figures stepped forward to lead the charge—only then would others follow.
"Yes, young mistress!"
The servant inwardly marveled at how their young mistress truly lived up to her reputation as Kanto's chosen commander. In these dire times, only she had the vision and capability to rally such forces. Whether this was good or bad, however, was hard to say.
Once the servant left, Erika's expressionless face suddenly twisted with hesitation—a stark contrast to her earlier decisiveness. After a long internal struggle, she gritted her teeth, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number.
"Erika! You're finally back! How was the special training this time?"
Misty's voice came through immediately upon answering the call, tense with anticipation.
"The training went very well. I feel my strength has improved significantly. It's as if both my body and soul have been… cleansed."
Erika took a deep breath, guilt weighing heavily on her, but she forced her voice to remain steady.
"That's great! Now that you're back, Brock and I finally have someone to rely on. As you instructed, we've already gathered the trainers from Pewter City and Cerulean City. We're just waiting for your orders now."
Misty sounded as if a weight had been lifted.
"Oh, and how's Ryuuske?"
"He's doing well too. That Eevee of his has grown strong enough for battle. Blaine from Cinnabar Island needs him for something, so he's heading there first."
Just mentioning Ryuuske to Misty intensified the discomfort in Erika's heart—an unpleasant, gnawing sensation. She quickly changed the subject:
"…Based on our recent intelligence on Team Rocket's movements, the first city they'll likely target is Saffron City. It's Kanto's largest and most prosperous international metropolis, Sabrina's territory, and the former headquarters of Team Rocket's financial backer, Silph Co. We need to send people in undercover immediately!"
As expected, Misty was easily steered into discussing countermeasures against Team Rocket, and the two began strategizing in earnest.
To be continued…
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