Delete!
[This application cannot be deleted.]
Delete it!!
[This application cannot be deleted.]
After several attempts, the same cold line of text remained on the screen.
So that's how it is…
Then the only solution is to destroy the phone.
If the manager asked later, she could just say the phone had mysteriously self-destructed…
Gardevoir hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stopped herself.
Although that would solve the problem once and for all, she couldn't bring herself to casually destroy someone else's property. If she were caught, she might even end up in jail.
It's fine.
Since she had already found the source of control, there had to be other ways to deal with it.
Judging from the manager's reaction earlier, he probably didn't know about the connection between the game and herself. Otherwise, he would have realized it the moment he saw her.
Using force—like kidnapping him and threatening him—was obviously impossible.
That would lead to an even heavier sentence.
Besides, she still didn't know how much control the game actually had over her.
She couldn't act recklessly.
I need a gentler approach.
First, she would accept the manager's invitation to work long-term.
Then she would slowly trick him.
Trick him into never playing that terrible game again—or find a way to make him uninstall it!
Yes!
That's the plan!
Full of confidence, Gardevoir returned to LeBlanc Café carrying two stacks of freshly printed flyers.
---
The shop door opened.
The crisp sound of wind chimes made Leo's already tense nerves tighten even more.
He was wiping the bar counter again and again, even though it was already sparkling clean.
The moment he saw that blue figure enter the café, his throat suddenly tightened.
Gardevoir didn't beat around the bush.
Walking straight up to the counter, she pointed at the screen of his phone and asked:
"Excuse me… what is this?"
She was pointing at the Gardevoir character in the game store page.
Leo's heart sank instantly.
Did I really fail to escape this…?
No.
There's still room to save this.
"It's just a mobile game," he said calmly. "Something to pass the time when you're bored."
If you're bored, go bake cakes instead of playing this nonsense, you scoundrel…
Suppressing the urge to tear him apart with Psychic, Gardevoir forced herself to remain composed.
"How long… have you been playing this game?"
"If Arceus is my witness, I only started playing it a week ago!"
"It's definitely not because I have any improper thoughts about you, Miss Gardevoir!"
Leo's mind raced as he tried to come up with the most convincing explanation possible.
He lowered his head, pretending to be serious.
"Actually… I've always had a dream of becoming a Pokémon Trainer."
"I've admired Diantha ever since I was a kid. I always wanted a Gardevoir as my partner—especially a rare Shiny Gardevoir."
"But… as you can see, with this café to run, I can only fulfill that dream in this way."
Gardevoir took a slow breath.
"I'm sorry. I misunderstood."
That was what she said aloud.
But her thoughts were completely different.
Found it! Found it! Found it!
I've figured out how to keep the manager too busy to play games!
He said he only played the game when he was bored.
So wouldn't the solution simply be to keep him busy?
Trainer—yes, Trainer!
Since the manager had such a dream, then she, Gardevoir, would push him to pursue it.
Trainers on television were always extremely busy.
If he became a Trainer, he definitely wouldn't have time to play games anymore.
And if things went wrong…
Phones getting damaged during Pokémon battles was totally normal, right?
---
Cold sweat slowly slid down Leo's back.
Facing Gardevoir's direct gaze, he subconsciously hid his phone behind him.
Did a red "Danger" warning just flash on the screen…?
"So… about the long-term job…" he quickly tried to change the topic.
"I agree."
Gardevoir's voice rang out clearly, like the soft chime of glass bells.
"Eh?"
"Is there a problem?"
"I thought you needed more time to consider."
Gardevoir smiled faintly.
Since she had come to this café two days in a row, the manager must have done something specific in the game.
As long as she could figure out that operation, she would finally be able to work somewhere stable.
Leo hadn't expected things to develop like this.
He had assumed that after seeing the game on his phone, Gardevoir would immediately label him a pervert and leave.
Instead, she not only stayed—
She even agreed to work here long-term.
"That's great!"
He quickly stuffed his phone back into his pocket, trying to hide his excitement.
"Should we sign the contract now?"
"There's no rush."
Gardevoir gently smoothed her skirt and sat down. Sunlight reflected softly off her blue hair.
"I'd like to ask… what is that game called? And how do you play it?"
The name…
Leo's mouth twitched.
Is that something I can actually say out loud?
After a long internal struggle, unable to withstand Gardevoir's curious gaze, he finally whispered:
"…Electronic Pokémon Girlfriend."
"…Girlfriend?"
Although he spoke softly, Gardevoir heard him clearly.
Covering her mouth in surprise, she exclaimed:
"You treat her as a girlfriend?!"
Now that she already knew the Gardevoir in the game was herself, she suddenly found it difficult to look directly at the shop owner.
Maybe…
Agreeing so quickly to work here long-term hadn't been the best idea.
Leo coughed twice and forced a serious expression.
"That's just the name of the game! Who would actually treat a game character as their girlfriend?"
(Obviously they treat them as wives…)
Gardevoir spoke again.
"Can you teach me how to play it?"
---
A short while later…
Everything matched up.
Everything.
Looking at the food prices and items available in the in-game shop, Gardevoir remembered the endless variety of delicious meals she had eaten over the past few days.
Her fists slowly clenched.
Those were all bought with my money.
My money!
She also finally understood why she had come to LeBlanc Café two days in a row.
The manager had simply set the workplace location to the café inside the game.
And it seemed he had no intention of changing it anytime soon.
With that confirmed…
She could now confidently sign the employee contract.
---
Late at night.
LeBlanc Café finally sent off its last customer.
Leo let out a long sigh and collapsed into the chair behind the counter, idly tapping the tabletop with his fingers.
Gardevoir removed the headpiece of her maid outfit and stretched slightly.
Her blue hair shimmered gently beneath the café's warm lamplight.
She glanced at Leo.
He was staring blankly at his phone.
Her mouth twitched slightly.
He's probably looking at that ridiculous "electronic girlfriend" game again…
"Manager," she suddenly said.
"Hm?"
Leo snapped out of his daze and quickly locked his phone screen.
"What's wrong?"
Gardevoir smiled softly.
But there was an unmistakable implication behind her voice.
"I remember you said… your dream is to become a Pokémon Trainer, right?"
"Uh… yeah."
Leo laughed awkwardly.
"But that was just something I said casually…"
"How could it be casual?"
Gardevoir narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone sincere and encouraging.
"If you have a dream, you should chase it."
"The ZA Summit Battle held at night in Lumiose City is perfect for new Trainers to gain experience."
"You could run the café during the day…"
"…and go participate in the Ascension Battles at night to train."