"I'm responsible for patrolling this area, which covers about twenty square kilometers."
Jenny's tone returned to being professional.
"To the east is the habitat of the Kangaskhan, and to the west is the territory of the Tauros herd."
The pointer moved across the map.
"These two places are where poachers appear most frequently."
Jenny circled two areas with the pointer.
"Kangaskhan joeys, Scyther, and large Tauros fetch high prices on the black market, so poachers are always eyeing this place."
Her expression grew serious.
"I caught three groups last month, but new ones have arrived this month."
"Moreover, these people are getting more and more cunning. Knowing when I patrol, they've started timing their strikes for my off-hours."
Jenny glanced at Roy.
"So I need extra hands to help keep an eye out."
Roy looked at the screen, committing this information to memory.
The Kangaskhan habitat was to the east, and the Tauros were to the west.
The two areas were about ten kilometers apart.
If the poachers were truly scouting the area, they should be active near these two regions.
Jenny continued her explanation.
"Scyther are fast and carry special equipment, so they're relatively safe."
"There are about twenty Kangaskhan in the herd. The leader is a big one with very strong combat power."
"The Tauros side is more troublesome. They like to run in herds, and once startled, it's easy to trigger a massive stampede."
"When that happens, it's not just a problem for the Kangaskhan and Tauros; other Pokémon in the forest will also suffer."
Jenny pointed to several locations on the map.
"These are the observation points I've set up. They have good visibility and are suitable for staking out."
"If you're willing to help, you can choose a point to watch. If anything happens, contact me via the communicator."
Roy nodded.
The briefing lasted for about half an hour.
Jenny explained the situation in the area, the poachers' patterns, and the danger points to watch out for in great detail.
Finally, she turned off the screen and turned around.
"That's about it."
"Let's stop here for today. Tomorrow, I'll take you to see the sites in person."
Just as she finished speaking.
A sudden clattering sound erupted outside.
The sound of rain was dense and hurried.
Raindrops as big as beans hit the tent, making a pitter-patter sound.
Misty looked at the scenery outside the tent, which instantly became blurred, and remarked with emotion.
"Wow, this rain really came out of nowhere."
She turned to look at Roy and Delia.
"It's a good thing we made it to Officer Jenny's tent."
"Otherwise, we'd be playing the role of drowned rats again."
Jenny walked to the tent entrance, lifted the flap, and looked outside.
The rain was heavy, and visibility was blurred.
"That's how the weather is here," Jenny said, letting go of the flap and turning back. "Unpredictable."
She sighed.
"You either get soaked by rain or soaked by sweat."
"So these clothes of ours, we have to change and wash them often..."
At this point, Jenny suddenly paused.
She remembered Roy praising her underwear earlier.
The phrase "change and wash often" made her involuntarily think of those black lace panties still stuffed in her backpack.
Changed out of.
Washed clean.
Hung on the line.
Seen by someone.
And even called sexy by someone.
Jenny's face started to feel hot again.
She quickly cut off that train of thought and cleared her throat.
"Ahem..."
"Anyway... in short, the climate here is like this, so you should be mentally prepared."
After saying that, she quickly started another topic.
"Right, we were talking about Kangaskhan and Tauros..."
"Actually, there is another relatively large group in this forest, which is..."
Jenny's voice returned to normal, but if one listened closely, a hint of unnaturalness could still be detected.
However, she soon fully entered work mode.
Her professional discipline allowed her to suppress those messy thoughts.
Roy didn't mention what happened earlier either.
He listened to Jenny's explanation very seriously, occasionally asking a question or two.
Misty and Delia also listened carefully.
After all, helping to catch poachers was no joking matter.
Jenny explained a lot more.
About the topographical features of the forest, which places were easy to hide in, and which places were suitable for ambushes.
About the poachers' common methods, how many people were usually in a group, and what tools they liked to use.
About the habits of the Pokémon, what times the Kangaskhan were most active, and what situations would make the Tauros angry.
Every piece of information was very practical.
Roy recorded all of this in his mind.
Time passed slowly.
The sound of rain outside gradually lessened, but it didn't stop.
The sky grew dark.
Jenny checked the time and found it was almost six o'clock.
"Oh, it's already so late." She stood up. "I'll go prepare dinner; you guys rest for a bit."
"I'll help," Delia said gently.
The two of them walked out of the tent.
Only Roy, Misty, and the two Pokémon remained in the tent.
Pikachu and Eevee were already dozing at Misty's feet.
Misty looked at Roy and said in a lowered voice:
"You really scared me to death just now."
"Coming right out and praising her underwear as sexy, you really aren't afraid of being thrown in a cell."
Roy smiled. "Did you see her get angry?"
Misty thought about it and curled her lip.
"Well, she didn't get angry... but isn't that too strange?"
"A policewoman, being told by a man she just met that her underwear is sexy, and she doesn't get angry?"
"She even said thank you for the compliment..."
Misty shook her head.
"Could she... be interested in you?"
Roy didn't answer, only smiled.
Misty looked at Roy's confident expression and felt a bit annoyed.
This big pervert, why is he so confident?
But...
It seemed his confidence was indeed justified.
Whatever, never mind.
As long as he doesn't end up in a cell, it's fine.
About half an hour passed.
Delia lifted the flap and walked in.
"Dinner is ready, come out and eat."
The rain outside had stopped.
The air was fresh, carrying the scent of earth and leaves.
A campfire had been lit, with a small pot hanging over it. Something was boiling inside, and its fragrance wafted out.
Jenny was squatting by the campfire, adding seasoning to the pot.
Seeing Roy come out, she looked up and smiled.
"I just made some simple soup and some dry rations. It'll have to do."
"This is already very good," Roy said, sitting down by the campfire.
The group sat around the campfire.
Delia helped ladle the soup into bowls.
It was wild vegetable soup with some dried meat added. It didn't taste amazing, but it was very comfortable to drink hot.
Jenny continued to talk about the forest while drinking her soup.
Her state had completely returned to normal, her tone as professional as it was during the day.
She would occasionally glance at Roy, but her gaze would quickly move away.
Nothing special could be seen.
Misty observed for a while and thought that maybe she was overthinking it.
Jenny might just have a good personality and didn't care much about those things.
After finishing dinner, they sat by the campfire for a while longer.
The sky turned completely dark.
The night in the forest was very quiet, with only the occasional Growl of a Pokémon in the distance.
Jenny yawned.
"You must be tired from traveling today, right? Get some rest early."
"We have to get up early for patrol tomorrow."
The group returned to the tent to prepare for rest.
For most of the day, Jenny's state was very normal.
She was a professional policewoman, after all.
When explaining the forest terrain and poacher activity patterns to Roy's group, her tone was crisp and her gaze as sharp as a knife.
She pointed at the map when needed and gave instructions when necessary.
There wasn't a trace of anything improper about her.
But at night, things were different.
The tent was large, but it was still just for outdoor use.
It was separated in the middle by a thick curtain, dividing it into two areas.
One side was Jenny's "bedroom," and the other side was where Roy, Delia, and Misty slept on the floor.
Although it was separated, it only really blocked the view.
Sounds, scents, and even the vibration of the tent fabric when someone turned over could be heard clearly.
Delia and Misty went to sleep first.
Roy also lay down, his breathing steady; it was unclear if he was asleep.
In her area, Jenny changed her clothes quietly.
She had worn that uniform all day, and with the sweat and rain, it was sticky and uncomfortable.
She squatted by her sleeping bag and rummaged through her backpack for clean underwear.
When her fingers touched that bundle of black lace, she paused.
The set Roy had seen during the day.
Washed clean.
She had originally intended to change into a different, ordinary set of cotton underwear.
Pure white, high-waisted, good coverage, not sexy at all.
But her hand stopped on the black lace.
Jenny bit her lip.
She looked around.
The curtain was pulled tight, and there was only a dim yellow camping light overhead.
No one could see.
She took a deep breath and pulled out the black lace set.
Jenny hesitated for a moment but still put it on.
She looked down at herself.
Jenny quickly pulled up her pajama pants and closed her eyes, preparing to sleep.
But her mind was full of scenes from the day.
The way Roy looked at her.
When his gaze fell on that set of underwear on the clothesline, it lingered for a second.
Then he said: "And it's a very sexy style."
A very sexy style.
A very sexy style.
These words played in her mind on a loop like a recording.
Jenny opened her eyes and stared at the top of the tent.
Roy said this was very sexy!
The corners of Jenny's mouth curled up involuntarily.
She turned over in her sleeping bag and buried her face in the pillow.
She thought dizzily: Roy's tastes are pretty much the same as mine~
He likes black lace, he likes sexy styles.
I like them too.
Then we can have more things to talk about~
Talk about underwear? Talk about styles? Talk about...
Jenny's face became even hotter.
She turned over again, lying on her back with her hands on her lower abdomen.
Would Roy praise my figure if he saw it?
Would he say my...
Jenny thought of this and suddenly opened her eyes.
"Aah~ what am I thinking!"
She raised her hands and patted her cheeks.
Two slaps sounded crisp in the quiet tent.
"How... how could I let Roy see me wearing this~"
"We aren't in that kind of relationship yet~"
She muttered softly, her voice light and hurried.
"Oh, honestly, I don't usually think about men like this~"
"Is it really because I've stayed in the forest too long and I'm in need?"
In need?
As soon as those two words came out, Jenny startled herself.
She quickly covered her mouth.
Her heart beat wildly, thumping as if it were about to jump out of her throat.
Impossible.
I'm a member of the Officer Jenny Family.
How could I think about these messy things.
She took a deep breath, then another.
Trying to calm herself down.
Jenny shook her head vigorously.
Finally, she turned her head and looked toward the curtain.
The curtain, made of thick canvas, blocked her vision.
But she knew three people were sleeping on the other side.
Delia was on the outside, then Misty, then Roy.
Roy was closest to the curtain.
Probably only two meters away.
Jenny stared at the curtain for a long time.
As if she had X-ray vision and could see through the canvas to Roy.
Seeing him sleeping with his eyes closed.
Seeing his solid chest.
Seeing his...
Jenny slapped her face again.
"Sleep!"
She pulled the blanket over her head and curled up inside her sleeping bag.
Tucked into a ball.
Like an ostrich.
After a long while, her breathing finally leveled out.
...
Over the next two days.
Roy followed Jenny on her patrol and inspections.
They set out every morning at dawn, bumping through the forest in that off-road vehicle.
They visited the Kangaskhan habitat and toured the Tauros activity area.
They checked the observation points one by one.
Looking for traces left by poachers, suspicious footprints, or damaged traps.
Jenny walked in front, and Roy followed behind.
The cooperation between the two became more and more unspoken.
"This way." Jenny pushed aside some bushes and stepped aside to let Roy pass first.
Their bodies were very close.
Roy could smell her scent.
It wasn't perfume, but the fresh scent of soap mixed with the forest's vegetation.
It smelled very good.
"Thanks." Roy squeezed past her, his arm brushing against her chest.
Through the uniform, it felt soft.
Jenny's body stiffened for a moment, but she didn't pull away.
Her face reddened slightly as she continued forward.
"The Kangaskhan territory is just ahead, keep it down."
She lowered her voice and leaned in to speak into Roy's ear.
Her warm breath puffed against Roy's ear.
Roy turned his head to look at her.
The distance between them was very close, their noses almost touching.
Jenny's pupils dilated slightly.
Then she quickly looked away and took a step back.
"Ahem... let's go."
Her voice was a bit unnatural.
Roy smiled and followed her.
The morning patrol ended, and the two returned to the tent.
Delia had already prepared lunch.
Wild vegetable soup, roasted flatbread, and a few pieces of dried meat.
"You're back?" Delia smiled gently, handing Roy a wet towel. "Wipe off your sweat."
"Good work." Misty also came over, holding a pack of fruit crackers and feeding Pikachu and Eevee.
The two little guys were eating happily, their tails wagging like drumsticks.
Jenny took the water cup Delia handed her and took a big gulp.
She stole a glance at Roy.
Roy was sitting by the campfire, eating the flatbread in large bites.
The sunlight shone on his face, his features well-defined.
Jenny's gaze lingered on him for a few seconds before moving away.
Delia noticed this detail.
Her eyes flickered slightly, and the corners of her mouth curved into a knowing arc.
In the afternoon, Roy went out with Jenny again.
Misty was afraid of bugs and refused to enter the forest, staying near the tent.
Delia didn't go either.
She stayed at the camp, tidying up and preparing dinner.