Pokemon: Gym Leader

The young girl appeared very angry, and her firm denial made Dylan feel a sense of admiration.

What a skilled actress~

"Dylan?"

Ilene, who was standing beside him, was shocked. Did Dylan just accuse this girl of stealing his wallet?

But Dylan wouldn't falsely accuse someone, right? Ilene looked at the girl with suspicion now filling her eyes.

"No! Sister, you have to believe me. I really didn't steal this big brother's wallet. How could I be wrongly accused like this…"

The girl looked aggrieved, tears welling up in her clear eyes, portraying the image of a helpless victim.

Ilene frowned slightly. She felt that the girl's expression seemed genuine, but Dylan wouldn't just target a girl like this without reason.

So, the girl must be trying to deceive her and gain her sympathy. But this act is just too convincing, impressive~

"Return my wallet, and we'll forget about this."

Dylan looked at the girl, who was still putting on an act, with a faint smile.

"You wouldn't want to attract the attention of Officer Jenny, would you?"

The girl's eyelid twitched.

"Deal!"

She immediately agreed. The pitiful look she had earlier vanished as she pulled Dylan's black wallet from her bag and handed it back to him.

"..." Ilene wanted to say something but held back.

"A young girl like you, fully capable, why resort to stealing? I'll give you a chance this time because you're still young."

Dylan opened the wallet to check that his cash and documents were still there before looking at the girl, speaking earnestly.

"?" A question mark seemed to appear over the girl's head.

"If we meet again, I will have to call Officer Jenny."

"Tch~ You act like you're much older, let's see what happens."

The girl laughed, amused by Dylan's words. She had roamed the streets for years and had never met someone this arrogant before!

She stuck her tongue out at Dylan and then quickly turned and disappeared into the crowd without looking back.

"Is it alright to let her go? She seems like a repeat offender." Ilene hesitated. Technically, they should have reported this to Officer Maple.

Though the girl seemed young and deserved a chance to reform, her actions suggested she wasn't new to this.

"This time, it was just a warning. If she chooses to continue, whatever consequences she faces are on her."

Dylan shook his head. He wasn't the type to back someone into a corner.

"You really are kind, Dylan." Ilene's eyes sparkled as she gazed at his profile.

"Not really? I don't think so."

Dylan denied it. He knew himself well enough.

Though in daily life he might come across as a warm and gentle person, Dylan knew better.

"Why do you say that?" Ilene was puzzled.

"I prefer excitement," Dylan said, truthfully.

Ilene was confused. What did he mean by excitement?

"If something interesting is about to happen, I would welcome it and might even stir the pot. In some sense, even if it has negative consequences, I might still push things along."

Dylan thought for a moment before elaborating.

If he had to give an example, he would love to see a clash between Team Rocket and the Kanto League, to watch Giovanni go head-to-head with Lance.

In fact, even if the Pokémon League asked him to help, he might just coast along because a full-scale battle between Team Rocket and the Kanto League would be fascinating.

"I see." Ilene still didn't fully understand, but as his childhood friend, she knew better than to pry further. She trusted Dylan's character.

"Dylan, I read online that there's a great BBQ place around here."

"Then let's give it a try, and afterward, we can go watch the river at night?"

"Sure~"

…

Elsewhere.

"Ugh! Seriously!"

The girl left the pedestrian street and walked into a deserted alley, pouting in frustration.

As she walked, the skin on her face and neck began to shift as if alive, until a light purple Ditto appeared on her shoulder.

Her appearance had changed from slightly chubby and ordinary to that of a pure and delicate beauty, a true young maiden.

"Strange, I didn't make any mistakes."

The girl tilted her head in confusion. From the targets' demeanor and expensive clothes, it was clear they were from wealthy families.

So targeting these rich kids was never a bad choice. Yet she hadn't expected to be caught red-handed.

"The Gym Leader of Rota?" The girl played with a business card she had slipped from the man's wallet.

That guy, who looked so young but spoke so condescendingly, turned out to be a Gym Leader?

After thinking for a moment, she decided to keep the card. A young Gym Leader who wasn't half-bad might come in handy someday.

"Who knows what Team Rocket is up to this time."

The girl didn't stop walking, her long legs moving gracefully like a dance.

She knew the truth: the sudden hosting of the Trainer Banquet on the S.S. Anne was because the ship was under Team Rocket's control.

"Heh~"

A bright smile appeared on the girl's face as she thought of something amusing.

By the time she walked out of the empty alley, she had changed her appearance once again, now sporting a freckled face as she blended into the crowd.

…

Time quickly passed to the next day.

"Wow~ This ship is huge!"

"Pika~Pika!"

At the dock, a young boy in a hat excitedly looked at the luxurious cruise ship before him, unable to contain his exclamation.

"Keep it down, you idiot!"

An orange-haired girl with a side ponytail covered her face, embarrassed.

The boy's voice had been so loud that people around them gave their group of three strange looks.

Even a man with long gray-blue hair and a cloak, who had just passed by them, glanced back curiously before boarding the ship.

"A world-class luxury cruise ship, it really is spectacular."

The tan-skinned, squinty-eyed man couldn't help but sigh.

"But I wonder why they suddenly decided to hold a Trainer Banquet. It's the first time, after all."

The orange-haired girl was still puzzled. Not only were they hosting a Trainer Banquet, but they were also giving away free tickets to trainers.

"Maybe it was just a whim of the captain."

"Could be."

Misty nodded in agreement but quickly realized the voice wasn't from her companion.

Turning her head, she saw a handsome couple before her.

"Are you also trainers attending the S.S. Anne's Feast? Nice to meet you."

Dylan smiled at the trio and their electric mouse companion, his gaze lingering on the boy in the hat.

The future strongest champion of the world, but for now, just a greenhorn. 

(End of the chapter)