Appearing at the entrance of the Pokémon Center was none other than Cerulean City’s most iconic figure—the local Gym Leader, Misty.

Several months ago, when Logan had escaped from the clutches of Team Rocket’s research lab, it was Misty who took care of him during his unconscious state. He even remembered resting on her lap as a pillow. But after they parted ways, neither had reached out. Who would’ve thought they’d run into each other again here in Cerulean?

“Wait, don’t Gym Leaders usually have healing machines at their gyms? Why would she come to the Pokémon Center?”

Logan furrowed his brows, puzzled. Most Trainers came here either to heal their Pokémon or, like him, to find lodging while on the move. A Gym Leader showing up was an unusual sight.

“That’s Misty!”

Someone among the local Trainers shouted, and in an instant, the Cerulean natives swarmed toward her. In this loosely governed world, a Gym Leader was more than just a local champion—they were a protector, holding military-level authority within their city. During emergencies, a Gym Leader could rally every Trainer in town and even command stationed League soldiers for defense.

Of course, in Logan’s opinion, when individuals like Lance existed—who could probably wipe out an entire battalion with a few well-placed Dragon-type moves—being a soldier was starting to feel a little… obsolete.

The Trainers who stood aside with curiosity and battle-lust gleaming in their eyes were likely outsiders—travelers from other cities. The locals, on the other hand, looked like diehard fans in the presence of royalty. You could see it in their star-struck faces—Misty was a big deal in her own turf.

Misty, for her part, wore the strained smile of someone trying very hard to be polite. She made small talk, signed autographs, and attempted to keep up the appearance of a composed public figure—but Logan could see it: the twitch in her smile, the beads of sweat on her forehead. This kind of attention was clearly more exhausting than a full-on Pokémon battle.

“Why is Misty at the Pokémon Center?”

“Is something wrong? Do you need help?”

“Miss Misty, your performance at the Grand Festival was breathtaking! I’ve watched it live every single time!”

“Misty! Misty!”

“Mist—”

“Misty might be here for something important. Give her some space, everyone!”

Finally, after who-knows-how-long, someone among the crowd had the common sense to shout that out. Realizing they might be in her way, the crowd reluctantly cleared a path. Misty sighed in relief, wiping the sweat off her brow. This whole experience had probably been more mentally draining than a deathmatch.

She nodded politely at the staff members who bowed to her respectfully. Then she began scanning the center, as if searching for someone.

“Wait… is she looking for me?”

Logan blinked. A bit self-centered, maybe, but not impossible. Then again, he quickly reminded himself that they had only met once. And it wasn’t like they kept in touch. He had just arrived in Cerulean a few hours ago—there was no way she could know he was here.

Still, Logan wasn’t one to miss out on some good drama. He reclined into the plush sofa, sipping his coffee like some smug fifteen-year-old aristocrat trying to act older than his age, and watched Misty with mild amusement. He was honestly curious why she came.

And then—his legs suddenly dropped back to the floor.

Because Misty’s eyes had locked on him. She lit up. And she was heading straight for him.

With fierce energy, she marched over and slammed her palms onto the table. Leaning forward with an intimidating closeness, she snapped:

“Logan, you came to Cerulean and didn’t even come find me? I’ve been waiting for you, you know!”

There was a definite pout in her voice. And her stare? Absolutely terrifying.

Logan instinctively leaned back, setting down his coffee. Misty’s posture—bending forward like that—brought their faces a little too close for comfort. It didn’t help that she was wearing a tight summer top. Sadly, due to the angle, no… ahem… details were visible.

But the real danger wasn’t Misty’s proximity. It was the murderous stares from all around the Center—the Cerulean Trainers who had just moments ago been singing Misty’s praises.

Their faces now screamed heartbreak, fury, and disbelief.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, that sounds way too suggestive! Logan internally panicked. Now it sounds like I ghosted her after a deep emotional relationship or something! I had a girlfriend, yes—but that was in another world!

“…It’s been a while, Misty,” he greeted with a forced smile, trying to act nonchalant. He wasn’t quite thick-skinned enough to ignore the waves of murderous intent aimed his way.

“Yeah, it’s been a while—three whole months and not a single call from you! And when you saw me just now, you didn’t even say hi! You were just pretending you didn’t know me!”

Misty had clearly gone full “close-friend mode.” Her tone was familiar, maybe even clingy. But her eyes darted awkwardly, a sign that her emotions weren’t as calm as she tried to appear.

Energetic and outwardly bubbly, but inwardly bashful, Logan noted. Yup, typical Misty.

Just then, Misty noticed the girl sitting across from Logan. She paused, and with a hesitant voice, asked:

“…Is she your girlfriend, Logan?”

The girl sitting across jumped up as if she’d been electrocuted.

“N-no! Miss Misty, I just thought the Dratini was cute! I didn’t mean to bother you two—I’ll leave right away!”

With a hurried bow to both of them, she made a hasty retreat.

Having the Cerulean City Gym Leader looming over her was far too much pressure.

“Oh wow, such a cute Dratini!” Misty’s eyes sparkled as she finally noticed the Pokémon. Dratini let out a soft “Mii~” and dove straight into Logan’s arms like it had just seen a ghost.

Despite being a Dragon-type, Dratini also shared a Water affinity—and, more importantly, it was adorable. Any girl would fall in love with it instantly.

“Forget all that. Logan, return your Dratini to its Poké Ball. Since you’re in Cerulean, you’re staying at my place. No arguments!”

Misty grabbed his arm without waiting for permission.

“…I do have a room booked here already. I paid for it too,” Logan protested weakly.

“Then forget it. I’ll reimburse you.”

“It’s not about the money!”

Letting a girl pay for his expenses? Logan just couldn’t bring himself to do that.

“Then even better—problem solved!”

She dragged him toward the door before he could say another word.

And the moment they stepped outside—

FLASH. FLASH. FLASH!

A swarm of Cerulean City journalists, cameras in hand, flooded the front of the Pokémon Center.

“Misty! A moment of your time! Could you tell us about your relationship with Logan?”

“Logan, do you have any exclusive details to share about the rumored new Elite Four Leader?”

“When did you two start dating?”

“…!!”

Only now did Misty realize the misunderstanding. Her face turned crimson, and she stared at the ground, speechless. Without a word, she pulled Logan into the crowd, brushing off reporters left and right.

——————–

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep