Perhaps sensing Ryuuske's surprise, Erika wiped the blood from her red lips with a graceful smile and said, "...Celadon City's perfus are famous—not just for their lasting fragrance, but also because of their ancient recipes."
"...My family has lived in Celadon City for generations, renowned for crafting perfus since long ago. Over the years, our techniques have only improved, and Celadon City has gradually developed its perfu industry. Beyond their scent, these perfus also have pain-relieving properties."
To Ryuuske, Erika's explanation still didn't justify that kiss. If simply slling her perfu could ease pain, that would make sense—but the kiss seed entirely unnecessary.
Still, he wasn't about to say that out loud. After all, he was the one benefiting. Maybe the girl's kiss was a reward—or an apology?
Erika's lips were now stained a vivid red. Seeing his own blood coloring her lips, Ryuuske felt an odd stirring in his chest.
After that kiss, the young Celadon City Gym Leader retrieved so dicine and gently sprayed it over the wound on Ryuuske's arm—the one left by Razor Leaf. dicine in this world worked wonders; within monts, the injury scabbed over.
Erika then carefully wrapped his arm in bandages, tying them off with a playful little bow. Once satisfied, she nodded and stood up, brushing dust off her thigh-high socks with a slight bend at the waist.
"Celadon City's perfus must be made from the fragrances of Grass-type Pokémon, right?" Ryuuske mused.
Erika's eyes widened in surprise. She stared at him for a long mont before finally praising, "...You're truly sharp, Mr. Ryuuske. Celadon City's perfus are derived from the scents of Grass-types. Each species emits a unique aroma, and the perfus blend them together. But the exact thods and techniques—well, those are trade secrets."
She covered her mouth with a soft laugh.
"Now I'm convinced you're not with Team Rocket, Mr. Ryuuske," she suddenly said.
"Why's that?"
"A girl's intuition~"
Erika playfully winked, shifting from gentle older sister to mischievous little sister in an instant.
Ryuuske chuckled. Capriciousness was just a girl's privilege, after all.
"Don't call by my surna—just my given na. I'm not used to it."
In this world, most people only had given nas, and after living here so long, being addressed by his full na felt strange.
"Alright, then I'll call you Ryuu-kun, just like Misty does."
"Misty?"
"Misty of Cerulean City and I are good friends. As you know, there are only three female Gym Leaders in Kanto. And Sabrina… well, even before we knew she was with Team Rocket, she wasn't exactly easy to get along with. So naturally, I grew close to Misty, since we're around the sa age."
Erika smiled warmly as she explained. "...Team Rocket's research facility in Celadon City had been operating for a long ti without detection—a failure on my part as the city's Gym Leader.
Not long ago, a local Trainer discovered its location and reported it to . I led a group of Celadon City Trainers to dismantle it, and that's where I found the Eevee in your Poké Ball… and learned about the Eevee Modification Project."
She paused, then smoothly changed the subject. "...Ryuu-kun, you've just arrived in Celadon City and don't have a place to stay yet, do you? If you don't mind, why not co stay at my place?"
"One mont we're trying to kill each other, the next you're inviting ho. That's quite the sudden shift."
Ryuuske shrugged. He didn't think this was so kind of trap—the woman before him was complex yet simple, easy to read at a glance but difficult to fully understand.
To put it another way, she was like those cheerful, outgoing girls: easy to befriend, but nearly impossible to get closer to.
"Call it a woman's fickleness. So, Ryuu-kun—dare to co?"
There was a faintly challenging lilt to her voice now, her elegant deanor tinged with just a hint of slyness.
"Hah. Since you're inviting , Miss Erika, what kind of man would I be if I turned down a girl's offer?"
"Too much machismo will make you clueless about a girl's heart."
Erika turned away, clasping her hands demurely in front of her. Even in a sailor uniform, she carried herself like a noble lady, her words always so refined that it was impossible to dislike her. She had a way of swaying emotions without anyone noticing.
She walked over to Dragonair and Gabite, lightly touching them as she praised, "...Both this Gabite and Dragonair are powerful yet elegant. You're a very talented person, Ryuu-kun."
This girl really knew how to say the right things—always leaving people in a good mood.
"Haah…"
Erika suddenly yawned, her bright eyes growing drowsy in an instant. "...I actually prefer sleeping during the day. I always get sleepy when the sun's out, and only feel energetic at night."
Muttering to herself, she glanced back at Ryuuske. "...Co along, Ryuu-kun. This is Celadon City's outskirts—we'll need a ride to get to my place."
Ryuuske recalled Gabite and Dragonair into their Poké Balls, while Erika did the sa with her Bellossom and Tangela. He quickened his pace to walk beside her.
"Going back to what we were discussing earlier… After learning about the suffering Eevee endured, my heart ached for it. I wanted to find a way to cure its condition. You must have noticed—every ti it evolves on its own, it's in pain. The only solution I could think of was to train Eevee until it's strong enough to withstand that agony."
"...This little one loves freedom, but as a Gym Leader, even if I could train it in my spare ti, I couldn't give it the life it truly wants. My duties keep in Celadon City most of the ti—I can't take it traveling."
"I shared my worries with Misty, and she recomnded you. And after eting you today, I'm certain—you really are the best Trainer for this Eevee. Because you don't seem like the type to stay in one place forever. I have a feeling your journey will be long… long enough to show this Eevee the whole world."
The girl lifted her face, her voice tender—like a pure, blooming peony, not overly dazzling, yet soothing to the heart.
To be continued…
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