Logan sat quietly in the contestant's section, watching the opening ceremony. Around him were trainers he had never met before—most were new competitors in this year's League. Because of his reputation, many came over to greet him. Logan replied politely, but without much enthusiasm, keeping the conversations brief.
When the opening show ended, all trainers were required to enter the stadium—not for speeches or oaths, since such formalities meant nothing to true trainers—but to make their presence known before the crowd.
Logan descended from the stands and glanced around as the contestants gathered. There were about seven or eight hundred trainers this year—not too many, but not too few either.
Groups clustered together, chatting with familiar faces. Expecting this crowd to march with military discipline was impossible, so the staff herded them into order. The thousand-strong procession filed into the grand central stadium, ready to hear the League Chairman's final speech.
"Woooohhh!"
As the contestants appeared, the audience roared even louder. Many of the trainers waved to the stands, basking in the cheers. Logan only lifted his hand lazily, an uninterested gesture that nonetheless drew plenty of attention.
The League Chairman appeared next—a short, middle-aged man in his forties with a completely bald head that shone under the spotlights. Whether his sleepless nights or constant stress had burned away his hair, no one could say, but the sight was unforgettable.
"Logan!"
As the group marched out, Logan heard a familiar voice. He turned and spotted Red, bouncing energetically as he waved.
Among this crowd of competitors, Logan and Red were among the youngest. They were the typical case of rookies entering the Indigo League after only a year of travel. Most participants, however, were seventeen or eighteen years old—trainers who had pushed themselves to the absolute limit before attempting the grand tournament.
"Red."
Logan smiled when he saw him, but before he could step over, someone tapped him from behind.
"Hey there, handsome~~"
That soft, teasing voice made his skin prickle. Without turning, Logan already knew who it was.
"Green? You're actually competing in the Indigo League too?"
He chuckled.
"What? Are you looking down on me now?"
Green's playful tone carried a trace of dissatisfaction.
"In a death match, you fainted halfway through. Tell me, what kind of evaluation should I give you?"
Logan raised an eyebrow, deliberately provoking her.
"Hmph…"
Green's cheeks flushed red. She clasped her hands behind her back, her skirt swaying lightly as one slender leg bent up, her head tilting shyly toward the sky as though admiring the clouds.
"That was… that was out of my control! Anyway, I still need to thank you for saving my life that time…"
She leaned forward slightly, smiling up at him with foxlike eyes brimming with charm. Her laughter carried a bewitching tone that drew the stares of countless nearby trainers.
"That's nothing. I wouldn't stand by and watch you get hurt in front of me."
Logan waved it off.
Red, seeing Green approach Logan, wisely kept his distance.
Soon, all the contestants gathered in the middle of the colossal arena. Against a crowd of two hundred thousand spectators, a thousand competitors seemed sparse, but the cheers were still deafening. The League Chairman stood beneath the Sacred Flame and began his speech.
Logan didn't bother listening. It was the usual speech about League history, peace, and encouragement for the trainers. There was also a solemn moment of mourning for those lost in Saffron City's disaster, along with harsh condemnation of Team Rocket's cruelty.
Logan's eyes wandered, landing on the special guest seats behind the Chairman. The Gym Leaders of both Kanto and Johto were present.
The Johto Gym Leaders were all in attendance, though Logan recognized none of them outside of news broadcasts. His attention, however, focused on two familiar figures—Sabrina and Erika.
The two women sat together. Sabrina, as always, leaned back with her arms crossed and her eyes closed, exuding an aura that kept everyone at bay. Erika, by contrast, sat gracefully in her kimono, hands folded on her knees, her expression gentle. They rarely exchanged words—neither friendly nor hostile.
Logan felt relief. With Erika's reserved nature, she would never openly mention their intimate bond. Sabrina, with her cold personality, certainly wouldn't either. In fact, the tension between them seemed to cancel out, making their company strangely peaceful.
"What are you looking at?"
Green leaned in, asking slyly.
Logan casually pointed elsewhere. "That old man in the wheelchair. Still serving as a Gym Leader at his age—impressive. A true model of dedication."
The elderly man, white-haired and kindly, seemed to sense being watched. He looked at Logan and Green, then nodded warmly.
Green followed Logan's finger, but when her eyes landed on the old man, a chill ran down her spine. She shivered, frowning. She was certain she had never met him, though she knew he was the Ice-type Gym Leader from Mahogany Town. After a moment of thought, she dismissed the feeling. Probably just his icy aura…
Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "You were actually staring at Sabrina and Erika, weren't you?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
Logan's face remained calm.
"Hehe~~ Don't try to fool me. You looked at the other Gym Leaders for barely a second. But when it came to Erika and Sabrina—you stared for seven whole seconds!"
Her knowing grin made escape impossible.
After a moment of silence, Logan admitted, "Fine, I was looking at them. But come on—look around, plenty of the male trainers are staring at them too."
"Of course. Beautiful women always attract stares. But imagine—standing right beside a gorgeous girl and still choosing to look far away. That hurts, you know?"
Green pouted, her voice tinged with mock sadness. How much was genuine, Logan couldn't tell.
"Let me guess—you're torn, right? One's gentle and pretty, the other's proud and cold. You like them both but don't know how to choose. Honestly, I think it's pointless. Those Gym Leaders probably wouldn't even look twice at you. Thinking otherwise is like a kid dreaming he'll grow up to be both a Hoenn Elite Four and a Kanto Elite Four member at the same time. Completely meaningless."
Standing close to Logan, Green spoke like she was guiding him, trying to reshape his thoughts.
"So, stop liking them. It's impossible anyway. But I get it—men always want what they can't have. Just don't fall into unnecessary pain. Hah, men…"
She shook her head like a wise old mentor, sighing dramatically.
"I like you."
The words slipped from Logan's mouth.
Green froze. Her face shifted through a dozen emotions in seconds. The girl who had just been chattering endlessly now bowed her head, silent.
Logan smirked. A little girl like you, trying to outplay me? Not a chance.
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