It was admiration mixed with inferiority. If it were someone with an even stronger streak of pride, it might've even turned into jealousy—or hatred.
Logan considered himself a capable and accomplished man, but even so, when he stood before Cynthia, he couldn't help but feel a trace of awe… and a tinge of inadequacy.
He quickly shook his head to dismiss the feeling. A man entertaining such emotions toward a woman was only setting himself further apart from her—making it impossible to ever truly understand her, let alone draw close.
The afternoon sun was warm, almost drowsy, as two bicycles rode side by side on the road leading from Professor Oak's Laboratory toward Pallet Town.
From the roadside grass, small Pokémon occasionally hopped out, chirping and calling in cheerful tones, creating a scene so tranquil and harmonious it was hard to move on.
"My childhood dream was to ride a bicycle and travel the world," Cynthia said with a warm, radiant smile as she pedaled beside him. "But back in Sinnoh, for all sorts of reasons, it never happened. Funny that I'm finally living it here in Kanto."
Her crescent-shaped eyes sparkled as she laughed, her beauty and sincerity almost enough to make one forget her identity as Champion. She seemed, in that moment, simply like a girl enjoying the sunshine.
Logan no longer viewed her as the untouchable noble lady above the clouds. Seeing her on a bicycle didn't even strike him as odd anymore.
"In the beginning, most of my travels were for training Pokémon," he said, leaning slightly closer as he pedaled. "I often had to head into deep mountains and forests. A bike was just too inconvenient then."
They weren't in a rush. Whenever they came across a particularly cute Pokémon or a beautiful view, they stopped to admire it or snap a photo. Watching Cynthia's golden hair glint in the afternoon sunlight, Logan felt as though he'd slipped back into his school days—back when love was simple, filled with laughter and shy glances.
Back then, the most genuine affection came from girls who didn't care if you had wealth or status. As long as they could ride behind you on your bicycle, arms wrapped around your waist, they'd smile with all their heart.
Yes, bicycles truly carried a kind of romance.
Cynthia laughed softly. "During my training years, I went through a lot of hardships. By the time I became Champion, I'd seen most of Sinnoh on foot. After that, though, life became… complicated. Busy. When I had to travel, it was always with Garchomp. I didn't have the luxury of enjoying a simple ride anymore."
Her words weren't filled with regret, though—more like determination and a fiery will that spoke of her vibrant spirit.
"Now that you're in Kanto," Logan said with a half-smile, "why not forget all that stress for a while? If you'd like, I'll accompany you on your bike. We can explore Kanto's famous landmarks together."
The truth was, Logan didn't particularly like bicycles. He preferred soaring freely on his Pokémon—it was far grander and more impressive. But if Cynthia enjoyed biking, he could make an exception.
"That would be wonderful, Logan," Cynthia answered with a radiant smile. She pedaled faster, the sunlight gleaming off her golden hair as she surged ahead. Logan chuckled, then sped up to catch her.
"Logan, out shopping today?"
"Hey! Isn't this Logan? Last time my little girl got lost in the forest, you were the one who found her and brought her back. You've got to come by my place sometime and share a drink with me!"
"Well, well—who's that pretty young lady with you? Don't tell me you finally found yourself a girlfriend? She doesn't look like she's from Kanto!"
"…"
Pallet Town was truly a small community. Everyone knew everyone, and no one missed a chance to tease Logan when they saw him.
"They're just fond of gossip, don't mind them," Logan explained to Cynthia with an easy smile as he waved back politely.
"They seem kind and warm-hearted," Cynthia replied with her usual graceful poise, showing no sign of embarrassment or irritation even at the constant teasing. She simply smiled, elegant and self-assured.
"Some things happened here before… I guess the news didn't travel far. That's how I got close to the townsfolk," Logan said vaguely. Cynthia didn't pry. She wasn't the kind of woman who dug into others' secrets.
"I've got a friend who lives here," Logan added after a pause. "He was my opponent in the Indigo League finals. I wonder if he's home. Why don't we drop by? I'd like to introduce you two."
"You must mean Red," Cynthia said brightly. "I watched your finals match on television. He was incredible."
She happily agreed to go with him.
It didn't take long before they stopped in front of a three-story house. Logan rang the bell.
"Coming!"
A woman's voice came from inside. The door soon opened, revealing Red's mother. Though in her thirties, she was youthful enough to be mistaken for Red's sister. Wearing an apron, she looked pleasantly surprised when she saw Logan.
"Oh my, it's you, Logan! Come in, come in! And—what's this? You've brought a girl with you? Don't tell me you've finally found a girlfriend and brought her to meet me?"
Elders loved to tease the younger generation, especially when it came to matters of romance. Logan could only smile wryly—Pallet Town seemed determined to misread everything today.
"Hello," Cynthia said politely, folding her hands and bowing slightly. "My name is Cynthia, I'm from Sinnoh. I apologize for intruding. Logan and I are only friends, please don't misunderstand."
Her poise was flawless. Even when corrected, Red's mother showed no embarrassment, only warm hospitality as she ushered them inside.
"Is Red at home?" Logan asked after a while. By now, he knew he wasn't—otherwise, his boisterous voice would've filled the house already.
"Red just left two days ago," his mother explained. "He received a challenge letter and set off right away."
After the Indigo League, both Logan and Red (and even Blue) frequently received battle challenges. Logan accepted only from those he considered skilled enough to be worthy opponents. But Red? Red never turned down a challenge.
"He should be back in a few days. This time the battle is at Mt. Moon, and that's not too far from Pallet Town."
At the mention of Mt. Moon, Logan's brow furrowed. He had just returned from there himself—and thinking of Bruno's strange behavior, a vague unease crept into his chest.
"How exactly did Red get this challenge?" Logan asked, sipping the drink Red's mother had served.
"Oh, it came by courier. A handwritten challenge letter, of all things! You don't see that often these days."
She didn't suspect anything unusual, chatting openly. Between questions, she turned her attention to Cynthia—asking where she lived, her age, family, relatives, whether she had a boyfriend, what she expected from one, and even when she planned to marry. Every now and then she gave Logan a sly side-glance, as if to say: See? I'm asking all the questions for you.
Logan could only laugh helplessly.
"What about the challenge letter itself? Could I take a look?" he asked.
"Red took it with him when he left," she replied. "Though, he did stop by Professor Oak's lab before setting off. He might have left it there—or he may have kept it."
Logan sighed. With no letter in hand, there was nothing to examine… for now.
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