The mountain in the rain was a little cold, but Dragonair would occasionally breathe fire, igniting the pile of wood in front of Logan. The warmth from the flames slowly dispelled the chill from his body.
Before long, Erika arrived with her Pokémon. There were beads of water on her delicate face, fatigue mixed with shy embarrassment in her expression. She had already changed into a fresh kimono—the one she wore yesterday had been completely soaked in the stream and was no longer wearable.
"Erika, come and have some breakfast."
In front of Logan, a pot simmered over the fire. The fragrance of the food he had prepared with his unique cooking style filled the air, making Erika's nose twitch and her stomach growl with hunger.
After last night's exertions, her body had consumed much of its energy. She was indeed famished.
Her slender legs beneath the kimono moved slowly, her steps hesitant and reserved. A blush lingered on her face, her elegant brows twitching slightly now and then. Although a girl's first time was always painful, Erika, a seasoned trainer who had endured countless hardships, did not see this pain as unbearable.
Through the thin fabric of the kimono, her delicate hand unconsciously pressed against her abdomen—as though she could still feel the warmth that had been inside not long ago.
"Sit down and rest for a while. Best not to move too much today," Logan said, patting the dry cushion beside him with a smile, inviting Erika to sit.
Erika shot him a shy, annoyed glance, as if blaming him for why she was moving so slowly in the first place. But in the end, she obediently sat beside him. The two sat so close that their shoulders touched. This time, Logan did not restrain himself—he boldly wrapped an arm around her fragrant, graceful figure, pulling her into his embrace.
After what had happened between them, there was no point in pretending to be shy or pure anymore.
Leaning in his arms, Erika felt safe, as though she could forget everything. She didn't want to think about Kanto's danger, or Team Rocket's ever-tightening grip. She imagined how wonderful it would be to wander the world with Logan—just the two of them, free to go anywhere. With their combined strength, there were few places they could not survive. The world was vast, and they could always find a place to call home.
But just as this tempting thought surfaced, Erika forced herself to bury it. She could not betray the trust placed in her. She could not trample on the hopes of others. She was Kanto's only hope now—the commander personally recognized by the League Chairman. She could not give up so easily.
Besides, she had her family—her father and mother. For their sake as well, she had to keep fighting. Team Rocket was an organization built on illegal human and Pokémon experiments. Erika refused to believe their rule would bring anything good.
Still, her heart was restless, burdened with guilt and shame. When she thought of her closest friend—the lively, cheerful Misty—Erika's unease deepened.
From their conversations, Erika knew Misty had quietly sacrificed much for Logan: the Everstone she had given him that now hung from Eevee's neck; the first-class S.S. Anne ticket she bought so he could relax; the recommendation she gave when she learned of Eevee's extraordinary nature—all were signs of her devotion.
Compared to Misty's selfless giving, Erika felt she had done very little. Yet she was also more mature than Misty. She knew that one-sided sacrifices rarely won true affection. Silent support from the shadows did not move hearts. Even if people called it calculating, Erika believed it was better to stand proudly in front of him, to show clearly what she had given and how much she had devoted.
She had abandoned her teaching post at university, relinquished her duties as a Gym Leader, and chosen to recklessly accompany Logan for two months. She trained, fought, and even entrusted him with the most precious part of herself—her first night. Erika believed that as long as Logan was not utterly heartless, he would never forget her now.
No matter how much is given, it cannot compare to someone who truly understands you.
A man who loves apples will never be moved by a cartful of pears. Affection without understanding is meaningless; only mutual trust and recognition form the foundation of love. That was why Erika boldly abandoned everything, using every excuse to stay with him, to fully know him from the inside out.
Selfish as it might seem, Erika felt lucky. From what she had seen so far, Logan was a man worthy of her devotion.
And yet—something puzzled her.
He was not exactly the pure, inexperienced boy she had imagined. Last night, he hadn't allowed her any rest, keeping her exhausted the whole night. That, she could chalk up to youthful hunger and desire. She herself had lost control at moments too. But his techniques, his confidence, his knowledge of intimacy—it was all far beyond what a first-timer should possess.
For example, making her kneel in the stream, commanding her mouth in service. Or the way he held her so tightly, savoring every inch of her body, exploring without leaving any part untouched. She understood her unique fragrance and allure—both men and women were drawn to it—but still, his skills and inventiveness had been far outside her imagination.
In the end, she had simply surrendered herself to him.
Her cheeks flushed red as the memories replayed. Just as men develop an insatiable appetite, women too could be overtaken by desire—especially when it was with someone they loved.
Logan looked at the girl in his arms. Her head bowed shyly, her cheeks glowing, she looked like a delicate flower. The sight stirred another wave of desire in him. Yet he reminded himself that her body likely could not withstand another night. He forced himself to suppress it.
But he felt troubled. Men truly were creatures ruled by their lower bodies. Some things were done before consequences were even considered.
What now?
To take responsibility—or not?
If he didn't, he would be shameless. But if he did, would committing to one tree mean giving up the entire forest?
Involuntarily, images of Sabrina, Green, and Caitlin flashed through his mind.
How extravagant this dilemma was. Before he crossed into this world, he would have leapt with joy if even one beautiful girl agreed to date him. Now he found himself weighing which extraordinary girl would best suit him.
For temperament and figure, he favored Sabrina. For personality, Green's mischievous cleverness stole his heart. For the thrill of conquest, Caitlin, the noble lady, was unmatched. But as for the woman most suited to be a wife—the one in his arms, Erika, a perfect Yamato Nadeshiko—was beyond compare.
Being a man, he realized, was exhausting.
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