"Gym Leader Grey, this is something a senior veteran at the station specifically told me to hand to you."
After giving them the commendation banner, Officer Jenny weighed the Pokémon Egg on her tray and looked at Grey.
"He said a junior gave him this Egg. Since he's getting on in years, he wanted to pass it along to you."
"Oh?"
Grey arched a brow and peered through the incubator, carefully sensing the Egg inside.
A brownish shell with a V-shaped pattern.
A yellow dot near the upper center.
For the moment, Grey couldn't tell what Pokémon it was.
"What Pokémon's Egg is this?"
He asked, curious.
"The former chief doesn't know either, but it's said to be related to the Galar region."
Officer Jenny shook her head, tapped her chin, and said gently, "If you don't want it, you can choose a different reward."
Just then, a system panel flashed before Grey's eyes:
[Pokémon: Farfetch'd (Galarian Form)]
[Type: Fighting]
[Level: 0 (Unhatched)]
[Ability: Steadfast]
[Move: Brave Bird (Egg Move)]
Grey's eyes lit up.
A Galarian Farfetch'd, with Steadfast, and it inherited Brave Bird!
"This one, then. Since the former chief chose to bring this Egg out, it must mean I'm fated to take it."
Grey put away the banner and gathered the incubator in his arms.
"As long as you like it."
Officer Jenny smiled.
She checked the time and reminded them, "Later today the station will wire a transfer to your accounts—remember to check it~"
"I've got other work to handle, so let's chat again when we have time~"
With that, Officer Jenny hurried off.
"Grey. Where to next?"
Green rose on tiptoe, stuffed the banner into Grey's hands, and asked.
Since Grey had said he'd take her aboard the S.S. Anne, she'd follow his lead these days.
Maybe she could mooch a few meals, too.
Mm…
No way she'd be the one footing the bill, right?
A bad feeling pricked at her. Seeing Grey's half-smile, she edged back a step. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Miss Green, would you say this chance to take down Team Rocket was something I handed to you?"
Cradling the incubator in one arm, Grey caught Green by the hand and led her out of the station.
Some things weren't for discussing inside.
Bad optics.
"???"
Green's bad feeling spiked. She shook her head fast. "How could that count? Don't you dare erase my contribution!"
Judging from Grey's look, he clearly had an angle on her.
She dialed up her focus, parsing every word he said.
This time, she wouldn't get talked in circles!
"Perish the thought."
Grey smiled, voice mild. "You were planning to leave Cerulean City and head to the next town, right?"
Green nodded. "Right."
"And then you ran into me—hand in my pocket—lifted my business card, right?"
Green nodded again. "Mm… that was my bad, I admit."
"After that, didn't I overlook the grudge and even offer you a job?"
Grey wound up a long sentence.
Green still found nothing to object to. "Yeah."
"Right. So given all that, shouldn't you treat your kind boss—the one who brought you on—for a meal?"
"Yeah… wait—no, no!"
Green agreed in a reflex—
Then realized Grey was springing a trap!
"Alright then, tell me—what part's wrong?"
Grey shot back. "Or which sentence did I get wrong?"
"Uhhh…"
Green scratched her head, a puzzled look blooming on her face.
Nothing Grey said was wrong, so why did it feel exactly like she was stepping into a snare?
"See? Even you can't say."
Grey ruffled her silky hair and sighed. "Alas, I gave too much and even one meal can't compare. I'll take my leave, my lady…"
"Stop, stop. The way you say it, it sounds like you're the one getting fleeced."
Green waved him down. "Fine—out of the goodness of my heart, I'll treat you to all-you-can-eat today."
"Deal?"
"When I, Green, give my word, I keep it."
…
Two hours later, at the Pokémon Center.
"So this is the 'dinner' you meant?"
The corner of Grey's eye twitched as he watched Green, Wartortle, Clefairy, and the rest holding trays—an all-too-familiar déjà vu crashing over him.
What goes around comes around.
"Grey, eat! Just admit it's all-you-can-eat!"
Green beamed, brows arcing like crescent moons.
She speared a strip of bacon and dropped it into Grey's bowl. "I fought tooth and nail through the crowd to snag these. Don't waste my heartfelt effort~"
"When I've got money, I'll treat you to feasts every day~"
"…"
Grey forced a smile and ate the bacon.
"Mio mio~" (Yum, yum—little Riolu, hurry up and eat!)
The little "Riolu" wolfed down its food and still made time to call Grey's Riolu to join in.
The two Riolu ate like bottomless pits.
More than Primeape.
"Grey, don't you think this Riolu's cry is kinda weird?"
Green had noticed the difference too.
Normally, it should be calling "Rio, rio."
What was with this "mio, mio"?
She didn't know Riolu well and was baffled.
"Maybe because she's a girl."
Grey kept shoveling food, answering offhand.
"Ohhh, I see…"
Green nodded as if enlightened.
"Mio~" (Hee-hee~)
The little Riolu glanced at Green, then ducked its head and buried itself in the tray.
Fed and content, it was already late.
No way they'd make Vermilion City today, so they'd have to stay in Cerulean.
At the Pokémon Center, of course.
…
[Today's sign-in location: Vermilion Gym]
The next day, in Vermilion City.
It was Friday—tomorrow was the day to board the S.S. Anne.
At first light, Grey dragged Green to Vermilion City.
After a long, fast-train ride, they arrived near noon.
"Grey… tomorrow's the S.S. Anne. Why'd you haul me out at dawn…"
Green's plaint drifted over.
Ahem. "I'm meeting a colleague today. If I show up late, it'll look like I lack sincerity."
Grey gave an awkward laugh, checked his system, then pointed ahead. "Right there, Vermilion Gym—the guy who bickers with me in our group chat every day."
"Oh really?"
Green's interest ticked up. "I happen to need a Gym challenge too. I'll do you the favor of tagging along."
They walked side by side.
They reached Vermilion Gym and pushed the door open.
Grey's expression hitched when he saw the six people standing by the entrance.
The group with Pikachu drew his eye.
At the same time, the tall, burly, blond man looked over and saw Grey.
Lt. Surge.
Seeing Grey approach, Lt. Surge boomed a laugh. "Well if it isn't Gym Leader Grey! What brings you all the way out here?"
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