Logan had this strange thought cross his mind, though he knew well it was a question even harder to ponder than a Pokémon's "Primal Reversion."
"...Mmmhn—"
In the midst of his thoughts, Logan suddenly heard a faint, delicate moan. He immediately lowered his head, only to see the girl on the bed—Green—slowly open her weary eyes.
At first, Green looked dazed, unsure of what had happened. But when she finally regained clarity, her face instantly drained of color. Fear flashed in her eyes as she looked around in panic. Only after realizing she was lying safely inside a bedroom did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Strangely, she showed no sense of crisis at waking in an unfamiliar environment. She didn't even bother to check her own body for injury or safety. It was as if her fear of the "bird" outweighed even her concern for her own life.
"...Where is this?"
Gone was the sly, playful mischief that usually danced in Green's expressions. She bit her dry lips nervously as she asked in a quiet, fragile voice.
"This is Blaine's research lab," Logan answered.
"...I see. What about Sabrina… and the Moltres?"
Green hesitated before asking, her body trembling slightly at the mention of the fiery legendary bird.
"Sabrina realized she couldn't handle the two of us together, so she fled."
"I… I see. I'm sorry. I wasn't able to help at all."
Green forced a weak smile, lowering her head in shame. Her complexion was deathly pale, like a patient who had just awoken after a long illness.
"It's fine. Honestly, I never thought you'd be able to help from the start."
Logan's reply was blunt, almost cruelly honest.
"You—!"
Green felt her breath catch from his sharp tone. She raised her head and glared at him, fuming. This man was maddening—sometimes able to tease and stir a girl's heart, and at other times so tactless and sharp-tongued he could drive someone insane.
But when her eyes caught his—those half-smiling, half-concerned eyes—her heart softened.
So that was it. He only spoke that way because he wanted to lift her mood.
How could a girl as clever as Green not see through him?
"Alright, enough of that. You've been unconscious for a while—time to eat something."
Logan didn't ask why Green had collapsed. Green didn't offer an explanation either. Both of them knew the truth—but as long as it wasn't spoken aloud, it remained an unspoken "secret."
From the table nearby, Logan carried over a bowl of porridge.
"Blaine doesn't keep much food here. This is all I could make. At least it's still warm, no need to reheat."
Green leaned back against the headboard, her eyes following the rising steam as the aroma filled the small room. For the first time, she smiled with a soft gentleness utterly unlike her usual sly charm.
"…You can cook?"
"Don't underestimate me. Back then, I almost became Professor Oak's research assistant thanks to my cooking skills. You should know he never takes on assistants."
He chuckled at his own joke, scooping a spoonful of porridge and gently blowing on it before holding it to her lips.
But Green didn't open her mouth. She stared at the porridge, her eyes drifting in thought.
"What? Don't tell me you're picky? Should I skip blowing on it for you then?"
Logan raised an eyebrow.
"Hmph. If I were picky about you, I'd probably need to go to a plastic surgeon and swap into a whole new skin."
The words slipped from Green's lips without thought—then her face flushed scarlet as she realized the… questionable double meaning.
Logan's chest tightened. His mind flickered to memories best left buried—how, after knocking her unconscious, he had shamelessly touched and toyed with her delicate body, his lips leaving traces only she could know. Indeed, it would take a "new skin" to erase that.
"I'm not some fragile maiden. I don't need you to feed me—I can eat on my own!"
Snatching the bowl from his hand, Green raised the spoon. Without hesitation, she swallowed the porridge he had just blown on.
"…Mmm. Not bad at all. Did you add all sorts of different berries? To balance the flavors like this… if you weren't a trainer, you could probably become a famous chef."
She spoke between hurried mouthfuls, eating like she hadn't tasted food in years.
Before long, the bowl was completely empty. She patted her stomach, letting out a small burp.
"…It's been so long since I've eaten this well. If I get fat, it's all your fault."
"Ha! With that figure of yours, I doubt you could gain weight even if you tried."
Logan gave her a quick once-over. She really was thin—though the kind of slenderness most girls dreamed of achieving.
"…Next time, I'll cook for you. That'll settle the debt."
Her fox-like eyes gleamed, captivating, as she gave him a sidelong glance that sent his pulse racing.
Logan quickly turned his gaze aside. This girl was dangerously enchanting—born seductive, every tilt of her head and curve of her smile stirred forbidden thoughts.
"Fine then. I'll look forward to Miss Green's cooking."
"Heehee~ Handsome~"
"…What now?"
"I think… I really do like you. The way a girl likes a boy."
Her words were playful, her eyes bright with teasing affection.
"Spare me. There are already too many girls who 'like' me. I don't need another."
"Eh? You mean Erika, don't you?"
Green blinked innocently, her voice soft as velvet.
...
"You just had to bring that up. Forget it. Where do you plan to go from here?"
Logan cut her off sharply.
Green only laughed lightly this time, resting her chin on her hands as she leaned over the bed, gazing at him with luminous eyes.
"...Of course, wherever you go, I'll go. Didn't I say before? I'm sticking with you."
Her coat was tossed aside earlier. Now, in only a thin dress, the slope of her neckline revealed a dangerous trace of snow-white skin.
This time, Logan didn't look away. His gaze lingered, his tone serious as he spoke:
"…Two days from now, once Mewtwo's genetic adjustments are complete, I plan to return to Pallet Town."
"Pallet Town…"
Green's bare, delicate legs swayed idly against the bed, her expression conflicted. At last she sighed softly.
"…Alright then. I'll go with you."
For Green, Pallet Town was both her birthplace and her scar. The village of her childhood, yet also the place where her innocence was shattered. A place of shadows she longed to forget.
For many, childhood is a time they long to revisit. For her, it was only darkness. If she could erase it forever, she would.
"…Say, handsome. Do you think this place has enough bedrooms? Or should I just sleep with you tonight?"
Her sorrow vanished in an instant, replaced by mischievous temptation, her brows arching as she threw out the words like bait.
Logan couldn't help but think—this girl truly was a chameleon.
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T/N:
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