The comprehension Caitlin had was astonishing. After hearing what Sabrina told her, she already understood about thirty percent.
That made her deeply grateful to Sabrina.
"Sabrina… thank you."
But when Caitlin tried to say it out loud, she realized Sabrina had already left her room.
…
…
Fighting Dojo, dining room.
"Yo. How'd it go?"
Grey noticed Sabrina Teleport in and set a plate of shumai in front of her.
He knew what had just happened. When Caitlin woke up earlier and her psychic power leaked, he and Sabrina had decided who should go into her room.
Since it would be awkward for him, Grey figured Sabrina going in was better.
That was how the scene in the room happened.
"It went well. Caitlin is extremely talented. All I did was provide a little push."
"If she can understand what I said in a short time, then in my judgment, becoming a true Elite Four-level Trainer is only a matter of time."
"Even taking one step further… isn't impossible."
To Sabrina, what she'd done was just adding momentum.
How far Caitlin would go depended entirely on how Caitlin handled it and what her own potential allowed.
But Sabrina helping wasn't only about favors.
It was like watching a fine blade rust, a genius buried under dust.
That bone-deep regret was sharper than any frozen rationality.
"True. Caitlin's talent is strong. Just the Pokémon in her Poké Balls are on a level most Trainers couldn't even dream of touching."
Grey nodded meaningfully.
He'd seen the system panels for the Pokémon Caitlin carried.
Among them was a Metagross that had already reached Elite Four-level strength, while her other Pokémon were all around strong Gym-level.
Even though Caitlin usually did nothing at the Battle Castle—and Darach handled the battling—the truth was that Caitlin had her own very solid approach to raising Pokémon.
And don't forget: Caitlin was Cynthia's close friend.
Back when Cynthia still wasn't Champion, the two of them could still trade blows for over ten rounds.
It was only because of Caitlin's personal situation later on that she had to slow down her training and shift her focus to controlling her psychic power instead.
"Oh? She's here."
Grey had barely finished speaking when the air in the dining room suddenly rippled unnaturally.
Porcelain plates and glass cups began trembling, clinking softly.
It was like the entire space had become a mirror on the verge of shattering.
The next second, psychic ripples spread outward like stones dropped into still water.
Everyone looked over.
Caitlin's figure gradually solidified within the distorted light, golden hair still trailing faint psychic afterglow.
When she realized everyone's eyes were on her, she instinctively gripped the hem of her skirt, and her cheeks flushed instantly.
This was her first time showing this move in front of so many people. The sensation of being watched so directly made her hesitate.
"G-good morning, everyone."
Caitlin's face stayed red, and then she heard the scrape of a chair against the floor.
"Morning. You're hungry, right? Not sure if breakfast matches your tastes, but we've got rice porridge, sandwiches, youtiao, buns, and shumai."
Grey gestured for Caitlin to sit beside him. The breakfast spread looked like a buffet, free for anyone to take.
"Mm… thank you."
Caitlin sat down and used her psychic power to ladle herself a bowl of plain porridge.
It was still hot. After a few sips, warmth spread through her body.
"Grey, I remember you're an Elite Four-level Trainer, right? There's something I want to ask you. Can I?"
After a few spoonfuls, Caitlin looked at Grey.
Her hands rested on her knees, fingertips tightening slightly, and the sheer skirt fabric crumpled faintly with the movement.
She was nervous.
"I am Elite Four level right now. If you've got something to say, just say it. We're friends—don't be so stiff. Be more open, like me. Big and confident. Like this."
Grey finished a bun, eating so messily his lips were shiny with oil, then turned to Green.
"Green, grab me some tissue."
"Our Caitlin is a proper lady. You think everyone eats like you?" Green handed over a napkin, rolling her eyes at Grey. "Don't push your habits onto Caitlin. A well-bred young lady shouldn't get 'contaminated' by you."
"?"
A very real question mark appeared over Grey's head.
Did he look like the kind of Trainer who corrupted people?
"You do. Absolutely," Green said, as if she'd read his expression perfectly, nodding hard. "Silver used to be this cold, brooding 'cool guy' type. Ever since he started following you, when it comes to Team Rocket…"
Green trailed off halfway and sighed.
A shy, introverted boy had been twisted into that. Even if it only happened around Team Rocket, as his "big sister," it still took some getting used to.
"Or maybe Silver was always like that," Grey said, rubbing his chin as he shifted his gaze to Silver.
Honestly… it wasn't impossible.
"Is that true? Silver, is it?" Green asked, looking over too.
With Grey and Green both staring at him, Silver grew restless. He quickly shoveled down the rest of his food, then gathered his bowl and chopsticks and walked to the sink.
"I'm full."
Silver left, leaving Grey and Green staring at each other.
"Ahem. Anyway, small stuff. Caitlin—what did you want to ask?" Grey coughed and steered the topic back to her.
She'd waited long enough. Better let her speak.
"Grey… I want to have a Pokémon battle with you. I want to see how big the gap is between me and an Elite Four-level Trainer…"
A longing that hadn't stirred in years was waking up inside Caitlin's chest.
The moment she confirmed Grey was Elite Four level, her fingertips trembled slightly.
Not from fear.
From a long-lost, almost hungry desire to fight.
"If you're the one challenging me, then sure."
Grey smiled, completely unbothered.
"Y-you're not going to ask why?"
Caitlin laced her fingers together, like she was waiting for something.
"Why?" Grey asked, following her lead.
"Unova sent me an invitation," Caitlin said, voice growing tight. "They said they're willing to cultivate me in the direction of an Elite Four member. S-so I want to see… where the gap between me and the Elite Four really is."
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