A red convertible roared around the street corner.
Of course, a regular sports car wouldn't have caught Nozomi's attention. What made him notice this one was…
It was overloaded!
A car rated for just four passengers was carrying seven or eight people.
"What exactly are Officer Jennys in Cerulean City doing? This car is clearly dangerously overloaded. Doesn't anyone stop him?"
Nozomi muttered to himself as the car screeched to a halt in front of the ice cream shop.
Skreee…
The ear-piercing sound of brakes rang through the air as the convertible stopped right at the shop entrance.
A brown-haired boy with spiky hair and sunglasses opened the door with effortless swagger, and the girls inside, dressed like cheerleaders, gracefully climbed down.
"Master Gary's parking skills are so cool!"
"Master Gary even stopped to buy us ice cream—so thoughtful!"
The lively chatter of the girls filled what had been a quiet ice cream shop.
"Gary?"
Nozomi squinted at the boy surrounded by a circle of girls. Could it be anyone other than Gary Oak, Professor Oak's grandson?
"My memory's a bit rusty…"
Nozomi tapped his head. Lately, he'd been thinking too much about Team Rocket, so seeing the red convertible and the entourage hadn't immediately registered.
According to his previous life's memories, he actually knew Gary.
He remembered tugging on a Caterpie's tail with him as kids, only to be chased around by a swarm of Butterfree…
"I should at least greet him. After all, we were friends back then."
With that thought, Nozomi walked over.
"Gary!" Nozomi called out. "Long time no see!"
"You're… Nozomi?" Gary removed his sunglasses, his expression one of surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Before he could continue, a sudden screech of brakes sounded outside. Officer Jenny leapt off her motorcycle with perfect poise.
From a distance, she shouted toward Gary and his entourage: "Owner of the red convertible! You are dangerously overloaded! Show your driver's license immediately!"
"…."
"…."
Nozomi glanced at Gary. His face betrayed deep embarrassment.
They'd just met, and now Officer Jenny was confronting him—it was humiliating.
But since she had arrived, there was no time to act cool. Gary quickly shoved his sunglasses into his pocket and hurried over to explain quietly.
After much pleading, he managed to get Officer Jenny to forgive him as a Rookie Level Trainer, ending with a fine of 10,000 Pokédollars and a warning.
Watching Officer Jenny ride away and staring at the fine in his hands, Gary was torn between laughter and tears.
"This story teaches us not to drive dangerously," Nozomi silently mused.
But as a friend, he couldn't rub salt into Gary's wound. At least he'd let Gary save face.
Nozomi intentionally didn't bring up the fine. "Are you here to challenge the Gym too?"
Gary, relieved that Nozomi hadn't mentioned the fine, looked surprised. "You… how do you know?"
"Of course, I'm here to challenge the Gym too." Nozomi smiled faintly.
"But I thought you joined the Pokémon Prosecutor system?" Gary asked, puzzled.
Gary remembered Nozomi as an outstanding graduate who had entered the Pokémon Prosecutor system.
"No choice. I was pushed forward as a scapegoat by some family's heir. Couldn't stand it, so I resigned. Perfect chance to travel as a Trainer and see the world." Nozomi shrugged.
"What? Really? Who? Tell me! I'll make sure they regret it!"
Gary's anger flared. How dare someone bully his friend Nozomi? Did they think the Oak family's influence in the League was just for show?
"It's fine. I'll deal with it later. You don't have to worry," Nozomi replied. He appreciated Gary's protective gesture, but he truly didn't care about the person who had tried to sabotage him. Team Rocket could be handled whenever—no need to dwell on it.
Seeing that Nozomi genuinely wasn't worried, Gary relaxed and lightly tapped Nozomi's shoulder with a grin.
"So, how many badges have you got so far?"
"One. The Boulder Badge from Pewter Gym."
Gary, hoping to boast, felt a twinge of frustration. "Well, I've got one too, but I'll definitely get the Cascade Badge from Cerulean Gym before you!"
He declared confidently.
"Oh?" Nozomi smiled faintly. "You might be disappointed! There are already many people queuing to challenge Cerulean Gym, and I'm already in line. You'll be behind me."
"…."
Gary looked up at the sky.
"No way! I'm going to line up too!"
Having bought ice cream for his girlfriends, Gary grabbed Nozomi's arm and sprinted toward Cerulean Gym.
Cerulean Gym
"Eh? Boss, why are you back? It's not your turn yet." Yuuji looked at the two as they suddenly ran in.
"This is my friend, Gary. He's lining up too." Nozomi pointed to Gary and then gestured to Yuuji, saying to Gary, "This is my junior."
They greeted each other politely.
"Yuuji, where are we now?"
"It just finished, so next is me. But…"
"But what?"
"It seems the Cerulean Sisters don't have extra Pokémon left!" Yuuji replied.
"Miss Daisy only has this last Pokémon, Miss Violet's Pokémon are all at the Pokémon Center, and Miss Lily only has three Pokémon remaining."
"So that means…" Nozomi had a bad feeling.
"It means, after I finish, boss, you probably won't be able to continue your challenge," Yuuji admitted, clearly embarrassed.
(End of Chapter)