"Pika pika~~"

The little electric mouse perched on Red's shoulder tugged at his shirt collar with its tiny paw, making Red, who was just picking up his Poké Balls from the nurse at the Pokémon Center, pause in puzzlement. Only when he heard someone calling out did he turn his head—and spotted Logan waving at him.

Red's face lit up with a cheerful grin, and he dashed over with Pikachu bounding along.

Seeing Red charging over, still so energetic and full of life, Logan couldn't help but reflect: most manga or novel protagonists really do have this kind of personality.

Logan had followed some news and match videos of Red and Blue Oak. After Logan had challenged Pewter City and Cerulean City Gyms, the two had also taken on those Gyms in turn. That sly girl, Blue, on the other hand, hadn't seemed to challenge any Gyms at all—yet Logan had seen two Gym Badges on her before. Thinking back, they were probably stolen rather than earned.

After all, a girl daring enough to sneak into Professor Oak's lab wouldn't flinch at swiping a couple of Gym Badges.

"Didn't expect to see you here in Vermilion City, Logan! I thought you'd already left."

Red sat down across from Logan, face brimming with excitement.

"Let me introduce my new partner! Besides my Poliwag and Bulbasaur, this is Pikachu. Oh—and Bulbasaur evolved into Ivysaur now! And the one on your shoulder… that's a Dratini, right? I saw it on TV!"

"Mi~~"

Dratini gave Red a soft, adorable chirp, and Logan reached out to scratch Pikachu's head, getting a happy "Pika pika" in response.

Anyone who'd grown up with Pokémon probably dreamed of petting a real Pikachu at least once.

"What a cute little electric mouse," Logan remarked, smiling.

Red's smile twitched into something closer to a grimace. Sure, Pikachu seemed sweet now—but Red remembered all too well how, at first, the stubborn rodent would zap him at the slightest provocation. Thinking about how long it took to earn Pikachu's trust… Red could've cried.

"So what did you mean, Red, when you said you thought I'd already left?"

"Well," Red explained, "you were ahead of us at Pewter and Cerulean Gyms. I ran into Blue Oak here in Vermilion, but when he saw the Gym Leader wasn't around, he decided to move on to the next city. I thought you'd do the same."

Though they'd only really chatted that one night, Red's open, easygoing nature made conversation feel natural and warm.

People like him always seemed to have plenty of friends.

"Sounds like Blue Oak is a step ahead of us, then," Logan nodded.

"I got held up a bit back in Cerulean City—only arrived here yesterday."

Just then, a waiter brought out a fresh round of desserts Logan had ordered when he spotted Red. He'd even gotten a few treats Pikachu might enjoy—and sure enough, the little electric mouse's eyes sparkled. It cozied right up to Logan, letting him pet its soft fur. Petting Pikachu was even better than petting a cat.

Red, being who he was, didn't stand on ceremony. He started digging into the cakes, eyes bright with delight.

"Cerulean City, huh?" Red teased, waggling his eyebrows a bit.

"Bet that had something to do with Misty, huh?"

That mischievous grin made Logan feel oddly embarrassed—but then he remembered: Red was fifteen. Of course teenage boys would get curious about things like that.

Logan decided to ignore it.

"So, if Vermilion City's Gym Leader isn't around, are you heading off too?" Logan asked, casually taking a bite of cake.

"Apparently, Lt. Surge used to be in the military," Red explained. "When he's not running the Gym, he loves sailing—and rumor has it he's been away at sea for about a month now."

Red sighed, his expression turning sheepish.

"I was going to leave, but… I met this guy from the 'Pokémon Lovers' Association.' He told me loads of people in Vermilion have had their Pokémon stolen—and they asked me to help investigate…"

Even Pikachu shot Red a skeptical look, as if saying: really?

Logan let out a low chuckle.

"And you just agreed? You know, you're not exactly a detective. You could end up stuck here longer than you'd like."

Red scratched his head, smiling wryly.

"I know it won't be easy, but seeing them all worried… I couldn't say no. And besides—they'd already dug up a clue. Apparently, the Pokémon thefts might be tied to the 'St. Anne.' They even gave me a ticket so I could check it out. I mean… come on! The legendary luxury cruise liner, the St. Anne! Who could turn that down?"

His eyes sparkled with excitement as he handed Logan the ticket to look at.

Even if it was only for a second-class cabin, tickets for the St. Anne weren't cheap—and the ship was famous for its opulence.

"Hey, Logan… why don't you come along too? If it turns out some crime syndicate really is behind this, I'd feel a lot safer having you with me."

Red clasped Logan's hand, eyes full of hope.

Logan gently pulled his hand back and shrugged.

"Well… St. Anne tickets aren't exactly cheap, you know."

Hearing that, Red's expression fell. Asking Logan to pay his own way would be unfair.

"Maybe I can ask the Pokémon Lovers' Association if they have an extra ticket. And if not… I'll just buy one myself!"

Red clenched his fists, determined.

Just then, a Pokémon Center staff member approached, looking slightly unsure.

"Um… excuse me—are you Mr. Logan?"

Logan inwardly braced himself, wondering if this was another overenthusiastic fan wanting an autograph.

"Yes, that's me. How can I help?"

"Oh! Wonderful. Two weeks ago, Miss Misty left this for you when she departed Vermilion City. She asked us to pass it on when we saw you."

"A gift?"

Logan accepted the envelope, noticing the Cerulean Gym's wax seal.

The staff member, task done, headed back. Red and Pikachu, meanwhile, leaned in with wide, sparkling eyes. Even Pikachu flopped its ears forward in curiosity.

Amused by their eagerness, Logan didn't keep them waiting. He tore open the envelope and pulled out what was inside.

With a triumphant smile, Logan held it up.

"Well, speak of the devil—just what I needed!"

It was a St. Anne first-class ticket—even fancier than Red's.

Red's face turned an instant shade of dark.

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