"Why are you always targeting me?! You have a problem with Professor Oak—go to him, not me!"

"Professor Oak spends most of his time at his lab in Pallet Town. He's not exactly hard to find. If your grudge runs that deep, go after him. You're supposed to be one of the Four Elites of Kanto, aren't you?!"

"I'm just a kid!"

Logan screamed internally, though his face remained calm and courteous, hiding his inner chaos. What irritated him the most wasn't even Agatha's hostility—it was the fact that Sabrina nodded in agreement with her. Are you part husky or something? You just teamed up with a criminal on a whim?!

Logan was completely out of ways to vent his disbelief.

But soon, worry started creeping in about Blue. Considering how deep Agatha's resentment toward Professor Oak ran, Logan couldn't help but wonder if Blue had already been disassembled and buried somewhere by this ghost-type Elite.

After giving Sabrina yet another lecture on how to spot toxic men, Agatha finally seemed exhausted. In a tired voice, she muttered, "...Getting old. My sleep's shorter these days, but I sure can't pull all-nighters anymore. I'm going to rest. There's a room upstairs ready for you two. If you're tired, get some rest. If you're hungry, there are some ingredients in the fridge. You'll have to cook for yourselves."

"Please go rest. We'll sleep when we feel tired."

"Wait… there's only one room?"

Logan and Sabrina spoke at the same time.

Logan was hoping the old woman would just vanish and stop talking. Sabrina, however, was clearly more focused on logistics. Typical woman, he thought grimly.

"There's only one empty room left," Agatha chuckled. "But you're a couple anyway, right? Sharing a room's no big deal. I know you're Trainers—you came here for the tower. No matter how much I try to talk you out of it, you're going to go. If you're dead set on visiting the 'Tower of Prayers,' go early in the morning."

Agatha laughed slowly and disappeared down a dark hallway into one of the side rooms.

Logan wasn't the least bit pleased about sharing a room. Nor did he think anything would happen with Sabrina, not when danger lurked on all sides. He'd be lucky to even fall asleep tonight.

"…Why are you looking at me like that? One room's safer, isn't it? If anything happens, we can look out for each other."

Logan rolled his eyes as he noticed Sabrina glaring at him with flushed cheeks.

"Hungry? Because I sure am. Haven't eaten since noon. Whatever that old hag thinks, I'm eating first—that's the real priority."

"I don't cook."

Sabrina sat back in her chair with her eyes closed, completely unbothered and unapologetic about it.

"No problem. I do. You just need a mouth to eat with."

Logan waved dismissively and opened the fridge. The food inside was sparse but enough to whip up a simple dinner for two.

The kitchen was well-stocked with all the essentials—pans, knives, spices. It was clear Agatha had lived here for over a month, just as she claimed.

Soon, Logan finished cooking with the berries he'd brought along as seasoning and brought two dishes to the table. Just like Logan, Sabrina hadn't eaten lunch. Seeing the colorful, aromatic food made her eyes flicker. She carefully took a bite and was surprised—it tasted really good.

Neither said a word as they quietly devoured every last bite.

After dinner, Sabrina showed zero interest in helping with dishes. With a sigh, Logan washed everything himself. Based on what he'd seen in her mindscape, she wasn't like Caitlin—some noble heiress—but she'd still grown up privileged. Her childhood was marked by isolation and a lack of social skills due to her psychic powers. Expecting her to handle chores was unrealistic.

Even when she got older and learned to control her powers, Sabrina never became chatty or domestic. She used her psychic Pokémon to do all the housework. Even after becoming the Gym Leader of Saffron City—one of Kanto's most important cities—she remained emotionally distant, living like a doll with no known purpose in life.

Until she met Giovanni—the enigmatic, charismatic leader of Team Rocket who saw right through people.

After dinner, the two walked into the room Agatha had set up for them—a twenty-square-meter bedroom complete with a desk, chair, and a modest bed near the window. Outside, the rain hadn't stopped. Thunder boomed and heavy downpour drummed on the roof, creating a suffocating atmosphere.

Sabrina sat at the head of the bed, leaning against the wall with her long legs crossed in silence. Logan sat at the foot of the bed, eyes fixed on the storm outside.

"Lavender Town's rain sometimes lasts two or three days straight. No idea if it'll stop tomorrow."

He muttered to himself, but Sabrina didn't respond.

Being alone with Logan in such a small space made her feel strangely tense—emotionally and physically.

"Why did you join Team Rocket?"

Still, no answer.

"If your parents knew you became a part of Team Rocket… became one of its top three executives… they'd be devastated, wouldn't they? Their daughter, a criminal… But you know, your parents have always loved you—deeply. Ever since you were little. Even when your powers awakened and you kept destroying things at home, even when you were isolated with no friends, no matter how many mistakes you made… they were always patient with you."

"When you couldn't go to school, your mom gave up her job to teach you at home. If she didn't understand something, she'd study it herself so she could teach you. That's how you managed to stay educated even after years of being confined indoors. They never wanted you to become a Gym Leader or a Trainer. They just wanted you to grow up safe and sound."

"But you've done incredibly well, haven't you? Becoming the Gym Leader of Saffron City—that's no small feat. They'd be so proud of you."

Logan stared out at the rain, his voice calm but cutting deep.

Finally, Sabrina snapped.

She suddenly opened her beautiful eyes—black pupils tinged with purple, bloodshot and burning with emotion. Her pale face flushed red. Her hands shot forward, gripping Logan's arms tightly. She lowered her voice, but it trembled with rage.

"Stop. Talking. One more word and I swear—I'll kill you!"

This was what scared Sabrina most: being exposed. Her failure in the mental world allowed Logan to see her memories, her emotions, her everything. She was utterly bare before him.

That vulnerability enraged and terrified her.

Her grip was painful, but Logan remained cold and composed.

"…I have no parents."

He wasn't lying. Ever since he crossed over into this world, he'd been alone.

Sabrina froze. Logan knew—from her memories—that she did love her parents deeply. She was incredibly grateful for them. Her social isolation only made her treasure emotional bonds more.

The pressure on his arms gradually loosened. Then Logan flipped over and pinned her beneath him. They were very close, breaths mingling. The sweet scent of her skin filled his nose. Their bodies knew each other far too well by now.

Sabrina's legs shifted slightly beneath him, reacting involuntarily.

Though this scene was crafted by Agatha's illusion, her presence also meant Logan didn't dare make a move. Besides, if he really wanted Sabrina to surrender—to truly yield—he would have to defeat her, head-on, with strength.

"Sabrina, you're beautiful. I think I'm falling for you."

"Smooth talker."

Pinned under him, Sabrina turned her head away—oddly reminded of something Agatha had said earlier.

--------------------

T/N:

Check out my Patreon

[email protected]/FictionalRealms784 - (Replace '@' with 'a')

for 5 Advanced Chapters absolutely FREE—or unlock 35 Advanced Chapters

--------------------