Chapter 49 Choosing a Gift

Xia You’s Pokémon launched a series of attacks against Gyarados. With the final bolt of lightning from Raikou dealing quadruple damage, Gyarados could no longer endure and collapsed stiffly onto the ground.

“Now, you ought to behave,” Xia You murmured.

It was said that Gyarados became so ferocious because its brain structure underwent a reorganization during evolution, drastically changing its temperament. Only after it becomes familiar with or accepts its trainer does it truly calm down.

Recalling that someone once said stroking the horns on Gyarados’s head would soothe it, Xia You stepped forward and gently caressed its hard horn with his right hand.

Sure enough, its eyes slowly shifted from initial resistance to acceptance.

After taking a brief rest to recover some strength, Xia You reorganized his backpack and resumed his journey toward Rainbow City.

Unbeknownst to him, a conspiracy targeting him was already underway in a secret room beneath the Evergreen City Gym.

In the dimly lit room, Sakaki sat upright on a sofa, a Pokémon as large as a big cat with a red gem embedded in its head resting quietly at his feet.

As a knock sounded at the door, a woman with a bob haircut and glasses entered.

Sakaki glanced at her coolly. “It’s you, Masaki. Have you uncovered the details yet?”

Masaki handed over a dossier to Sakaki. In the upper right corner was a blurred photograph of Xia You.

“It’s all been investigated,” she said efficiently, befitting her role as a competent and meticulous secretary. “This man’s name is Xia You, 20 years old. He arrived in Kanto from the Kalos region two weeks ago, challenging various gyms. According to Lambda, the incident aboard the Saint Anne was disrupted by him and Interpol. Adding this recent Silver Company affair, he’s now interfered with us twice.”

Sakaki flipped through the dossier, which also contained basic information on all of Xia You’s Pokémon, including Zapdos and Gastly.

“Where is he now?” Sakaki inquired.

Pushing up her glasses, Masaki replied, “Based on his recent movements, after leaving Goldenrod City, his next destination is likely the Rainbow City Gym.”

“Rainbow City?” Sakaki frowned slightly. “Is that where Interpol is investigating our base?”

Masaki nodded. “Yes. He’s been prowling around Rainbow City for several days. Though we managed to evade him, it seems he hasn’t given up searching.”

“Don’t let them meet again. Send someone to eliminate that trainer,” Sakaki said with the cold finality of crushing an ant. “Who do we have near Rainbow City right now?”

Masaki thought for a moment. “Besides the base’s guard force, most officers have been dispatched to Johto. Others are scattered across different cities. Only Jessie and James remain near Rainbow City.”

“Then send them,” Sakaki decided. Noticing Masaki hesitating, he asked, “Is there a problem?”

“There is a concern,” Masaki hesitated before continuing carefully. “Given Jessie and James’s abilities, I’m not confident. Perhaps I should deploy my elite unit, the ‘Masaki Matrix’!”

“No matter,” Sakaki lit a cigar slowly. “Even if they can’t eliminate him, they must at least buy us some time. Meanwhile, have your team deal with that rat in Rainbow City.”

...

Rainbow—a city shimmering with hues like a dream.

As Kanto's second largest city after Goldenrod, it was renowned not only for its internationally acclaimed university but also for its sprawling shopping malls and the famous Rainbow Game Center.

Walking along the street leading to the gym, Xia You suddenly caught a whiff of a peculiar fragrance.

It was a blend of many perfumes, drifting gently on the breeze and filling the entire street.

Following the scent, Xia You spotted a large perfume shop nestled between several buildings.

Moved by impulse, he stepped inside.

“Welcome,” greeted a group of stylishly dressed female clerks chatting casually at the counter. Upon seeing Xia You, they smiled softly.

“Are you here to buy perfume?”

Xia You nodded, overwhelmed by the dazzling variety, unsure where to start.

One girl leaned closer, appraising him from head to toe with a smile. “Is it for a girlfriend?”

“No, I don’t have a girlfriend. I want to buy a few bottles to give to some friends.”

“Friends?” The saying goes that three women make a play. The clerks, accustomed to teasing one another, exchanged sly glances. “Could it be more than just friends? Are you dating several girls at once?”

Before Xia You could reply, a gentle yet authoritative voice came from behind.

“Enough with the jokes, ladies.”

The clerks immediately straightened up as Xia You turned to see a beautiful girl approaching. She wore a kimono, a red headband tied around her shoulder-length hair.

“Manager, you’re here,” one clerk said.

The girl replied, “Some perfume just arrived in the stockroom. You all go sort them out. I’ll take care of things here.”

She then bowed lightly to Xia You.

“Sorry about them. They’re used to joking around and sometimes forget their manners. Please don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Xia You waved off the apology, unbothered. At that moment, he recognized her as Rika—the gym leader of Rainbow City.

Rika moved to the shelf and asked, “So, what kind of perfume are you looking for?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Xia You described the temperaments of Koharu, Kasumi, and Natsuki, then recalled how Yoshino Sakuragi had greatly helped him, so he asked Rika to pick a perfume for her as well.

“I see,” Rika nodded, walking over to a specific section. “Actually, all our perfumes are quite good, but based on your description, I recommend these.”

She pointed to several bottles at the center of the shelf.

“These are common floral scents and our store’s signature. The two on the left are for lively girls and the more reserved type, respectively. The two on the right have lighter aromas but last longer, which suits your needs perfectly.”