"Huh?"
Logan paused in surprise. He hadn't expected Valerie to be a Trainer at all. At first glance, he'd assumed this beautiful girl was just an ordinary civilian—or perhaps a university student.
After all, in this world, owning Pokémon wasn't exclusive to Trainers. Many families kept Pokémon as companions, household members, or ornamental partners. Those Pokémon usually lacked combat capability and were never trained for battle.
"Champion, you seem rather surprised," Valerie said with a soft laugh, lifting the flowing sleeves of her butterfly-like outfit to lightly cover her crimson lips.
"Yes, I really am," Logan admitted with a nod and a smile. "Because I've never seen you before in Kanto, Miss Valerie."
No matter the region, while Trainers weren't rare, they certainly weren't so numerous as to be unrecognizable. The most common stage for Trainers to become known was the Gym Challenge circuit.
Logan had long since developed the habit—like most people in this world—of watching Gym battles whenever he had time, much like following football matches. Occasionally, he'd even place small bets for fun.
Yet across all the Gym Challenges in Kanto, he was certain he'd never seen Valerie. And with a face like hers, forgetting her would be impossible.
"I'm not from Kanto," Valerie said cheerfully. "I simply heard about Rainbow University's anniversary celebration and decided to come take a look."
Her large, dazzling eyes curved into crescent moons as she giggled.
"I see. Then you're from Johto, perhaps? Your accent sounds like someone from the Kanto–Johto region," Logan replied.
Having lived in the Pokémon world for over two and a half years, Logan was thoroughly integrated. He could already distinguish regional differences just by listening to someone speak.
Hoenn and Sinnoh, for example—one southern, one northern—had vastly different accents.
If Valerie were from Johto, it made sense he hadn't heard of her. He rarely paid attention to that region.
"Yes, I'm from Johto," Valerie nodded lightly. "Though I mainly live in Kalos now."
"Kalos?" Logan exclaimed. "That's incredibly far."
The distance between Kanto and Kalos was practically half the globe.
"Modern transportation is very convenient," Valerie replied calmly. "It only takes a little over ten hours by air. I also return to Johto fairly often and stay there for a while."
"That still sounds exhausting," Logan said. "Flying isn't exactly comfortable—and round trips aren't cheap either."
Most people in this world were still ordinary civilians. Even with Pokémon around, frequent long-distance flights weren't something most could afford or endure.
"Heehee, I'm fortunate enough to have modest means," Valerie said playfully. "That level of expense is manageable."
She truly was striking—her smile alone added to her charm. Logan chatted with her as they strolled leisurely, while behind them, Yellow and Platinum noticed how happily Logan was talking with the newly acquainted young lady and decided not to interrupt, instead chatting quietly among themselves.
Most of the talking, of course, came from Yellow. Platinum merely stood there gracefully, nodding politely.
"Miss Valerie," Logan said thoughtfully, glancing at her attire, "are you from Ecruteak City in Johto?"
"Huh?" Valerie gasped softly. "How did you figure that out, Champion?"
"Because Ecruteak City is famous not only for the legends of Ho-Oh, Lugia, Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, but also for its geisha culture," Logan explained. "Other cities may have similar traditions—like Celadon City's deeply rooted Japanese-style culture—but true geisha heritage exists only in Ecruteak."
Logan examined Valerie more closely.
Her heels were extraordinarily high—far beyond ordinary high heels—reminiscent of the footwear worn by oiran during ceremonial processions. Her clothing, though modernized, was unmistakably derived from a kimono: butterfly-shaped sleeves, a shortened skirt that revealed long, elegant legs clad in black embroidered stockings, paired with a slender waist that made her figure breathtaking.
Her makeup was equally striking. Bold eye shadow and carefully shaped brows gave her a fairy-tale aura. Rather than appearing vulgar, it enhanced her beauty—and subtly carried the refined elegance of traditional geisha artistry.
Logan explained his reasoning in detail, then added:
"…And when it comes to Ecruteak City, there's one place that can't go unmentioned—the Ecruteak Dance Theater. Its performances are world-renowned. I've heard that every official geisha there partners with an evolved form of Eevee."
As he spoke, Logan glanced at the Sylveon walking beside Valerie.
Geisha performance was a refined art, and the Ecruteak Dance Theater was as he described—famous across regions. Travelers visiting Ecruteak almost always attended a performance there.
It wasn't anything inappropriate—no illicit services, no vulgarity. Just tea, sweets, music, and dance. Pure elegance.
If Logan's guess was correct, Valerie had grown up in that environment, trained from childhood in the art of performance.
"You're incredible, Champion," Valerie said in amazement. "To deduce all that from just my appearance…"
"As you said," she continued, "I am from Johto. I grew up in an orphanage and was later taken in by the owner of the Ecruteak Dance Theater, who recognized my talent and raised me, teaching me geisha arts from a young age."
"…Unlike my sisters there, though, while I love performing, I also have other dreams."
She smiled faintly.
"The owner is a wonderful person. She never stopped any of us from leaving—and even supported me greatly. After that, I went to Kalos to pursue my path. Every year, I still return to Ecruteak, perform at the theater, and dance alongside my sisters. It's my way of repaying her kindness."
Valerie spoke of her past lightly, without sorrow or bitterness. She chased beauty and dreams just as she lived—brilliantly.
"If you ever visit Ecruteak City, Champion, please come to the Dance Theater," she said warmly. "Perhaps I'll be performing there at the time~"
Her fairy-like eyes blinked playfully as she extended a polite invitation.
"I'll definitely be going someday," Logan replied. "I'm very interested in the legends of Ho-Oh and Lugia. I'll be sure to contact you in advance—and if you're there, I'll request a private performance. Don't turn me down."
He winked teasingly.
Public performances at the theater were affordable—but private ones were reserved for true connoisseurs or wealthy patrons. The cost alone was extravagant.
After all, the performance was purely artistic—no added indulgences. Only those who truly appreciated beauty or enjoyed refined luxury would pay for such an experience.
With the sixty billion dollars Logan had acquired from Team Rocket, money was meaningless. Spending days indulging in music, conversation, and beautiful company felt downright romantic—like a scholar visiting a classical pleasure house in ancient times.
"To perform privately for the Champion would be our honor," Valerie replied smoothly, clearly well-versed in professional courtesy.
"By the way," Logan said casually, "what's your phone number? That way, when I visit Ecruteak City, I can contact you in advance."
And just like that, he smoothly asked for her number on their first meeting.
If she happened to be there, he'd say he was visiting anyway.
If she wasn't, he'd say he was just calling to check in and stay in touch.
Classic tactics.
Time-tested.
And Logan was very good at them.
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