In a quiet alley, Blue was gleefully counting the bills in her hands.

  "Ten thousand… twenty thousand… a total of sixty-five thousand! What a profit! I didn't expect these merch items to sell so well!"

  After arriving in Cerulean City, she had initially pnned to make money by selling her own handmade "gadgets." But to her surprise, she stumbled upon a far better business opportunity.

  Even simple accessories featuring the Cerulean Sisters were selling for outrageous prices among their fans.

  "Still… I can't let people find out these are bootlegs. Otherwise—"

  "Otherwise what?"

  A voice suddenly sounded from behind her.

  Blue's body stiffened.

  Crap! I got careless…

  Making easy money had lowered her guard. She hadn't even noticed someone approaching her.

  But she reacted quickly—her fingers subtly moved toward her Poké Ball, and just as they touched the release button, she leaped forward.

  Bang!

  The Poké Ball snapped open, and with a fsh of white light—

  A Wartortle appeared in the alley.

  At the same time, Blue flipped mid-air, nding smoothly behind Wartortle before turning to face whoever had spoken.

  Standing at the alley's exit was a man, hands in his pockets, wearing a faint smile.

  Even when she released her Pokémon, his expression remained unchanged. Instead, he spoke in an amused tone:

  "Not a bad reaction… little thief."

  At the word thief, Blue's movements stilled for a fraction of a second.

  She blinked, then looked at August with an innocent expression.

  "Thief? What are you talking about? I'd never do something like that!"

  As she spoke, her mind raced, trying to figure out where she had slipped up.

  …

  August hadn't expected to run into Blue in Cerulean City.

  After all, it hadn't been long since their encounter in Pallet Town. Meeting her twice in such a short span—well, that had to count as fate.

  As for why he had cornered her…

  Professor Oak had done him a huge favor, so now that he had found the culprit who stole Squirtle, he couldn't just turn a blind eye.

  Seeing Blue's innocent act, August couldn't help but chuckle. He pointed at Wartortle.

  "Next time you lie, at least put Wartortle back in its Poké Ball first."

  "Pallet Town. Professor Oak's b. Squirtle. Do I need to spell it out for you?"

  Blue's heart sank.

  So he wasn't bluffing.

  When did the Kanto League become so efficient? Not only did they solve the case this quickly, but they even tracked me down?

  While she was inwardly compining, she kept up her innocent act.

  "I have no idea what you're talking about. You mean the Professor Oak? I'm a huge fan of his!"

  Even as she spoke, she subtly edged backward.

  Once she reached a safe distance, she swiftly tossed another Poké Ball.

  A Jigglypuff emerged at her side.

  At the same time, Blue commanded her Pokémon to attack.

  "Wartortle, Bubble Beam!"

  Bubble Beam wasn't particurly harmful to Trainers, but it was perfect for disrupting their movements.

  With Wartortle blocking the way, Blue grabbed the now-infted Jigglypuff.

  "Let's go, Jigglypuff!"

  She soared into the sky, riding on Jigglypuff's buoyant body. Meanwhile, she quickly recalled Wartortle.

  As she floated higher and higher, Blue dropped her pretense.

  Her face lost its innocent charm, repced by a pyful smirk. She stuck out her tongue at August below.

  "See ya! You're a bit too early if you think you can catch me!"

  There was no way she would let herself be captured so easily.

  However…

  When she looked down, she didn't see the frustration or anger she expected from August.

  Instead, he wore a knowing smile.

  Then, he spoke.

  "What makes you think you've already escaped?"

  Before Blue could process his words—

  A fsh of light appeared.

  Gardevoir materialized beside August.

  And before he even had to issue a command—

  Gardevoir raised her hand.

  Blue suddenly felt an invisible force tighten around her.

  The Jigglypuff carrying her froze in midair, completely immobilized.

  Blue's smile stiffened.

  A Gardevoir… from Hoenn… Psychic-type powers.

  This Trainer was not one of those clueless League officers.

  Under Gardevoir's telekinesis, both Blue and Jigglypuff were gently lowered back to the ground.

  "So… you were saying something about me catching you being too early?" August teased.

  "Um… I was just joking! I had no choice, really!"

  Realizing she had no chance of escape, Blue quickly switched tactics.

  She put on her best pitiful expression, hoping to earn some sympathy.

  "Hmph. Tell that to Professor Oak."

  August didn't take her straight to the police station. Since she had stolen Squirtle from Professor Oak, he figured the professor should be the one to decide what to do with her.

  …

  "And that's the whole story, Professor Oak."

  Through the video call, August finished recounting the events and gestured toward Blue and Wartortle beside him.

  Blue, now facing Professor Oak on the screen, quickly pressed her hands together in a pleading gesture, her face full of remorse.

  "I'm really, really sorry, Professor Oak!"

  "You little thief…"

  Professor Oak was clearly angry.

  However, seeing how earnestly Blue was apologizing, he hesitated.

  Turning her over to the police felt… excessive.

  After all, considering how well she had raised Wartortle, it was clear she was a devoted Trainer.

  Despite all the valuable equipment in his b, she had only taken a single Squirtle—likely a spur-of-the-moment mistake rather than true malice.

  After a moment of silence, the professor let out a sigh.

  He wasn't going to make the decision.

  "August, I'll leave this one to you. I'm just a Pokémon professor, after all."

  As an International Police officer, August was more experienced in handling these kinds of situations.

  "…?"

  Hearing the professor kick the responsibility back to him, August was speechless.

  He had only been promoted because of Lance's recommendation! He had barely been in the force for a month and hadn't even memorized all the regutions yet!

  But since the professor had entrusted the matter to him, backing down wasn't an option.

  Turning to Blue—who was looking at him with hopeful eyes—August thought for a moment before speaking.

  "I can tell she's not a bad person at heart. Since you've given me the authority to decide, let's give her a pass… for now."

  Blue exhaled in relief.

  But then—

  "However—"

  At that single word, her body tensed up again.

  Uh-oh…