My name is Archer. Team Rocket Executive. Among the four admins, I'm the one ranked number one in combat strength.
My three colleagues got completely busted in Team Rocket's base in Celadon City.
To keep all of Team Rocket's executives from being wiped out in one sweep, Boss Giovanni ordered me to come to Saffron City.
Originally, the plan was simple: wait until Sunday's meeting ended, and after the other Champion-level Trainers left, I'd find the right moment to lead Team Rocket members into Silph Co. in secret and pull off a perfect switcheroo.
The switcheroo plan was, in fact, flawless.
Aside from a few company higher-ups, even the Battle Club next door had plenty of "our" Trainers.
All it would take was one order from me, and I could charge into Silph Co. with them and proclaim Boss Giovanni king.
As the date approached, I intended to do some reconnaissance—
and I ran into Team Rocket's greatest enemy: Grey!
This guy is even more disgusting than the Kanto Elite Four. When the Elite Four arrest Team Rocket members, they mainly just mess you up physically.
But Grey?
He likes to come at you from two angles.
Every Trainer who gets caught by him ends up shattered in both body and mind. Even Petrel—my colleague who's infamous for being "slimy"—has been so furious he's coughed up blood more than once.
"…"
Right now, the moment I stepped into Nelly's BBQ Rice Bowl, I had the urge to turn around and leave.
I mean… I'm wearing a black robe. Grey shouldn't be able to recognize me, right?
Yeah. While Grey and Sabrina are busy flirting, I should find a chance to slip away as fast as possible.
With that thought, I tried to make my escape like my shoes were greased.
But then…
"Stop."
Grey and Sabrina spoke at the same time, calling out to me.
"Y-you two… may I ask if there's something you need from me?"
I kept my voice low, not daring to talk too much with them.
I'm not like Petrel, some costume-changing genius. I don't have a whole collection of voices I can swap between. This "lowered voice" was me trying my absolute hardest to fake it.
"Since you're here, you might as well stay," Grey said with a smile, not looking like he planned to strike yet. "You came all the way here—might as well rack up some 'performance' before you leave."
Beside him, Sabrina tilted her head, clearly confused by Grey's behavior, but she chose to watch quietly.
"This gentleman truly doesn't understand what you mean by 'performance'…"
I was drenched in sweat. A few fat beads rolled down my forehead. I was terrified Grey would suddenly explode into action and haul me straight to the Saffron City police station.
"Aren't you here to eat?" Grey narrowed his eyes, speaking slowly, word by word. "What—did you see me and Gym Leader Sabrina here, and suddenly get a guilty conscience?"
He started to rise as if he was going to walk toward me, but I hurried over first, and he dropped the idea of standing up.
"Th-then… I'll sit by the entrance?"
There weren't many seats in the restaurant. I reached for a stool to sit—
and then, in the next moment, I saw red light flicker in my vision.
"Lucario." (There's a wolf in here. Sit somewhere else.)
Lucario sat calmly, one hand propping up its cheek, speaking to me in a flat tone.
"…Fine. I'll go to the other side."
I spotted another open seat nearby and moved to sit there.
But how could Grey possibly let me have my way?
"Gallade." (Someone's sitting here too. Sorry.)
Gallade used Teleport and appeared in that seat.
Then a sharp glint flashed along its elbow blade as it extended into a longer, knife-like edge. It raised its brow at me and gave a small, taunting motion.
"Okay, okay, okay… I-I'll find another seat…"
I said "okay" three times in a row.
I didn't dare start anything. After forcing myself to calm down, I looked toward the last two-person table at the side and prepared to sit there.
But…
"Blaziken." (Sorry.)
"Breloom." (This spot is occupied by us.)
Blaziken and Breloom—this "chicken-and-mushroom" combo—were already planted there.
At this point, the only seat left in the entire restaurant…
was the single chair right beside Grey.
"…"
I was speechless.
Was it really necessary to treat me like this?!
Grey—are you even human?!
Bullying a Team Rocket Executive—does that make you happy, Grey?!
But right now, I didn't dare gamble.
Even though I could tell Grey had recognized me, I still clung to that tiny shred of hope—
Maybe… Grey was just a Trainer who loved joking around…?
Yeah, no. Even I didn't believe that. It was naive.
But with things like this, even if it's true, I still had to pretend I didn't know.
Otherwise, Team Rocket's great plan would fail again!
Among Team Rocket's four admins, I'm the only one left. Restoring the glory of the four admins is my duty.
"I-it's… it's truly my honor to sit beside Gym Leader Grey…"
I could only force an awkward smile as I sat down, hands neatly folded on the tabletop.
This Team Rocket Executive who was usually arrogant and domineering now looked like a student who'd been called out by a teacher—stiff and uneasy.
The invisible pressure rolling off Grey made me unconsciously breathe lighter.
It felt like he had some kind of "Oppressive" or "Intimidating" trait.
"Nelly, we've got another customer," Grey called toward the kitchen, raising his voice. "Add one more set of bowls and chopsticks."
"I know! The bowls and chopsticks are in the drawer down there—check if there are any!"
Nelly's voice came mixed with the sizzling sounds of cooking.
Grey bent down, about to pull the drawer—
when he heard a loud clatter.
I'd already yanked out the utensils at lightning speed, so fast my hands practically left afterimages.
The Team Rocket Executive who'd been wild and unruly just moments ago was now obedient like a waiter, terrified of leaving Grey with even the tiniest bad impression.
"Thanks for the trouble," Grey said casually.
"Ahem—cough, cough. Being able to serve Gym Leader Grey is simply what a common citizen like me should do."
I coughed twice to hide the embarrassment, then dropped my head and started furiously tapping on my phone screen.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Grey pouring tea. On some kind of impulse, I typed five big words into the search bar:
"dojo Annihilape"
I mean…
Just treat it as… paying protection money…
That was what I told myself as I entered the livestream.
Grey noticed. He turned his head and looked over, just in time to see my trembling finger press the button that said "Activate Governor".
"Big spender!"
Seeing that, Grey reached over and patted my shoulder a few times, then gave me a thumbs-up, praising me without holding back.
"My man—you're the real deal."
"N-no, not at all. Gym Leader Grey has done more than enough for Saffron City. As a small-time resident, being able to see Gym Leader Grey here—and even sit beside you—I'm already beyond honored."
I coughed again.
I didn't want to do it.
I just had to.
"In that case," Grey said, the corners of his mouth curving into a gentle smile, "I won't arrest you in this alley today."
"Tell me—am I not treating you very well, Mr. Archer?"
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