Genesect and Grey quickly established a connection.
Even if, to Genesect, Grey's identity was "my good buddy Metang's Trainer," it was still a successful connection.
Everything was steadily improving.
All in all, it was going pretty well.
Burgh also began drawing Grey's Pokémon.
The whole night stayed quiet, with nothing happening at all.
…
…
That peaceful night passed.
The morning sun rose as usual.
Days and nights turned over again and again.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day the Gym Leader tournament was set to begin.
"Caitlin, are you still going to communicate with Cynthia?"
Grey had already returned to the Fighting Dojo. Early in the morning, after getting dressed and ready, he asked Caitlin as she came into the living room.
Caitlin's body stiffened for a moment.
These past few days, she'd been having so much fun that she'd almost forgotten Cynthia existed.
Not exactly forgotten—more like she'd deliberately avoided talking to her.
After all, Cynthia's call frequency with Grey was abnormally high.
And every call, she would beat around the bush and ask Grey about Caitlin's condition.
Her best friend was basically one step away from wearing the words "anti-kidnapping" on her face.
"Waaah… In Cynthia's eyes, am I really that likely to lose control?"
Caitlin folded her hands together, her lips unconsciously puffing out a little.
She was an adult now.
And she could successfully control her psychic power.
Couldn't Cynthia trust her?!
Caitlin felt helpless.
There was a little sadness in her voice, too.
But at least a psychic meltdown didn't happen.
That was proof of Caitlin's recent progress.
She hadn't been fooling around—she'd genuinely come to Kanto to learn to control her power.
"Alright, alright, I know you've been working really hard these days."
Grey chuckled and casually handed Caitlin the hair ribbon she'd left behind.
Of course, why Cynthia kept calling him so often—only Grey and Cynthia probably knew the real reason.
And Caitlin still thought it was because Cynthia was worried about her psychic power going out of control.
Clearly, this young lady from Sinnoh hadn't realized yet…
That in Cynthia's heart, Grey had already become a "dangerous person" who needed strict guarding.
Basically: Grey (as that blond guy from Kanto).
"I can control my psychic power now. It should be fine if I don't go back, right?"
Caitlin's fingertips intertwined without her noticing.
This stretch of life in Kanto had been like a sudden monsoon.
It blew away the suffocating pressure she'd carried for so long under Sinnoh's aristocratic etiquette.
Caitlin gently bit her lower lip.
This unrestrained feeling was so wonderful that even her closest friend had been pushed aside for the moment.
Outside the window, a Butterfree fluttered past.
The powder on its wings shimmered under the sunlight—just like her complicated yet excited emotions right now.
Cynthia… I don't think I can go back anymore…
Caitlin really wanted to send that exact message to Cynthia.
Ahem. It sounded a bit… dramatic.
But it really was what Caitlin was thinking.
If she wanted to stay here long-term, it wasn't impossible.
Worst case, she'd have her family buy her a few houses in Saffron City.
Then she could live in Kanto for a long time!
But she still had to go to Unova to take up her Elite Four post!
The moment she thought about having to go to Unova, Caitlin actually felt the urge to "give up and coast."
If someone challenged her and kicked her out of the position…
Wouldn't that mean she could stay in Kanto long-term?
Caitlin felt like that might be a pretty good idea.
But very quickly, she dismissed it.
Better not…
Then Caitlin stared at Grey with pleading eyes, wanting to hear his answer.
Just as Grey was about to respond—
Right at that moment.
Sabrina walked silently behind Caitlin, her fingers threading through Caitlin's blond hair.
A faint magnetic field formed by psychic power made every strand fall neatly into place, and Caitlin instinctively closed her eyes.
These past few days, Caitlin's hair had all been done by Sabrina.
And with Sabrina by her side, Caitlin felt even more reliable support than Darach the butler.
Her tightly wound body gradually relaxed.
"No one here is going to restrain you."
Sabrina's voice was light, her fingertips twirling at the ends of Caitlin's hair. "You can stay as long as you want."
Outside the window, a fallen leaf spun down onto the sill, and Sabrina's gaze followed it.
She knew what freedom meant to Caitlin.
Back when she'd spoken with Grey late at night, she had admitted she wanted to go to Unova as well—to pursue her own freedom.
Unfortunately, psychics were always special.
Different from Aura, Arceus Force, and Viridian Force—
Psychic power was like a double-edged sword: powerful, but difficult to control.
This talent appeared in an extreme distribution.
Mediocre people might only move a spoon for their entire lives, while true geniuses could twist space itself.
Sabrina and Caitlin clearly stood at the top of that pyramid—mental fields so strong they could affect the surrounding environment even unconsciously.
That inborn power was both a gift and a shackle, making it impossible for them to live like ordinary people…
Caitlin's thoughts were in sync with Sabrina's in that moment. They both knew what the other was thinking.
She couldn't help clutching her skirt tighter, wrinkling the lace trim into folds.
"Sigh… Cynthia…"
Caitlin felt that if she truly wanted to pursue "freedom," she'd still have to get past Cynthia.
Until she fully earned Cynthia's approval and completely mastered her psychic power, Cynthia probably wouldn't want to let her go.
She understood her best friend's concern better than anyone.
But that concern was like thorny vines binding her in place—the more she struggled, the tighter it wrapped…
Sabrina's comb paused in midair, and a breeze formed by psychic power brushed Caitlin's ear.
"If a road won't open, then open it with your fists."
Grey walked over and gently patted Caitlin a few times.
"Since you're already in Kanto, just enjoy yourself properly. I'll talk to Cynthia for you. Caitlin, relax and have fun."
Hearing Grey say that, Caitlin finally fully relaxed.
To put Caitlin at ease,
Grey even picked up his phone and called Cynthia on the spot.
"Beep… beep…"
"Hello, Gym Leader Grey. This is Cynthia. What is it?"
Cynthia's voice sounded abruptly. On the other end, she was a little curious why Grey was calling her.
This early in the morning…
Wait—could it be about Caitlin?
Cynthia thought about how Caitlin hadn't been replying lately, at most only answering a short phone call now and then.
If Grey was calling her back now, it probably wasn't good.
They said a woman's sixth sense was accurate.
And right now, Cynthia's sixth sense was quietly screaming that something was wrong.
"Cynthia, you wouldn't want Caitlin to be upset, would you?"
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