"Clear spring flows over the stones…"
At this moment, Logan finally understood the meaning of that verse.
"Can't believe there's a kid fishing way out here."
The figure in the forest was so conspicuous it instantly caught Logan's eye. He first glanced around cautiously, not spotting anyone else, before shifting his gaze back to the small figure by the riverside.
"…Pretty bold, huh. Even if this place isn't too dangerous, for a little kid to come out alone without any adults..."
The child by the river awkwardly cast their fishing rod. The stance was correct—clearly taught by someone experienced—but the lack of practice made the actions clumsy. After a few attempts, the hook finally soared far out into the water. From where Logan stood, he could barely make out the child jumping up excitedly before plopping down cross-legged on the bank, holding the rod steady with one hand while scribbling something beside them with the other.
Logan didn't approach. He simply watched from afar before deciding it was time to head back toward the road and into the city for some proper rest. The Pokémon around here weren't particularly aggressive—so long as you didn't provoke them, they wouldn't attack. And even if that kid ended up angering one and got attacked, Logan couldn't be bothered. He'd always disliked bratty kids anyway.
With Gible in tow, Logan left the riverside, climbing the grassy slope without drawing the child's attention. Just as he stepped into the forest ahead, a sudden cry rang out behind him.
He instinctively turned around. The kid by the riverbank seemed to have hooked something serious—gripping the rod tightly as the line pulled taut, the rod bending nearly into an arc. A black shadow darted about on the water's surface, clearly far stronger than the child trying to reel it in. As it thrashed about, the child was being dragged forward, their feet scraping the ground—if they didn't let go soon, they'd be pulled into the river.
But that wasn't the most surprising part.
"…Huh? That voice—wait, that's a little girl!"
The cry from earlier had a soft, childish pitch. While it could be tough to distinguish boys from girls before puberty, Logan was confident—he'd never mistake a girl's voice.
"If it were a boy, we'd let him learn the hard way—becoming a man takes blood and sweat! But a girl? As gentlemen, we have to help her, right Gible?"
Logan snapped his fingers.
Gible tilted her head in confusion. Clearly, she didn't understand the difference.
"…Forget it. You're a girl too, after all. Hurry up and help her!"
This time, Gible got the message. Letting out a bark, she dashed toward the river at top speed, Logan close behind.
[Is the difference between males and females really that significant to humans?]
Mewtwo's puzzled voice echoed in his mind.
"Haha, of course it is. Especially for guys—little girls are divine treasures sent from above!"
Logan chuckled in response. He had once been a shut-in otaku before gradually easing out of it due to work. Not quite a normie yet, but certainly no longer full NEET.
The little girl gritted her teeth, her small pale hands red from the strain, yet she refused to let go of the rod. It wasn't about the catch—this fishing rod had been a gift from her uncle, who taught her how to fish. She couldn't bear to lose it just days after receiving it.
"Ow… it hurts… Must be a Pokémon on the line."
In most rivers and seas, regular fish were the norm. Hooking a Pokémon was rare even for experienced anglers, a stroke of luck most celebrated. But for this little girl, it was far from good fortune—more like disaster.
Even so, she stubbornly refused to give up. Even if her hands bled, she wouldn't let go.
"Eh?!"
Suddenly, she felt something grab her from behind. Another force, strong and steady, pulled back, balancing the tug from the river. Just like that, the immense strain lessened. Her body was no longer being dragged forward.
"Gible!"
A teenage boy's voice rang out behind her, and the next moment a small, fierce-looking but oddly adorable Pokémon sprang into view. Gible chomped onto the rod—taking care not to bite through it—and yanked sharply. In a blur of motion, a Pokémon burst out of the water.
Only then did the girl finally let go, collapsing backward onto the grass. She winced but quickly jumped to her feet, turning around to see the boy who had helped her.
He stood just a few meters away, arms outstretched, purple light flickering faintly in his eyes—holding her in place with some mysterious power.
"Amazing!"
Her eyes sparkled as she stared in awe at Logan. Her little head swiveled between him and Gible before she squealed,
"Big brother, are you a Trainer?!"
"Ah… I guess you could call me a rookie Trainer," Logan replied with a nod. Glancing at the catch, he chuckled,
"So it was just a Goldeen, huh? This is why I say little girls shouldn't go goldfish-watching alone. If you want to see one, let me take you next time."
"Eh?"
The girl blinked, clearly not understanding the double meaning. Her cute face scrunched in confusion, but it didn't stop her from remembering her manners.
"Thank you, big brother! If it weren't for you and your Pokémon, I would've been pulled into the river! Ehehe~"
She scratched her head shyly, face flushed with embarrassment.
"Don't go near it now," Logan warned. "That Goldeen's agitated from being pulled out—it'll attack if you get too close."
"But it's my fault it got pulled out. I should go apologize. I'm sure it'll forgive me."
Logan frowned. For a second, he thought this little girl was being ungrateful and foolish. He was just about to leave her to her fate—until he caught himself.
Maybe he'd spent too long in Viridian Forest, where everything was a fight for survival. His instincts were always on edge, but daily life wasn't all about battles and bloodshed.
He was just about to signal Gible to keep watch over the Goldeen when something surprising happened. As the little girl approached, the once-agitated Pokémon—hopping about furiously on the ground—suddenly calmed.
Its fierce gaze softened, its movements slowed.
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