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After spending a restful night in Stone Town, Kai set off once again.
The road ahead was straightforward, with no significant twists or turns, allowing him to reach Saffron City smoothly.
At the Saffron Gym, Kai encountered Sabrina's father for the second time, a middle-aged man with a beard and a peaked cap whom he remembered from his previous visit.
Compared to his last gym challenge, revisiting this familiar place brought about a completely different feeling.
"You're here to see Sabrina?"
Upon learning Kai's intentions, Sabrina's father looked at him with vigilance and suspicion.
Before Kai could respond, the man pressed further, his tone blunt and scrutinizing: "Was she helping you deal with Team Rocket a while ago?"
The accusatory tone made Kai feel uneasy, but he replied, "She wasn't helping me; she was assisting the Interpol. It had nothing to do with me."
Sabrina's father still wore a sceptical expression, so Kai continued, "In fact, I've only met Sabrina twice. We're not that close. This time, I have a specific request, and she—"
"Oh…"
The man let out a long, ambiguous sound, seemingly unsure whether to believe Kai's words. However, his demeanour softened noticeably.
Perhaps Kai's unfamiliarity with Sabrina eased his suspicions. The man sighed, muttering, "The Interpol sure know how to involve others in their schemes, even the Pokémon League. Making Sabrina, a young girl, take on something so dangerous is irresponsible!"
"Yes, you're absolutely right, sir," Kai replied politely, though he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
While Sabrina's father's protective nature was touching, it also felt ironic. Sabrina was no ordinary girl her immense psychic powers allowed her to manipulate anyone with ease. Anyone who underestimated her would undoubtedly regret it.
The Saffron Gym looked the same as during Kai's last visit. However, perhaps due to better lighting, the atmosphere felt far less oppressive this time.
Passing by one of the rooms, Kai noticed the same group of people practising psychic abilities. He wondered if they had made any progress since his last visit.
After a long walk, Sabrina's father led him to the battlefield where he had previously fought her. There, Sabrina sat calmly in a chair, her gaze fixed on him.
"I knew you were coming."
Her words mirrored the first thing she had said during their initial meeting. To Kai's surprise, she repeated them now.
However, Sabrina had clearly changed since then. After everything they had experienced together, her demeanour seemed gentler. A small smile graced her face, softening her usual stoic expression.
"Sabrina, I came here this time to—"
Before Kai could finish, Sabrina raised her hand, signalling him to stop. She then turned to her father.
"What is it?" her father asked, raising an eyebrow at her silent gesture.
Sabrina remained quiet, but the atmosphere grew heavy. Her father, after a moment of thought, seemed to understand her unspoken message.
"You're telling me to leave?"
His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Sabrina. Then, turning to Kai, he shot him a sharp glare. "Boy, you said you weren't close to Sabrina, and now she's kicking me out? What's going on here?"
Kai could only laugh awkwardly, raising his hands defensively.
"Ha… uh… well… it's not like that…"
Though clearly frustrated, Sabrina's father didn't dare argue further under her stern gaze. He snorted in annoyance and reluctantly left the hall.
As the sound of his footsteps faded, Sabrina moved her fingers slightly. The door closed automatically, cutting off any view or sound from the outside.
The room grew quiet again. Sabrina studied Kai for a moment before her smile returned. "There. Now, you can continue."
Without her father's presence, Kai felt much more at ease.
Walking up to Sabrina, he glanced around the room curiously. "I came here to see you and pick up that Silph Scope you mentioned."
"You came to see me specifically?" Sabrina asked teasingly. Her tone was calm, but beneath her long black hair, her ears were slowly turning red.
"Of course," Kai replied with a grin. "I even brought you a gift. And yet, you doubt my intentions? That's so disheartening."
"A gift?"
Kai reached into his bag and pulled out a bracelet made of small, polished red gemstones. The stones shimmered softly under the light, exuding a delicate beauty.
"What's this?" Sabrina asked, intrigued.
Kai smiled. "It's a souvenir I bought at Cinnabar Island. The stones are carved from agate and are said to have absorbed minerals from the island's hot springs. They're supposed to refresh the mind and improve the skin when worn."
No woman could resist something that enhanced her beauty not even Sabrina. She carefully examined the bracelet, her eyes reflecting a rare hint of surprise.
"And why are you giving me this?"
"I thought it would make a nice gift," Kai said casually. "If you need a reason, consider it a token of my gratitude."
"But you already thanked me last time—with that perfume," Sabrina pointed out.
"Perfume is a consumable," Kai replied. "This bracelet, on the other hand, can be kept forever."
Sabrina was clearly pleased. She slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, where its vibrant red stones complemented her pale skin beautifully. Though she didn't say it aloud, she was genuinely happy.
"Alright, I'll accept it," she said softly. "But I have to tell you, the Silph Scope isn't with me anymore."
"What?" Kai's eyes widened. "Didn't you promise to keep it for me when we last talked? What happened?"
"It's not as simple as handing it over," Sabrina explained. "The scope requires precise installation, calibration, and a seamless fit. Mr. Silph suggested you visit the Silph Co. headquarters in person. Their researchers will assist with the final setup."
Kai nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. With their help, it'll be perfect."
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