In the late-night living room, only the moonlight from outside spilled in, coating the floor in a layer of silvery-white frost.
Sabrina propped herself up against the sofa and stood up unsteadily.
But the smile on her face was more brilliant than ever before.
"This time... i-it's me... I won..."
She was panting, her voice halting, but the smugness in her tone couldn't be hidden.
Roy lay on the sofa, watching the woman's swaying figure as she walked away, and couldn't help but smile.
Another stubborn woman.
Though she was indeed much stronger than that weakling Misty.
But women—she'd just said "I'll definitely win this time," and the result? Still acting tough.
Of course, he wouldn't say those words out loud.
After all, with Sabrina's yandere traits, if he provoked her too much, who knows what she might do.
Sabrina held onto the back of the sofa, slowly straightening her body.
She looked down at her legs, frowned, and then turned to look at Roy.
Under the moonlight, her eyes were startlingly bright.
Within them, satisfaction, obsession, and possessiveness were all mixed together, making Roy feel a bit uneasy.
"By the way."
Sabrina suddenly spoke, her voice still a bit breathless, but her smile grew even deeper:
"The Psychic power you wanted to consult about, I just taught it to you."
Roy was stunned: "What?"
Sabrina's smile became even sweeter:
"Furthermore, you are mine now."
She raised her hand, pointing to her own chest, then to Roy's:
"The two of us have each other's marks now~"
As soon as she finished speaking.
Roy suddenly felt a tightening sensation.
That feeling...
It was very strange.
It wasn't just a physical reaction, but like something had connected him and Sabrina together.
He could clearly feel a certain fluctuation coming from Sabrina's side.
Just like a heartbeat, it pulsed rhythmically.
Roy looked up at Sabrina.
Sabrina stood there, her expression extremely complex.
Pain?
Comfort?
Pleasure?
It was all of them.
"Y-you feel it, right?"
Her voice trembled slightly, but her smile grew even more crazed:
"This is our special Psychic connection."
Roy: "..."
What on earth???
Sabrina contentedly activated her ability.
Roy was at least two meters away from Sabrina now, yet he could still feel her.
Sabrina laughed at his shocked expression: "I love you, Roy!"
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down:
"Sabrina, this ability of yours..."
"Don't you like it?"
Sabrina tilted her head to look at him, her eyes appearing very innocent:
"Didn't you want to enhance your Psychic power? Now it's enhanced~ You can try it yourself in a bit."
Roy opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
Didn't like it?
He couldn't really say that.
But he felt like something wasn't right.
Seeing his expression, Sabrina's smile deepened:
"Anyway, you are mine now."
She turned around and wobbled toward her room.
After a few steps, she looked back at him once more:
"Goodnight, Roy."
Then she disappeared at the end of the hallway.
Roy lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, motionless for a long time.
After a good while, he finally snapped out of it and couldn't help but laugh:
"Wait? This Sabrina, how could she set the Psychic connection there!"
"Aie~ A yandere's psyche is really hard to fathom~"
Roy shook his head and began to complain in his heart:
Everyone, remember this!
If you aren't strong enough, never play with a yandere!
Be careful not to be played by the yandere instead!
If she goes crazy in the future and uses her powers to cause trouble whenever and wherever...
The mental image was simply unthinkable.
Roy took a deep breath and tested his Psychic power again.
With a thought, the teacup on the coffee table floated up.
It was much easier than before.
He then looked at the boulder outside the window and mobilized his full power.
The boulder slowly left the ground, this time rising directly to half a meter high.
And it held for over ten seconds before his head started to feel a bit swollen.
"Not bad, it really has been enhanced!"
Roy lowered the boulder, his eyes brightening:
"So what those novels say about dual cultivation being able to enhance strength is actually true?"
Holy crap!
Then I don't have to worry about my Psychic power cultivation anymore.
He thought for a moment and added:
"However, I'd better wait until I'm stronger before I try to handle Sabrina again."
Today he had the Amulet to keep her in check.
If she went crazy later and used her Psychic powers to play around, it wouldn't be very pleasant.
Gotta develop first before being reckless.
Roy lay back on the sofa and closed his eyes.
The sense of connection was still there.
Faint and elusive, pulsing like a heartbeat.
He took a deep breath and slowly relaxed his body.
Forget it, let's sleep first.
We'll talk tomorrow.
...
The next morning.
Sunlight shone through the window, coating the living room floor in a layer of gold.
Delia was the first to wake up.
She pushed open her bedroom door, stretched, and had a satisfied smile on her face.
"I slept so well last night."
She walked into the living room and saw Roy sleeping on the sofa, pausing for a moment.
Then she smiled.
Why is this guy sleeping here?
Not long after, Misty also came out of her room.
She rubbed her eyes and walked over to Delia:
"Morning, Delia."
"Morning."
Misty glanced at Roy on the sofa and frowned:
"Why is he sleeping here?"
"Don't know, maybe he was practicing Psychic powers too late last night."
Misty nodded, then suddenly thought of something:
"By the way, how did you sleep last night?"
Delia thought for a bit: "Pretty well, slept straight through until dawn."
Misty also nodded: "Me too. But..."
She paused, her expression a bit puzzled:
"I feel like I fell asleep in an instant last night. One second I was worried if something would happen to Roy, and the next second, I was asleep."
Delia laughed: "You're overthinking it, what could happen?"
Misty curled her lip, just about to speak.
On the sofa, Roy moved and opened his eyes.
He sat up and rubbed his neck:
"Morning."
Misty immediately ran over and hugged his arm directly:
"Morning! Why are you sleeping here? Were you too tired from practicing Psychic powers last night?"
Roy nodded:
"Yeah, I consulted Sabrina on some methods to use Psychic powers, practiced for a bit, and then fell asleep here."
Delia walked over and asked with concern:
"Did you learn it?"
"It was alright, I made a lot of progress."
Misty hugged his arm: "Honestly, not coming back to the room, don't you know it's dangerous sleeping here? I was afraid Sabrina would..."
Before she could finish her sentence.
A voice suddenly came from the direction of the kitchen:
"Afraid of what from me?"
Misty's words cut off halfway, and she froze in place.
Looking at Sabrina walking out of the kitchen, that sense of defensiveness and vigilance in her mind inexplicably vanished.
In its place was a strange feeling.
Like...
Like seeing family?
Misty blinked, feeling a bit dazed.
What was going on? Just yesterday she felt this woman was deadly dangerous, so why did she feel a sense of closeness as soon as she saw her today?
The grip of her hand on Roy's arm loosened, and the words she was going to say changed their flavor:
"I was afraid... I was afraid you'd be bullied by this big bad guy Roy, Sabrina!"
As Misty said it, she herself was a bit surprised.
But since the words were already out, she simply continued:
"He's always acting improper day after day, I was afraid he'd make you feel awkward while he was consulting you."
Sabrina stood at the kitchen door, wearing loose loungewear, her long hair draped casually.
Hearing this, she gave a soft laugh.
That smile was much gentler today compared to last night's madness.
"Thank you for your concern."
Sabrina glanced at Misty, then looked at Roy, her lips curling into a meaningful arc:
"However, yesterday, I was the one who won."
Roy: "..."
What the heck? Still emphasizing this here?
Misty was stunned: "Won what?"
Delia also walked over from the side, full of confusion: "Won what?"
At that moment, Sabrina's mother, Keiko, also came out of her room.
She was completely stunned when she saw her daughter standing in the kitchen.
"Sabrina... what, what are you doing in the kitchen?"
Sabrina looked back at her mother, her tone flat: "Preparing breakfast."
Keiko: "..."
She rubbed her eyes, thinking she hadn't woken up yet.
In her daughter's entire life, when had she ever entered the kitchen?
Cooking with her own hands?
She had never heard of such a thing!
But at this moment, Sabrina was indeed standing in the kitchen, even wearing an apron.
Sabrina's mother opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.
How could she know that Sabrina had woken up before dawn this morning?
The first thing she did upon waking was use her Psychic powers to clean the sofa.
Then she looked at the still-sleeping Roy, and a strange feeling suddenly surged in her heart.
She wanted to do something for him.
She wanted to make breakfast for him to eat.
And so, this Gym Leader of Saffron City entered the kitchen for the first time in her life.
"Come in and have breakfast."
Sabrina turned and walked back into the kitchen.
The others looked at each other and followed.
In the kitchen, several plates were laid out on the dining table.
But looking closely...
Only one portion was complete.
Fried eggs, bacon, toasted bread, and a vegetable salad; the plating was quite exquisite.
The other portions either had burnt eggs, charred bread, or unfinished salad.
Sabrina looked at those semi-finished products and frowned:
"There wasn't enough time, I only finished one complete portion."
Misty and Delia looked at each other and quickly said:
"It's fine, it's fine, we can do it ourselves."
"Right, right, we'll handle the rest ourselves."
They each picked up the semi-finished portions and went to the stove to finish them.
Sabrina, meanwhile, picked up the complete breakfast and walked over to Roy.
She placed the plate in front of him with both hands, then leaned down and whispered in his ear.
Her warm breath brushed against his ear:
"Eat it all up~"
Sabrina's voice was soft and gentle, carrying a bit of a doting laugh:
"You can't leave a single bit, I made it myself."
Roy looked down at the exquisite breakfast on the plate, then looked up at Sabrina's eerie smile.
In those eyes, satisfaction, possession, and pampering were all mixed together.
He couldn't help but sigh in his heart:
This yandere, if you play your cards right, she'll truly give you her heart and soul.
Of course, if you don't, she'll literally take your heart and soul too.
"Alright, I'll finish it."
Roy picked up his knife and fork and began eating breakfast.
Sabrina sat beside him, propping her chin on her hand, watching him eat without blinking.
That gaze was gentle enough to drown someone.
Misty and Delia were busy at the stove, looking back every now and then.
Misty lowered her voice: "Delia, don't you think... Sabrina is acting weird today?"
Delia nodded: "Yeah, she seems... especially good to Roy?"
"She felt dangerous yesterday, so why does she seem so friendly today?" Misty frowned, "Is there something wrong with my head?"
Delia thought for a bit: "Maybe it's... Roy's charm?"
Misty: "..."
Though this explanation was outrageous, there didn't seem to be any other reason.
The two finished making breakfast and brought it to the table.
Sabrina's mother also sat down, secretly observing her daughter while she ate.
The more she looked, the more alarmed she became.
That look in her daughter's eyes as she watched Roy...
That was clearly the look of a person watching their lover!
And her daughter actually took the initiative to cook today!
Sabrina's mother's gaze toward Roy suddenly became complex.
What exactly did this young man do to Sabrina?
Breakfast proceeded in a strangely sweet atmosphere.
Sabrina barely ate throughout, just staring at Roy.
Occasionally she'd reach out to wipe the corner of his mouth.
Occasionally she'd ask: "Is it good?"
Roy nodded: "It's good."
Sabrina would then smile, looking particularly satisfied.
Misty and Delia kept their heads down while eating, exchanging glances every so often.
After finishing the meal, Roy stood up:
"We should head out too, we need to continue our journey and collect Badges."
Delia nodded: "Yeah, it's getting late."
Misty also stood up and hugged Roy's arm.
Sabrina followed suit and stood up, walking in front of Roy.
She looked at him, her eyes showing some reluctance, but even more of a certain conviction.
"Be careful on your journey."
Sabrina reached out and helped him straighten his collar:
"Stay safe."
Roy nodded: "Mm."
"When the Indigo League Conference starts, I'll come to cheer for you."
Sabrina smiled, and that smile was less crazed and more gentle:
"So, you must make it to the conference."
Misty and Delia watched from the side, their faces full of confusion.
How did this Sabrina suddenly become so nice to Roy?
Yesterday she looked like she wanted to keep him in the Gym forever, but today she'd turned into a devoted wife seeing her husband off?
However...
As long as she didn't hurt Roy, they were willing to accept it.
Roy looked at Sabrina and nodded: "Okay, I'm off then."
He turned and led Misty and Delia outside.
Sabrina stood at the door, watching his back until he disappeared from sight.
Then she gently touched her chest.
There, she had a connection with Roy.
No matter where he went, she could feel him.
"Roy..."
She softly whispered the name, her smile growing deeper and deeper.
...
After leaving Saffron City, Roy's trio continued along the road.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Misty walked beside Roy and finally couldn't help but ask:
"Roy, what Psychic power did Sabrina actually teach you?"
Roy thought for a bit: "Just... a method to enhance Psychic power."
"Oh." Misty nodded, "Then why was she suddenly so nice to you?"
Before Roy could answer, Delia laughed:
"Maybe she was conquered by Roy's charm."
Misty curled her lip: "True, after all, even though he's improper, he really is quite charming."
Roy smiled and didn't respond.
He knew clearly that Sabrina's change in attitude had little to do with charm.
It was mainly because of that "Psychic connection" from last night.
That woman truly considered him one of her own now.
But he couldn't say that.
If he did, Misty would definitely keep questioning him, and there would be no end to it.
As he was thinking, a mechanical voice suddenly rang in his mind:
[Triggered Quest—Gym Sprint: Do not suffer any defeats when challenging the Celadon Gym, Fuchsia Gym, and Cinnabar Gym!]
[Quest Reward: For every Gym challenge victory, you can choose a Pokemon of the corresponding Gym's type to increase its level by 5!]
[Upon completing all victories, you will receive—Undefeated Badge: When held by a Pokemon, its combat power will temporarily increase by 20% after every victory!]
Roy's footsteps paused.
Good grief!
A chain quest this time!
He carefully read the quest description.
Celadon Gym, Grass-type, the Gym Leader is Erika.
Fuchsia Gym, Poison-type, the Gym Leader is Koga.
Cinnabar Gym, Fire-type, the Gym Leader is Blaine.
These three Gyms were progressively harder.
And the rewards had changed too.
Before it was skills and items, but this time it was direct level-ups.
"That makes sense."
Roy calculated in his mind:
"I've already obtained four Badges, so I really do need to speed up the leveling process for what's next."
His current Pokemon had decent combat power, but their levels were generally low.
Dealing with mid-level Gyms, he could barely win.
But for a high-level Gym like Cinnabar Gym, Blaine's Pokemon would be at least in their 40s, maybe even 50s.
It would be a struggle to fight them.
And then there was the Viridian Gym later, with that old fox Giovanni.
So he had to level up quickly.
This was also preparation for the Indigo League Conference.
The Trainers he'd encounter at the conference would be progressively stronger.
If his levels weren't high enough, no amount of skills would help.
Without hesitation, Roy accepted the quest. He suddenly felt motivated and quickened his pace on the road to leveling up.
...
At the same time Roy left Saffron City, several mysterious people wearing uniforms with the 'R' logo entered Saffron City and headed straight for the Saffron Gym...