You Are Mine

Were they calling me?

Luxray's ears twitched almost imperceptibly, and the head buried in its forelegs lifted by the tiniest margin.

The thought stirred a ripple from the past within its chaotic mind.

But... I don't know you. Do you... know me?

It could not use its eyes to confirm the other person's identity, expression, or clothing.

Its memories were ruins shrouded in dense fog, and its sight was a passage completely sealed off.

What could it use to remember? To recognize someone?

Could it really rely on only that faint... inexplicable sense of "familiarity," almost like an illusion, born from the other person's warm presence and gentle tone?

Still...

"Big kitty"...

It felt... so nice when you called me that.

Even Luxray could not understand why such a simple form of address had shone into some cold, curled-up corner of its heart.

It longed to hear such an intimate name, as though it was not merely a name, but a form of "acknowledgment."

Acknowledgment... I seem to care about that very, very much. Did I... once try really hard to earn someone's acknowledgment?

Yan Yang crouched where he was, completely focused and ready to retreat or let Entei intervene at any moment.

He had to stay vigilant. No matter how pitiful Luxray looked, it was still a Pokémon with an absurdly high level. Any sudden development could be dangerous.

Yet after observing it, he found that it did not seem to have any intention of attacking. Instead, his words and approach had made its aura even more unstable. Amid that intense fear, there seemed to be a trace of... confusion?

"What's wrong, dear Luxray?" Yan Yang softened his voice even further. "Why are you here all alone? You're so badly hurt... Can I treat you first? You'll feel much