An Unexpected Person

Led by Professor Birch's assistant, Gary arrived at Professor Birch's current location.

After finding Professor Birch, Gary happened to see him chatting with a fair-skinned young girl with delicate, beautiful features.

The girl wore a blue-and-white short-sleeved shirt on top. Her long, beautiful legs were wrapped in a thin layer of black pantyhose, and paired with a short yellow skirt, she looked even more youthful and vibrant.

Her hair was styled in two buns, with brown twin tails, and coupled with a figure that defied all reason, she made it impossible for anyone to look away. Gary was clearly no exception.

As a Pokémon enthusiast in his previous life, Gary recognized the girl's identity at a glance. She was one of the characters from the wildly popular Pokémon game of his previous life, Pokémon Black and White.

When the character Rosa had first appeared, she had immediately captured the attention of countless Pokémon fans. Gary in his previous life had been no exception. It could be said that Rosa was one of the female characters he liked.

What Gary found regrettable, however, was that Rosa had not appeared in the later Unova Region anime series. She had only appeared in the Pokémon Black and White promotional videos and games.

So when Gary saw Rosa, his eyes were full of surprise. Logically speaking, the world he had been reborn into should have been the anime world. Rosa should not have existed.

Still, Gary only dwelled on it for a moment. Even his rebirth had happened, so Rosa's appearance was no longer all that strange.

The assistant then walked up to Professor Birch and said,

"Professor, Gary, the one you mentioned, has arrived."

Upon hearing the assistant's words, Professor Birch stopped talking with Rosa and looked toward Gary, who had just entered the room.

The moment he saw Gary, a smile appeared on Professor Birch's face.

"Gary, you're finally here! I've been waiting for you for a long time!"

After seeing Gary, Professor Birch stopped speaking with Rosa and walked up to him, smiling as he said,

"Judging by the time, I knew you would arrive today. Looks like I was right."

"I'm sorry to have come and disturbed you, Professor. I hope you don't mind." Gary was somewhat surprised by Professor Birch's enthusiasm, so he replied politely.

"It's nothing. I'm already happy that you came." Professor Birch waved his hand lightly, unconcerned.

Gary was not too surprised by Professor Birch's warmth. After all, he knew something of the professor—being warm and hospitable was simply part of his personality.

"Professor, who is this?" Seeing Professor Birch being so enthusiastic, Rosa grew curious. After sizing Gary up, she asked Professor Birch.

"You mean Gary?" In response to Rosa's question, Professor Birch began introducing him.

"This handsome young man is Gary, from Pallet Town in the Kanto Region. Like you, he has come to challenge the Hoenn League's Alliance Conference."

After introducing Gary to Rosa, Professor Birch introduced Rosa in turn.

"As for this beautiful young lady, she is Rosa from Aspertia City in the Unova Region. She has also come to the Hoenn Region to challenge the Hoenn League."

"Don't underestimate Rosa. She's the champion of this year's Aspertia Tournament in the Unova Region."

After hearing Professor Birch introduce Rosa's achievements, Gary was greatly surprised. He had not expected Rosa to be so strong.

"I'm not that amazing." Rosa felt a little embarrassed by Professor Birch's introduction.

"Hello, Gary. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me." After hearing Professor Birch's introduction, Rosa greeted Gary openly and generously.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you too, Rosa." Gary smiled lightly at her.

And so, under Professor Birch's introduction, Gary and Rosa got to know each other.

"By the way, these are the Pokédexes you need." After Gary and Rosa had introduced themselves, Professor Birch took out two Pokédexes and handed them to Gary and Rosa. "Consider them gifts from me."

Gary and Rosa exchanged a glance, then accepted them together and thanked him in unison, "Thank you, Professor."

"No need to be so polite." Professor Birch waved off their thanks without much thought.

Having obtained the new Pokédex, Gary had accomplished his purpose in coming to Professor Birch's Laboratory.

However, Gary had arrived at the laboratory in the afternoon, and after the time spent there, it was now close to dusk.

So, at Professor Birch's warm invitation, Gary and Rosa stayed at the laboratory for the night and planned to leave the next day.

Early the next morning, since they still needed to continue challenging the Hoenn League, Gary and Rosa did not linger. After bidding Professor Birch farewell, they set out on their journey through the Hoenn Region.

After leaving Professor Birch's Laboratory, Gary and Rosa walked silently down the road. They had only just met and had few topics to discuss, so the atmosphere grew tense for a while.

After an awkward stretch of silence, Gary finally took the initiative to start a conversation.

"If I remember correctly, Rosa, you're planning to challenge the Hoenn League's Alliance Conference, right?"

"That's right. I'm planning to take the Hoenn League's Alliance Conference championship!" Rosa said as she waved her fair fist, brimming with confidence.

"That won't be easy." Gary chuckled from beside her.

"Huh?" Rosa froze upon hearing his words, not quite understanding what he meant.

"I'm determined to win the Ever Grande Conference too." Gary smiled lightly at Rosa's surprised expression and explained.

The instant Rosa heard Gary's words, she understood. She stopped walking, looked at him, and said, "Then we'll be rivals from now on!"

"That's right." Gary nodded. Then, looking at Rosa's pretty face, his tone suddenly shifted. "But before the Ever Grande Conference, Rosa, would you like to learn a little about your opponent first?"

Rosa was immediately puzzled by Gary's words. "Gary, what do you mean?"

"Would you like to travel through the Hoenn Region with me? This would be the best chance for you to understand me, your opponent." Gary smiled and extended an invitation to Rosa.

That was right—Gary had been captivated by her looks and wanted to travel with Rosa.

"Huh? Travel together?" Rosa naturally understood what Gary meant after hearing him. His sudden invitation caught her completely by surprise.

Then Rosa looked at Gary's strikingly handsome face, and her own face suddenly flushed red. Somewhat embarrassed, she said, "Well... of course... that's fine."

Though a little shy, Rosa ultimately agreed.

"Then, Rosa, please take care of me from now on."

With that, Gary extended his right hand toward Rosa.

"Of course."

Though Rosa was a little shy, she reached out and lightly shook Gary's hand. But after their hands touched briefly, she quickly let go.

Gary did not mind. After all, they had only just met, and there would be plenty of time later.

"Then let's continue on our journey!"

"Our goal is the Hoenn League!"

"Okay!"

After deciding to travel with Rosa, the two of them set out together on their journey through the Hoenn Region.