"Really?" Elesa said bitterly. "I should have known. Hardly any sons of prominent families reach your age without getting engaged. But Liu Qing, tell me-do you really love that woman?"
"Why are you asking that?" Liu Qing frowned slightly, but still nodded.
"Liu Qing, does that woman love you?" Elesa continued.
"She's my woman!" A trace of tenderness flashed through Liu Qing's eyes as he spoke.
"Liu Qing, I love you too. I could be your woman too!" The tenderness Liu Qing revealed cut Elesa deeply. "But why do you keep finding ways to avoid me? Is it because I'm older than you, because I'm not as beautiful as that woman, or because I'm not as strong as her..."
"Miss Elesa!" Liu Qing had never expected that instinctively shielding her from Eelektross's attack with his body today would lead her to reveal her true feelings. Somewhat helplessly, he said, "Miss Elesa, I'm honored that you like me. I've been avoiding you because I don't want to hurt you. You're older than me, yes, but I'm still a green kid, while you're in your prime. Nana is beautiful, but you're no less beautiful than she is. As for strength, although Nana recently became the Champion above the Sinnoh Elite Four, you're also one of the eight Gym Leaders officially recognized by the League in the Unova Region. You have a limitless future and plenty of good men to choose from. Why fixate on me alone? We're destined to go nowhere."
"So it's because I'm not as strong as her!" After a moment of silence, Elesa suddenly fixed her gaze on Liu Qing and asked, "Just tell me this: have you ever felt anything for me? Even the slightest feeling counts."
Liu Qing felt that Elesa was becoming a little unhinged. What