After resting for a night in Stone Town and bidding farewell to Raizō's hospitable family, Xia You set off again.
The rest of the journey passed without further trouble, and he reached Saffron City smoothly.
Inside the Saffron Gym, Xia You met Sabrina's father for the second time, serving as the receptionist-the middle-aged man with a baseball cap and a full beard.
Compared with his last visit to challenge the Gym, however, he returned in an entirely different mood.
"You're here to see Sabrina!?"
Upon learning why Xia You had come, Sabrina's father looked at him with eyes full of wariness and suspicion.
Before Xia You could answer, he asked again, "So Sabrina went to help you deal with Team Rocket a while ago?"
That tone... stiff and cold, with even a hint of scrutiny...
For some reason, Xia You felt needles prickling his back. Under the man's gaze, he braced himself and said, "She wasn't helping me. She was helping the International Police. It had nothing to do with me."
Seeing that the older man's face remained stern, Xia You continued, "Actually, Sabrina and I have only met twice. We don't know each other very well. I've come this time because I need her help, too..."
"Oh..."
Sabrina's father drew out the sound. Whether he believed Xia You or not, his attitude had clearly improved.
Perhaps Xia You's claim that they did not know each other well had reassured him somewhat. He complained, "Those people at the International Police really know how to order people around. The Pokémon League is no better. How could they send a girl like Sabrina to do something so dangerous!"
"Yes, yes... You're absolutely right, sir!"
Though he agreed aloud, Xia You could not help scoffing inwardly.
All that fatherly love was touching, but