When they got outside, the Purrloin became even more energetic, jumping down from Cole's shoulder and weaving through the crowd, pointing excitedly at shops along the street.
Ever since escaping from the drug trafficking organization, it had been living in constant fear while on the run. Now, feeling truly relaxed for the first time, it was finally letting loose.
Watching the cat's lively behavior, Omura, walking behind them, remarked, "This Purrloin is quite adorable."
Cole sighed helplessly, "And quite mischievous too."
"Well, considering where it came from." Omura said, who knew its background, "If you guide it well from now on — it's still young — with proper teaching, it will surely turn out well."
Cole nodded, "Thank you for those kind words."
Just then, the Purrloin got into trouble. Overwhelmed by the bustling streets, it accidentally bumped into someone while darting through the crowd.
The person had been eating a candied haw stick, and when the cat collided with them, the sticky treat ended up on their clothes.
Worst of all, the victim was a young girl wearing a white dress, and the deep red syrup stood out starkly against the white fabric.
Though its first instinct was to run away, the Purrloin remembered Cole's previous warnings. Instead, it stopped in its tracks and crouched before the girl in the white dress, head lowered.
"Meow meow meow~"
The Purrloin deployed its specialty — playing pitiful. With tears in its eyes, it mewed at the girl while making its body tremble slightly, presenting an utterly pathetic sight.
The girl in white had a companion wearing an orange top. When she saw her friend's clothes get stained, she was about to get angry, but upon seeing the poor little cat's pitiful state, she swallowed her words.
"Kiara, this Purrloin probably didn't mean to... maybe we should let it go?" After hesitating, the girl in orange spoke up in its defense.
At this point, Cole noticed the situation. After a quick word with Omura, he hurried over.
"I'm so sorry, did my Purrloin cause you trouble?"
While the girl in orange felt sympathy for the cat, she didn't extend the same courtesy to others. When she saw its trainer arrive, she wanted to scold him.
However, when she realized the newcomer was just a boy of eleven or twelve, she had to swallow her words again, her fair face turning red from holding back.
Seeing the stain on the white-dressed girl's clothes, Cole immediately understood what had happened and lowered his head to ask the Purrloin, "Purrloin, did you apologize?"
"Meow meow meow~" — Of course I did!
It nodded vigorously.
Cole turned to the girl in white, "I'm really sorry about this. How much was your dress? I'll compensate you."
The girl in orange pouted and muttered, "This is Kiara's favorite dress, and you can't even buy it anymore. What good would money do?"
She tried to keep her voice down, not wanting to yell at such a young boy.
"Well... um..." Cole stammered, unsure how to handle the situation.
That's when Kiara, the girl in white who hadn't spoken until now, finally spoke up.
"Let it go. The stain can be washed out. Just don't rush around in crowds next time." She said, looking at Purrloin.
She appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen, standing over 170 centimeters tall, with an elegant and refined demeanor like a blooming white lotus — though the half-eaten candied haw stick in her hand created a somewhat incongruous image.
Even Purrloin, a female Pokémon, was struck by the beautiful young woman's charm, standing dazed for a few seconds.
"Meow meow meow~" — Yes, big sister!
It wore a love-struck expression.
Brionne at Cole's feet watched this scene with complete disdain.
Hmph, how embarrassing!
Fortunately, it didn't voice this thought, or it and the cat might have started fighting on the spot.
"I'm really sorry for causing you trouble." Cole said apologetically, relieved that the girl wasn't pursuing the matter further.
Kiara didn't say anything more, just nodded slightly to him before calling to her companion, "Sara, let's go."
"Coming!"
The girl in orange named Sara responded, following her as they disappeared into the crowd.
After the two girls left, Cole turned to the Purrloin, "Didn't I tell you to behave? Now look what happened."
The cat kept its head down without a word, appearing resigned to whatever punishment awaited.
"Never mind!" Cole sighed, "I can't blame it all on you. I'm at fault too — I should have stopped you when you were darting through the crowd earlier. There's no use dwelling on it now, but we both need to reflect on this, okay?"
Hearing his words, Purrloin, which had expected a scolding, looked up in surprise. It stared at him for several seconds before slowly nodding.
While Cole was speaking with Purrloin, Kiara and Sara were discussing him.
"Kiara, did you see? That boy had a Larvitar with him!"
Kiara nodded, "I saw. Is there something special about that?"
Sara said with interest, "I bet he's a young master from some big family."
Kiara replied with exasperation, "I don't know if he's a young master, but you're definitely a young lady!"
"Hahaha..." Sara was startled for a moment before laughing, "Oh right, I am a young lady!"
This wasn't without reason — she came from an ancient and powerful family in the Johto Region: the Dragon Tamer Clan.
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When Cole returned with Purrloin, Omura asked with concern, "Did anything happen?"
He shook his head, "Purrloin stained someone's clothes, but they were kind enough not to press the issue."
The cat quietly lowered its head at these words.
Seeing this, Omura bent down and gently patted its head, saying in a kind voice, "It's alright, just be more careful next time. I'm sure Purrloin is a good child, right?"
Perhaps because it had helped him escape from the drug dealers, he had developed quite a fondness for it.
Purrloin looked up at the older man's words, staring at him in surprise. It had never felt such a warm touch before and instinctively nodded.
"Good child." Omura happily patted its head again, then straightened up and said to Cole, "Don't be too strict with it. Take it slow — I believe it's a good child."
"Don't worry, teacher. I know what to do." Cole nodded.
After that, he and Omura chose a restaurant and enjoyed a nice dinner.
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
Cole thought his encounter with Kiara and Sara would be nothing more than a passing moment — yet fate had other plans.
The very next day, their paths crossed again.
✲✲✲
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