Chapter no.13

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Rob interpreted my prolonged lack of response as a "yes." "What do you want to accomplish?"

I didn't answer. Rob, did you get what I was trying to say? Were they really that blatant?

"Why do you want to be a member of the league? Why are you even in this part of the world and headed towards Violet City? "asked Rob. Since the first time I'd had contact with him, he sounded considerably more belligerent and urgent in his tone. It was impossible for me to tell whether he was getting angry at me but hiding it or whether he was getting disappointed but hiding that emotion as well. I made the decision to tell him the truth. I had the impression that he was due it. Even though I had only known Rob for a day, I had the courage to tell him the truth. I silently laughed at myself for doing so. I was actually quite pitiful.

I was finally able to escape because I told myself, "I don't want to be stuck in a job I was forced to take." The sound of my voice was barely audible. "I want to be able to make decisions about my life..."

The moment I uttered those words, I had the sensation of releasing a heavy weight that had been pressing on my chest. Rob remained silent throughout the conversation. I was only able to see the side of his face and the back of his head. Although there was a part of me that didn't want to see his face, there was also a part of me that wanted him to turn around and reassure me that everything was going to be all right. I was surprised to hear my own voice.

"And a Pokémon came dangerously close to taking my life! Hell, if you hadn't shown up, I would've already been dead a few days after leaving my house if you hadn't saved my life! And how can you be sure that your Charizard won't try to harm you? It has the ability to fly and it can breathe fire! What options do you have if this occurs? That beast is most likely very dangerous!"

Rob said nothing. Every single one of my concerns was brought to the surface. I stopped walking and continued with my outburst as I was standing still.

"And why am I just hanging around here by myself?! I am only thirteen years old! And here we are in the middle of summer! I really ought to..." I started to stammer, "Where am I supposed to be? With my family! But no! Here I am...here I am." As a sign of my disbelief at the events that had transpired in my life in such a short amount of time, I placed my hands on the top of my head. "I'm afraid. A portion of me thought that this whole thing about Trainers might be interesting at some point, do you know what I mean? I believed that this...this was something that I was capable of doing... I believed that I could get by with it..."

I only had a rudimentary understanding of what I was discussing. I had the impression that I was just babbling incoherently. Rob had completed his turn and was now facing me. When I looked into his eyes, however, there was none of the pity that I had hoped to find there. Instead, he gave me a snort while crossing his arms. His appearance gave the impression that he was anticipating my behaviour in this manner. He made me think of Gavin, back when we were at the Pokémon Laboratory, watching me suffer while doing nothing to help.

"And what are you doing here?!" I demanded. "Why didn't you just strike out on your own like everyone else does? Why do you want to continue spending time with me? I have no clue what I want to do with my life or where I want to go... I just..." I was so startled that I fell to my knees and clenched both of my hands into fists. I threw them up into the air and then slammed them down onto the floor. "I'm just a kid!"

I was startled by the sudden stinging pain that appeared to be coming from behind my eyes. I choked back the tears so that Rob wouldn't see them. I had already started acting weak in front of him, and I was throwing a tantrum while on my knees. I was intrigued when I heard June chirping. Bawling again wouldn't help anything. The only thing that came out of my mouth was silence. My head was beginning to hurt from the onslaught of agony. Rob knelt down and put a reassuring hand on my shoulder as he consoled me. I raised my eyes to look at him.

It was with a low voice that he remarked, "You sure do trust me a lot for someone you just met yesterday." In an effort to hide my embarrassment, I turned my head to the side, but the trivial diversion provided some welcome relief.

"You are engaging in excessive thought at the moment. That's a positive development, but put your thoughts to the side for the time being. Examine it carefully."

Rob made a gesture towards the sky in the direction of his Charizard, who was hovering in the same place above the thicker portion of the trees.

"During our walk together, I instructed him to keep an eye out for a Shinx. I believe he has located one specifically for you."

Rob let out a piercing whistle and gestured towards it as he did so. I was left unable to find the words. Rob was true to his word at all times. He actually tracked down a Shinx for me to catch and bring home. I did not move from my position and continued to look up at him as he observed his Charizard. Even though I had known him for only a single day, he...–

I decided to take his recommendation. I decided to suspend my thinking for the time being. I give my instincts full control over my body.

I looked back to see Rob following close behind me as I made my way towards the Charizard. Before going any further into the forest, I paused and looked all around my feet.

I enquired, "Where can I find June?"

Rob had a chuckle at the change in my mood. "Just what exactly do you mean? When you were lying on the ground, she climbed up on your shoulder and sat there. In general, Pokémon will act in such a manner."

When I looked over my shoulder and saw her talons, I almost jumped out of my skin. She had only a light grasp on me the whole time. Was I starting to get used to her being there and by my side all the time? I reached my hand over to scratch the back of her neck. She gave me a satisfied nod of her head and rubbed the top of her massive head against my fingers. I was aware that my uncertainties about everything were muttering in the back of my head, but I chose to disregard them. It was in my plans to make an attempt to catch a Shinx. As I ran into the forest, I kept a watchful eye on the Charizard through the tree canopy above as well as the vegetation in front of me. I was about to fall on my face when I tripped over some roots but managed to catch myself in time. I didn't realise what was going through my head, but it seemed to give me an odd sort of newfound determination, so I got up and started walking.