"The clear spring flows over the rocks." At this moment, Ryuuske somewhat understood the meaning of this poetic line.
"Can't believe there's a kid fishing all the way out here."
The figure appearing in this jungle was far too eye-catching. Ryuuske looked around but didn't spot anyone else. Only then did he let his gaze fall back on the small figure by the riverbank.
"…Pretty bold. Even if this place isn't exactly dangerous, a little kid coming out here alone without an adult is gutsy."
The child by the river clumsily cast out a hook and bait. The fishing posture was quite proper—clearly taught by someone with experience—but the lack of practice made the movements awkward.
After several attempts, the hook finally landed far enough out. Since Ryuuske was observing from a distance, he could only see the child hopping up in joy before sitting down cross-legged, gripping the fishing rod. One of her hands seemed to be scribbling something beside her.
Ryuuske didn't approach. He just gave a quick glance and planned to leave, hoping to find a road and get some rest in the city. The Pokémon nearby weren't too dangerous. As long as they weren't provoked, they wouldn't attack humans. Of course, if that kid really managed to provoke one and got attacked, Ryuuske couldn't be bothered. He had always hated bratty kids anyway.
He and Gible left the riverbank, stepping over the grass and up the slope. The kid didn't seem to notice them. Just as he was about to step into the forest ahead, a sudden shout caught his attention.
Instinctively, he turned back. The kid by the riverbank seemed to have hooked something serious. She was pulling the rod with all her might—the rod and line were taut, and a black shadow was leaping wildly in the water.
Clearly, whatever was hooked was stronger than the child. As it struggled fiercely, the girl's feet scraped against the ground as she was slowly dragged forward. If she didn't let go soon, she'd likely end up in the river.
But none of that was what shocked Ryuuske the most.
"…Huh? That voice—it's a little girl!"
That shout just now was clearly from a young child. While prepubescent boys and girls sound somewhat similar, Ryuuske was confident he wouldn't mistake a boy's voice for a girl's.
"If it were a boy, we'd teach him that becoming a man requires blood and sweat. But a girl? As gentlemen, we must lend a hand, right, Gible?"
He snapped his fingers, and Gible tilted its head in confusion. It clearly didn't get what the difference was.
"Never mind. Forgot you're female too. Just hurry over and help already!"
This time, Gible seemed to understand. With a bark, she dashed to the riverbank at lightning speed, with Ryuuske following close behind.
[Are men and women really that important to humans?]
Mewtwo's puzzled voice echoed in Ryuuske's mind.
[Haha, of course! Especially for men—lolis are heavenly treasures!]
(T/N: WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT!)
Ryuuske responded with laughter in his head. Before transmigrating, he had been a bit of an otaku. Work had gradually drawn him away from that lifestyle, but he was nowhere near what you'd call "normie" status.
The little girl gripping the rod clenched her teeth. Her small, fair hands were already turning red from the pressure, but she still refused to let go. Technically, if she released the rod, she wouldn't be in any danger. But that rod was a gift from her uncle, who taught her to fish. She couldn't bear to lose it just a couple days after receiving it.
"Ugh… it hurts… I must've hooked a Pokémon."
Most creatures in rivers or oceans were just regular fish, and catching a Pokémon—even for fishing enthusiasts—wasn't easy. Whenever it happened, it was considered extremely lucky.
But for this little girl, it was anything but lucky—it was a disaster.
Still, she stubbornly refused to give up. Even if her hands bled, she wouldn't let go.
"Huh?!"
Just then, she felt something grab her from behind. A powerful force countered the pull from the river, and suddenly she wasn't being dragged forward anymore.
"Gible!"
Accompanied by the voice of a teen boy, a fierce yet adorable Pokémon leaped into view. It bit the fishing rod in the girl's hands—but carefully, making sure not to damage it. Despite its small body, it gave one strong tug, and the Pokémon in the river was dragged right out.
Only then did the little girl release the rod and plop down on the ground. She ignored the pain in her butt and quickly got up to look behind her—only to see a teenage boy, maybe fifteen or sixteen, standing a few meters away with his arms outstretched. His eyes seemed to glimmer with a strange purple glow, using some odd power to keep her steady in place.
"A-Amazing!"
Stars sparkled in the little girl's eyes as she looked at Ryuuske in admiration. Her little head turned this way and that—first looking at him, then at Gible—before excitedly asking:
"Big bro, are you a Trainer?!"
"Ah, I guess you could say I'm a rookie Trainer…"
Ryuuske nodded, then glanced at the Pokémon Gible had fished out. He chuckled.
"So it was just a Goldeen, huh? That's why I say it's dangerous for a little girl to go look at goldfish alone. If you want to see goldfish, just let me come with you."
"Huh?"
The little girl clearly didn't understand that line. Her cute little face filled with innocent confusion, but that didn't stop her from doing what needed to be done.
"…Thank you, big bro! If it weren't for you and your Pokémon, I would've been dragged into the river. Hehe~"
She scratched her head with a shy laugh, bowing her head bashfully. A soft blush rose on her tender, pale cheeks.
"Don't go near it," Ryuuske quickly warned as she tried to approach the Goldeen. "It's angry now after being pulled onto land. If you get too close, it might attack."
"But it's my fault for pulling it onto land. I need to go apologize. I'm sure Goldeen will forgive me."
Ryuuske frowned. For a moment, he thought the girl was being too naïve. He was tempted to walk away and let her get attacked. But soon, he calmed down. Maybe he had stayed too long in Viridian Forest. The constant battles had made his temper short. He had almost forgotten that real life didn't revolve around endless fighting.
Just as Ryuuske was about to tell Gible to be on alert for a possible attack, he was stunned to see the Goldeen—previously hopping mad on the ground—suddenly calm down as the little girl got closer.
To be continued…