Indeed it is!

You make it back onto Route 1, knowing that you need to be careful with how you do this. Training Pidgey is your main goal, so that you can get him up to speed with Charmander, but he isn’t too much stronger than the wild Pokémon around here. You don’t want to use up your limited stock of potions, but you also don’t want to spend the time running back into town to use the Pokécenter repeatedly.

Doing your best to play things carefully, you employ the same tactic you had the day before, switching between Pidgey and Charmander to split the experience and let them both grow. It’s slow, but Charmander holds up quite well, and you’re making steady progress. After a while, Pidgey is able to start handling the battle himself, and you’re feeling quite good about this training session.

Once both of you’re Pokémon are tired enough that it would be irresponsible not to heal them, you decide to head back to the Pokécenter. You pull out your Pokédex to check the time; 8:40 AM. You’ve timed this quite well, and should be able to challenge Blue once you’ve healed up, if you can find her. Pokétracker also lets you know that Pidgey has learned Sand-Attack and Gust, both useful moves.

Making your way back into town, you pass through the mid-morning throng of people going about your business. You don’t garner much attention, though one girl does try to offer you a ‘good time’. You’re in a rush, and you doubt you can afford her, so you decline and make your way back to the red-roofed building you’re looking for.

The inside is almost entirely empty at this hour, most trainers either being out doing their thing or still being asleep. The only two people present, other than you, are Nurse Joy and a young man who is chatting with her by the reception desk. It only takes you a brief moment to recognize him; Gabriel, from Cinnabar Island. A well-known trainer who’s gym battles you have seen broadcasted over the years, he’s famously won every gym battle on his first attempt. He’s also known for taking his journey very slowly, still gathering badges three years in. Is he here in Viridian City for the Earth Badge? You did see his match against Bedelia not too long ago, and he did say that was his seventh during the match, so it stands to reason.

You approach the pink-haired nurse and tanned trainer, catching their attention as you do. “Sorry to interrupt, but I would like my Pokémon healed.” You feel a little awkward jumping in on their chat, but they both smile at you and Nurse Joy speaks.

“No trouble at all, it will be just a moment.” She takes your Pokéballs from you and places them in the machine behind her. As it starts working, Gabriel looks down at you, a charming grin across his face, and asks you a question.

“So, who’re you? You seem pretty green, if you don’t mind me saying.”

“Red, from Pallet Town. So not green! Red… ahah…ha.” That was so lame.

The older boy chuckles all the same. “My mistake then. Pallet, eh? Met another trainer from there yesterday. Girl named Blue. You know her?”

Oh, this could be good! Maybe he knows where she is. “Yeah, I know her. We grew up together and started our journey’s at the same time yesterday.” You answer. “I was actually hoping to challenge her today, if I can find her. Any ideas?” You thought about saying ‘talk’ instead of ‘challenge’, but decide against it. No real reason to lie, after all.

He ponders for a few seconds, looking you up and down, judging you. He stares deeply into your eyes, like he’s looking for something. Is this just a thing that powerful trainers do? Speaking of, do they also all wear long, dark coats?

Eventually, he shrugs and answers. “She said she wanted to train somewhere a bit secluded. I recommended Route 22, off of the road to the Indigo Plateau. It’s not very busy whenever the Pokémon League Tournament isn’t happening, so there shouldn’t be too many of the powerful trainers here to challenge the eighth gym around there.” Sound logic, but your mind goes to Silver, who had come from that direction early this morning. It definitely isn’t completely isolated.

Regardless, you know where to look now. As Nurse Joy hands you back your Pokéballs, you turn to thank Gabriel. “I really appreciate the help, thank you. I’m going to go see if I can find her.” As you start to leave, a tanned hand grips your shoulder.

“Hey, Red? Do you have a Charmander, by any chance?” The taller boy’s question startles you, but you nod in affirmation. “I see… Blue and I walked to Viridian together yesterday, and she mentioned she was really annoyed at losing both of her first battles to Pokémon in the Charmander line.”

Your blood chills. Both of her first battles. “Did you…?”

Gabriel nods. “She challenged me, but surrendered once I sent out my Charizard.” Oh… so did he… you’re supposed to have…

Noticing the look on your face, he gives you a reassuring smile. “The only forfeit I took was a kiss, by the way. Just in case you were wondering.” An immense wave of relief washes over you. If he’s being honest, you still have a chance to correct your mistake. “You really like her then, huh?” The black-cloaked boy must be able to see your almost physical relief.

You shake your head. “Not exactly, it’s just…” This is awkward to talk about, but you have to get used to this stuff. You’re going to be having sex on TV eventually, when you participate in gym battles or tournaments, and questions like this will happen in interviews too. You resolve yourself… and babble out your explanation.

“I beat her in our first battle yesterday, but I just had her blow me. Then later when I was having sex with her sister, Blue came home, and she and her sister had a conversation that I eavesdropped on. She said she wished I had taken her first time, since I was the ‘least terrible option’, and after she left I promised her sister I would and so I really want to find her and beat her again before she loses to someone else!”

You’re slightly out of breath after your tirade, and several seconds of silence follow. Nurse Joy, who you had kinda forgotten was there, giggles and smiles at you warmly. Gabriel offers a relaxed smile of his own, his purple eyes sparkling cheerfully, then claps you on the back.

“In that case, get moving then! Don’t keep the lady waiting.” He encourages you, his easygoing nature almost calming you by proximity.

“Yeah, you’re right! I need to get going, thank you both for the help!” Without waiting for their replies, you turn and book it out of the Pokécenter, determined to make it to Route 22 as soon as possible.

“Good luck!” They both call out after you, still laughing slightly. Embarrassment doesn’t register though, you just push on ahead!