In the Black World—after Ben's explanation, Ash understood what he meant.
It turned out Ben was the first to notice Latias peeking at him, and it was also Ben who told Latias to trust her own intuition and not hold back. Only then did Latias dare to get closer and closer to Ash, allowing Ash to discover her.
"...Speak carefully, Uncle Ben. Don't scare me."
"Scare you? Why would it scare you? You don't think I'm attracted to you, do you? Hahaha, even if someone fell for you, it wouldn't be me. At most, it'd be my granddaughter."
"Grandfather!!"
"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore."
Watching the grandfather and granddaughter playfully argue, Ash couldn't help but smile knowingly. Then he checked his Pokédex and his expression changed slightly.
"Well… I have to go back. It's getting late now. My friends are probably waiting for me for dinner."
Hearing this, the two stopped their squabble. Kanon straightened her expression slightly so the rosiness on her fair cheeks wasn't so obvious, then spoke slowly.
"It is late, so you should go back. You'll be staying in Water City for a while, right? At least until your Pokémon comes over?"
"Well, after Mewtwo arrives, I'll explain the situation to him before leaving… By the way, can I bring my friends here? They're all very good people and would never tell anyone about this place!"
Hearing this, Ben and Kanon looked at each other for a moment.
The latter hesitated, then finally nodded lightly.
"Since they're Ash's companions, they should be trustworthy. We don't have any objections. What about you, Latias and Latios?"
"Woooh~~*2"
The two jet-like Pokémon nodded without objection. They'd had a lot of fun playing with Ash today.
If they were companions Ash brought… they probably weren't bad people, right?
This place was quiet, like a paradise untouched by the world, but it was also a bit boring.
Before Ash arrived, Latias and Latios could only play with Kanon, and Ben, with his old bones, couldn't withstand their energy.
But now, with Ash here and his physical fitness, he could play with them all day without issue. Not to mention, Ash had just protected Latias from the bad guys. Reasonably, the two siblings wouldn't refuse Ash's request.
"Haha, thank you! I'll bring my companions when the time comes. You'll definitely get along happily!"
"Then… let me see you off!"
When Kanon said this, Ben's eyes changed instantly.
If there was a bit of teasing before, now Ben was truly starting to have doubts.
His little cotton-padded jacket… wasn't going to be whisked away, was she?
No, how long has it been!
Kanon had been out of his sight for less than two hours, and they'd hit it off in that short time? That was too fast!
The boy seemed innocent… Could he have misjudged?
With a slightly heavy heart, Ben waved goodbye to Ash and Kanon.
It was like an old father watching his child go off with someone…
As she waved, Latias also showed a slightly lonely expression. She'd finally found someone she liked who could play with her, and now he was leaving. But soon, Latias cheered up.
Ash said he'd come tomorrow and bring his friends!
Tomorrow… she was looking forward to it.
On the other side, Ash and Kanon got on a boat. The two stood opposite each other, rowing. Going back by water was faster. Besides being a guide, Ben was also a boatwright, so they had many small wooden boats here.
The two on the boat weren't embarrassed, mainly because Ash did most of the talking.
He'd been traveling for nearly a year and had seen many things Kanon had never seen or even heard of.
So, this journey wasn't boring for Kanon—it was even very interesting.
Ash's travel experiences were quite vivid when told from his mouth.
Kanon listened as if she were experiencing them herself. Plus, Pikachu beside Ash was always gesturing lively. While listening, Kanon couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Of course, this was also because Ash only picked interesting things to tell Kanon.
He naturally wouldn't mention those thrilling, heart-pounding, near-death situations.
If Ash could see a good score, he'd probably see the words "+1, +1" constantly appearing above Kanon's head.
...
[Flint: Good gracious! Ash, you said you don't know how to flirt with girls?!]
[Caitlin: That's Black Ash, not our Ash… But actually, they're almost the same. Neither Ash can charm girls; they just treat them sincerely.]
[Lance: There's a saying… love everyone equally, right?]
[Gary: Player!]
[Ash: ? ? ?]
[Ash: No, how can you have the nerve to say that? Why don't you look at your six girlfriends and say that again?]
[Gary: Player!]
[Gary: This time I looked at my six girlfriends and said it. What, I can't call you a player anymore? Even if I am a player, does that stop me from calling you one?]
What you said really makes sense!
Who says a player can't call others a player?
It doesn't seem to have anything to do with one player calling another...
[Ash: No, that's me in another world. What does it have to do with me in this world?]
Does Black Ash, the player, have anything to do with me, White Ash?
[Caitlin: Is there a possibility that Black Ash flirts with her and takes responsibility? At least he's responsible. You flirt and then run away, which is even worse!]
[Ash: ? ? ? ?]
Is there any justice?! Who did I flirt with?!
He obviously didn't do anything!
Family members, who knows? He's been inexplicably given a title worse than a player!
[Serena: Between destroying the whole group and taking them all, I think taking them all is better.]
[Lillie: Well, this is like when someone asks you to open a skylight in your house, you refuse, but when they ask to take the roof off, you're willing to open a skylight, right?]
[Professor Kukui: Well… that's a very vivid metaphor, and it's true.]
Now Serena probably thought this way.
Although Black Ash had multiple girlfriends, he at least had them and might even accept more.
And what about Ash here?
Hahaha, what's a girlfriend? Can you eat it?
So… if she really had no choice, even taking them all would be better than the whole group being wiped out.
Even Misty beside Ash nodded quietly.
If she could, she naturally wanted Ash to see only her. But… that was clearly unrealistic. It was either open to all or have none; there was no third option...
[Kanon: Sigh… It seems the me in the other world isn't far from falling. Maybe she just needs a little… a little stimulation.]
For example, saving Altomare in front of her or something...
...
In the Black World—happy times always pass quickly. Listening to Ash's stories, this not-so-long journey passed even faster.
When the boat reached the shore, Kanon still had unfinished thoughts.
"When will you come over to play tomorrow?"
There was a hint of expectation in her soft words.
Now it wasn't just Latias looking forward to Ash coming to play. Kanon was the same. She didn't go out into the outside world much, and as someone who wanted to be a Pokémon Observer, Ash's stories were incredibly engaging. If not for the inappropriate setting, she would have wanted to take out her little drawing board and sketch directly while listening to Ash's vivid descriptions.
"Hmm… let's say nine in the morning. I'll come by, avoiding other people's sight."
Ash thought for a moment and replied.
"Okay, then I'll wait for you in the garden~ I'll buy some fruit to entertain you all later this evening."
"Haha, it doesn't have to be so grand~"
After chatting a bit more, Kanon reluctantly said goodbye to Ash and left. About ten minutes later, Ash returned to the Pokémon Center in Altomare. In the Center's lobby, Misty, Sabrina, and Brock were sitting near the entrance.
There were four meals in front of them.
Misty and Sabrina sat opposite Brock, their faces a bit grim. Brock didn't even dare to look at the two women's expressions.
Ash saw them as soon as he entered. Seeing their expressions, he frowned slightly and quickly ran over.
"What happened? Why do you look so upset?"
"Brock, what's going on? Were they bullied?"
Ash asked Brock in a cold voice.
His sudden appearance startled the three present.
Brock raised his head, an awkward look on his dark face. His eyes were squinted shut, but Ash could see he was pleading for help.
On the other side, Misty and Sabrina, hearing Ash was so concerned about them, instantly softened their tense expressions, though a chill remained.
"Yes someone bullied us"
"Sigh We've been taken for granted. After taking us shopping for two days, someone found a new sister and left us behind"
Ash: ???
No, what's with your weird tone? Why does it smell like… tea?
Who left you to find a sister??
"I don't really understand?"
Seeing Ash's confused look, the two girls almost doubted what they'd seen.
Finally, Sabrina spoke first.
"Isn't that so? I saw a beautiful-looking sister in a green dress happily leading you away. Was I wrong?"
Hearing this, Ash wore a dumbfounded expression.
So they were angry because of this. No wonder they looked so upset...
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
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