Chapter 29: The Haunted House of Vermilion City
"Welcome to Vermilion City…"
The port's automated announcements echoed repeatedly as Ash and his two companions entered the city just before sunset.
Located at Kanto's southern sea entrance, Vermilion City was one of the region's major port cities—its economic prosperity ranked among the best in all of Kanto.
Not only that, but as Kanto's largest harbor, it was also the main transportation and cargo hub.
Large passenger ships and freighters came and went without pause.
Even Vermilion Gym's Gym Leader, Lt. Surge, after giving up his old ways, had naturally come to own his own luxury passenger ship—the ultra-speed cruiser S.S. Current.
Rumor had it the old guy earned more captaining that ship than running the gym, though all the money he made ended up funding his music hobby.
MC Thunder Boy—Lt. Surge's personal rap channel.
A Unovan-born soldier whose dream was to become a rapper…
Ash couldn't help shaking his head. It felt like, in Kanto, almost no Gym Leader acted normal…
Well—except for Green, Brock, Misty, and Erika.
The rest had all been recruited by Team Rocket at some point…
No wonder they looked down on the League's Gym Leader salary. You could call Team Rocket incompetent—but you could never call Team Rocket poor.
Giovanni was generous—very generous—toward capable Trainers. He truly valued talent.
If he hadn't held back against Red early on, Kanto might've had a very different ending.
Walking along the harbor streets toward the city center, Sorrel frowned a little and asked,
"This isn't the way to the Pokémon Center, is it? We're not staying in the dorms tonight?"
Ash smiled and patted his pocket. He had just beaten four or five rich boys at street battles, winning every time.
His "prize money" was quite plentiful now.
"Tonight we'll rent a place. We'll be staying in Vermilion City for a few days," Ash replied.
"Huh? Why?" Verity asked curiously.
"Because Lt. Surge isn't here. If the Gym Leader isn't present, you can't have a Gym battle."
Ash grinned.
"How do you know that?" Verity blinked.
"I get it—it's the port's schedule!"
Sorrel caught on instantly.
Ash nodded.
"When we passed the port, while buying supplies, I checked the cruiser timetable. The S.S. Current isn't in Vermilion these days—it'll return in two."
Since Lt. Surge was the captain, he would be with the ship.
Thus, Ash concluded the guy wasn't at the gym.
"Well, if that's the case, let's enjoy it then! I want a big house! A place where Bellsprout and Piplup can run around!
And a big TV! So I can watch replays of the League matches!" Verity said excitedly.
"It's only a few days… Isn't that too much?" Sorrel commented.
Ash narrowed his eyes mysteriously.
"Don't worry. I know a place. Super exciting…"
Verity and Sorrel exchanged a look.
That expression… Ash was definitely up to something.
Following the route in his memory, Ash led them to the corner of a street—stopping before a house.
"For Rent / For Sale — discount available."
The sign told them the place was empty.
"Yup, this is it!" Ash rubbed his hands, excited.
As expected—at this time period, Professor Cerise hadn't moved here yet, or wasn't a professor yet.
So the Cerise Laboratory didn't exist.
Meaning this familiar-yet-unfamiliar house had no owner.
"Wow, this house is huge…" Verity couldn't help admiring.
"This must be expensive. Ash, maybe pick a different one?" Sorrel suggested.
Ash shook his head firmly.
"No. This one. Trust me—its rent won't be high."
Seeing Ash's determination, the two had no choice but to follow his whim.
Ash copied the realtor's phone number from the sign.
At a corner store, the three called the real estate agency.
The moment the agent heard they wanted to rent the famous Haunted House, he didn't even bother showing up—he just sent a courier with the keys.
"As for the payment… just give whatever you think is fair. But let me warn you—the company is not responsible for any damages or compensation."
After the call ended, Ash got the keys in under ten minutes.
Three days' rent cost only 198…
Sorrel and Verity stood there, stunned.
"I think… somebody definitely died in this house…"
"Relax. I guarantee no one died here," Ash said cheerfully, pushing the door open and inviting them into the familiar rooms.
Calling it a guesthouse didn't quite fit—this was practically a mini-villa.
The spacious first-floor living room would become the future research lounge.
A kitchen sat in the first-floor corner.
The second floor held three bedrooms and two studies.
The third floor had a bath and a storage room.
Seeing the familiar bunk bed, Ash exclaimed,
"So this bed was already here at this time…"
Sorrel smiled.
"Then tonight, Ash and I can sleep here!"
"No!" Verity interrupted loudly.
"I'm scared. I'm staying with Ash!"
Ash and Sorrel looked at her in silence.
"Verity… we're good bros and all, and I've never seen you as a girl anyway…
But sleeping together? That's wild…"
Ash rolled his eyes.
"But…" Verity glanced around nervously.
"The moment I stepped inside, I felt chilly. I don't care—I'm sleeping here tonight!"
Ash sighed.
"Fine, but let me say this clearly—no taking off clothes."
"In your dreams!!" Verity howled.
Creak…
Suddenly, right in front of the three, the bedroom door began opening and closing—
by itself.
Two, three times.
Verity's face went sheet white.
"H-hey… you two saw that, right…"
Sorrel forced calm.
"Probably the hinges are old… It's fine…"
Ash nodded with a smile.
"Yeah, I think so too. This door… is pretty playful."
From Verity's shadow, two small red eyes flashed briefly.
"Anyway, it's been a long day. If Verity's living here, I'll take the room next door," Sorrel said while rubbing his neck.
"I'm going to shower and relax a bit."
"I'll turn on the TV and start preparing dinner," Ash said lightly.
Verity shivered, rubbing her arms.
"R-right… I'll watch TV in the living room and keep Ash company while he cooks."
"Then it's settled," Ash smiled, and they each went their separate tasks.
Carrying Pikachu on his shoulder, Ash brought out fresh ingredients he'd bought at the market and began cooking dinner.
A simple stew of tomatoes, potatoes, and beef—
Heat some mushrooms in the oven,
Cook a creamy bacon-mushroom sauce,
Boil some pasta—
Done~
"Pika pika~"
Pikachu hugged a fresh tomato, sitting obediently on the counter beside Ash.
In the living room, a replay of last year's Indigo League Quartz Conference aired.
Verity watched the exciting battles with full concentration.
Ash hummed a tune while cutting vegetables.
He reached for the potatoes—
clatter clatter clatter…
They rolled off the counter onto the floor.
"Hey! That's rude, you know."
Ash glanced at the shadow near the living room, then kept cooking.
"Gaaangaaa~"
Behind the couch, a chubby purple Pokémon stuck one finger in its mouth, staring at Ash in confusion.
He can see me?
Then why isn't he crying or running away…?
In the kitchen, Ash's lips lifted into a faint smile as he softly hummed:
"I don't want to leave you all alone~"
To be continued....
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〔TL〕
Every 100 powerstones = 2 bonus ch.
Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.