Celadon City at night was illuminated by countless neon lights.
This made it difficult to see many stars in the sky above the human city.
Because the city lights were simply too bright.
But one only had to leave the city a short distance to feel as if entering a primeval forest.
The wild forest and the human city could be considered two completely different ecosystems.
The cool evening breeze brushed away the last trace of the day's heat and also carried away the fatigue of Ash's trio from days of wilderness travel.
"Celadon City is even more bustling than I imagined!" Misty gazed at the busy streets filled with traffic and the towering architectural complexes in the distance, unable to help but exclaim.
Compared to the primitive simplicity of Maiden Gorge and the harbor charm of Vermilion City, Celadon City exuded the vitality and luxury of a modern commercial metropolis.
Although Cerulean City developed quite well, it was far inferior to Celadon City.
The economic development of the entire Kanto region—the best was Saffron City, then Celadon City, then Vermilion City.
Brock pointed to several particularly striking buildings in the distance and introduced:
"Look over there, that brightest one is the Celadon Department Store, the largest shopping mall in the Kanto region. The building next to it is the Celadon Condominiums, and... that one with the very flashy sign is the Celadon Game Corner."
Hearing the words "Game Corner," Ash's gaze subconsciously lingered for a moment longer.
Fragments of memories regarding the Team Rocket base hidden underground flashed through his mind.
However, he quickly shook his head and cast these thoughts aside.
Tonight's goal was very clear; it was not to investigate those dark corners, but to carry out an "open and aboveboard" mission.
Now was not the time to go against Team Rocket... such problems should be left for the adults to consider.
"Let's go," Ash withdrew his gaze. "Miss Erika invited us to visit tomorrow; we have to go to the Department Store first to buy some souvenir gifts."
This was basic etiquette.
Even if Erika perhaps didn't care.
But as guests, showing up empty-handed was always inappropriate.
The gift didn't need to be expensive, but the sentiment must be conveyed.
Passing through the bustling crowd, one could see many Pokémon in the city.
For example, Meowth, Eevee, Yamper, and so on.
Most were raised as pets.
Stepping into the Celadon Department Store.
The interior was brightly lit, and the space was open beyond imagination.
Merchandise of every color was a feast for the eyes.
The air was permeated with a scent mixed of spices and cleaning agents.
The stream of people was like a weave, yet it did not appear overly crowded.
This department store was simply too big.
They took the escalator slowly upwards.
When passing a shop with particularly elegant decoration on the third floor, a rich and fragrant aroma wafted over, lifting everyone's spirits.
"Mai mai~~" Misdreavus was even more like she was being pulled by an invisible thread, suddenly freezing from her floating state.
Then...
"Mai mai!" Misdreavus turned her head to look at Ash, little stars almost flashing in her eyes.
Mengmeng: Want!
However, Misdreavus was very sensible; she only expressed her stance and did not throw a tantrum.
After all, she was a Level 30 Misdreavus; the time she had lived was not short.
Although Misdreavus (Mengmeng) called Ash "Big Brother."
But actually, who was older?
Hehehe...
Digging into a lady's age, it's better not to get to the bottom of it.
"Oh, this shop," Brock looked at the elegant artistic font on the shop sign and nodded knowingly.
"The entire perfume industry of Celadon City is led by Miss Erika's family from behind the scenes."
"She is very knowledgeable about perfumery and is a top-tier perfumer herself."
Most Gym Leaders have side jobs.
Or rather, most Trainers have side jobs.
For example:
Pewter City—Pewter Gym's mining operations.
Cerulean City—Cerulean Gym's aquarium.
Vermilion City—Vermilion Gym's power plant.
Specifically regarding individuals:
Brock holds a post at the Pewter Museum of Science.
The three Cerulean sisters are doing water ballet performances.
Lt. Surge acts as a captain sailing ships in his spare time.
In short, everyone actually lives quite leisurely.
Ash looked at Misdreavus's intoxicated and curious appearance, stars almost popping out of those big eyes, and couldn't help but smile: "It seems Mengmeng really likes the scent here."
"Then let's go buy some~~"
He thought that as a Ghost-type Pokémon, Misdreavus might be particularly sensitive to this kind of invisible, intangible, yet presence-filled aura... or maybe it was just a girlish heart?
"Mai mai~" Hearing Ash's words, Misdreavus happily flew toward the perfume shop.
"Pika?" Although Pikachu also thought the perfume smelled quite nice, he had absolutely no interest in buying perfume.
Ash had a thought, grabbed Misty's wrist, and followed Misdreavus into the shop: "Let's go, let's go in and look. Let's buy a bottle of perfume for Mengmeng as a gift!"
"Hey! Ash!" Misty was pulled and stumbled a step, her face flushing slightly, but when her gaze swept over the exquisitely shaped perfume bottles in the window, with liquids refracting dreamlike colors under the light, she couldn't help but be moved too, "Wait! I... I want to look too!"
Putting aside how the perfume smells for now.
But these bottles were truly beautiful.
The environment inside the shop was quiet; warm yellow light hit the glass counters, reflecting countless crystal-clear perfume bottles.
The well-trained staff nodded to them with smiles, not slighting them because of their youth.
Misdreavus shuttled excitedly between the various fragrance testing stations.
She occasionally leaned close to sniff a floral-scented perfume, making satisfied whimpering sounds.
She was occasionally attracted by the steady aura of another woody scent, tilting her head to savor it carefully.
Finally, she stopped in front of a perfume emitting a mixed scent similar to tuberoses under moonlight and faint berries.
Thus she turned back to Ash and cried out "Mai mai!" continuously.
The meaning couldn't be more obvious.
Mengmeng: Want this~
This perfume had two bottles, one large and one small.
The large bottle had magnificent packaging and was unopened.
The small bottle was only about ten milliliters; a tester?
"This friend, you can try it out~" The sales associate walked over at this moment, picking up the small bottle and handing it to Ash.
"Thanks~" Ash took the tester perfume, designed in the shape of a dark purple crescent moon, with his right hand.
"Do you like this?" His left hand stroked Mengmeng's hair.
"The scent is indeed very special, not too cloying, with a mysterious feeling; it suits Mengmeng very well."
Ash sprayed a little on a test strip, smelled it himself, and then handed it to Misty and Brock.
Misty took the test strip, smelled it carefully, and her eyes lit up: "Mmm! It smells great!"
She herself was quickly attracted by a perfume blending fresh sea breeze and white flower notes; after trying it, she couldn't put it down, "This scent... it's like being at the seaside in summer!"
Seeing that his two companions had found items they liked, Brock also began to browse with interest.
However, he was mostly appreciating the perfume ingredients and bottle designs, occasionally commenting a little, and did not intend to buy.
Brock liked this kind of fragrance, but had little interest in buying perfume.
In the end.
Ash bought that "Moonlight Nocturne" perfume for Misdreavus.
Misty harvested that bottle of "Sea Breeze Whisper".
Misdreavus flew happily around Ash, occasionally leaning close to the small bag containing the perfume to take a deep breath, as if she couldn't wait to possess her own scent.
As for how much money was spent?
"Money is meant to be spent, Mengmeng~~" Ash was not some stingy person, "Come, spray a little~"
"Mai mai~" Misdreavus narrowed her eyes happily.
"...Pika..." Pikachu watched speechlessly—is there anyone who spoils someone like this?
Among Ash's current Pokémon, Misdreavus acted most like a lively child... but actually, she was the oldest.
"Pika..."
Pikachu was muttering.
Pikachu: Old thing acting young.
____
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