Bina City.
Instead of surfing and swimming at the seaside, Ash and Misty chose to swim in the rooftop pool of their hotel.
To enjoy a quieter atmosphere, Ash had reserved the entire pool floor. After all, he didn't want anyone else seeing Misty wearing a beautiful swimsuit.
"Ash, how about this one?" Misty took out a one-piece swimsuit and turned to look at him. "Or should I change to another one?"
"It's hot today. Maybe wear something a bit cooler," Ash suggested.
"You've already used that excuse before." Misty's cheeks turned slightly red as she poked his stomach a few times.
"Hmph."
She walked into the bathroom to change.
Ash suddenly felt a little dry-throated. After taking a sip of water, he brought Pikachu and Togepi to the small side pool to play.
"Pikachu, you're the big brother now. Make sure you take good care of Togepi."
Ash played with them while teasing Togepi.
Togepi was as mischievous as ever, splashing water at Ash and Pikachu with its tiny hands.
Pikachu jumped into the pool as well, and the two Pokémon started playing around.
A few minutes later, Misty quietly stepped out of the bathroom. She crept up behind Ash, who was focused on playing with Pikachu and Togepi, and suddenly dropped a towel over his head.
"So naughty, huh?"
Ash pulled off the slightly damp towel while listening to Misty's bell-like laughter. He stood up, determined to teach her a lesson.
"I'm thirsty."
Misty suddenly glanced toward the bar counter nearby and ran off to grab a drink.
Ash entered the pool first and waited for her. Pikachu and Togepi were busy playing with their small life rings, too distracted to notice what Ash was doing.
"Togepi, are you having fun here?"
In the small pool, there was no need to worry about Togepi getting swept away. Misty smiled brightly.
She slowly walked toward the large pool and then jumped in, swimming freely. Her head surfaced above the water as she deliberately widened the distance between herself and Ash.
"Misty, don't run!"
Ash quickly swam toward her, only to realize he couldn't catch up.
"Ash, you're not very good at this," Misty teased. "You're swimming as slow as a Squirtle."
In Misty's eyes, Ash's swimming speed was practically turtle-like.
"Then teach me," Ash said as he seized the chance to swim quickly toward her.
"Miss Misty~"
Hehe. Finally, something she could beat Ash at.
Misty coughed lightly, raising her chin with smug pride.
"This teacher doesn't teach students who are this naughty," she said with a playful glare.
But while she was talking, Ash had already swum right up beside her.
"But teacher, you like students like this."
After more than ten minutes of splashing and playing around, Misty climbed out of the pool first.
This Ash was far too dishonest. The "teacher" was trying to teach, and he kept getting handsy.
"I'm tired. You swim by yourself."
She walked over to check on Togepi and tried to teach it how to swim.
Unfortunately, with its tiny arms and legs, Togepi couldn't grasp the technique at all.
It wasn't a matter of talent—it was simply physically limited.
Soon Togepi became unhappy. With such tiny limbs, it couldn't swim at all, while Pikachu nearby had already figured it out.
"It's okay. Being small and short is cute too."
Misty comforted Togepi.
Her voice wasn't loud, but the words she chose sounded… somewhat dangerous.
Ash looked at her with a strange expression.
You'd better be talking about Togepi.
"How about we play ball instead?"
Misty picked up a water ball Togepi had left behind and threw it toward Ash.
But playing in the pool with Misty gave Ash no sense of achievement. Whether swimming or tossing the ball, he wasn't her opponent—and she kept mocking him.
"You're terrible. You can't even play ball."
Misty mercilessly teased him.
What do you mean I can't even play ball?
When I get serious, you'll be the one complaining.
Ash normally couldn't beat Misty at water ball, so he secretly used a little psychic power to even the odds.
The moment Misty noticed, she immediately protested.
So Ash was banned from using his psychic abilities.
After nearly half an hour of playing, Misty squinted her eyes and lay on a swim ring to rest.
Already tired?
Ash watched her cautiously.
Was she planning to prank him again?
"Come over and massage my shoulders, okay?" Misty said softly, her voice sweet and gentle, leaving Ash no reason to refuse.
Ash swam behind her and placed both hands on her smooth shoulders, beginning to massage them.
"Not so hard… it hurts a little."
Misty spoke in a soft, delicate tone.
She lightly stepped on Ash's thigh with her foot, signaling him to be gentler.
After a few minutes, Misty climbed out of the pool again, her cheeks flushed red.
"I'm hungry. Let's go eat later."
She stuck her head out of the bathroom doorway after walking in.
Ash nodded.
He also needed to take a shower and change clothes.
"Pika-pika!"
Pikachu looked at Ash's departing figure with resentment.
You don't even play with me anymore.
Togepi didn't care. With a swim ring and a small ball, it was perfectly happy playing by itself.
Half an hour later, the four of them were gathered around a dining table.
Pikachu and Togepi sat on the table eating their food, while Ash and Misty sat facing each other, chatting about interesting moments from their journey.
Misty tilted her head toward the window.
The city at night spread out before them—countless lights glittering brilliantly.
Ash, however, wasn't paying attention to the view.
His entire focus was on a plate of green onions.
Did these green onions have anything to do with Farfetch'd?
Looking at the Pokédex image of Farfetch'd holding its leek, it looked surprisingly similar to the green onions used in the dish.
"What are you spacing out about?" Misty kicked him lightly.
Ash shook his head, picked up a small meatball, and stuffed it into her mouth.
She rewarded him with a glare.
After a pleasant three-day trip, both Ash and Misty felt relaxed and happy—and their relationship had grown a little closer.
Walking along familiar roads, Ash wore a gentle smile. Pikachu rested on his shoulder, its bright eyes watching the scenery it knew so well.
After escorting Misty back home, Ash headed alone to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Before he even arrived, he could hear loud noises coming from the backyard.
Listening closely, he could even hear Professor Oak shouting.
An Onix?
Was Professor Oak okay?
Ash hurried toward the backyard. Could Oak have been bullied by an Onix?
When he arrived, he saw the Onix carefully lifting a pile of cargo with its tail, while Professor Oak stood nearby directing it.
So they were just moving things.
Professor Oak really knew how to make good use of free labor.
"Professor Oak, are you moving?" Ash asked.
He looked around at the piles of goods and equipment stacked everywhere.
A large group of Pokémon were busy using the facilities.
Water-type Pokémon were practicing accuracy by spraying water at a modified washing machine.
Fire-type Pokémon were cooking large pots of food.
Fighting-type Pokémon were kneading dough.
Grass-type Pokémon were preparing ingredients.
"Ash, you're back! How was your trip?" Professor Oak asked cheerfully.
"It was great. Professor Oak…" Ash looked at the busy Pokémon around him.
"Are you preparing to host a feast here?"
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 .
complete fic (all chapters ) are already up on Patreon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789
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