"Ash, actually, Viola mentioned you to me before," Grant admitted a bit awkwardly. "But I didn't really take it too seriously. Now that I've battled you, I realize… my training still isn't enough. Losing to you is a wake-up call. So, which Gym are you planning to challenge next?"
Ash grinned. "The next Gym, huh? I haven't decided yet. Serena, I'll let you choose."
"Huh? Me?" Serena froze for a second, then her heart fluttered with joy. Ash was entrusting her with the decision! She hurriedly pulled out a map.
"Let's see… from Cyllage City, hmm… Got it! How about Shalour City? There's the Shalour Gym there!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she added, "And Shalour City has the Tower of Mastery! I know you'd definitely be interested, Ash!"
Ash nodded firmly. "Alright then, Shalour Gym it is!"
Grant smiled approvingly. "The Shalour Gym really is an excellent choice. The Gym Leader there will give you a type of battle experience unlike any you've had before. I wish you the best of luck. Honestly, Ash… I see you as a real contender for the Kalos League Championship. Don't let me down!"
Ash just gave a small smile and turned away without answering.
A champion, huh?
Of course that's my goal.
Alain, wait for me.
------
And so, Ash and his friends left Cyllage City. But before heading out, Ash purchased a large stock of building materials and other necessities.
Inside his System Space, thanks to Clemont's specially-designed robots—and the combined effort of all his Pokémon—the construction of his personal residence was nearly complete!
It wasn't just a simple house anymore—it was like a massive estate, with a huge courtyard right in the middle. The Giant Shiny Gyarados could comfortably lounge there without any issues at all.
------
Two days later…
The group arrived in a town famous for one thing: sweets.
The entire place was filled with the aroma of baked goods and desserts, drawing crowds from all over.
Serena, of course, couldn't resist. Today, she had prepared something special: Poké Puffs!
"Ta-da! Look here, everyone! Fennekin, Chespin, Pikachu, Dedenne—come and try these Poké Puffs I made just for you! They're tailored to your tastes!"
She proudly carried a tray piled high with her creations.
"Pika!"
"Chespin!"
"Dedenne!"
The little ones immediately bounded over, each grabbing a Poké Puff and happily munching away.
The sweet smell tempted Ash too. He spotted a few left on the tray and casually picked one up to try.
Meanwhile, Clemont was tinkering with another gadget, and Bonnie was gazing at the pretty older girls walking by, secretly scheming about finding a dependable "big sister" she could introduce to her brother as his future wife. Her persistence in this mission was truly relentless…
"Wait, Ash! Those aren't really for us humans! They're designed especially for Pokémon!" Serena's face turned pale. She was terrified that Ash might find them unappetizing. After all, Pokémon often had very different tastes than people.
But Ash only smiled warmly. "Don't worry. If it's something you made, I'll always love it. Honestly, I think it tastes great!"
His words struck her like a thunderbolt—straight to the heart. Serena felt her face grow warm, struggling to steady her voice.
"Y-you're impossible, Ash! Always saying things that catch me off guard like that."
Though flustered, her heart was blooming with happiness. Of course, she tried to play it off—especially with Clemont and Bonnie nearby. Luckily for her, the two were too distracted to notice Ash's casual confession.
At that very moment…
A pink Slurpuff waddled over, levitating a Poké Puff toward itself with psychic power.
Ash could have stopped it, but he didn't. He knew exactly what this meant. This was the moment another key character would arrive—someone who would become an unexpected ally in his and Serena's relationship.
"Slurpuff Slurpuff"
A voice followed shortly after. "This little one says… that Poké Puff wasn't very tasty."
A girl stepped forward—short dark-blue hair, wearing a green skirt.
Clemont and Bonnie immediately turned their heads.
"My name's Miette," the girl introduced herself with a smile. "And this is my partner, Slurpuff. It has an incredibly sensitive sense of taste."
Serena's expression darkened instantly.
Her carefully-made Poké Puffs… dismissed as "not tasty." The sting in her heart was immediate.
"If you don't mind," Miette continued, "why don't you try one of mine? Everyone in this town is preparing sweets, and I'm no exception."
She opened a small box she had been carrying. Inside were eight Poké Puffs, each more beautiful than the last, in dazzling colors and perfect shapes.
"Pika…"
Pikachu hesitated. Normally, he wouldn't have eaten it. He knew how much Serena meant to Ash, and taking Miette's side wouldn't sit right.
But then Ash gave him a subtle look.
Go on, Pikachu. This is part of the story.
And so, Pikachu took the lead. The other little Pokémon followed, each sampling Miette's Poké Puffs.
The result?
They were… delicious.
Even Serena had to admit, the flavors and textures were on another level. Miette had clearly spent far more time perfecting her recipe, while Serena had been limited by her ingredients.
When Serena saw Pikachu—the Pokémon Ash cherished the most—smiling with delight as he ate Miette's treats, her chest tightened with frustration.
Everyone introduced themselves, but Serena kept her guard up. Her dislike for Miette was obvious.
"Hmph! If I had better ingredients, my Poké Puffs would be way tastier than yours!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Miette teased. "Well, then I'm looking forward to seeing that."
"I am too!" Ash added with a grin, fanning the flames further.
The two girls glared at each other—it was war.
"Then why don't you both enter the Poké Puff Contest being held here in town?" Bonnie suddenly piped up, pointing to a poster on the wall.
"Perfect timing!" Miette clapped her hands together. "That's exactly why I came here—to enter this contest. Serena! Do you dare compete against me?"
Serena clenched her fists. She wasn't going to back down. "Of course I dare!"
Ash chuckled to himself. Perfect. Exactly as planned.
Miette was here to stir things up, but in truth, her presence would be the greatest assist for Serena and Ash's budding bond.
This was one assist Ash was more than happy to accept.
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T/N:
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