"I'm over here, Misty!"
The moment Misty heard Kazuki's call, she picked up the pace.
"Ha! I saw a big hot air balloon land around here yesterday, and I just knew you'd be here!"
"I'm seriously a genius—ahahaha!"
With a smug grin, Misty darted through the bushes. But when she saw Kazuki standing beside a beautiful woman—Melanie—and a cozy little house in the distance, her elated expression instantly twisted.
"Oh! I see how it is, Kazuki! I've been roughing it in the woods for two whole days!"
"And here you are, with a pretty lady keeping you company, and even a house to stay in!"
"Living the dream, huh? And to think I was actually worried you might be dead!"
"Turns out you were just too busy enjoying yourself to death!"
Misty stomped toward Kazuki, her stride stiff and exaggerated like a Pinsir marching into battle.
Melanie tilted her head and edged closer to Kazuki, whispering, "Is that the other girl you mentioned?"
"??," Kazuki chuckled, waving enthusiastically at Misty.
"I mean…"
"Oh! You mean that," Kazuki suddenly realized what Melanie was getting at. "She's a Trainer, just like me. We're both heading to the Indigo Plateau Conference together. Things are still progressing between us! Haven't made a move yet—but it's close!"
Melanie giggled, covering her mouth. "Sounds like I'll need to study some more restorative medicine—maybe even look into men's health supplements while I'm at it."
"Oh? You think I still need supplements? Aren't you the one whose legs were giving out just now?"
Melanie shot Kazuki a cute look. "When it's just me, I don't stand a chance. You always have your way."
"But next time, when it's me and Delia together... let's see whose legs give out first!"
"Looking forward to it."
Watching the two of them laugh and flirt, Misty suddenly felt a strange, inexplicable sense of danger—female intuition. She dropped the swagger and picked up her pace, jogging toward them.
As she got close, she spotted a Bulbasaur hopping nearby.
"Ah! Is that the scary Bulbasaur from before?"
"Don't worry! It's my Bulbasaur now."
Bulba!
Bulbasaur gave Misty a friendly nod.
"Wow! You actually caught it!" Misty, seeing how non-aggressive it was, approached without fear.
She gave Melanie a once-over. Women's instincts never fail—she could feel there was something going on between her and Kazuki. Grabbing Kazuki's arm, she dragged him to the side and whispered,
"So, that lady… you caught her too?"
Kazuki grinned and explained everything from the beginning—minus the whole intimate part, of course.
Misty was still in the process of being "won over." Those details could wait until her affection level maxed out.
"Ahh! Melanie, you're so kind!" Misty beamed as she heard Melanie wasn't traveling with Kazuki. And after hearing how much Melanie cared for Pokémon, she instantly latched onto her arm.
The three of them chatted a bit more, and then Melanie led Kazuki and Misty safely back to the main path.
"Kazuki, keep it up! I believe you're gonna become a Pokémon Master one day!"
Melanie waved goodbye, then set off toward Pallet Town.
Though Melanie's parting words were just a standard well-wish, Misty couldn't shake the feeling there was something extra in the way she looked at Kazuki.
As the distance between them grew, Misty bumped Kazuki's arm and asked,
"Hey, Kazuki… are you sure there's nothing going on between you and Melanie?"
"What's this? Are you hoping there is? Maybe even hoping for a baby?"
"Eww!" Misty gave an exaggerated shudder. "Gross! I just thought the way she looked at you was… weird. Like, like she was looking at her idol or something!"
"Mhm." Kazuki nodded sagely. "Maybe she does admire me. I mean, I am aiming to be Champion."
"Hmph! You caught one Bulbasaur and now you're getting all full of yourself!" Misty pulled out a Poké Ball. "FYI, I caught an Oddish too!"
"Oh? You did? That's awesome!"
"Of course!" Misty grinned, shaking the Poké Ball in her hand. Her cheerful mood completely wiped away any lingering thoughts of Melanie's strange glances.
——————————————————————
Back on the main road, Kazuki and Misty picked up the pace.
Rumble!
The sky was blanketed in dark clouds, and a distant clap of thunder echoed.
"It's gonna rain," Kazuki looked up.
"Sounds like it, huh? Ugh, I hate camping in the rain!" Misty raised her hand over her head. "Let's hurry! Maybe we can find somewhere to take shelter!"
She rushed ahead to the highest ground nearby.
"Kazuki! Hey, Kazuki! We're saved! There's a Pokémon Center here!"
Kazuki caught up to her and looked out over the rise—sure enough, there was a wooden lodge-style Pokémon Center nestled among the trees.
"How odd. A Pokémon Center in the middle of this forest?"
"Well, whatever! At least we won't have to get soaked. That's all that matters!"
Kazuki gave the building a glance, then turned to look back the way they'd come.
Wait a second… wasn't there supposed to be a Charmander around this area?
Did I miss it? Or did the script just not call for it yet?
Drip. Drip…
Rain began to fall from the sky. Kazuki had no choice but to follow Misty inside the Pokémon Center to wait out the storm…