"Since you all kept bugging me yesterday to update, here I am doing it today… even though I literally said yesterday that I wouldn't update again. 🥲🥲🥲 I even told the other translator I was dropping this and saying goodbye, so now I honestly don't know how to feel."
....
"Why would Misty go shopping now, of all times? I'm about to challenge the Gym!" Ash grumbled, clearly annoyed as he marched toward Cerulean Gym.
At such an important moment, when he should've had her support or at least a word of encouragement, she suddenly ran off? If she wanted to buy things, couldn't she wait until after the Gym battle?
"Hehe, you'll probably find out soon enough," Brock said with a knowing chuckle. His cryptic words only left Ash more confused.
Before long, the two stood before the Cerulean Gym. Unlike the rugged, stone-hewn Pewter Gym, Cerulean's exterior gleamed with lavish decoration and elegant design. The difference was night and day: one looked like a humble countryside dojo, while the other resembled a grand city mansion.
Ash glanced at Brock, his eyes practically saying, 'Why is your Gym so plain compared to this?'
Brock's mouth twitched as he sighed helplessly. "What do you expect? Every bit of Pewter Gym's public funds goes into raising my younger siblings, covering Gym expenses, and feeding the Pokémon. Without my side jobs, Pewter Gym would've gone bankrupt long ago."
"Is it really that bad? Cerulean Gym looks loaded. They also raise Pokémon, right? Their expenses shouldn't be much less than yours."
In the Pokémon World, there were two main expenses: daily living costs and Pokémon upkeep. The former was relatively cheap, a family of three could eat for around a hundred or two a day. But Pokémon were another matter entirely. Food alone could cost hundreds or thousands per Pokémon each day, and rare items like Moon Stones could skyrocket into the tens or hundreds of thousands.
Raising Pokémon was the true financial burden. Even Brock's nine younger siblings didn't cost as much as raising a few extra Pokémon. So why was the difference between Pewter and Cerulean so huge?
"Because Cerulean Gym has another source of income. Look there." Brock pointed at a colorful poster by the entrance.
In bold letters, it read: "Cerulean Water Ballet – Now Showing!"
When Ash and Brock asked a staff member about entering, they were told a performance was still in progress and that tickets were required.
"One hundred and fifty each, please."
Ash nearly choked. Compared to the cost of Pokémon training, it wasn't much, but for a stage ticket it felt outrageous.
"So this is what you meant by extra income…"
"This is too expensive… and I have to buy a ticket just to challenge a Gym? That's ridiculous." Ash complained bitterly as he pulled the money from his pocket.
Brock paid without fuss and calmly explained, "Technically, you're buying a ticket for the ballet, not for the battle. Cerulean's just… creative about mixing business with Gym operations. And honestly, a lot of Kanto Gyms have their own side businesses. Pewter isn't the only one struggling."
Ash blinked. "Wait, so Gym Leaders' salaries are really that low? No wonder they're all moonlighting!"
Once inside, Ash's complaints faded into wide-eyed surprise. The performance had already reached its climax. On the vast pool stage, three elegant figures in swimsuits dove and twirled with dazzling synchronization, their legs gliding gracefully through the water as the audience erupted in cheers.
The three beautiful young women, each with her own distinct charm, danced gracefully across the shimmering pool. Their one-piece swimsuits accentuated fair, delicate arms and legs that moved with fluid elegance.
Under the stage lights, their skin seemed to glow softly, radiating a faint warmth that captivated the audience.
"La-ru~ La-ru~!"
Ralts, perched on Ash's shoulder, let out a cheerful cry, her large eyes beneath her aqua-blue hair glowing with delight. She was clearly enchanted by the water ballet, her tiny body swaying along with the rhythm.
Brock, meanwhile, was utterly spellbound. In the small, stone-bound world of Pewter City, where could he have ever seen women of this caliber, let alone a dazzling water ballet performed in swimsuits? His mouth practically hung open.
In that moment, the one hundred and fifty Pokédollars for the ticket suddenly felt like the greatest bargain of his life. If he'd known what the performance entailed, Brock thought he would've paid fifteen hundred without hesitation!
Ash, for his part, admitted the three women were graceful, but he hadn't forgotten why he'd come here in the first place: to challenge the Gym. Leaning toward a man seated nearby, Ash asked, "Hey, how much longer until this ends?"
The man shot him a look like he'd just grown two heads. Ninety-five percent of the audience were men, most of whom wished the show would go on forever. Who in the world asked when it would end?
Still, the man muttered back, "About twenty minutes."
Ash and Brock found an empty spot to sit. Most of the good seats were long gone, but Ash wasn't there to enjoy the ballet anyway. Brock, however, stared so hard his eyes might as well have turned into spotlights.
Ralts, nestled in Ash's arms, also gazed intently at the three women performing. Though her eyes were hidden behind her hair, Ash could sense her quiet curiosity, as if she were wondering whether she too could one day dance as gracefully as them.
Twenty minutes later, the performance ended. The audience began filing out in neat rows under the guidance of staff. A few enthusiastic fans tried to approach the famous Sensational Sisters for autographs, only to be firmly turned away.
Ash, however, walked directly against the flow of people toward the three sisters. A staff member immediately stepped forward to block him, about to explain that autographs and photos weren't allowed. But Ash quickly produced his Pokédex, flashing his Trainer ID, and declared, "I'm here to challenge the Gym!"
That changed everything. The staff nodded, allowing Ash and Brock through. Other spectators noticed the exception and murmured in confusion, why could those two pass while everyone else was pushed back?
The staff gave no explanation, simply continuing to usher the crowd out.
Soon, a young attendant appeared and guided Ash and Brock toward the back of the Gym. Along the way, she explained details about Cerulean Gym's operations and the sisters' duties.
As for Ralts, happily clinging to Ash, very few people in Kanto even recognized what kind of Pokémon she was.