The next morning, the sunshine was warm and gentle.
Ash, Misty, and Brock stood before the magnificent main gate of the Celadon Gym, holding a carefully selected fruit basket.
Rather than calling it a Gym, it was more like a magnificent ecological park.
It was super big.
The massive glass dome glittered under the sunlight, revealing the vague outlines of lush plants inside, while the air was filled with the fresh scent of soil and vegetation.
The styles of the few Gyms Ash had seen so far were all completely different. Compared to the aquarium in Cerulean City, the power plant in Vermilion City, and the ecological garden in Celadon City, Ash discovered that the Gym in Pewter City was actually the most proper and serious one.
It was a pity, considering that Brock himself was the least serious among the Gym Leaders.
"Giving fruit to Miss Erika, who manages such a huge botanical garden..." Misty looked at the fruit basket in her hand, her expression somewhat subtle. "It feels a bit like bringing coals to Newcastle—completely unnecessary."
Brock adjusted his glasses with a smile. "The gift is light, but the sentiment is heavy. What matters is the thought."
"Miss Erika won't mind these things."
In Brock's view, this was just a formality. What was given didn't matter. What mattered was having something to give when visiting. Uh... although it didn't matter what was given, it had to be a proper gift at the very least. If one were to give something inexplicable, then it would be hard to say.
Guided by a receptionist wearing a pale green uniform, the three walked through a corridor brimming with greenery and arrived at a quiet Japanese-style room.
The room was spacious and bright, elegantly furnished, with a sliding door opening to an exquisite Japanese garden outside. And the object of their visit—Celadon Gym Leader Erika—was currently sitting properly on the tatami mats.
She was still wearing that elegant kimono, her long hair draped smoothly over her shoulders. Her temperament was gentle and quiet, looking every bit the standard Yamato Nadeshiko.
However, her beautiful eyes were slightly closed at this moment, her head nodding little by little; she was obviously fighting against drowsiness, adding a touch of cuteness that didn't quite match her usual image.
A sleepy beauty?
As beautiful as a painting!
It was a pity they weren't too familiar with each other, otherwise, they could have taken a photo of this scene.
Hearing footsteps, Erika's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes. Seeing that it was Ash's trio, a gentle smile immediately surfaced on her face, like a spring breeze brushing over a sea of flowers.
Compared to Misty, who was only ten years old, the twenty-year-old Erika could be considered a great beauty.
"Welcome, Ash, Misty, Brock." Erika's voice carried a hint of laziness from just waking up, yet it seemed even softer. "Please forgive this little one for not welcoming you from afar."
She sniffed gently, a knowing smile flashing in her eyes. "Hmm... a very fresh fragrance. Was it chosen at the department store yesterday?"
"It seems you have already experienced the specialties of our Celadon City." At first glance, Erika was very satisfied with the three of them.
What they brought as a gift didn't actually matter. But the fact that they could appreciate their perfume... that was quite good.
Ash handed over the fruit basket, speaking somewhat bashfully, "Miss Erika, a small gift, merely a token of respect... Thank you for your understanding regarding the accident before."
How should one put it? Barging into someone else's experimental base was a matter that could be big or small. It purely depended on whether the owner decided to pursue it. After all, the value of trade secrets is hard to discuss.
Erika accepted it with a smile. "You are too polite; I'm sorry to have made you spend money."
"That place is my experimental zone. Let's consider that matter closed."
"I really like this sentiment." She gently placed the fruit basket aside and gestured for the three to sit down.
For guests she is unfamiliar with or doesn't like, Erika generally likes to refer to herself as [Xiao nü zi] (this little one/humble woman). This is a way of expressing respect through self-humility. But if she feels she can get along with the other party, she will generally change her self-reference to [Wo] (I/me).
The eldest daughter calling herself "this little one" is not a specific custom; its core is the combination of traditional female humble speech and identity expression. Essentially, it is using humble rhetoric to embody politeness, rather than truly demeaning one's own status.
"Miss Erika's Gym is truly breathtaking," Brock praised sincerely. "To be able to integrate such a massive ecosystem into a Gym, you are indeed the premier Grass-type expert in Kanto."
While a botanical park looks simple, it is actually quite troublesome to maintain. The reason Pewter Gym was so plain and unadorned was also because Brock and his father, Flint, were afraid of trouble.
However, Brock's mother, Lola, had always wanted to make some renovations to the Gym. It was just a pity that since there was already the Cerulean Gym, a specialized Water-type Gym, Lola's idea of remodeling Pewter Gym to have some Water-type characteristics had always been blocked by Brock and Flint.
"Mr. Brock, you flatter me," Erika responded humbly.
Her gaze turned to Pikachu on Ash's shoulder and Misdreavus, who was floating aside and looking around curiously. "Your partners also look to be in excellent condition, and this Miss Misdreavus is especially full of spirituality."
"To be able to capture such a rare Pokémon, Ash, your ability and luck are enviable."
Erika's sense of smell was very keen; she could smell the perfume on Misdreavus. This made Erika even more satisfied. To specially go and buy perfume for one's own Pokémon... such a Trainer would score high in Erika's perception.
"Tsk tsk~" Hearing the praise, Misdreavus happily flew a circle around Erika, seemingly showing off the scent of the "Moonlight Nocturne" perfume she got yesterday.
Mengmeng liked this perfume very much.
Misty couldn't help but speak up as well: "The perfume Miss Erika blends is truly amazing; the scent is unique and long-lasting. Misdreavus and I both love it especially!"
Erika covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "It is my honor to satisfy the beautiful Miss Misty and this cute Miss Misdreavus."
"The bond between Pokémon and Trainer is sometimes just like this fragrance—invisible yet connecting each other deeply."
"I still have some of my own perfume ingredients here; I'll mix a bottle for you later~"
As a professional perfumer, Erika had some formulas on hand that were not for sale. It wasn't really a question of whether they were more precious... Uh... how to describe it? It was roughly the difference between a bespoke handmade suit and a mass-produced suit. It would be adjusted according to personal temperament.
"Thank you so much! Miss Erika!" Misty turned into starry-eyed mode.
"Tsk tsk~~" Misdreavus was also very happy.
After the relaxed and friendly exchange of pleasantries, Erika's expression became slightly more formal.
She looked at Ash, her eyes holding inquiry and expectation: "So, Ash, since you've come to Celadon Gym, I assume you are ready for a Gym challenge?"
"Would you like to have a battle with me?"
Erika had long heard of Ash's name. The events in Vermilion City before had caused quite a stir. Whether it was the Giant Dragonite or the Giant Tentacruel, both were matters worthy of attention.
And Ash had participated in both events.
Moreover, due to their different identities, for Brock and Misty, as successors to Gym Trainers, participating in such things would be considered a matter of course and not worth noting at all.
Ash was different.
Some felt Ash was an ordinary person, and his participation was due to his extraordinary talent. Some felt Ash was a trendsetter of the times, and his participation was a manifestation of luck. Some felt Ash was Professor Oak's successor, and his participation must have deep significance.
In short, different people looking at the problem would come to different conclusions.
____
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