"Pika pika~~"
The electric mouse perched on Ash's shoulder tugged at his collar with its tiny paws, making the boy pause as he retrieved his Poké Balls from the nurse at the Pokémon Center. Only when he heard soone call his na did he turn his head and spot Ryuuske Mitsugi waving at him.
Ash's face lit up with joy as he quickly dashed over with Pikachu in tow.
Watching Ash run toward him with the sa boundless energy as ever, Ryuuske couldn't help but muse that most protagonists in comics and novels shared this exact personality.
He had kept tabs on Ash and Gary's progress, watching their battle videos online. After Ryuuske had challenged the Pewter and Cerulean City Gyms, the two had followed suit. Strangely, Green hadn't challenged any Gyms at all—yet Ryuuske had seen two Gym badges on her. Now that he thought about it, she had probably stolen them rather than earning them through battles.
Considering she had even dared to break into Professor Oak's lab, swiping Gym badges wasn't all that surprising.
"I can't believe I ran into you in Vermilion City, Ryuu!! I thought you'd already left!"
Ash plopped down in front of Ryuuske with his usual exuberance, grinning from ear to ear.
"...Let introduce you! Besides Poliwag and Bulbasaur, this is my new partner, Pikachu! Oh, and Bulbasaur has evolved into Ivysaur now! And that's a Dratini, right? I've seen it on TV!"
"Mii~~"
Dratini let out an adorable chirp at Ash, while Ryuuske reached out to pat Pikachu's head, listening to its cheerful "Pika pika!"
Anyone who had ever watched Pokémon probably dread of getting to pet a Pikachu at least once.
"Such a cute little electric mouse," Ryuuske remarked, watching Pikachu's cheerful expression.
Ash's face twisted slightly, as if recalling sothing painful. As friendly as Pikachu was now, Ash still rembered how it used to shock him for no reason when they first t. The fact that it was so well-behaved now was the result of a lot of effort on his part.
Ash nearly teared up at the mory.
"By the way, Ash, what did you an earlier when you said you thought I'd already left?"
"Well, you were the first to challenge the Pewter and Cerulean City Gyms, right? I ran into Gary earlier, and when he saw that the Vermilion City Gym Leader wasn't around, he just left—said he was heading to the next city. I figured you might've done the sa."
Ash explained.
Even though the two had only t once and talked for a single evening, Ash was the type to treat anyone he considered a friend with warmth and enthusiasm, never letting the conversation turn awkward or dry.
That kind of personality usually ant he had no shortage of friends.
"So it seems Gary's ahead of both of us, then. I got held up with so business in Cerulean City and only arrived in Vermilion yesterday."
Just then, a server brought over a fresh batch of desserts—ones Ryuuske had ordered after spotting Ash. He had also picked up so of Pikachu's favorite treats, and sure enough, the electric mouse imdiately ward up to him, allowing itself to be petted freely. It was even more satisfying than petting a cat.
Ash, never one to stand on ceremony, dug right into the pastries Ryuuske had ordered.
"Business in Cerulean City? Oh, was it related to Misty?"
The grin on Ash's face carried a hint of sothing mischievous, and Ryuuske got the distinct impression he was being teased. But given that fifteen-year-olds were at that age where romantic gossip was practically a sport, he decided to let it slide.
"So since the Vermilion Gym Leader isn't here, are you planning to leave too, Ash?"
Spearing a piece of cake with his fork, Ryuuske made casual conversation. He didn't have many acquaintances in this world, so running into soone familiar was a stroke of luck.
"Apparently, the Vermilion Gym Leader, Lt. Surge, used to be a soldier. These days, he loves sailing the seas as a sailor. He hasn't been seen in a month—probably on so cruise ship right now... I was going to leave, but then I t this 'Pokémon Fan Club President' who told a bunch of Pokémon have been going missing in Vermilion City lately. Even so of the club mbers' Pokémon were stolen, so he asked to help investigate..."
Ash scratched his cheek awkwardly, recalling how he'd been strong-ard into joining that so-called "Pokémon Fan Club" under dubious circumstances. He definitely wasn't about to admit that embarrassing story to Ryuu.
Pikachu shot him a sidelong glance that practically scread "You idiot," making Ash laugh sheepishly.
"So you just agreed, just like that? That's not exactly an easy job, you know. You're not a detective—solving a case like this isn't sothing you can wrap up quickly. If you end up stuck here because of this promise, you'll regret it."
Ryuuske spoke with the tone of soone who had seen it all before. Teenagers were so quick to jump into things without thinking.
Ash sighed.
"...I know it won't be easy, but they were practically begging . I couldn't just say no. Luckily, they've already done so investigating. Apparently, the thefts might be connected to the 'S.S. Anne.' They even gave a ticket for the cruise, hoping I'd check it out... I an, co on! It's the legendary luxury cruise ship, the 'S.S. Anne'! If soone's handing out free tickets, it'd be a waste not to go!"
By the end, Ash's voice was brimming with excitent as he pulled out the ticket to show Ryuuske.
It was only a second-class ticket, but even those weren't cheap. The S.S. Anne was a luxury liner designed for the wealthy, so even its second-class accommodations were lavish.
"Hey, Ryuu, you should co with ! If this Pokémon disappearance case turns out to be so criminal organization's doing, I'd feel way better having you there to back up!"
Ash's eyes sparkled as if he'd finally found an ally, and he grabbed Ryuuske's hands, staring at him pleadingly.
Ryuuske subtly pulled his hands back and shrugged.
"...Tickets for the S.S. Anne aren't exactly cheap, you know."
Ash's expression fell. It was unfair to ask soone else to foot the bill for a favor.
"Then... maybe I can ask the Pokémon Fan Club if they have any extra tickets? If not, I'll just buy one myself—"
Gritting his teeth, Ash steeled himself for the expense.
Just then, a Pokémon Center employee approached hesitantly.
"...Excuse , are you Ryuuske?"
The worker seed to recognize him but wasn't entirely sure.
"That's . Can I help you?"
Ryuuske assud this was another overzealous fan asking for an autograph and braced himself for the hassle, though he remained polite.
"It's great to finally et you! This is sothing Misty left with us two weeks ago when she departed Vermilion City. She asked us to give it to you if we saw you—said it was a gift."
"A gift?"
Curious, Ryuuske accepted the envelope. Aside from the Cerulean City Gym's seal, there was nothing else written on it.
With her task complete, the staff mber left, while Ash leaned forward eagerly, practically vibrating with curiosity.
Even Pikachu, who had been munching on snacks at the table, scurried over, twitching its ears in anticipation.
Amused by their reactions, Ryuuske didn't keep them waiting. He tore open the envelope and pulled out the contents, shaking them in front of Ash with a smirk.
"...Perfect. Just when I needed it most, soone delivers."
It was a ticket—for the S.S. Anne's first-class cabin.
Ash's face imdiately darkened.
To be continued…
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