Viridian Forest.
The lunch today was originally intended to be a savory meat stew for two.
However, since a certain boy in a red-and-white cap and a yellow rodent had joined them, the once-bountiful meal became a bit tight.
Fortunately, Hakuya gathered some berries from the surrounding area at the last minute, making the portions just barely enough for everyone.
"Ash, are you sure you're actually lost and didn't just stalk us to score a free meal?"
Watching Ash and Pikachu gorge themselves like bottomless pits, Hakuya's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
After discovering these two, since they were acquaintances, he had invited them to join for lunch.
But he didn't expect these two to act like they were possessed by a Snorlax; their appetites were like black holes.
They nearly polished off enough food for four people, which was honestly terrifying to witness.
"Burp~ That was so good, I finally feel like a human being again..." "Pika~"
Ash and Pikachu sprawled out on the grass, rubbing their round, bloated bellies in satisfaction.
After digesting for a bit, Ash scratched the back of his head sheepishly and offered an apology.
"It's because a wild Raticate stole all the food from our bags earlier; we haven't eaten in nearly a day, that's why we inhaled so much..."
"Don't worry, Hakuya-bro, we'll pay you back for the food!"
"That won't be necessary."
Hearing Ash offer to pull out his wallet, Hakuya simply shook his head gently.
When traveling abroad, helping each other out is only natural.
Besides, for just a single lunch, there was no need for friends to keep a tab.
"Nai~"
"Thank you, Milcery."
Taking a freshly made whipped cream berry treat from Milcery, Hakuya rubbed her head and praised her.
Then, he divided it into several large portions and handed them out to Misty and Ash.
"Here, Misty, this one's for you."
"Mmm... it's delicious~"
She took a small spoonful and let it melt in her mouth; a beautiful crimson blush crept onto her pure, pretty face as she sighed in delight.
As for Ash, who had also received a dessert, his mind wasn't on the treat at all.
His eyes were glued to the sparkling Milcery floating beside Hakuya.
"I'm sorry, there is currently no data on this Pokémon."
Damn it, what use is this piece of junk Pokédex if it can't tell me anything!
Ash smacked the unresponsive Pokédex, suddenly feeling the urge to return it to Professor Oak for a refund.
"Her name is Milcery. She primarily inhabits the Galar region."
"Since you're using a Kanto Pokédex, of course it won't have any data recorded."
Looking at Ash's face full of disgust for his device, Hakuya explained with a smile.
In the Pokémon world, the Milcery line can produce perfectly whipped cream from their hands.
If used to decorate desserts, it makes the already rich food taste even more heavenly.
Therefore, in the League Times' "Most Desired Partner" poll, almost every pastry chef chose them.
Their popularity was truly off the charts.
—Wonder Guard? Broken wheelchair Pokémon? ×
—A portable, infinite whipped cream machine for your travels. ✓
—————— Post-Meal Chat ——————
"By the way, I have a question. Why did you start your journey in the Hoenn region, Hakuya-bro..."
"...But your starter Pokémon is a Sprigatito from the Paldea region?"
Ash took a big bite of the cream-topped berry dessert, squinting his eyes in bliss before asking the question Misty had been curious about too.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! I want to know too!"
The girl with the orange side-braid nodded frantically, staring intensely at him.
"Ah, that's a long story."
Facing those two curious gazes, Hakuya came up with a bullshit excuse in less than a second.
"It's because I was so excited about starting my journey the night before that I couldn't sleep at all."
"In the end, I overslept because I was too tired and arrived late the next morning to pick my starter."
"By the time I got dressed and rushed to the Professor's lab, the three starters had already been taken by the early birds."
"The only one left was this plain, ordinary Sprigatito..."
"Meowha~" Sprigatito nodded her head knowingly, playing along with the lie.
"I see."
Misty nodded in realization, then crossed her arms, looking Hakuya up and down thoughtfully.
She really didn't expect that the seemingly mature and composed Hakuya...
...actually had such a clumsy, scatterbrained experience like a total rookie before starting his journey.
Why did that contrast feel so... cute?
The girl's cheeks flushed slightly as she wondered why such a word had popped into her head.
On the other side, Ash scratched his cheek, looking completely confused.
—Although he felt a strange sense of kinship after hearing Hakuya's story...
...why did this plot development sound more and more like exactly what happened to him?!
Unable to figure it out, the simple-minded Ash decided to stop thinking about it altogether.
He hadn't followed them just because his food was stolen; he wanted a battle.
"Hakuya-bro, how about a Pokémon battle right now!"
True to his nature, Ash wanted to fight even though he had just finished eating.
Even though he barely understood the basics, he wanted to test the strength of the [Protean] Sprigatito and [Wonder Guard] Milcery.
"I don't have a problem with it, but are you really sure you want to fight?"
"I feel like... your Pikachu isn't exactly thrilled about the idea~"
Hakuya looked at the hot-blooded Ash, then at the yellow rodent shaking its head like a vibrator.
For a moment, he hesitated to even agree.
"Of course we're fighting! We followed you all this way just to challenge you!"
"Pika???"
That is NOT what you said at the beginning!
Pikachu's eyes widened as it shook its head frantically, shrieking in protest.
"Pikachu, trust my commands! Get out there!"
"Pi... Pika..."
Pikachu dug its claws into the ground as Ash tugged on its tail, refusing the invitation to battle.
Setting aside the fact that Ash's commands were basically just "Dodge it!" or "Charge in blindly!"...
...it had seen everything clearly before. Hakuya's Sprigatito had nearly leveled an entire Pokémon Center with one [Leafage].
If that hit it, it wouldn't be able to get out of bed for at least half a month!
For a while, the two of them engaged in a desperate game of tug-of-war.
"I don't want to bring you down, but don't you know Pikachu's Electric moves aren't good against a Grass-type like Sprigatito?"
"Challenging someone without being prepared is a recipe for a brutal loss. That's basic Trainer knowledge..."
As a Gym Leader, Misty couldn't stand watching it anymore and gave him some friendly advice.
But Ash's immediate response made both her and Hakuya lose their composure.
"Wait, that's common knowledge? I thought all you needed was fighting spirit."
Ash scratched the back of his head awkwardly, hearing terms like "Type Resistance" for the first time.
To be honest, he really hadn't thought that far; he just assumed if his heart was in it, he'd win.
Even before evolving into his "final form" after traveling through multiple regions, Ash already showed the traits of a Type-Disadvantage Master.
Taking advantage of the moment Ash let go with one hand, Pikachu bared its teeth as yellow electricity crackled around it.
Predictably, Ash was blasted by Pikachu's discharge and left twitching in a heap.
"Is this guy really planning to become a Pokémon Master one day—?"
Misty facepalmed, her face full of annoyance.
Not only was Sprigatito far stronger than a normal Pokémon, but cats hunting mice was basic nature.
Plus, Electric moves sucked against Grass-types; a battle would just result in Ash getting stomped into the dirt.
Pikachu's refusal to cooperate was honestly a sign of great foresight.
Beside them, Hakuya watched Ash twitching on the ground while Pikachu sighed in relief at escaping the fight.
He couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
This felt like the authentic Ash and Pikachu experience.
Compared to his later years where he felt like a plot device for some dark-skinned athlete...
...the rookie Ash who talked big and made clumsy mistakes felt more like a real, living person.
After finishing the whipped cream treats, Hakuya turned his attention to the yellow rodent.
"Hakuya-bro, you shouldn't touch him like that..."
Ash was about to warn him that touching Pikachu so abruptly would result in a nasty shock.
After all, when they first met, Ash hadn't listened to Professor Oak's warning and tried to hug the rodent.
He had learned the intensity of Pikachu's voltage the hard way.
But a second later, Ash's eyes widened in total disbelief.
—Pikachu didn't fry Hakuya into a charcoal briquette like it did to him.
Instead, it squinted its eyes happily, letting Hakuya stroke it from its lightning-bolt tail all the way to its head.
"So this is what it feels like to pet a Pikachu..."
Hakuya gently rubbed Pikachu's head, marveling at the soft texture.
Today, he had finally fulfilled an old dream of petting the "Pika-god."
Compared to later generations, Ash's Pikachu in the original series was noticeably chubbier.
Because it was a dry autumn, his fingers moving through the plush fur even caused a loud crackle of static electricity.
As Pikachu was enjoying the head rubs, it suddenly felt a cold chill down its spine.
Turning its head, it saw two sets of extremely resentful glares.
Ash was practically biting his own fingers off, tears swirling frantically in his eyes.
"Whether it was the time we met or the bond we share... I was the one who came first!"
"So why, when facing Hakuya-bro, are you acting like a total slut, Pikachu?!"
Ash covered his face as if he'd been cuckolded, feeling like he shouldn't be here, but rather hiding under a car.
As for Sprigatito on the other side...
The little thing had arched her back and was already grinding her teeth.
This post-lunch period was usually her time to curl up in her Trainer's arms for a nap.
It was bad enough this yellow rat followed them for food, but now it was occupying her exclusive spot!
"Pika?!"
Pikachu felt a cold sweat drip down its cheek as it witnessed the feline's murderous intent.
Take your Trainer back! Just don't bite me!
Just as Pikachu was about to play dead under those two death glares, a sudden cloud of smoke rolled in.
"What is this stuff?"
Hearing Ash's question, Hakuya's eyelid began to twitch violently.
Immediately after, three familiar voices confirmed his worst fears.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
Damn it, it's the omnipresent, annoying persistence of the Team Rocket trio!