Kanto Region.
Vermilion City.
"Meowha~"
"So this is Vermilion City. It really feels much more bustling than Viridian City or Pewter City~"
Like Sprigatito, who was poking her head out of his jacket and looking around curiously, Hakuya gazed at the cityscape and instinctively marveled.
Unlike Viridian City, which was covered in greenbelts and famous for its natural scenery, and unlike Pewter City, which was filled with strange rocks and had a rustic architectural style... Vermilion City was located at a southern estuary. It boasted a massive number of residential buildings, and the air was thick with the salty scent of the ocean.
"It's bustling because Vermilion City is the third-largest city in the Kanto region~"
As a Kanto native, Misty naturally began acting as a tour guide for Hakuya.
The girl walked ahead with her hands clasped behind her back, her orange side-braid bouncing with every step.
"That building on the left with the lightning bolt decorations is the Vermilion Gym. The Gym Leader's name should be Lt. Surge."
"The large building on the right is the Pokémon Fan Club. I remember my older sister Daisy once got a membership there. I heard it's a place for Trainers who love Pokémon to mingle and chat."
"If we keep walking straight down this street, we'll reach Vermilion Port, where ships from all over the world gather."
"Also, it's said that the world-famous luxury cruise liner, the S.S. Anne, docks at Vermilion Port once a year."
Speaking of this, Misty cupped her face in her hands, a hopeful gleam appearing in her eyes.
The title of "luxury cruise liner" was enough to make anyone dream.
Especially for a girl like her who loved the ocean and Water-type Pokémon.
Hakuya nodded thoughtfully.
Of course he knew about the S.S. Anne.
It was the Titanic of the Pokémon world. Not only would it be blown up and sunk by Team Rocket in a few months, but it was also the site of the ultimate iconic scene where James kicked his Magikarp, causing it to evolve into Gyarados.
Since there was still some time before the ship's departure, Hakuya and Misty decided to wander around the area.
"Oh, it's a stall selling specialized fishing lures!"
Suddenly, the orange-haired girl's attention was drawn to a small stall on the outer edge of the port.
"These are all special lures unique to Vermilion City."
An elderly woman dressed as a fisherwoman sat behind the stall, introducing her wares with a kind and gentle smile.
Beside her, a Psyduck tilted its head, blankly welcoming the customers.
Hakuya took a quick glance; most of them were shaped like lightning bolts.
For an angler, a lure is an essential piece of equipment. Different types of lures provide different bonuses when fishing in the Pokémon world.
For example, Vermilion City's special lures seemed to have a 'Super Effective' draw on Pokémon with the Electric typing, like Chinchou or Lanturn.
Aside from boosting catch rates, they were also great for personal collections.
Sure enough, Misty, being the ultimate angler, was already squatting in front of the stall, completely mesmerized by the selection.
"Excuse me, how much is this one?"
The elderly fisherwoman simply held up five fingers.
"...Never mind. Let's get going~"
Upon learning the final price of the lure, Misty's expression stiffened, and she awkwardly dragged Hakuya away.
Because the Cerulean Gym happened to need major renovations recently and was desperate for funds, as a core member, she had remitted a large portion of her money back home. So, she didn't have any spare cash to buy these local specialty lures right now.
Rather than drool over them here, it was better to just obediently wait for the ship to Hoenn.
By now, it was nearing dusk and sunset.
The horizon was painted with the crimson glow of twilight, and the salty sea breeze carried the sound of the Kanto Sea's crashing waves directly into their faces.
Near the coast, Vermilion Port was bustling with activity. Cargo crates were stacked like building blocks, and sailors wove through them—some carrying heavy sacks of Berries on their shoulders, others guiding Rhyhorn carts to load goods.
Occasionally, ships arriving from afar would dock. The thunderous roar of anchors dropping into the water startled flocks of Pidgey, their flight tracing brilliant silver arcs across the evening sky.
Hmm? Where did he go?
A moment later, standing at the edge of Vermilion Port, Misty opened her eyes after happily enjoying the sea breeze, only to suddenly realize that Hakuya, who had been walking beside her, was gone.
Just as she was feeling confused, she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
"Sorry, I just popped over to buy something." "Meowha, meowha~"
"Oh, I see. I thought you wandered off somewhere and forgot we were supposed to catch a boat."
Looking at Hakuya, who had hurried back, Misty put her hands on her hips and lightly scolded him, then rummaged through her bag.
"Here, this is a parting gift for you!"
"Is this... a fishing lure you made yourself, Misty?"
Hakuya took the object the girl handed him and asked in surprise.
"Hmph, of course! As a Fishing Master, crafting my own lures is an essential skill~"
Seeing this, Misty lifted her chin, her face full of triumphant pride.
But the next moment, the bright smile on the girl's pretty face froze slightly.
Because Hakuya also pulled out a similar, special fishing lure.
Only, unlike the one the girl made by hand, this was the lure he had specifically gone back to buy from the stall.
The exact same model Misty had stared at multiple times earlier.
"Honestly, I didn't expect you to sneak back and buy it..."
Holding the Vermilion Lure worth 5,000 League Dollars, Misty immediately realized why Hakuya had disappeared earlier and muttered softly.
—To think they both chose fishing lures as parting gifts; it really was a tacit understanding exclusive to anglers.
"Nai~"
Milcery tilted her head.
The sweet, friendly little creature was currently wondering if she should make a fresh whipped-cream Berry cake on the spot to suit the occasion.
After all, they hadn't even had a farewell meal before parting~
And Sprigatito, perched on Hakuya's shoulder, saw this scene and, for once, didn't hiss.
Although she didn't get along well with the girl, the fickle cat still buried her face and whimpered softly in the face of their parting.
Of course, after just a few soft whimpers, Sprigatito let it go.
It's best if she stays obediently in Kanto, then she'll be far away from my Trainer, meowha~
"By the way, I'll be coming back to Kanto in three months. I'll drop by the Cerulean Gym to cheer you on as soon as I get off the boat. You shouldn't have any problem passing the Gym qualification exam, right?"
Hakuya slipped the lure into his pocket, suddenly remembered something, and asked.
Progressing the Emerald storyline, getting badges to increase catch rates, and eventually catching overpowered monsters was certainly important. But experiencing the anime's plotlines was a must-do as well. Team Rocket, the Legendary Birds, Mewtwo—he wanted to join in on the fun for all of that. And before that happened, he could drop by Cerulean City on the way to cheer for Misty during her Gym inspection.
But the girl in front of him clearly had different thoughts, as two visible blushes rapidly spread across her cheeks.
"Ah... s-sure, I guess. The spectator stands at the Cerulean Gym are pretty big, after all."
Before long, her underlying 'tsundere' code kicked in.
Noticing the second half of Hakuya's sentence, Misty turned her slightly flushed face away, feigning annoyance with a soft hmph.
"Hmph, don't underestimate me."
"Even without the special training from you and Milcery, Starmie and I will work hard. During the Gym qualification exam in three months, you just sit on the sidelines and watch closely as the Cerulean Mermaid passes with flying colors!"
After dropping that bold claim, the girl crossed her arms and huffed again.
"You're the one who needs to be careful, Hakuya. Don't fall into another river in the Hoenn region, because this time, there won't be anyone to fish you out."
"Ah? Hahahaha..."
After just a few brief exchanges, the horn of a cargo ship sounded, drawing closer from the distance.
It was time to set sail for Hoenn to violently elbow the Rustboro Gym.
Boarding the ship and watching the beautiful figure waving frantically at him completely disappear over the horizon, Hakuya returned to his cabin. Only then did he have the mind to carefully examine the parting gift Misty had given him.
It was shaped like a chibi version of the girl, looking incredibly cute at first glance.
"Meowha~" "Nai~"
"Of course. I'll definitely keep it safe."
[Obtained Special Item: Misty's Special Lure]
[Misty's Special Lure (Unique): A lure crafted by the Cerulean Mermaid. When used, it increases your fishing luck. Pokémon hooked with this lure will have a slightly increased catch rate.]