****
On Yuuto's side, after leaving Viridian City, the trio followed the map toward the next nearest city—Pewter City.
The Gym there was a low-level Rock-type Gym, and Yuuto planned to claim his first badge: the Boulder Badge.
Stepping out of the city, the air in the outskirts felt much fresher and cleaner.
Misty had long since shaken off her earlier embarrassment at the Pokémon Center. She skipped ahead at the front, humming a silly little tune.
"La la la~ Ice cream~ Burgers~ Next city~"
Delia walked gracefully beside Yuuto, occasionally exchanging soft, knowing glances with him—everything understood without words.
The three followed the road for a while until a vast, dense forest appeared before them.
Viridian Forest.
One of the largest forests in the Kanto region, and the mandatory route to Pewter City.
"Wow, what a huge forest!" Misty poked her head in to look. The light between the trees was dim, and various insect chirps and rustling sounds echoed from the shadows.
Her expression faltered for a split second, but she quickly puffed out her chest and muttered to herself, "Th-there's nothing to be afraid of! I'm a future Water-type Master!"
Yuuto smiled and didn't expose her.
He tapped the system map to confirm their route.
"Once we pass through this forest, we'll reach Pewter City. Everyone stay close—there are lots of wild Pokémon in here."
"Got it!" Misty replied, but her steps quietly shuffled closer to Yuuto's side.
Delia covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
Just as the three were about to enter the forest, the system notification chimed in Yuuto's mind right on time.
[Ding! Gym Challenge Mission—Pewter Gym: Defeat Pewter Gym Leader Brock and obtain the Boulder Badge.]
[Mission Reward: Metal Coat—When held by a Pokémon, the power of Steel-type moves increases by 20%. Also an evolution item for specific Pokémon.]
[Extra Choice Mission: When battling Gym Leader Brock, achieve victory using a Pokémon whose type is disadvantaged against Rock-type (Type Disadvantage).]
[Mission Reward: Metal Coat quality upgraded to "Exquisite". Exquisite Metal Coat—The power boost for Steel-type moves is increased to 40%!]
Yuuto's footsteps paused slightly.
The reward this time was excellent. The Metal Coat wasn't just strong equipment—it was also the key evolution item for Onix and Scyther. He'd need it sooner or later.
As for the choice mission… winning with a type disadvantage would double the reward.
A 40% power increase was a massive boost.
But a type disadvantage… Yuuto began calculating in his head.
Reality wasn't the anime; it wasn't something you could win just by talking about "the power of bonds."
Defeating a Gym Leader with a type disadvantage required a huge edge in level, tactics, or abilities.
Or clever use of terrain… or extra boost items.
But speaking of which, Yuuto actually *did* have a way.
Pikachu's "Movie Star" talent.
Once triggered, it ignored type advantages and disadvantages entirely.
If he utilized it well, winning with a type disadvantage wasn't impossible.
Still, they had a long way to Pewter City. One bite at a time, one step at a time. First, cross this forest, grind some levels, and expand the team.
He focused his mind and led the two women as they officially stepped into Viridian Forest.
The interior looked even deeper than the outside.
Tall trees blocked most of the sunlight, leaving only dappled patches of light on the ground.
The air was thick with the scent of earth and vegetation, mixed with the faint sweetness of wild fruits.
"It seems… like there are a lot of bugs here?" Misty's voice was noticeably quieter. Her eyes scanned the surroundings warily, and her body almost pressed against Yuuto's arm.
"Viridian Forest is a paradise for Bug-type and Flying-type Pokémon, so of course there are plenty of bugs," Yuuto said calmly, his sharp gaze sweeping the area.
He was searching.
According to his memory, there should be a Caterpie with quite good potential somewhere in this forest.
That Caterpie could show impressive combat intelligence early on, and after evolving, it could become a real asset.
Bug-types grew fast and evolved early—perfect for quickly building combat power.
If he could catch it, it would be a huge help for the first Gym and for rounding out his early team.
"B-Bug-types…" Misty's face paled slightly, and she subconsciously grabbed the corner of Yuuto's shirt.
Seeing this, Delia naturally moved to Misty's other side and spoke gently, "Don't worry too much, Misty. Most Bug-type Pokémon are quite gentle—as long as you don't actively provoke them…"
She hadn't even finished her sentence.
The nearby bushes suddenly rustled.
A bright green, plump caterpillar wriggled out.
A Caterpie!
It lifted its head and looked curiously at the three intruders with its small, beady black eyes.
"Kyaa——!!!"
The next second, a piercing scream comparable to a soprano exploded through the forest!
"Bug! Bug! A bug——!!!"
All of Misty's courage and bravado collapsed instantly.
Like a startled rabbit, she jumped back, then—without a second thought—leaped straight onto Yuuto!
Yuuto only felt a sudden weight on his back.
A warm, soft body, trembling violently, latched onto him like an octopus.
Misty had jumped onto his back, arms tightly wrapped around his neck, and her slender, smooth legs locked around his waist.
She buried her burning face deep into the crook of his neck and shoulder, voice carrying a sob as her whole body shook.
"Ugh… there's a bug!!"
Yuuto was stunned by the sudden "attack." Her arms were wrapped so tightly around his neck he could barely breathe, but what was far clearer was the incredible softness and elasticity pressing against his back.
Misty usually wore tiny shorts and a crop top, looking lively and athletic. Now that they were pressed this closely together, Yuuto truly felt every inch of her beautiful, youthful figure.
Especially those pert, round buttocks—currently squished firmly against his lower back and waist. Through the thin denim, the plush, springy sensation was unmistakable.
Her long, smooth legs were wrapped even tighter around his waist, the soft inner thighs pressing hotly against his sides, skin-on-skin where her shorts had ridden up.
"Cough, cough… Misty, give me some air—I'm going to be strangled to death." Yuuto patted her arms gently.
"No! I won't! There's a bug!!" Instead, Misty clung even tighter, legs locking harder around him.
Yuuto had no choice but to support the backs of her knees to stabilize her, lest they both topple over.
He looked down at those creamy, jade-white legs locked around his waist—slightly tensed from fear. This position… was incredibly intimate.
Moreover, the usually energetic tomboy who seemed so strong was surprisingly light and soft when carried—like a warm, trembling girl who fit perfectly against him.
Maybe he really could carry her around the whole forest… *Cough cough…* Yuuto pushed the stray thought aside and began comforting her.
"Alright, alright, don't be afraid. It's just a Caterpie—it didn't even attack us."
Delia was also startled by Misty's sudden, intense reaction.
She hadn't expected her fear of bugs to be *this* extreme.
But seeing Misty clinging so tightly to Yuuto's back—their bodies pressed together so closely—a flash of understanding and a soft, playful smile crossed Delia's lips.
*This is perfect… the assist is already done for me.*
"Eevee, go and gently ask it to leave—don't scare it," Delia instructed.
"Bui~"
Eevee leaped over gracefully and swatted the Caterpie away with its fluffy tail.
"Alright, Misty, the bug is gone." Yuuto shrugged his shoulders lightly, making the soft weight on his back sway gently.
His hands naturally supported her round ass, palms feeling the full, elastic curve. He even gave a subtle, teasing squeeze to adjust her position.
"Is… is it really gone?" Misty's voice was muffled and nasal, but she finally dared to lift her head a little, cracking one eye open to peek cautiously behind them.
Confirming the terrifying green creature had truly disappeared, she let out a long, trembling sigh of relief.
But she still lay draped over Yuuto's back like she had no bones left, limbs weak, with zero intention of getting down.
"Um… Yuuto…" Misty's voice became tiny, carrying an unprecedented softness and embarrassment. "Will we… encounter more bugs later?"
Yuuto could almost picture her flushed face right now.
He deliberately paused for a moment before answering, "Definitely. This is Viridian Forest—a paradise for Bug-types. Caterpie, Weedle, Metapod, Kakuna… maybe even Venonat, Paras…"
With every name he listed, he felt the delicate body on his back stiffen and tremble harder.
"And," Yuuto added with a hint of mischief, "we have to cross the entire forest. I estimate it'll take a few days. We've only just entered."
"Ugh…"
Misty let out a nearly desperate little wail.
Her face went pale, then red, then pale again. Finally, as if making a massive decision, she buried her burning cheeks back into the crook of his neck and whispered in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz—yet loud enough for Yuuto and Delia to hear clearly:
"I… my legs are weak… I… I can't walk…"
"Yuuto… will… will you carry me?"
Seeming to feel the request was too shameless, she hurriedly added in a pleading, coquettish tone:
"Wh-when we get out of the forest, I'll treat you to something delicious! A big meal! Double ice cream! No—triple!"
Yuuto was laughing inside.
The usually carefree, self-proclaimed tomboy Misty was showing such a soft, cute side—actively asking to be carried.
He could clearly feel her warm breath puffing against the back of his ear and neck, tickling his skin.
The close contact on his back, the warmth and softness of her trembling body, and that faint scent of girl—mixed with light sweat and shampoo—constantly bombarded his senses.
It felt pretty damn good.
Plus, carrying her while walking was the perfect chance to grind favorability.
After all, Misty still had that Psychic Constitution mission attached to her.
Whether for public or private reasons, this wave was pure profit.
"Sigh… I really can't do anything about you." Yuuto deliberately let out a long sigh, but his hands firmly supported her plush ass, giving her a little hoist to settle her more comfortably against him.
"It's a deal then. Once we're out of the forest, three ice creams—and I get to choose the flavors."
"Yes, yes, yes! You choose! As many as you want!" Misty agreed without hesitation. As long as she didn't have to walk on her own and face more bugs, she would agree to anything.
"Delia, then we'll walk a bit slower," Yuuto said to the woman beside him.
Delia, with a gentle and playful smile, nodded. "Alright. Misty, just stay there comfortably. Eevee and I will keep watch around us."
She deliberately emphasized "stay there comfortably," making Misty's ears burn even redder. But she was powerless to argue and could only bury her face deeper like an ostrich.
"Let's go."
Yuuto didn't delay any longer. With Misty clinging tightly to his back, he set off deeper into Viridian Forest.