Chapter 045: Late, Xiao Hao's Reason!!
As a reincarnated time traveler with the experience of two lifetimes, Ash Ketchum now possessed a mental maturity far beyond his peers. His actions were measured, confident, and calm, unlike the impulsive Ash of the original timeline. Even Gary Oak, once his childhood rival in Pallet Town, had unknowingly begun to trail behind him in both vision and growth.
Most boys his age were oblivious to the subtle social dynamics forming around them, but Stephanie mature and observant for her age noticed it early. Xiaolan, the neighbor girl next door to Ash, along with Shauna and Serena, who were temporarily living with her family during the camp period, increasingly mentioned Ash in their daily conversations. His name had become the focal point of their giggles and shared secrets.
In the original timeline, it wasn't until Ash heroically rescued Serena from a wild Poliwag during summer camp that she developed a strong affection for him. But now, even before the camp had begun officially, Ash had already left an impression in the timid Serena's heart through his calm presence and quiet confidence.
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After lunch, Gary stayed over and took a short nap at Ash's house. It wasn't unusual anymore. When it was nearly time to regroup, he used the house's old corded landline to call his home. His mother, Mieko Oak, responded quickly and brought his luggage over from their place.
"Ash, this summer camp will last for two weeks," said Delia with a mix of pride and reluctance. "It's the first time you've been away from me for so long since you were little."
"I know it must be hard for you, but a boy has to grow independent eventually. That's how he becomes the kind of man that Stephanie or any good girl will admire in the future," she teased.
"Look, pants, jeans, socks, and shirts. Here are some dried foods too instant curry, canned bread, and… oh! Some expired disaster rations from our emergency supply. Also rubber gloves for kitchen work, extra underwear, and rope to hang your laundry."
Delia stuffed a large pack into Ash's arms with practiced motherly precision.
"Mom! We're going to summer camp, not into a survival horror movie." Ash gave a small sigh as he rifled through the packed supplies. "These rations expired last winter! You want me to lug them all the way to the town gate just to throw them out?"
Gary, Tieruno, and Trevor couldn't hold back their laughter, hiding behind each other as Ash threw them a glare.
"Well, well… I did pack for a while," Delia admitted with a sheepish chuckle. "Just toss the expired stuff later. Don't eat them unless you're really desperate."
"Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it," Ash replied, zipping up the pack without further complaint. He knew she meant well.
"Alright then off you go!"
"And Ash, wear pajamas at night, don't forget to wash your face and brush your teeth. Gary, Tieruno, Trevor this goes for all of you!"
"Yes, yes, we got it!" the boys replied in sync as they waved goodbye, their silhouettes shrinking as they walked out of town with their luggage.
Ash hadn't taken a nap after lunch. He had been busy at the desktop computer researching Pokémon distributions in both the Kanto and Kalos regions. It helped keep his mind sharp and prepared for what was to come. With plenty of time left, the group reached the town gate just as scheduled.
Outside, two white buses with the Pokémon Summer Camp logo had arrived. Ash and the other three picked one at random and boarded it.
"Ugh, I forgot to dump the expired food!" Ash groaned as he spotted a trash bin just outside the gate through the window. "I'm gonna have to carry these all the way to the camp…"
Trevor smiled gently, trying to reassure him. "We'll sort it out later. It's not like we're short on space."
Though more reserved than Tieruno, Trevor had quickly bonded with Ash over their shared interests in Pokémon knowledge and strategy. After spending two nights under the same roof, the three boys had formed a brotherly bond—something even Ash, cautious as he was, accepted warmly.
"By the way, Ash~ Why didn't you bring your Pichu with you?" Xiaolan asked from the front seat, turning around playfully. "If you did, we could all help take care of it!"
Ever since discovering that Ash had already befriended and tamed a Pichu—something nearly unheard of at their age Xiaolan had brought Shauna and Serena over every day to play. The three girls now looked up to Ash as a skilled and mysterious figure, constantly pestering him to share his methods of taming rare Pokémon.
Serena, especially, had quietly started keeping a diary where she wrote about her experiences in Pallet Town most of the pages already filled with Ash's name.
However, although Ash did not go out of his way to conceal it, and allowed Xiaolan to discover that he had a Pichu, he had already discussed with his mother Delia and agreed to explain that Pichu belonged to her, not him. This way, even if someone asked, it wouldn't break any Alliance guidelines.
While Ash was never overly reverent of the rules enforced by the Pokémon League and the Kanto Alliance, he still made a conscious effort not to blatantly violate them unless absolutely necessary especially under the watchful eyes of others. He was fully aware that officially taming a Pokémon without a license, especially before registering with a Pokédex as a Trainer, would breach Article 14 of the Alliance's Youth Training Regulations.
"Pichu is so small and cute. If I bring him along to camp, I'd honestly be worried. If he were to get bullied or injured by some misbehaving kids during activities or battles, that would be terrible," Ash explained calmly, glancing at Xiaolan.
"Besides, I'm determined to be one of the Excellent Students at this summer camp. If Pichu gets hurt or causes a scene, it might affect my evaluations or my ability to focus during the exams and wilderness tasks. These so-called 'kids' at camp are from all over the region including Saffron, Cerulean, and even Lumiose. There's bound to be some arrogant types who think they're above others just because their families are rich or powerful."
"To avoid trouble and unnecessary distractions, it's better if Pichu stays home with Mom for now," Ash said with a thoughtful sigh, though his fingers curled slightly at the edge of his shorts, betraying his reluctance.
"Aww... I'm going to miss him so much," Xiaolan said with genuine sadness. She leaned toward Ser Lena, hugging her tightly. "No Pichu for two whole weeks..."
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"Hey! Why did the bus in front of us already leave? But ours hasn't even started moving yet? Driver Uncle, is there something wrong with our bus?"
"Yeah, what gives? The sooner we get to the forest camp, the better chances we have of picking a decent room! If we're late, all the best ones will be taken."
"Exactly!"
"Ugh..."
Some of the other students started complaining and muttering to each other as the engine continued to idle.
"Please be patient, everyone. There are still two students who haven't boarded yet," the driver stood up and addressed them in a firm but courteous tone, trying to maintain order.
"W-wait! We're coming!" A boy wearing a red hair clip shouted breathlessly from the direction of the town entrance, his voice growing louder as he ran closer. "Claire and I don't leave yet!"
The boy, slightly panting and clearly lacking in stamina, was followed closely by a girl with dark twin braids Stephanie, who looked equally out of breath. They sprinted toward the bus, their school bags bouncing behind them. The boy arrived a half-step behind her, stumbling slightly as he climbed aboard.
"I'm really, really sorry, everyone!" the boy exclaimed, bowing deeply with both hands held at his side. "My friend had an upset stomach and had to use the restroom. We didn't mean to delay the bus and inconvenience everyone. It's our fault. Please forgive us."
Despite the awkwardness of the moment, his voice was sincere, and he spoke with clear respect for the others around him.
"It's alright. You're only a few minutes late. Student Xiaohao, please find an open seat," the driver nodded understandingly.
The delay hadn't been long enough to truly frustrate most passengers, and since Xiaohao's explanation was straightforward and Stephanie had flushed cheeks that made her discomfort clear no one made a fuss. Only two boys in the front row Fatty and Xiaohu continued muttering to each other in annoyance, but their voices were low and quickly drowned out by others settling into their seats.
Ash, sitting in the row near the emergency exit, turned slightly to look at Xiaohao. His deep gaze lingered for a moment, and in the blue flicker of wave energy that briefly flashed in his eyes, he silently read the truth between the lines. Ash caught a faint but visible layer of water stains on Xiaohao's sneakers ones that hadn't been there during the morning assembly.
As the brief glow of the Aura faded from his pupils, Ash tilted his head slightly, the corner of his mouth tugging upward in an amused arc. There was more to Xiaohao's delay than met the eye.
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