c167: Courage, Serena's First Kiss!!
"Son, you got a good tan at the summer camp."
"Xiaoxiong, you brat! Why did you gain weight? Were you slacking off at camp instead of training properly?"
"It's not Auntie's fault. The Fat Man and I just thought Xiaoxiong was too scrawny. So during the summer camp, we supervised him and made sure he ate more every day."
"Yeah, yeah! And Xiaoxiong was actually really active during the camp. He even ranked 25th in the final assessment!"
"Actually, the Fat Man and Xiaohu helped me a lot. They often encouraged me and gave me the courage to keep going. I'll study Pokémon seriously from now on. I want to become a top Trainer one day!"
"When I debut, Fatty and Xiaohu have already agreed to travel together with me!"
"Really? Fatty, Xiaohu—if you ever come to Kanto again, you must visit Pallet Town! Even though Kalos is far from here, you've got family in Kanto now. We're your family too."
Fat Man: "Auntie~"
Xiaohu: "Auntie~"
---
This warm scene was mirrored in other parts of town. Since Pallet Town is still quite a distance from Saffron City, the Carlos (Kalos) Region students hadn't stayed in town homes and instead had to bid farewell at the main entrance to Pallet Town.
"Delia Auntie, thank you for taking care of us. Trevor and I baked this almond cake for you ourselves…"
"Wow!! It looks amazing."
"Thank you, Tierno, Trevor. Auntie really loves your gift. Take care on the road, and be sure to listen to your parents when you get home, alright?"
"I also packed you a lunchbox for the journey. It's got Tierno's favorite prunes and rice, and egg rolls for Trevor…"
"Thank you, Auntie."
There wasn't much time left. After a few final hugs and words, the Kalos students boarded the tour bus again, preparing to leave.
Watching Tierno, Trevor, Shauna, and Serena board the bus, Ash, Gary, and Xiaolan stood together, waving as hard as they could.
"Don't forget us when you get home!"
"Of course not! We'll always be friends!"
"Shauna, Serena, Tierno, Trevor take care!!"
"We've all added each other on social accounts, so let's keep in touch."
"Ash!!" Serena, who had just placed one foot onto the bus steps, suddenly turned back. Her eyes locked onto Ash, who stood with the rest of Pallet Town at the entrance to the dirt road.
Her eyes were red.
It was a farewell between friends but Serena's feelings for Ash went beyond friendship. Ever since that summer night when they watched the stars, she had harbored admiration, affection, and a silent longing for him.
Although they'd made a promise to travel together after her official debut, the idea of parting from Ash now made her heart ache.
She recalled the unspoken confession she had nearly voiced two nights ago and now, with the bus about to leave, her chest surged with emotion she couldn't hold back.
"Ash" she called out one more time, eyes locked on his. Though the townsfolk, students, and parents bustled around her, Serena saw no one else but Ash.
The driver blew the horn and motioned for her to board.
But with one foot already inside the bus, Serena suddenly turned back around. She ran toward Ash at full speed, eyes shimmering with resolve.
Ash blinked, confused.
Then, in front of everyone without hesitation, Serena stood on her tiptoes, leaned forward, and kissed Ash lightly on the cheek. It was soft, fleeting like a Beautifly's wings brushing past.
"Ash, don't forget our promise!" she said, cheeks burning with a blush, before dashing back to the bus and climbing aboard.
Pallet Town Resident: "Ooooh!!"
Pallet Town Student: "Hooo~!"
Kalos Student: "Waaahh!!"
Ash stood frozen. Of all the things the typically shy Serena might have done, this bold act in front of everyone was the least expected. Yet, that one kiss carried her overflowing feelings and her courage.
He didn't even need to use his aura sense to feel it. He knew her heart.
The teasing from uncles, aunties, and other townspeople rang out, but Ash didn't feel embarrassed at all. With a big grin, he shouted after her:
"Serena! I'll never forget you! I remember our promise!"
"When the time comes, I'll buy your plane ticket! Once you debut, come find me—and we'll travel together!!"
Serena didn't respond aloud, but from her seat by the window, Ash could see her nodding shyly, her eyes never leaving his.
The bus roared to life and began its slow crawl down the dirt road. As it disappeared over the hill, so did the silhouettes of the Kalos students.
One by one, the people of Pallet Town started to head back home, smiles still on their faces.
---
"Ash, you really did it! You went to the Pokémon summer camp and not only took first place with a perfect score, but you even found yourself a girlfriend!"
"You made Pallet Town proud, kid. Come have dinner at my place today—we'll celebrate! I'll even open a bottle!"
"Ash is still a child! Mizuta, you drunkard, don't try to pour wine into my son's cup!" Delia scolded, half-laughing.
"Delia, come on! Ash has a girlfriend now. He's not a child anymore—he's a man!"
"Xiao Jun, look at Ash not only did he win top honors, but he even found a sweetheart from the Kalos Region!"
"Tsk, you useless boy! Don't just talk go find any girlfriend! Doesn't even have to be from Kalos. Just someone to make me and your mother proud!"
Ash's perfect score and kiss from Serena had quickly become the hot topic of the town. As people walked down the winding dirt road toward their homes, two out of every three sentences were about Ash.
From this day on, he had officially become "that kid everyone else's parents talk about."
---
"Gary, Xiaolan, I'm heading home first," Ash said, waving to his childhood friends.
"Alright~"
"I'm going too!"
After two long weeks away, the three were eager to return to their families.
"Squeak!" The wooden fence creaked open as Ash stepped into his yard.
Delia, already waiting at the gate, smiled brightly and ruffled his hair, then picked up his small suitcase.
"Ash, you're amazing you even found a girlfriend so fast! As expected of my son, better than all the other boys out there!"
"Mom! Can we please not talk about that?" Ash said, face flushed. "I'm starving. I want your curry rice."
Changing the subject quickly, he asked, "Also, how's Pichu? Has he been good? Why didn't he come to town to welcome us?"
"Alright, alright. I'll go make your favorite curry now." Delia chuckled.
"Pichu's been good these past two weeks. But this little guy missed you terribly. He spent every day clinging to the remote, watching the summer camp livestream on TV…"
---
40+ advanced chapter on patreon....Visit patreon now to read my exclusive content... posting 5 chapters per day, Our collection is now available on PATREON
visit patreon.com/Mgoldtranslation to view 40+ advanced chapters
Please subscribe guys