"Right, who are you?" Ash asked.
Misty, standing nearby, heard Ash's question and immediately got mad: "I just told you my name!"
"The world's most beautiful girl, Misty! You better remember that! And my bicycle: when are you paying me back for it?"
Mentioning the bicycle made Ash wince.
His family had spent all their savings on the three starter Pokémon and Poké Balls, so they couldn't afford to cover it.
Bicycles were pricey in this era.
This wasn't the future where Rotom Pokédexes and high-tech gear were common.
Seeing Ash's discomfort, Ryn jumped in: "Misty, right? Beautiful lady, I'll cover your bicycle. I'm like this guy's big brother, and his mom asked me to look out for him before we left."
This gave him a chance to visit Ash's house later. After all, a kid's debt falls on the parents.
Thinking of this, Ryn smirked slyly.
Hearing Ryn would pay for Misty's bicycle, Ash blushed and thanked him: "Thanks a ton, Ryn. You're really helping me out."
Ryn smiled, gave Ash a brotherly pat on the shoulder, and said: "No big deal. I can handle a bicycle's cost. Here's the plan: I heard Delia's cooking is amazing back in Pallet Town. When this journey's done, I'll swing by your place for a meal. That's how you can pay me back."
Ash, who'd been feeling guilty, perked up.
Since Ryn wanted to try his mom's cooking, he'd make sure to talk to her about it.
When Ryn visited, he'd have his mom make up her best dishes for him!
"No problem, Ryn. Next time you come to my house, I'll have Mom make the best dinner ever!"
"Looking forward to it," Ryn grinned, about to bring up the bicycle payment with Misty.
Just then, Nurse Joy from Viridian City approached Ryn.
"Hey, Officer Jenny asked me to tell you to go to the police station. You helped catch those Team Rocket members, so there's a reward waiting."
Nurse Joy went back to her work at the Pokémon Center, which was in chaos from Team Rocket's stunt.
"Got it," Ryn nodded, then turned to Misty with a slight apology: "Sorry, Misty, need to go to the police station first. We'll sort out the bicycle thing when I'm back."
Misty had no issue with that, and Ryn's takedown of Team Rocket had earned him some points with her.
"Fine."
Ryn left the Pokémon Center and headed to the Viridian City police station.
Inside, Officer Jenny was buried in paperwork. Seeing Ryn, she greeted him warmly.
"There you are! I was so rushed earlier, I nearly forgot the reward. You helped us catch Team Rocket, Kanto's biggest criminal outfit. That's a big deal, and the reward's gonna be good."
Catching Team Rocket members earned 5 million Poké Dollars.
But Ryn shook his head: "Officer Jenny, can I ask for a different reward? I don't need Poké Dollars right now."
Jenny didn't hesitate and nodded.
"Sure, if it's within our power, the Pokémon League can make it happen. What do you want?"
As long as Ryn's request was worth about 5 million Poké Dollars, Jenny could approve it. If it was more, she'd ask him to pick something else or take the cash.
"Got any single sisters, Officer Jenny?"
Jenny and Joy: Ryn wasn't about to pass up either.
Jenny's eyes lit up at Ryn's words.
"Plenty!"
Even just in Kanto, there were lots of unmarried Jennys.
Their family elders were stressed about it.
Finding husbands for Joy and Jenny women was tough.
Not because they had to marry in, but because their kids would only be girls, never boys.
Some folks in the Pokémon world really preferred sons, making it hard to find decent guys for Joy or Jenny.
Jenny pointed to herself with a grin: "I'm Clara. Nice to meet you. Don't worry about my last name: just call me Clara."
Jenny's just a family name, not a personal one. Every Jenny and Joy has their own first name.
They're called Jenny and Joy because they look alike and it's easier that way.
For Ryn, Clara wasn't letting this catch slip away. At 13, he was prime boyfriend material!
"I'm Ryn. Nice to meet you too," he said, and just like that, he was Clara's boyfriend.
Ryn couldn't believe landing a girlfriend was this easy.
"Hey, Clara, can you travel with me now?"
Clara's smile faltered, but she nodded.
"Not yet, because of my duties here. Unless Viridian City gets dropped by the Pokémon League or a new Jenny takes my place, I'm stuck. But don't worry: after my two-year time period, I'm free to go anywhere with you."
Clara winked at Ryn.
Then, with a sly smile, she added: "When you come back to Viridian City after your trip, I've got a surprise for you!"