The three little ones were named Charity, Hope, and Faith. From their appearance, it was clear they were three sisters, but the casualness of their naming convention still exceeded Ash and the others' imagination. Who names their children like that!
Soon, led by the three little ones, the group arrived at the backyard of Ivy's Research Institute and met Dr. Ivy.
Upon their first meeting, Dr. Ivy was wearing a one-piece swimsuit, playing and frolicking with a fierce-looking Gyarados in the bay. The moment Misty saw the Gyarados, she involuntarily took a step back, shrinking behind Ash, her small hand clutching his sleeve.
Ash glanced at Misty in surprise. Was Misty — afraid of Gyarados?
Misty, who had always been very fond of Water-type Pokémon, actually had a Water-type Pokémon she was afraid of? As Ash's thoughts turned, his body instinctively moved in front of Misty, looking at the Gyarados ahead.
It must be said that Gyarados's appearance was indeed very fierce. For young girls, just seeing its face approach would probably make them cry. However, given Misty's personality, it was unlikely she was simply afraid of Gyarados's appearance; there might be other reasons.
"Hello, Dr. Ivy. I am Ash from Pallet Town. These are Brock from Pewter Gym and Misty from Cerulean Gym. We are here today on Professor Oak's behalf to deliver the GS Ball to you." Ash didn't beat around the bush and directly stated the purpose of his visit to Dr. Ivy.
Dr. Ivy leaped down from Gyarados, her fair thighs and lotus-root-like arms reflecting dazzling light under the sun.
After Dr. Ivy landed lightly on the ground, Charity, who was nearby, quickly ran to Dr. Ivy's side and handed her the white lab coat that had been prepared. Dr. Ivy simply put on the white lab coat over her swimsuit.
Brock, who was already captivated, almost had his eyes pop out when he saw this scene. Wet body allure + one-piece swimsuit + uniform allure + a voluptuous older sister—if he didn't react at all, he wouldn't be Brock!
"Such — such a beautiful older sister! So Dr. Ivy is such a beautiful woman?!" Brock didn't know that Dr. Ivy was a woman before coming here, and a mature, beautiful older sister at that. This perfectly matched Brock's type!
"You are Ash? I've heard of you. Fifteen years old, traveling for half a year, defeated a pre-Elite, became the Champion of the Indigo Plateau Conference. In just half a year, you've achieved what most Trainers struggle to do in a lifetime. You are Kanto's future star." Dr. Ivy's long list of titles left Ash himself bewildered.
Did he really have that many titles now? However, among all these titles, none were as substantial as the word 'Champion.' But to have so many titles rattled off by someone upon meeting him, even Ash felt a little embarrassed.
"No — I'm not that amazing."
"Let's go, you guys head back to the institute first. I'll go change."
Ten minutes later, Dr. Ivy emerged from the back door wearing a light orange dress, still draped in her white lab coat. Even with the researcher's coat, it couldn't hide her voluptuous figure.
"Ash, where's the GS Ball?"
"Here." Ash took the GS Ball from his spatial backpack and handed it to Dr. Ivy. She took it, went straight to the institute's computer, placed the Poké Ball on a device, furiously typed on the keyboard, and finally pressed Enter.
A progress bar appeared on the computer screen. At this point, Dr. Ivy finally spoke: "This is a Poké Ball analysis device. It can analyze the structure of the Poké Ball, the materials used, and its function, and so on—"
"Actually, Professor Oak is more skilled in Poké Ball research, but he doesn't have specialized equipment there. Or rather, this equipment is only available here, and it's the only one in the entire Alliance."
"Normally, this equipment is kept at the Alliance headquarters, but I borrowed it for a while recently because I had something to do."
Upon hearing this, Ash and the others showed expressions of realization. No wonder Professor Oak asked them to bring the GS Ball here; it was because of this machine.
"The analysis will take some time. Let's go have some tea first. Have you had lunch? If not, eat something here." Dr. Ivy said, moving her long legs towards the institute's entrance.
Ash and the others also glanced at the time. Unbeknownst to them, it was already almost one o'clock. Speaking of which, they didn't feel hungry. Although the porridge they had for breakfast was a large amount, porridge is digested quickly.
Hunger comes faster than with regular food, but they didn't feel anything, perhaps because it was a glowing dish.
Speaking of which, after eating Ash's glowing dishes, Brock and Misty were a bit reluctant to eat other food. However, Dr. Ivy had invited them, and it wouldn't be good to refuse at such a time, so the three followed Dr. Ivy to the institute's dining hall.
However, upon entering the dining hall, Ash and the other two were instantly dumbfounded. Those who knew would think it was a dining hall; those who didn't would think it was a garbage dump!
The sink was piled high with unwashed basins, there were nearly ten tied-up garbage bags on the floor, and many clothes were strewn about. On the dining table were several empty instant noodle containers, making it look exactly like a landfill!
Dr. Ivy's pretty face showed an awkward smile, then she said somewhat sheepishly: "Um, it's a bit messy here, please don't mind it. Faith, go get six buckets of instant noodles. Oh, do you want spicy or non-spicy?"
Ash, Brock, and Misty: ————
No, big sister, are you treating us to instant noodles? Although it's a bit unreasonable for guests to think this way, treating guests to instant noodles is a bit outrageous, isn't it?
Ash and Brock exchanged glances, and the latter said to Dr. Ivy: "Dr. Ivy, do you have any ingredients here?"
"Uh — yes, I do, but only a little pork and some vegetables. There are also a few fish, but none of us know how to prepare them. We usually hire a housekeeper to cook, once a week or so." Dr. Ivy lightly stroked her cheek with her jade-like finger, seemingly quite embarrassed by her own behavior.
As an adult, her behavior was like someone who couldn't take care of herself. If others saw it, it would be natural for them to look down on her.
Ash and the others would probably think she was useless and unreliable, right? Just as Dr. Ivy was thinking this, Ash and the other two immediately took off their jackets, rolled up their long sleeves, and started working.
Even Misty, the girl in the trio, was adept at housework due to her long travels, living at Ash's house, and the experience gained from being the youngest sister who had to take care of her three older sisters.
Ash and Brock, needless to say, one had continuously improved his housekeeping skills since traveling, and the other was born with maxed-out housekeeping skills. Let alone this level of disarray, even if it were a real garbage dump, the three of them would make it neat and clean for you to see!
As the trio moved like butterflies, the garbage in the dining hall rapidly decreased and became clean and tidy. In just ten minutes, the dining hall, which had looked like a garbage dump, became spotless!
Dr. Ivy and the three little ones covered their mouths in astonishment, seemingly not expecting that three seemingly young boys and girls could be so capable!
"So amazing! Truly amazing! Ash, Misty, Brock! How did you learn these skills!?
It's simply a miracle!" The speed at which the three cleaned was even faster and more thorough than the housekeeper Dr. Ivy hired!
In just ten minutes, the place was Refresh. The scene of piled-up garbage just now seemed like an illusion.
After tidying up, Ash and Brock didn't stop. One went to find ingredients, while the other started the pan and oil. Ash directly scooped a crucian carp from the sink, then picked up a kitchen knife. A flash of light, and the nearly one-meter-long crucian carp instantly went silent.
Then Ash gently pulled on the fish tail, and the entire fishbone detached from the fish body, looking as if it had been cleanly picked. If not seen with one's own eyes, no one would believe it was peeled from a freshly killed fish.
"Clap, clap, clap, clap!!!" Dr. Ivy and the three little ones clapped, dumbfounded. Misty, resting nearby, also showed a proud expression—this is my boyfriend!
Whether in battle or domestic affairs, he is top-notch. Besides being a bit low in emotional intelligence, he's simply the perfect boyfriend!
Ash cut the fish into pieces and handed them to Brock, who immediately stir-fried them over high heat. Then Ash went to the refrigerator to get the pork and vegetables. In just ten minutes, two dishes were ready.
Spicy Crucian Carp, Stir-fried Pork with Garlic Sprouts.
As for the rice, Misty had already started cooking it while they were tidying up, and it would be ready in about five more minutes.
Since Ash didn't cook the entire meal, the dishes didn't glow. But from the faint sheen emanating from them and the overflowing aroma, Brock could confirm that the dishes he made this time were definitely more delicious than all the dishes he had made before!
Because the ingredient proportions, chili sauce, and salt were all prepared by Ash, even though Brock was the one stir-frying, he felt like he was just following Ash's lead.
After this cooking experience, Brock felt that his culinary skills, which he thought had already reached their peak, had significantly improved.
Dr. Ivy and the others nearby were already dumbfounded beyond belief. In their eyes, Brock and Ash were like magicians, conjuring two dishes in no time. And just from the smell, these two dishes were hundreds of times better than what the housekeeper made!
How could they be so young and yet possess such powerful domestic skills?
Especially Ash. He was clearly so talented in Pokémon battles, becoming the Indigo Plateau Conference Champion in just half a year. And now he's also so strong in housework and cooking. Did he start learning these things in the womb?
"You can eat now, Dr. Ivy. Please wash your hands." Ash and Brock said with smiles as they took off their aprons.
"Oh, oh! Charity, Hope, Faith, go wash your hands."
After the meal, Dr. Ivy and the three little ones were completely captivated. For 90% of the time, they had almost always eaten instant noodles, and even on the rare occasion they had a proper meal, it was just ordinary home-cooked food. Today, they felt as if they had eaten a state banquet!
They were just two seemingly ordinary dishes, but eating them made their whole bodies tingle with warmth. One might even think there were drugs in these two dishes!
After eating, Dr. Ivy could clearly feel her body had become much lighter. All the fatigue that had been accumulating in her body was released the moment she ate. Was this a dish with healing effects?
"Ha~ I'm full. You guys are really amazing. I envy you, Misty, for having these two companions on your journey." Dr. Ivy put down her chopsticks, let out a satisfied sigh, and said to Misty with a touch of envy.
At this moment, Brock suddenly stood up and stammered loudly to Dr. Ivy: "If — if you don't mind, please let me stay and take care of you! Seeing your living habits, I'm really not at ease!"
Ash & Misty: ————
Although Brock was always very brave with older sisters, falling in love with every one he met, this seemed to be the first time he was so serious. He even wanted to leave their trio. Could it be that Brock had truly fallen in love?
Hearing this, Dr. Ivy's pretty face showed surprise: "Is that alright? But aren't you still traveling? And after the GS Ball is analyzed, you'll probably have to send it back to Professor Oak. Is it really okay for you to stay?"
To be honest, Dr. Ivy was also very tempted. After eating this meal, she would probably find it difficult to stomach instant noodles again.
Dr. Ivy also had a good initial impression of Brock. Although he seemed a bit like a lecher, it was nothing compared to his virtues. The main problem now was that Brock was a member of Ash's trio, and if she agreed, she felt it would be like snatching someone away.
"It's fine. Misty and Ash can deliver the Poké Ball. As for traveling, my departure is actually just right. Dr. Ivy, you probably don't know this, but those two are a couple. I'm completely a third wheel in this team, so there's absolutely no problem with me staying here to take care of you!"
He's shameless! Misty and Ash secretly rolled their eyes. He's just lustful, what does he mean by being a third wheel in the team? They've been getting along just fine before!?
However, out of consideration for Brock's lifelong happiness, the two didn't expose his claim but instead turned their gaze to Dr. Ivy, letting her make the decision.
Dr. Ivy hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded and smiled: "Then I'll trouble you, Brock."
"Understood! Please take care of me from now on!"