The morning sun shone brightly on Indigo Plateau, and Ash stood at the airport exit, constantly craning his neck and looking around.
He was wearing his signature red jacket and blue jeans today, with his hat reversed on his head, looking especially energetic.
"Ash, can you stand still for a moment?" Xiao You, a girl with long blue hair, said helplessly, her golden eyes sparkling in the sun.
"Serena's plane isn't landing for another ten minutes."
"But I can't wait!" Ash excitedly waved his fists.
"It's been years since I last saw Serena, ever since we parted ways at summer camp!"
Lucia, standing nearby, gently brushed her long teal hair, a subtle, complex emotion flashing in her teal eyes.
"Ash is always so enthusiastic about his friends," her voice was soft, but carried a hint of elusive sourness.
Brock stood behind the three, arms crossed, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Today's reunion will definitely be interesting," he murmured to himself.
Just then, the airport announcement chimed: "Flight from Lumiose City, Kalos region, has landed..."
"They're here, they're here!" Ash jumped up excitedly, nearly bumping into Xiao You next to him.
"Ash!" Xiao You frowned, but her eyes were full of indulgence.
"Can't you be more steady?"
Ash completely ignored Xiao You's tone; his attention was entirely drawn to the crowd pouring out of the exit.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up: "Serena! Over here!"
At the exit, a girl with long light brown hair was dragging a suitcase, looking around.
Hearing Ash's shout, her blue eyes instantly lit up.
"Ash!" She ran over quickly, her suitcase rumbling behind her.
When Serena ran up to Ash, a strange silence suddenly fell between them.
Serena's cheeks were slightly flushed, and her fingers unconsciously intertwined.
"Long time no see," Ash finally broke the silence, flashing his signature sunny smile.
"How's Kalos?"
"Mmm, it's good..." Serena replied softly, her gaze lingering for a moment on the two girls behind Ash.
"Xiao You, Lucia, you're here too."
Xiao You stepped forward, a polite smile on her face: "Welcome back, Serena.
We're about to go shopping at the Indigo Plateau mall; want to come along?"
"Of course!" Serena's eyes lit up, but then dimmed again.
"It's just... I don't have any Pokémon..."
"It's okay!" Ash patted her shoulder.
"You have us! Pikachu will protect you too!"
"Pika Pika! (Oh no!)" Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder, waving his little paw friendly at Serena.
But his ears suddenly perked up, keenly sensing the subtle atmosphere flowing between the three girls.
Pikachu's black eyes darted around, then he suddenly jumped onto Brock's shoulder.
"Pika Pika! (Brock!)" He tugged on Brock's ear.
Brock nodded knowingly: "Ah, I just remembered, Pikachu and I have something to do.
You four go to the mall first, we'll meet up later."
"Huh?" Ash scratched his head in confusion.
"What's so urgent?"
"Trainer business, kids shouldn't ask so many questions," Brock winked mysteriously, then quickly left with Pikachu.
"How strange..." Ash mumbled, then turned to the three girls.
"Then let's go! The Indigo Plateau mall is the largest in Kanto!"
The four childhood friends thus embarked on their journey to the mall.
Along the way, Ash excitedly recounted his recent battles and adventures, while the three girls listened, each lost in her own thoughts.
"Ash, are you thirsty?" Xiao You took out a bottle of water from her bag.
"I specifically brought your favorite, orange flavored."
"Thanks!" Ash took the water and drank it in big gulps.
"Ash," Lucia, not to be outdone, took out a rice ball from another bag.
"I made it this morning, it's your favorite salmon flavor."
"Wow! Lucia, you're so thoughtful!" Ash took the rice ball and devoured it.
Serena watched this scene, biting her lower lip.
She suddenly pulled out a beautifully wrapped chocolate from her pocket: "Ash, this is a specialty chocolate from Kalos; I remember you liked it a lot when you were little..."
"Really? That's great!" Ash's eyes lit up as he took the chocolate and popped it into his mouth.
"Mmm... delicious! Serena, you're so good, you still remember what I like!"
The three girls exchanged a complex look, and invisible sparks seemed to flicker in the air.
The Indigo Plateau mall soon appeared before them.
This huge shopping center was seven stories high, with a dazzling array of shops.
"Where should we start browsing?" Ash asked excitedly.
"How about a clothing store?" Xiao You suggested.
"It's almost summer, time to buy new clothes."
"Good idea!" Ash nodded.
"I need a new Trainer outfit too!"
The four took the elevator, preparing to go to the clothing section on the third floor.
There were several other passengers in the elevator, among whom a short-haired brown-haired boy was particularly striking.
A Pikachu perched on his shoulder, looking somewhat similar to Ash's Pikachu, but with sharper eyes.
"Your Pikachu is so cool!" Ash couldn't help but strike up a conversation.
"What's its name?"
The boy turned his head, revealing a friendly smile: "Thanks, its name is Reyn.
What about your Pikachu, Ash?"
"It went with my companion, Brock, to do something," Ash replied.
"I'm Ash, and these are Xiao You, Lucia, and Serena."
"I'm A Hong," the boy nodded in greeting.
"Are you also here for the Indigo League?"
"Yes!" Ash said excitedly.
"But there's no battle today, we're just here to shop."
The elevator slowly ascended, when suddenly, after a harsh "clack," the elevator abruptly stopped, and the lights flickered a few times before going out completely.
"What's going on?" Serena's panicked voice rang out in the darkness.
"Don't be afraid, it's just an elevator malfunction," Xiao You said calmly, but Ash could feel her hand gripping his arm tightly.
"Everyone, calm down," A Hong's voice sounded exceptionally steady in the darkness.
"Reyn, use Shinny."
"Pika!" A soft glow emanated from Reyn, illuminating the confined elevator space.
By the light, Ash saw the three girls all huddled close to him.
Serena was practically pressed against his back, Xiao You was gripping his left arm, and Lucia stood to his right, her long teal hair almost brushing his cheek.
"I'll go check the control panel," A Hong walked towards the elevator buttons.
"Reyn, check the circuit."
Reyn nimbly jumped to the top of the elevator and pried open a panel with his small paws.
"Pika... (Careful)" He let out a warning sound.
"The wires are broken," A Hong frowned.
"We need to fix them temporarily."
"My Pikachu isn't here..." Ash said regretfully.
"It's okay, Reyn can handle it," A Hong said confidently.
"Reyn, release a precise Thunder Shock at the broken wire, controlling the intensity to around 30 volts."
"Pi—ka—chu!" Reyn's tail emitted a precise electric flash, striking the broken wire.
A few seconds later, the elevator lights flickered a few times, then came back on, and the elevator slowly began to ascend.
"That's amazing!" Xiao You exclaimed.
"Your Reyn's ability to control electricity is so strong!"
"Thanks," A Hong said modestly.
"We often do this kind of precise control training."
The elevator finally reached the third floor, and the doors slowly opened.
Xiao You breathed a sigh of relief, releasing Ash's hand: "We finally arrived."
"A Hong, do you want to shop with us?" Ash enthusiastically invited.
"We can share tips on training Pikachu!"
A Hong looked at his watch: "Sure, I have time."
And so, the five of them walked into the clothing section together.
The dazzling array of merchandise immediately caught the girls' attention.
"Ash, this T-shirt suits you well!" Xiao You picked up a red T-shirt with a Charizard pattern.
"I think this one is better," Lucia, not to be outdone, showed off a blue jacket.
"It matches Ash's eye color perfectly."
Serena didn't speak, she just picked up a hat very similar to the one Ash usually wore, a nostalgic look in her eyes.
"Haha, they all look great!" Ash completely missed the subtle undercurrents between the girls.
"But I need to help Serena pick some things first, she didn't bring any change of clothes."
"Ash..." Serena looked at him, touched.
"You still remember..."
"Of course!" Ash patted his chest.
"I remember everything about my good friends!"
Xiao You and Lucia exchanged a helpless look.
A Hong, keenly aware of the delicate atmosphere, cleared his throat: "It looks like there's a Pokémon merchandise store over there, I'll go check it out."
"I'll go too!" Ash immediately said, then turned to the three girls.
"You guys pick first, I'll be right back!"
Without waiting for the girls to respond, Ash quickly left with A Hong.
The three girls stood rooted to the spot, a strange tension filling the air.
"Ash is still the same," Xiao You broke the silence.
"Completely clueless about girls' feelings."
"That's precisely his charm," Lucia said with a smile, but with a challenging glint in her eyes.
Serena gently caressed the hat in her hand: "He's always been like this... innocent and enthusiastic."
Silence fell between the three again, each lost in her own thoughts.
On the other side, Ash and A Hong were browsing in the Pokémon merchandise store.
"Your Reyn is really special," Ash said enviously.
"That ability to precisely control electricity, my Pikachu still needs a lot more practice."
"Every Pokémon has its own unique characteristics," A Hong said gently.
"Your Pikachu seems to be very good at explosive attacks and mental manipulation, while my Reyn leans towards precise control."
"You're right!" Ash's eyes lit up.
"We can battle and exchange ideas often in the future!"
"I look forward to it," A Hong nodded, then hesitated.
"Those three girls... are they all your friends?"
"Yes!" Ash said proudly.
"We grew up together! Xiao You lives in Pallet Town now, Lucia is in the Hoenn region, and Serena is in Kalos.
They all came specifically to watch me battle in this Indigo League!"
A Hong gave Ash a meaningful look: "Just... friends?"
"Of course!" Ash looked bewildered.
"The best of friends!"
A Hong couldn't help but laugh: "You're really an interesting fellow."
"What's wrong?" Ash scratched his head in confusion.
"Nothing," A Hong patted his shoulder.
"Let's go see how they're doing with their shopping."
When the two returned to the clothing section, the three girls had already picked out some clothes.
Xiao You held the clothes she had chosen for Ash, Lucia had picked out a few of her own dresses, and Serena had grabbed some basic necessities.
"Ash, try this on!" Xiao You eagerly handed Ash the T-shirt.
"Now?" Ash hesitated slightly.
"Go on," Lucia pushed him towards the fitting room.
"We're waiting to see the effect."
Serena stood by, wanting to say something but holding back.
Finally, she just whispered: "It will definitely suit you..."
Ash scratched his head and walked into the fitting room.
A few minutes later, he came out wearing the new T-shirt: "How is it?"
"It's great!" Xiao You clapped.
"Very handsome," Lucia smiled.
"It suits you very well..." Serena whispered.
A Hong stood by, watching the three girls' reactions to Ash, and couldn't help but shake his head with a light chuckle.
"What's wrong?" Ash asked again, confused.
"Nothing," A Hong said, "I just think your friendship... is very special."
"Of course it is!" Ash puffed out his chest proudly.
"We're the best of friends!"
The three girls exchanged another complex look, but no one said anything more.
The shopping trip continued, and the five of them explored every corner of the mall together.
A Hong's presence seemed to ease the tension between the three girls, but whenever Ash showed particular attention to one of them, a subtle sense of competition would fill the air.
In the evening, they decided to finish their shopping and prepare to return to the Pokémon Center on Indigo Plateau.
"Today was so much fun!" Ash stretched.
"I met new friends and bought so many good things!"
"Yes," A Hong nodded.
"I should head back too.
I have a battle tomorrow."
"Oh, that's right!" Ash suddenly remembered something.
"A Hong, which Pokémon Center are you staying at?
We can train together!"
"I'm staying at the one in the west of the city," A Hong replied.
"But I need to prepare alone before the battle tomorrow."
"I understand, I understand!" Ash patted his shoulder.
"Good luck with your battle!"
"You too," A Hong smiled, then nodded to the three girls.
"It was nice meeting you all."
The three girls responded politely.
Before A Hong turned to leave, he gave Ash a meaningful look: "Cherish the people around you, Ash."
"Huh?" Ash looked bewildered.
"What do you mean?"
A Hong just smiled and shook his head, leaving with Reyn.
"What a strange guy," Ash mumbled, then turned to the three girls.
"Let's go meet up with Brock and Pikachu!"
The three girls nodded, following Ash towards the mall exit.
The setting sun cast its afterglow upon them, lengthening the shadows of the four people.
No one knew what challenges and opportunities awaited them at tomorrow's Indigo League.
But at this moment, the three girls all held a common secret in their hearts—their unspoken feelings for Ash.
And the oblivious Ash, still immersed in the joy of reuniting with his friends, was completely unaware of the undercurrents swirling around him.