"After Magikarp learns Tackle, it won't evolve into Gyarados right away. But as you spend more time together, I believe you'll gradually come to like Magikarp… and eventually, you'll come to like Gyarados too."
Daisy gently stroked Misty's head as she spoke in a soft, reassuring voice.
"Mm… I understand, Daisy. I'll work hard," Misty nodded seriously.
"Oh right—there's something else."
Daisy paused as she reached the doorway, then turned back.
"I've already reported your situation to the League. They've approved it—before you officially set out at age ten, as the Gym's heir, you're allowed to own one additional Pokémon besides Magikarp."
"So take your time and think carefully about what kind of Pokémon you want as your other starter."
"Mm-hm! I know," Misty nodded firmly. "I'll think it through carefully. I won't just pick on a whim."
"Good. Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."
"But Misty, I hope you remember this—among the four Cerulean sisters, you're the youngest. You have beauty no less than ours, and something we don't have at all…"
"…Trainer talent."
"You're the successor of Cerulean Gym. You're our hope. You're the most beautiful little mermaid of Cerulean's Water-type Gym."
"From beginning to end, I've always believed that you're the one who can shoulder the banner of Cerulean's Gym Trainers."
"Misty… you're our pride."
"Yes!"
Hearing her eldest sister's words, the girl nodded solemnly.
Water-types weren't like Fire, Electric, or Fighting types—brute force attackers.
Water Pokémon excelled in endurance and recovery.
And Gyarados was one of the rare Water-types that possessed terrifying offensive power.
If she wanted to become a true Water-type Pokémon Master…
If she wanted to restore Cerulean Gym's former glory…
Then Gyarados was a Pokémon she absolutely could not afford to miss.
Yes—because of that childhood incident, fear still lingered in her heart.
But compared to fear, the sense of responsibility she felt toward Cerulean Gym burned even stronger.
Her desire to grow powerful far outweighed her dread.
She loved Water-type Pokémon.
She believed she could get along with Magikarp—
And one day, stand side by side with Gyarados as its best partner.
—
Outside the room
"Daisy~ you're so mean!"
The pink-haired Lily puffed her cheeks and hooked her arm around Daisy's, shaking it coquettishly.
"Clearly I'm the most beautiful mermaid in Cerulean Gym—how did it suddenly become Misty?"
"All right, all right." Daisy laughed softly.
"Misty is a cute little mermaid—and Lily, you're also the most beautiful mermaid."
"Sister…"
Compared to Daisy's playful tone, Violet looked troubled.
"Do you think… we're putting too much pressure on her?"
Daisy sighed.
"We don't really have a choice. Cerulean Gym used to be one of the strongest Gyms under the Kanto League."
"But after Mom and Dad died during the Rocket suppression operation… Cerulean fell to where it is now."
"And the three of us—me, you, and Lily—we just don't have Trainer talent."
"Only Misty inherited Mom's gift. She has a natural, unparalleled affinity with Water-type Pokémon."
"She was born to be a Water-type Trainer."
"And only she—can—inherit Cerulean Gym."
"It hurts… but these pressures are something a Gym successor must bear."
"…Sigh."
Violet let out a quiet breath.
"It's our fault as older sisters… letting a six-year-old carry such a heavy responsibility."
"When we were her age, we were still being spoiled in Mom and Dad's arms."
"Oh, stop it, Second Sis."
Daisy waved her hand dismissively.
"Instead of feeling guilty, why don't we just put on another water ballet show tomorrow and earn more money?"
"That way, when Misty sets out in four years, she won't have to worry about money."
"Sigh… guess I, the most beautiful mermaid of Cerulean Gym, will just have to do my duty as a big sister."
"Being an older sister these days is really tough~"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Daisy smiled slyly.
"I distinctly remember that when Misty was born, someone was overjoyed at being promoted from youngest to third sister."
"Uh… hehe~"
—
Inside the room
As the sisters' voices faded into the distance, the girl sat at her desk, clutching a Psyduck plush tightly.
Her eyes were firm.
"Daisy… Violet… Lily…"
"I will become the world's number one Water-type Pokémon Master."
"I'll lead Cerulean Gym back to glory."
Her voice was quiet—but unwavering.
Buzz—
Just as she was about to open the Pokédex on her desk and think seriously about her second starter Pokémon, the phone lying face-down beside her suddenly rang.
She picked it up.
An unfamiliar number.
Her brows knit together in confusion—but she didn't hang up.
"Hello? This is Cerulean Gym. May I ask who's calling?" she asked politely.
"Hello. May I confirm—are you the user known as 'Orange-Haired Little Mermaid' on the League's official trading site?"
A pleasant, youthful male voice came through the phone.
"…Ah—yes, that's me. And you are…?"
Hearing her online nickname spoken aloud by a stranger, a blush bloomed across the girl's cheeks.
"Miss 'Orange-Haired Little Mermaid,' hello. I'm Ash, the owner of Ash's Move Mastery Room."
"You placed an order at my shop to help your Magikarp learn Tackle, correct?"
The boy's voice was warm and gentle.
"…Um—my name is Misty. You can just call me by my name. You don't need to use that nickname."
Even though Ash's call made her secretly happy, hearing her username out loud—twice—made her feel unbearably shy, even through the phone.
"Misty?!"
Ash sounded genuinely surprised.
"Uh… Ash? Is something wrong?"
Sensing his reaction, Misty asked in confusion.
"Oh—no, no."
Ash quickly recovered.
"I just think your name is really beautiful. Misty evokes the image of a world veiled in delicate water droplets. It carries a sense of mystery, softness, and quiet allure… subtle, yet impossible to ignore—your name fits perfectly."
"And with such a lovely name, you must be very pretty too."
"Eep—!"
Misty buried her face into her Psyduck plush, her cheeks burning red.
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T/N:
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