"When the donation feature is launched in the future, and I establish my personal foundation—if people see that I only choose to support certain children instead of helping everyone in need…"
Ash's voice remained calm, but carried a quiet weight.
"Will those donors question my choices?"
"Will they, like you just did, feel that I should act differently—tell me what I ought to do?"
"And what I dislike the most… is being pressured or forced into doing things by other people's expectations."
"Setting up a foundation and doing charity is my choice."
"I have the right to decide how I do it."
"I will only help those I believe truly need help."
"And there's nothing wrong with that."
"As for donations…"
"They're not really donations."
"They're more like tips."
"Trainers whose Pokémon I've helped can choose to reward me for my service."
"And I will use those tips to fund my charity."
"In other words…"
"The compensation has already been paid."
"That compensation is the treatment I provided."
"So only those who have received help can tip."
"And the amount is entirely up to them."
"I'm not a philanthropist."
"I'm just an ordinary person who wants to help others."
"And the people I choose to help…"
"Are those whose struggles I can truly understand."
"Those whose hardships I can relate to."
"Why should someone from a poor background…"
"Be expected to support someone who is better off than them?"
"In the end…"
"I'm just being myself."
"And I don't want to be controlled by others' expectations."
"I will only do what I'm willing to do."
"Everyone is different."
"Age, experience, personality, upbringing…"
"All of these shape how we think."
"I don't have the time or energy to explain every decision I make to everyone."
"And I certainly can't create a solution that satisfies everyone."
"I'm six years old right now."
"So I'll do what six-year-old me believes is right."
"When I'm ten…"
"I'll do what ten-year-old me believes is right."
"And in the future…"
"I'll do many things."
"For myself."
"For my family."
"For my friends."
"Maybe even for society as a whole."
"But no matter when…"
"I'll always be doing what I believe in at that moment."
…
Ash looked at the host with a faint smile—
His words carrying a deeper meaning.
"I'm not doing 'a thing'…"
"I'm being myself."
"I'm being Ash."
…
Mina froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her mouth slightly open.
She was completely stunned.
"You're right…"
She finally spoke, her voice filled with emotion.
"Whether it's personal choices or charity work…"
"Everyone has their own perspective."
"And no one has the right to force others to act according to their own beliefs."
"Every sincere act of kindness is priceless."
"And you…"
"At just six years old…"
"Have already built a clinic, treated Pokémon for free…"
"And even thought about creating a foundation to help others…"
"Your kindness…"
"Is astonishing."
"And honestly…"
"It makes people like me—adults—feel ashamed."
"I truly admire you."
"And that line you just said…"
"'I'm not doing something—I'm being myself, being Ash.'"
"That was incredible."
"When this episode airs…"
"I guarantee it will become a viral phrase."
"A quote people remember."
…
She looked at him, eyes shining.
"'I'm not doing something—I'm being myself, being Ash.'
—Ash."
"Haha… is that so?"
Ash chuckled lightly.
"That would be an unexpected bonus."
"It's true," Mina said seriously.
"What you just said… left a deep impression on me."
"I think I'll write it down as a personal motto."
"But for now—back to the program."
"Next question."
"We know that your healing ability isn't limited to Pokémon—it can also treat human injuries effectively."
"So in the future…"
"Will your clinic also treat humans?"
Ash paused briefly.
Then shook his head.
"Probably not."
"As I mentioned earlier…"
"My schedule is already packed."
"I barely have any free time as it is."
"And with the clinic now open…"
"I'll be even busier."
"So for now…"
"My clinic will only treat Pokémon."
"If someone stops me on the road and asks for treatment…"
"Or comes all the way to Pallet Town to find me…"
"I'd honestly find that quite bothersome."
"From Viridian City to Pallet Town…"
"It takes nearly half an hour by bike."
"With that time…"
"They'd be better off going to a proper hospital."
"Unless it's an emergency…"
"I won't intervene."
"And if someone comes to Pallet Town…"
"I'll only help if their situation is truly difficult."
"If their condition can't be treated through normal means…"
"And my ability is their only hope."
"Otherwise…"
"If it's just to save money…"
"I'll refuse."
"Because…"
"I'm a Pokémon doctor."
"I don't have a license to treat humans."
"If something goes wrong…"
"If I delay proper treatment…"
"I can't take responsibility for that."
"And even in the future…"
"When I have more free time while traveling…"
"My answer will likely remain the same."
"If you're sick—go to a doctor."
"I'm a Pokémon trainer."
"Being a doctor is just my side job."
"My interest."
"And more importantly…"
"I'm a Pokémon doctor."
Ash smiled as he finished.
His tone was straightforward—honest, without unnecessary politeness.
After all—
He was still just a child.
And sometimes, honesty was more endearing than diplomacy.
"Haha… that makes sense."
Mina laughed lightly.
Then—
She suddenly asked a question Ash hadn't expected.
"Then let me ask a more personal question."
"Does your reluctance to treat humans…"
"Have anything to do with the incident at the summer camp?"
"The one where Goh repaid your kindness with betrayal?"
"…!"
Ash paused.
He glanced at the host.
His expression remained calm—
But inside—
He was thrilled.
This reporter really knows how to ask the right questions…
I like it.
After all—
Anything that could damage Goh's reputation further…
Was absolutely welcome.
But outwardly—
Ash hesitated.
Lowering his gaze slightly, he spoke more slowly than before.
"…I don't know."
"Maybe…"
"…a little."
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T/N:
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