After dinner, the four of them headed to the electronics market since Ash wanted to buy a laptop. They wandered through rows of glowing displays and humming devices, but by the time they stepped out, the night had already deepened.
Gary and Green hailed a taxi back to Pallet Town, leaving Ash to walk Clarissa back to the Pokémon Center.
The distance wasn't far, so they chose to walk.
And just like that—
From four people to two.
Under the dim streetlights, with the quiet hum of the city at night, the atmosphere subtly shifted. The earlier liveliness faded, replaced by something softer… and a little awkward.
They walked in silence for a while.
Then, unable to bear the strange stillness any longer, Ash finally spoke first.
"Clarissa… thanks for today. You really worked hard this afternoon."
His hands were tucked into his hoodie pockets as he looked ahead, his tone gentle but slightly stiff.
"You've already thanked me several times since we finished," she replied softly. "We're friends, aren't we? You don't have to be so formal."
She hesitated for a moment.
Then, as if gathering courage, she continued—her voice softer, tinged with something deeper:
"And… you clearly know how I feel. So why…?"
The streetlight above cast a faint golden glow across her face, revealing the slight blush on her cheeks. Her voice, usually light and sweet, now carried a trace of quiet grievance.
"I…"
Ash faltered.
He wasn't the clueless version of himself from before. If anything, having grown up alone in his previous life, he was especially sensitive to the emotions of others—especially kindness directed toward him.
He knew how she felt.
He had always known.
And that was exactly what made it difficult.
Her identity—being part of the Joy family—should have been an advantage. Instead, it became a source of hesitation.
He had already turned down a marriage proposal from the Joy family.
And now… to grow close to another Joy family girl right after?
It wasn't that he feared them.
He simply didn't want to wrong people who had treated him with sincerity.
The Joy family had never hidden their intentions—they had openly expressed their hope of inheriting his Viridian Power, and in return, they had offered overwhelming support and resources. Even his current clinic owed much to their help.
They had shown nothing but goodwill.
And that was precisely why he didn't want to hurt them.
Yet—
Standing beside him was a girl he genuinely liked.
A girl who was gentle, capable, intelligent… and who had spent over a month by his side, working, learning, and growing with him.
She liked him.
And he liked her too.
But every time he tried to take a step forward, something held him back.
Just as Ash was struggling with whether to finally speak honestly—
Clarissa broke the silence again.
"Is it because of that girl from Kalos… Serena?"
Her voice was calm, steady.
Ash froze for a split second.
He hadn't expected her to bring Serena up so directly.
To him, relationships weren't bound by the same constraints as his previous life. In this world, the idea of loving more than one person wasn't unusual—and perhaps, deep down, he had already accepted that part of himself.
If he liked someone, he would pursue it.
Serena. Misty. And now… Clarissa.
He hadn't really considered how Serena might feel.
Maybe that was selfish.
Maybe there was a trace of something less noble within him.
But it was honest.
"I've seen the summer camp broadcast," Clarissa continued quietly. "I know your story with Serena."
"You helped her find confidence… gave her courage. She went from someone who could barely speak up… to one of the top trainees."
She lowered her gaze slightly, walking in step with him.
"As a girl, I can understand how she feels about you. And because I know that… I don't mind."
She paused, then added softly:
"I think… Serena and I could even become good friends. Maybe even best buddies."
The night air carried her words gently between them.
There was no jealousy.
No resentment.
Only sincerity.
Ash exhaled slowly.
"I know you're not the jealous type," he said. "You're kind… and easy to like. Serena is too."
He glanced at the passing cars, their headlights streaking across the road.
"But the thing between us… it's not because of Serena."
He hesitated briefly, then continued:
"Even aside from her… when I start traveling at ten, there's another girl. From Cerulean Gym—Misty. I've already promised she can come with me."
Clarissa blinked, slightly surprised—but not upset.
"Another girl… the Cerulean Gym Leader's daughter?"
She tilted her head slightly, thinking.
"Well… you're amazing, Ash. It's normal that other girls would like you."
She smiled faintly.
"And if you agreed to travel with her, then she must be special too. You're not someone who falls for people easily."
Her tone remained composed, rational—even understanding.
And yet…
A hint of confusion finally surfaced in her eyes.
"Back at camp, there were plenty of cute girls," she said softly. "But you only accepted Serena's confession."
She looked up at him now.
"So clearly… you're not someone who just says yes lightly."
Her voice, for the first time, carried a trace of urgency.
"You like me. I can feel it."
"I don't mind Serena. I don't mind Misty."
"Then why…"
She stopped walking.
Under the dim glow of the streetlight, her gaze met his—clear, searching, and just slightly restless.
"Why are you still keeping your distance from me?"
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T/N:
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