"So… why, exactly?"
Hearing her question, Ash let out a quiet sigh. Guilt weighed heavily on his heart, and after a brief hesitation, he finally decided to be honest.
"I can feel how you feel about me, Clarissa," he said softly. "And the reason I haven't responded… it's not because of Serena, and it's not because of Misty either. It's because of something else that happened before."
"Oh?" The girl blinked, curiosity lighting up her eyes. "Something that happened before? Can I know what it is?"
"Of course." Ash nodded. "I didn't plan to make it public, but things have come to this point… I should tell you."
He paused briefly, then continued:
"Back at Professor Oak's summer camp, I revealed my healing ability. After the camp ended, the head of your Joy family asked someone to approach me… with a marriage proposal."
"I refused."
The moment those words left his mouth, Clarissa froze slightly.
"The Joy family… proposed marriage to you?" she murmured.
She was intelligent—very much so. Even before Ash finished explaining, she had already pieced together part of the situation.
At the same time, a weight seemed to lift from her heart.
So it wasn't because he didn't like her.
And it wasn't because of Serena or Misty either.
The tension that had been pressing on her chest quietly began to fade.
"Then… why did you refuse?" she asked quickly, a hint of nervousness creeping into her voice. "Did you see the girl's photo? Did you not like her?"
Ash scratched his head awkwardly.
"Well… girls from the Joy family are all gentle, sweet, and beautiful. I don't think there's any guy who could resist a Joy."
"You could," she shot back with a soft pout, glancing at him with a hint of playful complaint.
"…Anyway," she pressed on, "you still haven't told me why you refused."
Since he had already decided to be honest, Ash didn't hold anything back.
"Your family proposed the marriage because of my healing ability," he explained. "They hoped that through bloodline inheritance, the Joy family could gain this power."
"They offered incredible conditions—resources to support my journey as a Trainer, and they wouldn't interfere with my relationships."
He smiled faintly.
"A gentle, capable fiancée… support for my dreams… honestly, there aren't many men who could refuse that."
"Then why did you?" she asked again, her gaze fixed on him.
Ash's expression grew serious.
"Because… my ability is special."
"I can't fully explain it, but when I obtained it, I also gained a certain understanding."
"My healing power… is a gift from nature. From the world itself. It's not something that can be passed down through blood."
He looked at her quietly.
"Your family approached me with sincerity. I didn't want to deceive them… so I refused."
"…I see."
The tension in her face melted away, replaced by something softer—something brighter.
There was admiration in her eyes now.
In any world, honesty was rare.
And for someone like her… sincerity struck straight at the heart.
At this moment, Clarissa felt all her earlier unease dissolve completely, replaced by warmth—and something even stronger.
"So you refused the marriage proposal," she said, lowering her head slightly, her cheeks flushing. "What does that have to do with rejecting me?"
Ash chuckled helplessly.
"You're usually so smart… how did you get confused now?"
"I just turned down a marriage proposal from your family. If I immediately got close to another Joy girl—especially someone like you—it would offend your family elders."
"And this clinic? Your family helped me a lot with it."
"I don't want to disrespect them… and I don't want to hurt the girl whose proposal I rejected."
He paused, then continued more softly:
"If you were just an ordinary member of the Joy family, maybe I wouldn't be this conflicted."
"But you're not."
"I've never asked about your status, but it's obvious—you're important within your family."
"If we got together, your elders would know immediately. So would that girl."
Ash stopped walking, turning to face her fully.
"I don't want to hurt anyone who has treated me with sincerity," he said quietly. "That includes you… your family… and that girl."
His words were calm, but heavy.
Rejecting her feelings… hurt him too.
But this was reality.
And he hoped she could understand.
"…Ah."
The Pokémon Center was already just ahead.
Ash sighed softly and resumed walking.
Not just the road—he felt like something else was nearing its end too.
But suddenly—
"No."
The girl shook her head firmly.
Ash blinked. "No?"
"I mean… they won't blame you."
She stepped forward, then suddenly broke into a run toward the Pokémon Center.
"Why?!" Ash called out, startled.
Her footsteps echoed against the pavement as she reached the steps, then stopped.
Under the streetlights, her cheeks flushed bright red—like ripened apples.
She turned back.
Her eyes shimmered, filled with emotion, hesitation… and courage.
For a brief moment, she hesitated.
Then—
She spoke.
"Because…"
"I'm the girl you rejected."
Ash's breath caught.
"If you choose to be with me," she continued, her voice trembling but resolute, "my family won't blame you."
"And neither will the girl whose proposal you refused."
Her face burned with embarrassment as she forced herself to say the final words:
"So… Dr. Ash—see you tomorrow!"
And before he could respond—
She covered her face and ran inside the Pokémon Center.
Leaving Ash standing there, stunned beneath the night sky.
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T/N:
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