"What's that?"
Misty leaned her head over with a look of confusion, her orange ponytail swaying gently with the movement.
She had clearly caught a glimpse of the photo album's cover just now — a pair of long, slender legs wearing nearly transparent black lace panties.
Without changing his expression, Yuuto flipped the album over with a calm *snap* of his palm.
The movement was as natural as closing an ordinary magazine.
The back was a plain white cover with no patterns at all.
"A magazine about Pokémon performances," Yuuto said in a calm, academic tone. "I was doing some research on Gym matters."
He didn't even blink.
"Oh~ A magazine, huh~"
Misty drawled the words, her eyes narrowing into playful crescents.
She suddenly remembered the conversation she'd had with Delia while buying underwear at the mall last time.
At that time, while picking out lace-trimmed panties, Delia had smiled and said that Yuuto really did look at these kinds of magazines.
So it was true!
Misty chuckled to herself.
However, regarding the familiar leg shape she had just seen, she quickly found an explanation for herself.
Standard model legs must just look like that.
Sister Sakura was so focused on body management — exercising every day and maintaining herself with hot spring baths.
It was normal for her to have perfect legs just like a model.
Besides, at most, Sister Sakura would only take some private photos for her own collection. How could she possibly submit them to a magazine publisher?
That would be way too embarrassing!
*I must have misseen.*
Misty shook her head, tossing the messy thoughts aside.
But on second thought, she couldn't help stealing a glance at Yuuto.
*So this guy… really likes these kinds of shy, lace styles~*
*Big pervert!*
*Hentai!*
Misty complained wildly in her heart, but a faint blush unconsciously crept onto her face.
She hadn't come to see Yuuto for this today.
"Um…"
Misty became uncharacteristically bashful.
She gently sat on the railing next to him, her two legs dangling and swinging in the air.
The night wind blew the tips of her hair, revealing her slightly reddened earlobes.
"Thanks for… today~"
Her voice was so quiet it was almost drowned out by the sound of the wind.
She wasn't at all like the usual boisterous tomboy.
"Thanks for what?" Yuuto turned his head with an "I don't know what you're talking about" expression.
"Oh, come on! It's just the two of us, why are you still acting~"
Misty huffed and gently bumped Yuuto with her shoulder.
The force was very light — more like she was acting spoiled.
"I know you used Butterfree on purpose during the day because you wanted me to prove myself in front of my sisters."
She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously picking at the peeling paint on the railing.
"Thank you…"
Actually, after calming down later, Misty had quickly realized it.
With Yuuto's strength, if he had really wanted to win quickly, there were plenty of ways.
Yet he had chosen the most troublesome one — using Butterfree against Water-types and dragging the fight out for so long.
He had clearly created an opportunity for her to show off.
It was just that at the time her blood had been pumping, and she had been completely led by the nose by Yuuto, her mind filled with nothing but "I want to win."
Thinking back now… this guy was actually quite good at taking care of people's feelings.
Yuuto smiled and didn't respond.
Instead, he turned to look at Pikachu, who was currently digging into a ketchup jar.
"Pikachu, your acting still needs some work."
He teased.
"Pika?"
Pikachu was holding the almost-empty ketchup jar, trying hard to pour out the last bit of sauce.
Hearing Yuuto's comment, it tilted its head in confusion.
As a result, its hand shook.
*Splat.*
That last bit of ketchup fell directly onto the ground.
"Pika!"
Pikachu's eyes instantly widened. With lightning speed, it pounced over, its small paws quickly grabbing the slightly dusty dollop of ketchup and stuffing it into its mouth with an "Awoo."
The whole process took less than two seconds.
After eating, it licked its lips as if wanting more, its little face filled with pride.
*It was only on the ground for a tiny bit!*
*It definitely wasn't dirty!*
Pikachu felt full of confidence.
Misty was amused by the scene and burst into laughter.
That bit of bashfulness from before instantly vanished.
After laughing, she looked at Yuuto again, her gaze much softer.
"Actually… thank you so much for everything on this journey."
Misty said softly.
"Not just today. You've been taking care of me ever since Viridian City."
She paused, her voice becoming even softer.
"I used to always feel like I could never compare to my sisters. They're pretty, strong, and can do everything."
"I could only be a tag-along, unable to even protect the Gym…"
"But today… I finally feel like I can do something too."
Misty said, flashing a bright smile.
"So, thank you so, so much, Yuuto!"
Seeing the light in Misty's eyes, Yuuto suddenly understood.
Why the system defined "helping Misty build confidence in front of her sisters" as an emotional line quest.
*So that's how it is.*
Yuuto smiled and reached out to ruffle Misty's hair.
"No need for thanks. We're companions, after all."
It felt pretty good.
"Mmm… don't mess up my hair!"
Misty protested, but didn't pull away.
Instead, she narrowed her eyes slightly, like a cat being stroked.
A few seconds later, she suddenly jumped up as if waking from a dream.
"Alright! I'm going to take a bath!"
Misty turned and ran toward the house.
After running a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned back to make a face at Yuuto.
"In the future, if there's a chance~"
She winked, her tone playful.
"I'll make sure to thank you properly~"
"Big. Per. Vert!"
The last three words were spoken softly and quickly, and then she ran away giggling.
Her orange ponytail bounced in the night wind, full of vitality.
Yuuto shook his head with a chuckle, picked up the photo album, and also got up to return to his bedroom.
---
Misty skipped toward the bathroom.
Still thinking about the conversation just now, the corners of her mouth curled up unconsciously.
But at the corner of the hallway, she almost ran into someone's arms.
"Careful."
A gentle voice came from above her head.
Misty looked up and saw Sakura standing in front of her, holding a bath towel and shower gel.
She also seemed to be just about to take a bath.
"S-Sister Sakura!" Misty quickly steadied herself. "What are you doing here?"
"Just getting ready to take a bath."
Sakura smiled, her gaze falling on Misty's still-reddened face.
"Misty, it's been a long time since we bathed together."
"How about… the two of us sisters bathe together today?"
"I happen to have some things I want to talk to you about."
"Eh?"
Misty was taken aback.
Bathing together… she actually really liked soaking and chatting with her sisters.
It happened often when she was little.
But ever since she had been mocked by Peony for her figure last year, she had stubbornly refused to bathe with her sisters again.
She would hide and wash by herself every time.
"But… I'm already a big girl…"
Misty bashfully fiddled with her fingers.
"Bathing with my sisters and all…"
"Botan and Ayame aren't here today."
Sakura saw through her younger sister's concerns at a glance and added softly.
"Just the two of us."
"Really?"
Misty's eyes lit up.
"Alright then! Let's go to the bathroom!"
She instantly cheered up, taking the initiative to grab Sakura's hand and pull her toward the bathroom.
Like a cheerful little dolphin.
---
The Cerulean Gym's bathroom was very large.
After all, the four sisters all lived here, so they had specifically built a spacious bathing room during the renovation.
In the center was a circular bath that could hold four or five people, with a separate shower area, lockers, and a huge floor-to-ceiling mirror nearby.
Mist swirled, and the air was filled with the fragrance of essential oils.
After the two sisters entered, they naturally began to undress.
Misty was still a bit shy. With her back to Sakura, she quickly pulled off her T-shirt and shorts.
Sakura, on the other hand, was much more composed.
She gracefully untied the belt of her bathrobe, letting the silky fabric slide off her shoulders.
Her mature, voluptuous body shimmered with a pearly luster under the lights.
Misty jumped into the bath first. The warm water instantly enveloped her whole body.
"So comfortable~"
She sighed contentedly, sinking until only her head was showing.
Sakura unhurriedly walked to the shower area and turned on the showerhead.
Hot water slid down her smooth body curves.
She carefully washed her body, every movement carrying the unique charm of a mature woman.
Misty peeked out of the water and stared at her sister.
She couldn't help but compare in her heart.
*Sister Sakura's… are so big.*
*Her waist is so thin, and her butt is so perky.*
*Her legs are long and straight, and her skin is white and glowing.*
Looking at herself… although she seemed to have gained a bit of weight recently, she was still far behind compared to her sister.
While she was lost in thought, Sakura had finished rinsing and gracefully stepped into the bath.
The water rippled.
She sat down opposite Misty, the warm water just reaching her chest.
In the swirling mist, the two sisters met eyes.
Sakura's gaze swept over Misty, and she suddenly smiled.
"The youngest sister of our Cerulean Gym…"
"…has grown up too."
Her tone was gentle, filled with gratification.
Misty blushed and instinctively shrank back into the water.
"Oh~ Sister, don't make fun of me."
"I'm far behind you…"
"I'm serious."
Sakura moved forward and reached out to gently brush away the wet hair sticking to Misty's cheek.
"Your figure is more curvaceous than before, and your skin is more supple."
"It seems traveling really does wonders for a person."
Her gaze inadvertently swept below the water's surface.
Her eyes lingered for a moment.
Then she nodded with a smile.
She stood up and stepped out of the bath.
Sakura walked to the locker and took out a small box from inside.
"Do you want to remove some hair?"
Sakura shook the box in her hand and turned to look at Misty.
A gentle smile was on her face.
"I think you've reached the age where you should start grooming."
"Eh? H-Hair removal?"
Misty was stunned for a moment, then her face turned beet red.
Of course she knew what her sister was talking about.
Actually, she had wanted to deal with it for a long time.
She worried about embarrassment every time she wore a swimsuit, and it felt like a nuisance when bathing.
"I… I'm afraid to… I don't know how to do it well."
Misty muttered softly.
Sakura walked back to the edge of the bath, sat down, and opened the box.
Inside were professional hair removal cream, a small razor, soothing lotion, and a hand mirror.
"It's fine. I'll help you today and teach you while I'm at it."
"Then you'll be able to take care of it yourself in the future."
"Removing it all nicely and cleanly…"
Sakura paused, looked up at Misty, and a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes.
"That's what men like."
"W-What men?!"
Misty instantly bristled, her whole body turning as red as a boiled lobster.
"I'm removing hair just because I want to look good for myself!"
"It's definitely not for some man!"
While talking tough, she scrambled toward the water outlet at the edge of the bath.
She turned on the faucet, letting fresh hot water pour into the pool, trying to use the splashing sound to cover her panic.
Sakura smiled without saying a word.
After Misty calmed down again, she spoke unhurriedly:
"Is that so?"
"Then just now… didn't you just secretly go to see Yuuto?"
"And you came back with a red face."
As the words fell.
Misty completely froze.
"Yuuto?… Ah!"
Hearing her sister suddenly mention Yuuto's name, Misty's whole body tensed up…