The atmosphere at dinner was actually quite good.
Koga was a very talkative person.
He and Roy talked a lot about Pokemon.
From the cultivation of Poison-type Pokemon to the distribution of Gyms in the Kanto region.
From the logic of skill combinations to the application of tactics in actual combat.
Roy also shared many of his own insights.
The two of them got along very well.
The more they talked, the more Koga felt that this young man was anything but simple.
"Roy, your understanding of Poison-type moves is very accurate."
"Especially what you just said about the strategy of using Poison-type moves for a war of attrition..."
"It coincides exactly with my own thoughts."
Koga's tone carried a hint of admiration.
Roy smiled modestly.
"It's just a bit of experience accumulated from my usual battles."
Koga waved his hand.
"There's no need to be so humble."
"Experience is something that not everyone can summarize so effectively."
"Your understanding of Pokemon battles has already surpassed that of many veteran Trainers."
Aya sat opposite them, listening to their conversation while she ate.
On the surface, she was just eating, but she was actually secretly observing Roy.
Listening to Roy's insights about Pokemon.
Listening to him discuss tactics with her brother.
Listening to his understanding of skill combinations.
Aya's feelings toward Roy were changing without her even realizing it.
This guy...
He really is quite impressive.
He wasn't the kind of Trainer who only knew how to use brute force.
He knew a lot, and his thinking was very clear.
And when he spoke, he had that sense of being calm and unhurried...
Aya's gaze fell upon Roy's hand.
That hand was currently holding chopsticks, picking up a piece of Tempura.
His fingers were slender, and his knuckles were well-defined.
Faint blue veins could be seen on his wrist.
It was this very hand...
That had spanked her today.
Aya's face turned red again.
She lowered her head, pretending to eat.
But her mind was filled with the image of that hand.
Aya felt like something was a bit wrong with her.
She clearly should have hated that hand.
But now, thinking back on it, besides the pain, there seemed to be a little...
Something else.
A feeling she couldn't quite put into words.
Aya bit her chopsticks and stole a glance at Roy.
Roy was talking to her brother and didn't notice her.
...
Dinner was coming to an end.
Koga put down his chopsticks and looked at Roy.
"Roy, what are your plans next?"
"Which Gym are you preparing to challenge?"
Roy thought for a moment: "I'll probably head to Cinnabar Gym first!"
Koga nodded, showing a slightly surprised expression: "Cinnabar Gym is a high-level Gym; there are no Educational Battle segments there, so you'll have to work hard!"
"Thank you for the reminder, Gym Leader Koga."
Koga smiled.
"You're welcome."
"By the way, I've had someone prepare the hot springs for tonight."
"You can go soak for a while and relax."
"The water quality of the Fuchsia Gym hot springs is quite excellent."
Roy nodded his thanks.
Misty's eyes lit up.
"Hot springs!"
"That's great!"
"We happened to walk a lot today, so a soak in a hot spring will be very comfortable."
...
Dinner ended.
Everyone stood up to leave the dining room.
Aya also stood up with them.
When she stood up, her butt hurt again.
She bit her lip and held back any sound.
Koga walked over to Roy's side and continued their previous conversation.
The two of them walked in front.
Misty and Delia followed behind.
Aya walked at the very back, looking at Roy's back.
This guy, although a bit detestable, I have to say he's quite a strong and impressive man.
Especially those powerful hands of his...
Wait? What am I thinking? Those... are the hands that spanked me, why am I starting to admire them?
Aya shook her head vigorously, trying to shake those messy thoughts out of her mind.
But she couldn't shake them off.
She could only quicken her pace, running toward her bedroom to escape.
Koga turned to look at his running sister, a confused expression on his face.
"What's wrong with that girl?"
"Didn't she just drink juice?"
"Why is her face so red?"
Koga shook his head, too lazy to think about it.
He stretched his body, yawned, and walked toward his own bedroom.
...
Early the next morning, sunlight spilled into the room through the paper windows of the Fuchsia Gym.
Roy opened his eyes and stretched.
He had slept well last night.
The guest rooms at the Fuchsia Gym were very comfortable; the Tatami was soft and clean, and the bedding had a faint scent of bamboo.
He got up, dressed, and pushed open the door.
The voices of Misty and Delia came from the hallway.
"Morning, Roy." Misty walked over while yawning, her hair still a bit messy. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"Not bad." Roy nodded. "What about you two?"
"I slept so soundly after the hot spring!" Misty stretched, revealing her slender waist. "I don't even want to leave."
Delia walked up from behind and smiled gently: "The Gym's hot spring is indeed wonderful; my skin feels much smoother."
The three of them went to the dining room for breakfast together.
Koga was already sitting there, with several simple Japanese-style breakfasts laid out in front of him.
White rice, Miso Soup, and pickled vegetables.
"Come, come, sit down and eat." Koga greeted them warmly. "Eat plenty today; there won't be such a delicious breakfast on the road."
Roy sat down and picked up his chopsticks.
At that moment, Aya walked in from outside.
She was wearing a light purple tracksuit, and her hair was tied in a high ponytail, revealing a section of her fair neck.
Her walking posture was still a bit unnatural.
Upon seeing Roy, Aya's face turned slightly red, and then she pretended as if nothing were wrong as she sat down next to her brother.
"Morning," she said in a small voice.
"Morning," Roy replied.
Misty glanced at Aya, then at Roy, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.
She knew exactly what had happened yesterday.
However, she said nothing and lowered her head to continue eating.
The atmosphere at breakfast was a bit subtle.
Aya didn't speak much throughout, just keeping her head down while shoveling rice.
Occasionally, she would steal a glance at Roy and then quickly look away.
Koga, on the other hand, was chatting very happily with Roy.
...
Breakfast ended.
The three of them returned to their rooms to pack their luggage.
Misty stuffed her things into her backpack and looked at Roy: "Why was that Aya so quiet today?"
"I don't know." Roy shrugged.
"Could it be that she was spanked silly by you?" Misty said with a giggle.
Delia chuckled softly beside them but didn't say anything.
Having finished packing, the three of them arrived at the Gym entrance.
Koga and Aya were already standing there waiting.
"Take care on the road." Koga patted Roy's shoulder. "If you need any help, don't hesitate to contact me."
"I will." Roy nodded.
Aya stood behind her brother, her hands behind her back, her toes drawing circles on the ground.
She wanted to say something, but she didn't know what to say.
"Then we'll be heading out first." Roy waved. "Until we meet again."
"Until we meet again," Koga said with a smile.
Roy turned around, with Misty and Delia following behind him.
The three of them walked along the stone path in front of the Gym toward the forest.
...
Aya stood where she was, watching Roy's back grow further and further away.
The sunlight fell on that man, casting a long shadow.
His walking posture was very steady, and his back was held very straight.
He was followed by two women, one on his left and one on his right.
Aya suddenly felt a bit empty in her heart.
What's going on?
This detestable man is leaving, so why do I feel a bit reluctant to see him go?
No, no, it's definitely not reluctance!
It's... it's...
Aya pondered in her heart for a long while before finally coming up with a reason.
Right, it's because I haven't gotten my revenge yet!
This detestable Roy, he spanked me and I haven't gotten revenge yet!
Hmph~ Roy, just you wait, next time I will definitely get my revenge and sit my butt right on your face!
Let's see if you're still so detestable then!
Aya bit her lip, that image appearing in her mind.
Koga, standing nearby and watching the shifting expressions on his sister's face, couldn't help but shake his head.
One moment she was frowning, the next her face was red, and then she was gritting her teeth.
What kind of mischievous plan is this girl cooking up now?
"Aya." Koga spoke.
"Ah?" Aya snapped back to reality. "What is it, brother?"
"You should also become a bit more mature." Koga said earnestly. "Look at Roy; from yesterday's discussion about Pokemon, he's already a very mature Trainer."
"With you being so rambunctious, how can I feel at ease leaving Janine to an aunt like you when I go to Johto later?"
Hearing this, Aya quickly said with a giggle: "Oh, brother, don't worry, I'm already mature."
"I will definitely work hard and will surely surpass Roy in the future."
"You can go ahead and aim for the Elite with peace of mind, and leave my niece Janine to me."
"I will definitely manage the Gym well; no matter how bad it is, it can't possibly be worse than the Cerulean Gym."
Koga reached out and lightly tapped Aya on the head: "Instead of comparing yourself to the best, you specifically compare yourself to those below you, and even compared yourself to the Cerulean Gym."
Aya clutched her head and said with a giggle: "I just have confidence! Brother, don't you worry!"
"I will definitely work hard!"
Koga looked at his sister and sighed.
When will this girl truly grow up?
...
On the other side, Roy and the other two were walking through the streets of Fuchsia City.
As Misty walked, she suddenly sneezed a few times.
"Achoo! Achoo!"
Delia asked with concern: "What's wrong? Did you catch a cold?"
Misty looked up at the sky.
A large sun was hanging there, the sunlight so bright it was dazzling.
"With such a big sun, I caught a cold?" Misty shook her head. "Probably not."
"Then it must be someone talking behind your back." Roy said casually.
Misty thought about it and suddenly turned to look at Roy: "Tell me... was it you, Roy!"
"Me?" Roy was stunned. "What did I say about you?"
"It must be you!" Misty bounced up and suddenly jumped onto Roy's back. "Are you secretly saying bad things about me in your heart!"
"I'm really not." Roy caught Misty's legs and carried her on his back.
"I don't believe you!" Misty wrapped her arms around Roy's neck and brought her face close to his ear. "You must be saying bad things about me in your heart!"
"You're a girl, can't you be a bit more reserved?" Roy said helplessly.
"Reserved for what?" Misty said with a giggle. "I'm already your woman, who else would I be reserved for?"
Delia laughed out loud beside them.
Only then did Misty realize Delia was still right there, and her face suddenly turned red.
"Sister Delia... I didn't mean it like that..."
"It's fine." Delia smiled gently. "You're not wrong."
Misty felt even more embarrassed and buried her face in Roy's neck.
Roy patted Misty's butt: "Get down, it's quite tiring carrying you."
"I don't want to!" Misty said coquettishly. "Just for a little while longer!"
"You were just saying I was talking bad about you, and now you want a ride?" Roy scolded with a smile.
"Then I won't say it anymore." Misty hugged him even tighter.
Delia watched the two of them playing around, shook her head with a smile, and quickened her pace to keep up.
Roy carried Misty on his back, while Misty lay on his back swinging her legs.
Delia walked alongside them, occasionally glancing at Roy's profile.
The sunlight fell on the three of them, their shadows overlapping.
...
After leaving Fuchsia City, Roy was in no hurry to travel.
He took Misty and Delia to battle some wild Pokemon in the surrounding wilderness.
Mainly to level up Pikachu and Eevee.
Although these wild Pokemon were not high level, there were many of them.
It was quite good for accumulating experience points.
However, they hadn't been battling for long before they reached the Pokemon Sanctuary.
A sanctuary is an area used to protect the ecology and breeding of Pokemon.
Pokemon in the sanctuary are not allowed to be captured, nor can they be easily battled.
Roy put away the map. "The scenery in the sanctuary should be quite good; we'll treat it as sightseeing."
The three of them continued forward.
Before long, the scenery before them suddenly opened up.
A vast, boundless prairie stretched out before their eyes.
The green grassland extended to the horizon, meeting the blue sky and white clouds.
As the wind blew, waves of grass rolled like a green ocean.
In the distance, a herd of Tauros could be seen grazing, and several Dodrio were running.
"Wow!" Misty exclaimed. "So beautiful!"
Delia was also mesmerized: "It really is beautiful."
Roy took a deep breath; the air was filled with the scent of green grass.
It was very fresh and comfortable.
"Let's go, let's cross this prairie." Roy stepped forward.
...
The great prairie was beautiful, but walking across it was indeed a bit tiring.
The endless grassland seemed to have no end even after walking for a long time.
However, Roy was not in a hurry.
Since they weren't pressed for time, they could just walk slowly.
After walking for most of the day, Misty suddenly pointed into the distance and shouted: "There seems to be some kind of event over there!"
Roy looked in the direction she was pointing.
In the distance, there was a cluster of tents and flags, and many people were gathered there.
"Let's go take a look," Roy said.
The three of them quickened their pace and walked over.
As they drew closer, they could see clearly that it was a Pokemon Race.
Many Trainers were riding Tauros and Ponyta, competing for speed on the prairie.
"This is the Laramie Tribe's Pokemon Race." Delia recognized it. "I've heard of it before."
"The Laramie Tribe?" Misty was curious.
"Yes, a tribe living on the prairie." Delia explained. "They are very skilled at riding Pokemon and often hold these kinds of races."
"How interesting!" Misty said excitedly. "Can we watch?"
"Of course we can." Roy smiled. "Let's just take a day off today and not travel."
"That's great!" Misty jumped up with joy.
The three of them found a spot with a good view and watched the races all afternoon.
The riders rode Rapidash, speeding across the prairie at high velocity.
The wind whistled past their ears, and the horses' manes fluttered in the wind.
The scene was very spectacular.
Misty watched without blinking, letting out exclamations from time to time.
Delia was also very happy, a smile always on her face.
Roy sat on the grass, watching the race in the distance, feeling very relaxed.
Pursuing goals is important, but one shouldn't ignore the beautiful scenery along the way.
Occasionally stopping to rest for a day was also a good choice.
...
By evening, the race had ended.
The three of them found a flat spot on the prairie to prepare for the night.
Delia took out food and blankets from her backpack and spread them on the grass.
Misty ran to pick up some dry branches and started a campfire.
The firelight illuminated the surrounding grass, feeling warm and cozy.
The three of them sat around the campfire, eating a simple dinner.
"I'm so happy today." Misty took a bite of bread. "It's been a long time since I've been this relaxed."
"Yes." Delia nodded. "The prairie scenery is truly beautiful."
Roy smiled: "Then let's stay another day and leave the day after tomorrow."
"No, no." Misty waved her hand. "Resting for one day is enough; we can't delay your journey."
"It's no delay." Roy said. "One day won't make a difference anyway."
"It's better to go." Delia said. "You've already been very considerate of us."
Roy looked at the two of them and didn't insist further.
As the night deepened, the campfire crackled.
Misty leaned on Roy's shoulder and gradually fell asleep.
Delia sat opposite them, looking at Roy with a gentle gaze.
"What is it?" Roy asked.
"Nothing." Delia shook her head. "I just feel that being able to travel with you is truly wonderful."
Roy reached out and touched Delia's face: "There will be many more good places to go in the future."
"Mm." Delia nodded and held Roy's hand.
The light of the campfire danced on their faces.
The cries of wild Pokemon could be heard in the distance.
The prairie night was quiet and beautiful.