novelraw Chapter 756: Ash and Serena's First Date!?
Chapter 756: Ash and Serena's First Date!?
Chapter 756: Ash and Serena's First Date!?Matori stood up with solemn respect. "Understood."
Arranging for these two individuals in the photo to be alone together must be related to the upcoming Legendary Pokémon operation plan.
According to the Mentor's arrangements, it was absolutely necessary to make their feelings deepen within today.
The photo showed Ash wearing his signature baseball cap, and Serena with her red formal hat and deep blue eyes.
In the photo of them together, Serena was gazing at Ash, while Ash looked down at Pikachu on his shoulder.
The adoration in the young girl's eyes was so obvious even Matori could see it, making her click her tongue disdainfully with a hint of sourness.
Kids these days mature so early. If it weren't for the Mentor's orders, I really wouldn't want to arrange for you two to be alone—what's the difference between this and a date anyway.
If the boy just seizes the opportunity in this situation where even a blind person could see the girl's affection, a straightforward approach could decide the outcome!
"Damn brats..."
Matori muttered, her hands flying across the keyboard as she formulated the operation plan.Arrange for them to be alone, create unexpected situations, arrange romantic moments, exchange gifts under the "sacred dating spot" of the Oath Tree, and confess their feelings to each other.
Matori smirked coldly, elegantly pushing up her reflective round-frame glasses, leaning back in her chair, picking up her mug, and admiring the perfect operation plan.
This way, we should be able to buy enough time for the Mentor to carry out his plan...
Damn... this coffee is so sour.
**
November 8th, Monday, early morning.
A light drizzle fell on the streets. Lu Ye pulled open the curtains and glanced outside, yawning lazily.
Yesterday's gathering had lasted very late, and Mew and Togepi were still playing games after returning to the back room.
When he woke up, the two Pokémon were still in front of the console screen, having battled until dawn.
Lu Ye thought randomly, "Do Pokémon get nearsighted? Probably not..."
Princess Diancie bowed gracefully in thanks before elegantly returning to the Diamond Kingdom.
Marshadow timidly and quietly expressed its gratitude to Lu Ye, preparing to return to Celestial Blue Mountain to fulfill its duties as an examiner.
"Please deliver a message to the overlord Dragonite at Dragon Ridge for me."
Lu Ye instructed, "I'll go see it after I finish my busy schedule."
"Ma xia." Marshadow nodded seriously. It always strived to handle matters perfectly.
Lu Ye was just a passerby in its long life, but the beautiful memories between them remained fresh despite time.
And... Marshadow glanced back.
Lu Ye stood smiling at the shop entrance, hands in his pockets, gently waving. Haunter floated beside him, waving together.
Marshadow nodded firmly, walking through the drizzling rain with a slight smile.
We might create more memories... who knows.
Watching Marshadow disappear into the shadows.
Lu Ye stretched, walked back into the shop, sat by the sofa and opened his laptop. An email containing Matori's operation plan had arrived.
It was absolutely perfect. Lu Ye widened his eyes, but since the target was Satoshi, this naturally increased the difficulty of implementation.
Closing the laptop lid, Lu Ye rubbed his face and murmured:
"Leave it to fate... if the male lead is hopeless, then it's up to the female lead to perform..."
Tomorrow was Bygone City's annual festival. In the afternoon, Teacher Lu invited Cynthia to Bygone City using the "Triple Princess competitions" as an excuse.
Cynthia was momentarily stunned, then smiled lightly and agreed.
He probably doesn't know about the Oath Tree tradition.
Cynthia's beautiful eyes sparkled. I'll just personally give the gift to him...
Lu Ye handed his gift to Delibird, asking it to help tie the ribbon, nodding to himself.
A surprise for Cynthia and Garchomp!
"Ooh..." Delibird busily wrapped the gift box, its imagination running wild.
So many gifts... the gift boxes look so beautiful.
"I prepared one for you too." Lu Ye said casually.
Specially obtained from the terrifying Liu Bo... a Technical Machine for "Icy Wind." It wasn't too difficult to learn, and even Pokémon not specialized in battle could master it.
For Little Penguin, this could ensure its safety while working outside.
Liu Bo's Giant Penguin had once used this move to face Ho-Oh head-on, actually managing to pluck a feather—truly terrifying.
"Ooh!" Little Penguin was startled, turning its back to Lu Ye with a silly smile, speeding up its ribbon-tying movements.
What the gift was didn't matter... as long as it came from the shop owner~
****
Bygone City welcomed its annual festival.
The streets were decorated with lanterns and streamers. The massive ancient tree on the high slope outside the town, lush with foliage, had been decorated with colored lights in advance.
When night fell, the Oath Tree would light up with brilliant, dazzling lights, standing on the high slope overlooking the wilderness beneath the dark sky, gazing down at the city at its feet. Trainers would give gifts to their Pokémon under the Oath Tree, sharing smiles with each other.
At this moment, balloons floated along the streets as tourists came and went. Local residents, accompanied by Skiddo, pushed carts full of gifts toward the city outskirts to decorate the Oath Tree.
Ash and his friends arrived in Bygone City to participate in the festival activities and began preparing gifts.
"Let's go to the shopping district." Serena suggested. "We should be able to find nice gifts there."
"I plan to make gifts by hand." Clemont said proudly. "So I won't go shopping. Please go ahead without me."
"Are you going to fail again, brother?" Bonnie said helplessly. It wasn't the first or second time Clemont's inventions had exploded.
"Of course not!"
"But if we split up, someone needs to take care of the Pokémon." Serena said.
"I'll take care of them." Bonnie said. "I'll take good care of Pikachu and the others~"
"Pika~" Pikachu stood on the ground, happily nodding.
In the surveillance feed, Matori raised her walkie-talkie and said calmly, "Help take care of the child. The two of them can go to the shopping district alone."
Separating Ash from Pikachu should help him focus his attention on the girl rather than that electric mouse...
"Hello, we're a temporarily opened Pokémon Center here."
A gentle-looking young lady came forward to explain, smiling. "If you need to wait for someone, you can stay here. We also have free snacks to sample."
"Oh, thank you." Clemont happily accepted.
Bonnie was about to help her brother with his marriage proposal, but Clemont pressed down on her head, interrupting her casting.
On the screen feed, the two remained at the Pokémon Center while Ash and Serena walked side by side toward the shopping district.
For the first time ever, Ash hadn't brought Pikachu along.
Serena silently glanced at Ash, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Just me and Ash alone... isn't that like, a date?
"What gift will you give, Serena?" Ash spoke up.
"I haven't decided yet... what about you, Ash?"
"I'll give food. Pikachu and the others will definitely like that."
"I see..."
The two rode on the rail train operated by Rocket Delivery, traveling along tracks above the city. The carriage was spacious with wide glass windows offering a clear view of the sparkling sea surface. Serena looked at the beautiful scenery, her eyes sparkling as she glanced sideways. Ash rested his cheek on his hand, contemplating what gift to give Pikachu.
Arriving at the shopping district, shop windows on both sides of the street were filled with various gifts, with clothing shining brilliantly under the sunlight.
Several shop assistants took turns trying to invite the two inside to browse, making Serena's heart flutter. However, Ash showed particular interest in the small trinkets by the roadside.
"Look, Serena, how about this hat!" Ash called out while wearing an Alola straw hat.
"It's interesting, but it's not really suitable as a gift." Serena said helplessly.
"Oh right—I'm going to check over there!" Ash waved. He had noticed something suitable for Pikachu.
"Ash..." He had already disappeared from sight. Serena sighed softly.
Matori also let out a long sigh.
This operation plan... is simply an impossible mission!
Serena stood alone before a shop window, gazing at the gorgeous dress on the mannequin, her eyes sparkling.
If I wore this outfit... I could definitely win first place in tomorrow's Triple Princess competitions.
But I need to prepare gifts for the Pokémon first. Serena clasped her hands behind her back, lost in thought.
At dusk, the two met up again and walked toward the station they came from.
"Ash, haven't you chosen a gift yet?"
"Yeah... what about you, Serena?"
"Hmm, I've picked one out."
"I see..." Ash scratched his head. As he entered the waiting room, party popper sounds suddenly went off.
"Congratulations, esteemed customer!"
The train conductor came forward applauding, smiling as he said, "You are our station's one hundred thousandth customer, so we're specially presenting you with a small gift."
"Congratulations—"
Amid the surrounding congratulations, Ash accepted the gift box with a strange expression.
A small ribbon bracelet... although it's pretty...
But even if I give this to Pikachu, it wouldn't want it...
As sunset approached, the train traveled through the city sky, warm light melting over Ash and Serena sitting side by side.
"I think, no matter what gift Ash prepares, Pikachu and the others would be happy." Serena said.
"Huh?"
"Because Ash's Pokémon are all like Ash—no matter what gift they receive, they'll be happy!" Serena's eyes curved as she smiled.
Ash was momentarily stunned. "Like... me..."
"That's right." Serena laughed.
Suddenly, Ash's eyes burned with determination. "Thank you, Serena. I know what gift to give Pikachu and the others now."
"Eh?" Serena blinked.
The answer was—delicious berries!
The train arrived at the terminal station. Ash quickly ran toward the forest outside, turning back and shouting, "You go meet up with the others first, Serena. I'll be back soon."
Boom!
Matori angrily punched the operation table.
You brat, given the chance but you can't capitalize on it!
Now I can only report failure to the Mentor...
Matori despondently called the Mentor, who answered with a lazy tone.
"Don't worry, I already expected it to fail."
Matori: ?
Lu Ye sighed softly.
He's made of straight steel, that Satoshi, even straighter than Red.
Fortunately, I had a backup plan. I express delivered a set of gorgeous formal wear sponsored by the organizing committee to the Pokémon Center.
I hope when Ash sees this formal wear... he'll remember who this gift should be given to...
The festive atmosphere was thick.
Lu Ye, hands in pockets and wearing casual shirt, strolled around the fountain plaza. In the lingering sunset glow, Haunter approached the water surface to make funny faces while Lu Ye sat on a bench feeding bread to Tranquill.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
A captivating voice sounded as a golden-haired woman stood gracefully before him, wearing a sky-blue blouse with one hand resting on her slender waist. A Garchomp stood beside her.
Lu Ye looked up, momentarily dazed. Cynthia under the sunset was breathtakingly beautiful, lively yet noble, making it hard to imagine this beauty was actually the Sinnoh League champion.
Slowly rising, Lu Ye felt a gentle touch on his arm as the fragrance of golden hair drifted by.
"Where should we go first?"
"The festival will start soon."
"Then let's go directly there~"
Teacher Lu had placed his gift under the Oath Tree in advance, and Cynthia had done the same.
Their hearts immersed in the gentle evening breeze, with Haunter and Garchomp walking on either side, their figures walked side by side toward the golden fields under the setting sun, heading toward the massive Oath Tree.
...