"Oh please, Ash—you know my family situation," Gary pouted. "Sure, my grandpa holds a high position in the League and the academic world. But that doesn't mean he gives me any special treatment."
"Other than being extra strict about me learning Pokémon knowledge, he didn't give me a single perk. I even had to pay the full tax on my starter Pokémon, just like everyone else. If I wanted a starter like one of the Kanto trio, I still had to line up in the middle of the night to get a number."
"This Eevee wasn't something Grandpa gave me—it was a gift from my sister, to celebrate me getting third place in the summer camp and officially becoming a Trainer." Gary puffed his cheeks in frustration.
"Wait, Daisy came back?" Ash's eyes lit up with surprise.
Daisy Oak—Gary's older sister—was an exceptional Pokémon Coordinator who had won multiple Pokémon Showcase Championships. But that wasn't all. In addition to her prowess in coordination, Daisy Oak was also a skilled Pokémon Doctor and a licensed Pokémon Massage Therapist.
In her early years, Professor Oak had even trained her as a potential successor, and she'd grown to be a well-known researcher in the field. In short, Daisy was a true all-rounder—someone extraordinary in every sense of the word.
Also, since Daisy Oak's mother, Miho, was as close as a sister to Ash's mom, Delia, and Ash and Gary were born on the same day at the same time, Daisy had always treated Ash like her own little brother.
After transmigrating and inheriting the original Ash's emotions and memories, he could clearly feel how deeply Daisy cared for him.
Back when Gary was still a brat, trying to fit in with the other kids in town, he once teased Ash for being "that kid without a dad." When Daisy found out, she dragged Gary by the ear, pulled out their father's leather belt, and gave her little brother the beating of a lifetime. Honestly, Daisy treated Ash even better than her own blood brother.
"My sister was at the Joy family clinic the past few days, observing some procedures. She rushed back just in time for today's summer camp finale. You better get inside—Grandpa and Daisy are waiting for you," Gary said with a hint of jealousy as he glanced at Ash.
Sometimes, Gary couldn't help but be annoyed. He was Professor Oak's actual grandson and Daisy's real brother, yet both of them always treated Ash better than they treated him.
"Let's gooo!"
Ash had no idea what Gary was brooding about. The moment he heard that Professor Oak and Daisy were waiting for him, a rare, childlike joy bubbled up inside him. Hugging Froakie and Pichu close, he bounced and skipped his way toward the research lab like an excited little kid.
Since summer camp had just ended, many researchers at the lab were still on break. The usually bustling facility was surprisingly quiet.
Ash barely stepped inside when he saw two familiar faces—Professor Oak and Daisy.
"Ash, there you are!"
"Little Ash!!"
Daisy, who had been quietly sipping coffee and flipping through a fashion magazine on the sofa, instantly jumped to her feet and rushed toward him.
"Daisy!!"
"Ash, it's been a while! Be honest—did you miss me?"
She scooped him up in a hug, ruffled his hair, and kissed him all over his cheeks.
"Of course I did!"
"Oh right, Ash—your performance at Grandpa's summer camp was amazing! You actually got full marks in all ten assessments and ranked first overall! You know, when I attended Grandpa's camp back in the day, I also got first place, but even I didn't manage to get full marks in every category."
"You're seriously talented. And when I saw you awaken psychic powers during the live broadcast… do you know how shocked and happy I was?"
"I guarantee, Ash—you're going to become an incredible Trainer one day!" Daisy knelt down to Ash's height, held his shoulders gently, and looked him in the eyes with a firm smile.
"Well, thanks for the kind words, sis—but I'm confident in myself too!" Ash beamed.
"Oh, and to celebrate you getting first place in summer camp and officially becoming a Pokémon Trainer… your big sis brought you a present!"
"Here, open it up! Tell me if you like it!"
Daisy pulled out a small, palm-sized box from behind her back and handed it over with a mischievous smile.
"If it's from you, Daisy, I'll love it no matter what."
"Awww, Ash—you're such a sweetheart! Not like that smug little brat Gary."
"Hey! Sis! If you're going to insult me, can you atleast wait until I'm out of earshot?! I'm standing right here!" Gary snapped, twitching as he followed Ash into the lab.
"Hehe, and I said it on purpose~" Daisy teased, sticking her tongue out. "Do you know how much effort it took me to find that Eevee for you, Gary? I gave it to you as your big sis, and you didn't even give me a hug!"
"You're so not adorable anymore, you little menace."
"I'm not a kid anymore! I can't just go around—"
"Tch! You're not a kid, huh? Look at Ash—he's already found a girlfriend, and he still acts sweet and affectionate with his sister! You, on the other hand, are just pretending to be mature."
"I-I…"
"Wow!!"
While Daisy and Gary were bickering as usual, Ash opened the box she gave him.
Inside the delicate silk-lined container sat a small item about the size of a Poké Ball.
"It's… a Soothe Bell!"
Ash was pleasantly surprised.
The Soothe Bell is a rare item that, when held by a Pokémon, increases their friendship more rapidly.
Although it wasn't as combat-effective as items like Quick Claw or Cleanse Tag, the Soothe Bell was still extremely valuable and often sold at steep prices in the market.
"Sorry, Ash. I originally wanted to gift you a Pokémon too, but high-potential Pokémon are so rare. I barely managed to catch that Eevee after a ton of effort."
"After hearing from Grandpa and Gary that you already have a Pichu, I decided to give the Eevee to Gary and prepare something else special for you instead—the Soothe Bell," Daisy said with a guilty look on her face.
"But don't worry, Ash! My partner Pikassy is already pregnant. Once she gives birth, I'll gift one of the baby Pichus to you for training!"
"Pikassy is my main partner Pokémon, so I can guarantee her offspring will have at least the same potential as Gary's Eevee. You don't need to worry at all."
Daisy hugged Ash tightly again, ruffling his hair and peppering his cheeks with kisses to comfort him.
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