After that brief, quiet closeness, Ash felt his heart settle.
He didn't push for anything more. If anything, he felt relieved. Misty looked calmer too, her tension easing as she realised he wasn't going to rush her or turn the moment into something complicated. That alone made the night feel warmer—simpler in a way that mattered.
They lay together on the top bed, side by side, the blanket pulled up neatly. The room was quiet except for the faint sound of the night wind brushing against the window. Misty shifted closer, not pressing, just enough to feel his presence.
"I'm glad," she murmured softly after a moment.
"About what?" Ash asked.
"That you're… you," she replied, her voice light but sincere.
Ash didn't answer right away. He just smiled faintly, staring at the ceiling. They talked a little after that—about small things, about the journey, about Pallet Town feeling both familiar and strange after everything they'd been through. The conversation slowly faded, words giving way to silence.
Misty fell asleep first.
Her breathing became slow and even, her expression peaceful. Ash let out a quiet sigh, the tension of the day finally catching up to him. His eyelids felt heavy, his thoughts blurring as exhaustion won.
The room settled into complete stillness.
Somewhere in the night, Misty shifted slightly, instinctively moving closer. Her forehead rested near his shoulder, her hand lightly gripping the fabric of his shirt. A small, content smile appeared on her lips.
"Good night, Ash," she whispered, barely audible.
He was already asleep.
+
Morning arrived quietly.
Ash woke up as he always did, his body responding to habit more than anything else. Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains. He turned his head slightly and froze.
Misty was still asleep.
Her hair was a bit messy, her face relaxed in a way she rarely allowed herself to be when awake. There was something disarming about it—gentle, unguarded. A truly tempting sight for him. As he looked at her soft lips, quietly.
He smiled faintly.
"I'll be going out," he whispered. "Sleep well." He tried to be as soft as he could be. But just as he shifted to move, Misty stirred.
"Hm… already going?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. She stretched lazily, lifting her arms above her head and stretching them a bit before she even realised what she was doing.
With her slim figure and beautiful look. Along with those thin clothes, she looked really sexy at the moment, making Ash sigh. As he turned away quickly, pretending to focus on the window side.
Misty smiled to herself. She leaned over and pressed a quick, gentle kiss to his cheek before settling back down.
"Go on," she said sleepily. "I'll sleep a bit more." Ash nodded, his ears warm, and quietly left the room.
+
Downstairs, Delia was already in the kitchen. "Good morning, Ash."
"Good morning, Mom." He leaned in and gave her a quick hug before heading out, leaving Delia smiling knowingly behind him. Just thinking about how he might leave again. She felt a bit unwilling. But did not voice it out. After all, she can still watch him fight at every gym battle with that cute commentator Sia channel.
Pallet Town was already awake. Ash went for his usual jog, exchanging greetings with familiar faces. They talked a lot with Ash as he was jogging. The calm rhythm of the town helped clear his thoughts. Although it also excites him toward working hard.
As they all were really counting on him for making a grand entrance at the Kanto Conference. At this time, the world will be watching it, due to the World Championship. Later, he stopped by Professor Oak's lab.
As he approached, Daisy stepped out. "Ash." Her voice had a calm and happy tone to it.
He stiffened slightly, then smiled.
"Good morning, Sister Daisy," Ash greeted her. Giving her a look, Ash sighed. After all, in this world, Daisy's iconic features were there, like brown hair and brown eyes, but they were lighter and with her look. She truly looks like a character from SAO, a more mature Asuna.
She walked over and pulled him into a brief hug, ruffling his hair without warning.
"I watched your match," she said warmly. "Your Butterfree was impressive. Let me check on him later, alright?"
Ash nodded, feeling awkward but unable to refuse.
"Good boy," she said with a light kiss on his forehead before walking away. Ash watched her go, then exhaled slowly. It was shaping up to be another busy day. And somehow… that felt just right.
After meeting Oak at the lab, Ash stayed a while longer to talk.
Samuel Oak leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he listened, nodding occasionally. "I might head out later," he said. "If Daisy comes back before I do, give me a call. I'm itching to visit Cerulean Gym myself and see how things are going there."
Ash nodded. "Got it."
Oak glanced at him sideways, then smiled knowingly. "Still got you wrapped around her finger, huh?"
Ash paused for half a second, then let out a small, awkward laugh.
From the very beginning, he had always listened to Daisy. Quietly. Without protest. And that hadn't changed even now. He scratched the back of his head, his smile turning a little bitter.
"I know, old man," Ash admitted. "For some reason… I just can't bring myself to refuse her."
Oak chuckled, clearly amused.
Ash didn't say the rest out loud. He knew the real reason. Daisy's appearance, her demeanour—everything about her reminded him too strongly of a character he had always admired. Someone familiar. Comfortable. How was he supposed to say no to that? With a final exchange of words, Ash left the lab.
Back home, Yellow and Leaf were already awake. The smell of breakfast lingered in the air as Ash stepped inside, still warm from his jog.
"Ash, welcome back…" Yellow greeted him between bites, her voice slightly muffled.
"Good morning," Leaf added with a smile. "How was the run?"
"Good," Ash replied, nodding. "Thanks."
He headed straight for the shower, wanting to rinse off before sitting down to eat. By the time he came back, his hair still slightly damp, the room had changed again.
Yellow and Leaf were gone.
Only Misty remained. She sat at the table, hands around a cup, eyes squinted slightly as she smiled. "Hmm. Good morning, Ash."
"Morning," he replied softly. Noticing that no one else was around, Ash leaned in and pressed a quick peck to her cheek. Misty froze for half a second before her face flushed red.
She glanced around instinctively, then looked back at him, lips curling into a shy smile. 'He can be rather bold sometimes,' she thought, but she didn't dislike it. Not at all.
They ate together quietly after that, speaking about nothing important, enjoying the calm. Neither of them noticed Delia slipping into the room, stopping just short of the doorway.
She saw everything.
Delia covered her mouth to hide her smile and mentally gave Ash a proud thumbs-up. In her mind, boys had to be bold about these things. That was how his father had been too.
Eventually, the girls headed out to take care of their own plans for the day. The house grew quiet again. Ash lay back on his bed, arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling, enjoying the rare moment of peace. Then the phone rang.
Delia answered it downstairs. There was a brief pause, followed by her voice echoing up the stairway. "Ash—old Samuel is calling you!" Ash jolted upright.
"I'm coming!" He jumped off the bed and rushed out of his room, the calm moment instantly broken as another day began.
Daisy Image.