" Hey, Misty?"

" Hm?*

" So.... There's this new cafe I think you'll like, a-"

Misty looked up from the pool and gave Ash a look. " You want to go there before we go out for another adventure tomorrow, don't you?"

Ash sheepishly rubbed his neck. " Uh....."

Misty smirked as she stood up. " You wanna take me out, don't you?"

Ash blushed. " What?! No! I mean-"

Misty inches her way towards him. " How sweet. And in the Cerulean city gym."

" Piiikaaaa!"

" Toge!"

Ash stumbled backward, his face now as red as a Tamato Berry. "I-I mean, it’s not like a date or anything! I just thought you might like it!"

Misty crossed her arms, her smirk widening. "Oh really? A cute little cafe in Cerulean City? Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this, Ash."

Ash waved his hands frantically. "I didn’t! I mean, I did! But not like that!" He glanced at Pikachu, who was snickering on his shoulder. "Pikachu, help me out here!"

"Pika pika," Pikachu replied, clearly enjoying the show.

Misty stepped closer, leaning slightly toward Ash. "So, what’s the name of this 'not-a-date' cafe?"

Ash gulped, trying not to trip over his words. "It’s, uh… The Rosy Latte. Brock said they have good food!"

Misty raised an eyebrow. "The Rosy Latte? Ash, that’s a romantic cafe!"

Ash’s jaw dropped. "What?! No, it’s not! It’s just... a place to eat!" He turned to Pikachu again, who was now covering its mouth with its paws to stifle laughter. "Stop laughing, Pikachu!"

"Fine," Misty said, her teasing tone softening. "If it’s not a date, then I guess I’ll just wear my usual clothes."

Ash blinked. "Why wouldn’t you?"

Misty tilted her head, pretending to think. "Well, if it were a date, I might wear something... special."

Ash turned bright red again, his mind spinning. "It’s... it’s not a date! But, uh... you can wear whatever you want!"

Misty laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "Relax, Ash. I’m just messing with you. I’d love to go to the cafe. Thanks for asking."

Ash let out a huge sigh of relief. "Oh. Okay. Cool. Great. Tomorrow morning, then?"

Misty nodded. "Sure. But for the record, Ash—if you ever do want to take me on a date, just say so."

Ash froze, his brain short-circuiting. "I-I… uh… maybe... someday..."

"Piii-ka!" Pikachu chimed, shaking its head with a grin.

Misty chuckled as she turned back to the pool. "Come on, Togepi. Let’s let Ash recover from his little heart attack."

"Toge!" Togepi cooed, happily following her.

Ash watched her walk away, groaning as he flopped onto a nearby bench. "Why does this always happen to me, Pikachu?"

"Pika pika," Pikachu replied, clearly amused.

Misty sat on the edge of her seashell-shaped bed, Togepi nestled comfortably in her lap. Her room was a serene mix of blues and greens, with aquatic murals decorating the walls and soft lighting mimicking the shimmer of sunlight on water. She giggled softly, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Did you see his face, Togepi?" Misty asked, her laughter bubbling up again. "I can't believe how easy it is to mess with him sometimes."

"Toge toge!" Togepi chirped, bouncing happily as if it, too, found Ash’s flustered reaction amusing.

Misty leaned back, staring up at the ceiling painted with a school of swimming Goldeen. "Honestly, he’s so sweet when he tries to act cool. I mean, The Rosy Latte? He had to know I’d catch on!"

Togepi tilted its head. "Toge?"

She smiled, stroking Togepi’s head. "Okay, okay, I know I shouldn’t tease him so much. But he’s just so... him. Stubborn, clueless, and somehow still adorable."

Her laughter faded into a soft smile as she gazed at the little Poké Doll collection on her shelf. "I guess that’s why I like him so much. He always tries, even if he gets all flustered."

Togepi chirped again, bouncing up and down in agreement.

Misty sat up, her smirk returning. "Still, tomorrow is going to be fun. Let’s see if he can survive another round of me teasing him at the cafe."

"Toge toge!" Togepi said enthusiastically, as if ready for the next act in their little game.

" Hey, Ash, wake up."

" Mmmmmmmm?*

" Aaaaaash?"

" Misty, why are you in our house?" Ash muttered sleepily.

" Ash, you're in the gym. In my room. Sleeping next to me."

" Mmmmmm. Misty, why don't you sleep a little more? It's four."

" Ash it's ten."

" That's so early...."

Misty sighed, shaking her head with a small smirk. She sat cross-legged on the bed, watching as Ash buried his face deeper into the pillow. Pikachu was curled up by his side, equally unwilling to wake up.

"Ash, come on," Misty said, nudging his shoulder. "We have plans today. You promised to take me to that cafe, remember?"

Ash groaned, pulling the blanket over his head. "Misty, cafes are open all day. Just five more minutes..."

Misty crossed her arms, her smirk turning mischievous. "Fine. I guess I’ll just tell Brock you’re too tired to spend time with me. Maybe he wants to go instead."

That got Ash’s attention. He bolted upright, his hair sticking out in every direction. "Wait, what?! No way! Brock’s not—"

Misty burst out laughing, leaning back on her hands. "Relax, Ash. I’m kidding. But seriously, get up. You’re the one who wanted to go to this cafe, remember?"

Ash rubbed his eyes, grumbling under his breath. "Yeah, yeah... I’m up." He glanced at Misty, who was already dressed and looking way too amused. "How are you so awake right now?"

"Because I didn’t stay up all night battling the gym’s automated trainers," Misty replied, flicking his forehead lightly. "Now, come on, sleepyhead. Let’s get going before all the good pastries are gone."

Ash grumbled something incoherent but swung his legs over the side of the bed. Pikachu stretched and yawned, hopping onto Ash’s shoulder.

"Alright, I’m up," Ash muttered, standing and scratching the back of his head. "Let’s go get that breakfast—or whatever meal this is."

Misty rolled her eyes but smiled, grabbing Togepi from her bedside. "It’s brunch, Ash. And you’re lucky I let you sleep in this late."

As the group headed out of the room, Ash yawned again, glancing at Misty. "You’re really bossy in the mornings, you know that?"

Misty smirked. "You love it."

Ash muttered something under his breath, his cheeks tinting pink as Misty led the way.

" Okay who did this?"

Ash blinked. " Huh?"

" Ash, you only have ONE pastry on your plate! You usually have more than that! What's going on?"

Ash stared at Misty, his eyes wide, caught off guard by the sudden shift in her tone. "Huh? Misty, it’s nothing! I’m just... trying to eat healthier, that’s all." He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck.

Misty wasn’t buying it. She leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "Ash Ketchum, I want an answer. Who told you you eat too much?"

Ash gulped, glancing down at the single pastry on his plate. Pikachu, sitting on the table, looked between the two of them with concern. "Misty, it’s really not a big deal. I just thought I’d try something new."

Misty tightened her grip on his hand. "Ash, don’t lie to me. You never worry about how much you eat. So, who said something?"

Ash hesitated, his cheeks growing red. "It was... nobody. Just a couple of trainers we battled the other day. They were joking about how much I eat at the Pokémon Center buffets, that’s all." He tried to shrug it off, but Misty wasn’t letting it slide.

"Joking or not, that’s not okay," Misty said firmly. "Ash, you’re the most energetic, hardworking person I know. You need all that food to keep up with everything you do. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about that."

Ash blinked, startled by her passionate response. "Misty, I really didn’t think much of it. I mean, I know I eat a lot, but—"

"But nothing," Misty interrupted. "You’re perfect just the way you are. And if anyone has a problem with it, they can take it up with me."

Ash’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Perfect? Really?" he mumbled, a shy smile creeping onto his face.

Misty realized what she said and quickly looked away, her own cheeks pink. "I—I mean, you know... you’re fine the way you are! Don’t twist my words!"

Pikachu snickered, clearly amused by the exchange.

Ash smiled warmly and squeezed her hand. "Thanks, Misty. That means a lot. I guess I’ll try another pastry... or two."

Misty smiled back, her cheeks still pink. "Good. And next time someone says something stupid like that, let me know. I’ll set them straight."

"Noted," Ash said with a chuckle, reaching for another pastry.

As he took a bite, Misty leaned back in her chair, satisfied. "See? Life’s better when you’re not worrying about what other people think."

Ash nodded, his mouth full of pastry. "Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Misty."

"Anytime, Ash," she said, her expression softening. "Now, hurry up. You’ve got a lot more to try."