The doctor stepped out of the examination room, looking mildly exasperated. "Ash, could you come in here for a moment? Your girlfriend is... well, she's freaking out."

Ash blinked. "Girlfriend?!"

The doctor shrugged. "She’s yelling your name like a siren, so I assumed."

Pikachu snickered from its seat, and Ash shot it a glare. "Oh, quiet, you." He sighed and followed the doctor into the room.

As soon as he stepped in, Misty pointed an accusatory finger at him. "ASH KETCHUM, WHAT DID YOU TELL HIM?! This is all your fault!"

"My fault?!" Ash said, throwing his hands up. "You’re the one who insisted nothing was wrong! And now you’re yelling at me because the doctor’s trying to help?"

"I wouldn’t need help if you didn’t drag me here in the first place!" Misty retorted, crossing her arms.

Ash groaned. "Misty, your leg looks like a Snorlax sat on it! You’re lucky I care enough to—"

"LUCKY?! Oh, you mean I’m lucky to have you hovering over me like I can’t handle myself!"

" I'm trying to help you!"

" Help me by letting me take care of myself!"

" I'm worried about you!"

" I'm not some helpless maiden in distress!"

Suddenly, the door slammed open, and Brock stood there, hands on his hips and an exasperated look on his face. "WOULD YOU TWO SHUT UP?! I could hear you from Pewter City!"

Ash and Misty froze, mid-argument.

"Brock?!"

"Yes, Brock!" he snapped, walking into the room. "Do you two ever stop arguing? You’re louder than a group of Jigglypuff at karaoke night!"

Misty huffed and looked away, muttering, "He started it."

Ash glared. "I’m just trying to make sure she’s okay!"

Brock pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ash, Misty, listen. You’re both driving everyone here insane, including me—and I wasn’t even here! Just let the doctor do their job so we can all have some peace, okay?"

Ash and Misty exchanged sheepish glances.

The doctor, who had been standing awkwardly in the corner, cleared his throat. "Well, now that the noise level’s down, shall we proceed?"

Misty sighed and nodded. "Fine. But I’m still blaming Ash."

Ash grumbled under his breath. "You always do."

Brock groaned, turning to leave. "If you two ever get married, please don’t invite me to the wedding—I’ll need earplugs."

"Pika pika!" Pikachu chimed in from the hallway, earning a glare from Ash.