POKEMON : THE WAY OF PERCEPTION

As the sound of running water came from the bathroom, Ash leaned against the railing of the balcony, staring at the quiet night beyond. The dormitory, situated at the back of the Pokémon Center, offered no view of the battlefield at the front. Instead, it provided a serene and soundproof space, perfect for rest.

Ash rested his chin on his hands, reflecting on the day's whirlwind of events. From receiving Pikachu to battling Gary, beginning his journey, discovering Osiris' Soaring in the Sky Dragon's power, dealing with the Spearow swarm, meeting Misty, and finally encountering Ho-Oh—it had been a day of unforgettable experiences.

"Hey, Pikachu," Ash said softly, glancing at the electric mouse perched on the railing beside him, also gazing into the distance.

"Pika?" Pikachu tilted its head curiously.

"Do you think we'll ever reach the highest peak, where no one else has been, and see the kind of view only legends can see?" Ash asked, a dreamy smile playing on his lips.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu nodded enthusiastically, sparking with energy as if affirming Ash's determination.

Ash smiled, his resolve strengthening. "I believe in us, Pikachu. Even without any special powers or advantages, we'll make it. I'll become the strongest Trainer in the world—the stuff of legends!"

Before Pikachu could respond, Misty stepped out of the bathroom, drying her hair with a towel. "What are you mumbling about out here?" she asked, glancing at Ash curiously.

"Nothing much," Ash said quickly, turning to face her. He paused when he noticed her with her hair down, a look that softened her usual spunky demeanor. Misty, unaware of his gaze, continued rubbing her hair dry.

"Go wash up, Ash. We need to grab dinner soon," Misty said casually.

"Oh, right!" Ash hurried to grab his things, glancing briefly at the bathroom door before stepping in.

As he entered, Misty froze, her face turning red. Wait... I left my clothes in there— including her undergarments. Panic filled her as she imagined the possibility of Ash noticing.

Inside, Ash did see Misty's clothes, but he chose to ignore them. He washed up quickly, making a conscious effort to focus on other things. After finishing, he returned to the room with Pikachu.

Misty, her face still flushed, darted into the bathroom to grab her clothes, stuffing them into her bag. She avoided eye contact with Ash, though she knew he must have seen them. Her hurried actions gave her a sense of relief, even if they were a little futile.

Meanwhile, Ash dried Pikachu's fur and gave his hair a quick towel rub. His hair was still messy, something Misty immediately noticed.

"Seriously? At least use a hair dryer," she said, shaking her head and handing him the one provided by the dormitory.

"Nah, I'm good. Let's eat—I'm starving!" Ash replied, setting Pikachu on his shoulder.

Misty sighed but didn't press the issue. "Alright, let's go."

---

The Pokémon Center's restaurant was large and inviting, about a third the size of the main hall, spanning roughly 500 square meters. Trainers were seated at tables, chatting and enjoying meals, while their Pokémon munched on food provided in designated areas.

One of the Center's unique perks was its free meals for trainers. The menu offered various dishes, from hearty meals to snacks, and trainers could collect their orders once prepared. Pokémon food, while simpler, was also readily available for smaller Pokémon. However, larger Pokémon required special diets that trainers usually had to prepare themselves, a significant expense for rookie or budget-conscious trainers.

Ash and Misty placed their orders, grabbing a portion of Pokémon food for Pikachu before finding a table. While waiting, they chatted about their plans for the next day. Before long, the intercom announced their meals were ready.

Ash returned with a steaming plate of fried pork chops, while Misty had opted for curry rice. Pikachu eagerly dove into its bowl of food, sparks flying as it ate enthusiastically.

"This is so good!" Ash exclaimed after his first bite. "I didn't expect Pokémon Center food to be this delicious—and it's free?"

Misty smirked proudly. "Of course! This is one of the perks provided by the Pokémon League for trainers. It's part of their support system."

"Wait, so only trainers can eat and stay here for free?" Ash asked curiously between bites.

"Exactly," Misty replied, taking a sip of water. "Others can use the facilities, but they have to pay for meals and accommodations. It's one of the ways the League encourages and supports trainers on their journeys."

Ash nodded thoughtfully. "That's pretty generous of them."

As they ate, the restaurant buzzed with conversations from trainers exchanging stories about their travels and battles. Some discussed strategies for upcoming challenges, while others bragged about rare Pokémon they had encountered.

Ash couldn't help but feel inspired by the energy in the room. This was the world he wanted to be a part of—a world of exploration, battles, and camaraderie.

After finishing their meal, Ash leaned back in his chair with a content sigh. "That was amazing. I could eat here every day."

"Well, don't get too comfortable," Misty teased. "Tomorrow, we're heading into the Viridian Forest. You'll need to catch more Pokémon if you want to build a strong team."

Ash grinned, his excitement returning. "I'm ready! Let's see what kind of Pokémon we'll find."

"Just don't rush in blindly," Misty warned. "The forest can be tricky, and you'll need to stay focused."

"Got it," Ash replied, already imagining the new adventures awaiting them.

As they left the restaurant and headed back to their dormitory, Ash couldn't help but glance up at the night sky, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for his journey so far. With Pikachu on his shoulder and Misty by his side, he was ready for whatever came next.

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(End of Chapter)

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