POKEMON : THE WAY OF PERCEPTION

After finishing their meal, Misty casually mentioned a stroll outside. "Ash, it looks like you've never been to a city this big before. Want me to show you around?"

Ash smiled and nodded. "Sure! I've been meaning to check out Viridian City anyway."

Before heading out, though, Ash remembered something important. "Wait, I need to make a call first. I haven't told Mom I arrived safely."

Misty tilted her head. "The phones are in the lobby. Come on, I'll show you."

They walked to the northeast corner of the Pokémon Center's lobby, where rows of phones were lined up. Several trainers were already there, chatting with family or friends, and Ash and Misty waited their turn.

The phones resembled landlines but were equipped with screens for video calls. Finally, Ash's turn came. He dialed his home number, and the call connected after a few rings.

"Hello? This is Delia," came the warm and familiar voice of Ash's mom.

"Mom, it's me!" Ash said, his tone immediately brightening. Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, chimed in with a cheerful "Pika!"

Delia's face appeared on the screen as the video function activated. Her smile widened when she saw Ash and Pikachu, though her eyes soon wandered to Misty, who stood a little awkwardly behind him.

"Oh, Ash! And Pikachu too! I see you've already made a friend," Delia said, her tone light and teasing.

Misty straightened and quickly introduced herself. "Hello, ma'am! My name's Misty. I'm traveling with Ash for now."

Delia's kind smile deepened. "It's lovely to meet you, Misty. You're such a pretty young lady."

Blushing slightly, Misty stammered, "Th-thank you, ma'am." She was struck by how beautiful Ash's mother was, and her words carried an air of admiration.

Ash, feeling a little embarrassed by the exchange, decided to shift the conversation. "Mom, is everything okay at home?"

"Yes, of course, dear," Delia replied warmly. "How about you? Have you arrived in Viridian City?"

"Yeah, thanks to Misty's help, we made it here quickly," Ash said, omitting the details of the chaos they'd encountered earlier. He didn't want to worry his mom.

Delia's face lit up with pride. "That's wonderful! You know, it took your father four days to reach Viridian City when he started his journey. You've already outdone him!"

"Mom, no need to bring that up," Ash muttered, scratching the back of his head.

Delia ignored his protest and began her usual string of advice. "Now remember, Ash: brush your teeth every morning and night, eat healthy, and get plenty of rest—"

Ash listened patiently, nodding and responding when necessary. Misty, watching the interaction, felt a pang of envy. Her own parents had disappeared years ago, leaving her and her sisters to fend for themselves. Seeing Ash being doted on reminded her of what she had lost, but she didn't let it show.

After finishing her advice, Delia's gaze shifted back to Misty. "Misty, dear, I'm counting on you to take care of my son, okay?"

Caught off guard, Misty's cheeks flushed again. "Oh! Y-yes, of course. I'll make sure he stays safe."

"And please, just call me Delia," she added warmly, making Misty feel both welcomed and embarrassed.

Ash, oblivious to the subtext, turned to his mother. "Mom, Misty isn't going to be traveling with me forever. You'll make her uncomfortable if you say things like that."

Delia clicked her tongue. "Oh, Ash, you really are clueless. Do you expect Misty to spell it out for you? You should be the one asking her to join you on your journey!"

"Huh? Is that how it's supposed to work?" Ash asked, genuinely confused.

"Yes, dear. You're just like your father, always a little dense when it comes to these things," Delia sighed dramatically, though her tone was still playful.

After a few more exchanges, they ended the call. As the screen went dark, Ash turned to Misty with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. My mom can be... a bit much sometimes. Don't take her too seriously."

Misty frowned, her earlier shyness replaced with annoyance. "A bit much? She's just looking out for you! And you—ugh, forget it. I'm not even sure why I'm traveling with you anymore."

Ash blinked, completely lost. "Wait, what? What did I do?"

Crossing her arms, Misty huffed. "Never mind. Just forget I said anything." She turned on her heel, leaving Ash scrambling to follow.

"Hey, don't just leave me behind! I'll get lost without you," Ash called after her.

Despite her annoyance, Misty didn't abandon him. As they walked through the streets of Viridian City, she made a mental list of supplies they'd need for their journey: food, water, and basic necessities. Though she wouldn't admit it, Delia's words had struck a chord, and she found herself more determined than ever to look after Ash.

Meanwhile, Pikachu watched the two of them with an amused expression, sparking lightly as if laughing at its trainer's obliviousness.

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(End of Chapter)

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