Pokémon, Ash is going to become a perfect man from now on.

No more feeling inferior, no more hiding my emotions, no more becoming incoherent and mentally blank when I see him, and most importantly, always being the first to act…

Under the cover of night, Serena planted a ring of flags around herself.

...

"So you went off to cause trouble again, didn't you?"

On the other side, Ash, who was already planning to take action, did not find Serena. Instead, he bumped into a girl who was leisurely walking back.

Judging from their expressions, Xiao Zhi knew that the opponent had definitely gone ahead to anticipate his movements again.

"Well, no surprises this time." Ash rolled his eyes helplessly.

He had been anticipating Serena's reaction to his words, but now he could forget about it.

"Instead of expecting any surprises from her, you might as well expect to get her directly... Just take advantage of her while she's unconscious~" Xiao Lan said nonchalantly, picking her ear. "If it were Hua Lan or anyone else in this situation, I definitely wouldn't have said a word."

Ash has to admit that Blue really has a very thorough understanding of Serena... and everyone around him as well.

Serena has been in contact with Ash by phone all these years. Although she also has the concept of "Ash Blue", she doesn't have it as clearly as the others.

In addition, she is not a trainer yet and has not started pursuing her dream... In other words, she has no outstanding achievements to show for it.

Therefore, she lacks confidence and self-identity. As Xiaozhi continues to move forward, her most likely reaction is to become increasingly self-conscious.

This is actually why Xiaozhi insisted on making things clear tonight.

If they continue these long-distance phone conversations, in a few generations they'll truly be living in two different worlds...

“You might be able to look forward to this now. I just provoked her a bit,” Xiao Lan said with a smile. “Don’t let her gentle and weak appearance fool you; she’s actually quite tough at heart… especially when it comes to you.”

"That's true..."

Ash certainly knows Serena's personality well. She is forced to practice riding every day by her mother, a national-level Rhyhorn runner, and she often falls and gets bruised all over. How could Serena be just a weak little girl?

However, upon hearing Xiaolan talk about these things, Xiaozhi couldn't help but feel his face burning.

"Blue...you really don't mind at all?" Ash asked apologetically. "Someone like me should have been killed with a cleaver, right..."

"Pah! You know that too? You scumbag!" Xiao Lan immediately rolled her eyes.

But soon, she put on an indifferent smile again.

"Everyone has flaws, that's good, otherwise life would be too fake... Even if your flaw is being a player, it's okay, as long as you don't start relationships and then abandon them. Besides, Xiao Mao can have six girlfriends, you can't be worse than him~"

"Hey, are you sure you said that after thinking it through?" Ash's speechless expression fell.

Well... in front of Xiao Lan, he simply couldn't be profound at all.

How did this girl manage to describe something so morally reprehensible in such a light and refreshing way?

"Whether I'm normal or not, you can't deny it, can you?" Xiao Lan giggled, then suddenly pressed her index finger against Xiao Zhi's lips.

"You can go to Serena, whether it's confessing your feelings, holding hands, or hugging, I don't care... but anything else is off-limits! If you dare to break the rules, believe me, I'll drive you crazy!"

"Oh dear... what a scary threat~" Ash said, deliberately crossing his arms, but his eyes always held a promising smile.

He knew what Xiao Lan wanted.

Aside from any unnecessary confession, she would prioritize everything else.

"Then I wish you success! Remember to share the details when you get back, and I'll analyze them for you so we can improve next time~" Blue said, rambling on, and mischievously pushed Ash away from her side...

She watched Ash leave, and a slight hint of melancholy crept into her smile... but only a hint.

"It'll probably get more and more lively in the future~"

Soon, she returned to her usual cheerful self.

...

Following the guidance of the waveguide, Ash quickly found his destination.

The other person was currently standing under a tree, holding Togepi, seemingly lost in thought...

“Salina…”

"Ash...you, you're here?!" Hearing the call from behind, Serena froze, her movements as swift as a puppet's.

How did he find us so quickly?

Oh no, I'm already feeling dizzy after just meeting them...

Hmm… the flags Serena just planted next to us have already fallen over in large numbers.

"What...are you doing here?" Ash was actually quite nervous, and even asked a question he already knew the answer to...

Of course they're waiting for you!

"Me... sunbathing under the moon? Uh..."

Serena made up a reason... but when she saw the thick, dark clouds in the sky, she immediately felt embarrassed and speechless.

Please, do I even have the ability to do this?

"Fine... whatever, I have something to tell you." After a moment's hesitation, Xiao Zhi decided to cut to the chase; he really didn't want to drag it out any longer!

"You...wait a minute!!"

Serena suddenly screamed, and even covered her ears with her hands to avoid hearing Ash's words, forgetting to hug Togepi...

"Catch!" The little eggshell, caught by Ash with lightning speed, immediately waved its little hand in dissatisfaction.

"Ash, wait for me, it'll be ready soon!" Serena turned her back and stomped her feet several times, as if to encourage herself.

Turning back around, she still covered her ears and lowered her head, but she did speak up on her own initiative.

"At first, I didn't want to go to that summer camp at all... but now I'm so glad I met Xiaozhi. Even though we only spent a few days together, I was very happy and I will never forget that time."

"Over the years, Ash has kept in touch with me, and I'm really happy about that... And Togepi, whenever I see it, I know that even though we're not together, Ash is always thinking of me."

"Actually, I've always been motivated by my connection with Ash... I don't want to become a Rhydon rider, but I can't go against my mom's wishes, so I have to do training I don't like every day. But whenever I get news from Ash, my mood improves a lot, and I even feel that it's okay to do some morning training every day."

"Then this time, I finally had the chance to come to Indigo Plateau and see Ash's competition... I discovered that Ash is really getting stronger and stronger, achieving many remarkable accomplishments, and being recognized and needed by many people. But I..."

"Serena, actually..." Seeing Serena seemingly falling into feelings of inferiority again, Ash felt both heartache and deep regret.

I should have just confessed my feelings over the phone instead of going through all that formality. That would have saved her from overthinking it!

"I'm almost there! Wait a little longer!" Serena said, her head down, waving her hand haphazardly forward as if trying to stop Ash from interrupting.

"I... since just now, no... for the past few years, I've been constantly overthinking and staying in the same place! I don't want to be a runner, but I don't know what I want to do; I don't want to just talk to Xiaozhi on the phone, but when we actually meet, I become incoherent and so nervous that I can't say anything clearly..."

"But I know... I really know!" Serena suddenly clenched her fists, as if she were using all her strength to look up at Ash!

"No matter what I am like now, no matter what I do in the future... you will always be my goal!!"

She shouted her last words almost in a broken voice, and then began to gasp for breath, as if she had exhausted all the strength in her body.

She wants to chase after Ash!

Even if Ash has Blue or anyone else by his side, she will never give up!!

“Salina…” Ash stared blankly at the girl in front of him, completely stunned.

The effect of this stimulation was far too astonishing, or perhaps it was an emotional outburst from being suppressed to the limit. In any case, to use an inappropriate analogy, Serena was now like an armored rhinoceros wielding a unicorn drill...

A single, decisive blow, with absolutely no holding back!

"Ugh..." The girl, who was panting, suddenly froze. She realized that she was being held in Ash's arms.

This is his response; words should come after actions.

“Serena, you’re actually my target too,” Ash whispered in the girl’s ear. “Ever since I saw you at summer camp, I’ve known that… No matter what, I won’t let you slip away!”

"Xiao Zhi..." The girl's eyes began to glaze over, and her blood pressure soared.

"Also... if you don't want to become a runner, then make it clear to Aunt Sachi that you will no longer do riding practice."

"Huh?" Serena was confused. Was Ash encouraging her to give up halfway?

"I can help you find the things you want to do, no matter how long it takes... We will be together, and that is the most important meaning of the future!"

"Xiao Zhi, I..."

"I like you." *2

Under the cover of night, the boy and girl spoke in unison.

A gentle breeze dispersed the dark clouds, casting a soft glow upon the two embracing figures…

Chapter 243 Kanto and Johto, the Champions Arrive!!

Ash has accomplished something big... by being forcefully confessed to by Serena, a two-way street.

As for what happened after that night… well, there was no way there would be any follow-up.

Despite Serena's seemingly indomitable spirit when confessing her feelings, once that initial burst of energy wears off, she'll still be intimidated by Ash's various interactions.

There weren't even any overly intimate gestures; Xiao Zhi simply carried her back to his room in a princess carry, and she already shrank back like a little quail.

Take your time, Ash isn't in a rush anyway.

Dating is about feelings, not just about hitting multiple bases in a row. Some things can be put on hold.

However, the relationship must be established in advance, so that they can stay together for a long time in the future.