Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

Imetti wanted to refuse, but Hanako's "unyielding gentleness" was too much for her to handle.

Finally, blushing, she was half-pulled and half-dragged away.

As for why she was blushing...

It wasn't that she was shy; she was simply shocked by how strong Xiaozhi's mother was, and she couldn't break free at all.

This power.......

No wonder they're family with Ash!

........

With everyone's help, the meal was prepared, and everyone gathered around, gradually creating a lively atmosphere.

Hanako's cooking skills have always been impeccable.

The table was laden with dishes, from Kanto specialties to Alora coconut milk stew, it was laid out to the brim.

Even the chopsticks casually picked up from the edge of the plate were exquisitely crafted; it was clear that care had been taken... well, a lot of effort had been put into them.

Not daring to utter a sound, under the watchful gaze of Hanako the Great Demon King, Imettie and Ditto buried their heads and ate two large bowls of rice.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Hanako smiled and added another spoonful of rice to the man and the monster.

"Speaking of which..."

While eating his energy meal, Xiao Zhi casually asked a question.

"Imeti, are you really not planning to take on any more tournament challenges?"

"yes."

Imetti put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"I've been out here for so long, I'm planning to go back to my main job."

"Ah, but you don't need to worry about not seeing me. If nothing unexpected happens, you might even see me in the drama troupe's stage play!"

The dining table fell silent for a moment.

"Huh—?" Xiaoxia's eyes widened. "In a stage play by the drama troupe? Imetti, you're an actress?!"

"Oh, I see..."

Lillie nodded thoughtfully, gently holding the soup bowl in both hands.

"No wonder Miss Imetti has always had a unique temperament, and her words and actions always have a stage presence."

Ditto lifted its head from its bowl, gave Lillie a thumbs-up, and had an "of course" look on its face.

Don't let its small size fool you, Imettie has three Dittos working together inside and out.

Being a stage actor is a piece of cake, isn't it?

The stage effects were absolutely amazing!

Xiao Gang glanced silently at Ditto, then at Imettie's chest.

Hmm, no wonder it looked so realistic back then.

So he's a professional actor. That makes sense.

That's not surprising.

"Huh? Didn't I tell you?"

"Never! I've known you for so long, and you've never mentioned it once!"

"...I see, now you know."

“By the way, Ditto,” Imetti tapped it with her chopsticks, “when we get back to the theater troupe, you can’t just stay in Ash’s form anymore.”

"We need to practice the other forms more, otherwise the guild leader will really dock our pay!"

Our wages?

What do you mean, "our salary"? Isn't that your salary?

and many more.

"Click—"

Ditto abruptly stopped eating, his face frozen on the rim of the bowl.

It slowly raised its head, its eyes filled with disbelief.

It suddenly pointed to itself, its eyes filled with a terrified question.

Then... will I have to continue working?!

“Of course.” Imetti took a bite of food with her chopsticks as a matter of course. “After all, you’re my partner.”

And it's the most reliable of the three Ditto!

Upon hearing this, Ditto shook its head frantically, its face filled with resistance.

Things are different now!

It's now a battle-type Ditto!

He's a formidable character who's been through dojo battles and made it into the top 16 of the tournament!

Why do we have to go back and turn them into tables, chairs, vases, and background trees?!

Where is its Pokémon dignity?! Where are its ideals?!

With Ash's translation, Imetti's eyes widened in surprise.

Wait, Ni cut off the dead too quickly!

"Challenging gyms and participating in tournaments is indeed quite fun..."

"But we still have expenses! The money we spend doesn't grow on trees!"

Ditto puffed out its cheeks and turned its face away, as if to say, "I won't listen, I won't listen."

But his eyes were already somewhat unfocused, clearly indicating that he was also a little uneasy.

Just as the two, one human and one strange, were arguing back and forth about power, destiny, and ideals.

Xiao Zhi, who was getting a little tired from translating, finally stepped in.

"Wait, wait!"

Ash said, pressing down on the Poké Ball of the Bulbasaur, which was already itching to pounce.

"I think I understand what you both want to say. Now, how about I say something fair?"

Imettie and Ditto exchanged a glance.

One raised an eyebrow, the other pursed their lips, but they eventually quieted down and nodded.

"First of all, forcing Pokémon is wrong; after all, a Pokémon's wishes should be respected..."

Ditto nodded.

That's right! That's right!

Look at what they're saying!

“Of course.” Ash held up one finger. “Respect is mutual. Ditto, Imettie just said that she has postponed her theater performances several times in order to play with you in the tournament.”

"Think about it, she's willing to go to such lengths for you, you can't let her wishes fall through too, can you?"

Imetti nodded as well.

That's right! That's right!

Look at what they're saying!

"But... but what should we do then?"

Lillie asked in a low voice.

Xiao Zhi thought for a moment.

"By the way, Imetti, you don't always have performances, do you?"

“That’s true…” Imetti thought for a moment, “The drama troupe has a touring season and a rest period every year. The touring season takes up about seven or eight months, and the remaining months are basically free. Apart from occasional rehearsals or last-minute replacements, they don’t take up the whole day.”

"That makes things easier!"

Xiaoxia interjected.

"Imete could use this time to take Ditto around and challenge people!"

Xiao Zhi nodded.

"Of course, you, the versatile one, also have to promise to cooperate well with the troupe's rehearsals during the tour."

"But if a particularly important combat opportunity arises, Imetti will also prioritize your wishes, how about that?"

Ditto nodded and looked expectantly at Imetti.

After a moment of silence, Imetti sighed and poked Ditto's soft cheek with her finger.

"...Fine, fine, I really owe you one!"

"I promise you, I'll bring you here for the challenge every holiday, is that alright?"

.......

After seeing Imetti off, Ash was somewhat disappointed that he couldn't get the two to sign a contract and returned to his monotonous routine of going back to work and home.

In the morning, I trained with Lillie at the training ground, rushed home for lunch, continued training in the afternoon, and reviewed the game in the evening.

The regular schedule even made Gengar yawn a little.

noon.

Ash had just come out of the training grounds and arrived near his dormitory.

I was discussing with Lillie what my mom would be making for lunch today.

"Baboo!"