Pokémon: An Unexpected Odyssey

Chapter no.38 Are We on A Date?

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Misty sat on the smooth bench outside the Cerulean City Bank, her gaze distant as the sun glinted off the cobblestone streets and shimmering canals. Around her, the city hummed with its usual rhythm—people walked briskly past, their conversations blending into a soft murmur, while Pokémon filled the air with their unique calls. A pair of Seels slid playfully across the fountain nearby, their laughter-like cries carrying through the square. A Poliwhirl led a parade of smaller Water-types, splashing happily in the midday heat.

She tapped her foot against the pavement, a habit she'd picked up when her thoughts were louder than the world around her. Today, those thoughts were deafening.

Austin.

The memory of his words lingered in her mind like the taste of sweet berries: "You're cute, so I want to help you." Simple words, but they tugged at something deep within her, something she rarely allowed herself to feel. She bit her lip, unsure whether to laugh or groan.

"He's got to be joking," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as if that would banish the thought. But the image of his lopsided grin and the sincerity in his eyes refused to leave her alone. Was he serious? Or was this some ploy?

Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. She'd heard words like that before—too often, in fact. Boys at the gym had tried to use their younger siblings to get close to her, usually to win over her sisters' favor. Those words had always felt hollow, like stones skipping across water, never sinking in. But with Austin... it felt different.

Still, the doubts crept in. Maybe he's just pretending to help me become a Gym Leader to get closer. She glanced at the passing crowd, trying to distract herself, but the thought persisted. He's younger, inexperienced... but no one's been this nice to me just because.

She let out a soft, humorless laugh. "At least someone appreciates the beauty that is Misty." The words were meant to be light, but they felt heavy, weighed down by years of comparison to her sisters. Daisy, Lily, and Violet—they'd always been the stars of Cerulean, the radiant ones. Misty was just the tagalong, the "ugly Psyduck" they'd teased her about.

Maybe Austin was different. Or maybe I'm setting myself up for disappointment.

Her tapping foot kicked a small stone, sending it clattering across the pavement. She closed her eyes, trying to calm the storm in her mind, focusing instead on the world around her. The laughter of children, the splash of water, the faint breeze carrying the salty tang of the sea—it grounded her, if only for a moment.

"Pika!"

Misty's eyes snapped open at the familiar cry of alarm. She turned to see Pikachu darting behind the bench, trembling as if he'd seen a ghost. Austin followed close behind, balancing a paper plate in his hand and laughing softly.

"Come on, Pikachu, it's tasty," he coaxed, though his voice was more teasing than convincing. Pikachu hissed, darting further behind Misty like she was a shield against whatever monstrosity Austin was holding.

Misty raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth twitching upward despite herself. "What's that?"

"Oh, some local dish I picked up from a vendor outside the bank," Austin replied, gesturing vaguely behind him. He held up the plate, revealing dark, glossy noodles coated in black ink sauce. "Tentacool Ink Vermicelli. Pikachu got a taste and wasn't a fan."