Kazuki leapt down from Pidgeotto's back onto the top floor of the lighthouse. At this point, Pidgeotto was clearly exhausted, barely holding itself up in the air.
Quickly, Kazuki returned it to its Poké Ball.
"Great job, Pidgeotto! You've earned a good rest over the next few days."
Atop the lighthouse, two people stood—one, stunned into silence, the other wearing a complicated expression, fists clenched tightly at her sides.
Having observed Pidgeotto so closely, Bill's knowledge of the species had been refreshed. But what shocked him even more was Kazuki's courage.
This guy dared to get so close to such a massive and mysterious Pokémon!
Seems like he's even more obsessed with legendary Pokémon than I am…
Seeing Kazuki land safely, Bill wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned as he approached.
"Kazuki, I'm just glad you're okay. I totally get your passion for rare Pokémon!"
"But next time, be more careful, yeah?"
He patted Kazuki's arm, eyes full of relief.
"So… did you get a good look at that mysterious Pokémon? What did it look like?"
Kazuki glanced at Bill's eager expression—he was clearly dying to know what the Giant Dragonite looked like. Kazuki's eyes shifted, and he suddenly had a brilliant idea.
"Ah, well… the situation was pretty intense at the time, and the sea mist was thick. Honestly, I didn't get a very clear view."
"Oh! Yeah, makes sense. I could feel its pressure all the way from the lighthouse. You being that close… yeah, I get it," Bill nodded in understanding, though there was still a hint of disappointment in his tone.
"But I recorded a video!"
"Oh, well, even having a recording is—wait, what?" Bill's eyes widened in shock. "Y-You recorded it?"
"Would you let me have a copy of the footage?"
"I can pay for it—no matter how expensive!"
"And when I publish my research report, I'll include your name in the byline!"
Bill was a straightforward guy. Once he knew Kazuki had a recording, he didn't hesitate to offer a generous exchange—money and academic credit—instead of pulling the "Professor Oak's protégé" card.
After all, someone like Bill, who could casually build a lighthouse and spend years waiting for an Giant Dragonite, clearly wasn't short on cash.
As a researcher personally acknowledged by Professor Oak, co-authoring a paper with Bill would definitely bring prestige in the field of Pokémon studies.
The offer was generous and right up Kazuki's alley, so he agreed without hesitation.
"Great! Thank you, thank you so much! I'll go prepare dinner to celebrate finally seeing such a one-of-a-kind Pokémon!"
As Bill turned to leave, he leaned in and whispered in Kazuki's ear, "Oh, by the way… Misty really cares about you, you know. She nearly climbed over the railing just now! Go talk to her properly."
With a pat on the shoulder, Bill happily ran downstairs.
As soon as he left, Misty approached, fists still clenched.
"You! You idiot! Do you have a death wish or something?!"
She looked up at him, and Kazuki only then noticed the redness in her eyes. She punched him softly three times with her small fists.
Kazuki caught her fourth punch and held her hand gently. "But I came back safe, didn't I? I knew what I was doing."
Misty didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she let Kazuki hold it, as if only his touch could reassure her he'd truly returned.
"You knew what you were doing? Even if you were confident, you can't take that kind of risk! That Pokémon… it was huge!"
"One swipe and you could've—"
"If something had happened to you…"
"I haven't even seen you earn all eight Badges yet!"
"I haven't seen you enter the Indigo Plateau Conference!"
"I haven't seen you win the championship yet!"
Misty had finally undergone a complete transformation—from mocking Kazuki's dreams of becoming Champion, to doubting them, and now… to hoping he'd achieve them.
It was a reflection of how her feelings for him had changed.
Kazuki raised a hand and gently wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
"If I do win the championship, you'll have to wear a swimsuit and follow my every command. Aren't you scared?"
"Scared… scared of what?" Misty sniffled, pouting. "You think this beautiful girl would back out of her promise?"
"If you win, I'll do whatever you say!"
"If I don't know how… I'll learn it! I'll do anything you want!"
"Anything, huh?" Kazuki's eyes drifted downward, lingering for a moment on the slight curve of Misty's chest.
Following his gaze, Misty smacked him. "You jerk! That time in the forest, I knew you were trying to trick me!"
But then she tilted her head coyly, chest puffed out. "Fine! I'll do anything you want, you perv!"
"But only if you stay alive and make it to the Indigo Plateau in one piece!"
Kazuki chuckled inwardly. So that's what it takes to get closer to her? Man, if I'd known, I'd have jumped off a cliff earlier.
"Alright! For the swimsuit of the world's most beautiful girl!"
"For crystal grapes and succulent scallops!"
"I swear I'll make it to the Indigo Plateau and take home the championship!"
Hearing his vow, Misty finally relaxed and closed her eyes with a soft sigh.
"A real man keeps his promises!"
"Huh? I promised you a swimsuit, but… what's with the grapes and scallops?"
"Is that part of the prize for winning the conference this year?"
Just then, her stomach growled loudly.
"Uh… hahaha!" Kazuki didn't explain. If he did, he might ruin the intimacy they'd just built.
"You'll see soon enough. Come on, let's go eat. Your stomach's already protesting!"
He took her hand and started down the stairs.
"It's your fault for talking about grapes! That made me hungry!"
Misty's grip on his hand loosened, but realizing Kazuki didn't let go, she held tight once again, a small smile forming at the corners of her lips.
After a hearty dinner, Kazuki and Misty spent the night resting in the lighthouse. The next morning, they said their goodbyes to Bill and resumed their journey toward Vermilion City.
By morning, Misty had processed her emotions and returned to her usual carefree self—but she was unusually energetic.
Kazuki asked if she hadn't slept well, and Misty brushed it off, vaguely saying she just had a weird dream.
But the truth behind her restlessness was her bold promise to Kazuki the night before: "I'll do anything you want."
That night, while Kazuki slept peacefully, Misty tossed and turned, her mind racing with what Kazuki might ask of her.
Her thoughts drifted back to that moment in the forest, and as her imagination ran wild, she grew more and more restless. Eventually, a damp spot bloomed on her pale yellow panties, giving her a fright.
Still, traveling along the seaside path lifted her spirits. The route was much simpler than the forested ones they'd taken before, allowing them to make good time.
Once they reached the sea route, the system notification chimed as expected.
[Ding! Perfect Challenge Mission: Defeat the Vermilion Gym Leader and earn the Thunder Badge! Use Pikachu to defeat Lt. Surge's Raichu in battle.]
[Reward: Intermediate Rare Candy x1, Special Electric Booster – When held by a Pokémon, all Electric-type moves and contact-based attacks have a chance to paralyze the opponent!]
Kazuki reviewed the rewards. Compared to the Cerulean and Pewter Gyms, this was way better.
With three more Intermediate Rare Candies, he'd have eight in total—enough to build solid contingencies in case of emergencies.
As for the Electric Booster, it boosted the effects of Electric-type moves, and considering Pikachu's Static ability, it was the perfect synergy.
If one move doesn't paralyze you, I've got a dozen more that will!
With rewards like this, Kazuki was more motivated than ever.
Lt. Surge wasn't just any Gym Leader; he was also one of Kanto's elite military officers.
His ace was a Raichu—Pikachu's evolved form—with devastating Electric-type moves.
However, evolving had cost Raichu the agility that Pikachu was known for.
Even if the level disparity slightly favored Surge's Raichu, Kazuki was confident.
Pikachu's speed and the Light Ball-enhanced power of its Electric moves would give it a definite edge.
Plus, Raichu's reduced speed made it easier to exploit.
Victory was within reach.
Though Pidgeotto hadn't evolved yet, with top-grade Swordcap mushrooms and the Sharp Beak boosting its performance, Pidgeotto would have no trouble handling any Gym Pokémon that weren't Electric-types.
And if necessary, more grinding was always an option.
Kazuki smiled to himself.
Looks like the script's unfolding just as planned.
----
With Misty being so forward, Kazuki had no qualms enjoying the moment.
Though compared to Melanie or Delia, Misty's "hardware" left a little to be desired, her soft and delicate feel was top-tier.
Too much of the same kind of "big" gets boring—variety is what keeps you healthy.
Misty caught Kazuki's expression and understood without a word. She was okay with physical closeness—for now—but not quite ready to say it out loud.
"Kazuki, your Pidgeotto is really huge! Bill told me it's not even the normal size—did you trick me back then?"
Misty clung to Kazuki's arm, steering the conversation to safer ground.
"Why would I trick you? I just fed it what it liked. Guess I got lucky with a special pokemon."
Affection aside, the system was still something he had to keep hidden.
"Another special pokemon, huh?" Misty watched as Pidgeotto engaged a Spearow ahead of them. "How come you always end up catching special ones?"
"Like that beautiful Butterfree, and now this giant Pidgeotto!"
"At this rate, I might actually start believing that tiny Krabby of yours is something amazing too!"
"Of course it is! It's just not time to show off yet."
Misty pouted, skeptical. "Really? Hmm… do you have some kind of special power or something?"
"Otherwise, how do you always find these special Pokémon among the commons?"
"Well, if good judgment and strength count as special powers, then maybe I do!" Kazuki teased with a grin.
"Heh!" Misty laughed at his cocky joke and bumped her head lightly against his shoulder.
"Narcissist!"
"Speaking of special powers, I've heard there's a Gym Leader in Kanto who really does have one."
"When you meet her, you'll see—her powers are the real deal, way beyond your smooth-talking nonsense."
Misty was, of course, referring to Sabrina, the Saffron Gym Leader.
Kazuki knew a bit about her—she was said to have awakened her Psychic powers as a child and commanded a team of Psychic-type Pokémon.
On top of that, Sabrina was a stunning beauty.
So despite her mysterious and formidable powers, Kazuki was quite looking forward to testing his Aura Power against hers.
Who knows? Maybe there'd be some magical, unexpected chemistry. He might even win the badge and uncover some hidden mysteries along the way.
"Hey! Kazuki, what are you grinning about? Tell me! I want to laugh too!"
Misty wasn't great at acting cute, so when she wanted something, she defaulted to childhood tactics—like swinging his arm back and forth.
"I was just thinking about that Gym Leader you mentioned."
"Huh? What… Why? Have you met her? Do you know her?"
Misty didn't know much about Sabrina, but she was aware the woman was pretty. So when she heard Kazuki say he was thinking about her, jealousy flared up.
"We're heading to Vermilion City! She's not even the Gym Leader there! Why are you thinking about her now?"
"You can worry about her when we actually get to her Gym!"
Kazuki didn't even get a word in before Misty bombarded him with jealous questions, eyes wide and demanding answers.
He chuckled. "I don't know her! You were the one who brought her up, so I just started thinking about how to deal with someone with Psychic powers."
"Ah? I… I brought her up first?" Misty shrank back a little, her cheeks turning pink.
"Why are you so worked up? Don't tell me… that Gym Leader's a hottie, and now you're jealous because I was thinking about her?"
"I—I'm not jealous!" Misty blurted, totally giving herself away. "You… you just think about how to beat her, alright?"
"She's tough! You better prepare!"
"I—I'm gonna go train Starmie now! Hmph!"
Letting go of Kazuki's arm, Misty huffed and puffed like a steam engine, then dashed ahead to cool off her embarrassment.
"Sheesh, Misty's all bark, no bite. So amusing."
"Now I'm kinda curious if she'll still act tough when she's moaning during—"
Kazuki shook his head, chuckling to himself, then released the rest of his Pokémon to grind some more EXP.