Misty ran ahead, glanced back to see Kazuki already immersed in battling wild Pokémon, and finally stopped to collect her thoughts.
Ugh, that Kazuki is such a jerk—why is he always thinking about pretty girls?!
Last time it was Giselle, now it's Sabrina!
Just how many wives does that guy want?!
Sure, there's no strict monogamy law or anything, but still—I'm here with him, aren't I?!
I even let him touch that spot, and now he's just ignoring me?
Even if he wants more, shouldn't he take it one step at a time?!
Ugh! Ugh! So annoying!
Why do I even have feelings for this pervert?!
Who knows how many other girls I'll have to compete with in the future!
She let out a long sigh, watching Kazuki seriously command his Pokémon in battle. Despite herself, she smiled.
"Oh well! I already have feelings for him anyway! What else can I do!"
"There's no way I, the world's number one beautiful girl, will lose to anyone else!"
"I've got to work hard and become even better! There's no way the Cerulean Gym is inferior to the Saffron Gym!"
"Come on out! Starmie! Oddish! Staryu! Time for us to grind some levels too!"
True to her tomboy nature, Misty's reaction to her romantic confusion was to dive straight into training.
So, despite her emotional turmoil, Misty ended up grinding wild Pokémon alongside Kazuki for most of the day.
Kazuki could tell what was going on in Misty's heart. She was clearly interested in him, just too proud to admit it.
What she needed wasn't forceful pursuit, but a catalyst. Once the right moment came, not only would the mission be complete—he might just get a full-course meal out of it.
The two of them basically bullied every wild Pokémon around Vermilion City to the point where they scattered at the mere sight of them.
From a distance, you could see Rattata and Spearow fleeing with their tails tucked between their legs.
"Huh? Why aren't there any more wild Pokémon around here?" Misty looked around, puzzled.
"Heh, guess our reputation precedes us," Kazuki chuckled as he recalled his Pokémon and began checking his team's status.
[Pokémon: Pikachu, Level 30 → Level 31]
[Pokémon: Pidgeotto, Level 34]
[Pokémon: Butterfree, Level 22 → Level 24]
[Pokémon: Wartortle, Level 18 → Level 20]
[Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Level 32]
[Pokémon: Charmeleon, Level 20 → Level 25]
Thanks to the Experience Boost Potion, Pikachu had gained a full level.
Charmeleon also leveled up quickly due to being equipped with the Elite Trainer Kit, which allowed it to gain experience even without actively battling.
Once they entered Vermilion City, the first thing Kazuki and Misty did was head to the Pokémon Center to heal their teams.
Although their Pokémon had only taken minor injuries during their training spree, since the Center's resources were free for Trainers, there was no reason not to take advantage.
After handing over her Poké Balls to Nurse Joy, Misty stared at her in astonishment.
"Oh? Judging from your expression, you've met some of my sisters or cousins, haven't you?" Nurse Joy said as she registered Misty's Poké Balls.
"In Pewter City! You're just as uncanny as Officer Jenny!" Misty scrutinized this Joy carefully, trying to spot any differences.
"Oh! The one in Pewter is my cousin! But don't you think I'm the prettiest one of them all?"
Clearly, this Joy was the confident and lively type.
"Yeah, definitely!" Kazuki chimed in, handing over his Poké Balls and Pikachu.
Joy glanced at Kazuki, and her smile suddenly brightened. "Wow! You didn't put your Pokémon in Poké Balls!"
"You must really care about your Pokémon!"
Thanks to the Heartfelt Reputation Kazuki had earned while rescuing Charmander, Nurse Joy paid extra attention to him.
"Don't worry! I'll make sure your Pokémon are brimming with energy when you get them back!"
"Thanks a lot, Miss Joy!"
Kazuki was aware that, just like Justice Reputation affected his interactions with Officer Jenny, his Heartfelt Reputation made Nurse Joy more favorable toward him.
But this level was just enough to leave a good impression—it wasn't time to make a move on this white-stockinged Nurse Joy yet. He planned to wait until his Heartfelt Reputation increased a bit more.
However, whether it was because of that night when Misty had soaked through her panties and awakened some feminine instincts or something else entirely, Misty picked up on even Nurse Joy's subtle change in tone.
"Hmm?" Misty tilted her head and eyed Kazuki. "Why does Nurse Joy look at you differently than she looks at me?"
"I dunno, maybe it's because I've got manly charm?" Kazuki grinned and teased her as usual.
"Manly charm?" Misty leaned close and sniffed his chest. "All I smell is sweat!"
"And how exactly do you think you're supposed to smell manliness? Anyway, don't you stink of sweat too?"
"Me?! I don't smell at all! Here, smell for yourself!" Misty pulled down her shirt collar. The faint glimpse of pale skin he caught… seemed to have grown a little since last time.
But at this angle, it was impossible to confirm—purely speculative.
After all, they were in the Pokémon Center. Trying to verify that now would probably get him hauled off by Officer Jenny.
"Make way! Make way!"
A scorched Pokémon was rushed into the center, halting Misty's flirtatious antics as she quickly adjusted her shirt.
"Kazuki, look at that Rattata—it's seriously hurt!"
Kind-hearted Misty instinctively clutched Kazuki's arm, her expression full of concern.
"Let's go check it out!" Kazuki led her to the Pokémon infirmary, where they ran into Nurse Joy, who'd just finished treating the injured Pokémon.
"Miss Joy, what happened? Why are there so many badly injured Pokémon?" Misty asked anxiously.
"They were all Trainers who challenged Lt. Surge at the Vermilion Gym," Joy sighed.
"Lt. Surge has a habit of using overly powerful Pokémon to 'educate' his challengers.
And he never holds back."
"Most of the Pokémon that come in are seriously injured."
"What?! What kind of Gym Leader does that?!" Misty stomped her foot in anger. "Sure, Gym Leaders are supposed to protect their Badges, but it's enough just to defeat the challenger—why injure their Pokémon so badly?!"
"He's just a bully who gets off on abusing the weak!"
"Kazuki! You've got to teach that guy a lesson tomorrow!"
Misty was furious because, according to her understanding of what it meant to be a Gym Leader, one should not only defeat challengers using well-matched strength, but also help them realize their shortcomings.
A Gym Leader was supposed to be a mentor—not someone who crushed novice Trainers for fun and left their Pokémon in critical condition.
Lt. Surge's behavior infuriated Misty so much she couldn't sleep that night.
The next morning, she was up bright and early, preparing breakfast and toiletries for Kazuki, hoping he'd give it his all and punish Lt. Surge thoroughly.
After breakfast, Misty pressed her soft, pale body against Kazuki's back, cheering him on with all her might.
She even massaged his shoulders, looking for a moment like a loving and dutiful wife.
But only for a moment—soon she was back to her tomboyish self, punching the air with enthusiasm.
"Let's go, Kazuki! Time to teach that jerk a lesson!"
Having witnessed Kazuki's growth and the strength of his Pikachu and Pidgeotto, Misty wasn't too worried about him getting hurt.
"Yeah, let's go. Since you were so sweet this morning—making breakfast, giving me a massage—today I'll let Pikachu personally meet that Raichu of his."
Even without Misty's morning attentiveness, Kazuki had already planned to deal with Lt. Surge.
Among all Kanto's Gym Leaders, Lt. Surge was the most arrogant—more so even than Giovanni.
Now, with a mission added on top, Kazuki was looking forward to this powerful Electric-type showdown.
"Pikachu, this is your moment! Show that guy what you're made of!" Misty turned to cheer on Pikachu as well.
After retrieving their healed Pokémon from the Center, the two headed straight for the Vermilion Gym.
Along the way, they saw several more Trainers—tears streaming down their faces—carrying their scorched Pokémon back to the Pokémon Center.
"This is awful! Absolutely awful!" Misty stomped her feet in outrage.
When they reached the Gym, Misty didn't hesitate—she kicked the door open with one solid blow.
Lt. Surge's two henchmen turned around, sizing up Misty and Kazuki with mocking expressions.
"Well, what do we have here? Another pair of sacrificial lambs?"
"What do you think? Obviously we're here to challenge the Gym!" Kazuki gave Misty's pale thigh a playful pat.
Misty jolted at the touch, but didn't resist—in fact, she stomped the floor in sync with Kazuki. "That's right! We're here to take you down!"
"Oh ho ho!" The grunts, having followed Lt. Surge for some time, had picked up his cocky attitude. "Boss, we've got another one ready for the grinder!"
"Oh yeah? Let me take a look!" came a deep voice from the dark heart of the Gym.
A moment later, a hulking man with golden hair stepped out to face them.
Dressed like a classic American special forces soldier—shirt open, showcasing his sculpted chest and abs—he was the infamous Lt. Surge.
When his eyes landed on Misty, a grin spread across his face.
"Well, well—what a cute little challenger!"
He bent down, clearly intending to scoop Misty up.
Given how practiced he looked, this obviously wasn't his first time harassing female challengers.
Relying on his height and bulk, he figured he'd get his way again.
But before he could reach her, Kazuki grabbed his wrist mid-motion.
Lt. Surge glared at him, ready to engage in a test of strength but then, there was a sharp crack from his wrist as Kazuki squeezed.
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Next Goal:- 300 PS
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