5o.
chapter fifty
the date.

SERENA.

“So that was the disastrous thing?” Ash chided, his elbow jabbing into my side effortlessly.

“Ouch.” I feigned a gasp, clutching the spot. But it only sobered him rather than made him grin harder. Guilt crept in quickly. “Ash—”

He pulled the car up to the curb, reaching out to where I was holding and gently rubbing my waist. “I’m sorry. I really am. Does it hurt?”

I caught his hand, quickly swiping it away from its territory. Perhaps I would put a tomato to shame. “N-no! Of course not! I was just kidding!”

Ash sighed, withdrawing and running a hand down his face. I couldn’t help but take his shoulder. “Oh, come on. Please don’t play with me like that.”

“Why do you…” Hesitation clouded my mind, but my curiosity wasn’t having it. This wasn’t the first time he had overreacted to him injuring me. “Why do you take this, you know, too seriously?”

The boy looked at me as if I had sprouted two extra pairs of arms and heads. A bitter laugh escaped his lips. “Just in my blood, I suppose.”

My fingers tightened, feeling his muscular flesh underneath the fabric of his jacket. “What do you mean?”

The boy sighed again. “You won’t let me pass this, will you?”

I shook my head stubbornly. He had to know I was in deep.

“It’s just that… You know how Gary goes on fake dates, right?”

My heart clenched, anticipating the worst. Nonetheless, I quickly masked the insecurity with a nod. “Yeah. Misty’s mentioned it. It did take her a whole lot to accept that he won’t look at anyone else that way after her.”

Ash nodded, scratching his cheek. “Well, you know, he, uh, wanted me to do the same. To throw the Void off the boat, and nothing else!”

He flailed his arms, clearly embarrassed. As much as I wanted to laugh and reassure him that I trusted him, this image of a very flustered Ash got me. The only way out was a stern countenance. “And you did?”

Ash sputtered for words. He was basically plucking his hair out. “N-no! I mean, yes, but not that way! It was just his method of coping with the trauma.”

I crossed my arms, forcing my lips into a frown. “How many?”

The poor boy blinked. “One—Melody. No, two if you count Anabel.”

“Melody and Anabel, huh? Pretty names.”

He blinked again, eyes widening. The next thing I knew, he had scooped me over the gearshift, his breath coming out shuddering and ragged. “It’s just you now. Just you for me.”

I couldn’t take it any longer. Giving him a pat, I tried backing away in vain. “Oh, Ash.” I laughed against his shoulder blade. “I trust you, you know? It was in the wrenched past.”

He tightened the embrace before letting go, a relieved smile playing on his lips. “You really are the best, you know?”

I didn’t give him a chance when he leaned in. “Don’t get carried away. We’ve got some espy stuff to do, and I must help my best friend!”

“Roger that, Koibito!”

— xoxo —

Misty and Gary’s amazing date. Yup, one where Gary was being pulled to an aquarium but was standing his ground against it.

Standing against the wall overlooking the aquarium, I hissed, “Call him up and tell him to take her in!”

“On it!” The phone rang, then he picked up. “Take her to the aquarium, man!”

“Shut up, you git!”

It was cut. Ash’s miserable brown eyes met mine. I could barely hold back from strangling him senseless when he gave me that pitiable look.

“Well, we’ll just… wait and watch,” I supplied, putting a finger to my chin. Ash nodded and leaned against me to take a peek. I followed his gaze, sighing in relief when the couple finally took tickets to go through the mini amusement arena. “Guess he listened.”

“For once.”

Gary and Misty. Two poles apart, linked by the red thread of destiny. May had planned everything out as soon as the news reached her ears that the boy had asked our beloved friend out.

Turns out, he needed a push from my boyfriend—the dense wall that was now leaning against me.

It was our duty to make sure the two didn’t eat each other’s heads off on their first date. Judging by how my knees were ready to buckle, I’d say it was going well. Until now.

“Gah, what do we do until they’re back?” Ash asked, straightening and looking around. The mall, the venue they had chosen, was huge. It housed eateries, shopping stores, and recreation centers. There was just too much to see in here.

“Pity it’s not our date,” I said pointedly, jamming a playful finger into his chest. Ash quirked an eyebrow, as if to say that it wasn’t entirely impossible.

“Why not?” He crossed his arms, leaning forward. “We could simply gather something to eat while we’re counting sheep.”

I played a thoughtful expression before the smile ultimately broke out. “Sounds good.”

“Then let me get you something. What do you want?” Ash grinned.

“What’s available?”

We took our phones out, scrolling through the floor planning of the mall. It had a solid seventy-five levels, and food centers weren’t a scarcity.

“There’s a Starbucks in here. Familiar fish is better.” I peered at him through my bangs. He nodded, craning his head to look at my phone.

“Uh, two floors up?” I nodded. “I’ll run up and get it then. You stay right here. I’ll call to get your order.”

A small smile played against my lips. “Thank you, Ash.”

He did a quick salute and broke into a jog. Leaning against the wall, I watched his retreating figure, contentment filling my heart.

How did I get so lucky?

Taking out my phone, I opened the messenger. There was no update from Misty. It was only probable that they were enjoying the aquarium.

Little did I know it was the opposite.

— xoxo —
MISTY.

It had to be the hundredth time my eyes caught a glimpse of their roof. “Why can’t you just look here?” I protested, grabbing his arm to stop him from making a fool out of himself in front of two teenage girls.

“At these fishes? No thanks. Nothing beats walking fishes.”

A pang of hurt rose through my chest. But it was quickly masked by fury. Fingers trembled at his arm. There was a ting of a message—the wasted efforts of my friends.

No, I thought. I couldn’t lose myself now.

But that didn’t stop me from jerking my hands away from him. Here I was, feeding flame to a moth of a heart. “I hope you find someone great!” The boy harkened to look at me, confusion—was it even real?—tracing his features. “But I pray you find no one better!”

Words out. Emotions split. Misty off.

That felt great.

— 🫧 —

Whoa, the 50th
chapter! Ain't
it a milestone? ;)

From now on,
you'll see more
of the other
pokégirls' povs,
and the other
ships. Don't
worry, Amour
still exists as
the main one!

Thank you for reading!

Miyoko x