Chapter 21: Taking a Step Further with Serena!

Set Ash down,

Because it's time to eat, this time Latias did not hide its shape and take to the sky.

After greeting everyone, Ash took a curved spoon and a Fairy Feather from his backpack.

The differently colored Lurulass chose the more beautiful Fairy Feather,

while Lurulass accepted the curved spoon that amplifies superpowers.

Standing aside, silently watching the development, Serena's beautiful face was extremely conflicted,

Even though they'd only just met, Ash had already given Vulpix an Evolution Stone, Lurulass, and Lurulass's curved spoon,

One Pokémon, two items,

Ash's kindness toward her was a bit excessive,

At least for now the two are just a fledgling first love, not yet in a confirmed relationship, and cannot be regarded as a single entity,

Serena still cannot comfortably spend Ash's money.

She likes Ash! She simply likes Ash, not his wealth,

Perhaps Ash's good deeds that year led her to mistake gratitude for affection,

Perhaps later Ash became famous, gaining both fame and fortune, becoming the object of countless girls' admiration,

But in between,

When the initial gratitude faded, when Ash had not yet discovered Ultra Evolution, had not yet challenged the Quartz Conference, or even become the Five Crown King.

At that time Ash was, in the eyes of the world, just a transparent person, and I still liked Ash just the same.

After all these years, Serena has long confirmed her heart.

What I like is Ash himself.

And Ash? He probably also likes me, otherwise he wouldn't silently keep giving her items and Pokémon.

Ash might be thin‑skinned, too shy to confess,

Then… since it's confirmed to be a mutual love, should I still take the initiative to attack? Fair Skin pinkish fist clenched, taking a deep breath!

It felt as if I had made some important decision.

"Ash!"

Ash, puzzled, tilted his head, his face showing confusion, "Hm? What's up?"

At this moment Serena made a move that left Ash, Clemont, and Yurie all deeply shocked.

Serena decisively extended her Fair Skin slender hands, encircling Ash's nape, and, under Ash's bewildered expression, she lightly rose onto her tiptoes.

In a flash,

sweet, warm, and carrying a girl's scent that hit the face and entered the nostrils,

Ash:?

Pikachu:?

Bubble Frog:?

Two Lurulass:?

Clemont:?

Yurie:?

Ash's face showed confusion, "Why?"

Serena: "?"

"Um..."

The gentle blonde‑haired, black‑stocking beauty blushed, turned to run,

but Ash directly reached out and grabbed her.

"..."

"..."

After a heartfelt exchange, Ash also realized, taking this chance, that he had unintentionally placed psychological pressure on Serena, leading to a seemingly exploitative situation.

He sincerely apologized and proactively declared that from the start he had treated Serena as his wife.

Those words brought Ash and Serena's relationship a step further.

"Well, I'm someone who always values fairness; you took the initiative just now, now it's my turn!"

Serena's face flushed, wanting to flee, but how could a pitiful, weak, helpless beauty escape the control of a super sincere person.

Ash leaned forward, the girl full of bashful shyness,

Pop!

Serena's pupils dilated, cheeks flushed, a large white mist rose above her head, yet she did not struggle.

Clemont and Yurie gaped in astonishment, "You two... behave like humans!"

Back at the camp, they started cooking,

"Wife and such..."

Whenever Serena thinks of that line, she still blushes furiously!

That's too much, Ash!

More importantly, what happened later was fully witnessed by Clemont and Yurie,

I'm mortified; how can I face anyone from now on!

Serena's cheeks were rosy, a faint white mist rose above her head, a living real‑life version of an anime steam girl.

Then... I will definitely become a good wife in the future, I wonder if I can manage Ash's harem properly?

I heard Senior Hironah seems to have a deep connection with Ash as well, perhaps she's also one of them.

Or else, I'll just rely on Senior Xiluona; she's so gentle and easygoing, she'll definitely be able to control the whole situation.

No!

Serena, how could you just hand over the initiative? You should be supporting Xiluona-chan to become your right-hand and manage everyone else,

I just need to stick close to Ash and that'll be fine……

Oh dear! What am I thinking? So embarrassing!!!

The more I think about Serena, the more I just want to find a big bed, cover my face with both hands, roll around—I'm so shy!

While Serena was chopping vegetables while maintaining her steaming-hot princess state,

The beef on the cutting board had already entered a completely mushy state,

Even the cutting board for chopping kept letting out cries of anguish in Serena's rapid up-and-down chopping!

As a result…… Ash, Clemont, and Yurie's teeth were chattering, trembling.

Clemont looked at Ash, puzzled, and asked, "Did that cow offend Serena in its past life?"

"Probably not." Ash's complexion wasn't great either,

"This……" Although Clemont didn't say the rest, Ash understood what he meant,

That gaze seemed to say, "Brother, you'd better remember to take care of yourself in the future."

Worried Serena might cut her fingers, Ash moved behind her, swiftly and firmly grabbing her left and right hands as they flew up and down, forcing the two knives to stop their slaughter.

"Um… Serena, you can't keep chopping, or else you'll end up eating the minced meat mixed with cutting board scraps…"

"Ah! Sorry, Ash."

When someone suddenly hugged her from behind, Serena instinctively raised her kitchen knife to counterattack, but Ash's hand was steady.

He couldn't let Serena actually commit spousal murder,

After reacting, Serena was still shy, but at least she wouldn't mindlessly chop meat forever.

They put the meat and ingredients into the pot, and everyone finally got to eat lunch as desired,

However,

The beef they'd planned turned into minced beef, but it was still delicious.

While eating, Ash glanced out of the corner of his eye at the poised, elegant Laolu lasi dining, and couldn't help but recall his earlier discovery, his brow slightly twitching.

"By the way, your morning leveling trip didn't go very smoothly, did it?"

Serena heard that and immediately showed a look of deep worry,

"It really wasn't smooth; I thought there'd be lots of sprites to fight in the forest, like you said, Ash, but the grass- and bug-type sprites were too docile, nobody had any fighting spirit, and it took ages to find a suitable sparring partner."

"About that, a flash of inspiration struck me!"

Clemont pushed up his glasses,

"Since they lack fighting spirit, why don't we help them regain it!"

Ash voiced his agreement,

"Not a bad idea; better yet, add a feature to attract and gather sprites to maximize efficiency!"

If you were to ask what Clemont's most lasting impression on the audience is,

it would certainly be his daily essential perm and Ash's pre-blast spellcasting,

Admittedly, the machines Clemont designed often suffer minor problems like explosions due to their excessive power limits, giving an impression of unreliability,

But in fact……

Well, he really is unreliable,

but the machines Clemont designed are still quite reliable before they explode, having been put to use many times,

This time Ash also intends to let the opposing side… fade away,