"Mmm~ what a good sleep…"
Misty stretched lazily as she sat up in Kazuki's arms, then rolled off the bed with a soft sigh.
In the bathroom, she rubbed her sore cheeks in the mirror.
"You jerk, Kazuki… only I would be this good to you."
"But seriously, that was unbelievable…"
She opened her mouth and checked herself in the mirror. "Looking at my size, there's no way that should've been possible!"
"How did I even do it…?"
After stretching her jaw, she began brushing her teeth.
Moments later, Kazuki strolled into the bathroom like it was his own house.
"Hey—how can you just walk in like that? What if I was naked?" Misty said, half-laughing through her toothbrush.
"Wouldn't that be even better?" Kazuki stepped behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and gently squeezing her belly.
"You're such a perv. Every time I reward you, you immediately start thinking about the next round."
"Isn't that just proof of how much I love you? Gimme a kiss."
"Sure, sure—here, have one!" Misty turned and gave him a foamy kiss full of toothpaste.
"Eww! Aren't you a Gym Leader heiress? You really kissed me with a mouthful of foam?!"
"Huh? What's your problem?" Misty narrowed her eyes playfully. "You didn't mind when it was all over my face last night. But now you're complaining?"
She gave his hand around her waist a light slap in mock scolding.
"No complaints, no complaints—of course I don't mind!" Kazuki pressed his cheek to hers, smearing some of her foam back onto her.
"Aah! Kazuki! The foam—!"
They broke into playful chaos in the bathroom.
Just then, a voice rang out from the hallway.
"Hm? Kazuki? Misty? Why are you two in the same room?"
Nurse Joy had arrived for her morning rounds and heard the ruckus.
"Ah! Well—uh—Kazuki's a lazy pig! We have something important today, and he wouldn't wake up, so I came to get him!" Misty immediately blurted out a half-plausible excuse.
"I see. Well, just be careful. Lodging here may be free, but some things still aren't allowed," Joy said with a knowing smile before walking away.
"You see?" Misty huffed. "One more slip and we're banned from the Pokémon Center for life. Now hurry up and finish washing!"
After finishing their morning routine, the two helped Joy clean up the lobby before heading out.
Thanks to the intimacy boost from the night before, Misty clung even more sweetly to Kazuki's arm as they stepped into the street.
"There. Happy now? I bet you've been missing me like this for a while!"
Kazuki nodded, satisfied. "Mhm. Not bad. Still needs a little more technique, though."
Smack! Misty playfully slapped his chest. "You think I planned that? I didn't even know you could do something like that!"
"And you didn't even praise me!"
Kazuki blinked. He hadn't expected Misty to be competitive about that.
"Fine! My gorgeous girlfriend is the best! Since you tried so hard, I've got a gift for you."
"Aww~ my boyfriend is the best too. What is it?"
"You're one Pokémon short of a full party, right?"
"I've heard there's a legendary Water-type Pokémon hidden in one of Celadon City's districts."
"It's perfect for you."
Kazuki smoothly transitioned into triggering Misty's Psyduck hidden mission.
"R–really? But how do you know that? You've never been to Celadon before."
"I haven't. But in the world of secrets and whispers, if you've got money, you can learn anything."
"Wait—what?!" Misty recoiled in alarm. "That's not illegal, is it?"
"What? No! We're just buying info—not buying Pokémon."
"Oh… yeah, true!" Misty perked right up. "Then what are we waiting for? I love this gift. Let's go catch that legendary Water-type!"
Excited, Misty dragged Kazuki into the bustling lower district.
Towering skyscrapers loomed on either side, casting long shadows that made the streets feel dark and suffocating.
The sunlight barely reached the ground. The people below moved like tiny ants under the weight of steel giants.
"This place feels so oppressive… Are you sure a legendary Water-type could be in a city that doesn't even have a puddle?"
"Yup, right here. Come on." Kazuki reassured her and led the way to the Pokémon Center.
Just as he turned a corner—squish—something soft bounced off his chest.
Looking down, he realized he'd bumped into Officer Jenny.
Misty frowned slightly at the sight.
Jenny looked up at Kazuki, her expression bashful even though this was their first meeting.
"Oops—sorry! I've been so busy lately, I must've spaced out."
"Officer Jenny, is something going on here?" Misty stepped closer, deliberately pressing against Kazuki's side.
"Huh? You know me?"
"Let's just say we've met your sisters." Kazuki answered succinctly.
"Oh, I see! No wonder you felt so… trustworthy."
"So you're the one who helped my sisters with those justice cases, huh?"
"I'm investigating abnormal energy waves affecting Pokémon. It may be linked to a string of missing children."
Thanks to Kazuki's rising Justice Reputation, Jenny had no reservations sharing the details.
Kazuki's memory clicked—right, this district was the setting of that one arc from the original script.
The rooftop hypnosis parties.
Where so-called "high society" used Drowzee and Hypno to "relax" under the guise of stress therapy.
Yeah right. Bunch of creeps playing at mind games. Rich folks really do play wild.
"By the way, Officer Jenny—I noticed a big crowd around that building back there," Kazuki offered casually.
"They had Hypno with them, and it looked like they were giving off some strange energy waves."
"Maybe you should check it out."
Even though this event hadn't triggered a specific quest, Kazuki offered the tip anyway. Helping Jenny might increase his Justice Reputation down the line.
This district didn't have much direct interaction with Jenny, but the next one might. Best to stack rep early.
"Really? Thank you! What's your name? If this leads to a breakthrough, we'll credit you in the case report."
"Kazuki."
"Kazuki?" Jenny paused. "That name sounds familiar… Well, thank you, Kazuki!"
"Alright, team—grab the scanners! Let's move out!"
Jenny led her officers off in a hurry toward the building Kazuki had pointed out.
Misty watched her leave, then turned to Kazuki.
"When did you see anything suspicious? I didn't notice anything."
Kazuki just smiled and tapped her on the forehead.
"If my awareness was as bad as yours, how would I ever find high-potential Pokémon?"
"How else could I help you catch a legendary Water-type?"
"Ehehe~" Misty giggled and clung to his arm again. "Thanks, babe! Let's go!"
As they approached the Pokémon Center, a strange misty aura washed over them.
Kazuki and Misty exchanged a glance, then stepped inside.
Immediately, Kazuki noticed something was off—every Poké Ball in the lobby had lost its shine.
Even Nurse Joy looked pale and drained, slumped over the counter as weak electronic signals flickered from the nearby machines.
Misty walked over and gently asked what was wrong.
Joy lifted her tired eyes and explained.
"I don't know why, but recently all the Pokémon's vitality has been dropping… like they're being affected by some invisible force."
"Especially this one."
She lifted a Pokémon into view—a Psyduck, clutching its head with wide, dazed eyes.
Kazuki burst out laughing the moment he saw it.
He'd seen Psyduck's blank look in the anime, but seeing it in person was even funnier.
"Huh? This Psyduck looks seriously messed up!"
"I can't believe that weird energy wave has such a strong effect on Pokémon…"
Joy, seeing how concerned Misty was, tried to reassure her.
"But don't worry. Officer Jenny just went off to investigate the source of the wave. I'm sure things will return to normal soon."
Their earnest worry made Kazuki want to laugh even harder.
This Psyduck? That's just how it always is.
But if he told Misty that now, she might not take the bait and try to catch it.
[Ding! Justice Reputation +1]
Kazuki heard the familiar chime of a daily mission reward. Looks like Jenny had already cracked the rooftop hypnosis case.
Right on cue, the Pokémon in the center began to stir again—colors returning to their Poké Balls.
"They're back to normal!" Joy clapped in delight.
Misty let out a sigh of relief.
"Hey, Kazuki—you said you'd bring me to catch a legendary Water-type. Where is it?!"
Kazuki cleared his throat, putting on a dramatic air.
"Faraway… yet right before your eyes!"
He pointed straight at the dazed-looking Psyduck, still holding its head.
"Behold—your legendary Pokémon."
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