Chapter 0756: Ash and Serena’s First Date!?

Matori stood at attention. “Understood.”

Arranging for these two in the photo to be alone must be related to some larger plan for the upcoming Legendary Pokémon operation.

As per Mentor’s instructions, their feelings must warm up today.

In the photo: Ash, cap pulled low, and Serena, with a red hat and clear blue eyes.

In the shot of them together, Serena gazes at Ash, while Ash looks down at Pikachu on his shoulder.

The admiration in the girl’s eyes was clear—even Matori could see it, clicking her tongue with equal parts disdain and jealousy.

Kids these days mature so fast. If not for Mentor’s orders, I wouldn’t be setting up private time for you two—how is this not a romantic date?

As long as the boy acts when it’s obvious the girl likes him, a straightforward pitch could settle things then and there!

“Stupid brat…”

Matori muttered, fingers flying across the keyboard to draft the op plan.

Ensure the two are alone, create “coincidences,” arrange romance, have the gift exchange under the “Holy Land of Dating”—the Tree of Oaths—and push them to confess.

Matori gave a cold smirk, pushed her shiny round glasses up, leaned back in her chair, and sipped her coffee as she admired her perfect battle plan.

This should buy enough time for Mentor to put his plans in motion...

Ugh… this coffee is so sour.

……

November 8th, Monday, early morning.

A soft rain fell in the streets as Natsume opened the curtain and yawned.

Yesterday’s party had lasted until late; Mew and Togepi were still gaming in the back room.

On waking, both Pokémon were hunched in front of the console, battling until morning.

Natsume mused, “Do Pokémon get nearsighted? Probably not, right…”

Princess Diancie offered her thanks and elegantly returned to her diamond kingdom.

Marshadow, shy and reserved, thanked Natsume quietly and prepared to return to Mount Tensei, resuming its duties as an Examiner.

“Give my regards to the Overlord Dragonite among the dragons for me,” Natsume instructed. “I’ll visit after things settle down.”

“Marshadow” Marshadow nodded seriously. It always strives to do things flawlessly.

Natsume was just a passerby in Marshadow’s long existence, but their beautiful memories together would remain fresh for a long time.

Marshadow glanced back.

Natsume stood at the cafe door, smiling and waving, hands in his pockets. Gengar levitated at his side, waving too.

Marshadow nodded firmly, walking away in the gentle rain, the corners of its mouth lifting.

Maybe there’ll be even more memories ahead…

He watched Marshadow disappear into the darkness.

Natsume stretched and went back inside, powered up his notebook near the sofa, and found a mission email from Matori.

Truly flawless. Natsume’s eyes widened—though the target is an idiot, which certainly ups the challenge.

He shut the notebook and rubbed his face, muttering,

“Leave it to fate… You can’t count on the male lead, next is up to the heroine…”

Tomorrow is the annual Coumarine City festival. That afternoon, Natsume-sensei, using “Pokémon Showcase” as a pretext, invited Cynthia to go to Coumarine City together.

Cynthia was momentarily surprised, then smiled and agreed.

He probably doesn’t know about the Tree of Oaths tradition.

Cynthia’s eyes sparkled. Giving the present to him in person… that’s all she wants.

Natsume handed his gift to Delibird, asking it to wrap the ribbon, nodding with satisfaction.

A surprise for Cynthia and Garchomp!

“Delibird…” Delibird worked briskly on the ribbons, daydreaming.

So many gifts… the boxes look so pretty.

“I have something for you, too,” Natsume said lightly.

He had specially requested a Technical Record for “Icy Wind” from the terrifying Pryce; it’s not hard to learn, even for Pokémon not specializing in battle.

For Delibird, it would be great for staying safe on jobs away from home.

Pryce’s Delibird had once faced down Ho-Oh with that move—plucked a feather right off it. Terrifying.

“Delibird!” Delibird flinched, then grinned foolishly and wrapped the ribbons even faster.

The gift itself doesn’t matter… as long as it’s from the shopkeeper, it’s perfect~

……

Coumarine City’s annual festival had arrived.

The streets were full of lanterns; the great ancient tree on the hill outside town, The Tree of Oaths, was already decorated with colored lights.

At night, the Tree of Oaths would glow dazzlingly, standing tall on the wilderness slope above the city, gazing down at its roots and the bustling lights. Trainers would give gifts to their Pokémon beneath the tree and share a smile.

On the streets, balloons floated and visitors milled about. Local residents, with Skiddo’s help, pushed wagons full of gifts out of town to decorate The Tree of Oaths.

Ash’s group had arrived for the celebration and started preparing gifts.

“Let’s go to the shopping street,” Serena suggested. “We should be able to find something nice there.”

“I plan to make my own gift,” Clemont said proudly. “So I’ll skip shopping, you two go ahead.”

“You’re not going to mess up again, are you, Brother?” Bonnie sighed. Clemont’s inventions blowing up isn’t exactly rare.

“I won’t this time!”

“But if we split up, someone needs to watch the Pokémon,” Serena said.

“I’ll do it.” Bonnie volunteered. “I’ll take good care of Pikachu and the rest!”

“Pika-chu~” Pikachu nodded happily.

On the surveillance feed, Matori picked up a radio: “Let the kids mind the monsters, just send the two of them to the shopping street.”

With Ash away from Pikachu, he might actually notice the girl, not just his electric rodent…

“Hello, this is a temporary Pokémon Center.”

A gentle nurse-type introduced herself: “If you need to wait for someone, you can stay here—and help yourself to free snacks.”

“Oh, thank you.” Clemont was happy to oblige.

Bonnie was about to help her brother with a proposal when Clemont clamped a hand on her head and squashed the attempt.

On screen, Clemont and Bonnie remained at the Pokémon Center, while Ash and Serena headed toward the shopping street.

For once, Ash left Pikachu behind.

Serena glanced at Ash, cheeks reddening.

Just the two of us… isn’t this, like, a date?

“What gift are you giving, Serena?” Ash began, finally breaking the ice.

“I haven’t decided yet… What about you, Ash?”

“I’ll give something to eat. Pikachu and the others would love snacks.”

“I see…”

They boarded a Rocket Delivery tram gliding on tracks above the city. The car was nearly empty, glass windows offering a superb view of sunlit ripples across the bay. Serena glanced over, eyes sparkling at the scenery, then turned to Ash. He leaned on one hand, deep in thought, pondering what to give Pikachu.

Reaching the shopping street, they found shop windows with gifts of every kind, clothes sparkling in the sunlight.

Clerks rotated by, each one trying to bring them into their shops. Serena was tempted, but Ash focused on little knick-knacks at the street booths.

“Hey, Serena, what about this cap!” Ash put on an Alola sunhat. “Cute, right?”

“It’s funny, but not great for a gift,” Serena said with a smile.

“Right—oh! I’ll check over there!” Ash darted off, having spotted something for Pikachu.

“Ash…” Already vanished around a corner, Serena sighed softly.

Matori shared the same heavy sigh.

This mission… is basically Mission: Impossible!

Serena stood alone, gazing at the dress in a boutique window, eyes shining.

With that dress… maybe I could win tomorrow’s Pokémon Showcase.

But first, gifts for the Pokémon. She clasped her hands behind her back, thoughtful.

At sunset, they regrouped at the station to head back.

“Still haven’t decided on a gift, Ash?”

“Not yet… What about you, Serena?”

“I found mine.”

“Oh…” Ash handed in his ticket and entered the waiting room, when suddenly a confetti cannon boomed.

“Congratulations, guest!”

The conductor applauded, smiling. “You’re our 100,000th visitor today—so we have a special present for you.”

“Congratulations—!”

With a round of applause, Ash accepted a little gift box, looking both puzzled and delighted.

A tiny ribbon bracelet… very pretty…

But if I give this to Pikachu, will he even want something like this…?

As sunset fell, the train glided above the city lights. Warm rays shone on Ash and Serena, seated side by side.

“I think, as long as Ash prepares a gift, Pikachu and the others will be happy,” Serena said.

“Huh?”

“Because Ash’s Pokémon are just like him—no matter what the gift is, they’ll be happy.” Serena smiled, her eyes curving.

Ash blinked, taken aback. “Just like me…”

“Yeah.” Serena laughed.

Suddenly, Ash’s expression lit up. “Thank you, Serena! Now I know what to give Pikachu and the rest!”

“Eh?” Serena blinked.

The answer was—delicious Berries!

When the train reached its final stop, Ash rushed for the forest. “Go ahead and meet the others, Serena—I’ll catch up soon!”

Bang!

Matori slammed a fist on the command table.

Idiot! I gave you every opportunity—useless!

Now I have to report failure to Mentor…

Matori dismally dialed Mentor. A lazy voice purred on the other end.

“Relax. I expected it would fail.”

Matori: ?

Natsume sighed softly.

That’s Kurt the Straight Man. Hopeless. He’s even more oblivious than Red.

Good thing I had a backup plan. I shipped that fancy dress, sponsored by the Tournament Committee, straight to the Pokémon Center.

Hopefully, when Ash sees it… he’ll understand who the gift should truly go to…

The festival’s atmosphere was in full swing.

Natsume, in a casual shirt, hands in his pockets, wandered the fountain plaza. Evening sunlight gleamed; Gengar made faces at his reflection in the water while Natsume sat on a bench, feeding bread to a Pidove.

“Thanks for waiting.”

A charming voice—golden-haired beauty in a sky-blue blouse, one hand on her waist, with a Garchomp by her side.

Natsume looked up, briefly stunned by Cynthia’s beauty in the golden dusk—spirited yet noble, hard to imagine she was the Sinnoh League Champion.

He rose slowly, catching a swirl of golden hair and a hint of fresh perfume.

“Where should we explore first?”

“The festival’s about to start.”

“Then let’s head there now~”

Natsume placed his gift beneath the Tree of Oaths ahead of time; Cynthia did the same.

With their hearts buoyed by the gentle evening breeze, Gengar and Garchomp walking at their sides, they strolled together toward the golden sunset—toward the magnificent Tree of Oaths.