After Misty captured Psyduck, Brock led everyone to Beauty Street, also known as the Breeders' Street.
Many top Pokémon breeders and makeup artists who specialized in Pokémon cosmetics had shops here. Along the road were countless storefront signs and promotional posters.
Some advertised bizarre outfits, others claimed to offer "divine-level makeover techniques." Ash found most of it hard to appreciate, but Misty's eyes sparkled as she admired the strange-looking Pokémon designs on the posters.
Brock, meanwhile, focused entirely on the map in his hands, glancing around as he walked.
Following Brock, they soon arrived at a Pokémon breeding shop.
"Brock… this shop doesn't seem very popular," Ash said, looking around the modest storefront. Compared with the other bustling stores they had passed earlier, this place had very few customers.
"You're wrong. Completely wrong!"
"When it comes to Miss Suzie of Beauty Street, she's the three-time champion of the Beauty Street Breeder Competition. Last year she was also officially recognized by the Pokémon Trainers' League, and she was voted the Most Popular Breeder by readers of Pokémon Friend Magazine."
"And she's held that number-one spot for four consecutive years!"
Brock spoke excitedly as he walked.
"Thank you for the compliments."
The owner herself—Suzie—smiled as she greeted the three visitors.
After hearing himself praising her so loudly, Brock instantly turned red and awkwardly looked at Suzie.
"You all—"
Before Suzie could finish speaking, Ash blurted out what Brock really wanted to say.
"He—Brock—wants to learn from you and become your apprentice."
"Huh?"
Both girls looked at Brock in surprise. Though Brock's dark skin made it hard to tell, he was definitely blushing.
"B-but… I'm still not that skilled myself. How could I teach someone?" Suzie politely declined.
"Wow, that Vulpix is so cute!"
Misty wasn't paying attention to their conversation. Instead, her gaze had landed on a Vulpix sleeping on a stool.
Without thinking, she compared it to the Psyduck she had just caught.
In less than a second—
Psyduck lost completely.
Misty's face instantly fell.
"Don't touch it. That Vulpix is very afraid of strangers," Brock said, stopping Misty just as she was about to pick it up.
"Mr. Brock is right," Suzie said, glancing at him with interest.
Although his skin was dark, he seemed very observant—he even knew that Vulpix was shy around strangers.
Ash leaned back against the sofa, watching the two breeders exchange ideas.
Brock seemed unusually nervous, stuttering while he spoke.
Suzie, on the other hand, talked with him gently and patiently.
"These meals were all carefully prepared by Brock. The daily meals for both us and our Pokémon are handled by him," Ash suddenly said.
He had to help Brock out.
It was the first time Ash had seen Brock stutter this badly around a girl. Clearly, Suzie was special.
"This is the first time I've seen Vulpix eat food prepared by someone else," Suzie said in surprise.
"As a breeder, Brock is really amazing," Misty added, joining the assist.
Suzie's eyes brightened as she looked at Brock.
The group continued chatting and soon learned that a newly opened, flashy shop on Beauty Street had recently sparked a trend of increasingly extravagant Pokémon styling.
Ash and the others had passed that shop earlier. It wasn't run by Team Rocket, which was already a big deviation from the original storyline.
But the designs were extremely outrageous.
For some reason, the trend had taken off—perhaps trainers were too used to traditional styles, so they were curious when they suddenly encountered something new.
"It's fine. It'll settle down after a while," Brock comforted Suzie.
"All that flashy stuff will lose popularity soon," Misty said while stroking Pikachu, who was happily eating snacks.
She had originally wanted to pet Vulpix as well, but remembering that it was afraid of strangers, she gave up.
"A breeder's value lies in bringing out a Pokémon's natural charm," Suzie said seriously.
"But right now, everyone seems focused only on appearance. That actually reduces the Pokémon's inner charm."
After chatting for a few more minutes, they went outside to see the other shop.
There was a long line of trainers waiting at the entrance.
But the Pokémon coming out looked… bizarre.
A Dodrio walked out with pink hair clips on all three heads, its facial feathers shaved clean and covered with colorful spots.
That was already painful to look at.
But the next one was even worse.
A Raichu had pale purple paint on its cheeks, bright lipstick like a ghost's, and two bells hanging from its ears.
"Pika… Chu!"
Pikachu immediately covered its eyes.
"HAHA! Pikachu, what's wrong?" Ash laughed.
Seeing Pikachu's reaction made him laugh even harder.
Misty covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Wow, there sure are a lot of people here," Ash suddenly said, quickly changing the subject after sensing Pikachu's threatening sparks of electricity.
After watching for a while and confirming that Team Rocket wasn't around, Ash pulled Misty away so they wouldn't disturb Brock.
"Ash, do you think Brock and Suzie will end up together?" Misty asked curiously.
"Probably," Ash replied.
In the original storyline, Suzie eventually gave Brock her Vulpix.
Maybe something slightly different would happen this time.
Ash and Misty strolled along the lively shopping street. From time to time, Ash glanced back toward Brock and Suzie, silently cheering Brock on.
Hopefully things would turn out better than before.
After all… if Brock left the team, Ash would have to deal with cooking himself.
Misty definitely couldn't be relied on.
Maybe he should buy some cooking books.
And also books about Pokémon food and berries—the art of making energy food shouldn't go to waste.
When they returned to Suzie's shop, Brock and Suzie were chatting happily.
Ash collapsed onto the sofa, breathing heavily, carrying a huge pile of shopping bags.
"Ash, you're that weak? You're already tired from carrying so little?" Misty teased.
"So little? You try carrying it yourself!"
Ash complained indignantly.
Suzie soon brought freshly prepared food for Ash and Misty.
"Brock… that Poké Ball?"
Ash noticed that Vulpix was nowhere to be seen.
The Poké Ball in Brock's hand was clearly the token of affection Suzie had given him—Vulpix.
Brock didn't say anything, only nodded.
"So how are things between you two?" Ash asked, glancing toward Suzie.
"It's… going well," Brock said awkwardly.
Then he quickly ran off to help Suzie instead of explaining further.
After a quick lunch, Ash prepared to continue their journey.
Brock talked with Suzie for a few more minutes before catching up with Ash and Misty.
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
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