"Alex… thank you," Misty whispered, still pressed tight against his chest. She could feel his heart thumping steadily under her ear — or maybe it was her own, racing so fast she couldn't tell the difference. All she knew was the solid warmth of his body wrapped around her, strong arms holding her like she weighed nothing. A deep, safe feeling flooded through her, making her knees a little weak.
"You're welcome," Alex said softly, looking down at her. "We're traveling together. Helping each other is what we do."
Misty's cheeks burned bright pink. Her eyes darted away, long lashes fluttering as she tried to hide how shy she suddenly felt. Her slim waist fit perfectly in his hold, and she could feel every hard muscle of his chest against her soft breasts.
"U-um… you can let go now," she murmured, voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh, right — sorry," Alex said, reluctantly loosening his arms. His hands brushed her waist one last time as he stepped back, and Misty felt a little shiver run through her. *That flower bud might be small, but it's so soft and perfect…* he thought, but kept it to himself.
"Are you okay?" he asked, voice full of concern. "That guy didn't hit you, right?"
"No, no, I'm fine!" Misty's heart warmed at how protective he sounded. Her gaze toward him softened even more, a gentle sparkle in her teal eyes.
Right then the Samurai Boy coughed loudly, ruining the moment. "You two are fine, but *I'm* the one who got shocked!"
The boy lay sprawled on the ground, still twitching, body tingling from head to toe. "I just wanted a battle! Why'd you zap me?!"
"You jumped out swinging a sword like a lunatic," Alex replied coolly. "A Thunder Shock was going easy on you."
The Samurai Boy pushed himself up, rubbing his neck. "I… I was just trying to scare you a little…"
Scare them with a real blade? Alex almost laughed. This kid *really* needed a lesson.
"You're a Trainer, right?" the boy said, grabbing a Poké Ball. "Let's battle! My Pokémon are super strong — I've beaten tons of people. You better watch out."
He puffed out his chest, trying to look tough under the samurai armor. "I only lost three times, and those were to some Pallet Town Trainers. Their Pokémon were crazy powerful. But I've trained hard since then. Next time I'd win — in a Pokémon battle *or* a real fight!"
He flexed his arms, showing off what he thought was an impressive build.
*You?* Alex thought. *Two punches and you'd be down.* Out loud he said, "I'm from Pallet Town too. So let's see what you've got. Pokémon battle or Trainer battle?"
The boy's eyes lit up. "Trainer battle! Definitely!"
He kicked his wooden sword aside and charged with a yell, swinging a punch straight at Alex's face.
Alex didn't move — until the last second. His hand shot out like lightning, catching the boy's fist in an iron grip. The kid struggled, but couldn't break free. Pain shot up his wrist.
His other fist flew next — and Alex caught that one too.
In one smooth motion Alex flipped him over his shoulder and followed with a rapid series of precise punches to the stomach. The boy yelped with every hit.
"Give up?"
"Never!"
Alex kept going. The boy kept yelping until he finally gasped, "I give up! I give up!"
He scrambled back, rubbing his swollen cheek. "I… I wasn't at full strength! That shock from your Pikachu messed me up earlier. Otherwise I would've won!"
Misty rolled her eyes so hard it was almost audible. *This guy is unbelievable.*
"Go, Pinsir!" the boy shouted, releasing his strongest Pokémon. "See? My Pinsir crushed those Pallet Town Trainers last time. It's even stronger now!"
Pinsir (LV 14) appeared, claws snapping.
"So that's your ace?" Alex asked.
"Obviously!"
Alex glanced at his partner. "Pikachu — you're up."
"Pinsir, Vise Grip!"
"Pikachu, Thunder Shock!"
Pinsir lumbered forward — too slow. Electricity slammed into it before it took three steps. It staggered, barely staying upright.
"Quick Attack!"
Pikachu blurred forward and slammed into Pinsir's chest like a yellow cannonball. The beetle flew back ten steps and crashed hard, eyes spinning.
"Get up, Pinsir!" the boy yelled.
It didn't move.
Alex crossed his arms. "Didn't you say it was super strong? Why'd it go down so fast?"
The boy's face turned beet red.
"Do you know why newly paved roads are so smooth?" Alex asked innocently.
"Why?"
"No pebbles."
The boy's face went from red to purple. Misty had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.
"It's not over!" the boy snapped. "I still have Metapod!"
He released the green pupa.
Alex's expression turned serious. "Are you really its Trainer?"
"Of course!"
"Then you don't deserve to be."
The boy bristled. "Just because you beat Pinsir doesn't mean you can insult me! Even a worm will turn!"
Alex shook his head. "You don't even know Metapod is in its vulnerable pre-evolution stage right now. Its body is soft. One hard hit could crack the shell and hurt it badly. How can you call yourself its Trainer if you don't know that?"
The boy's head dropped in shame. He really hadn't thought about it.
Misty watched Alex the whole time, her beautiful eyes glowing with warmth. *He's so caring with his Pokémon…* She remembered how he'd bought her Bug Repellent the moment he learned she was terrified of bugs, how he'd caught her when she almost fell, how his strong arms had held her so tightly just minutes ago.
Every time he'd helped her, there had been those little "bumps" — his hand on her waist, his chest against her breasts, the way his body felt pressed to hers. The memories made her cheeks burn hotter. A strange, fluttery heat spread through her stomach and down between her thighs. She pressed her legs together subtly, trying to ignore how her body was reacting to him.
*What is wrong with me…?* Misty thought, heart racing. She couldn't stop staring at Alex, the new feeling growing stronger with every second.