1. I CHOOSE YOU.

Misty's sisters had told her once that the "he loves me…he loves me not" game was from Kalos originally, and she could believe it. Something so sweet and romantic would come from there.

She didn't play it all that often, but when they'd set up camp right by a field of daisies, she knew she couldn't resist at least one round. And when a pair of grubby-looking Trainers passed by and it became clear that they'd be there a while as Ash battled, Misty took that as her cue to start.

She was on her third round. Togepi played with the petals by her side as she tugged away on another daisy. So far, all the flowers had ended on "not." Sounds about right, Misty told herself. What are the odds I'll ever get those three little words out of him?

"Misty, I choose you!"

"Huh?"

Ash was standing over her, an eager impatience gleaming in his eyes. "These guys want a tag-team battle, and I choose you to be my partner. C'mon, let's go!" He turned heel and ran back over to the challengers.

…Close enough. Misty smiled, shook her head, and stood to join him.

2. I'M SORRY, RUN THAT BY ME AGAIN.

"I'm sorry, run that by me again."

"Misty has something to tell you," Cilan repeated, for the third time in a row. This is taxing even my patience… "It is extremely important, she would like to tell you in person, and she expects to see you at the Aquamarine Masque in Cerulean City two weeks from tonight."

Ash frowned and leaned back in his chair. "One more time."

Cilan threw up his hands, and Pikachu zapped his Trainer with an exasperated cry of "Pikapi!"

"Hey! What are you two so upset about? I just don't get why I have to fly back to Kanto just so Misty can tell me something. What's so important she can't just call me?"

Cilan sprang out out of his chair. "It's that she -" he started, before his brain caught up with his mouth. It's not my place to say it, he told himself as he bit down on his tongue. And I don't need to die at Misty's hands for blowing her secret.

"It's that she what?" Ash asked, his head cocked to one side.

Cilan sighed and let his shoulders slump. "Just be there, Ash. For both our sakes, please be there."

3. ARE YOU WEARING MY SHIRT?

"It's not fair, Pikachu," Ash grumbled as he shrugged on his PJ shirt.

"Pi pikachu, Pikapi," his starter replied, though in sympathy or dismissal, Ash couldn't say. It was hard to tell with Pikachu sometimes, especially with anything concerning Misty.

"I mean, it was one thing when we were ten," Ash went on, whatever Pikachu's opinion really was. "But we're almost eighteen now, and she comes over here all the time. I'm more of a guest than she is these days! If Mom won't just turn that junk room into a guest one for her, then just once, why can't she sleep on the floor while I get mybed?"

"Pikachupi pika pika."

"Oh, but you can't call her a 'girl' anymore. Remember, Pikachu?" Ash sneered, the memory of this argument still fresh in his mind from dinner. "She's a 'young lady' now. Hah! Some 'lady.' I bet she doesn't even -"

"What are you griping about now, Ash Ketchum?"

Great. Now she's here. Ash took two deep breaths - it was always better to be at least semi-calm before starting up a good fight with Misty - and turned around to square off.

"I'm 'griping' about how you always - are you wearing my shirt?"

It was clearly his, the same black t-shirt he'd had on under his vest yesterday. He'd finally passed Misty in height a few years ago, and the shirt hung loose around her, almost covering up her shorts. "Why are you in my shirt, Misty?" Ash asked.

"I…I forgot to pack my pajamas this time," Misty stammered. Her face was nearly as red as her hair. "Why, do you have a problem with that too?"

"I, ah…no," Ash gulped. His hand flew to the back of his head. "And I was just telling Pikachu - it's getting late, huh? We should probably just turn in."

"Fine," Misty said shortly. "I'll…I'll just go brush my teeth."

"You do that," Ash called after her as she shuffled off to the bathroom. Pikachu hopped up onto his shoulder, a wicked little grin plastered on his face.

"Pi Pikachupi pika pikachu, pi Pikapi?" There was no mistaking his tone that time.

"Please," Ash scoffed. "She's no cuter now than she was when we were kids."

"Pi, pi pikachu pi?"

"…Who asked you!?"