Chapter 23
The tension around the table is quite intense and it can be literally cut by a knife as an uncomfortable silence is felt around them. All of them have been focusing on Lillie and Ash but it seems like they don't care about it. The two of them are conversing sweetly with each other as they pay no mind to the stares that is given to them by their respective peers, and no one dare to interrupt them as well.
Lusamine and Gladion haven't see Ash before and they are very surprised. Especially Gladion, who has been looking at Ash dangerously as he dares to flirt with his sister. As for the others, the girls are glaring daggers to Lillie and the Kalos natives are quite confused. As for the boys, they are just speechless as they never know that Ash is this romantic.
And finally, Delia is surprised to see that her son and Lusamine's Daughter are getting along this well while Adam and Mohn are just smiling. Amber doesn't seem to be bothered by them, but Kristen, on the other hand, is quite jealous of her cousin for being this close.
As for Gary, Brock, Ruka and those who already know the truth, they are just waiting for the time when hell breaks lose as they don't dare to speak a word. And then, Kristen decides to ask, "So how long have you two known each?"
This causes everyone to look at them as Ash and Lillie just giggle. Ash says, "If you count today, that is 4 years, 3 months and 25 days that we met."
"WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? HOW?" Everyone asks as Ash notices some people, possibly those from Alola and Galar are shocked. Ash turns to them and says, "Nothing to see here ladies and gentlemen. I suggest that you pay no mind to our overreacting friends." Then the natives from the two regions continue to do their things as Ash turns to the others, "As for you guys, please keep your voice down as I don't want to attract unwanted attention."
Lillie says, "For a guy that has a lot of charm, you sure hate attracting people's attention." Ash shakes his head and says, "Because I have to fix their problems once it happened. So excuse me." This causes the others to nod with their notice.
"But you have my attention." Lillie muses as Ash decides to flirt back, "And that is the only attention that I was glad to attract."
Some of the people are feeling sick after the flirting, while some of the people, especially girls, are glaring at them. Kristen says, "So how did you two meet?"
Ash smiles and wraps his arms around Lillie, he says, "I remember that day was the day my life change, it was when I won the Johto League, I was heading back home to Pallet Town before separating with two of my travel companions."
"You mean...you met her the same day we separated?" Misty asks while spatting.
"Yeah." Ash and Lillie don't seem to be bothered by it. "At that time, Lillie is still the person who can't touch any Pokemon. And she was lost in the Viridian Woods."
This causes Lusamine and Gladion to remember that when they come to Kanto, they lost Lillie in the forest and it is until she somehow found them in Pallet Town.
"Ash heard me crying and he offered me help." Lillie says sweetly, "And then the rain comes as we are forced to hide in a cave. Ash has been helping me with my fear and it is actually because of him that I overcome my fear."
"Wait, so he is the reason why you aren't afraid of touching Pokemon?" Kristen asks as she nods. "Not only that, he also teaches me how to use Aura." Lillie says.
"So what happens after that?" May asks, anxious to know what happened after that.
"We promised to meet each other again each Sunday, and we have been doing a lot of things during that time. But meeting only in Sundays is quite being anxious to us since we want to meet much longer. Which is why we decided to travel together in the Kalos Region."
"What? But we remembered that it is Serena that traveled with us..." Clemont says as the Kalos natives agree. Ash frowns, "The Serena you all know...it was actually Lillie in disguise."
"What?" Everyone is surprised as they are shocked to know that the girl who almost beat Aria is Lillie. This causes the members from Aether to get shocked. "Then why didn't you tell us?" Lusamine asks.
Lillie says, "There are two reasons that I do so. One, I don't want you to know about what I am doing in the Kalos since I want to spend more time with Ash. And the second one, I am doing this for Ash since the original Serena was already gone when he was seven."
Then they gasp as they finally learn the truth of the real Serena. They feel sorry for Ash and Lillie, but they seem not to be bothered. Then Gabena, Lucario, Pikachu and Sylveon come into the room as the others notice them. They all rush in front of Ash and Lillie as Gabena asks, "Father, Mother, did they hurt you?"
"No, you guys can lower your guard." Lillie says. Bonnie says, "Gabena, it is great to see you again."
"Hello to you as well, Bonnie." Gabena says. Shauna says, "It really is Serena's Gardevoir...you really are Serena."
Delia asks, "So I notice that you two have the same heart shaped ribbons on your neck, I guess that you gave each other?"
Ash says, "Yes Mom. I gave her the Blue Ribbon and she gave me the red one, and we decide to tie it together as it signals our love."
Amber decides to ask, "So the ruby rose on your head, it is also from Ash, right?" This causes the girls to be more jealous. "Of course. Ash carved it to me." Lillie says.
Steven says, "As a stone collector myself. I am curious, how did you carve that jewel into a sparkling ruby?"
Ash says, "Well, practice makes perfect, and as you can see, sometimes when we are together, we have been practicing a lot of things."
"I see." Lance says.
"Then why didn't you carve those for us?" The four female travel companions ask in union and Ash says, "You never asked me. And I am doing this for Lillie because she likes it."
"Then why don't you introduce her to us?" Dawn asks in a low and dangerous tone.
"Simple, I had so much fun with her every time we met and I decided for as long as I can to have her to myself." This causes a lot of girls in a break down, with the exception for Max and Bonnie, the two of them seem not to care about this.
"And you didn't bother introduce Ash to us as well?" Kristen asks.
"If you are wondering why I didn't introduce him to anyone I know is the same reason as Ash. I love his company and I don't want to share him every time we met." Lillie says.
Lusamine says, "Then you could have tell us about it. Since we are your family."
Lillie says, "I am sorry mother, but it is hard to tell you since an overprotective Brother is there." Ash says, "I am sorry Mom. I didn't mean to hide this fact, but I couldn't find the time to tell you because of them."
Delia gives him a hug and says, "It's fine. Seeing you two together reminds me of how Adam and I used to be when we are alone."
"Those sure are the best times." Adam says.
"So now that your secrets are exposed, what are you going to do now?" Gary asks, but then he flinches as he hears the girls voice. "Gary, you know about this the whole time and you didn't bother tell us?"
Gary sighs and says, "Ash has threaten us to not talk about her, and you know how rare he threatens people and he always has his reasons."
"Don't give us those excuses." Misty tries to hit him, but she is stopped by Amber, who has caught the mallet and says, "If you dare hurt him then you'll be dead."
The girls shiver at Amber's tone, and Ruka whistles, "Seems like Amber is in love."
Kristen says, "I don't care. And Mom, you didn't tell me that you also saw those two together as well."
Ruka says, "I was also in shock when I first saw them together at the same time, but that is nothing to worry about."
As the music is going again, Ash turns to Lillie, "So should we continue to dance? Lillie?"
"We might as well. Since the explaining is making me tired of just sitting around." Lillie says as they go to dance again, not noticing the others given them glares for ignoring them.
Well, here is the reveal chapter, and as you can see, Ash and Lillie finally explain the truth, except for the time when they met Arceus since it should be a secret. I hope you like this chapter.
