Exploring the RPA

The group rides the elevator to the highest floor, where the restaurant is located. Once they arrive at the entrance of the restaurant, the staff member says, "Welcome to the RPA 5 Star Restaurant. Miss Lillie, what can I do for you?"

"There is a reservation for 20 people under the reservation of Ash, right?" Lillie asks the staff as she looks at the board. "Yes, President Ash booked a suit and he offers to be one of the two main chefs for the meal. Please follow me."

As the group follows her, Mark says, "So Brother is going to cook for us? I never knew he was a good cook."

Lillie says, "During the stay at both Unova and Kalos, he is working with cooking under several chefs. That is how he can cook. And this is the suit that we are going to have,"

As they enter the door, they are amazed to see that the suite has its own cooking table beside a big round table. "This is the fanciest suite in the restaurant since customers can enjoy the food while watching how they are made." Lillie says.

Just then, Ash comes in with a person. He has green hair and he is wearing just like a waiter. "You must be Ash's friends, right? My name is Cilan and it is nice to meet you all."

As the others greet him, Ash says, "Cilan will be helping me with the cooking as there are 19 of you and I can't do it alone. And I promise I will bring you the best dishes as possible."

The others are very happy about it as the two of them start cooking, as they are cooking, they also chat a lot with the others. Drandon asks, "So how do you know Ash? Cilan? What is the backstory?"

"Well, I was actually a Gym Leader of the Striaton City in the Unova Region, but our gym is closed because of an incident regarding Team Plasma years ago. I met Ash along with another person and we travel together."

Flora notices the bitter tone behind Cilan's words, she asks, "What is another person, and why you are mad about it?"

Ash says, "The other person is Iris, I assume you all know who she is, right?" The others are surprised as they know that it is one of the bullies in class. Drandon is the most bitter one as he says, "I am sorry to hear that."

"It is fine, Cilan is a great chef as well as a good teacher to me when it comes to cooking. So I offered him a Master Chef for this high-quality restaurant." Ash says as they nod.

Cilan asks, "So you have a history with Iris as well?"

Drandon says, "You can say she is the main reason why I was banned for entering the Opelucid Trainer's School. She made me the most hateful person and Principal Drayden can only ask Principal Aurora to take me in."

Cilan says, "It sure is a very bitter flavor with some hot peppers on it." This causes confusion among the others and Ash says, "You don't need to worry about that, it is just Cilan's evaluation time. He sometimes says something I don't even understand."

"If you say so." Alice says.

After the meal is on the table, Ash also joins in the sitting as he sits next to Alice and Golly. David says, "Ash, you said that you have been to 18 places for training, can you tell us about it?"

Ash sighs and says, "I could tell you, but please don't be mad at me after I told you about it. I already got a scolding from Alice last night and I don't want to endure that again."

Alice just turns away as they are smirking. Eve says, "Looks like someone doesn't want her boyfriend to get hurt."

"Shut up." Alice says with a pout.

Once he tells them about the places, they are amazed and shocked. But they understand how many hardships Ash had as they eat the food in silence. Once the meal is over, Ash says, "Now that our dinner is finished, how about I show you around the place?"

Lillie gives him a glare and she says, "Ash, what about the work? There are still loads of papers that need to be read."

Ash says, "Don't worry, Lillie." And then he whispers to her ear and then she sighs, "That is why I am worried! Who knows how much energy you are going to drain if you do that."

"Don't worry about it. I can take care of myself." Ash says. Alice says, "Now hold on a second, what does she mean that how much energy you are going to drain? What are you hiding?"

Ash says, "Nothing to be worried about, Alice. Now let's get outside so I can show you around the place."


After bidding farewell to Cilan, who goes to another table for cooking, they all go to the floor guide in front of the elevator. "Now as you can see, this place has 7 floors with two basements, under the two basements are the parking lot."

Then he looks out the window and says, "This restaurant is located in the outer area and the inner area is the food court. Not only that, the other side of the outer area is for the library, as we can read some books over there as it also serves as the Gym, right? Nate?"

Minami asks, "Wait, Nate? You'd already gone here and you didn't tell us?"

"I was asked to keep a secret, but you are right, this is my Gym and I battle the trainers in the library. Thanks to Ash I guess, he manages to create soundproof walls inside so that there won't be too many noises." Nate says.

As they go to the sixth floor, they see some playground facilities and the movie theater, Alice asks, "Even though I have seen a movie here before, why did you put the cinema and the playground on the same floor?"

Ash says, "Entertainment. Even though I lost my smile, I don't want to see others sharing the same fate, thus I put them here."

"I see..." Mark says, "You really are thoughtful."

On the fifth floor, they see a lot of appliances and also electronics. Ash says, "For this place, it is where we can buy something for houses, such as the bed and the chairs, as well as telephones or Xtransceivers."

"Is that a Switch over there that is selling?" Mark asks as they are surprised to see the device. "Why yes, they are there for sale as we have a deal with the company. Not to mention that so games are very good to play as well."

"Cool. Maybe we can buy one." Golly says.

"But the problem is that we haven't got much money for this." Insey sighs as they all frown. Ash just gives them a sigh and then they all head down to the fourth floor.

The fourth floor is the usual PokeMart and the Pokemon Center, not only that, there is a training gym with a battlefield over there. "So this place is mainly for those who just finished their battle over there?" Elline asks.

"You can say so." Ash says, "As I want them to enjoy battling inside the store as well. But the only downside is that we can't use Dynamax in this place because it is small."

"True." Daniel says, "And there isn't much space to build in the power of Eternatus."

Once they arrive at the third floor, which are the clothes and the styling purposes, the girls decide to stay for a while as Ash walks to the store that sells mainly Valerie's Kimonos. At the same time, Alice spots him, and then she asks, "How are my Mother's clothes? They all look fascinating, right?"

"It is." Ash replies, "In fact, this store is the first clothes store I set in this department store."

"Are you serious?" Alice asks as she feels like it shouldn't be a big deal. "But why?"

Ash says, "Because I have been thinking of a girl who shares the same locket. And I knew that she is Valerie's daughter and I hoped I could meet her again."

"You can drop the third person's perspective, Ash. You knew that it was me the whole time, right?" Alice asks in annoyance. "Why didn't you tell me if you made it like a big deal."

Ash frowns and says, "I was scared." This causes Alice to be confused. "Why are you scared?"

"Because I am afraid that you forgot me...or maybe even worse, becoming just like those people in the same class. As a saying goes, Once Bitten, Twice Shy. And it affects me a lot."

Alice suddenly hugs him from behind and says, "I will help you change, I want you to be back in your happy self. I will not give up until it is over."

Ash feels his heart-warming, accidentally, he feels that his lips start to curve upwards, he is thinking, "No way...does that mean I can smile again?"

But the curve stops as his lips form a straight line, he thinks, "Maybe she can help me after all..." He turns to Alice, "Thank you, Alice."

Alice also notices his lips and she smiles, "Now that is the first step of making you smile."

"Yeah." Ash says as they go meet the others.

On the second floor, they see that this place is for the items that are beneficial for Pokemon, such as the Gems, the berries, and the evolution items like Leaf Stones or Up-Grade for Porygon to evolve. As the others are reading, Ash sees his other self along with Lillie walking towards him. Ash absorbs the self and Lillie says, "Your work for today is done, but using a Double Team is going to make you weaker, Ash."

"I know. But I need to do it, otherwise, I won't be able to get happy." Ash says to her. Lillie says, "Ash, we are a family and why don't you ask our other brothers and sisters for help?"

"Do you think they will help us? They should be like the others, playing and not worry about the company business." Ash says. "And I don't want to derive them from their happiness to play with others."

"But we are worried about your health as well." They see his siblings walking toward Ash and Lillie. "How much you have heard and why didn't you check out the mall?"

"It is not important for now, but this RPA is made by our family and we can't just do nothing to help out." Trenor says.

"Indeed. We are already hurt that you two keep a secret from us, we want to help out the work as well." Golly says.

"But you have no idea what is this about." Ash says with a retort.

"Then you should tell us." Mark says, "Are we meant nothing to you?"

Ash realizes how much sadness they have in their heart because of his actions, he drops a tear and says, "I am sorry, I just don't want your friends to worry as well... But it seems like I am the only one who is worrying a lot..."

The others smile at him and give him a hug, after that, they decide to walk together as they all head to the first floor, which is perfume and cosmetics. After they look around the goods, they arrive at the door and Lillie says, "Should I order the Flying Taxi for you guys? After all, RPA High is far from here."

"Thank you, Lillie." Drandon says as she orders the Flying Taxi as they all sit on it. Ash is sitting with Alice, Eve, and Mark, and they are chatting a lot while Ash is watching the Sevestar from below. Thinking about how he had been and Alice at the same time.


Here is a new chapter, and this time Ash almost smiles, but when he can really smile? Find out in future chapters.