She looked at me suspiciously, crossing her arms. I took a very long and deep breath, almost laughing at myself and finally asked: "Do you have, by any chance, a dress in your bag and that beach ball that we use to play with?"
This was definitely the most random and weird question I've ever asked in my entire life. I knew that by Misty's grimace. "Well…" she began, narrowing her eyes. "I have a dress, I always carry more clothes with me… And yes, I think I brought the beach ball, I'm not used to taking it out of my bag anyway… We'll need to fill it, but-what are you thinking?! Why are you asking me if I have a dress and a beach ball?! Are you okay?"
No, I'm not okay! But please, do not laugh… Please, do not laugh… Please, do not laugh… That was all I could think about.
"I-I thought that…Misty, please don't laugh… It's just an idea, you don't need to do it, but the thing is… Maybe you could put your dress and..." Man, I was holding my own laughter back. "A-and put the beach ball under the dress and you… Could… Pretend you're pregnant… I don't know… Sorry, I need some water." I didn't even wait for her reply and I turned back to pick up my bottle of water, because my throat was drier than a desert.
Silence hung in the air. I had to admit, I'd never seen anyone pay so much attention to something as ridiculous as that.
"Go on…" she said, now putting her hands on her waist. Was it just me or did it seem like she was actually listening to me and…agreeing?
"Well…" I made an effort to continue. "And then, we c-could go through Vermilion and get to Fuchsia… At least we wouldn't need to spend so much money." I gave her a sad smile. Okay, I'm ready for her to tell me I've gone mad.
But instead, she stared at me for what seemed like eternity. And suddenly, the corner of her mouth began to form a smile and her eyes sparkled. I really wasn't expecting that kind of reaction. I was waiting for something more like 'What did you eat for breakfast?!' or for her to ask if I got hit in the head by a Nidoqueen. "Excellent idea, Ash!" she exclaimed, suddenly looking really, really happy "I think it can work. We just need to wait for Officer Jenny to change her shift to get into the city without being recognized!"
"Whoa, whoa! Hold on!" I said, raising an eyebrow and my arms. "I'm not even sure if it'll work. Why did you agree to it so easily?! Misty, are you okay?" I also wasn't expecting for me to say that.
She looked down and smiled for a pretty long time. After spending so many years together, I knew by that look that she was about to reveal some intimate secret of her heart. I was glad to be someone she trusted to reveal her secrets. Come on, to be someone who is allowed to know the secrets of a woman's heart is certainly a big deal. But man, she was so beautiful when she made that face that it almost made me stick to the plan.
"You know, Ash…" she looked up at me with a gentle look that made me want to do anything for her. "One of my biggest dreams is to become a mother… I-I've always wanted to know how I would look if I was pregnant, you know? I think it's a unique opportunity for me to get that feeling. This whole atmosphere of that festival... I-I think it would actually be fun, don't you think?"
Wow… These dreams girls have… But I admire her for that. I admit that I found it very beautiful seeing her having this kind of dream, actually. I didn't know what to answer, but it seemed really important to her and I wanted to see her happy, so I gave an incentive. "So… What are you waiting for?"
Her eyes opened even more and a huge smile spread across her face. I stared at her for a long time with my heart beating like I was in the most epic Pokemon battle. I couldn't say anything, because her beautiful smile took away all my words. She turned around to grab her bag and we filled the beach ball. I was sure that if she wore that ball, Misty would look like she was nine months pregnant, ready to be a mother and ready to make her dream come true, even if it was just make-believe.
"Great!" Misty exclaimed, holding the ball. "Now, please turn around because I'm going to change my clothes behind that tree."
While she was changing, Pikachu climbed on my shoulder and I started to pet him and imagine how Misty would look if she was pregnant. Not only in appearance, but in her demeanor. Since forever, she was a really protective person not just with me, but with everyone around her. She was always giving good advice, caring for and helping others.
But, Misty always had this mother "aura," you know? I think it all began when Togepi was born and Misty took care of him like a mother would take care of a child. She had a very maternal relationship with Togepi and even with Pikachu. And I've always admired her for that.
And for some really strange reason, imagining Misty as a pregnant woman made me feel really happy, like if… Like if I really wanted it to happen, someday. But, for some other REALLY, REALLY STRANGE reason, I felt very sad, seriously, by the thought of this pregnancy not involving my presence. Like if… I wanted to be a part of something very special for Misty. OH MY GOSH, WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME? I'm sweating again...