Chapter 3

*Opelucid city Pokémon Centre*

After telling Officer Jenny everything, Ash and the others headed up the pokémon centre for a night's rest. Ash sat at the balcony, thinking about the incident earlier on.

"Pika pika pikachu?" Pikachu questioned, as he sat on Ash's lap and looked at him with concern.

"Nothing… I was just thinking about earlier on…when that solar beam didn't do anything to me…" Ash held his best buddy close to him, still wondering.

"Pika…"

"When the attack came nearer to me, I could feel something. Like, something inside me came surging out. And I barely felt the attack at all, like I was protected by something…"

"Pika… Pi, pipi pikachu"

"Haha, yup. At least I'm fine, no need to worry!" Ash used that old phrase again before he even realized it.

"Glad you're okay!" a third voice came from behind, nearly scaring Ash and Pikachu. Ash smiled, as May sat down beside him and stared into the sky. There was nothing but silence between them for a while.

Ash thought he had never felt so relax before, just sitting beside May. He followed suite, just staring into the sky. There aren't many stars, but the moon is huge and round. The night breezes blowing pass them made the atmosphere really calm.

"I wonder how Dawn is doing," said Ash, who finally decided to break the silence.

"Dawn?" of course, May had met Dawn before, but she never thought that Ash would think about her so often. 'Ash probably thought of me too when he was travelling in Sinnoh', the thought of Ash missing her made her blush, lucky for her Ash didn't notice.

"Yeah, the last time I chatted with her, she said she's still doing contests, but hasn't decided where to go yet." Ash said simply

May was just about to reply, but Max interrupted her, "Hey, what ya guys chatting about?"

"Well, just about Dawn. She should have started her own journey by now."

"Oh. You miss her?" Max asked.

"Yeah, just as much as how I miss Misty. If only we could all travel together…"

"So why couldn't they come?"

Throughout the entire conversation, May kept quiet. It wasn't as if she didn't like talking about other people; she has always loved gossiping. But talking about Misty or Dawn just made her feel terrible. Despite being good friends with both of them, she couldn't help thinking how they have all travelled with Ash and Brock before. This means they both could be closer to Ash than she is.

"Oh why am I thinking like that? Who cares who is closer to Ash? Right now I'm with him." Despite this, May couldn't help but sighed.

"Hey May, what's wrong? Are you tired?" Ash asked in concern

'It's a good thing he's so oblivious sometimes.' May thought to herself, before replying, "Oh, err, nothing. Haha, I'm just tired, that's all. Yeah. I'll…go to bed first. Goodnight guys!"

"Oh, okay. Goodnight May!" Ash thought May was acting a little too unusual, but brushed it off anyway.

"Hey May, sleeping so soon already?" Brock came to join every one as May just shrugged and walked to bed, "Hmm, wonder what's wrong with her?"

Ash didn't even hear Brock. All he had in his mind now was what happened this afternoon.

Until…

"Hey Ash, do you… like my sister?" Max has decided this would be the good time to ask him. With Brock around as well, it would be better. Brock raised an eyebrow, but kept quiet and listened attentively for Ash's answer.

"Erm… of course..." Ash replied, obviously confused.

"Huh? Oh… I mean, do you like…'like' my sis?" Max knew Ash didn't really get him at first.

Ash didn't answer. He merely stared at Max, trying to register his question.

Brock though, decided it's his cue to jump in, "Well, what Max meant was, do you have feelings for May? Like she is a girl and you're a boy and stuffs…"

Ash immediately widened his eyes and blushed, knowing where this conversation is going. He gulped and replied, "Err…. I don't know…"

"Well now's the time to think about it." Brock knew Ash would say that, hence he nudged him on.

"Err, I never thought of it…"

"Oh come on Ash! Think about it now! It's important!" Max pushed on

"What? I... I really don't see how that is important right now! Ahhh I'm going to bed. Goodnight guys!" Ash quickly escapes. He could feel his face burning, and plopped right into bed.

Brock shook his head and patted Max on the back, "Your sis gotta wait…"

"Pikachu." Pikachu sighed.

"Hey Pikachu, what do you think? Do Ash like May?" Max asked, not wanting to give up.

"Pika." Pikachu nodded.

"What, he does! Ahhh why didn't he just admit it!"

"Shhh! Keep it down Max!" Brock hushed. Both of them turned and saw that at least the balcony door is closed. Max mouthed sorry.

"You know, I think he feel it but doesn't know it. Am I right, Pikachu?" Brock asked

"Pika!" Pikachu nodded, happy that Brock knows what's going on with his trainer. And anyway Pikachu's been with Ash for so long, he knew his silly pikapi do feel something, but just wasn't aware of it.

"So all we have to do is to push him!"

"Not so fast Max. You know Ash; we have to push him slowly. And May must also try to let him know about her feelings for him as well!"

"What? We're pretty much just getting my sis to confess!"

"Nope. All she has to do is to drop hints now and then."

"She said she has been doing that all right..."

"Well, keep doing so. Trust me! When it comes to love, I'll always know the thing for it~!"

Max sweat dropped, not knowing if it was a good idea to trust Brock after all.

"This is so cool though, having my sis and Ash as a couple!" Max commented.

"Wait a minute… actually you're too young to be touching on topics like this!" Brock stared at Max, suddenly realizing.

"Nahh whatever, I just wanna see how it'll be when the two of them get together!" Max exclaimed, to which Brock sweatdropped.