Chapter 12

*Pokémon center*

The trio, now including Dawn, finished their fulfilling meal at a restaurant, and headed to the pokémon center to rest the night.

"Hey Dawn, so how come you could join us so suddenly? I thought you were busy." Ash asked

"Oh… You see I actually wanted to visit my old friend, but it turns out she wasn't around, so I ended up with no plans at all for the time being." Dawn stated her lie perfectly, making sure she didn't look like she was lying.

'I can't expect myself to tell them about Kenny asking me out, can I? It would be really awkward.'

"I see, well it's good in a way since now you get to join us!" Ash said.

"Where should we head to tomorrow?" Max said, checking his pokénav.

"We're going somewhere else already? But I haven't start shopping here yet!" whined Dawn. May chuckled at her reaction, while the boys sweat dropped.

"Well… You are going to shop again when we go somewhere else, so it doesn't really matter, right?'

"NOOO IT DOES!"

"Oh… Okay…" Ash said, terrified by Dawn's fiery spirit.

"You see the items here are definitely different from the items elsewhere! If I don't buy them here-"

"You wouldn't be able to buy them anywhere else!" said May, finishing her sentence.

"Exactly! Oh my god! Do you know any pretty dresses they sell here?"

The guys sweat dropped more and tuned out immediately.

"In this case-in Dawn's case, I guess we have to stay here for a while…" Ash suggested

"Alright, though I would love to hurry on to Undella Town." Max sighed.

"Undella Town? What's interesting there?"

"Here's a map description: A summer retreat with a beach full of people who enjoy summer vacations." Brock read from his guide book.

"Cool! I love going to the beach. And it's summer now too, right?" Ash said.

"Haha yeah it is. We can go there after those two finish shopping." Brock pointed to the two girls, who are now absolutely engrossed in their own shopping conversation.

"Oh…" Ash and Max sighed.

*Professor Oak's Laboratory*

After a serious discussion with Professor Birch, both Professor Oak and he sent some assistants to the Tree of Beginning to find out more about aura. At the meantime Professor Oak focused on some of his current researches, when a particular person decided to pay him a visit.

"Professor, there's a lady out there who wants to see you. She said she is a researcher from some scientific research base..." Tracey said.

Professor Oak raised an eyebrow. Normally the people who visit him were the other professors, trainers or Delia. He thought of the possibility of who it might be as he proceeded to the lobby. However he knew the answer right away as he saw that it was a stranger he never met before sitting at the sofa.

The stranger stood up immediately as Professor Oak approached.

"I hope I'm not interrupting you, Professor Oak. But I'm Mandy, researcher from The Scientific Research Base" said Mandy, shaking Professor Oak's hand, "here's my name card."

Professor Oak accepted the card and took a quick scan through. He knew most of the professors and researchers, yet this lady standing in front of him was unfamiliar to him.

As if Mandy read his mind, she quickly explained, "I'm their new recruit team member, Professor. I'm sure you've heard of The Scientific Research Base."

"Yes yes, of course I did. You guys are the ones researching about all sorts of miscellaneous field studies of the pokémon."

"Yes and this will be my first research that I have to handle myself."

"Well I see," Professor Oak stuffed the card into his pocket. He was still a little suspicious of why such a small research base who sent someone to consult him. "So may I know how I can help you?"

"You see, Professor. My research project is about…" Professor Oak listened carefully to Mandy, who seemed professional and sincere throughout the consultation.

He slowly let his guts down, and decided to help her further with her research. At a hidden corner, a small pokémon stared at them, sensing danger in the air.

"Bulba… Bulbasaur…"

* Lacunosa City*

"Ohh, this is the best feeling ever!" Dawn said, hugging her shopping bags. Piplup walked beside her, carrying a smaller bag.

"I know! It's a pity they didn't have the right size of the shirt I wanted…" May said, carrying a few shopping bags too.

"Erm guys, we should go on to Undella Town soon, before the evening approaches." Brock suggested.

"GREAT! LET'S GO!" Ash, not wanting to wait for the two girls' replies, dashed off at great speed. Pikachu and Max raced after him. Brock, after some mental debating, proceeded following quickly behind as well.

"Guys… always in a hurry…" May chuckled

"Well, that's Ash. I mean, after all the words 'dash' and 'rash' do have his name in it."

"Oh yeah, you're right!"

"…but that's what makes him this way."

"Huh, what are you saying?"

"I mean… hmmm… he's just… kinda adorable like that." Dawn said, blushing at the thought of her crush.

Unfortunately May noticed it, and she wasn't really happy about it. Of course it was fine to know about Dawn's crush, but it was heart piercing to find out that she liked the same person May herself do.

'This... is going to be bad… Gosh Ash, why must you be so lovable…?'

"May? Are you alright?"

"Yeah? I'm just wondering… you like Ash?" May said, stating her last sentence instead of asking.

"A… Just a little, no biggie. I mean, it's not like I'm really after him or something" Dawn lied. To her relief, May gave her a small smile.

'Should I ask? Oh well, it's quite clear she holds the same feeling as me too… no point messing things up.' Dawn continued walking beside May. She knew they were both somewhat thinking about the same thing.