In the quiet comfort of her parents' home on Menagerie, Blake sat cross-legged on the couch, her amber eyes scanning the pages of a glossy magazine. She seemed unusually focused, her ears twitching slightly at every sound. Her tail swayed gently behind her as she became engrossed in whatever she was reading.

Enter Sun, the ever-curious and energetic monkey-tailed Faunus, who crept up behind her with his usual mischievous grin. "Hey, Blake! Whatcha reading?"

Blake jumped in surprise with a blush rapidly spreading across her face. She slammed the magazine shut and quickly hid it behind her back. "Sun! What are you doing sneaking around like that?!" she stammered, glaring at him.

Sun raised an eyebrow. "Sneaking? I just walked in. What's with the guilty reaction? Come on, let me see!"

"No!" Blake shot back, holding the magazine out of his reach as she moved away.

Sun smirked, crossing his arms. "Aw, come on, Blake. It's just a magazine. What's the big deal? Unless…" His grin widened as realization dawned. "It's something embarrassing, isn't it?"

"It's nothing!" Blake insisted nervously.

"Then let me see!" Sun said, darting around the couch in an attempt to snatch the magazine.

"Absolutely not!" Blake countered, evading him with feline agility.

Their playful chase caused enough of a commotion that Blake's parents, Ghira and Kali, entered the room. Ghira's stern voice cut through the chaos. "What is going on here?"

Blake froze as she turned to face her parents. Sun pointed accusingly at her. "She's hiding something, and she won't let me see it!"

Ghira's eyes narrowed as he looked at Sun. "Are you harassing my daughter again, Sun Wukong?"

"What? No! I'm not harassing her!" Sun protested, throwing his hands up in frustration.

Kali placed a hand on her husband's arm to calm him before turning to her daughter. "Blake, sweetheart, is something wrong? Why don't you just show us what you're hiding?"

Blake hesitated as her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "It's… it's not a big deal," she mumbled, clutching the magazine tightly.

Kali's gentle smile never wavered. "If it's not a big deal, then why are you so flustered?"

Ghira crossed his arms. "Whatever it is, Blake, you don't have to keep secrets from us."

Blake sighed, realizing there was no way out. Reluctantly, she held out the magazine, which Sun immediately snatched up. His eyes widened as he took in the cover: it was a Pokémon Trainer-themed magazine, and smack in the middle of the page was a large, dynamic picture of Ash Ketchum with Pikachu on his shoulder.

"Wait a second," Sun said, flipping through the pages until he found an article with more pictures of Ash. "Blake, is this… are you crushing on this guy?"

Blake's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "I… I just think he's inspiring, okay? He's traveled the world, he's brave, and he stands up for what he believes in!"

Sun blinked, then started laughing. "Oh man, this is too good! The great Blake Belladonna has a fan crush on a Pokémon Trainer from another dimension!"

"Sun!" Blake hissed.

Kali chuckled softly, leaning toward her husband. "Well, at least she has good taste."

Ghira frowned, muttering under his breath. "I'd rather it be anyone but him."

Blake groaned, snatching the magazine back from Sun and hugging it protectively to her chest. "You're all impossible."

Kali smiled, patting her daughter on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Blake. It's perfectly normal to admire someone. Even if they're from another world."

Sun, still grinning, leaned closer. "You think this Ash guy likes cat girls?"

Blake swatted at him with her tail, storming off with the magazine. "I'm done with all of you!"

Ghira's glare remained fixed on Sun. "I really don't like you," Ghira said flatly.

Sun sighed and lowered his head in defeat. No matter what he did, it seemed he couldn't win over Blake's father. "I'm just trying to be a good friend to Blake, sir," he muttered.

"That's what worries me," Ghira replied curtly before turning and walking away, leaving Sun deflated and unsure of what to do next.

Meanwhile, Kali quietly slipped out of the room to follow her daughter, who had retreated to the balcony overlooking the vibrant city of Menagerie. She found Blake leaning on the railing, her magazine clutched tightly against her chest. Blake's ears twitched slightly, signaling she was aware of her mother's presence.

"Blake," Kali began gently, stepping closer, "are you alright?"

Blake sighed with her gaze fixed on the bustling streets below. "I don't know why I even brought it here. I should've known everyone would make a big deal out of it."

Kali placed a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Your father and Sun can be... overwhelming, but you know they mean well in their own ways. And I'm not here to judge, Blake. I just want to understand."

Blake hesitated for a moment before speaking. "You know why this can't work, Mom. Dad would never accept it. Not with the way things are between humans and Faunus. He's already protective enough as it is."

Kali nodded thoughtfully. "You're not wrong. Your father's had to fight hard for our people, and it's made him cautious. But I'm here to support you, no matter what you decide." She tilted her head curiously. "Though I'll admit, I do find it surprising. A human? From another dimension?"

Blake turned to face her mother. "Ash isn't like the humans here, Mom. He doesn't judge anyone based on their appearance. He's always trying to make friends, no matter who or what they are. Pokémon, people—it doesn't matter. He sees the good in everyone."

Kali smiled softly. "That does sound... refreshing. And it's clear you admire him a lot."

Blake's ears flattened slightly as she blushed. "He's just... different. In a good way."

Kali chuckled. "Well, it's not my place to decide who you admire, Blake. But if this Ash person is as kind as you say, I can't see any harm in it. Even if your father might take some convincing."

Blake's tail swayed gently as she managed a small smile. "Thanks, Mom. I just hope he'll understand someday."

Kali leaned in, brushing a strand of hair behind Blake's ear. "He will, in time. You've always had a way of opening people's eyes, Blake. Just don't lose faith in yourself—or in him."

Blake nodded with a small smile.

As Kali reached the doorway to leave Blake to her thoughts, she paused, a sly smile spreading across her face. "You know, Blake," she began, turning back to her daughter, "if this Ash is as wonderful as you say, and if things do work out between you two someday... I wouldn't mind a few grandkids running around. Imagine little ones with his adventurous spirit and your determination."

Blake's ears shot straight up as her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. "MOM!" she exclaimed.

Kali chuckled mischievously, clearly enjoying her daughter's reaction. "What? A mother can dream, can't she?"

Blake buried her face in her hands, groaning. "This is why I didn't want to say anything!"

Kali laughed softly, stepping forward to gently pat Blake on the shoulder. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm just teasing. But you can't blame a mother for wanting her daughter to be happy—and maybe to have a little fun imagining the possibilities."

Blake peeked at her mother through her fingers, still blushing furiously. "You're impossible."