Ash and Pikachu had just settled in the Beacon courtyard to enjoy a quiet moment when an energetic blur suddenly rushed towards them.

"OH MY GOSH!" came an excited voice, causing both Ash and Pikachu to flinch. "Is that a yellow mouse I heard so much about?!"

Before Ash could respond, Nora Valkyrie was already inches from his face, her wide grin and sparkling eyes making him lean back instinctively. Pikachu, sitting on Ash's shoulder, tensed up, its cheeks sparking faintly in response to her sudden approach.

"Uh, yeah?" Ash replied cautiously.

"It's so cute! Look at its little ears! And its cheeks! And—oh! Its tail is shaped like a lightning bolt!" Nora gushed, bouncing in place. "Can I hug it? Pleeease?"

Pikachu's ears flattened, and it glanced nervously at Ash. "Pika…"

"I-I don't think that's a good idea," Ash said, holding his hands up. "Pikachu's not exactly a fan of sudden hugs. He might shock you."

"Oh, I don't mind a little zap!" Nora said with a laugh, already reaching out.

Before she could grab Pikachu, Ren appeared, placing a firm hand on Nora's shoulder. "Nora," he said calmly, "maybe give them some space?"

"But Ren!" Nora whined, pouting as she gestured toward Pikachu. "It's too adorable! I have to squeeze it!"

"Nora," Ren repeated, his tone more insistent.

Nora crossed her arms and sighed dramatically. "Fiiine," she relented, though she kept glancing at Pikachu with longing eyes.

Ash let out a breath of relief. "Thanks, uh… Ren, was it?"

Ren nodded. "Yes. And this is Nora."

"Nice to meet you both," Ash said with a polite smile. Pikachu, still wary, offered a small wave. "Pika."

"So, Ash!" Nora said, her excitement reigniting as she leaned forward. "What's it like having a Pikachu? Does it zap you a lot? Can it shoot lightning bolts? Oh! Can it fry pancakes?"

Ash blinked at the rapid-fire questions. "Uh… yeah, Pikachu can shoot lightning bolts, but no, it doesn't fry pancakes."

"Boo!" Nora said, pretending to sulk. "That would've been awesome."

"Is she always like this?" Ash asked, glancing at Ren.

"Yes," Ren replied without hesitation, his tone utterly deadpan.

"Always," Pikachu added with a shudder.

Nora, oblivious to their unease, clapped her hands together. "Oh! I know! Let's all hang out! We can eat pancakes, talk about Pikachu, and—"

"More pancakes?" Ren interjected knowingly.

"Yes!" Nora exclaimed, spinning to face him. "Ren, you know me so well!"

Ash exchanged a look with Pikachu, both of them silently wondering how someone could have so much energy. "Uh… sure? I guess we can hang out."

"Yes!" Nora cheered, punching the air. "This is gonna be so much fun!"

Ren sighed softly, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder. "Good luck," he said quietly.

Ash gave a nervous chuckle. "Thanks… I think."

Nora dragged them off towards the dining hall.

Moments later...

In the dining hall, Ash and Pikachu sat at a table with Nora and Ren. Ash had ordered a modest plate of food, and Pikachu nibbled on a berry he'd found earlier. Across from them, however, was an entirely different scene. Nora was devouring a towering stack of pancakes at lightning speed, syrup dripping down her chin as she enthusiastically shoved forkfuls into her mouth. Plates piled up around her like miniature mountains, each one scraped clean.

Ash and Pikachu exchanged a look, both visibly sweat-dropping at the spectacle.

"Does she… always eat like this?" Ash whispered to Ren, who was calmly sipping tea beside them.

Ren nodded without looking up. "Yes. Every time."

"I don't even know where she puts it all," Ash muttered, staring in disbelief as Nora polished off another plate and reached for the next one.

"Pika…" Pikachu agreed, tilting its head in wonder.

"Mmm, these pancakes are sooo good!" Nora exclaimed, pausing only to grab the syrup bottle and drown her stack in another thick layer. "You guys should totally eat more! Pancakes make everything better!"

Ash chuckled nervously. "I think I'm good with what I've got."

Nora leaned forward, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Ash, you've gotta try adding whipped cream and chocolate chips to your pancakes. It's life-changing!"

Ash held up his hands defensively. "I'll take your word for it."

"Your loss!" Nora said, happily stuffing another syrup-drenched bite into her mouth.

Pikachu, still perched on Ash's shoulder, eyed one of the untouched pancakes on Nora's plate. It sniffed the air curiously, its nose twitching.

Nora noticed and gasped, pointing dramatically at Pikachu. "Does Pikachu want a pancake?!"

"Uh…" Ash hesitated. "I don't think Pikachu—"

Before he could finish, Nora had already broken off a piece and held it out toward Pikachu like an offering. "Here you go, little buddy! Pancakes are the best thing ever!"

Pikachu eyed the pancake, unsure, but eventually leaned forward and nibbled on the edge. Its eyes widened slightly as it chewed, and it let out an approving "Pika!"

"See? Even Pikachu knows pancakes are amazing!" Nora declared triumphantly.

Ash sighed, shaking his head with a small smile. "Well, at least she's sharing."

As Nora continued her pancake frenzy, Ren leaned closer to Ash. "This is normal for her," he said in his usual calm tone. "I'd suggest just going along with it."

Ash chuckled softly. "Yeah, I'm starting to figure that out."

Nora suddenly slammed her hands on the table, startling Ash and Pikachu. "Ash!" she exclaimed. "You and Pikachu need to have a pancake-eating contest with me!"

"W-Wait, what?!" Ash stammered, holding up his hands.

"Come on! It'll be fun!" Nora insisted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ren never wants to do it, but you're new! You've got rookie energy!"

Ash glanced at Ren, who gave him a subtle shake of the head.

"Uh… maybe some other time," Ash said cautiously.

Nora pouted but quickly perked up again as she spotted another plate being brought out from the kitchen. "Ooh, more pancakes! Be right back!"

As she dashed off, Ash slumped in his seat, exhausted just from watching her. "Does she ever run out of energy?"

Ren took another sip of his tea. "Never."