The world spun around Ash Ketchum like a whirlpool of chaotic colors. One moment, he was strategizing with Pikachu about his next Champion match, and the next, he was flat on his back on a plushy, rainbow-colored floor. "What the—where am I?" Ash groaned, pushing himself up. His eyes adjusted to his surroundings, revealing a bizarrely cheerful set filled with Pokémon plushies.

Giant, oversized Poké Balls hung like chandeliers from the ceiling. There was a desk with his nameplate that read, Ash Ketchum - Sensei Extraordinaire, a chair with a question mark on it, and a door that seemed to appear and vanish randomly, flickering like a glitch in reality.

"Pikachu?" Ash called out, his hand instinctively reaching for his shoulder. His fingers landed on something fuzzy, and he sighed in relief—only to discover it wasn't Pikachu. It was a stuffed version of him. "Wha—you're not Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed, holding the plush at arm's length. "Where are you, buddy?"

Before he could delve deeper into the mystery, a booming, disembodied voice filled the air.

"Welcome, Ash Ketchum, Monarch of your World, to Please Help Me, Ash-Sensei! Your mission: to provide therapy to visitors from across dimensions. Use your Champion spirit to heal their hearts... or try, at least. First guest incoming!"

"What do you mean 'therapy'? I don't even—" Ash started, but his words were cut off as the door burst open with a dramatic flash of light.

In stepped a blonde girl in a white-and-blue military-style outfit. Her blue eyes widened in confusion as she took in the bizarre surroundings—and the bewildered boy sitting behind the desk.

"Uh… I think there's been a mistake," the girl said, her voice soft and nervous. "I was supposed to meet someone like Professor Kokonoe… or maybe Rachel…" She trailed off, tilting her head as her gaze landed on Ash. A faint blush dusted her cheeks. "Wait, are you… the therapist?"

Ash scratched the back of his head, his own face turning red. "Uh, yeah, I guess? I'm Ash Ketchum. And you are…?"

The girl hesitated before giving a polite bow. "I'm Noel Vermillion, Lieutenant of the NOL. This is… really not what I expected." She glanced at the plushies and oversized Poké Balls, her blush deepening. "I mean… you're kind of cute, though."

Ash nearly fell out of his chair. "C-Cute? Me?!" His heart raced as he tried to compose himself, his face matching the color of a Cheri Berry. "W-Wait, let's focus on why you're here!"

Noel fidgeted nervously. "R-Right! Sorry… I was sent here because apparently, I need help with… um… confidence? And standing up for myself?"

Ash nodded, leaning forward. "Okay, confidence-building. I can do that. So, Noel, tell me about yourself. What's got you feeling like you need more confidence?"

Noel hesitated, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "Well, I'm always compared to others. People call me weak or useless, even though I try my best. It's like no matter what I do, it's never enough…" Her voice wavered, and she looked down.

Ash felt a pang of sympathy. "Hey, I get that," he said, his voice softening. "I've been there too. People doubted me a lot when I started my journey. They said I'd never make it, but you know what? I proved them wrong by never giving up. You can do the same."

Noel looked up, her eyes shining with a mixture of surprise and hope. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely," Ash said, standing up. "Let's try something. Imagine someone's saying you're weak right now. What would you say back?"

Noel blinked, caught off guard. "I… I don't know. Maybe… um… 'That's not true!'?"

"Louder!" Ash encouraged.

"Th-That's not true!" Noel said, her voice a little firmer.

"Come on, you're stronger than that!" Ash stepped closer, pumping his fist in the air. "Shout it like you mean it!"

Noel clenched her fists, her face determined. "That's not true!" she yelled, the words echoing around the room.

Ash grinned. "That's the spirit! You've got this, Noel. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

For a moment, Noel stared at him, and then, to Ash's surprise, she tackled him in a hug.

"Thank you, Ash!" she said, her voice muffled against his chest. "I… I really needed to hear that."

Ash froze, his brain short-circuiting as the soft-spoken girl hugged him. "Uh… y-you're welcome?" he stammered, his face once again as red as a Poké Ball.

The disembodied voice returned, breaking the moment. "Congratulations, Ash-Sensei! You've successfully helped your first guest. Prepare for your next challenge!"

The door began to glow again, signaling the arrival of the next visitor.

Noel pulled away, smiling shyly. "I should probably go… but thank you again, Ash. You're a really good… sensei." She blushed as she stepped toward the door, disappearing in a flash of light.

Ash slumped back into his chair, exhaling deeply. "I don't know what just happened… but I think I'm in over my head."

The stuffed Pikachu on his desk tipped over, as if nodding in agreement.