Hi guys, here's the new chapter of this story. In this chapter, I will show one of Ash's facets that I wanted to give him in this story. It's not canon, but since it's my fic, I took the liberty of adding this hobby. I hope you like the chapter.
Chapter 9.- Glances in the Music
"Mom, I think they're ready," Chloe told her mother as she stood in front of the oven. Her mother quickly arrived and took out the tray they were baking. "Very well, I think this time they turned out perfect, dear," Talia exclaimed happily.
It was a Sunday like any other. Her father had gone out with her brother to do some shopping, and today her mother and she had decided to stay home to spend quality mother-daughter time together. Chloe cherished these girly moments with her mother and learning to cook together had become a habit they both enjoyed very much.
"Do you think so, mom?" Chloe asked, as it had taken them more than two weeks to perfect this recipe that her grandmother had left her mother a long time ago. To confirm that they had followed the recipe correctly, her mother tasted a cookie. "Today they definitely turned out well; they taste like they did when I was a child," Talia exclaimed as she savored a cookie.
"Try one, dear," Talia said to her daughter so she could see the fruit of their labor. Chloe took a cookie and ate it, delighted by the taste. She was very proud that she and her mother had made them together. "You're right, mom, they turned out fantastic."
"Hey, since your dad and brother went out, why don't you take some of these cookies to the lab?" her mother suggested. "And why is that?" Chloe asked innocently.
"Well, I think it would be a very nice gesture for your friends who stay in the lab," Talia explained her motivation. "Besides, you might impress Ash with your baking skills; I heard he loves to eat," her mother suggested playfully.
When Chloe realized what her mother was implying, she turned very red. "Mom, I told you not to tease me about that; it's embarrassing," Chloe protested, trying to hide her feelings, although it was already a bit obvious to her mother.
"I'm just playing, dear, but I think it would be a very nice gesture on your part. Besides, I've heard that he and Goh have been working very hard lately to complete their missions. Your father is very happy with their performance. I think it would be very nice if our family showed how much we appreciate them," Talia explained.
With that perspective, Chloe agreed to take a tray of the cookies she had made with her mother, so she grabbed her things and left the house. However, Talia did have other motivations.
Chloe walked towards the lab with the tray of cookies in her hands. The afternoon sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze caressed her face. As she approached the building, she couldn't help but remember how she used to feel being around Ash.
Before, being with Ash was a burden for Chloe. His constant energy and the way he always seemed to be involved in some adventure annoyed her. But over time, things had changed. Ash had proven to be a loyal and brave friend, and Chloe had begun to see his softer, more considerate side. Now, instead of feeling annoyed, Chloe felt a mix of nerves and excitement at the thought of spending time with him.
"What's happening to me?" Chloe thought to herself as she climbed the lab stairs. "I didn't care so much before, but now...". A slight blush appeared on her cheeks as she realized her feelings for Ash had evolved.
As she reached the lab's stairs, Chloe noticed how quiet the environment was. It was somewhat normal since on Sundays, only the pair of trainers and their Pokémon were around. Although it was possible that both had gone out.
When she opened the lab door, Chloe noticed that no one was at the reception. "I guess they went out for a walk, so I'll leave the tray and a note. Oh well, they'll have to eat them cold," Chloe exclaimed out loud. Seeing that no one was there, she left the tray on the kitchen table and wrote a note.
However, before she could leave, she noticed how a melody broke the silence. "What is that?" Chloe exclaimed, confused, unable to find the source of the music. She could recognize that it was coming from a guitar.
Intrigued by the melody, Chloe decided to walk into the reserve in search of the source of the music. Her steps took her along the familiar path of trees and trails that bordered the lab, getting closer and closer to the sound of the guitar. The melody was soft and melancholic, and the closer she got, the clearer it became.
Finally, in the distance, Chloe saw Ash with Pikachu. They were sitting near the artificial waterfall that was part of the reserve, surrounded by the tranquility of the falling water and the serenity of the surroundings. Ash had a guitar in his hands and was playing a song with a skill that Chloe hadn't known he possessed. Pikachu, sitting next to him, listened attentively, moving its ears to the rhythm of the music.
Chloe paused for a moment, watching them from a distance, marveling at the scene. Ash seemed completely immersed in the music, his fingers moving deftly over the strings of the guitar.
Not wanting to interrupt, Chloe moved a little closer, making sure not to make any noise. She sat on a nearby rock, still far enough away not to be seen, but close enough to observe him better. As she listened, she couldn't help but smile. Seeing Ash in this light was something new.
Chloe, determined to get a little closer, began to move carefully. However, in her attempt to stay quiet, she didn't notice a root sticking out of the ground. As she took a step, she tripped and fell to the ground with a small cry of surprise, coming out of her hiding spot.
Ash, hearing the noise, immediately stopped playing and quickly stood up. "Chloe! Are you okay?" he asked with concern in his voice as he approached her, with Pikachu following closely.
Chloe, a bit embarrassed, slowly got up, brushing the dirt off her clothes. "Yes, I'm fine, I just... just tripped," she said, blushing.
"So, you were listening to me?" Ash asked, though it was obvious. Chloe tried to deny it anyway. "No, of course not... well, okay, yes, I was watching you play."
Ash just smiled and returned to the spot where he had been sitting. "Tell me, what brings you here on a Sunday? You don't normally do that," Ash asked while tuning his guitar.
"Well, my mom and I baked some special cookies at home, and she convinced me to bring some to you and Goh," Chloe responded, trying to avoid giving the wrong impression. "By the way, I don't see him anywhere."
"Oh, he left this morning. Gary contacted us about a last-minute Project Mew mission not far from here. So he rushed off to meet him," Ash explained Goh's absence.
"Why didn't you go with him?" Chloe asked. "Well, believe it or not, there are days when I like to relax, and I wanted to take the opportunity to practice a bit," Ash replied as he continued tuning his instrument.
"Then, where did you learn to play? You never mentioned it before, and I've never seen you play," Chloe asked curiously.
Ash stopped tuning the guitar for a moment and looked at Chloe with a smile. "It was quite unexpected. I was in Alola once, and I came across a Pichu that played the ukulele incredibly well. I was amazed, and from that moment on, I became very interested in learning to play an instrument."
Chloe nodded, intrigued by the story. "And how did you get the guitar?"
"Well, Professor Kukui, who is a great friend and mentor to me in Alola, noticed my interest and gave me his old guitar as a gift. He also taught me the basics and some chords," explained Ash, resuming the tuning of the guitar.
"Wow, it's so nice that he taught you... but I find it hard to believe that you saw a Pichu playing the ukulele," Chloe confessed, still somewhat skeptical. "I know it sounds ridiculous, but for me, it was something very unusual and interesting."
Ash exclaimed, laughing at that memory, "I know, right? It does sound unbelievable, but it was a unique and fascinating experience for me." (Do you know what game I'm talking about? ;D)
After staying silent for a moment, looking at the water of the artificial lake, Chloe couldn't resist and wanted to keep listening to Ash's song melody. Although she didn't want to admit it directly, she decided to break the silence by asking him about the song he was playing.
"What song were you playing earlier?" Chloe asked with curiosity, trying to sound casual but showing her interest in Ash's music.
Ash stopped tuning the guitar and looked at her with a friendly smile. "It was a song I've been practicing, something I'm trying to perfect, although I still struggle with it."
"What's it about?" She asked, still curious.
"It's about someone," he replied. Chloe wasn't expecting that answer. It could be anyone, but for some reason, the absurd idea that it could be about her crossed her mind. It was too innocent and crazy to believe that, but something in her head kept repeating the possibility.
"Would you like to hear what I've been practicing?" Ash asked the question Chloe had been waiting for. Her heart raced a bit; she hadn't expected this side of him. An artistic side, something many girls would wish for in their boyfriends.
"Sure... if you want to," she replied, feeling a bit nervous. Ash just smiled at her and prepared to play the song he had been rehearsing. He looked very focused, as if he were preparing for an important battle.
He started playing and creating a sweet melody, but somewhat fast-paced. It was a sweet tune but with a very intense rhythm. Chloe was surprised that her friend had such ease with music. Since she had known him, she had always thought he was only good at Pokémon battles, but now she was seeing a new side of him. But Chloe's mind was blown when she heard him sing.
(If you want to look for the song, it is the following: "Odio Que No Te Odio" by Lasso) (Translated into English, but it has a greater effect in Spanish)
∫ Hate that I can't wash away your smell on my pillow
I hate the song we always asked for in the bar
I hate your mole, your way of speaking
But it's not what I hate the most (Aah)
I hate that before leaving your clothes would not match
I hate that the lies would make you laugh and even cry
I hate your sense of humor, your underwear
But it's not what I hate the most.
∫I hate your eyes, your mouth and your voice
I hate that you would never say goodbye
I hate that you would fight 'til you'd be gone
I hate your kisses, your hair and your skin
I hate how bad you define being faithful.
But what I hate the most is that I don't hate you
And I never will (Aah, aah)
The melody continued, and Ash remained immersed in the song, the emotions he conveyed almost palpable. On one hand, Chloe thought the song would be more romantic, but from the lyrics, she could tell that it was full of conflicting emotions. Perhaps many girls would have taken it very badly if such a song was dedicated to them, but for some reason, she didn't see it that way. To her, it felt like a beautiful sentiment.
∫I never thought about it, never saw that coming
That you'd be the one who would make me suffer
I counted to two, but we were three
For dancing it's too many legs
I don't like hating (I don't like hating),
It is not good for me (It is not good for me)
I don't like hating (I don't like it)
You force me, you force me
I don't like hating, it is not good for me
But you deserve it ∫
With that line, the song ended, or at least what he had practiced. "That's as far as I've gotten. Do you think I'm doing well?" he asked unreservedly, a smile on his face as he shared this passion with someone.
On the other hand, Chloe was still in a trance from the little performance Ash had given her. She couldn't help but blush as she looked at him; it was a very attractive talent, and she certainly didn't expect him to sing so well.
"Wow... I have to say I didn't expect you to do it so well," she acknowledged his innate musical talent.
"Thanks. Actually, it's the first time anyone has heard me sing," Ash confessed, a bit embarrassed.
Chloe found it hard to believe. "But you definitely do it incredibly. I didn't expect you to have so much talent."
"Well, I guess I just see it as a pastime. It's not all battles on my mind, you know," Ash replied while petting Pikachu, who had fallen asleep next to him.
Chloe, still feeling the impact of the performance, looked at Ash with curiosity. "Why did you share it with me?" she asked softly.
Ash paused for a moment, clearly thinking deeply about his response. "I'm not sure," he admitted, looking down at his guitar. "But I feel safe with you. It just felt right to share it."
Chloe's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as she processed his words. The sincerity in his voice and the way he trusted her made her heart flutter. She looked down, trying to hide her blush. "I'm glad you did. It means a lot to me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ash smiled warmly at her. "Thanks,. It's nice to have someone to share this side of me with."
After that, they just sat there, looking at each other. Chloe moved a bit closer, which Ash noticed. He set the guitar aside and moved closer too. Chloe's heart began to race, and in her mind, she wanted to stop, but Ash's penetrating gaze confused her deeply.
As they drew nearer, the air between them seemed to thicken with unspoken emotions. Chloe's pulse quickened, and she felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. Ash's eyes, usually filled with determination and enthusiasm for battles, now held a softness and depth that she had never seen before.
Chloe tried to find her words, but they seemed to escape her. She wanted to say something, anything, to break the tension, but all she could do was look into Ash's eyes, feeling a connection that was both thrilling and terrifying.
Ash, noticing her hesitation, gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. "Chloe," he whispered, his voice tender and reassuring, "it's okay. You can tell me anything."
The closeness between them felt electrifying, and Chloe's mind raced with possibilities. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. "Ash, I..." she started, but the words caught in her throat.
But out of nowhere, Goh arrived, announcing his presence and ruining the moment. Chloe was petrified, but Ash responded very casually to his friend as if nothing was happening. Without further ado, he got up, grabbed his guitar, and ran towards the entrance. Chloe remained in the same position, now feeling embarrassed and a bit annoyed by the interruption.
"Hey, Goh! How was the mission?" Ash asked, greeting his friend with enthusiasm.
"It was great! We found some rare Pokémon!" Goh replied, oblivious to the moment he had just interrupted.
Chloe took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She slowly stood up, brushing the dirt off her clothes. As she walked towards the entrance, she could hear Ash and Goh chatting animatedly about their latest adventure.
When she finally reached them, Ash turned to her with a smile. "Chloe, you should have seen the Pokémon Goh caught today. It was amazing!"
Chloe forced a smile, trying to hide her frustration. "That sounds great, Goh. Congratulations," she said, her voice not quite matching her words.
Goh, noticing her tone, looked at her curiously. "Is everything okay, Chloe?"
"Yeah, everything's fine," she replied, not wanting to make a big deal out of it. "I just remembered I have something to do at home."
Ash looked at her with concern. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Chloe nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I should get going. I'll see you guys later."
Chloe arrived at her room and sighed in frustration, overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions she was experiencing. She knew she felt something for Ash, but there were so many things about him that frustrated her. She flopped down onto her bed, trying to sort through her thoughts.
As she lay there, her mind drifted back to the lyrics of the song Ash had played. The intense emotions and conflicting feelings in the song mirrored her own confusion. She replayed the words in her head
She muttered to herself, "Why did he have to play such a confusing song? It's like he knows exactly how I feel." She sighed deeply, feeling the weight of her emotions.
Chloe sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. "I know I feel something for him, but he can be so... infuriating sometimes!" She shook her head, thinking about how Ash could be so oblivious to everything except Pokémon battles. "He didn't even realize how awkward that moment was when Goh showed up."
Her mind wandered back to the song's lyrics
"But you deserve it..."
"Deserve what?" she whispered to herself. "Does he even know what he's singing about? Or was it just a song he likes?" Chloe couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at the thought that the song might be about someone else.
She remembered Ash's words from earlier. "I'm not sure why I shared it with you, but I feel safe with you." The memory brought a small smile to her face despite her frustration.
Safe with me," she repeated quietly. "I guess that's something." She lay back down, staring at the ceiling. "Why do you have to be so complicated, Ash?" she said aloud, as if he could hear her.
Suddenly, she sat up, grabbing her pillow and hugging it tightly. "Maybe I should just talk to him," she mused. "But what if he doesn't feel the same way?" The thought made her heart race with anxiety.
Her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie. She glanced at the screen to see a message from Ash: "Hey Chloe, thanks for the cookies. They were great! Hope you got home safe."
Chloe couldn't help but smile. "Of course he would be thinking about food," she said, shaking her head. She typed back, "I'm glad you liked them. And yes, I got home safe. Thanks, Ash."
As she set her phone down, she felt a little better. "Maybe he's not as clueless as I think," she whispered. The lyrics of the song still played in her mind, but now they felt less like a riddle and more like a challenge to understand Ash better.
With a determined look, Chloe resolved, "I'll figure this out. I'll figure him out." She lay back down, feeling a mix of frustration and affection, knowing that her feelings for Ash were not simple, but they were real.
Ash stood on the balcony of the laboratory, gazing up at the moon. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the heat of the day, and the quiet allowed him to reflect on his thoughts. The events of the day played over in his mind, and he couldn't help but think about the song he had played for Chloe.
He knew that the song was for her, but deep down, he realized there was someone else who had been occupying his thoughts more and more lately. Someone who shared his love for music and had a way of sneaking into his mind when he least expected it.
As he strummed the chords of the song in his mind, he whispered the lyrics to himself:
He sighed, leaning on the balcony railing. "Why does it have to be so complicated?" he muttered to himself.
Pikachu, sensing his trainer's contemplation, hopped onto the railing beside him. "Pika?"
Ash smiled down at his faithful companion. "Hey, buddy. Just thinking, that's all." He gently patted Pikachu's head.
He looked back up at the moon, lost in thought. "Chloe's great, and I really care about her," he murmured, "but every time I think about playing music, I think about her too."
His mind wandered to another girl, one who had been his companion in the past. She had a way of understanding him that was different from anyone else. Recently, thoughts of her had been creeping back into his mind more frequently, especially when he was playing music.
"Why do you keep popping up in my head?" he said quietly. He remembered the way she had supported him during his journey and how she had pursued her own dreams with such determination.
Pikachu tilted his head, as if asking Ash what he was going to do.
Ash shrugged. "I don't know, Pikachu. I just don't know. Maybe it's because she's far away and it's easier to think about what could have been." He paused, thinking about the last time he had seen her. "Or maybe it's because she understood me."
The sound of the room's door opening brought him out of his reverie. Goh walked out onto the balcony, looking up at the sky as well.
"Hey, Ash," Goh greeted him. "Couldn't sleep?"
Ash smiled faintly. "Yeah, just thinking."
Goh nodded, joining him at the railing. "You were really good today with that song. Didn't know you had that in you." Ash realized that Goh also listen part of the song he was writting, but it didn't bother him.
"Thanks," Ash replied, appreciating the compliment. "It's just something I've been working on."
Goh glanced at him. "Thinking about Chloe?"
Ash sighed. "Yeah, and someone else."
Goh raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Someone else? Who is she?"
Ash hesitated, not wanting to reveal too much. "Just a very special girl from my past."
Goh leaned against the railing, glancing at Ash with curiosity. "So, what's been going on with Chloe lately?" he asked.
Ash looked over at Goh, contemplating how much to share. "Well, I've been getting to know her more," he began. "She's not as rigid and standoffish as I initially thought. She's really honest and kind."
Goh raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really?. What changed your mind?"
Ash scratched his head, trying to find the right words. "I guess spending time with her made me see a different side of her. She maybe can be stubborn but she's also a caring friend."
Goh looked at Ash with a knowing smile. "Has anything changed, though? You seem a lot more affectionate towards her than before."
Ash chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Don't worry, Goh. We're just getting to know each other better. It's nothing more than that."
Goh nodded understandingly. "Got it. Just making sure."
He then put a hand on Ash's shoulder, looking serious for a moment. "You know, Ash, Chloe' is a good friend to both of us. I want us all to get along well. We're a team, after all."
Ash smiled gratefully at his friend's words. "You're right, Goh. We are a team. And having Chloe as part of that team is a good thing."
Pikachu chimed in with a cheerful "Pika!"
Ash laughed, ruffling Pikachu's fur. "Yeah, Pikachu agrees too."
As Goh bid Ash goodnight and headed off to bed, Ash found himself alone on the balcony, gazing up at the moon. The soft glow of the moonlight bathed the surroundings, casting a serene atmosphere over the laboratory.
As he stood there, memories of past moments flooded his mind. He couldn't help but think back to that moment at the airport, when he had to say goodbye to someone special. The emotions of that farewell were still vivid in his memory, and he wondered if he would ever have closure on that chapter of his life.
Alright guys, I hope you liked this chapter. I know Ash having musical talents is very OOC, but I wanted to incorporate the aspect of music because it's something very important in my life nowadays. The song was what inspired me to write this story. I hope you enjoyed it.