Pokémon: Starting with Ash's Mom

Kazuki and his two companions arrived at the city entrance. The architectural style here gave Kazuki a sense of beauty that surpassed even the western regions.

The air was thick with windblown sand and dust, as if a battle had just taken place.

After walking a bit further, they saw the city's name—Dark City—and Kazuki immediately understood why the place looked the way it did.

This city housed two rival Gyms competing for official recognition from the Pokémon League.

Just then, a suspicious-looking person wearing a trench coat and sunglasses caught the attention of Kazuki and his group.

Kazuki led Misty and Suzie toward her.

"Miss Joy, why are you dressed so strangely?" Misty asked curiously.

"Yeah, you don't look like the other Nurse Joys we've met," Suzie added.

"Huh? Me... You? How do you know who I am?"

Though Nurse Joy was bundled up tightly, her flustered body language betrayed her nervousness.

"Know you? Oh! Maybe we don't know you personally! But all three of us are Pokémon trainers!"

"We've met plenty of Nurse Joys on our journey—your sisters, in other words!"

"So it's not hard to recognize you!"

Misty smiled as she explained.

"No, no, I mean, how did you know I was a Nurse Joy?"

Misty was confused by her response, but before she could press further—

"Your hairstyle is way too obvious! Look! Pink hair! Just like every other Nurse Joy!"

Suzie nodded in agreement with Misty's reasoning.

"Miss Joy! Is this Dark City's fashion style? Should we get trench coats too?"

Nurse Joy studied Misty and Suzie for a moment, confirming they weren't local trainers, then removed her mask and unbuttoned her coat.

The soft, plump curves beneath her nurse uniform instantly bounced into view.

"Whew... Uh... Well!" Nurse Joy exhaled in relief, her eyes darting around as she scrambled for an excuse.

"I... I'm not the Pokémon Center nurse in charge of Dark City! I'm just here... for research and study!"

"As for the trench coat... I..."

Her gaze landed on a cluster of weeds tumbling down the alleyway, and her eyes lit up.

"I heard Dark City has terrible sandstorms, so I wore a coat for protection!"

"Oh! Is that so?" Misty and Suzie bought her explanation instantly.

However, Kazuki, who knew the original plot, was well aware that this Nurse Joy wasn't here for "research and study" at all!

She was actually a League inspector, sent to evaluate whether the Yas Gym and the Kaz Gym were worthy of becoming officially recognized Gyms.

Just as Kazuki finished recalling this, a system notification chimed in his ear.

[Ding! Perfect Love Mission Triggered: Before reaching Cinnabar Gym, complete three acts of kindness related to love!]

[Mission Rewards: 3 Advanced Rare Candies—instantly raises a Pokémon below Lv. 70 by one level!

Legendary Gene Restoration Card—reverts a Pokémon to its previous genetic state!

+6 Heartfelt Reputation]

Kazuki skimmed the mission details, deep in thought.

Three acts of kindness before reaching Cinnabar Gym?

Given how far they were from Cinnabar, completing three shouldn't be too difficult!

These rewards were practically handed to him on a silver platter.

As he pondered, his eyes returned to the rewards.

Oh? Advanced Rare Candies? Usable on Pokémon below Lv. 70?

Reaching Lv. 70 means hitting Elite Four-tier strength!

System, you're basically telling me to hurry up and use those 14 Intermediate Rare Candies I have, aren't you? Trying to push me to raise a powerhouse ASAP, huh?

No rush. We're not at Cinnabar yet. I'll distribute those 14 candies when we get there.

Legendary Gene Restoration Card? What kind of item is this?

Would reverting a Pokémon to its previous genetic state even be stronger than its current one?

Pokémon that survive to this day are already the pinnacle of natural selection, aren't they?

Otherwise, they'd be like Dragonite or Gengar—unchanged for tens of thousands of years!

Still, using this to restore ancient Pokémon with degraded genetics and revive their former glory might not be a bad idea!

I'll just stash this card away for now. Can't think of anyone to use it on yet.

+6 Heartfelt Reputation? That's a huge jump!

System, are you getting impatient because I still haven't gotten my hands on Nurse Joy's white stockings and panties?

Throwing this much at me all at once!

Well then!

Kazuki glanced at Nurse Joy again—her delicate face, voluptuous curves, and those snow-white legs!

Alright! Work hard, aim high, and make it happen soon!

After organizing his thoughts, Kazuki stepped forward and struck up a conversation.

"Miss Joy, are you heading to Dark City?"

Nurse Joy turned to him, slightly startled. At this point, Kazuki had already accumulated a bit of Heartfelt Reputation.

Though not enough to elicit the same warmth as Officer Jenny, it was enough to make Nurse Joy respond with a friendly smile.

"Yes, I am! And you are...?"

"I'm Kazuki. These two are my companions, Misty and Suzie. We're trainers passing through."

Kazuki made sure to clarify that they had no ties to the As or Kaz Gyms, easing Nurse Joy's guard.

"We just arrived and aren't familiar with this place."

"Earlier, you mentioned you were here for research and study!"

"You must have done your homework on the city, right?"

"Would you mind guiding us to the Pokémon Center for supplies?"

Since the mission had triggered upon meeting Nurse Joy, sticking with her was the logical choice.

Helping mediate the Gym dispute would surely count as an act of kindness.

So Kazuki didn't hesitate to ask if they could travel together.

Nurse Joy hesitated briefly. Considering that Kazuki and his group were just passing trainers—unrelated to the Gyms—and that her first impression of Kazuki was decent, she agreed after a moment.

"Of course! Assisting trainers and caring for Pokémon is my duty. If your Pokémon need supplies, I'd be happy to help!"

"I'll lead you to the nearest Pokémon Center, then!"

With that, she took the lead.

"Suzie, does Kazuki seem… different all of a sudden? That mischievous aura he usually has is gone!"

Misty, who had traveled with Kazuki long enough to predict his every move, immediately saw through his sudden shift in demeanor.

Unable to hold back a giggle, she leaned in and whispered, "Him? Oh, he's definitely plotting how to peel off Nurse Joy's stockings!"

"For the past seven days, all he's done is eat, sleep, and grind levels! Did you do anything with him?"

"Me…? N-No! He just… touched me a little yesterday, but he went right back to training!"

"Exactly! He didn't ask me either! The conclusion is obvious!" Misty struck a detective pose.

"Kazuki's been restraining himself to make up for lost training time in the Safari Zone and the nature reserve!"

"Originally, he planned to go wild on us two as soon as we got into the city!"

Misty mimed a clawing motion, making Suzie instinctively cover her chest.

"But now, he's met this white-stockinged Nurse Joy! He's probably thinking of trying something new!"

"Huh? So… he's not going to play with us anymore?" Suzie's tone carried a hint of disappointment.

"Pfft!" Misty smirked. "Do you really think that big bad wolf would settle for just one?"

"Oh! Right!" Suzie laughed in relief, then grew serious again. "But this is all just your guess! What if we're wrong and end up making things awkward?"

"Easy! You go ask Nurse Joy some Pokémon care questions. I'll interrogate Kazuki!"

Misty dragged Suzie forward, inserting themselves between Kazuki and Nurse Joy.

"Uh, Miss Joy, Suzie here is also a breeder! She has some questions about Pokémon care!"

"Wha—? Me? Uh, yeah!!" Suzie, who hadn't prepared any questions, just nodded frantically.

"A breeder? Of course! Ask away!"

Having chatted with Kazuki, Nurse Joy's friendliness extended to his companions.

"Great! You two talk! I need to ask Kazuki something!"

Misty then pulled Kazuki aside.

Kazuki watched her mischievous grin and lightly tapped her forehead. "What's this, little troublemaker? What scheme are you cooking up now?"

"Ehehe~ I'm not the one scheming—you are!" Misty leaned in and whispered, "Kazuki, are you trying to seduce Miss Joy?"

Kazuki blinked, then chuckled. "Do I seem that desperate?"

"I haven't touched you or Suzie in seven days!"

"Hmph, don't play dumb!" Misty pouted, her eyes glinting slyly. "The way you looked at her just now was different!"

"There was this predatory glint in your eyes!"

Kazuki sighed in amusement. "Oh? Playing detective now, noticing such tiny details?"

"But this time, you're wrong. I'm not here to rip off Nurse Joy's stockings."

"Really?" Misty narrowed her eyes skeptically.

Kazuki glanced back at Nurse Joy's lacy white stockings. "Well… though tearing them wouldn't be a bad experience either."

Misty burst out laughing. "Kazuki, you're such a bad guy!"

And so, Misty continued teasing Kazuki, their conversation drifting from Nurse Joy to other topics.

Before they knew it, the four of them had reached the city center.

Then, Kazuki's Aura Power suddenly detected several shadowy figures lurking on the rooftops ahead...

----

Join my Patreon for early access to chapters and to support my work: Patreon.com/rivyura