The victory party in Professor Oak's backyard was still in full swing laughter, music, clinking glasses of fresh orange juice, children chasing Togepi and Clefairy around the tables, adults swapping stories of Ash's battles. Fireflies danced above the grass like tiny floating lanterns. The night air was warm, scented with grilled food, blooming wildflowers, and the faint smokiness of the barbecue pit.
Ash leaned against an old oak tree at the edge of the yard, arms crossed, watching the celebration with a quiet, satisfied smile. The trophy sat proudly on a central table, lit by a small spotlight, drawing constant photos and cheers. Pikachu perched on a branch above him, tail swishing lazily. Eevee curled at his feet, dozing.
He felt her before he saw her.
Daisy Oak stepped out from the crowd hair loose, wearing a simple sundress that fluttered in the night breeze, cheeks already pink even in the low light. She spotted him instantly. Their eyes met across the yard.
For a long heartbeat, neither moved.
Daisy's heart hammered so loud she was sure everyone could hear it. She opened her mouth closed it opened it again. Nothing came out. She was a rookie in romance. Zero experience. Zero script. All she knew was that every time Ash looked at her like that soft, steady, full of something deep and unspoken her knees turned to jelly and her brain short-circuited.
Ash's smile softened. He pushed off the tree, uncrossed his arms, and tilted his head toward the darker, quieter part of the yard a small grove of trees where the party noise faded to a gentle murmur.
Daisy swallowed hard. Nodded once. Followed.
Behind them unnoticed by most three pairs of eyes tracked the movement.
Misty nudged Sabrina. "There they go."
Sabrina's lips curved mischievous, knowing. "Finally."
Cynthia, standing a little apart, folded her arms under her chest, eyes sparkling. "Let's give them a minute… then we follow. Quietly."
The three women slipped away from the party giggling like schoolgirls despite their ages and power trailing Ash and Daisy at a careful distance.
Ash felt them immediately his Aura sense picking up their familiar energies like warm lights in the dark. He shook his head fondly, a small chuckle escaping.
Sometimes I wonder what happened to the cold, untouchable personas they show the world, he thought. One look at me and they turn into mischievous kids.
He didn't mind. He loved it loved their playfulness, their possessiveness, their complete lack of shame when it came to him. So he let them follow. Let them watch. It was their family too, after all.
He led Daisy deeper into the grove until the party sounds were distant, the fireflies brighter, the stars clearer overhead. They stopped under a large tree, moonlight filtering through the leaves, painting silver patterns across their faces.
Ash turned to her.
Daisy froze heart pounding so hard she thought it might bruise her ribs. She tried to speak failed again. Her hands twisted together in front of her, cheeks burning.
Ash stepped closer close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body. He reached out slowly giving her time to pull away if she wanted.
She didn't.
He took her hand gently at first then laced their fingers together, palm to palm, grip firm.
Daisy's face went from cherry-pink to full-blown tomato-red. Her breath hitched. "H-how… echii…" she whispered, mortified, staring at their joined hands like they'd done something scandalous.
Ash smirked just a little eyes serious and warm at the same time. "Daisy."
She looked up eyes wide, shining, terrified and hopeful all at once.
Ash took a slow breath.
"The reason I brought you here is because there are things I've wanted to say for a while. Can you listen to me?"
Daisy still dazed, heart racing nodded quickly. "Y-yes…"
Ash's thumb brushed over her knuckles soothing.
"Do you remember our first meeting? You were maybe nine or ten… Gary and I were little kids running around Professor Oak's backyard. You'd lost your favorite toy the one your dad sent from Galar. You were sitting on the grass crying your eyes out. Even though you were older than us, you looked so small and sad."
Daisy's blush deepened she covered her face with her free hand. "Oh no… you remember that embarrassing moment…?"
Ash chuckled softly. "I do. I went chasing after that wild Rattata that stole it. Came back covered in dirt, holding your toy like a trophy. And when I gave it to you… you stopped crying. You smiled that big, bright smile and said 'Thank you, Ash.' I think that was the first time I realized you weren't just Gary's annoying big sister. You were… Daisy. Someone special."
Daisy's eyes shimmered tears threatening to spill. "I… I never forgot that day either. You were so small, but so brave. You didn't even hesitate."
Ash stepped closer their joined hands between them.
"These last few months… spending time with you… I started seeing you differently. Not as Gary's sister. Not as a friend. As a woman. A woman with the brightest smile I've ever seen. A woman with a sharp mind, a kind heart, and a charm that knocks me off balance every time you look at me."
He lifted their joined hands kissed her knuckles softly.
"The moment I knew for sure… was when I came home yesterday. You were standing in the doorway trying to act cool, but your eyes were shining. You were so happy to see me. And in that second… I realized Daisy Oak is someone destined for me. Someone I want by my side not just for a while. For the rest of my life."
Daisy's breath hitched. Tears slipped free.
Ash looked straight into her eyes voice low, steady, serious.
"Daisy Oak… will you be my girlfriend? My soulmate? My wife someday? Will you stay with me for the rest of our lives?"
Daisy stared at him tears streaming now, face flushed, heart so full it hurt.
Then she launched herself forward arms wrapping around his neck, face buried in his shoulder.
"Yes," she sobbed, laughing through tears. "Yes yes yes! A thousand times yes!"
Ash caught her arms strong around her waist lifting her slightly off the ground as she clung to him. She pulled back just enough to look at him eyes shining, smile blinding.
"I love you, Ash Ketchum. I've loved you since that stupid Rattata stole my toy. I just… didn't know how to say it."
Ash's smile was soft, warm, full of everything he felt.
"I love you too, Daisy."
He leaned in slow, giving her time to pull away.
She didn't.
Their lips met soft at first, tentative then deeper, hungry, full of years of unspoken longing. Daisy's hands tangled in his hair. Ash's arms tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him. The kiss was sweet, then heated tongues brushing, breaths mingling, hearts pounding in sync.
When they finally parted both breathing hard Daisy rested her forehead against his, smiling through tears.
"I'm so happy…"
Three soft voices spoke from the shadows.
"Congratulations, Daisy."
Daisy startled turning quickly.
Misty, Sabrina, and Cynthia stepped into the moonlight all three smiling, eyes warm.
Daisy blinked startled then flushed deeper. "You… you saw?"
Misty grinned cheeky. "We might've followed. Just a little."
Sabrina's smile was gentle. "We wanted to make sure our future sister-wife was okay."
Cynthia stepped forward hand resting on her stomach voice soft. "At first we were cautious. Professor Oak kept saying he'd 'set you up' with Ash. We weren't sure if you were genuine. But these last few months… we watched you. Your feelings are pure. You love him truly. And he loves you. So…"
She smiled wider.
"…welcome to the family, Daisy Oak. Fourth member of the Ketchum harem."
Daisy's eyes widened then filled with happy tears again.
"You… you really accept me? Just like that?"
Misty laughed stepping forward to hug her. "Yeah, dummy. We've been testing you for months. You passed with flying colors. Plus Ash's stamina keeps going up daily. We need more sisters to handle him."
Daisy blushed crimson imagining it then laughed, hugging Misty back.
Sabrina joined the hug then Cynthia and finally Ash wrapped his arms around all four of them.
They stood there tangled together under the stars laughing, crying, hearts full.
Ash looked at each of them Misty's fiery grin, Sabrina's soft smile, Cynthia's radiant glow, Daisy's shy, happy blush.
"My precious treasures," he whispered. "I'll love you all… for eternity."
The Ketchum family was complete.
For now.