Misty's confession at her doorstep caught everyone by surprise, including Ash, Brock who was ready to open the door behind, and Pikachu.
Brock was originally planning to open the door when he heard some noise outside, but he ended up overhearing Misty and Ash talking. Wanting to give the couple more time to chat, Brother Gang chose to pretend he didn't see them return and silently eavesdropped at the door.
He ended up hearing such a sensational thing!
Even though he'd always thought Misty would make a move, this was just too sudden!
Don't be fooled by Misty's carefree demeanor; typically, 99% of girls are shy and reserved when it comes to romance. Usually, the guys are the ones who take the initiative. It's rare, around just 1%, for girls to be the ones to make the first move because they tend to worry about many things.
Although Brother Gang doesn't have any dating experience, he definitely has plenty of theoretical knowledge. You could say Brother Gang can't date girls, but you can't say his theoretical knowledge is lacking.
He could tell right away that Misty liked Ash, but she hesitated to take a step forward due to the typical hesitations girls have. But if Ash took two steps towards her, Misty would definitely take three, maybe even four, towards him. That's what makes Misty different from ordinary girls.
However, even Brother Gang didn't expect that on an ordinary date day, Misty would just explode like this!
It was like Ash just did an ordinary attack, while Misty unleashed all her skills and ultimate move at once.
'Looks like Misty's feelings for Ash are deeper than I imagined… Damn, if only a girl could be like that to me, I'd probably burst into tears, drop to one knee, and propose on the spot, getting the marriage certificate the next day! Ash, what are you hesitating for!?'
Brock thought resentfully behind the door, frustrated because several seconds had passed and Ash still hadn't responded. Was the guy planning to reject her and say something ridiculous like 'Besides becoming a Pokemon Master, I don't want anything else'?
If that were really the case, Brother Gang would have to go out and teach his buddy a lesson!
Outside the door, Ash wasn't thinking about rejecting Misty like Brock thought; he was just so stunned by Misty's sudden confession that his brain froze.
Even though he's not particularly interested in girls compared to Pokemon, he's still a guy. Being confessed to by a pretty and cute girl, how could he not be moved?
Especially when this girl had been his travel companion for the past six months, during which they were inseparable and shared many significant moments together.
She was the first person he met on his journey. In a parallel universe, his own self is like a guide in a fictional world, while Misty is his guide in the real world.
Many things he learned, common sense, survival skills in the wild, and basic knowledge about Pokemon, were all taught by Misty, while the experts in the group taught him advanced knowledge and methods to become stronger on top of that.
His towering strength had a foundation built on the ground, without Misty's help, he wouldn't be as strong as he is now. For Ash, Misty is both a teacher and a friend.
Ash never seriously considered Misty as a partner… Well, "never" isn't entirely accurate. He had one or two fleeting moments where the thought crossed his mind involuntarily.
After all, Misty's personality is always so carefree and unrestrained, not having the delicate nature typical of girls. If you didn't look at her pretty and cute appearance, some might believe she's a bright and cheerful boy. When they were together, it was more like a pair of brothers walking side by side rather than a male protecting a female counterpart.
But today, Ash truly saw Misty's soft and vulnerable side. She confessed to him with all her courage, her cheeks flushed, and her snow-white arms holding Togepi trembled uncontrollably.
Yet, she still kept her clear bright eyes fixed on him, just waiting for a response.
"… I… I feel… the same way about you as you do about me." Ash, typically so carefree, was suddenly stammering. He'd never even thought about the concept of "embarrassment," but now, he understood it.
However embarrassed he might be, he could not let Misty's feelings go unanswered. He had to proudly tell Misty that his feelings were the same as hers!
Upon hearing Ash's reply, Misty's tense arms suddenly relaxed. Her already flushed face seemed even more radiant, but her previously determined serious expression now showed unprecedented happiness.
The heartbeat that accelerated because of the confession now quickened even more, yet this new speed was caused by excitement and happiness, which were completely different from the earlier nervousness.
"Pika-pi~" Pikachu quickly snatched Togepi from Misty's arms and gently placed it on the ground. Misty, feeling the sudden emptiness in her arms, looked over at Pikachu's direction, only to find Pikachu giving her a thumbs-up, a gesture that needed no words.
Under the evening sky, Misty and Ash embraced each other. This hug was different from the excited one in the morning, as it was an embrace of mutual understanding and shared feelings between a young boy and girl.
...
When Ash and Misty walked hand in hand into the house, they saw Brock in an apron, tears streaming down his face and appeared in their line of sight. Both of them froze for a moment, and Ash quickly asked, "What's wrong, Brock? What happened!?"