"Hey, hey—Ash, Gary! You four over there bragging again? Don't ignore us, you know!"
Green puffed out her cheeks, planting her fists on her hips like a little queen about to declare war. "Because the top three spots in this camp are already taken—by us! Isn't that right, Shauna? Serena?"
"Of course!" Shauna beamed energetically, pumping her fist. "I can't wait to earn my Bulbasaur!"
Beside her, Serena hesitated, her fingers nervously twisting at the hem of her dress. The shy little girl couldn't bring herself to boast like the others—her soft voice came out as little more than a whisper.
Watching her, Ash couldn't help but smile to himself. So this was the timid, bashful Serena of the past.
In his memories of the future, she was completely different—graceful, confident, radiant like the sun itself. The contrast was almost unbelievable.
People always say girls change a lot when they grow up — but Serena was on a whole different level. From shy to drop-dead gorgeous, Ash thought with a crooked smile. "Eighteen changes? Try seventy-two."
Most children barely remember brief summer acquaintances like this. They meet, they play, and a few months later, they move on with their lives.
But not Serena.
Even years later, when she saw his face on the news, she recognized him instantly. That one summer memory had stayed with her.
Maybe it was because of something Ash—well, his past self—had done.
Or maybe, it was because she was simply that kind of person: gentle, easily touched, and impossible to forget.
Ash snapped out of his thoughts as Green crossed her arms smugly. "And for the record, we didn't start the bragging. That honor goes to the Vulcan color-haired kid over there—the one with the weird headband."
Ash gestured casually toward the newly arrived group of students from other Kanto cities.
Because of his busy days playing with Pichu and studying Pokémon types on the computer, he hadn't paid them much attention until now. But when he followed Green's gaze, his lips twitched.
The red hair clip. The city attitude. The self-satisfied grin.
It was Goh.
Green tilted her head curiously. "That one? Is that a boy or a girl?"
Ash froze for a second. Even he had wanted to ask that at one point—but hearing it come from Green made the jab twice as lethal.
"Er… pretty sure it's a boy," Ash offered diplomatically.
"Really? Then why is he wearing a red hair clip?" Green frowned, tapping her chin in thought. "Do city boys all dress like that now? That's so weird."
Then, with a huff, she added, "And he's the one who said he's already 'reserved' first place? Ugh, what an arrogant jerk! He's even more full of himself than Gary!"
Gary's head snapped around instantly. "Hey! Who are you calling full of yourself? I've been nothing but nice to you!"
Green blinked innocently, then clasped her hands behind her back. "Oops—my bad! Gary~ you're the best!"
She fluttered her lashes dramatically. "Gary, you're the coolest!"
"Gary, you're the strongest!"
"Gary, you're the greatest!"
She threw in a little cheer for good measure, bouncing happily.
Gary crossed his arms, smirking despite himself. "Hmph."
He pretended to act annoyed, but he couldn't quite hide the faint smile tugging at his lips.
In truth, Pallet Town's trio—Ash, Gary, and Green —had always been inseparable.
Gary and Ash were born on the same day, the same year, practically like brothers. Their mothers, Delia and May, were best friends too.
And Green, born just one day later, had always been the mischievous "little sister" who followed them everywhere.
So while Gary grumbled, he could never stay mad at her for long.
Still, her earlier comment about Goh had clearly stuck with him. His eyes flicked toward the vulcan-haired boy stepping off the bus.
"Hmph. That guy? Compete with me for first place? Please."
Gary smirked arrogantly. "He's like a Rattata trying to dive into a pond—doesn't even know how deep the water is."
Green blinked. "Wait—was that supposed to be a proverb? I thought your grandpa, Professor Oak, was into poetry, not riddles."
Gary rolled his eyes. "You talk too much. And just now you called me 'Gary.' Whatever happened to 'Gary big bro'?"
"I'm not moody!" Green huffed, puffing out her cheeks again. "Gary big bro, you're the best!"
"Gary big bro, you're the coolest!"
"Gary big bro, you're the strongest!"
She began circling him, chanting praises in a singsong voice.
Gary sighed dramatically, striking a pose. "Hmph. Sorry, ladies, but this heart is no longer swayed by flattery."
Ash nearly burst out laughing.
Because if memory served… in the original timeline, when Gary began his Pokémon journey at ten, he'd driven off in a flashy convertible surrounded by cheering girls—each one chanting his name just like Green was doing now.
But this time? Things were going to be different.
He wasn't going to let Gary grow into a spoiled show-off with a fan club and a racing car. Not under his watch.
After all—Gary was Professor Oak's grandson. He had talent. Potential.
And Ash wasn't going to let him waste it.
"Women will only slow down his Poké Ball throws," Ash thought dryly. "Gary doesn't need girlfriends. He needs battles."
He smirked faintly, watching the chaos unfold.
"This time," he decided silently, "we're all going to be stronger."
…
…
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