"What is that?"
Misty leaned over with a confused look, her orange ponytail swaying gently with the movement.
She had clearly seen a corner of the album cover just now—a pair of slender, beautiful legs wearing almost transparent black lace panties.
Roy's expression didn't change as he slapped his palm down, flipping the album over.
The motion was so natural, as if he were just closing an ordinary magazine.
The back was a plain white background with no pattern at all.
"A magazine about Pokemon performances," Roy said calmly, even with a hint of scholarly discussion.
"Researching something about the Gym."
He didn't even blink as he spoke.
"Oh A magazine, huh"
Misty drew out her tone, her eyes narrowing into crescents.
She suddenly remembered the conversation from last time at the mall when she was shopping for lingerie with Delia.
While picking out lace-trimmed lingerie, Delia had said with a smile that Roy did look at these kinds of magazines.
So it was true!
Misty giggled inwardly.
However, she quickly found an explanation for the familiar leg shape she had just seen.
Standard model legs probably just look like that.
Sister Daisy is so focused on managing her figure, exercising daily and soaking in hot springs for maintenance.
It's perfectly normal for her to have perfect legs like a model's.
Besides, Sister Daisy would at most take some private photos for her own collection as keepsakes; how could she possibly submit them to a magazine?
That would be way too embarrassing!
I must have seen wrong.
Misty shook her head, dismissing those messy thoughts.
But then again, she couldn't help stealing a glance at Roy.
So this guy... really does like this kind of embarrassing lace style, huh~
Big pervert!
Hen tai!
Misty mentally ranted furiously, but her face unconsciously flushed slightly.
She hadn't come to find Roy today for this.
"Um..."
Misty was uncharacteristically bashful.
She gently sat down on the railing beside Roy, her two legs dangling in the air, swinging back and forth.
The night breeze lifted her hair, revealing her slightly reddened earlobes.
"Today... thank you~"
Her voice was so soft it was almost drowned out by the wind.
Completely unlike her usual tomboyish self.
"For what?" Roy turned his head, wearing a 'I don't know what you're talking about' expression.
"Oh, come on! It's just the two of us, why are you still acting?~"
Misty huffed and lightly bumped Roy with her shoulder.
The force was very light, more like a playful nudge.
"I know that during the day, you deliberately used Butterfree because you wanted me to prove myself in front of my sisters."
She lowered her head, unconsciously picking at the peeling paint on the railing.
"Thank you..."
Actually, after calming down, Misty quickly realized it.
With Roy's abilities, there were plenty of ways to fight if he really wanted to.
Yet he chose the most troublesome one—using Butterfree against a Water-type, and dragging it out for so long.
Clearly, he was creating an opportunity for her to shine.
It's just that at the time, she was caught up in the heat of the moment, completely led by the nose by Roy, her mind filled with nothing but 'I want to win.'
Looking back now... this guy is actually quite considerate of others' feelings.
Roy smiled but didn't respond.
Instead, he turned to look at Pikachu, who was digging into a ketchup jar nearby.
"Pikachu, your acting skills still need improvement."
He teased.
Pika?
Pikachu was hugging an almost empty ketchup jar, trying hard to pour out the last bit of sauce.
Hearing Roy's words, it tilted its head in confusion.
As a result, its hand slipped. Plop.
The last bit of ketchup fell directly onto the ground.
Pika!
Pikachu's eyes instantly widened. In a flash, it pounced, its little paws quickly scooping up the slightly dusty ketchup blob and stuffing it into its mouth with an "ah-um."
The whole process took less than two seconds.
After eating it, it even licked its lips contentedly, its little face full of pride.
It was only on the ground for a tiny moment!
Definitely not dirty!
Pikachu was brimming with confidence internally.
Misty couldn't help but burst out laughing at the scene.
Her earlier slight shyness instantly vanished.
After laughing, she looked back at Roy, her gaze much gentler.
"Actually... thank you so much for everything on this journey."
Misty said softly.
"Not just today. Ever since Viridian City, you've been looking out for me."
She paused, her voice growing even softer.
"I used to always think I could never compare to my sisters. They're beautiful, capable, good at everything."
"I could only be a tag-along, not even able to hold down the Gym..."
"But today... I finally feel like I can do something too."
As she spoke, Misty raised a brilliant smile.
"So, really, truly, thank you, Roy!"
Seeing the light in Misty's eyes, Roy suddenly understood.
Why the system defined 'helping Misty build confidence in front of her sisters' as an emotional line task.
So that's how it is.
Roy smiled and reached out to ruffle Misty's hair.
"No need to thank me. We're companions, after all."
The feel wasn't bad.
"Mmm... don't mess up my hair!"
Misty protested but didn't dodge.
Instead, she slightly narrowed her eyes, like a cat being petted.
A few seconds later, she suddenly jolted awake and jumped up.
"Alright! I'm going to take a bath!"
Misty turned and ran towards the house.
After a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and stuck her tongue out at Roy.
"Later, if there's a chance~"
She blinked, her tone playful.
"I'll properly thank you~"
"B-I-G P-E-R-V-E-R-T!"
She said the last three words lightly and quickly, then ran off with a giggle.
Her orange ponytail bounced in the night breeze, full of vitality.
Roy shook his head with a wry smile, picked up the album, and also got up to return to his bedroom... Misty skipped and hopped towards the bathroom.
Still thinking about the conversation just now, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.
But then, at a corner in the hallway.
She nearly bumped right into someone's arms.
"Watch your step."
A gentle voice came from above.
Misty looked up and saw Daisy standing before her, holding a towel and shower gel.
She seemed to also be heading for a bath.
"S-Sister Daisy!" Misty quickly steadied herself. "What are you doing here?"
"I was just about to go take a bath."
Daisy smiled, her gaze falling on Misty's still slightly flushed face.
"Misty, it's been a long time since we bathed together."
"How about... today, us sisters bathe together?"
"I also have some things I'd like to talk to you about."
"Huh?"
Misty was taken aback.
Bathing together... she actually really liked bathing and chatting with her sisters.
They did it often when they were little.
But ever since Lily made fun of her figure last year, she had stubbornly refused to bathe with her sisters anymore.
She always hid and bathed alone.
"But, I'm a big girl now..."
Misty fidgeted, picking at her fingers.
"Bathing with my sisters and all that..."
"Lily and Violet aren't here today."
Daisy saw right through her sister's concerns and added softly.
"Just the two of us."
"Really?"
Misty's eyes lit up.
"Alright then! Let's go to the bathroom!"
She instantly became happy, actively grabbing Daisy's hand and pulling her towards the bathroom.
Like a cheerful little dolphin... The bathroom at the Cerulean Gym was large.
After all, all four sisters lived here, so a spacious bathing area was specially built during the renovation.
In the center was a circular bath that could accommodate four or five people. Beside it were a shower area, storage cabinets, and a huge floor-to-ceiling mirror.
Steam rose, filling the air with the delicate fragrance of essential oils.
After entering, the two sisters naturally began to undress.
Misty was still a bit shy. Turning her back to Daisy, she quickly pulled off her T-shirt and shorts.
Daisy, on the other hand, was much more composed.
She elegantly untied her bathrobe belt, letting the silky fabric slip from her shoulders.
Her mature, voluptuous body shimmered with a pearl-like luster under the light.
Misty jumped into the bath first; the warm water instantly enveloped her whole body.
"Ahh comfortable"
She sighed contentedly, sinking until only her head was above water.
Daisy, however, walked unhurriedly to the shower area and turned on the showerhead.
Hot water cascaded down her smooth body curves.
She carefully washed her body, every movement carrying the unique Charm of a mature woman.
Misty secretly peeked from the water, watching her sister.
She couldn't help but compare in her heart.
Sister Daisy's... are so big.
Her waist is so slim, her hips so perky.
Her legs are long and straight, her skin glowing white.
Looking at herself again... although she seemed to have gained a bit of weight recently, she was still far from her sister.
Just as she was lost in these random thoughts, Daisy had finished rinsing and elegantly stepped into the bath.
The water rippled.
She sat down opposite Misty, the warm water surface just reaching her chest.
Amidst the hazy steam, the two sisters locked eyes.
Daisy's gaze swept over Misty, and she suddenly smiled.
"Our youngest sister of the Cerulean Gym..."
"...has grown up too."
Her tone was gentle, filled with warmth.
Misty blushed and instinctively shrank deeper into the water.
"Oh, come on~ Sister, don't make fun of me."
"I'm nowhere near as good as you..."
"I mean it."
Daisy moved forward a bit, reaching out to gently brush away the wet hair stuck to Misty's cheek.
"Your figure is fuller than before, your skin is more radiant."
"It seems traveling really is nourishing."
Her gaze inadvertently swept below the water's surface.
Her eyes lingered for a moment.
Then she nodded with a smile.
And stood up to step out of the bath.
Daisy walked to the storage cabinet and took out a small box.
"Want to do some hair removal?"
Daisy shook the box in her hand and turned to look at Misty.
A gentle smile on her face.
"I see you're at the age where you should start taking care of it."
"Huh? H-Hair removal?"
Misty was stunned for a second, then her face flushed bright red.
She certainly knew what her sister was talking about.
Actually, she had been wanting to deal with it for a while.
She always worried about it being awkward when wearing swimsuits and found it bothersome while bathing.
"I-I don't dare... I'm not good at it."
Misty mumbled softly.
Daisy walked back to the edge of the bath, sat down, and opened the box.
Inside were professional hair removal cream, a small razor, soothing lotion, and a handheld mirror.
"Alright, it's fine. Today, your sister will help you, and teach you at the same time."
"Then you'll be able to take care of it yourself in the future."
"Remove it nicely, cleanly..."
Daisy paused, looked up at Misty, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
"...men prefer it that way."
"W-What men!"
Misty instantly bristled, her whole body turning as red as a boiled lobster.
"I remove hair because I want to look good for myself!"
"It's definitely not for any man!"
She protested stubbornly while clumsily moving towards the drain outlet at the edge of the bath.
She turned on the faucet, letting fresh hot water pour into the pool, trying to mask her fluster with the sound of rushing water.
Daisy smiled without saying a word.
After Misty calmed down again, she leisurely spoke up:
"Is that so?"
"Then just now... weren't you secretly meeting Roy?"
"And came back all red-faced."
As the words fell.
Misty froze completely.
"R-Roy?... Ah!"
Hearing her sister suddenly mention Roy's name, Misty's whole body tensed up...
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