Pokémon: Starting with Ash's Mom

[Ding! Mission triggered: Assist Officer Jenny in capturing the poachers and help reunite Tommy's family!]

[Mission Reward: 3 Intermediate Rare Candies, Justice Reputation +1]

Kazuki quickly glanced over the mission details and rewards.

Three more Rare Candies again!

It seemed the system recognized his recent difficulties leveling Pokémon in the protected and safari zones, hence the extra rewards. With these three Intermediate Rare Candies and the previous Minor Champion Aura, he could easily catch up the Pokémon's levels.

Before Kazuki could even speak, Officer Jenny, influenced by his high Justice Reputation, proactively approached him for help.

"Um... Kazuki, for some reason, I feel a special connection with you!" Jenny said earnestly. "Your Pokémon performed exceptionally just now!"

"Poacher activities have spiked recently, and we're severely understaffed. Could I perhaps ask for your assistance in handling them? Of course, if you help, the police will provide compensation!"

Jenny's request gave Kazuki a natural reason to cooperate closely with her.

"Of course! Protecting wild Pokémon is every trainer's responsibility. It's my honor to team up with someone as heroic as Officer Jenny!"

Kazuki's polite flattery instantly brought a delighted smile to Jenny's face.

"Great! Thank you so much, Kazuki! I'm really looking forward to working together!" Jenny's genuine smile showed not just relief at finding help, but also hints of deeper emotion.

Having previously experienced Officer Jenny's affections at Maiden's Peak, Kazuki clearly recognized the signs. If the opportunity arose during their cooperation, perhaps he'd even get a chance to remove the alluring black lace hidden beneath her skirt.

After Kazuki accepted Jenny's request, they continued along the trail.

Along the way, Officer Jenny happily chatted with Kazuki, enthusiastically explaining details about the protected area, completely shedding her usual stern demeanor.

Suzie, walking behind, felt a bit of jealousy seeing how warmly Jenny interacted with Kazuki.

Even someone as serious as Officer Jenny acted so passionately toward Kazuki. Suzie realized she needed to hurry up and confess her feelings. 

Otherwise, Officer Jenny might already have Kazuki wrapped around her finger before Suzie even got the chance to hold his hand.

"Suzie, do you happen to know the seven main Pokémon species native to this protected area?" Misty's sudden question interrupted Suzie's distracted thoughts.

"Huh? I..." Suzie's face instantly flushed bright red, caught completely off guard while she was secretly thinking about Kazuki.

"I... I'm not sure. W-why?" Suzie stammered nervously.

"Oh, nothing important. It's just that you've been staring at Officer Jenny nonstop." Misty glanced at Jenny's back, then turned to Suzie curiously. "Hey, Suzie, why is your face so red?"

"M-my face is red?" Suzie nervously touched her burning earlobes, quickly changing the subject. "It's just... I'm just surprised at how friendly Officer Jenny is toward Kazuki! They only just met, after all."

"I remember meeting another Officer Jenny in Celadon's Scissor Street before," Suzie continued shyly. "Back then, she was serious, righteous, and never smiled much. But this Jenny is so passionate!"

"Usually, people wouldn't dare get too close to Officer Jenny, but look at her now—she's practically glued to Kazuki!"

"Maybe the Officer Jenny stationed in protected zones is just more outgoing?" Misty tilted her head thoughtfully, considering Suzie's words.

However, Misty wasn't particularly experienced with romantic matters between women and men, and she hesitated to guess further, afraid to repeat the embarrassing misunderstanding they'd had over Ponyta riding. So she decided to offer the simplest explanation.

"It's probably not a personality thing. It's just a special situation!"

"Honestly, Officer Jennys always seem to treat Kazuki differently!" Misty continued. "Just earlier, didn't you notice how serious she was at first? She almost drew her gun! But the moment she saw Kazuki, she immediately softened."

"I've asked Kazuki about this many times. He always says the Jennys are deeply righteous individuals, and his own righteous aura naturally attracts them."

"Huh? Is that really true?" Suzie glanced at Kazuki's back skeptically.

"Yup, probably!" Misty nodded confidently. "Even though Kazuki can be a little mischievous sometimes, that's just playful flirting between us. When it comes to serious matters or crises, he's always reliable!"

Misty looked ahead at Kazuki, eyes sparkling with admiration. "So no matter how many Officer Jennys are attracted to him, I don't mind at all! The more charming he is, the happier I am—it proves I chose the right man!"

Hearing Misty's explanation, Suzie pursed her lips thoughtfully and nodded slowly.

In that case, Officer Jenny really might get closer to Kazuki faster than I can! I have to move quicker!

Determined, Suzie quickened her pace, stepping forward to join Kazuki and Jenny's conversation.

Behind her, Misty blinked in surprise, muttering to herself, "Suzie moved so quickly just now, was that Teleport? Did I miss something?"

"Could it be... Suzie's really feeling jealous?"

"Hmm... hard to say!"

"Ah, Kazuki, from now on you're on your own! I'm not good with these things!" Misty chuckled softly to herself, shaking her head, and returned her attention to the beautiful scenery around them.

Officer Jenny soon led Kazuki's group to her makeshift camp.

"This is where my sisters and I usually stay," Jenny explained, guiding Kazuki and the others into her tent.

As soon as Jenny pulled open the tent flap, Kazuki's eyes immediately fell upon a set of delicate, aqua-colored lingerie hanging in plain sight.

"Ah! Wait, wait a second!" Jenny hastily rushed forward, snatching down her lingerie, her cheeks flushing deeply. "The protected area is very humid, so clothes take a long time to dry. I've been so busy lately, I completely forgot to put them away!"

Kazuki, having already exchanged some intimate conversation with Jenny on their way back, boldly teased her without hesitation.

"It's a very sexy design. It suits you perfectly, Officer Jenny!"

"Hmm? Kazuki, you like it...? I..."

Jenny's excitement surged momentarily, but she quickly calmed down upon noticing Misty nearby. 

Although she knew Misty supported Kazuki having multiple girlfriends, openly displaying such obvious attraction was still somewhat improper, so Jenny shyly changed her wording.

"I...I can recommend the shopping link to Misty!"

"Huh? Me?" Misty eyed the lingerie Jenny was holding suspiciously, glancing down at herself, "Um... I don't think I'm ready for something like that yet!"

Jenny laughed awkwardly and quickly turned toward Suzie instead. Seeing the gentle girl around her own age, she enthusiastically suggested, "Ah! Then Suzie, maybe you could try this style! It would suit you really well!"

Earlier, when introducing Misty as Kazuki's girlfriend, they'd casually mentioned the topic of multiple girlfriends, causing Jenny to naturally assume Suzie was also Kazuki's lover.

"Huh? Wait a second..." Misty was about to clarify on Suzie's behalf, explaining that Suzie wasn't Kazuki's girlfriend, hoping to spare Suzie some embarrassment. But unexpectedly, Suzie herself spoke up first.

"Sure! Actually, I think this design is very pretty too!"

Originally, Suzie intended to clear up the misunderstanding as she usually did, but suddenly remembering her resolve to deepen her relationship with Kazuki, she decided instead to take advantage of this misunderstanding to subtly express her feelings. She hoped Kazuki would understand, allowing their relationship to progress more quickly.

"Huh?" Misty glanced at Suzie, then turned suspiciously toward Kazuki. Just as she was about to ask further, the communicator clipped on Jenny's belt buzzed urgently again.

[Poachers confirmed in the southern sector! Request immediate backup!]

[The Kangaskhan herd has been startled; numerous babies require calming!]

[Additionally, an unknown helicopter has been spotted entering southern airspace! Intentions unclear, proceed with caution!]

"Alright, that's enough chatting for now! The southern sector is in trouble. Kazuki, let's go investigate immediately!" Officer Jenny declared decisively.

Seeing Kazuki and Jenny preparing to handle the poachers, Suzie promptly volunteered herself as well. "Officer Jenny, I'm not just a Pokémon trainer, I'm also a Pokémon breeder. Please let me come along—I can help calm the frightened Kangaskhan babies!"

"Me too, me too! I can provide battle support too!" Misty obviously wasn't willing to stay behind alone, quickly chiming in after Suzie.

"Great! Let's all go together. The more people, the better!" Jenny readily agreed to their requests.

"Suzie, come with me for a moment. I'll take you to the storage tent to see if there are any items that might help you soothe the Kangaskhan babies!"

Officer Jenny and Suzie quickly stepped out of the tent, leaving Misty and Kazuki alone.

As soon as they left, Misty leaned in curiously, asking in a conspiratorial whisper, "Hey, Kazuki, since when have you and Suzie...? Why didn't you tell me anything?"

"Since when have we what?" Kazuki asked, genuinely confused.

"You know... gotten together officially?" Misty assumed Kazuki was teasing her by playing dumb, lightly elbowing him.

"Officially gotten together? We haven't yet. Ever since we left Lara's ranch, we've been traveling nonstop. When would I even have had time to make a move?"

Misty thought carefully for a moment. "Hmm, you're right! It hasn't even been that long since we left Lara's place."

"But if you're not official yet, why would Suzie be willing to wear such sexy lingerie for you?" Misty pondered aloud. "And that sheer underwear—if she wore that, you'd probably see even more clearly!"

Kazuki blinked, realizing he'd been so focused on Jenny's presence that he hadn't properly processed Suzie's earlier behavior.

Suzie usually clarified immediately whenever someone mistakenly thought she was his girlfriend. Yet today, she not only didn't deny it, but she actively accepted Jenny's misunderstanding with enthusiasm.

Could it be because of that night when she caught him secretly peeking at her? Had Suzie finally come to terms with her feelings?

Interesting... Perhaps he'd soon get to see a whole new side of Suzie.

"Hehe," Kazuki chuckled playfully. "It seems our journey has finally conquered Suzie's heart! Now she's eager to show off her charms to me."

"No way! Suzie isn't like that at all!" Misty exclaimed, lightly pinching Kazuki's arm. But then she nodded thoughtfully, "Still, I do think she's definitely changed toward you lately. Maybe soon we'll officially become sisters!"

"Hey! You pervert, if you really do end up dating Suzie, you better treat her gently, alright? Don't just immediately make her use her mouth or something!"

"Take it slow and steady! Don't scare Suzie away. Otherwise, we'll lose our most important little chef!" Misty said seriously, fully adopting the stance of Kazuki's primary partner.

Kazuki gently patted Misty's head with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, my dear queen. I promise I'll be gentle."

"Are you sure?" Misty narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "I haven't forgotten the last time you grabbed my head without warning—I almost choked!"

"Hahaha!" Kazuki laughed heartily, pulling Misty into a warm embrace. "Weren't you the one who said you could handle it?"

"Who... who knew you tricked me!" Misty playfully slapped his chest.

"Oh? Then next time we'll just have to practice more..." Kazuki teased, moving closer to Misty's lips.

"You pervert! Fine, fine, I promised you anyway, so you'll definitely have another chance. But next time, you have to teach me a little better beforehand, or I'll choke again!"

"Alright, my sweet Misty. Next time, I'll teach you properly—slowly, under the covers," Kazuki teased affectionately. Just as he was about to pull away, Misty suddenly grabbed his neck, pulling him close.

"Hey, we're already this close, and you think you can get away without giving me a kiss?" Misty leaned forward, softly pressing her lips to his.

The young couple shared a passionate kiss in the brief wait, only separating when they heard the engine of the off-road vehicle starting outside.

Misty shyly adjusted her breathing and tidied her hair before following Kazuki out of the tent.

Soon, Kazuki, Misty, and Suzie followed Officer Jenny toward the coordinates marked on the map.

Upon arrival, Kazuki immediately released his Aura power, pinpointing the poachers' location instantly.

"This way!" Kazuki pointed confidently.

Jenny trusted Kazuki completely, immediately directing their group toward the indicated spot.

As they drew closer, they spotted James from Team Rocket, holding up a rocket launcher.

"Team Rocket again? They really are everywhere!" Misty sighed helplessly, quickly releasing her Pokémon. "Starmie! Capture the poachers!"

Kazuki was about to release his Pokémon as well, but suddenly noticed a familiar-looking child hiding in the distant bushes.

Recognizing the boy's wild, Tarzan-like attire, Kazuki immediately realized who he was: Tommy, the child from the mission's objective.

"You guys deal with James first! I'll be right back!" Kazuki shouted, swiftly jumping out of the vehicle.

Suzie followed Kazuki's gaze, spotting a frightened Kangaskhan baby hidden in the grass. Assuming Kazuki was going to help and soothe the scared Pokémon, she quickly jumped down from the car as well, chasing after Kazuki...

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