"Do you like Misty?"

Ash looked up from his phone. Gary sat facing him drinking his espresso. Both were at the Esmeralda café again, and Ash was sticking to his 'lifestyle' with drinking sugar-free coffee.

"It's been a while since you haven't bothered me with these questions."

"Just answer, Ketchum."

"And why are you asking?"

"Just a question..." Gary shrugged.

Ash gave him a look and went back to scrolling down on his phone. "You asked me way before and I gave you an answer."

"Nothing changed?"

"Why?"

"I don't know. People... change?"

Ash sighed and looked up at Gary. "Look, you've been acting really weird lately. I don't know what's wrong with you. And you know what? You and Leaf are acting in the same weird way. She asks me if I like Misty, you ask me if I like Misty, and you both say that people change. Is there anything I need to know, by any chance?"

"You just got everything wrong, Ash. Everyone back at school is talking about you two, that's why we're asking."

"You know the least I'd care about is rumors at school." Ash shook his head and chuckled. "It's like those who call themselves popular at school. It's complete bullsh*t."

"Even if they're saying that you two are sleeping with each other?"

"Just because they're saying it doesn't mean I'm doing it."

"Ash-"

"They will eventually stop." Ash shrugged.

"Uhm, it's more complicated than you think it is." Gary sighed. "Actually... I have to tell you something."

Ash didn't like Gary's tone. He sounded way too serious.

"A week ago..."

"Oh, it's Misty!" Gary smiled when he saw Misty's name on his phone screen. Leaf was at his place and both were chilling on the couch. "She usually never calls me."

"It's surely about Ash! Answer it!"

"I'm going to put on the Speaker but don't spell a word, okay?"

Leaf giggled loudly and put her finger on her lips. Gary put on the Speaker and answered the call. "Oh, hi Misty! What's up?"

I like you.

Leaf's face fell and she instantly turned to look at Gary. This latter looked completely lost. "Huh?"

I like you, Gary.

Gary turned to look at Leaf. The brunette hid her mouth with her hands.

"Uhm, Misty? I don't get... is everything okay?

Yeah, sure, I just wanted to tell you that. Don't tell anyone, okay? It's been bothering me for a while. It's a secret between us.

"Uhm..."

I have to hang up now. I will see you at school. Bye.

Misty hung up, leaving both Gary and Leaf silent and dumbfounded.

Gary thought Ash would at least show a reaction, but he didn't.

"What? Do you think this is okay?" Gary snapped. "No, it isn't."

"Why are you mad?"

"Because-because-"

"It was clear." Ash shook his head. "Why are you so shocked to learn that a girl has a crush on you?"

"Misty-"

"Misty was the most obvious one, Gary."

Gary sighed heavily. "I could swear she liked you."

Ash smiled. "I know she doesn't." He turned to look down at his phone. "It was obvious from the beginning. She always tried to be wherever you were."

"It's not-look, Ash. It's just not right." Gary frowned. "I swear she likes you!"

"Come on! Are we going to fight over something as stupid as this?" Ash let a chuckle. "She called you and told you she liked you. It's straightforward."

"And Leaf just doesn't want to talk to me anymore."

"One more reason for you to never use the Speaker with a girl around."

"Ash, I'm serious. She's ignoring me."

Ash sighed. "Fine, I'll talk to her." He didn't look up. "Is this all? Is this why you were all uptight like a girl on her period?"

Gary smiled weakly. "I thought there was something between you two."

Ash shook his head slowly.

"It looked like it's the case, really. All the signs..."

"There were no signs, really. You were making them up because of what people were saying at school, that's all." Ash finally looked up. "What are you going to do with Misty, then?"

"I don't know. I've been avoiding her like plague. I just skip the classes I have with her."

"Isn't that worsening things?"

"What am I supposed to do? Go out with her? I don't like her. I like Leaf."

"Well, that's bad..."

Gary shook his head. "To be honest, I don't care about Misty. I want Leaf to talk to me again. That's all what matters for me, now. I want Leaf."

"It's fine! Don't worry about it. I'll talk to her today. Happy?"

"Kind of."

Ash lifted up his hand. Gary high five'd him.

"You haven't answered the question, though."

"I did before."

"Do you like Misty? Like, after what happened..." Gary bit his lip. "The thing at the clinic and all... at the mall..."

Ash sighed. He shook his head.

"Okay then." Gary shrugged lightly and went back to drinking his coffee. "Good for you, I suppose."

"Yeah."

Yeah.