Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

Lampurchi Airport

Luo Yuan waited by the arrivals gate, where Misty soon appeared.

"New outfit today?" Luo Yuan asked, curious.

Misty's usual look was a sleeveless yellow tank top with blue denim shorts, but today she wore a white top and light blue shorts.

Hearing him bring it up, Misty sighed with a hint of exasperation.

"My sisters made me change. They say that as the Gym Leader, I'm the face of Cerulean Gym, so I need to present myself properly."

"Ah, I see."

That sounded exactly like the Cerulean Sisters, known for their popularity as Water Ballet stars. While their skills as trainers were pretty lacking, they certainly knew how to think strategically.

They'd turned Cerulean Gym into a brand, with Misty as its spokesperson. Even if her battle skills weren't quite up to Gym Leader standards, her improved image might prevent Cerulean Gym from facing League cuts.

"That said, you look pretty stylish like this." Luo Yuan nodded at Misty.

If her previous look had been a bit youthful, her current one was more sophisticated.

"Really?"

Misty's reluctance instantly shifted to delight at his compliment.

"Yep... Though it could be perfect with a coat. We can check some out at the mall later," he suggested.

"Sure!" Misty nodded enthusiastically.

At that moment, Gary suddenly tapped Luo Yuan on the shoulder. "Luo Yuan, my grandpa's here."

Only now did Misty notice that someone else was with Luo Yuan, and she immediately recognized Gary, the famous trainer with a harem of girlfriends who'd battled Luo Yuan at Pewter Gym.

And when Gary mentioned "grandpa," Misty instinctively turned to look.

To her surprise, she saw Professor Oak approaching, walking alongside Ash's mom, Delia, both smiling as they chatted.

"Professor Oak?" Misty gasped, surprised that the mild-mannered professor was actually Gary's grandfather.

Or maybe, it was more surprising that Professor Oak's grandson was such a flirt.

"Gary, Luo Yuan, what are you two doing here?"

Professor Oak looked surprised to see Luo Yuan, especially since his progress was supposed to be ahead of Ash and Gary's.

"Vacationing, of course..." Luo Yuan replied, nodding toward Misty.

"Ohhh!" Professor Oak chuckled knowingly.

Who hadn't been young once?

"By the way, Professor Bill called me recently and had nothing but praise for you."

"Oh, I just helped him out a little," Luo Yuan replied modestly.

"Don't be so humble! Bill added your name to his research paper; that says it all," Professor Oak said with a grin. "It'll be published next month, so keep an eye out for it."

"Of course."

Gary listened to the exchange, looking utterly stunned.

A research paper? Co-author? Professor Bill? Was Luo Yuan already operating on such a high level?

He felt as if Luo Yuan was leaving him farther and farther behind.

Meanwhile, Delia, having heard Professor Oak mention Luo Yuan's name, smiled brightly once their conversation ended.

"Luo Yuan... I've heard Ash talk about you. Thank you for looking after him," she said warmly.

"It was nothing..."

Honestly, the most he'd done was lend Ash some money for a bike.

And in the original storyline, the bike got repaired in the end, so Ash didn't even have to pay it back. Technically, Ash had lost out on the deal.

"By the way, Gary, didn't you say you saw Ash here in Lampurchi? Where is he?" Professor Oak asked.

At that, Gary's astonishment faded, and he grinned. "Oh, him... he's working right now." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

---

Professor Oak, Delia, Gary, and the others set off to find Ash.

Luo Yuan, however, didn't join them. Besides, he was more interested in helping Misty shop than witnessing James's cross-dressing horror from the original plot.

Strictly speaking, Misty was actually ditching work.

She'd left her duties at the Gym to her sisters so she could come vacation in Lampurchi with Luo Yuan.

"Will the Gym be alright?"

"It's fine for now," Misty replied. "According to the latest reports, the League inspectors won't be visiting Gyms for a while. Plus, I trained a few Pokémon for my sisters, and they're getting the hang of things. A bit more training should set them up nicely."

Luo Yuan nodded.

"Oh, by the way, what brings Professor Oak here?" Misty asked.

She'd only ever seen Professor Oak on TV and poetry segments. Meeting him in person was a first.

"Apparently, it's a vacation... but he's also planning to hold a beauty contest."

"A beauty contest?"

Misty blinked in confusion.

She couldn't wrap her head around the idea of Professor Oak, a respected Pokémon researcher, hosting a beauty contest.

"Yep... As for why? Even I'm not sure."

Even knowing the original storyline, Luo Yuan found it a bit weird.

Ash got into trouble, Professor Oak and Delia just happened to be nearby with the beauty contest paperwork in hand, and Delia ended up winning the whole thing.

But looking at the scenario without Ash's involvement...

Professor Oak and Delia traveling to Lampurchi together to hold a beauty contest, with Delia taking the crown? It was... an interesting situation.

Shaking off the thought, Luo Yuan led Misty to the entrance of a high-end boutique from the Galar region.

"This place looks a little... pricey," Misty hesitated.

It was well-known that imported goods were expensive, and fashion in the Pokémon world didn't come cheap.

"Think of it as my gift to you."

Since acquiring a stake in the Silph Company, his dividends alone were enough to let him splurge on whims like this. Buying an outfit? Pocket change.

Of course, saying it like that would make him sound like a rich snob, so Luo Yuan chose his words carefully:

"I just want to see an even more beautiful you."

Upon hearing this, Misty's face turned pink. After a moment's hesitation, she gave a shy nod and let Luo Yuan help her pick out an outfit.

An hour later...

Misty emerged with an entirely new look.

She wore a vest, shorts, and a coat. Individually, the items seemed simple, but together, they created an unexpectedly striking effect.

"You look amazing."

Luo Yuan gave his approval.

"As long as you like it," Misty replied, blushing. "I also got a swimsuit... it's right here..."

"Then how about we head to the beach? The deluxe suite I booked includes a private beach area," Luo Yuan suggested with a smile.

"Alright..." Misty nodded gently.

---

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!

Posture and water check!

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