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Erika couldn't fault Ash for disliking certain perfumes. His aversion was specifically to blended fragrances - those industrially produced scents were torture for his herb-trained nose accustomed to medicinal aromas. What he truly appreciated were Erika's plant-based perfumes crafted from botanical extracts. At least these natural plant fragrances were infinitely preferable to synthetic chemical mixtures.
"'These medicinal ingredients are all acceptable for purchase. Please prepare larger quantities moving forward,' Ash concluded. After final confirmation of required materials, he accepted documents from a young shop assistant and signed them with practiced efficiency."
"'Well, isn't it usually the Joy family who handles medicinal herb procurement? Why did you come personally this time?" Erika asked after seeing Ash finish his business. Ash replied helplessly, "This batch is for my new potion formula, so I needed to handle it myself. Since I've started my journey anyway, I can just handle it along the way."
Hearing Ash mention his journey, Erika couldn't help asking, "Does that mean you'll be challenging my Rainbow Gym now?"
"'Hmm. I'll go challenge it in a bit.'"
"'Wait a second! I'm not a suspicious person, really! You've gotta believe me!'"
As the two were talking, a commotion broke out outside the perfume shop. Ash and Erika soon saw a group of police officers escorting a man away.
"'I just wanted to buy perfume...'"
"'Hmph! We've been watching you for ages. You pervert, pressed against the glass window. Don't think we didn't notice! Let's go!'"
"'I'm being framed! I'm serious!'"
Under police escort, the stalker was taken away. Ash felt that voice sounded strangely familiar.
"'How horrifying. Another stalker case in Celadon City...' Erika covered her mouth fearfully, while Ash appeared somewhat helplessly said, 'Come on. Don't you have a Gloom? Just have her release a stench, and I bet no creep would dare come near you.'"
"'Shouldn't you be saying something like 'I'll protect you' at a time like this?'"
"'I protect my ladies,' Ash said with an overly lofty expression, though Erika looked like she really wanted to punch someone."
Just as Erika was rendered speechless, Misty finally emerged holding a custom-made perfume in her hand.
"'Charge it to the card.'"
"..." Erika couldn't even muster the energy to comment on Ash's exaggerated smug expression anymore, while Misty appeared slightly flustered. Seeing her distress, Ash comforted her, 'Don't worry. The one thing I'm never short of is money.'"
"'But...'"
"'Enough. To be honest, I dislike the smell of industrial perfumes. That's why I had them create a custom blend for you. As a pharmacist, my nose is far too precious.'"
Seeing Ash's somewhat insistent attitude, Misty could only blush and accept the gift in the end.
"'Thank you, Ash.'"
"'I told you I did it for my own nose. Now let's go to the Rainbow Gym. Come on, Erika's here too.'"
Hearing Ash say this, Misty noticed Erika who had been watching her with keen interest. "'Ah, hello! I'm Misty. Ash's companion.'"
"'Hello, I'm Erika from the Rainbow Gym. Ah, so you're Misty from the Cerulean City Gym.'"
"'Huh? How did you know?!'"
"'Your sisters told me, of course. Let's head to my Rainbow Gym and I'll fill you in. Forget about that guy who needs to wear a mask outside.'" Erika was already pulling Misty out as she spoke, while Ash obediently put on his mask.
said, "'Perfect timing. I'll go look for Brock. He still hasn't shown up. I hope he hasn't been arrested...'"
Recalling the pervert who'd been dragged away earlier and that familiar voice, Ash realized that Brock was very likely that pervert.
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