Kazuki and Misty continued their journey, training and leveling up while deepening their romance along the way.
Under Kazuki's influence, Misty had started taking Pokémon training far more seriously. The two had become that kind of competitive couple who constantly pushed each other forward.
This stretch of their journey was mostly along the water, so Kazuki focused on training his Wartortle. The rest of the time, he helped Misty train her own Pokémon.
Before they officially got together, Misty always acted tsundere—barely accepting Kazuki's advice, since deep down she saw him more as a rival.
But after confirming their relationship, Misty would occasionally take the initiative to ask Kazuki for training plans. After all, staying tsundere toward your own boyfriend would be a little too much.
Of course, these guidance sessions were also part of their little "play"—the real reward came during the thank-you phase afterwards, full of intimate gratitude.
Since leaving Maiden's Peak, Misty had become more open-minded, often using training as an excuse to initiate new forms of playful affection.
Thanks to this loop of training and rewards, her Water-type Pokémon had improved significantly.
For instance, her long-mocked Goldeen had finally evolved into Seaking during a landing stop.
"Ahhh! It evolved! It evolved! Goldeen—after all this time, you've finally evolved!" Misty squealed with joy as she caught her Seaking, hugging it tightly before rushing toward Kazuki. "Thank you, Kazuki! Your Wartortle really helped with the training!"
Excited, she lunged at Kazuki to hug him—but he held her back with a hand to her forehead. "You just hugged a fish. Maybe skip hugging me for now."
"Huh?! Are you disgusted by me?!" Misty puffed up her cheeks and glared at him. "I didn't even complain about your stink on the boat!"
"Come on! Let me hug you already!"
"Okay then—hug away!" Kazuki suddenly released her and darted away with a grin. Misty stumbled and missed her target.
"Hahaha! I'm gonna go check where we are now!" he called out, holding the map aloft. "This hug's on hold for now!"
"KAZUKI!!" Misty stomped the ground and chased after him like a feral little girlfriend.
Kazuki checked the map and confirmed that they'd arrived at the coastal stretch right before Saffron City.
But as he scanned the area, he didn't see any sign of the expected Butterfree swarm.
"Did I come too early, or is this the wrong landing site?"
"This Butterfree thing is tied to a mission—I better not miss it!"
Still, Kazuki had Aura Power, and even the faintest noise from Misty's steps behind him was enough for him to sense her closing in.
Not that he tried to dodge—after all, this was just harmless flirting between lovers.
"Ha! Got you!" Misty wrapped her soft thighs and arms around Kazuki's neck from behind, playfully bouncing against him.
Kazuki cupped her rear with one hand and gave it a squeeze. "Aren't you scared I'll squeeze harder?"
"Mmh~" Misty let out an involuntary moan but didn't loosen her grip. "You've already squeezed so many times! I am your girl, aren't I?"
"Hehehe, now you smell like fish too!"
Misty peeked at the map. "If we follow the coastline and get through that forest, we'll reach Saffron City, right?"
"You've been looking at that thing forever. Still haven't found the way?"
"I have found the route to Saffron City," Kazuki said, activating his Aura Power to search for the Butterfree swarm. "Right now, I'm looking for a wife."
"A wife?!" Misty's sonic outburst could rival a Legendary Pokémon's roar.
"Kazuki, I don't mind how many women you have, but shouldn't you watch your health?!"
She placed a hand on his chest, voice sultry. "We've barely arrived in a new town, and you're already rushing off to find another woman?"
"Do I look that desperate?" Kazuki tapped her on the forehead. "I'm talking about finding a mate for my Butterfree."
"I heard there's a swarm of Butterfree around here, and now's the best time to find it a partner."
"My Butterfree can't just sit there watching everyone else pair off, right?"
"Ohhh, that's what you meant!" Misty stepped off Kazuki's back, looking around to help. "Wow, I didn't think you knew this kind of basic breeding info!"
"This is standard knowledge for any good Trainer, okay? You didn't even know?"
"Wh-Who says I didn't?! I know when Horsea and Goldeen lay eggs! As for Butterfree..." Misty puffed her chest confidently, then slumped as soon as she brought up the bug Pokémon.
"Ugh, I hate bugs so much… you know that!"
"But! I'll help find your Butterfree a partner!"
With renewed energy, Misty jumped into action.
"Alright, then help me search from the ground. Pidgeot, Butterfree! You two take the skies and look for the swarm!"
With the aerial units assigned, Kazuki took Misty's hand and began strolling down the beach.
"Hey, aren't we supposed to be looking for Butterfree?" Misty asked. "Why are we taking a leisurely walk? Shouldn't we hurry?"
"Hurry? Can we outrun Pidgeot?" Kazuki said, pointing at the distant speck that was already soaring in the sky. "They've got the skies. We'll keep an eye on the underbrush for shadows or signs of Butterfree nearby."
"Ohh, makes sense!" Misty started scanning the bushes and trees closely, poking around with genuine interest.
"You sure you're not secretly a fan of Caterpie or something?"
"Ah?!" Misty emerged from a bush, leaves stuck in her hair. "Just because I hate Caterpie doesn't mean I don't care about your Pokémon!"
"Breeding is a vital part of a Pokémon's life cycle—it's something to be taken seriously!"
Kazuki brushed the leaves off her head affectionately. "Yeah, but digging through bushes will only net you more Caterpie. Butterfree flies, remember?"
"Ah!" Misty squeaked, hugging Kazuki's arm. "Didn't you tell me to check the bushes?!"
"I did, but I meant—"
Just then, Pidgeot returned and reported back: it had found the Butterfree swarm at another stretch of beach.
Kazuki helped Misty onto Pidgeot, and at a safe speed, they soared toward the new location.
"Wow! The view is amazing!" Misty marveled at the scenery, praising both Pidgeot and Kazuki.
While long-distance flight had its risks, this was just a few dozen kilometers—nothing Pidgeot couldn't handle.
Only problem? Pidgeot had a sensitive stomach.
Not every area's food suited its palate, so it usually ate just enough to not go hungry, limiting its range.
Kazuki made a mental note: they'd need a proper caretaker or maybe a system upgrade for feeding support in the future.
Mid-flight, Kazuki finally spotted his Butterfree.
It seemed to be tracking some pheromone scent and was flying toward a cluster in the distance.
Kazuki waved, and Butterfree understood instantly, abandoning the trail and joining Pidgeot's flight path.
After a short ride, they arrived at a clearing glowing with tiny sparkles.
Kazuki directed Pidgeot to land.
"Thanks, Pidgeot." He patted it gently and returned it to its Poké Ball.
Scanning with Aura Power, Kazuki immediately locked onto one: a sparkling pink Butterfree among the swarm.
"Whoa! A whole swarm of Butterfree—and look at that shiny one! So pretty!" Misty's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Butterfree, this is the moment you've been waiting for!" Kazuki called out, waving Butterfree over. "Well? See anyone you like?"
Chirrup~~~
Butterfree's Compound Eyes scanned the group rapidly before indicating it wanted to fly up and choose personally.
"Go ahead! Just follow my lead—that pink one over there!" Kazuki grinned, pointing it out.
As Butterfree soared into the sky, Misty's breath caught as she watched the dazzling display.
"I-It's so cute… that pink Butterfree is absolutely adorable!" she clung to Kazuki's arm, unable to resist the allure of pink Pokémon.
"I see it too," Kazuki chuckled. "Butterfree's heading straight for her."
Butterfree flew directly to the pink one.
With a graceful courtship dance, Butterfree captivated her at once—none of the rejection drama from the anime.
The pink Butterfree instantly accepted and grabbed his hand, eager to fly to the other side of the sea together.
Before they could take off, Butterfree turned and released Sleep Powder...
---
The pink Butterfree, now under the effect of Sleep Powder, was carried back to Kazuki's hot air balloon.
Chirrup~
Butterfree expressed that while it had found its mate, it didn't want to be separated from Kazuki.
"Butterfree, I get you want to bring your mate to meet me, but did you have to knock her out first?" Misty scolded, though she couldn't take her eyes off the shimmering pink Butterfree. "She's just… so pretty."
Kazuki noticed her intense gaze and smiled. "You want to catch her, Misty?"
"Of course I do—" She stopped herself. "But… she's Butterfree's mate!"
"They're about to go off and do important life stuff!"
"Besides, aren't you planning to release your Butterfree soon too?"
Misty was visibly emotional. Her eyes began to water.
"See? I told you Butterfree can't stay with a Trainer forever."
"And now… the moment of separation is here."
Kazuki gently wiped her tears. "Why are you getting so worked up?"
"That kind of goodbye happens to other Trainers—not me."
"Don't forget—Viridian Forest is also a perfect breeding ground for Butterfree."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Misty's tears slowed.
"I can capture both of them and send them to Professor Oak's lab."
"I'm sure he'd be thrilled to study the unique data from two bonded Butterfree—especially a shiny one."
"Once they're done breeding, I'll release the pink one—and you can catch her."
"That way, they get to mate, you don't have to say goodbye, and you still get this shiny Butterfree."
"R-Really?" Misty blinked. "That actually works!"
"Kazuki, you're a genius! Oh no, I wasted those tears for nothing!"
"It's okay—tears are brain juice, they'll make you smarter," Kazuki teased, patting her head.
"Your brain's full of water, not mine! Hurry and catch it!" Misty grinned, fully fired up.
Kazuki tossed a Poké Ball. With the pink Butterfree still sleeping, it was a clean capture.
[Pokémon: Butterfree (Shiny Pink)]
[Base Stats: 395]
[Level: Lv21 (Advanced Tier)]
[Potential: Quasi-Gym Tier]
[Ability: Tinted Lens – Moves with poor effectiveness deal normal damage]
[Moves: Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, etc.]
Kazuki reviewed her stats—Tinted Lens was a rare ability, but her potential was lower than his original Butterfree's.
Clearly, all her stats went into visual appeal. She might not be battle material, but she'd shine in contests—or make a great gift.
And Misty did still have an advanced Perfect Romance mission pending.
After capturing her, Kazuki handed the Poké Ball to Misty.
"Here. She's going to be yours. Go ahead—release her for the first time. It'll help you two bond."
Misty stared at the ball in disbelief. "You… you're really giving her to me?"
"This is a shiny, you know!"
"Shinies are like candy to me," Kazuki shrugged. "Didn't I just catch a shiny Horsea the other day?"
"I said it's yours. Of course I mean it. What kind of guy lies to his girlfriend?"
"You lie to me all the time!" Misty wiped her eyes again and smiled brightly. "Still—thank you, Kazuki. Being your girlfriend is the best thing ever!"
She threw her arms around him in a tight embrace, then took the Poké Ball from his hand.
The moment she did, Kazuki's system chimed…
[Ding! Romance Mission Progress Updated.]