Pokemon: This Ash Is Too Versatile-Chapter 691 - 370: Two

In the outside world, speaking well is undoubtedly beneficial for social interactions. A single instance of low emotional intelligence can potentially destroy the relationship between people. Human relationships are fragile, and a random comment can lead to a complete fallout before a connection is properly established.

Moreover, speaking with high emotional intelligence can positively enhance the relationship between couples. This is why the big shots in the group recommended that Ash learn this skill, and when Ash thought of Misty, he wasn't as resistant to these conversational niceties.

For the original Ash, one was one, and two was two. Why bother with formalities? Just speak the truth from the heart. After all, sincerity begets sincerity.

But sometimes, a little white lie is necessary. Courtesy isn't hypocrisy; it's an essential part of interpersonal relationships!

That's right, Ash was persuaded by the big shots in the group to learn this knowledge.

"Ash... are you the Champion Ash from the Quartz Conference?" The brown-haired girl paused upon hearing the name, then asked with a slight hint of surprise.

"I remember now! Yes, yes! You're the legendary prodigy trainer rumored to challenge Leon's supreme champion status before the age of twenty. The foreign media has been singing your praises everywhere!" Victor, the boy, suddenly jumped out from behind Ash, pointing at him with a face full of surprise and joy.

From Victor's expression, it was as if he had discovered a treasure.

However, his gesture of pointing at others made the girl's face turn dark. She grabbed Victor's finger, forcing a smile as she said, "Victor!! Didn't I tell you to stick close to me when we are out? Do you know how long I've been looking for you? Not answering the phone, and now you dare to point at others so rudely. Just wait until Mom and Dad deal with you when we get back!!"

Hearing this, Victor shrank his neck, fear evident on his face. He tried to retract his finger, but it was as if it was clamped by iron pliers, unable to move at all. The delicate little hand holding his finger continued to apply pressure.

Despite the girl's seemingly frail appearance, her agile legs indicated she was definitely not a delicate girl.

"Sister, I'm wrong, I'm wrong, spare me!!" Victor quickly pleaded for mercy.

Sister? So this girl is this kid's sister? They do look somewhat similar, but that wasn't what caught Ash's attention. What truly mattered was the aura Ash sensed from this girl, a presence unique to strong trainers.

This girl... is a powerful trainer!

"... Next time if you do this, I'll have Mom and Dad ground you at home, you hear me!"

"Got it~~" Victor obediently responded, placing his hands in front of him, head lowered, not daring to breathe too loudly for fear of upsetting his sister. If they really did confine him at home, it would be a fate worse than death!

"Sorry, my brother can be a bit rude." After scolding Victor, the girl bowed in apology to Ash, who waved his hand and said, "No worries, he's just a kid… By the way, are you all here on vacation from the Hoenn Region?"

"We're not here for vacation. Our father has some business here. As for me... I'm here to challenge the Silver Conference. We came here today to register for the competition. My brother kept insisting on coming along, so I had no choice but to bring him, only for him to cause trouble once we got here." The girl said, glaring at Victor, who turned his head with a slight pout.

"I see, I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and my goal is also the Silver Conference. Looks like we can look forward to facing off at the Silver Conference." Ash said, extending his hand to the girl.

"My name is May, from Clementine City, Hoenn." May extended her fair hand to shake Ash's hand.

"Clementine City? Isn't that where Mr. Norman is from? So you live in the same city as Mr. Norman! No wonder Victor idolizes Mr. Norman so much, having an idol so close is a perfectly natural reaction, so don't blame him." Ash said with a knowing look, trying to excuse Victor.

Since these siblings were from Clementine City, they must be familiar with Norman. Perhaps Norman even lived next door to them, giving Victor a perfectly understandable reason to idolize Norman.

No matter the gap between Norman and Steven, Steven is merely a television figure, whereas Norman is right there beside them. Misjudgments in such circumstances are entirely normal.

"Ahem, actually, Mr. Norman is our father." May couldn't help but smile as she revealed the truth to Ash.

Having a Gym Leader as a father is nothing to hide, although May usually wouldn't tell others that her father is the Gym Leader of Clementine City Gym.

In Hoenn, Clementine Gym is different from other gyms. It is recognized as the strongest gym in the Hoenn Region, and Norman's fame is remarkable, coming in second only to Steven despite not being part of the Elite Four.

When outside, it's not that people wouldn't believe them if they said their father was Norman, but even so, the hassle wouldn't be small. Therefore, May typically wouldn't disclose this fact about her father, and she strictly forbade Victor from doing so as well.

But when faced with Ash, May didn't hesitate to share. Initially, it wasn't mentioned merely because she wanted to tease Ash. Ash's defense of her brother gained him her goodwill from the start. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

As the saying goes, no matter how one scolds their own family, it's their own business. If someone else steps in, it's a different story.

Even if someone else is right, hearing it about one's own family can still feel uncomfortable. Ash's actions of defending her brother, even when he was wrong, undoubtedly boosted her affection towards him significantly.

Apart from this reason, May also recognized Ash. Ash was more than just the Quartz Conference Champion, an official achievement he earned. His accomplishments outside official titles made waves.

To name one, just last month, Ash faced off against Lorelei in a demonstration match, news that spread even to Hoenn. This fifteen-year-old boy managed to overcome Lorelei, who possessed Champion Level strength, in a two-on-two battle. Without firsthand accounts and video proof, no one would believe such an event.

So, Ash actually stood on par with their father, equaling him in strength, perhaps surpassing him!

Meanwhile, Ash and the three others went completely blank upon hearing that May's father was Norman. They never expected that a random roadside encounter would involve the son and daughter of the Gym Leader they intended to challenge promptly, a truly surreal experience!

...

At a milk tea shop in New Bark Town, Ash and his group sat with May and Victor around two tables joined together, chatting enthusiastically.

Since May and her brother also needed to return home, aligning their next destination with Ash and his friends, they decided to find a place to sit and chat over drinks, planning to set out together later.

More company makes traveling livelier!

While drinking milk tea, May proposed a request to Ash: "Ash, please battle with me!"