282. Suzie

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"Wait... wait a minute!" 

Suzie spoke quickly when she saw the scene, but it was too late. Misty, seeing the adorable Pokémon resting without resistance, eagerly hugged it. 

Vulpix, who had been peacefully dozing, opened its eyes abruptly upon being disturbed. Its gaze fixed on Misty momentarily, and then, without warning, it opened its mouth wide. A searing wave of heat shot forth as flames erupted directly at Misty's face. 

"Ahh!!!" Misty shrieked as the flames subsided, leaving her charred and smoldering slightly with a puff of black smoke escaping from her lips before she collapsed. 

"Bah!" 

Vulpix wriggled free from Misty's grip, leapt back onto the chair, and let out a faint Ember in her direction before curling up once more and closing its eyes. 

"I'm sorry! I should have warned you earlier. My Vulpix is a bit wary of strangers," Suzie said apologetically, stepping forward. 

"You should have told me earlier..." Misty groaned weakly as she shakily sat up, while Ash, standing nearby, scratched his head in embarrassment. 

Although Vulpix appeared calm and gentle, it only displayed that demeanor around familiar faces. Towards strangers, Vulpix—like many Fire-types—tended to be more defensive, especially when startled awake from a nap. 

"But this Vulpix is really well-trained!" Ash remarked, impressed. "The intensity of its flames shows its excellent physical condition."

The group admired the sleek coat and evident strength in Vulpix's fiery attack. Its powerful display was a testament to a meticulous care routine involving diet and consistent training. 

"Thank you, your Pikachu looks exceptionally well cared for too!" Suzie responded with a smile, glancing at the Pikachu perched on Ash's shoulder. As a Pokémon breeder, Suzie could recognize well-raised Pokémon at a glance. Pikachu's glossy fur and the spark of energy visible in its cheek sacs attested to Ash's care. 

"A-and... Miss Suzie," Brock suddenly stammered, stepping forward with an uncharacteristic blush. "My dream is to become an excellent Pokémon breeder like you!" 

Ash's expression turned skeptical. Brock had always been bold when approaching women, rarely showing such bashfulness. Yet this time, he was genuinely flustered. 

The charming Suzie, with her warm and gracious demeanor, had clearly left an impression on Brock—different from his usual pursuits of Officer Jenny or Nurse Joy. 

"I—I'd be honored if you'd accept me as your apprentice!" Brock continued earnestly. 

Brock stood at attention, rigid as though in military formation. But when others heard his declaration, not only Suzie but also Misty, who was still seated on the ground, sprang to her feet in shock.

"What!!"

"Brock, are you serious?" Misty asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Of course! My goal is to become an excellent Pokémon breeder. Miss Suzie, please accept me as your apprentice!" Brock exclaimed earnestly, bowing deeply.

"Ah! But... but I'm not very experienced myself, so I'm not sure I can teach someone else!" Suzie replied, looking flustered, clearly unprepared for such a situation.

"Miss Suzie is that amazing?" Misty asked, her curiosity piqued.

Brock was usually the one who prepared all their meals, and the Pokémon food he made was always a hit with both the group and their Pokémon. To Misty, that already seemed like a significant achievement. Brock's reverent attitude toward Suzie made her wonder just how talented this lady could be.

"!!!"

"Miss Suzie has won the World Pokemon Breeder's Contest for three consecutive years!" Brock proclaimed, his excitement building. "Not only that, for four years, she was voted the most popular breeder by Pokémon Friends Magazine!"

He pulled a magazine out of nowhere, waving it for emphasis. Misty and Ash blinked in surprise at his sudden enthusiasm, while Ash unconsciously rubbed his ear from the volume of Brock's voice.

"That's... impressive," Ash admitted with a shrug, though his expression suggested a touch of skepticism. He knew that being a breeder was no small feat, but a Breeder's Contest didn't carry the same weight as something like becoming the Orange League Champion.

And as for Pokémon Friends Magazine, it was a popular publication, frequently filled with tips for caring for Pokémon and showcasing standout breeders. Ash had flipped through its pages before and knew it was highly regarded. However, he also suspected that Suzie's popularity in the magazine had more to do with her looks than anything else.

"If I remember correctly," Ash thought to himself, "90% of her votes came from boys." The idea of a crowd of smitten fans voting for Suzie amused him, though he knew that Brock's admiration ran deeper than just her appearance. After all, Brock idolized Bruno of the Elite Four as well. Still, given a choice, Ash was sure Brock would pick Suzie over Bruno any day.

"Uh... haha! That sounds incredible!" Misty said, startled by Brock's fervor.

"Brock, you're exaggerating!" Suzie said modestly, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I don't pay much attention to those magazines anyway."

"So this Vulpix must have been a champion in many places!" Misty said as she stepped closer to the Pokémon. Despite having been scorched earlier, Misty bore no grudge. Instead, she admired Vulpix's adorable demeanor and elegant appearance.