Chapter 50: Whitney

Before the girl could react, Brock had already concluded his one-sided love affair, leaving her slightly flustered. After a brief pause, the girl managed to muster an embarrassed smile.

"Hello, my name is Whitney, and I'm Havard's granddaughter," she said, bowing slightly to Ash, Brock, and Misty as she introduced herself.

Ash immediately recognized her. Not only was she the granddaughter of Havard, the ranch owner, but she was also the Gym Leader of the Goldenrod City Gym—a formidable trainer specializing in Normal-type Pokémon.

Misty, on the other hand, felt a sense of unease. Whitney was not only beautiful but also had a well-developed figure that far exceeded her own. Comparing herself to Whitney left Misty feeling a bit insecure.

There's no way I'll ever get to her level of development, even by the time I'm her age, Misty thought with a pang of jealousy.

Ash shook hands with Whitney, maintaining a respectful distance to avoid triggering any misunderstanding from Misty, whose sharp gaze was already locked on him.

"Nice to meet you, Whitney. My name is Ash, and these are my friends, Brock and Misty," he said, introducing his companions.

Whitney smiled brightly. "I already know who you are," she replied. "Grandpa mentioned you earlier, and your reputation precedes you. You're quite the celebrity, Ash!"

Whitney then turned to Brock and Misty. "And of course, I've heard about you two as well. Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, and Misty, from the Cerulean City Gym. It's an honor to meet you both."

---

Whitney helped Ash store the bottles of MooMoo Milk into his bag as she asked with a hint of pride, "So, what do you think of our ranch's MooMoo Milk?"

"It's fantastic," Ash replied. "Brock tested it earlier, and he said it's better than most MooMoo Milk available in the market. It's definitely top-tier quality."

Whitney beamed with satisfaction at Ash's compliment, while Misty stood to the side, quietly fuming. 

The easy camaraderie between Ash and Whitney was driving her mad, but she couldn't find a way to intervene without seeming petty.

Whitney, noticing Misty's discomfort, decided to include her in the conversation. She had a natural charm and could read people well, and it didn't take long for her to put Misty at ease.

After a few minutes, the two were chatting like old friends. Misty, now more comfortable, even asked Whitney about her secret to maintaining her impressive figure.

Whitney blushed at the question but leaned in to whisper to Misty, "I'm not really sure, but I've been drinking MooMoo Milk every day since I was a kid. Maybe that's the reason?"

Misty's eyes lit up. If MooMoo Milk is the secret, then maybe I should drink it too! she thought. Her earlier resentment toward Whitney began to dissipate, replaced by a newfound admiration.

---

Once Ash's bag was filled with MooMoo Milk, Havard and Whitney invited the group to rest for a while. By noon, Ash decided it was time to move on.

"Are you heading to Goldenrod City next?" Whitney asked. Though it was phrased as a question, her tone indicated she already knew the answer. 

As a participant in the Johto League, Ash's next logical destination would be the Goldenrod Gym.

"That's right," Ash confirmed.

Whitney clapped her hands together excitedly. "I have the day off today! How about I take you around Goldenrod City? There's so much to see—the mall, Trainer Street, and all kinds of interesting shops!"

Before Ash could respond, Brock jumped in enthusiastically. "It would be an honor to have you as our guide, Miss Whitney!"

Ash chuckled at Brock's eagerness and nodded in agreement. Misty, though hesitant at first, eventually went along with the idea.

---

Goldenrod Ranch was close to Goldenrod City, and within half an hour, the group found themselves walking along the bustling streets of the largest city in the Johto region.

Goldenrod City was a hub of activity, filled with towering buildings, neon signs, and crowded sidewalks. It was the face of the Johto region, and its vibrant atmosphere left Ash and his friends in awe.

Whitney led them through the city, pointing out landmarks and sharing interesting tidbits about its history. 

She eventually brought them to the Goldenrod Department Store, a massive shopping mall that housed everything from fashion boutiques to Pokémon supplies.

"This place has the best burgers in the city!" Whitney announced proudly as they stood outside a popular restaurant on the mall's first floor.

Ash, Brock, and Misty peeked inside, noting the long line of customers. The smell of sizzling burgers wafted through the air, making their mouths water.

"But won't we have to wait in line forever?" Misty asked, her stomach growling.

Whitney grinned mischievously. "Not at all! I'm the spokesperson for this restaurant. We won't have to wait in line."

True to her word, the store manager greeted Whitney warmly upon her arrival and ushered the group to a special booth reserved for her.

"I'm pretty awesome, aren't I?" Whitney said, flashing a triumphant smile as they took their seats.

Ash laughed. "You definitely are. I didn't expect you to be a restaurant spokesperson on top of everything else, but I guess it makes sense. You are the Gym Leader of the most prosperous city in Johto, after all."

Whitney blushed slightly at the compliment but quickly recovered. "Well, enough about me. Let's eat!"

The group dug into their meals, enjoying the delicious food and lively atmosphere. Whitney's warm personality and enthusiasm made her a fantastic guide, and even Misty had to admit she was starting to like her.

For Ash, the day had been a pleasant break from the challenges of his journey. Little did he know, the real challenge awaited him at Goldenrod Gym.

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