After lunch, Professor Oak began leading the children in observing the Wild Pokémon living nearby, under their eager gazes.
Dongshu, Ash, and Serena were among them.
However, unlike Ash and Serena, Dongshu seemed rather uninterested in Professor Oak's introductions.
"Dongshu, did you really grow up with Pokémon?" Ash could not help asking.
"Of course."
"What does it feel like to live with Pokémon?" Ash looked full of longing. "When you wake up in the morning, you get to see Pokémon right away, and you can play with them every day. Is that what it's like?"
"More or less." Dongshu smiled and nodded.
"Wow!" A blazing light shone in Ash's eyes. "I want to live with Pokémon too!"
"Ash..." Serena tugged at Ash's sleeve. In her eyes, Dongshu had lost his parents when he was little and had only been raised by Pokémon because of that. He was so pitiful—what Ash said was wrong.
"It's okay, Serena." Dongshu naturally understood what Serena meant.
"Huh?" Serena froze slightly.
Ash looked at the two of them speaking in riddles, his face full of confusion.
"Hey, what are you talking about?" he immediately asked.
"Ash..." Serena glanced at Dongshu, who had walked ahead with Raikou, then whispered to Ash, "Dongshu doesn't have a mom or dad. He could only live in the mountains with Pokémon since he was little. He's so pitiful!"
With Serena's reminder, Ash immediately realized.
He stood there and thought carefully for a moment, then ran after Dongshu and called out, "Dongshu!"
"What is it?"
"By the way, do you and Raikou want to come live at my house? My house is big, and there are lots of rooms. It's just my mom and me there!" Ash invited him.
Dongshu had not expected that question. He paused, then smiled and shook