At the best Trainer hotel in the town on Starch Island, Misty was soaking in the steamy hot spring bath, stark naked. Nearby, her Pokémon Togepi and the little Mew were happily splashing around in the water and playing together from time to time.
And soaking on the other side of the bath, of course, was Annie!
The luxurious suite with its large hot spring bath had two bedrooms and a spacious living room. When Misty saw Annie book a room like this, she naturally claimed one of the bedrooms without hesitation.
As for Ash and Tracey, she didn't bother with them or ask any questions.
After all, she knew that on the Fruit Islands, when Miss Naina said goodbye, she had given the three of them a bag of delicious snacks made from pomelo peel—and had also given Ash some money as thanks. So Misty was sure those two could pay for a small room of their own and make do for the night.
Besides, she and Annie were both girls, and Togepi and the little Mew were female too. There was no way she'd let those two guys stay in the suite with them.
"Whew!"
"This feels so good..."
"So warm..."
"I feel all drowsy and lazy now."
After soaking for a while, Misty sighed and turned to Annie, who was lying motionless in a bathing nook at the edge of the pool, as if she'd fallen asleep.
"This is great!"
"Thanks to you treating us, Annie, we get to stay in such a comfortable, fancy hotel!"
"So nice!"
Rooms like this were incredibly expensive. Just one night might bankrupt them. If not for Annie, Misty doubted she'd ever get to stay somewhere like this—even if Ash really did win the Orange League competition someday and collect the