Petalburg City and a Date

"Petalburg City is just ahead. We're almost there."

Gary looked at the faint outline of a city in the distance and reminded Rosa, who looked somewhat drained beside him.

Compared to the slightly exhausted Rosa, Gary, blessed with the Super Pallet Towner physique, remained as steady as a rock.

"We're finally almost there!" Rosa, who had been listless moments ago, instantly perked up upon hearing that, immediately looking refreshed and full of energy.

"This short amount of time was really hard to endure!" For a girl like Rosa, traveling through the wilderness really was pushing herself.

Seeing Rosa reveal her true personality before him—playful and adorable, lively and generous—made Gary quite happy. It meant that Rosa was gradually letting down her guard around him, and that their relationship was growing closer.

Whether two people were close depended on whether one of them was willing to reveal their true personality in front of the other. Once they did, congratulations—their relationship was gradually becoming more intimate.

Clearly, on the way to Petalburg City, Gary's handsomeness, kindness, and attentiveness had rapidly brought him and Rosa closer together.

Seeing Rosa no longer looking so dispirited, Gary smiled lightly and said, "Then let's pick up the pace, get to Petalburg City earlier, and rest sooner."

"Okay." Having regained her lively nature, Rosa grinned and agreed.

After Rosa agreed, the two quickened their pace and continued toward Petalburg City.

After traveling for nearly an hour, Gary and May finally arrived at their first destination, Petalburg City, at noon that day.

"We finally made it to Petalburg City. That really wasn't easy!" Although she had traveled through the Unova Region before, Rosa still sighed with emotion when she saw the Pokémon Center in Petalburg City before her.

"Alright, let's go inside first. Once we've rested, we can take a look around Petalburg City." Seeing Rosa's tired expression, Gary spoke up.

"Huh? Aren't we going to challenge the Gym?"

Hearing that Gary had no plans to challenge the Gym today, Rosa asked him curiously.

"Well, we just arrived in Petalburg City, didn't we? Both we and the Pokémon are already exhausted, so we should get some proper rest before challenging the Gym."

Seeing Rosa's puzzled expression, Gary patiently explained.

But judging by how eager Rosa was to challenge the Gym, she was probably as impatient as that guy Ash had been—always wanting to challenge the Gym the moment she arrived in a new city.

"I see!"

Seeing that Rosa still had not adjusted to the idea, Gary teased her, "If you don't like shopping, it wouldn't be impossible to challenge the Gym instead."

"Wait," Rosa immediately stopped him when she heard that Gary was about to cancel their shopping plans. "Let's go shopping first."

Gary smiled softly at Rosa's eager appearance. It seemed that no matter what world it was, there was no girl who did not like shopping.

"Then let's rest first."

After saying that, Gary took the lead and walked into the Pokémon Center.

"Hey, wait for me."

Rosa quickly followed after him into the Pokémon Center.

After enjoying a hearty lunch at the Pokémon Center and taking a pleasant nap, both Gary and Rosa looked radiant and refreshed.

"Alright, let's go shopping."

After resting, Rosa dressed herself up nicely and urged Gary, who had been waiting nearby.

"Sure."

Once Gary agreed, the two left the Pokémon Center together and began their shopping trip.

After leaving the Pokémon Center, Gary and Rosa began strolling through Petalburg City together.

They weaved through the various shops lining both sides of the streets, looking just like a truly perfect couple.

"Gary, look! That shop up ahead has so many people. What are they selling?"

While shopping with Gary, Rosa suddenly noticed that the entrance of a certain shop was packed with customers, most of whom were in pairs.

The sight piqued Rosa's curiosity, so she asked Gary beside her.

"Let me see." Hearing Rosa's words, Gary followed her gaze and indeed saw a shop with a long line outside, most of the customers seemingly couples.

"It looks like they sell ice cream." Everyone leaving the shop had an ice cream in hand, so it was obvious that the shop sold ice cream.

"Ice cream? Let's get some too, okay?" After saying that, Rosa looked at Gary with hopeful eyes.

Rosa could not resist the temptation of ice cream, so she made the suggestion to Gary.

"Of course."

How could Gary, who always considered himself a gentleman, possibly refuse such a sweet and adorable girl as Rosa?

"Then let's go over there."

After hearing Gary agree, Rosa happily took his hand and pulled him over to join the line.

After waiting in line for a while, it was finally Gary and Rosa's turn.

"Hello, two ice creams, please." The moment she saw the server, Rosa pointed at the flavors she wanted and spoke.

"Are you two a couple?" Seeing that Rosa and Gary seemed to be together, the server asked.

"Why are you asking that?" Gary immediately perked up upon hearing the server's question and asked.

"Our shop is running a promotion. Couples who buy ice cream can enjoy a buy-one-get-one-free deal."

The server explained in response to Gary's question.

"So that's what it was." After hearing the explanation, Gary understood why the people in line were all in pairs.

"Then we..."

Before Gary could finish, Rosa spoke first.

"We're a couple." After saying that, Rosa's cheeks turned crimson.

As for Gary, he wore a surprised expression upon hearing Rosa's shocking declaration.

"If you're a couple, you only need to kiss each other to receive the discount."

This ice cream shop would not simply take their word for it when they claimed to be a couple. They needed proof; otherwise, wouldn't people be cheating the deal under false pretenses?

After hearing the server's requirement, Gary and Rosa could only look at each other, blushes appearing on both their faces.

"Kiss! Kiss!" The customers waiting in line behind them began cheering when they saw this.

With the atmosphere having reached this point, Rosa forced herself to endure her embarrassment and closed her eyes. Her bashful appearance clearly showed that she was waiting for Gary to take the initiative.

Seeing Rosa like this, how could Gary not understand what she meant? He decisively bent down and kissed her lovely cheek.

After Gary finished kissing her, Rosa's entire face turned completely crimson, like a ripe peach.

"Woohoo!" The couples waiting behind them cheered when they saw the scene.

Faced with their cheers, Rosa immediately ran off in embarrassment, while Gary quickly bought two ice creams and hurried after her.

After catching up to Rosa, Gary smiled and handed her an ice cream, saying joyfully, "My girlfriend, here's your ice cream."

"You're such a tease!" Although Rosa muttered softly, she still accepted the ice cream Gary handed her with a crimson face.

Seeing that Rosa did not refuse, Gary immediately reached out and tightly held her small hand.

When he realized that Rosa was not struggling, the smile on Gary's face deepened. He pulled Rosa along and said with a smile.

"Come on, my girlfriend. Let's continue our date!"