"Grandpa, Uncle Chen, I'm here!"
Just as everyone was waiting, a brown-haired boy rushed out of Professor Oak's Laboratory, calling out happily.
Who else could it have been but Gary?
Professor Oak sighed. "Gary, don't be so reckless."
"This is Serena, and this is Goh. Get to know each other. You'll all be taking part in the activities together later."
"Okay!" Gary nodded and said to the two of them, "Hi, I'm Gary. Nice to meet you."
Goh and Serena promptly greeted him in return. The three children had little on their minds and immediately gathered together to chat.
Little by little, time ticked by, and more parents arrived with their children.
It was almost eight, when the summer camp was supposed to begin, but Ash still hadn't arrived.
Chen Shi couldn't help smiling wryly. He had only reminded Ash yesterday not to be late, yet the boy clearly hadn't taken a word of it to heart.
It was already time to start, and he still wasn't here.
Professor Oak checked the time and rubbed his temples.
Making all these people wait for Ash alone simply wouldn't do, so Professor Oak decided not to wait any longer.
"All right, we won't wait for that boy. Let's-"
"Wait, wait! There's still me, Professor Oak!"
Before Professor Oak could finish, an urgent shout cut him off.
In the distance, a boy with messy, bird's-nest hair and a backpack ran toward them, waving his outstretched arms.
Who else could it have been but Ash?
After all, this was the boy who could even be late to pick up his starter Pokémon. Being late for summer camp was perfectly normal for him.
As soon as Ash reached them, he braced his hands on his knees and panted heavily. Clearly, the run had worn him