Xia You hurriedly adjusted his sitting position.
To break the awkwardness, he gave a light cough and changed the subject. "What a coincidence. You came for a soak too? I thought you'd go out with Brock to look for Ash."
Misty stirred the water and shook her head. "Why look for him? Even if we don't, he'll come back on his own before long."
Then she turned toward Xia You and asked, "Now that you've earned the Crimson Badge, are you leaving Cinnabar Island tomorrow?"
Xia You murmured an affirmative. "Now that I have my seventh badge, there isn't much point staying here. It's time to set off and keep traveling."
Misty hesitated. "Actually, I..."
Perhaps seeing that she wanted to say something, Xia You suddenly interrupted her. "Actually, sometimes I really envy you guys."
"Huh?" Misty asked in surprise. "Why do you say that?"
"Three people traveling together, going on adventures together, camping together... just thinking about it sounds fun." Xia You scooped up another ladle of hot spring water and poured it over Wartortle. "Unlike me, all alone. Even when I want someone to talk to, there's no one I can chat with."
Beside him, Haunter rolled his eyes at Xia You.
No one to talk to? Then what am I?!
Hah, men...
"Then why not travel with us?" Misty blurted out, then seemed to muster her courage. "Or... or I could travel with you! Two people would definitely be much more fun than one!"
"Better not." Xia You glanced at her and gently declined. "If you leave with me, what will Ash and Brock do? Getting lost, chasing girls, being careless, sleeping in... they have a whole pile of bad habits. Without you there to keep things in check, would it really be okay to leave those