Gary had finally seen just how easily Ash could disappear the moment someone let go of him.
Their planned afternoon tea had been dragged all the way into dinnertime before Brock finally dragged Ash back from some unknown corner.
Fortunately, Young Master Mao had the Viridian Force, so restoring Pokémon did not necessarily mean lining up at a Pokémon Center.
"I'm starving~" Ash rolled his eyes, wailing as he walked.
Misty curled her lip in disgust, wanting to say she did not know this guy.
"Wait, where's Brock?!" Ash suddenly remembered that he had not seen Brock since he brought him back to meet up with the others.
The corner of Gary's mouth twitched, and he pointed toward the bustling street of parade floats.
Quite a few Officer Jennys were maintaining order there, along with Nurse Joys hurrying here and there...
"Officer Jenny~! So many Officer Jennys! And Nurse Joys, too! This place... must be heaven!" Brock staggered around, running wild as though he were drunk.
Gary and the other two turned away in unison. They would just pretend they did not know him...
Just then, a rich aroma of cheese drifted out of a restaurant beside the street.
Almost instinctively, Ash followed the smell inside.
The sumptuous buffet in the Western restaurant instantly left Ash dizzy with its delicious aromas.
"I really want some... but I didn't bring any money..." Feeling his pockets, which were cleaner than his face, Ash wanted to cry but had no tears.
A server thoughtfully offered him a plate with a smile. "Please, help yourself~"
Ash froze. "I mean... I don't have any money?"
The server paused too. Was this Trainer really that clueless...? "That's all right... please, help yourself!"
"Could it be~ I'm famous now, and this girl wants to treat me? Awesome!"