"Huh?"
Saki was stunned. She understood Serena, although her daughter was sometimes shy and lacked self-confidence.
But when it comes to choices about life paths, it is extremely rare to reject yourself so directly.
Saki keenly captured a hint of unusual atmosphere.
Something is wrong, 12 out of 10 things are wrong.
My daughter's persistence seems to be not just for the trip itself.
"Why, tell mom your reason."
"Is what travel can provide really more important than delving into the field in which you have great talents? Or..."
Saki's tone was still calm, but also meant to ask questions. Her eyes swept over Ash vaguely, and her intention was already obvious.
"Is there any special person or special reason that made you make such a choice?"
Intuition tells Saki that there is a pig who wants to serve his own Xiaobai dish.
Hiss~
Xiaoyun feels that in this situation, it would be a pity not to have a bucket of popcorn.
You have to be someone who has been there, this level of observation is too high.
"Ah, this, that..."
Serena's cheeks suddenly turned red, and his words were somewhat incoherent.
Um, mom, it's not that you don't want to say it, it's that you really can't say it now!
At this moment when the atmosphere was frozen, a figure stood up loudly.
It is Ash!
In an instant, everyone's eyes were focused on him.
Ouch, Ash, you are so successful that you actually know how to stand up.
A trace of surprise flashed in Xiaoyun and Dawn's eyes.
Even Clemont brother and sister were looking at him eagerly.
Oh, Ash, this guy is finally coming to his senses? Is he going to say something shocking in front of Serena's mother?
Of course, what Ash said next once again proved that they were overthinking.
This thing is still that single-celled organism.
"Aunt Saki! Please don't force Serena! She has her own ideas! Traveling has allowed us to see a wider world and meet all kinds of Pokémon people!"
"Serena She has been working hard and looking for what she really wants to do! I believe her choice is right! As her good friend, I will definitely support her! I hope you will do the same!"
Ash's words are as always, no confession, no hint, only unreserved support for friends.
"Good friends..."
Serena silently recited this word in her heart, and a trace of undetectable loss was like a small ripple, spreading deep in the lake of her heart.
But then, an even stronger warm current surged up, quickly drowning the loss.
Who said this Ash is not good? This Ash is great.
He is always like this, using his simplest and most direct way to give strength and courage to those around him.
His trust itself is the most precious Present.
Serena took a deep breath, met his mother's gaze again, and said firmly:
"Mom, I don't deny everything you taught me. But now I want to determine my own future through travel!"
"This has nothing to do with anyone, it's my own decision!"
She paused and her tone was extremely firm:
"To prove my determination, I want to challenge you! Let's compete on the track of this mount competition with Rhyhorn!"
She is actually a master.
Stop pretending, show your cards.
Serena's challenge is like throwing a huge boulder into a calm lake, causing thousands of waves.
Saki's eyes first flashed with a hint of surprise, but soon, that surprise was replaced by a complex emotion mixed with appreciation and pride.
Her daughter's growth was presented to her in the most direct and evocative way.
And this is exactly what she has always wanted Serena to have.
"Okay! I accept the challenge!"
Saki stood up neatly, and his whole aura instantly became sharper.
"Come on! My daughter! Let us use the sound of Rhyhorn's hooves to have a conversation between mother and daughter!"
On the professional track of Greenfield Ranch, news spread like wildfire that riding master Saki was going to have a private duel with her beloved daughter.
Soon, many riding enthusiasts who heard the news gathered in the auditorium next to the track.
Xiaoyun and his group naturally occupied the best seats in the front row to watch the game.
Dawn lowered his voice and could not hide his excitement. "Serena was so powerful just now! The first time I saw her take the initiative to challenge others was her own mother."
Xiaoyun had a smile on his lips, "After all, there are important people on the sidelines cheering for you."
This guy is really lucky to have a beauty like Serena actively pursuing him.
Humph, the naturally hateful Uchiha brat...
This was a hint to Ash, but this guy still didn't understand and just shouted from the side:
"Serena, come on!"
Clemont said from the side, "Aunt Saki is a benchmark in the industry, and Serena also worked hard this time."
At the starting point of the track, Serena and Saki are ready.
Both of them put on close-fitting professional rider uniforms, outlining their strong figures, and next to them were two Rhyhorns carefully selected by the ranch.
It is tall and burly, covered in heavy grey-brown armor, and its hooves are restlessly tapping the ground, showing a wild nature that has not yet been completely tamed.
Choosing Rhyhorn itself means that this is a high-level duel.
Their strength is enough to easily overturn an unskilled rider, and their stubborn temperament is a great test of communication skills.
Of course, Serena doesn't have to worry about this at all.
In terms of communicating with Rhyhorn, her attributes can be said to be very good.
Saki even thinks that Serena is the reincarnation of the goddess Rhyhorn, and speaking out is equivalent to using Attract.
The referee raised his flare gun high!
"The game begins!"
Bang!
Rumble--!
The gunshot rang out, and under the control of the mother and daughter, the two Rhyhorns suddenly burst out with amazing power, and their heavy bodies rushed out of the starting point like cannonballs.
Saki is indeed worthy of the name of professionalism.
Her body was pressed extremely low, almost parallel to Rhyhorn's neck, and her start was perfect, minimizing wind resistance.
Even the ups and downs of every breath are in perfect harmony with the rhythm of Rhyhorn's running. This is the result of decades of hard work and hard work.
She started only fifty meters away, and she was already nearly one body position ahead!
"Sure enough, mom is still so strong..."
Serena felt the strong wind blowing against his face, as well as the somewhat uncontrollable power coming from underneath him.
The long journey indeed made her a little unfamiliar with this kind of extreme control, and sweat quickly soaked her forehead and slid down her cheeks.
"Serena! Hold still! Adjust your breathing!"
Saki even had the energy to turn around while running at high speed. His voice sounded like Coaching, which further aroused Serena's fighting spirit.
The first corner is just around the corner, and Saki once again showed its superb cornering skills.
At the moment when the car is about to enter a corner, the body moves inward like a pendulum, while the strength of the reins on the wrist remains unchanged, guiding Rhyhorn through the corner perfectly.
There is almost no loss of speed! The lead is further expanded!
"It's so amazing, it's like dancing!"
Dawn couldn't help but exclaimed.
Bonnie covered her mouth nervously. "Serena sister was thrown away!"
In the stands, Ash stared intently at the beautiful figure struggling to catch up on the field.
He doesn't understand those advanced riding skills, but he understands Serena's persistence.
He finally couldn't bear it anymore, put his hands to his mouth, and shouted with all his strength:
"Serena! Don't give in! I believe you can do it!!"
The sound was like sunshine breaking through the clouds, Infiltrator broke through the noise of the stadium and reached Serena's ears.
Serena, who was trying to catch up, felt as if her heart was hit hard by something the moment she heard the cry.
It's Ash! He's looking at me! He's cheering for me!
He said... he believed me!
An unprecedented power surges out from deep within the body!
"It's Ash... he's cheering for us!"
Serena no longer just lowered her body, she was close to Rhyhorn almost like a hug, her voice was sincere.
"Rhyhorn, please, please lend me your power?"
Emotion is a very mysterious thing.
Just like Ash's voice can make Infiltrator noisy and give her great courage.
The unique affinity of Serena also works wonders for Rhyhorn.
A miracle happens at this moment.
Upon hearing Serena's request, Rhyhorn, who was originally a little tired from running at high speed for a long time, suddenly flashed a light in his eyes.
Serena used Attract.
Rhyhorn has been tricked.
"Iron Roar!"
Immediately afterwards, Rhyhorn let out an even louder, warlike cry.
The originally somewhat heavy steps suddenly became brisk and powerful, and the speed actually improved to another level based on the original!
"What?!"
Saki, who had always maintained a stable lead, keenly sensed Pressure who was suddenly approaching from behind.
She tilted her head slightly and out of the corner of her eye caught a glimpse of her daughter's side, Rhyhorn, who seemed to be on stimulants, rapidly closing the distance at a speed of 70 kilometers per hour.
The daughter's face is no longer nervous, but blooming with a kind of confidence, even with a dazzling and sharp look, as if she has entered a new realm.
It's love!
"Is this what you want to show me? Serena."
Saki thought silently in her heart, and a smile of understanding and relief quietly bloomed at the corner of her mouth.
"So, it's the boy named Ash..."
The final straight sprint track is like a white ribbon spreading towards glory!
Serena and Saki are almost neck and neck!
The two Rhyhorns are like wild and wild thunder, and the heavy sound of hooves is like beating war drums, hitting the heartstrings of every audience.
The whole place was excited!
Cheers, shouts, Ash working harder, and even some Overdrive cheering, merged into a huge sound wave that swept the entire stadium.
Serena's gaze was like the sharpest arrow, Lock-On focused on the finish line ahead.
For Serena, that is not the finish line, it is the hands handed over by Ash.
And all she has to do is hold on tight!
"Now!!"
Serena let out a clear, declarative cry.
At this moment, she poured all her skills, emotions, and determination into this final sprint without reservation.
Amidst the deafening sound, Serena and her riding partner Rhyhorn took the lead in touching the finish line with an almost slim advantage!
After crossing the finish line, Serena relied on its inertia to buffer forward for a long distance before slowly stopping Rhyhorn.
She was a little out of strength and lay almost limply on Rhyhorn's undulating back, panting heavily. Sweat flowed from her forehead and temples, soaking her riding clothes.
She was very tired, but her eyes were shining with excitement and joy that could not be concealed.
She really did it!
Saki controlled Rhyhorn to stop beside her. There was no trace of frustration or embarrassment on his face. Instead, he was filled with joy, pride, and a sense of relief.
She turned over neatly and walked to her daughter, stretched out her hand, and gently wiped the sweat from Serena's cheeks.
"You win, my daughter."
Saki's voice was gentle, with unprecedented recognition. "It's not just the technology, but more importantly, you have found your own strength and the courage to persist in yourself, and..."
She glanced meaningfully at Ash and others who were jumping down from the stands.
"Partners who are willing to support you and believe in you."
"Mom..."
Serena choked with sobs, and the sudden excitement made her not know how to respond to Saki, so she could only step forward and hug her.
Saki patted her daughter's back gently, just like she did when she was a child.
Then, she turned her gaze to Ash, who was already running close and panting, and her expression became extremely solemn:
"Ash~"
"Yes! Auntie!"
I don't know why, Ash felt like his body was out of control, and he stood up straight almost immediately.
"Serena, I will ask you... and everyone to take good care of this child from now on."
Saki looked at his appearance and couldn't help but chuckle, but his tone was extremely serious.
"Don't worry! Aunt Saki! We are the best partners!"
Ash's response was as frank and direct as ever, without any ambiguity, but extremely sincere.
This is enough for Serena.
Almost instinctively, in front of everyone, she stepped forward, opened her arms, and hugged Ash tightly!
"Thank you! Ash!"
Ash was hit by the sudden hug and took half a step back, stunned for a moment.
He could feel the slight trembling and hot temperature of the girl's body in his arms.
Although this fool was Oblivious like a rock in terms of emotions and was completely unaware of the deeper emotions that this hug might contain, he could clearly feel Serena's joy and excitement.
He reached out his hand almost without hesitation, hugged her back awkwardly but forcefully, patted her back hard, and laughed loudly:
"Hahaha! I knew Serena would be able to do it! You were so cool just now!"
Hear Ash's unreserved praise.
Feeling the warmth of the other person's embrace, Serena's cheeks instantly turned red and almost bled.
But she couldn't bear to let go, she just wanted to prolong this moment a little longer.
Saki saw all this in his eyes, a trace of understanding and a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, which eventually turned into a gentle chuckle.
My daughter has grown up.
A few days later, the ranch mount competition officially opened.
Everyone participated in the competition.
Ash naturally chose the more challenging Rhyhorn without hesitation.
The competition process was as always "Ash style", although there were stumbles during the process and I was almost thrown off several times.
However, relying on Pallet Town's strong physique as a newcomer, he clung to the bull's back, inspiring Rhyhorn's fighting spirit in an almost random way, racing all the way, and won the championship again.
As for Dawn and Xiaoyun, after personally experiencing the back of Rhyhorn, I very wisely and resolutely chose the relatively comfortable and stable Gogoat.
"Ah--I'm saved."
Dawn sat comfortably on the back of Gogoat Limber, enjoying the warm sunshine and breeze.
"Rhyhorn's back is simply the ultimate test of body coordination and pain tolerance."
"That's right, let's just enjoy it with peace of mind. Let the rankings and other things go with the wind."
Xiaoyun nodded in sympathy, this guy is harder than Aerodactyl's, and it's even more bumpy.
So, the two of them rode the docile Gogoat, chatting and laughing all the way, and leisurely enjoying the pastoral scenery of the ranch.
It seems out of place in the pursuit of speed and passion.
As for the result, naturally I missed the championship.
But the comfort level is absolutely perfect.
And Clemont and Bonnie also tried Gogoat respectively.
Bonnie put on the saddle specially made by Clemont and equipped with Limber seat cushion (no explosion), and it was a great time to play.
In this way, the game ended successfully.
The next day, everyone gathered again at the entrance of the ranch to say goodbye to Saki and prepare to embark on a new journey.
Serena turned around, looked at her mother waving to her not far away, and also raised her arms high and waved.
Then, she turned around and her eyes fell on the noisy but extremely precious group of friends around her.
Especially the young man who always looks forward and whose back is full of infinite possibilities.
The boy was full of Vital Spirit and pointed into the distance.
"Xinxi! Next destination, let's go!"
"Let's go!"
Serena responded with a loud voice and a smile as bright as the sun.
She is more determined, her dreams, the path she has chosen... and the people she wants to accompany.
It's all ahead!