"Hmm? You finally found Dawn? Then hurry and come eat, but speaking of which, what's wrong with you two? You look like you had a fight."
Brock's lunch is ready, and just then he noticed that Ash and Dawn's expressions seemed a little off.
They both looked unhappy, like they had an argument at first glance.
"It's nothing, just someone deliberately making trouble," Ash said casually.
"It's nothing, just someone who doesn't admit their own problems, too narrow-minded," Dawn's tone was also not very satisfied.
Brock: "..."
So I didn't see you for more than ten minutes, and you can already argue?
Brock looked helplessly at Ash and Dawn, who were turning their faces away from each other.
He thought Ash had matured before, but now it seems that his definition was too early.
A truly mature adult would not be petty with others, especially since the conflict between Ash and Dawn couldn't be anything major.
"Okay, okay, you two stop arguing, there's nothing worth arguing about, now come and eat..."
"Of course it is!" ×2
Although the two were arguing with each other just a moment ago, they were surprisingly united when facing Brock, making Brock feel awkward.
" Please stop arguing, isn't it a waste to ruin your mood on such a beautiful afternoon?"
The sound of a harp came from the side, followed by a gentle male voice.
The way he spoke, accompanied by the harp music, made it sound like he was singing, which calmed people down a lot.
"May I ask who you are?"
Brock looked at the approaching man, who was wearing a dark green hat and a matching cape.
His long hair covered almost half of his face.
Although he was being stared at strangely by the three, the man didn't seem nervous at all, just gently plucking the strings of his harp, producing pleasant sounds.
"Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Shouji, just a wandering bard."
Shouji then put down his harp and began to speak to Ash and the others attentively.
"I heard you seemed to be having some kind of dispute, so I thought I'd come and offer some advice.
I mean, meeting is fate.
Since you are traveling companions, I think
it would be better to understand each other~ Of course, I don't think you are really angry with each other anyway."
"We're not!" ×2
Ash and Dawn retorted in unison again.
"Hmm, isn't that very tacit? I've traveled for so many years and rarely seen people as tacit as you.
Your personalities are actually very compatible, aren't they?"
Ash and Dawn finally fell silent, because they now understood that they probably couldn't win against Shouji no matter what.
Instead of continuing to argue, it was better to just be quiet, at least saving some energy.
Although Ash and Dawn felt a little depressed, Brock was much happier now.
He was wondering how to get them to quiet down, but he didn't expect that Shouji had solved such a difficult thing for him with just a few words.
"By the way, Mr.
Shouji, would you like to join us for lunch? I happened to prepare a little extra food today."
With the trouble on Ash and Dawn's side temporarily resolved, Brock began to invite Shouji to have lunch together.
In reality, he was more worried that Ash and Dawn would return to their previous state after Shouji left.
Although Brock, like Shouji, could see that the two weren't really arguing, it was still really annoying if it continued like that.
"Then I shall accept your kind invitation.
" Shouji smiled slightly, accepting Brock's invitation.
At the table, Ash and Dawn seemed to have forgotten about their previous argument, or more precisely, they couldn't argue in the presence of an outsider.
In any case, they were now in a happy and harmonious mood, starting to discuss various things with Shouji, who was a wandering minstrel.
Also, this harmonious atmosphere only lasted until...
"You should definitely choose the Pokémon Contest! Mr.
Shouji, your temperament is suitable for the Pokémon Contest.
Only by participating in the Pokémon Contest can your talent be highlighted!"
"It should be the Pokémon League competition! Isn't Mr.
Shouji pursuing growth? In that case, the Pokémon League competition, where you go all out in every battle and learn from your opponents, is better."
Only a few minutes had passed, and the two began to argue about what Shouji was troubled about.
Simply put, Shouji was currently in a period of confusion.
He personally liked the Pokémon Contest, and at the same time, he looked forward to showing his talent in the Pokémon League competition.
Also, when Shouji said his troubles, the aspirations of
The single-minded Ash and Dawn began to vigorously promote their favorite events.
Naturally, there was no result in such a dispute, so Shouji began to slowly say:
"I understand what you mean.
Both the Pokémon League competition and the Pokémon Contest are events that I like... To be honest, I'm a little reluctant to give up either one, but... I don't know if I have the ability to participate in both at the same time.
I mean, just one of the events takes a lot of effort.
If I try to Scratch both, maybe in the end I'll only end up with nothing, and that's what I'm most worried about."
After listening to Shouji's words, Ash and Dawn fell silent.
They now also understood that what Shouji was worrying about was not a trivial matter.
Compared with their bickering, Shouji was obviously worried about the future now.
His own future and the future of his Pokémon.
"Maybe..." Just as Dawn was at a loss, Ash's expression suddenly became serious and earnest, as he said, "If it's just for trying out a dream, don't worry even if you fail the first time... I've experienced many failures, but I never regret making the choice to become a Pokémon Trainer.
There's more than one chance; in the future, we'll have endless opportunities to try and fail.
Instead of stagnating here, why not take a chance and try it out? What if you actually succeed?"
Shouji: "..."
After listening to Ash's words, Shouji was silent for a few seconds, then smiled and raised his harp again, starting to play a melodious tune.
"You're right.
I didn't expect that I was the one advising you earlier, and now the situation has turned into you advising me."
Shouji couldn't help but comment.
If Ash, who was arguing with Dawn a moment ago, seemed like an ordinary, immature child, the current Ash showed a side that was more like a seasoned adult offering valuable experience and advice.
At least Shouji felt the persuasiveness that Ash's words brought.
"I think I know what to choose now.
Thank you, I look forward to seeing you again on the competition stage."
"Yeah, I'll do my best to defeat you!"
Ash understood and gave Shouji a look full of fighting spirit.