Chapter 54: Forest Argument and Humor

We'd been wandering through the thick Forest for hours. I don't mind the silence; it lets me think. Erin walked beside me, her oversized hoodie dragging against her legs. Too close, maybe, but I can't bring myself to care. Every time I glance over, there's something about her calm, unreadable expression that keeps me guessing. 

"Ugh, I told you to stick to the main road, but no," Misty's voice cut through the quiet like a Raticate's fang. "You just had to take a shortcut." She shot a sharp glare at Ash, who didn't take it well.

"I took a shortcut?" Ash shot back, his tone defensive. "It was you who said to go this way!"

I smirked, watching the exchange like a game of tennis. Always the same, Ash and Misty at each other's throats while we drift deeper into this green maze. 

Misty folded her arms. "Ha! If I was leading, we wouldn't be lost like this."

Ash's face twisted in frustration. "Who says we're lost?"

Misty raised an eyebrow, voice sharp. "Listen, genius. If you don't know where you are or where you're going, that means you're lost!"

I couldn't hold it in. I laughed—loud. It felt good, especially watching the look on Ash's face. Erin, in her signature deadpan, turned toward me and stated, "Boyfriend fine."

My laughter stopped as fast as it started. I blinked at her, eyebrows furrowed. "Call me Punit. Not boyfriend."

She didn't miss a beat. "Punit not but boyfriend."

I let out a resigned sigh. "Say whatever you want."

"Boyfriend," Erin repeated, calm as ever. Then, she added, "Misty, Ash, couple."

Ash and Misty's faces went red instantly. They practically shouted in unison, "We are not!"

Erin just nodded, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Brock, ever the peacemaker, tried to diffuse the situation. "Guys, this isn't helping if we're all arguing."

"He's right." I shrugged, still grinning. "Let's focus on getting out of this forest before we start planning anyone's wedding."

Brock turned to me, concern etched in his eyes. "Punit, you have your Pokégear, right? Is it working?"

I shook my head. "It's not." That was a lie. My Pokégear always worked. But the chaos Ash seemed to attract probably threw off even the most foolproof of gadgets. Ash's protagonist aura was like a black hole for logic.

Brock frowned, pulling a crumpled map from his bag. "I've got this, but it's not much good if we don't know where we are."

"I can send Pidgeot to scout the area—" I started, but Erin's hand clutched my shoulder, her grip suddenly firm.

My body tensed, senses kicking into high alert. Something wasn't right. I scanned the underbrush for any signs of danger, but Misty's voice broke through the tension.

"Wow! An Oddish!"

I followed her gaze to the small, blue, bulb-like Pokémon scurrying through the foliage, its leaves swaying as it moved. Turning to Erin, I whispered, "Don't worry, I've got this." Her grip on my shoulder tightened. She was terrified. Not of Oddish, but of Pokémon in general.

Misty, oblivious to the tension between us, already had a Pokéball in hand. "I'm going to catch it!"

Ash blinked. "But aren't you a Water-type trainer?"

Misty shot him a withering look. "I can catch whatever Pokémon I want, Ash."

I smirked. "Let the girl live, Ash. We all catch what we need."

Ash fell silent as Misty prepared to make her move. "Go, Starmie!" She threw the Pokéball, releasing the star-shaped Pokémon in a flash of light. "Water Gun!"

Starmie shot a blast of water, slamming Oddish against a nearby tree. Misty threw her Pokéball, certain of her victory. But before the ball could connect, a Bulbasaur shot out from the bushes, Vine Whip snapping through the air, sending the Pokéball flying into the dirt. It placed itself between Misty and the stunned Oddish, vines twitching, ready to fight.

Ash's eyes widened. "A Bulbasaur!" His hand flew to his belt. "Butterfree, I choose you! Sleep Powder!"

But Bulbasaur was quicker than expected. It countered, whipping its own Sleep Powder, sending Ash and Butterfree stumbling back as it grabbed Oddish and bolted into the forest.

Ash gritted his teeth, recalling Butterfree. "I'm going after that Bulbasaur!"

Misty, not to be outdone, returned Starmie and shouted, "And I'm getting that Oddish!"

Without another word, they took off, Brock and Pikachu following behind. 

I stayed back with Erin, watching her closely. Her face was calm, but her hands trembled slightly as they let go of my shoulder. "You good?" I asked, trying to keep my voice soft.

She nodded, her tone flat. "Sorry. Because of me."

I waved it off, keeping things light. "No big deal. You just need a breather. Let's sit down for a sec." I guided her to a nearby patch of grass, scanning the trees for any sign of movement. The last thing I wanted was to get ambushed by another rogue Bulbasaur.

"We need to do something about your fear of Pokémon," I said, sitting next to her. "It's going to hold you back."

Erin, always calm, nodded. "Boyfriend hungry."

I chuckled, pulling a chocolate bar from my sling bag and handing it to her. "Here." She unwrapped it, taking small bites, her expression as neutral as always. I took a swig from my water bottle before asking, "Do you have your Pokégear on you?"

"Lost somewhere," she answered between bites.

Of course.