The "Yukata Maiden" went from her initial stiffness to listening in stunned silence, the flush on her cheeks growing increasingly obvious. It was hard to tell if it was from shyness or annoyance.
It seemed she had never encountered a "guest" like this before.
Not only was he unafraid of her, but he also treated her as a fellow enthusiast with whom he could deeply discuss the "art of roleplay."
Clearly, in the past, whenever she accidentally revealed a flaw, she would scare the guests away...
What she found even more overwhelming was that Brock's "appraisal" seemed to attract other "maidens"—manifested from nearby Ghost-type Pokémon.
They—or rather, its—gathered around curiously.
Blinking large eyes that ranged from innocent to enchanting, they listened to Brock discuss everything from hair accessories and clothing patterns to gait and demeanor. They even began chiming in with questions all at once.
"Then... then what about mine?" A "maiden" wearing a red Furisode squeezed to the front, her voice holding a trace of anticipation.
Brock pushed his non-existent glasses, his gaze burning like a torch. "Red suits you very much... or rather, it suits the temperament of this illusion you've chosen—passionate as fire. However, the shade of the rouge could perhaps be a bit more orange-toned. It would blend better with the halo of the festival lanterns, making the skin appear more translucent."
"What about me? What about me?" A "twin-tailed maiden" holding a Togepi doll hopped up to ask.
"The vitality of the twin tails is fantastic! But the sway of the hair tips could be more natural. The current arc... hmm, looks slightly like a fixed model? You might reference the dynamic movement of that human young lady's hair over there when she runs."
Brock seemed to have transformed into the temple festival's chief image consultant.
Surrounded by a bevy of beautiful "non-human" maidens, he was in his element, holding forth with great fervor.
Brock even pulled a small notebook from his pocket... Heaven knows why he carried that with him?
He seriously recorded some "suggestions for improvement" and expressed that he "looked forward to seeing everyone's even more perfect performances at the next temple festival."
Brock: This place is simply heaven!
To be able to interact with Ghost-type Pokémon at close range without worrying about any danger—this was likely the only place where such a thing was possible.
If Lt. Surge knew the situation at the temple festival, naturally, Brock, who had been a Gym Leader for several years, knew it clearly as well.
This wasn't some unknown top secret.
It was precisely because it was harmless that the League allowed this anomaly to exist.
Naturally, this scene also fell under the gaze of the thousand-year-old Gastly lurking in the shadows of the ancient willow tree.
Its invisible consciousness fluctuated, transmitting a wave of speechless exasperation, as if it had choked on something.
"..."
"This kid..."
"...I suddenly feel he looks a bit familiar?"
It rifled through its overly dense memories.
"The Gym Leader of Pewter City?"
"Tsk... no wonder."
"My mesmerizing illusion arts are greatly discounted against a guy with a will as firm as a rock..."
Although Brock behaved like a lecher, this was actually the manifestation of a firm mind.
Because Brock knew exactly what he was doing, rather than being led by the nose.
He wanted to be like this himself.
He was not made to want this.
So-called firm willpower has never been about having no desires, but about being able to control one's desires.
Desire... is not a shameful word.
"And isn't this guy's focus veering off to the horizon?"
"Forget it, forget it. Change targets, change targets."
The thousand-year-old Gastly's interest quickly shifted away from Brock.
Its perception spread like invisible tentacles through the noisy crowd, soon locking onto the next target.
For example, Ash, who was holding a Magikarp doll and looking triumphant in front of the shooting stall owner, and the young girl Misty beside him. Despite verbally disdaining Brock, her eyes were equally filled with curiosity about the festival's novelties.
"Heh... let this old man see what makes these two little ones special..."
The thousand-year-old Gastly began to alter the illusions.
The entire temple festival venue was actually shrouded in its illusion techniques.
But this also allowed it to make modifications to the tiniest details.
This way, aside from the people being pranked, it wouldn't interfere with anyone else's enjoyment.
Don't look at the old guy as unreliable.
In reality, it was quite reliable.
Thus, the next one to suffer was Misty.
Unlike Brock, whom Gastly could recall because he had been a Gym Leader for several years, Gastly truly didn't know who Misty was... it really didn't recognize her.
At this moment, Misty was happily hugging the Magikarp doll, sharing the joy of victory from the shooting game with Ash.
The surrounding clamor of human voices and the warm glow of lanterns made her mood delightful.
However, without realizing it, she felt that the number of people around them seemed to be increasing.
The originally relatively spacious area gradually became crowded, and... those crowding in seemed to be "beautiful maidens," fashionably dressed and smiling prettily.
A maiden with "long, straight black hair" and a hot figure, wearing a boldly off-the-shoulder yukata, was the first to lean close to Ash, her voice sweet to the point of being cloying.
"Oh my, this Little Brother, your shooting skills are so good?"
"So amazing! Can you help me win the biggest doll too?"
As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at the Magikarp in Misty's arms, her eyes carrying a trace of imperceptible provocation.
Before Ash could answer, another "maiden" with cute dumpling-bun hair and innocent eyes also squeezed over.
She almost pasted herself onto Ash. "Right, right! Little Brother looks super strong at a glance!"
"Much more reliable than certain female companions who only know how to hug a doll and look plain and mediocre~"
The thousand-year-old Gastly was well-traveled; it knew the 'art of feigned innocence' well.
This time, the little ones didn't take the field, as they would easily reveal flaws.
The thousand-year-old Gastly chose to take action personally.
"What did you say?!" Misty's anger flared instantly. She hugged the Magikarp doll tightly and glared at that dumpling-head "maiden."
"Who is plain and mediocre?!"
"I am full of future potential!" Misty's voice grew louder subconsciously.
Some women are indeed quite competitive in this regard; otherwise, the breast augmentation industry wouldn't exist.
Misty thought of her three sisters—that's right, her future couldn't possibly be worse than theirs!
Yet another "rich young lady" with a "high and cold" temperament, wearing an exquisite kimono, walked over gracefully. Hiding half her face with a fan, she looked Misty up and down, her tone scornful. "Is it not true? A little kid, and with such a violent temper too; it really wrongs this handsome Little Brother."
"You guys...!" Misty was so angry her cheeks puffed up.
What on earth was going on with these women who had popped out of nowhere?!
She subconsciously wanted to look for Ash, but found she couldn't count on him at all.
Ash was completely surrounded by this group of suddenly appearing "beautiful maidens" who spoke with barbed words.
This one praised him for being handsome.
That one said he was amazing.
They also kept belittling Misty, making Ash's head spin.
The key point was that Misty was fighting with them, and Ash couldn't get a word in edgewise.
The noise of the temple festival was already loud, drowning him out.
So, Ash had to raise his voice.
"Stop, stop, stop, stop—"
"You can't say that!!"
"Misty is my most important partner!!!"
Ash's loud roar finally drowned out the quarreling voices of the several women.
But his words were immediately submerged by more flattery and comparisons.
"Partner? Little Brother has such a good heart, knowing how to take care of this kind of little sister's emotions~"
"Exactly. If it were me, I would definitely understand Little Brother's battles and dreams better~"
Listening to these manipulative remarks and seeing them almost hanging onto Ash, Misty felt her lungs were about to explode with rage.
She couldn't help but quarrel with them. "Hey! You guys stay away from him! Do you understand what manners are?!"
"Oh my, getting anxious, getting anxious?"
"We are just stating facts~"
The scene became extremely chaotic.
Ash looked at the red-faced Misty and this group of "enthusiastic maidens" who seemed wrong no matter how he looked at them.
Finally, he could bear it no longer.
_____
New Story: Stardew Valley: What Do You Mean They All Became My Servants
🔥We're handing out that '25% bonus' that makes your wallet smile. 😄
✅ Read 40 chapters ahead of everyone else.
✅ Get cool exclusive stuff and updates!
Let's hit these goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = 1 extra chapter for the public!
🚀180 MEMBERS = 5 extra chapters on all stories for supporters!
👻 P - Walnutchan