Chapter 130: Ralts Takes a Bath

On the school training grounds, the Pikachu girl continuously unleashed electric currents from the two red electrical sacs on her cheeks. On the other side, the Cottonee’s Razor Leaf, though limited in number, remained as sharp and fierce as blades.

"Facing attacks from both Cottonee and Pikachu simultaneously is quite a challenge. Are you sure you want to continue?" Li Yaowen asked with a frown, as he was responsible for supervising and controlling the pace of the practice match.

Tang Yi replied, "Yes. It’s certainly difficult without knowing Light Screen or Reflect, but it’s fine. Please, continue."

"You’re trying to force Ralts to master those skills by putting her in danger, aren't you? It’s an effective method, but I must say, I’m a bit surprised coming from you." As the trainer of a Tranquill, Zhang Chen had the least to do and took the opportunity to chat with Tang Yi.

"What do you mean by that?" Tang Yi asked.

"I just get the feeling you’re starting to show a dark side."

The others chuckled at this. In the past, when they practiced together, Tang Yi had always been incredibly doting toward Ralts; seeing him be so hard-hearted today was rare indeed.

Tang Yi just smiled faintly without responding. Others could never understand the bond between him and Ralts. This wasn't a "dark side"—it was simply a hurdle they both had to overcome for the sake of a greater future. Previously, he wouldn't have subjected Ralts to such intense training because he would have felt too sorry for her, unable to bear the sight of her struggle. But since that day, he felt he could understand her better; for their shared future, both of them needed to keep growing.

By the time the day’s training ended, Ralts still hadn't mastered the two defensive skills. This was to be expected; skill acquisition is rarely easy to achieve in just a few days.

Back at home, Ralts, covered in grime, gave her parents quite a start. Under such high-intensity training, there had been no time for her to slowly clean the dust off herself. Throughout the day, she had accumulated quite a few small scrapes, but because Pikachu and the others had been restrained, a quick spray of healing potion was enough to fix them. Of course, the pain remained, but that was something she simply had to endure.

"Why don't you go take a bath before dinner? There’s no rush," Tang’s mother suggested.

"Okay," Ralts replied, as sweet and well-behaved as ever in front of her parents.

Once inside the room, however, Ralts' tone shifted immediately. She warned Tang Yi, "Don't you dare leave this room! Lock the door, and don't you come near the bathroom until I'm finished!"

Tang Yi was left between laughter and tears. "How could you think I'd just walk in while you're bathing? What do you take me for?"

"A pervert! You fit quite a few of the descriptions of perverts found in web novels."

She felt a bit shy saying the word. Though she had gradually accepted the helpless fact that her trainer was a pervert, speaking it aloud still made her blush. Tang Yi looked utterly dejected.

Ralts didn't bathe very often; it was early spring and the weather was cool, and unless necessary, Pokémon girls didn't have the habit of bathing as frequently as human girls. In the past, whenever she did need to bathe, she would wait until Tang Yi was at school or out of the house—essentially avoiding times when they were both home. While it wasn't particularly awkward for Tang Yi, Ralts clearly cared about it, and he didn't mind accommodating these trivial details.

Ralts, however, seemed nervous. She stole a glance at Tang Yi, and seeing him acting nonchalant as a "pervert," she felt somewhat relieved, yet still uneasy. After all, her parents were home.

Suddenly, she had a better idea. "If—if you really can't help yourself, I... I can give you my freshly washed pajamas. My parents are home, so you mustn't do anything reckless, okay?"

Tang Yi was stunned. "Why would I want your pajamas?"

Ralts lowered her head, blushing. "You... you have that fetish, don't you? If you can't resist, you... you can just smell my clothes."

She sounded a bit resentful. This wasn't exactly a glorious topic, and she felt that since she had hinted at it, he shouldn't have forced her to spell it out.

Tang Yi was furious. "I told you, that day was a misunderstanding! Can we please stop bringing it up?" Thinking back, he felt like weeping; he feared his reputation would be forever ruined by that single accident.

Ralts pouted, feeling wronged. "Fine, fine, I won't mention it. Why are you being so fierce? I—I was just thinking of you. When a girl is bathing, boys usually get distracted and have all sorts of wild thoughts. Some even can't help but... you know, relieve themselves..." Her voice trailed off until it was barely a whisper.

"Who told you that?" Tang Yi asked, stunned.

"That's how it's written in novels!"

Tang Yi was speechless. But seeing Ralts look so wronged, his heart softened. "Alright, alright, don't worry. I won't peek, I won't sneak in, and I certainly won't be 'relieving myself.' I'll just sit right here and study. How's that?"

"Fine! I’m going to check your work later!"

"You're serious about this? Fine, I'll finish this page of exercises before you're done with your bath," Tang Yi said, pointing to the page he had been working on yesterday.

"Okay, I'm going then. Good luck." Ralts hesitated for a moment, and the look she gave him before closing the door was rather strange.

Tang Yi felt a bit indignant. He wasn't some kind of depraved person; to be judged so unfairly by her! Hmph, he would show her by focusing on his work. He spread out his workbook and began to concentrate.

Time spent studying always flew by. When the door creaked open again, Ralts walked in on tiptoe, her hair still slightly damp.

"It's fine, you don't have to be so careful. This door is so creaky I heard it anyway," Tang Yi said, turning around.

"You're actually studying," Ralts said, peering over his shoulder.

"Of course. Impressed?" Tang Yi proudly displayed his workbook to her.

Ralts' tone was unreadable. "You really were studying the whole time. You never even left the room."

"Where would I go? Why do you sound so disappointed?"

"I'm not! Not at all!"

Ralts immediately masked her expression. It was truly strange. In the novels, the boys would at least pretend to pass by or linger near the bathroom door. This guy had actually stayed in his room studying the entire time. It was almost... too normal. Wasn't he a pervert?

Ralts began to harbor doubts about her own judgment.