Pokémon: Starting with Ash's Mom

Though Cassandra's grandmother had a raspy voice like that of an old witch, Kazuki didn't sense any hostility from her.

Relaxing a bit, he followed Cassandra into the courtyard.

As soon as he stepped in, the strong scent of medicinal herbs hit him, instantly refreshing his mind.

The shelves in the courtyard were lined with various herbs—Cassandra's family clearly had a long history as herbalists.

Cassandra led the three of them inside, had them sit down, and began preparing the materials needed to test for cold poison.

Sitting on a small bamboo chair, Misty nervously bounced her leg, visibly anxious.

"Kazuki, do you think I'm really poisoned? I feel like I've completely lost control of my body!"

Kazuki glanced at Misty's trembling pale leg and gave it a quick pinch.

"Yowch! Kazuki, what was that for?!" Misty yelped, snapping back to normal.

"Cold poison isn't some euphoric condition! You're just nervous."

"Besides, didn't Cassandra say it herself? We're walking and talking fine—everything looks normal."

"Even if we were infected, it's probably just a mild case. It can be treated quickly."

"Phew, that's a relief!" Misty exhaled and turned toward Cassandra—only to freeze mid-motion.

Then she screamed, panicked, "Kazuki, I... I'm seeing things!"

"Did Cassandra ever say the poison causes hallucinations?"

"Because I'm looking at an old witch with a face full of wrinkles grinning at me!"

Kazuki followed her gaze and saw an elderly woman in a long black robe, gripping a cane, her face deeply wrinkled and eyes piercingly sharp.

"That's not a hallucination. She's really there."

"AHH!" Misty shrieked, leaping up and diving into Kazuki's arms.

"Cassandra told me you two were soaking in the cold pool, so I came to see what kind of oddballs can last more than ten minutes in there!" the old woman said, her voice as hoarse as ever.

Hearing that gravelly voice, Suzie instantly realized this must be Cassandra's grandmother. 

Remembering how Misty had just called her an old witch, she quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. "You must be Cassandra's—"

"Well, well, you've got good stamina, boy! No wonder you can handle two girls," the old woman interrupted, eyeing Kazuki with a smirk. "So, are either of them pregnant yet?"

"Huh?" The blunt question left both Misty and Suzie blushing furiously.

"Grandma! What are you saying?!" Cassandra rushed out, flustered after hearing her grandmother's words.

"I asked you to come help me prep things, and instead you're out here gossiping!"

Suzie hurried over to help carry the jars and vials Cassandra had brought, taking the opportunity to dodge the awkward topic.

Grandma just snorted and muttered, "I'm not so kind as to meddle in your affairs. You young people are reckless and naive."

"If you want to run the tests, do it yourself. I'm not helping."

Cassandra, seeing how embarrassed Misty and Suzie were, quickly explained in a low voice, "My grandma's lived alone for a long time. She's a bit eccentric. Please don't take offense."

Suzie smiled and waved it off. "It's fine. Every family has its quirks."

Misty, however, kept her head down, face still flushed. She stole a glance at Kazuki, her emotions mixed.

Even though she was already Kazuki's woman, hearing such a blunt question about pregnancy from Cassandra's grandmother made her shy all over again.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Cassandra quickly changed the subject.

"Let's begin the examination. To check for cold poison, I'll need you to strip your upper body."

As she said this, her voice grew softer, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.

Though she was a trained herbalist, she had only studied under her grandmother and assisted during house visits. Her grandmother had never let her treat patients directly, only expected her to refine potent medicines.

So this was her first time examining the bare back of a young man like Kazuki. Naturally, she felt a bit embarrassed.

Kazuki didn't hesitate. He nodded and started removing his shirt.

"H-Hold on! Kazuki, Misty and Suzie are still here!" Cassandra quickly tried to stop him, though she only mentioned Misty and Suzie—not herself.

Misty hesitated for a moment, then bit her lip and said softly, "I... I'm Kazuki's woman. It's fine if I see him."

With that, she slipped off her top, and her soft, full chest bounced free.

Suzie also spoke up bashfully, "I'm Kazuki's woman too. I can assist you if needed."

Cassandra was momentarily stunned by their words. Then, in the back of her mind, she thought:

Kazuki... is this guy really that amazing?

All the women around him are so beautiful, and they all seem to adore him.

He must have something really special!

Just then, her grandmother's voice echoed from outside again: "Told you! I could tell at a glance this boy's got a solid body. Two women? No problem!"

Cassandra blushed furiously, stomping her foot and shouting toward the door, "Grandma! Could you not say such things right now?!"

Her grandmother's eerie laughter echoed from the hallway.

Cassandra sighed helplessly, then turned to Kazuki and Misty. "Sorry about that. Let's continue."

Kazuki had already taken off his shirt, revealing a well-toned physique.

His muscles were sharply defined, and beads of sweat glistened on his skin, radiating masculine energy.

Cassandra's heart skipped a beat at the sight.

No wonder he has two beautiful girlfriends with different styles—he's clearly got the goods.

Ugh! I kind of want to touch him...

Come on, I'm a young woman too!

Why do I have to deal with this kind of temptation?!

Misty shot Cassandra a glance, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Kazuki, you're not even treating Cassandra like a girl, stripping so casually in front of her.

Ugh, looks like another potential sister is falling for him!

As all three girls blushed in unison—

Grandma's voice chimed in again from outside: "Mmm, nice body."

"Cassandra, if you can't refine the sacred medicine, just have a child with this one. I've got a tonic that guarantees you'll get pregnant in one go!"

"Although, looking at this boy's physique, you probably won't even need the tonic."

Cassandra was mortified, shouting back toward the door, "Grandma! Go do your research! I don't need your help!"

"I... I can't even focus on examining Kazuki after what you said!"

Seeing Cassandra's tomato-red face, Grandma laughed so hard she nearly fell over at the doorway.

The room finally quieted down. Cassandra took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before beginning the examination.

She pulled out some special herbs, lit them in a small brazier, and had Kazuki and Misty sit with their backs to the smoke.

The herbal smoke slowly rose, filling the room with a faint, soothing fragrance.

"These herbs are specially prepared," Cassandra explained. "The smoke will seep into your skin and detect the presence of cold poison."

"If you're infected, dark patterns will appear."

Kazuki and Misty nodded and sat quietly, letting the smoke surround them.

Soon, dark blue lines began to appear on Kazuki's back, like mystical runes.

Similar markings appeared on Misty's back, though hers were darker in color.

Cassandra frowned slightly at the sight.

Just then, Grandma drifted back in behind her.

"As expected—cold poison... but their physiques are remarkably strong!"

"They stayed in the pool for ten minutes and only got a mild dose."

"Especially this boy. The markings show his body is actively resisting the poison!"

"These two have bodies that are rarely seen in a hundred years!"

Cassandra and Suzie jumped, startled by Grandma's sudden reappearance.

Cassandra sighed. "Grandma, didn't you leave?"

"This is my house. I go where I want," Grandma huffed.

"Besides, you looked so nervous. I figured I'd come remind you not to mess up the treatment."

Cassandra shook her head helplessly and asked, "Then what should I do, Grandma?"

Grandma leaned in, studied the markings on Kazuki and Misty's backs, and said lightly,

"This boy's constitution is special. Even untreated, he'd be fine for decades."

"But better to treat it anyway—he's got many women, and he'll need his strength."

She hobbled toward the door, adding casually, "Use the seven-day standard detox method I taught you."

"Oh, and Kazuki! You're in luck—Cassandra's period just ended."

Cassandra blushed scarlet again and shouted at her grandmother's back, "Grandma! It doesn't have to be me! Suzie didn't even get poisoned!"

Grandma waved cheerfully and exited the room.

Cassandra took a deep breath, steadied herself, and said,

"Well, since Grandma's diagnosed it, we know it's nothing serious."

"Just follow the detox treatment for seven days. I know the method well—I'll take care of it."

Kazuki put his shirt back on and stood up, expressing his gratitude. "Cassandra, thank you so much."

Misty, thrilled to hear they were okay, jumped up to Kazuki's side—still topless—and said, "Cassandra, you're amazing! How much is the consultation fee? We'll pay you!"

Cassandra glanced at Misty's soft chest pressing against Kazuki's arm and quickly turned her head away, waving her hand. "No need! The herbs are common. I'm just practicing my craft."

Then she noticed Pikachu resting nearby and her eyes lit up.

"Wait... isn't that a Pikachu?"

"Besides Pikachu and Psyduck, do you have any other Pokémon?"

"Yes, we do!" Misty replied as she adjusted her top.

"I've got Starmie, Staryu, Oddish, and Horsea!"

"Suzie has Vulpix and Diglett!"

"Kazuki... Kazuki has so many I can't even list them all!"

"You have that many Pokémon? Wow!" Cassandra looked at Kazuki with starry eyes.

"You must be a powerful Pokémon Trainer!"

"Can I ask you to battle my Paras?"

Misty perked up at the mention of a battle. "Of course! I've been wanting to train more!"

"Let's spar!"

She immediately pulled out four Poké Balls, showing no signs of being poisoned.

"No, no!" Cassandra waved her hands. "I mean, I want your help evolving my Paras!"

"One of my key medicines requires Parasect's mushroom."

"I've raised my Paras with special herbs since it was small."

"It has to evolve for me to get that unique mushroom!"

"No problem. Consider it repayment for helping us detox." Kazuki, knowing Paras was close to evolving, agreed without hesitation.

Misty and Suzie also agreed.

Cassandra smiled. "Wonderful! I'll treat you while we battle over the next seven days!"

"Great! Let's help you gather herbs. I don't feel any effects from the cold poison!"

A positive mindset is key to recovery—Misty now was nothing like the nervous girl from earlier.

As they were heading out, Suzie suddenly remembered what Grandma said earlier and asked, "Cassandra, about what your grandma said regarding your... cycle... what did she mean?"

Cassandra blushed slightly and explained in a low voice, "Detoxing cold poison requires Yang energy. Women on their period have heavy Yin energy—it could interfere with the process. So... that's why Grandma said that."

"And also..."

She hesitated—some of the details of the detox method were too embarrassing to say out loud.

"Anyway, it's getting late. Let's go gather herbs first."

"I'll explain the rest tomorrow."

Kazuki, Misty, and Suzie all nodded, then followed Cassandra out to gather ingredients.