097: The Hands That Hold The Future! !
"Haha, it's okay." Hearing Gary's words, Professor Oak waved his hands cheerfully. Instead of blaming Goh, he turned his attention back to introducing the wild Pokémon they had encountered earlier in Viridian Forest to the group of eager summer camp students.
After being teased by Gary, Goh felt embarrassed and quietly frustrated. His earlier enthusiasm to answer Professor Oak's questions vanished, and he no longer tried to stand out in front of the class like before.
Still visibly upset, he drifted from the front of the student group to its rear.
Ash and the other students, including those from regions like Hoenn and Kalos, didn't react much to Goh's withdrawal. After all, this was only the second day of Professor Oak's prestigious Pokémon Summer Camp, and few bonds had been formed yet.
Grant and Sophie, two research assistants from Professor Sycamore's lab assigned to observe and support the Kalos students, also didn't notice Goh's change in demeanor.
With 100 young Trainers enrolled in the summer camp, most supervisors were too busy to notice every individual's mood. Only Chloe Cerise, a kind-hearted and perceptive student from Vermilion City and Goh's closest friend noticed his retreat to the back of the group.
Chloe thoughtfully followed him without drawing attention.
"Goh, that was pretty rude. Even if Professor Oak didn't say anything, acting like this isn't how you'll make friends," Chloe said gently as she walked beside him.
But Goh, still feeling wounded by Gary's earlier jabs, barely acknowledged her concern.
"I didn't come to summer camp to make friends."
"One day, I'm going to catch every Pokémon in the world including the strongest ones no one has ever seen before."
Whether influenced by Ash's passionate speech from the student introductions the night before, or simply reacting to Gary's superiority, Goh declared his ambition with conviction.
Yet instead of cheering or sharing his excitement, Chloe looked briefly stunned and fell silent.
"Chloe… do you not believe in me? You think I can't do it?" Goh frowned and turned to face her, disappointed.
"No, no!" Chloe quickly shook her head, sensing his defensiveness.
She knew Goh had a sensitive ego if she questioned him, it might only escalate things.
"Trying to catch every single Pokémon sounds... impossible. Like a dream," she admitted softly after a pause.
Her words ignited Goh's irritation again.
"It's not a dream. It's the future and I'll be the one holding it in my hands," he responded, his voice burning with determination.
"Huh? Is that so?" Chloe tilted her head, gazing at Goh's outstretched hands with innocent curiosity.
"Ugh, Chloe you don't believe me either, do you?"
The valley where the summer camp was based was surrounded by mountains, forming a natural amphitheater of sorts. Multiple small streams flowed through the forest and merged into a large lake at its center.
However, today's activity wasn't near that central lake. Instead, Professor Oak had led the group toward a winding stream beyond the main trail, nestled deeper into the surrounding forest.
Though labeled a "stream," its wide banks and steady current made it more comparable to a small river.
Despite making several stops to observe wild Pokémon like Paras and Oddish along the way, it only took about 20 minutes to reach their destination.
"Alright, future Trainers!" Professor Oak called out, holding up a blue-colored Poké Ball. "While Water-types like Lotad and Poliwag sometimes come ashore, most stay underwater."
"Fishing is an essential skill for capturing aquatic Pokémon. That's why today's lesson is all about learning to fish!"
"You'll each be given a special blue Poké Ball to use. Your goal is to catch a Water-type Pokémon by battling and capturing it."
"We'll evaluate your performance based on the size and weight of the Pokémon you manage to catch."
"If you don't catch any Water-type Pokémon, you'll still get up to 10 points for participation. One point will be awarded for an encounter, even if you fail to catch it."
"And remember, you must complete the fishing task on your own. No outside help or cheating is allowed."
"But," Oak added, pausing as he looked directly at Goh, "since Goh currently only has a Magikarp with no offensive capabilities, he's allowed to borrow a single Pokémon from another student only one for battle purposes."
Standing on the grassy riverbank, Professor Oak held the modified Poké Ball aloft while explaining the day's rules.
"Yes!" the students echoed in unison, their excitement building.
Even Goh, who had been brooding moments earlier, felt a flicker of appreciation. Oak had considered his limitations and given him a chance to participate meaningfully.
Immediately, Goh thought of Ash. Despite feeling envious, he couldn't ignore how Ash had impressed everyone with Froakie's agile moves during yesterday's battle challenge against Gary.
If he could borrow Ash's Froakie, his odds of catching something like a Corphish or Tympole would skyrocket.
But then the memory of yesterday returned how Gary had publicly mocked him after he tried to challenge Oak's analysis of Scyther behavior and the shame made Goh hesitate.
Even though it was Gary who mocked him and not Ash, the experience left Goh reluctant to approach Ash directly.
There was another reason, too something Goh couldn't quite put into words.
Whenever he looked at Ash, it felt like the boy from Pallet Town could see right through him.
They hadn't spoken much, but Ash's calm, observant gaze unnerved Goh, making him feel as though all his insecurities were laid bare.
Still, even if he couldn't bring himself to ask Ash, Chloe might.
As this thought dawned on him, Goh's expression brightened, and he turned to Chloe with an awkward smile.
"Chloe, could you, um... maybe later…"
Before Goh could finish, Chloe caught his hesitation and smiled knowingly.
"Don't worry, Goh. If you hook a Water-type, I'll lend you my Spritzee," she said confidently, mistaking his intention as a request for her help instead.
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