chapter 4

Next days

Ash Ketchum – POV

By the time they finished their breakfast and got through the morning lecture on advanced Pokémon bonding techniques, Ash had already put the weirdness of Paul’s arrival out of his mind.

Sure, Paul was acting a little off. Or maybe just… sharper than usual?

But Paul had always been like that—cold, stiff, unreadable. It was nothing new.

Ash shrugged it off.

Morning Training – Battle Pairing

When the professor asked for volunteers for a demonstration match, Ash had half-raised his hand—just for fun.

But before he could even speak, Paul had already stepped forward.

“Ash can partner with me.”

Ash look over at paul thinking why he continuously trying to pair with him .

Ash shook his head and said. “Uh… okay.”

It wasn’t like he don't like paul being pair with him .

Ash smiled. “Guess we’ll show ’em what real rivals look like , when we fight together .”

Paul didn’t reply. Just stood at his side, arms crossed, watching the others like they weren’t worth a glance.

Same old Paul.

The Demonstration Battle

They stood side by side in the open ring, the crowd of trainers gathering to watch.

Ash grinned as he tossed out his Poké Ball. “Let’s go, Infernape!”

Paul wordlessly summoned Electivire. Of course.

Ash could feel the way people were watching them—two former rivals, now sparring on the same side. It felt… exciting. Familiar.

The battle started. Smooth. Fluid. Ash gave commands like fire, and Paul followed with calculated strikes.

No shouting. No commentary.

Just them.

They worked better than he expected.

Paul didn’t miss a beat. Didn’t speak much, either. Just the occasional glance. A nod.

Ash chalked it up to focus.

After the Match

They won easily.

Brock clapped from the sidelines. “You two actually didn’t try to kill each other. That’s new.”

Ash laughed, wiping sweat from his brow. “Guess we’re growing.”

Dawn smirked. “Or Paul’s mellowing out.”

Paul walked past them without a word.

Ash shrugged, unfazed. “He’s always like that.”

“Still,” Dawn said, her voice thoughtful, “he’s been watching you a lot lately.”

Ash raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

She nudged his side. “Don’t pretend you didn’t notice.”

Ash laughed it off. “That’s just Paul. He watches everyone like that.”

But even as he said it, he realized—

> No. He doesn’t.

Free Training Hours – Later That Day

Ash trained with Pikachu on a grassy field near the edge of the forest. Brock was with Croagunk a few meters away. Dawn was sketching something in a notebook nearby.

It was peaceful.

Challenging, sure—but good.

Ash felt like he was getting stronger already. Sharper. Like something was unlocking inside him.

He’d barely noticed the figure leaning against a tree in the shade, arms crossed.

Watching.

Always watching.

That Night

Back at the cabin, Ash dropped onto his bunk, muscles sore in a satisfying way.

Paul was already seated at his desk, writing something down in a small black notebook.

Ash stared at the ceiling, letting the silence settle in. “Today was good, huh?”

Paul didn’t look up.

Ash smiled anyway.