"Ding! You have accompanied Misty to meet Team Rocket's Executive Koga and escaped successfully, completing the hidden mission: 'Misty's request for help'
"Ding! Misty's favorability towards you has increased! The mission rewards are Silver Crown×2, Mysterious Candy×3, Sceptile Mega Evolution Stone!"
"Ding! Due to the temporary adjustment of the mission, the mission reward is doubled! The mission reward is now: Silver Crown×4, Rare Candy×6, Sceptile Mega Evolution Stone, Lucario Mega Evolution Stone!"
"This doubled mission reward is perfect," Eddie thought as he reviewed the list of rewards. "The mission had some danger, but the compensation is just right."
Eddie felt a surge of satisfaction as he examined his earnings. He previously had only one Silver Crown remaining, and now with four more, he had a total of five that he could give to his Riolu later.
The Viridian Candies were especially welcome since he'd depleted his supply yesterday in the Viridian Forest. Having six more on hand would be invaluable if he encountered another unexpected situation like before.
As for the two Mega Evolution Stones, they were incredible prizes. With these, both his Grovyle and Riolu could Mega Evolve once they reached their final evolutionary stages.
Overall, Eddie had gained tremendously from this mission, earning items that were all exceptionally practical. He couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.
"Risking my life for this mission was definitely worth it. These rewards are more than fair," he thought to himself.
While Eddie was basking in his mission rewards, he felt movement against his back. Misty, who had collapsed earlier and instantly fainted, was finally regaining consciousness.
Eddie had been aware of the exact moment Misty woke up, since he was currently carrying her on his back. He couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed. Her conveniently waking up after all the danger had passed reminded him of those movie police officers who only show up to clean up after the battle is over.
"Where... where are we?" Misty mumbled, her first words after regaining consciousness. She still seemed disoriented.
"We're outside Mt. Moon. We've already left the cave. Cerulean City isn't far from here," Eddie explained briefly as he gently set Misty down.
She had only been knocked unconscious, with just minor scrapes on her skin. Walking wouldn't be a problem for her.
"Outside Mt. Moon...?" Misty said slowly, her memories gradually returning. "I remember now... I was defeated by that Team Rocket Executive."
"Yeah, I warned you so many times not to be impulsive. I told you to test the opponent's strength first and retreat if necessary, but you still charged ahead like that," Eddie scolded, rolling his eyes at Misty. "If you had gone to face them alone, you might have been captured by now, or worse."
Eddie didn't care whether Misty was attractive or not. The situation they'd just escaped had put him in a dangerous position and exposed his strength to Team Rocket.
His original plan had been to team up with Misty against the Rhydon, which would have lowered Team Rocket's assessment of his individual abilities. They would have investigated both Eddie and Misty more thoroughly, discovering that Misty was a Gym Leader while Eddie was merely a Rookie Trainer. Then they would have focused entirely on Misty and ignored Eddie completely.
Unfortunately, because of Misty's impulsive behavior, Eddie had been forced to fight alone. As a result, Koga had been ready to kill, murderous intent clear in his eyes. If Eddie hadn't planned his escape route in advance, he might not have survived.
"You carried me out while I was unconscious? Why?" Misty asked. "It would have been much easier for you to escape alone. We've known each other for less than half a day. You didn't have to risk your life for someone you just met."
Misty was well aware of how irrational her behavior had been, but she simply couldn't control herself in the moment. Moreover, she had seriously underestimated her opponent's strength—he had defeated her with a single blow, even with the type disadvantage.
She understood how difficult it must have been for Eddie to retreat while carrying an unconscious person. She felt touched by his actions but also puzzled about why he would go to such lengths for someone he barely knew.
"Huh? It wasn't that difficult to bring you along," Eddie replied, confused by Misty's question. "And I wouldn't just leave you behind to save myself. What kind of person would that make me?"
Eddie was particularly bewildered by Misty's thinking. Although he had been unhappy about her reckless actions, he wasn't so upset that he would abandon her and flee.
Besides, he had already formulated an escape plan for that situation, so escaping wasn't particularly challenging. It had only required a slight modification to his plan to accommodate carrying Misty on his back, but it wasn't a big deal—she wasn't too heavy for him to manage.
Additionally, the mission required him to retreat with Misty. If he had abandoned her, he wouldn't have completed the mission or received the rewards. What good would that have done? So naturally, he wouldn't leave Misty behind.
However, these were Eddie's private thoughts. Misty had no knowledge of his mission rewards or escape plans.
"He faced that powerful opponent without concern for his own safety just to save me," Misty thought to herself. "And now he's comforting me, saying he wouldn't abandon me... Could it be that he..."
Misty's thoughts were drifting in a completely different direction, confused and romanticized.
Eddie was only focused on the mission. He had planned everything meticulously, and to complete the mission and obtain the rewards, he would never abandon Misty. This was simply logical. Any other player would have done the same.
Of course, he couldn't say to Misty, "I only saved you to complete the mission, don't read too much into it." No normal person would say such a thing.
And what about Misty? She was now facing a person of the opposite sex who seemed willing to risk everything for her after knowing her for less than half a day.
In her eyes, he was full of potential, fearless against strong enemies, kind (though this was a misinterpretation), handsome (another misinterpretation), especially warm toward her (yet another misinterpretation), and seemingly hinting that he liked her (complete misunderstanding).
She felt her heart racing, her breathing quickening, and her face flushing.
"Is this a heart attack?" she wondered. "No... is this what it feels like to be moved by someone?"
Thus, a perfect misunderstanding was born.
"Ding! Because of your words and behavior, Misty's favorability towards you has greatly increased! Now it is 'more than friends, less than lovers'"
Eddie: "????"