>>53212008I think its always been a flimsy excuse, as far back as episode 3 of the OS.
Misty was trying to come up with a reason back then, when asked by Ash, why she is following him. She starts off nervous and you can hear her words in japanese and english both have a wavering tone to them.
>"M-my bike. I'm holding you responsible for my bike."And then when Ash doesn't take her seriously she gets angry and focuses more on the bike in her language. Repeating the word "bike".
These are telltale signs of lying.
However if you don't believe me. Then episode 2 of the OS shows much more about how much the bike meant to her. In english she is much more angry with Ash about the matter and gives him a verbal lashing. But in japanese she is more mildly annoyed and compares her ruined bike to fried fish.
The greatest wool pulled over many peoples eyes is the one done by 4kids in regards to that bike, not the romance. The bike joke persisted longer than what was intended for in the japanese version.
As even in later episodes, like The Misty Mermaid (ep61), at the end of the episode there is different dialogue in Ash and Misty's conversation as they are walking away from Cerulean City.
>Satoshi: "Hanada Gym isn't really a Pokemon Gym is it?">Kasumi: "Try not to think too much about it.">Ash: "Misty, you did really great back there.">Misty: "Save the sweet talk Ash. You still owe me a bike." 