>>44657384Based.
And I'm gonna go and say that even the shipping ended up as a means to show the development of her character.
In the very first episodes she is under the delusion that Ash will remember her and be just as smitten as she is; Ash barely recognizes her. In fact, early on, she is almost incapable of functioning near him.
She gradually tones it down as the series goes on and she grows more self-sufficient and confident, until she is capable of denying a chance of dancing with him for Eevee's sake, as well as standing up to and snapping at him after he's brooding from losing to Wulfric. Finally, in the end, at the peak of her character growth, she finally acts on her feelings and kisses him.
It's just a very well made character arc.
