Is more a reference in the anime that Kotone WANTS to Ash and Hikari be together (in other words, a pearlshipper), believe me, lots of fans went in rage and hate Kotone for this
Huh!?Three Swamps Three ChoicesHikarin, out of those three, who would you want to marry!?That's rightSniff! Waaaahhhh~~~!!Do I really have to choose from within this group?Sorry! That's not what I meant...Kazunari