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After safely storing the Dark Ball, Kai leaned back into the soft pillow and looked out the window.
Outside, the stars had scattered across the night sky, and the clear moon hung perfectly in view, casting a gentle silver glow across his bed.
At his feet came the faint sound of snoring. Turning his head, Kai saw Jolteon curled up on the blanket, already fast asleep.
Next to it, Dratini was coiled up beside Jolteon's belly, pressed close and sound asleep as well.
Perhaps it was the warm and safe atmosphere of the room, or maybe drowsiness was just contagious, but even Gengar, usually so energetic, let out a long yawn. It mumbled a quiet "Good night," then slipped into the shadows and vanished.
In that moment of stillness, it felt as though the entire world had gone silent, leaving only Kai behind.
With a quiet chuckle, he turned off the lamp and reached for his phone on the bedside table.
A few new messages had come in. He opened his messenger app and tapped on the first one.
It was from Misty.
She, Ash, and Brock had set out from Pallet Town, crossed the Indigo Plateau, and had already arrived in the Johto region. Their first stop was Professor Elm's lab in New Bark Town, hoping he could figure out the mystery behind the GS Ball something even Professors Oak and Cerise couldn't make heads or tails of.
Judging by the timestamp, the message had been sent around noon. By now, Ash should already be in New Bark Town and officially registered for the Silver Conference.
As for the part Misty mentioned about Brock...
Just like in the anime, when Ash and Misty returned from the Orange Islands, Tracey came with them to Kanto. After meeting his idol, Professor Oak, he chose to stay behind at the lab.
Brock, on the other hand, had rejoined Ash and Misty on their journey.
Kai replied with a few simple messages, then scrolled up through earlier conversations.
He had to flip through dozens of messages mostly greetings and well-wishes from friends. But scattered throughout the list were messages from that girl… the one far away in Kalos.
"Sigh~"
Kai let out a long breath.
Of all the people in his life, his feelings toward that girl were undoubtedly the most complicated.
After he won the Indigo League, he and Serena stayed in touch for a while. Their conversations were frequent, and their relationship seemed to be improving.
But ever since things progressed between him and Sabrina, spending every day together, caught up in travel and battles, his thoughts had been focused solely on her. Gradually, he stopped replying to Serena's messages.
She still messaged him every few days, but Kai would just ignore them, pretending he hadn't seen them.
The truth was, he simply didn't have the emotional bandwidth to deal with it all while caught in the whirlwind of his adventures and his deepening bond with Sabrina.
Now, alone in the room, Kai finally had a moment of calm. His heart had settled, and for the first time in a while, he revisited those memories and feelings.
As he reread Serena's messages line after line, word after word it felt as though she were standing right there, quietly sharing her heart with him.
Sigh…
After a long pause, Kai couldn't bring himself to stay silent anymore. His fingers moved, and he sent her a message:
All Just Bubbles: Still awake?
He waited a few minutes, but there was no response.
She must already be asleep…
Kai set his phone aside and stared at the ceiling, thoughts drifting to their past together.
Her name was Serena.
Yes, that Serena the sweet, kind girl destined to travel with Ash one day and develop feelings for him.
When Kai had first crossed through time and space into the Pokémon world, he had passed out in a haystack on her family's ranch. It was Serena who found him first and pulled him to safety out from a crowd of curious Rhyhorn.
Since then, Kai has stayed at her home for a while, receiving generous care from both Serena and her mother.
They spent several months together, day in and day out. Their bond grew closer by the day.
He helped her with her daily chores, taught her how to ride Rhyhorn, went shopping with her, shared meals, watched movies together comforted her when she was down and encouraged her when she felt lost.
In every way, Kai had woven himself into her life offering support, guidance, and gentle affection.
Eventually, after earning enough money from part-time jobs, Kai moved out and rented a small place nearby.
But even after that, their relationship didn't fade. In fact, without her mother around, they grew even closer.
Each morning, Serena would unlock his door with her spare key, wake him up, and bring breakfast prepared by her mom. After school, instead of going straight home, she'd go to his place and stay until late.
More often than not, she was right by his side following him like a little shadow. Even when he worked at the theatre, people would joke about the adorable "tail" always following him around.
Whenever someone teased him, Kai would play along and say, "She's my future wife I've been training her since she was little."
Serena never denied it. She'd just blush and continue trailing after him.
She laughed more around him. Smiled brighter. Sometimes, when thirsty, she'd even drink from his cup without hesitation.
It had all started as a joke, but somehow… things began to shift.
Maybe it was the way he cared for her like gentle rain soaking into the soil. Before Kai realized it, he had completely taken over her heart.
He'd often catch her looking at him with a soft gaze head tilted, eyes shining with affection.
It finally dawned on him: this beautiful girl had fallen for him.
And how could he not feel the same?
Serena was gorgeous. Of course, he liked her.
But she was still underage. There was no way he could act on those feelings.
He told himself he cared for her because she had taken him in. And yes, she was also an important heroine in the anime. Getting close to her was a way to learn more about this world.
But the truth?
He treated her like a younger sister.
So he began to distance himself.
But Serena was sensitive she noticed the shift immediately. She'd come looking for him, but he'd avoid her each time.
And that only made her more anxious.
Not knowing what she did wrong, she spent days in distress. Then, one night, unable to hold it in any longer, she confessed her feelings.
Kai remembered the moonlight that night it was just like tonight, soft and silver.
She had whispered, "I like you."
And he had replied coldly, "I only think of you as a little sister."
In that instant, Serena broke down in tears.
She ran home, devastated, locking herself away for days.
Kai regretted it. He truly did.
But the damage was done.
Tormented by guilt, he decided to leave Kalos. With the Ralts he received from Diantha, he headed for Kanto hoping time and distance would ease the pain.
As Kai reached that part of the memory, his phone lit up again.
Its soft glow pierced the darkness of the room like Serena's eyes once had. Eyes he hadn't seen in a long time.
He picked up the phone.
Serena: Just got out of the shower. Are you still up, too?
She added a cute emoji at the end like she wanted to reassure him that she hadn't ignored his message on purpose.
Sigh…
That once cheerful girl… when did she become so careful? So hesitant?
Maybe he has caused too much damage...
His fingers hovered for a moment. Then he changed the topic:
All Just Bubbles: I've arrived in Johto. Seen lots of Pokémon that are totally different from Kalos.
Serena: Johto, huh? I remember hearing about it in geography class, but I wasn't really paying attention. Is there anything fun over there? (smile)
All Just Bubbles: Honestly, not too different from Kanto or Kalos. Just more lakes, mountains, forests… that sort of thing.
Kai attached a few photos he'd taken recently and sent them over.
Serena: Wow! So pretty! I'd love to see it in person someday. Oh, and congrats on winning the Orange League! (playful wink)
Kai blinked.
He hadn't told her about that.
Before he could ask, another message came.
Serena: I looked you up on purpose. That's how I found out you'd earned your second trophy! I watched all the battles you won every match! You're amazing!
Sigh…
He'd lost track of how many times he'd sighed tonight.
After that failed confession, he thought she'd resent him. That she'd cut ties and move on.
But here she was, still cheering him on. Still thinking of him.
Girls are always the hardest to figure out.
He thought time would blur everything. But looking back now, he realized just how cruel he had been.
Even if he had to reject her, he shouldn't have done it so coldly.
All this time on the road… all these experiences, and spending time with Sabrina and Misty… they'd changed his perspective.
Maybe it was time to stop running. Maybe it was time to face things head-on.
To help Serena move past the pain.
To find a new way to be in each other's lives.
Maybe…
After the Silver Conference ends, he should make a trip back to Kalos.
Just to see her and settle this once and for all!
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