Five years, FIVE YEARS I devoted my life to his cause! Part of me always knew he'd never feel the same...but there had still been that small burning flame of hope.

Until three days ago, that is.

The professor's voice spoke seconds after I had knocked on the door to his office,"Oh, Hikari? Come in."

I took a few shaky deep breaths in...now or never.

I put on my most convincing smile as Shauna gave me a thumbs up, letting me know she'd be here when I was done.

I made my way into the room, seeing him sitting there at his desk, hands folded under his chin and smiling.

'Holy distortion world I can't do this! I'd rather take on all of team flare ag-! Ugh, no I owe this to myself!' I mentally argued with myself.

"U-uh, Hello Professor Syca-" He cut me off.

"Augustine, call me Augustine. You're an adult now, and we're friends, right?" He smiled warmly.

I nearly melted right then and there. This man...it's obvious why I adore him this way.

"Anyway, what brings you here?"

"Um...well...you see it's just that..." My voice trembled.

'What in the name of the helix fossil am i doing here?'

His smile wavered slightly, "What's wrong, did Kiki drag you here again?"

Right...last time I had come here to try to confess I chickened out and said my delphox, Kiki, just wanted to visit with him.

It's gotta be here and now...or I'll never do it.

"P-Professor! No, Augustine...I-I have really strong feelings for you! I have since I met you at the start of my journey...," My voice cracked and I started crying.

"Listen I know I'm nothing special to look at! But-...but you yourself said my personality had a certain something you couldn't place and I just wanted to know if-"

"I'm sorry but No."

I fell silent and the tears came faster.

"You're right, you are a good person, but personality isn't enough. You're...just not my type. To be honest I have thought of us before, but you're too...um...well, big for my taste. So my answer is no. I don't feel the same. I'd prefer to forget this happened." With an almost exasperated huff, he turned around to look out the window.

That was my signal to leave...and not come back.

"Hikari! C'mon Hikari, You haven't left the house this whole time!" I heard Shauna yell from outside my small apartment.

I sniffled and wiped the fresh tears from my eyes. I wasted the best years of my youth chasing after that man. He gave me my first pokemon at age 15.

I'm now 20 years old and up until resigning yesterday, I was the Champion of Kalos. But now I wanted to move on and start fresh.

I walked over to the door and opened it, seeing my two closest friends standing in front of me, faces filled with worry.

"Hikari- He had no right to say that to you! I can't believe I looked up to that pig..." Trevor frowned.

Shauna just hugged me tight and the tears came flooding back.

"I-I wasted so much time on him! *sniffle* I was so stupid to think I had a chance!"

"Hey, hey...it's his loss, your gain! Besides I've heard he's not very good with commitment." Shauna smiled at me, effectively cheering me up a bit.

"Come on in guys, I've got a lot to tell you." I smiled sadly and ushered them into the small sitting area in my apartment.

"What's on your mind?" Shauna asked, looked at me expectantly, Trevor examining his surroundings rather than paying attention to the conversation.

"Well-...I've decided it's best I move on."

"Good! That jerk didn't deserve you anyw-!"

"Hikari..." Trevor mumbled softly, "You're...leaving, aren't you?"

"WHA?" Shauna gaped.

"Yeah...I need to get away from this place, and away from him..." I looked around at the boxes that contained my life as of so far, aside from some choice things I decided to let go of.

"B-But I'll keep in touch! Maybe you guys can even come visit me sometime!" I offered lamely, feeling bad about deserting the two closest friends I've ever had.

Shauna blinked away her tears, "Whatever you think is best, Hikari! Me and Trevs always have your back!"

"Yeah!" He added with a smile.

Sorrow and joy swirled together in the room as silence fell for a brief moment.

"So when do you leave?"

I looked at the wall clock...it read 10:45 PM.

"5 tomorrow morning."

"Well c'mon then, we gotta paint the town red and live it up while we're still together!" Shauna grinned and pulled me and Trevor in for a tight group hug.

"Thanks, Guys...You're the best" I shed a few more tears.

"We better get Started while the night is still somewhat young." Trevor patted me on the shoulder.

"Project Farewell for now is a go!"