"Ready for school, Kai?" May asks the shy boy who nods weakly. He's dressed in a light blue shirt and little tan cargo shorts. With the red bandana donned on his head and his red backpack, he's prepared for his first day of Poke School on Cinnabar Island. Even though Kai will be joining during the middle of the school year, the hurricane had shut down the schools until now. With the schools reopening on the island, it's a perfect time for Kai to integrate into it and make some friends.
Seeing his nervousness, May extends a hand out to him, which he curiously looks at. "Let's walk to school together." grins the brunette. Finding comfort in May's kindness and her touch, Kai hesitantly reaches his hand out to hold hers. Once his small hand is in her larger one, she wraps her fingers around it. "Let's go!"
With every step, Kai finds himself feeling less nervous. He and May have spent a few weeks living in Johto together, and he's starting to become more comfortable around her, although he still mostly spends time with her Pokemon rather than her. Being patient, May is giving Kai time to trust her because, just like him, she also doesn't know much about him. However, May sees that they're growing closer to each other every day.
She will be starting her job as a teacher at the PokeSchool, though she won't be working with Kai's age group. May will be with the older students who will leave for their journeys in the fall. Kai does find comfort in knowing she will be at the same school as him all day, which is partly the reason why he agreed to attend school after a month of being in Johto.
Once at the school, May drops Kai off at his classroom, although he doesn't let go of her hand. Bending down to his eye level, she notices his shifty eyes, so she brings her free hand to his shoulder, which gets his attention. Their blue eyes meet, and she says, "Your dad was very brave, so I know you are too." Despite it still hurting May to think or speak about Brenden, she knows that's the best way for her to connect with Kai.
When he nods determinedly with his eyes showing a spark in them, May can't help but grin at him. "I'm ready for school, May!"
Squeezing his shoulder, May stands up as Kai lets go of her hand. She watches him enter the classroom and sit at a desk alone. Wondering if May should really leave Kai like this, she prepares to enter the classroom and introduce herself to his teacher, and her coworker, but she then sees a little purple haired girl approach Kai. Once the two are talking, May smiles and leaves to the front office.
"Hey! I don't remember seeing you before. What's your name?" The girl says to the shy boy sitting alone.
Despite May's comment about his bravery, Kai is very nervous. He looks to the door to see May isn't there anymore. Taking in a deep breath, the 5 year old knows he needs to fight his own battles. "I'm new." He hopes his voice doesn't sound squeaky from fear.
Grinning, the girl extends a hand to him. "Hi, New. I'm Shay!"
Blinking at her in confusion, Kai eventually figures out what she just said. He shyly smiles at her and shakes her hand. "Call me, Kai."
"I like New better." Shay giggles, making Kai blush slightly. "Welcome to Cianwood PokeSchool! Let's be friends, Kai!"
"Friends?" he curiously asks her while noticing the eyes of the other 20 students on them.
Now, Shay nervously looks at Kai as she fumbles with her words. "Uh. If you wanna be friends...I don't wanna force you…"
Quickly shaking his head, Kai eagerly stands up in his seat to be at eye level with Shay. "Let's be friends!" He had to leave his friends in Kalos, but even then, he didn't really have friends. Being someone who is seriously into Pokemon battles, he didn't play often, so other students rarely interacted with him besides for the superficial conversations. Will Shay be the same way once she finds out how he is? However, Kai finds comfort in knowing he'll have someone in the classroom to talk to since May isn't here.
With a light pink tint on her cheeks, Shay sits down at the desk beside him. "Yes! I made a new friend named New!"
Hours Later
Walking out to the playground, May searches for Kai's white hair. She spots him talking with the purple haired girl from earlier, causing May to smile at him already having a friend. Once May makes her way over to the two, Kai looks up to give her a shy smile. "Hey, Kai."
"You're the new teacher!" the girl exclaims with wide eyes. "My brother Shane is in your class!"
May nods as she recalls a purple haired boy in her class today. "Yes! I remember him!" The woman then returns her attention to Kai. "Ready to go?"
Kai looks at Shay to give her an apologetic smile, which May doesn't understand. Is May interrupting them? Does Kai want to stay? "Okay." He quietly replies to May.
Looking over, May spots Kai's teacher. "I actually need to go talk to someone." lies the woman. "I'll be back." She then hurries off, leaving Kai and Shay alone again.
"Is she your mom?" Shay asks Kai who frowns.
"She's taking care of me." Kai doesn't know what his relationship with May is, but he is grateful for her.
"She seems nice." smiles the girl. "I'm glad we can talk some more before you go."
Nodding, Kai meets Shay's bright green eyes. "Same." The whole day, Shay stuck close to Kai and introduced him to their classmates. She would sit with him at lunch, and she helped him not feel alone. Kai appreciates her kindness.
"Let's go, Shay!" The shout from her brother gets their attention as Shay looks over to see her mother across the playground.
Turning back to Kai, she says, "See ya tomorrow, New!"
"Bye." Kai smiles and watches Shay run off. Once Shay is in her mother's car and the car drives off, Kai lets out a sigh. Life hasn't been so bad once May came into it, but he's scared all of it can disappear in an instant, like it had once his dad came into his life.
"Ready to go, Kai?" May's voice makes him gaze up at her, and he slowly nods. As they walk home, the two don't hold hands like they had this morning, but May is glad to see Kai is less nervous. "How was school?"
"Good."
Whenever May asks him questions not pertaining to Pokemon, Kai gives her short responses. It's like he only says things he thinks she wants to hear, but May wants to hear all of his concerns. She wants to know everything about him, even his dislikes. She just isn't sure how to learn these things without prying them out of the 6 year old.
"May?"
Looking down beside her, May raises an eyebrow at the boy. "Yes, Kai?"
He nervously fidgets with his hands while asking, "Can I use Munchlax tomorrow?"
Ah, yes. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are the older students' battling days while Tuesday and Thursday are the younger ones, which works perfect for May because her Pokemon won't be exhausted on certain days. Plus, her Pokemon do miss battling, so now they'll be battling every day. "Of course!" She grins at Kai. "I'm sure he'd love to battle tomorrow!"
Shyly looking back ahead as they near their house, Kai smiles weakly. He really hopes he doesn't lose May too. Even though he doesn't understand why she took him in, he's starting to become happy again. Please don't let this be too good to be true.
The Next Day
"Next, we have Kai against Prince." Mrs. Chapman announces to the students.
Scoffing, Prince walks past Kai. "I'm not gonna go easy on you just because you're the new kid." Kai doesn't say anything as he takes his position across the field.
"You can do it, Kai!" Shay cheers from the sidelines.
"I never lost!" Prince reminds her arrogantly. Even though many students have been kind or indifferent towards Kai, Prince and a few others don't like him for some reason. Maybe it's because he's new? However, Shay has been doing a good job of making Kai feel welcomed, so he doesn't care too much about these other students.
"Students, please be kind to one another." Mrs. Chapman reminds them, causing Prince to smirk at Kai.
"Go, Elekid!"
"Munchlax!"
Since they're in Johto, the students rarely see live Pokemon from other regions, like Hoenn. There are a lot of "Ohhh"s and "Wow!"s, which annoys Prince because Kai already has the class's attention.
"Begin!" the teacher announces.
"Thunderpunch!"
"Dodge and use tackle!" With Munchlax having a lot more battle experience than Eleckid, Kai easily wins the battle. Plus, Kai is a serious battler. Whenever anything involves Pokemon or battling, he's so focused on it that he forgets his surroundings. Thus, being the reason why his classmates in Kalos didn't hang out with him. They couldn't relate to the boy who only cared about Pokemon.
Once he returns Munchlax, Kai remembers where he is, and he instantly shies away from everything. He's a little sweaty from the battle, even though it was a quick one, but with his intensity, Kai sweats. Some people have even called him scary when he battles, though his dad had taught him that it only means he's a strong trainer. May even told him he looks cool when he battles, so Kai forgot the fear he has in battling around new people.
Looking around the silent battlefield, he notices Mrs. Chapman is smiling proudly. Adults like seeing an intense battler, especially at a young age. However, Kai's concern is on his new friend he made yesterday. When his gaze falls on her, he is relieved to see her face break out in a huge grin. "That was awesome, New!"
Now his shyness from his battling turns to shyness from being put on the spot by her. He hides his face by pretending to wipe the sweat off his forehead, but he can't help but grin too. Johto really isn't too bad. He's already really liking it here, so maybe he can start putting his whole heart into it? Is he ready to, though?
Once Kai walks back to the sidelines as two other students battle, Shay tackles him in a hug. "I knew I saw something special in you yesterday!" She then lets go of the blushing boy and nudges his side with her arm. "Just remember me when you become the champion!" Tugging at the red bandana wrapped like a sweatband on his head, Kai nods.
Months Later
It is now summer, so school is out. Kai and Shay have become best friends, and he's been speaking more with her. He's still awkward around May, but he's starting to trust her more. Overall, May and Kai have grown accustomed to their new life in Johto.
May's family still hasn't contacted her since she left them in Petalburg after the argument; however, she does appreciate not hearing their nagging anymore. Even though she misses them immensely, she knows nothing would've changed if she remained. Max would still be gone, and her family would just be focusing on their own lives. Now, though, May is finding she's enjoying life a little more and more. With Kai, she's not as alone, and she's found some purpose again.
"May?" looking up from cooking lunch, May spots Kai slowly walking over to her. His head is down, which worries her because he was just playing with Shay. Where is Shay? Why is Kai back already?
Wiping her hands on her apron, May bends down to try and get a look at Kai's face. Is he hurt? However, when she sees the tears drip to the ground, she quickly brings her hands out to cup his face and look at her. He looks fine besides for the tears and snot, so she pulls him in for a tight hug.
May has never hugged Kai before for fear of scaring him or it not being appropriate yet. They keep their physical contact to a minimum, but she just can't leave him like this when he's crying. She's also never seen him cry like this before besides for the day she met him at Brenden's funeral.
Not knowing what to say, May just holds Kai tightly as he sobs into her shoulder. What could've happened? He's been so calm since she's adopted him that May is very concerned about this behavior. Kai is usually quiet and expressionless unless talking about Pokemon, which makes him excited. Seeing these uncontrollable tears, though, are nothing she's seen from him lately. Maybe he and Shay got into an argument? They have been hanging out a lot lately now that it's summer, and friends do fight.
Once Kai stops crying, he has fallen asleep in May's arms. She picks him up to walk to his bedroom where she tucks him into the bed. It pains May to see he had cried himself to sleep. How often had he done this once Brenden left? A 5 year old shouldn't have to go through these emotions.
Bringing a hand up to wipe her lone tear that had escaped, May gently closes the door. She hopes to take away all of Kai's aches and pains because he doesn't deserve anything he's gone through. She finds it sad to think that this boy feels more like family to her than her own. Despite the short time she's spent with Kai, and the fact that they're still awkward around each other, May already wants to protect him from everything. She already loves him immensely. Maybe this is why Brenden left him in her care? Because he knew she'd love Kai and care for him?
Sighing, May resumes making lunch for when Kai wakes up. Thinking about Brenden still hurts, and she'd rather not dwell on it. Kai is already upset today, so he needs her support. She can't also be a mess right now. However, May is still curious as to what made Kai cry like that. Maybe she'll call Shay's parents later?
However, before May can resume her position at the stove, the doorbell rings. Rushing to get it before the constant ringing can wake up Kai, May spots purple hair. "Shay?"
Shay's worried green eyes look up at May, and she exclaims, "Where's Kai?"
"He's sleeping." The panicking girl is making May even more concerned. What had happened to these children?
Shay lets out a relieved breath but her nervous gaze now averts from May. "He ran away and I got scared."
Nodding, May bends down to Shay's eye level. "Is everything okay, Shay?"
When he sees the apologetic look on the girl's face, May gives her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure you didn't mean to hurt him. Friends argue but they always make up if they really care about each other."
"We didn't argue." Shay tells May, causing the woman to curiously look at her. "I asked him about his family, and he always ignores me when I ask him, but this time, I wanted an answer and he started crying." Shay starts tearing up now with tears falling down her cheeks. "And then he ran away and I got scared! I'm sorry, Ms. May!"
With her hand on Shay's head, May pats the girl's hair. "It's okay, Shay. We just need to be patient with Kai." Eventually, when the girl stops sniffling, May has Glaceon walk her home safely. Shay and the other children are always so amazed with May's Pokemon because none of them are native to Johto.