Chapter 7

Months Later

Today is Kai's 7th birthday. The Enbars came over, with the exception of Shane who is traveling around Kanto, although he did call to wish Kai a happy birthday. Once the Enbars had left and May and Kai cleaned up, May is checking on Kai in his room. Last year, when they spent his first birthday together, the two were still awkward around each other. Now, though, they've grown pretty close.

Walking in to tuck the tired boy into bed, May smiles at him. "Happy birthday, Kai." Despite saying it a few times already, May wants it to be the last thing he hears before going to sleep. She also isn't sure what else to say to him.

"Thanks, May." he smiles tiredly back at her as Munchlax climbs into bed with him. "Can I ask you something?" Despite already getting a gift from her earlier, Kai has a lot on his mind. Moreover, he's now more comfortable around her, and he feels like he can ask her questions that used to make him fear that she would return him to the orphanage. They still get their monthly visits from the orphanage, but the two have nothing to hide, so these visits don't faze them.

"Sure! It is your birthday." May giggles at him.

Nodding, he hesitantly asks, "Can you tell me about my dad?"

May fights the urge to frown because she's not ready to talk or even think about him right now. With his two year death anniversary coming up in a few weeks, May really isn't in the mood to think about him. "How about a different question?" she gives him a wry smile, and fortunately, he understands she doesn't want to talk about Brenden.

Despite being disappointed, Kai doesn't pry. Yes, he's grown comfortable around May, but he's still wary of upsetting her, which he hasn't done yet. "Can you tell me a story then?"

Grateful for the new topic, May asks, "What do you wanna hear about?"

He shrugs because he doesn't want to suggest something that will upset May. "Anything."

Putting a finger to her chin, May thinks about a good story. "How about I tell you how I met Munchlax?" Seeing his eyes light up makes May giggle as he enthusiastically nods. "Okay, it was during my first journey around Hoenn when I was traveling with Ash…"

A Few Days Later

"Ms. Maple?"

May looks up at the voice to see a fellow teacher, Mr. Otis, an older teacher, approaching her. Smiling, she responds, "Hello, Mr. Otis!"

He sits on an empty chair beside her where he notices that she's grading papers at her desk. "I was wondering if you could help the city with something?"

Giving him her full attention, May says, "Anything!" Cianwood has felt like her home now, and she wishes she could've helped more in its relief efforts when she moved here. Hearing that she has the opportunity to help the city makes her excited.

Mr. Otis smiles warmly at her. "The city is starting to rebuild its contest hall. Since you once competed in them and you were once the Hoenn Top Coordinator, I believe you'll be a great resource for the committee and the builders."

Despite not competing in contests anymore, May still loves coordinating and contests. Just because she lost her passion for coordinating, it doesn't mean that she avoids anything related to them. She does teach classes about coordinating. "I'd love to help!"

"Great! I'll tell my friend on the committee, and he'll contact you!" Mr. Otis has heard about the contest committee's rebuilding of the new contest hall. Although Champion Leaf had mentioned getting the Johto Top Coordinator, Drew, involved, the committee knows he is busy with helping Olivine City. Therefore, the next best option would be a former Top Coordinator in May Maple. Although, Mr. Otis is confused as to why May quit coordinating so abruptly.

Outside

"Hey, Kai?" Shay asks her friend as they're outside for recess. They're laying on the ground looking up at the clouds, which they do whenever they don't want to play.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering…"

When she doesn't finish her sentence, Kai looks over at her to see she's avoiding his gaze. "What is it?" They're close enough friends now where Shay doesn't need to feel awkward asking him questions. Plus, the Shay he knows is very pushy when she wants something, so this behavior is slightly concerning him.

Letting out a breath, Shay eventually asks, "Who is May?"

Kai raises a confused eyebrow at her. "She takes care of me. I guess we're friends?" He had been thinking of what his relationship with May is, and Kai has realized that they're close enough to be considered friends, even though May takes care of him.

Shaking her head, Shay says, "No. I know she used to be the Hoenn Top Coordinator, but why did she quit contests after she lost? Why did she adopt you? Why did she move here?"

Kai has been wondering the same questions and more too, like why does May change the news every time Drew Hayden comes on the TV? Why did May run into the house the first time she and Kai battled years ago? Why doesn't May talk about her family? Kai knows her father is a Hoenn gym leader, and her brother is a well-known battler. "She knew my dad." is all Kai can say to answer his friend's questions.

Shay looks back over at her friend where her curious green eyes meet his confused blue ones. She's heard about Kai's father passing away, but Shay doesn't know anything about his mother. She also doesn't know how his father passed away, and Shay won't ask. "I think May is cool."

With a warm smile on his face, Kai nods. "Me too."

"So if she adopted you, that means she's your mom, right?"

Kai has thought about this before, but May has never told him to refer to her as his mother. He also still remembers his mother, so he doesn't feel comfortable calling May that title. Shrugging, the boy replies, "No. We're friends. I think."

Shay giggles at his confusion. "But she takes care of you like a mom. And you did say she knew your dad. If anything, May is like an aunt." As Kai thinks about everything Shay is saying, she continues, "I'm glad you have some family in your life."

Is May family? Or is she just taking care of him until she doesn't have to anymore? Why is she taking care of him though? Frowning, Kai says, "May is more like a friend than family, Shay."

The girl loves her family, so she was always worried about Kai not having any. However, after seeing his interactions with May, Shay has realized May is Kai's family. Even if Kai denies it, Shay sees otherwise. Maybe he'll see it someday. Hearing the bell, Shay gets up to extend a hand to Kai. "I'm glad you have a lot of friends, New."

He takes the hand to stand up, and he blushes when she doesn't let go as they walk inside the school. "I only have you, Shane, and May." He knowingly tells his best friend who rolls her eyes.

"Shane doesn't count! He's my brother."

Grinning, Kai replies, "And my friend."

Olivine City

"When are we getting married, Drew?" asks the salmon haired woman to her boyfriend who is sitting at the desk. Since Drew and Brianna have been spending a lot of time helping Olivine City get back to fully functioning, they rented out a penthouse in the city.

Shrugging because he doesn't plan on marrying her, Drew replies, "Whenever I feel like it."

Despite his coldness towards her in private, Drew will occasionally show affection to her, especially to the world. To the world, they're a happy stable couple, but behind closed doors, she can barely get Drew to look at her. However, Brianna is in love with Drew, so she doesn't mind his behavior if it means he's by her side. "We've been together for almost 8 years."

"The region still needs our help with rebuilding." Drew knowingly responds without looking up from his laptop. While he does enjoy helping Johto, he appreciates using it as an excuse to avoid hanging out with Brianna all the time as well as engage in commitment talks with her.

Deciding that he is right about this, which is also something else Brianna admires about Drew, she drops the topic. She'll bring it up again once they are able to leave back to Goldenrod City. Then, Drew won't be distracted by helping the city with this natural disaster from years ago. The only reason Brianna is so involved with helping Johto is because of her relationship with Drew. It allows her to spend time with him while also making them look like a great power couple in the public's eyes. With the support from the public, it'll be hard for her and Drew to separate if they ever choose to do so.

"I love you, Drew."

This is something he never responds to, and he's grateful to his work for allowing him to seem too immense in it to hear her. Although, Drew heard her loud and clear, like he always does. Drew Hayden doesn't throw the L word around, especially towards people he obviously doesn't love. He doubts he'll ever love Brianna, but he's already so accustomed to this life that he won't break up with her.

Since he didn't hear her, Brianna decides to say it louder. "I love you, Drew!"

Inwardly groaning because he obviously can't avoid this outburst, Drew gets ready to make some side comment to change the topic. However, his pokenav rings, and he quickly picks it up as he is grateful for the distraction. Whoever is calling him, he will need to treat to a meal sometime to show his gratitude. "Hello, Drew Hayden speaking."

"Can you go to Cianwood?" Leaf asks.

"Uh. Brianna and I will ne-"

"Just you." Leaf cuts him off. After speaking with Ash and Misty a few weeks ago, she's created a plan on making Drew happy. Plus, a part of Leaf blames herself and Gary for letting him get caught sleeping with Brianna all those years ago, so she wants to help him.

Although Drew is grateful to be separated from Brianna, he's curious about why she can't come with him. Wouldn't the public want this power couple to be together. And why does he need to go back to Cianwood? They're completely fine now. Olivine City needs his attention. "What's going on, Leaf?"

Sighing, she replies, "Let Brianna lead the relief efforts in Olivine. We all already took care of the major issues. There's just a few things left, and she can handle it."

"But why do I need to go to Cianwood?" He repeats as he notices Brianna's curious gaze.

"They're rebuilding the contest hall and requested help." It's not like they requested help, but Leaf offered to get Drew to help. Obviously, the city is very excited to have the Top Coordinator back on their island to help with rebuilding the contest hall.

Despite not thinking rebuilding a contest hall is as important as helping Olivine City finish rebuilding it's homes, Drew really needs a break from Brianna and this hurricane. He's missed the contest scene because he only gets to be involved in it for a few weeks a year due to helping with the hurricane relief efforts. Maybe taking this break to work on a contest hall is what he needs? "Sure. When do they need me?"

"As soon as possible." Leaf is dancing happily in her head and she gives a thumbs up to her husband holding their one year old son, Alex.

"Tell them I'll be there tomorrow." Once the call ends, Drew looks over at Brianna. "Cianwood needs my help."

"Okay. We're leaving tomorrow?" Brianna had heard Drew say that just now.

Shaking his head, he tells her, "Just me. Olivine City still needs your leadership." When he sees Brianna start to retort about going with him, he gets up to cup her hands in his as he sits beside her on the bed. "They need a leader now that I'm gone. I know you can do it." His emerald green eyes gaze into her dark brown orbs, something he's learned from a young age.

Obviously, her heart swoons and she just nods. "I'll stay and help the city then."

His smile makes her blush deepen. "I'll come back as soon as I can. Just make sure to help Jasmine as much as possible until I'm back."

"I'll do anything for you, Drew." Brianna closes the gap between them to kiss his lips, which he only kisses back to seal the deal. Drew and Brianna have kissed plenty of times already, usually in public for appearances. Once they pull away, Brianna says, "I'll miss you, Drew."

Nodding, he gets up to pack a suitcase. Groudon, Drew is so happy to be on his own again for once. It's been years since he's been able to focus on himself without worrying about Brianna bothering him or the public asking about them. Drew Hayden just needs a break to do what he loves: Pokemon Contests. Maybe he'll resign this year to travel and compete in a different region? He's missed traveling; however, he'll do this after Johto is ready for his departure.

Will May and Drew finally meet this time? Or am I gonna tease y'all like I did in chapter 3? Lol. Check back tomorrow to find out! ;)