Chapter 43
Fortunately, the Ketchums, Shinjis, and Oaks had found the boat house, where they also helped to steal the boat. By the time they figured it out, the group with Kai had found them. With everyone accounted for, as well as a mini celebration for the successful mission, they left Mirage Island. May had informed everyone that this is it. Shelly won't come back, and Kai is permanently a part of them.
After returning from Mirage Island, everyone bid each other farewell in Slateport City. The Ketchums, Shinjis, Oaks, and Saoris left for their homes first. Shay doesn't want to leave Kai just yet because she knows he isn't going back to Johto with them. They had all talked about it on the boat. Kai needs to go back to the orphanage.
Well, May said she and Drew were going to fight to keep Kai, but the boy told them to stop fighting. They've already fought so much. Besides, Kai will be leaving for his Pokemon journey in less than a year. He can afford to spend a couple more months away from them. Then, he will visit them as often as he wants.
On the private jet Drew paid for, the Enbars, Maples, Vivi, Kai, and Drew are silently counting down the time they have left with the boy. Shay has been staying close to him, and he has been staying close to May. As much as he hates leaving them for the rest of this year, he knows it's the easiest solution. The amount of time they'll spend fighting for custody of him again will take just as long, if not longer, than if they just wait for him to travel in a couple of months.
"I don't want you to go, New." sniffles the girl.
He has been trying to be strong and keep his tears to himself, but now that they're nearing Petalburg City, Kai is scared. His legs feel wobbly even though he's sitting. When May squeezes his hand, Kai gives her a nervous smile. "I'll visit when I can."
He appreciates her gesture, though they already know May won't be allowed at the orphanage anymore. The only chance he has of seeing her is catching a glimpse of her walking by outside. Else, he'll have to wait until he can freely travel by himself. "I'll come back to Cianwood when I can leave."
Taking in a deep breath, May confesses, "I won't be in Cianwood anymore."
Now everyone looks at her in shock. She has a great life in Cianwood where she's truly made a name for herself. Plus, she's close to the Enbars and Drew moved there too. May won't be allowed to see Kai, so she should just stay in Cianwood. "Why?" Shane asks his former teacher.
May looks at her parents and Max. "I miss my family." When Caroline hugs Norman tightly and the older man looks away to hide his glossy eyes, May smiles. Even though she once resented her family for the lack of communication and meetings, she's learned that they still are a family. A family helps each other no matter what, regardless of the circumstances.
Shay gets up, and for the first time since the flight, she lets go of Kai. The girl hugs May tightly. "I'll miss you too, May." She's trying to stop crying because she wants to send Kai off with a smile.
May returns the hug. "I'll be sure to visit." The woman then hugs Shane and the Enbar parents too. She met the Enbars through Kai, and she's grateful for it. Cianwood was a great place for them all to start over.
Chuckling nervously, Drew sheepishly rubs the back of his head. "I guess I'll be leaving too."
"But you just moved there!" Shane exclaims. Despite leaving too to resume his travels, Shane really liked coming back home to Drew and May. Now, all of his friends will be gone.
Drew ruffles Shane's hair and then rests his eyes on May's curious blue ones. "I promised a former Hoenn Top Coordinator that I wouldn't leave her again." he winks at May, causing her to blush. "Or let her leave me again."
Max stifles his chuckle when he sees Norman's eyebrow twitch. Just because Norman and Drew had to work together to rescue Kai, it doesn't mean Norman completely likes the green haired man. Drew knows he still has some hurdles to jump with Norman, but May is worth it. He'll wait however long it takes before he gets her family's full acceptance.
Shay now walks over, but before she hugs him, she sadly looks up in his emerald eyes. He was once her celebrity crush, and she never knew she would ever become this close to him. He's become like an older brother to her; another adult she can rely on. In the beginning, when Kai and May were giving Drew a hard time, it allowed Shay to get closer to him. She and Drew have really formed a partnership, and she hates that she's losing him too.
Seeing her fight to keep the frown off her face, Drew pulls her in for a hug. He's grateful for Shay always making him feel welcomed. She's given him the best hospitality, even when those around her wanted him gone. Shay's energy and optimism has contributed a lot to all of them. Drew knows he wouldn't be this happy if not for her in the beginning. "We'll visit."
She sniffles into his shoulder. "You better."
Hugging her tighter, Drew softly tells her, "I won't go easy on you if we're in the same contest together."
She pulls away quickly to look at his eyes in excitement. "You're-"
"Shhhh." Drew brings a finger up to his lips. He gives her a knowing smirk, and ruffles her hair.
With Drew and Shay talking, and everyone else preoccupied, this leaves Kai and May alone. The boy snuggles closer to her side, and she holds him tighter under her arm. "Thank you for taking care of me, May." Kai whispers. "I was never lonely with you." he looks up at her surprised sapphire orbs. "Dad was right when he left me with you."
May brings her lips down to kiss his head as a few tears slip down. "No, Kai." She sniffles. "Thank you." He doesn't know how much he's changed her life. Five years ago, she thought he needed her, but on the contrary, she needed him. She was lonely and apathetic. He made her care again. He made her find purpose with life, and it led to her making friends with the Enbars. It also led to reconnecting with Drew. All May wishes is for Kai to come back and complete their family, but she'll have to wait a couple more months for that. "I love you, Kai."
His strong demeanor wavers as a few tears slip out, so he buries his face in her arm. "I love you too, May." Five years ago, he was alone and confused. He was scared, but she came into his life. She made all his pain go away, and she never expected anything in return. She loved him like his father had, even though neither are related to him by blood.
Kai had so many questions when he was left at the orphanage. Now, he feels like everything has been answered. There will be no more surprises involving his mother or his father or even his biological father. Kai truly feels free and despite returning to the orphanage, he's happier than he was five years ago. Besides, he knows he'll see everyone he cares about in under a year anyway.
When the plane lands in Petalburg City, the Enbars are supposed to stay on because it'll be going to Cianwood next. Everyone but the Enbars and Kai get off the plane. Kai has said his goodbyes to the Enbar parents and Shane. Shane made Kai promise to battle when Kai has his own Pokemon team. Kai looks forward to beating Shane, which only made Shane smile from his younger friend's confidence.
Now, for the hardest goodbye, Kai stands on the ladder outside of the plane while Shay is standing in the doorway inside. "I'm gonna miss you." She's trying hard not to cry. Shay has already cried enough, so she's surprised she still has more tears.
"I'll visit." he gives her a reassuring smile. Kai is glad he met Shay on his first day of school years ago. She helped him with the bullies, and she helped him the most with his shyness. She made his nerves go away while also causing him to be more comfortable. Kai owes a lot to Shay.
She giggles as the tears fall from her eyes, making her try to wipe them away quickly. "Sorry. I didn't wanna cry."
Frowning, Kai knows he's the cause of her tears. He doesn't want her crying either, so he wants to wipe her tears away. Taking off his red bandana, he uses it to wipe at her tears, which makes Shay curiously look at him. "This is for you." He chokes out.
Shay shakes her head quickly. "No! That's from May and your dad!"
Kai smiles as he wraps it around her head like a headband. "Then hold onto it for me."
The girl reaches a hand up to tentatively touch the fabric. Closing her eyes, she takes in one final shaky breath, allowing her to face Kai again with a strong bright smile. "Okay. I'll see ya later, New."
Kai fights the tears at hearing her nickname for him. He extends a hand for her to shake, but she ignores it completely to hug him tightly. "See ya later, Shay." He whispers. "Thanks for being my best friend."
To his surprise, when she pulls away from the hug, her lips brush his cheek in a light peck, causing him to turn bright red. With her own blushing face, Shay's glossy green eyes meet Kai's blue ones for the last time in a while. "Come get this back or I'll keep it." She then walks back inside the plane.
Kai blinks at the closed door before walking down the stairs to stand by Drew and May. He looks up at the plane preparing for take off where he sees the Enbars in the windows. His eyes land on Shay's, and he grins widely. Waving his hand enthusiastically, Kai exclaims, "I'll be back!"
There was a time Drew had asked Kai if he liked Shay as more than a friend. Kai wasn't sure what that meant, though he figured it must be Drew's way of asking if Kai has a crush on Shay. Watching the plane take off into the sky, Kai knows he does. Drew is right. Kai does have romantic feelings for Shay, the girl who has always been his support and treated him like a normal kid. With a faint pink tint on his cheeks, he reaches a hand up to touch where Shay's lips were moments earlier. He can't wait to see her again.
Once the plane is out of sight, May looks down at the boy who is still gazing at the sky. She puts a hand on his shoulder. "Ready to go, Kai?"
Of course he's not. If it was up to him, he'd rather stay with May on Cianwood forever. However, this is the best, most stressless option. When he feels another hand on his other shoulder, he looks up at his green haired babysitter giving him a nice smile. Taking in a deep breath, Kai nods. "Let's go."
The Maples and Vivi minus May take a car back to the gym. May and Drew, along with Kai, make the drive to the orphanage. If the orphanage knew Kai was found, they would've picked him up straight from the airport. However, May wants more time with him. She wanted to let him have time to say his goodbyes to the Enbars, mostly Shay, and then he can focus on his goodbye to her. She'll deal with the orphanage's wrath later. This is for Kai.
When the car stops in front of the orphanage, everyone gets out. Drew walks over to Kai first. The man extends a hand with a smile on his face. "See ya, Kai."
To his surprise, Kai tackles him in a tight hug. They've come a long way from when Kai despised him. It took a while, but Kai truly saw Drew's efforts in getting to know him. At first, he thought Drew was only being nice to him to get closer to May. However, Kai has learned that Drew cares about him too, and Kai knows he cares about Drew too. "I like you, Drew."
Chuckling as he keeps his own tears back, Drew hugs Kai. "I love you too, Kai."
"I didn't say I love you." mutters the boy, though he knows he does. Drew is his family too despite only knowing him for a few short years. May and Drew are his second parents, and he has to leave them.
When they pull away, Drew ruffles Kai's hair. Unlike in the past, Kai doesn't swat it away. "Be a good kid."
"I'm not a kid."
"You're a kid until you're older than me."
"That's never gonna happen."
With a small smile on his face, Drew replies, "I know." The man then looks over at May who has been sadly smiling at them. Whispering towards Kai, Drew says, "May's waiting."
Kai gives Drew a grateful nod. This is his hardest goodbye. Yes. Harder than Shay. It's the one he's dreaded the most. Due to this, he keeps his gaze on the ground as he approaches her. He only stops when he sees her feet. May means a lot to him. She took care of him when no one else did. She made him feel important and wanted. She didn't give up on him when he pushed her away.
"Kai."
Despite her soothing voice, Kai can't bring himself to meet her gaze. He's scared that he'll break down once he does. Just talking to her on the plane was hurting him too much. While he doesn't remember the details of his departure from his father, Kai knows he's going to be having a similar void when he goes inside the orphanage.
"Kai Brendan Birch." Her stern voice makes the boy automatically look up out of habit. She rarely uses that tone on him except for when he does something he shouldn't. Instead of in the past, her eyes this time are warm and glossy rather than disappointed and upset.
"I love you, May." He chokes out again while blinking back his many tears.
She pulls him in for a tight hug. "I know. I love you too. Don't ever forget that."
"I won't."
When she adopted him, he didn't know her at all. All he knew was that he wanted to leave that lonely orphanage. The fact that she knew his father gave him some confidence in believing she would raise him with love. She has done more than that. She's raised him with so much that he finds it more painful leaving her now than when his mother left him years ago.
Drew notices the orphanage workers coming out of the building. Diana is leading the other two workers, so Drew walks to stand in between the workers and May. "You are not supposed to be near him anymore!" Diana angrily says to May, though May is unfazed with Kai in her arms.
The green haired man sighs. "They're just saying goodbye."
Diana lets out a huff. She still likes May a lot, but due to the circumstances, May can't raise Kai anymore. "Make it quick."
"It's okay." May softly speaks. She pulls away and kisses Kai's head. "We're ready."
With his blue eyes on her blue ones, Kai returns the tearful smile. He quickly wipes at his face, which leaves it with a huge grin. "I'm ready."
May extends a hand for Kai to take before they walk towards Diana. Passing him over, May gratefully looks at the other woman. "Please take care of Kai."
"We will." Diana nods.
As the workers lead Kai into the building, a flash of red comes from May's waist. Out by Kai, Munchlax emerges from the beam to hug the boy tightly. "Munch munchlax!" weeps the pokemon.
Whatever strong demeanor May had is quickly wavering because she's watching her pokemon cry over the boy he's grown close with. Fortunately, Drew pulls May into his arms to give her strength. The two smile warmly at the scene where Kai tells Munchlax he will be back. Munchlax and Kai hug tightly once more before Kai finally enters the building with the workers.
After a couple more minutes of everyone staring at the closed door, May pulls out a pokeball. "C'mon, Munchlax."
"Munch…" Munchlax takes in a deep breath. He then turns to the couple and smiles widely. "Munchlax!"
1 Week Later
May and Drew spent a few days at the Maple house where Drew was subjected to Norman's glares. Nevertheless, Caroline reassures Drew that Norman likes him. Drew and May just left for Cianwood to pack their belongings and make the move back to Hoenn. Drew plans to get an apartment in Petalburg City since May wants to return home.
South of Little Root Town, an old lonely man sits by a gray tombstone. "They brought your son back, son." The man sniffles. He's visited this grave everyday since his son was buried here. Recently, though, his words have been less resentful. In the beginning, he used to curse the world and his son for being here. The old man would blame everyone but himself.
Time has taught him that Brendan needed him the most, and he wasn't there. Time has taught him that he needs to blame himself. Time has taught him that he needs to forgive everyone, including himself. Professor Birch has turned over a new leaf. He's not the bitter lonely professor anymore.
"I thought I lost you forever, but I didn't." the professor speaks. Ever since Norman told him that Norman was going to rescue Kai, the professor has been thinking a lot about Kai. Norman and the Professor got into a huge argument that day where Norman said he will always be on May's team. No matter the circumstances, if May needs help, Norman will be there. This is how the professor should've been with Brendan.
Therefore, the professor had time to think about what Kai means to him. Regardless of blood, Kai is Brendan's son. Brendan raised the boy with love, and Brendan is the only father Kai has ever known. This makes Kai the professor's grandson. "I'm going to adopt my grandson. I'll raise him better than I raised you. I'll be a better grandfather than I was a father." Professor Birch wipes at his eyes. "I'll be better for you, Brendan. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it."
With one final deep breath, the professor stands up. His grandson has been alone in that orphanage for a week too long already. However, Professor Birch wanted to make sure the paperwork and house were ready for Kai. All he needs now is Kai's approval to be adopted. The last time they saw each other, the professor screamed at him. He's ready to apologize to Kai now, and he hopes Kai will come with him. The professor has a lot he wants to share with Kai about Brendan.
When he arrives at the Petalburg City orphanage on time for his appointment, he is shown to the office. The man nervously waits where he picks at his fingernails. He hasn't really thought too much about what to do if Kai rejects him. Kai has every right to not want to get adopted by the man who screamed at him when he was 5 years old.
Once the office door opens again, the anxious man looks over where his brown eyes meet the awkward blue eyes of the white haired boy. Professor Birch stands up in a fluster as he approaches Kai. He extends a hand to confidently say, "Hello, Kai. If you will allow me, I want to be your grandfather."
The boy remembers this man. Everyone knows about the famous professor, so Kai has seen pictures of his father's father. Kai remembers the professor screaming at him years ago. He remembers being denied by the professor. However, he's been getting a letter every day he's been at the orphanage this week from the professor. There have been countless apologies as well as the man begging for forgiveness. Locking eyes with Professor Birch, Kai reaches for the hand. "Hi, grandpa."
Finished this story. There are only 2 more chapters left. :P