More preparation to the party, in this chapter our heroes consult a dear friend on some important matters. Hopefully things will end up going well.

We've got a decent amount of votes in the Pokemon Academy Best Girl Semi-Finals! We're reaching the end, so get in your votes! The frontrunners right now may surprise you, there's a dark horse in the top 3! Make sure to get those votes in, so we can see who makes it to the final round! All the girls are trying their best, let's see who will pull out the win!

Semi-Finalists: Cynthia, Ayame, Sango, Kate, Marion, Alcea

Rosealine gold: Don't worry, I'm sure Maddi won't hate the party TOO much.

Tambry96bj: Not sure. Depends on where the story goes, I only have a loose outline right now. It also depends how long the arc goes on for.

ConfusedCradily: Hopefully things will go well.

Aquahaze675: There should be some interesting pairings, to say the least.

Just a Bad Writer for Fun: What a place to drop off at. Hope things will get better for you.

KyubiMaster9: Yeah, Maddi speaks to a lot of people and their desire to not be annoyed by Cynthia.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 294

"You could not live with your own failure," Olivia snorted, looking down on the students standing before her. "Where did that bring you? Back to me."

"…Yeah, we're just here to see if we can borrow some clothes, you don't have to be so dramatic about it," Blake dryly replied. Blake and his roommates were all standing in a strange gathering hall in Olivia's private dormitory, apparently where she would greet guests and people who came to her with requests, like some sort of mafia boss. Cynthia, Sango, and Julia were also there, as were Nikita and Kitty. Olivia sat on a rather fancy chair with an arrogant sneer on her face, the perfect image of the haughty empress she envisioned herself to be. Ayame stood on her right, mouthing an apology for Olivia's attitude to Blake, and Celia stood on the woman's left, her cute looks twisted with discomfort at the awkward atmosphere.

Olivia leered at Blake and his friends.

"You know I value nothing as highly as my designer wardrobe," Olivia scoffed. "My clothes are not fit to grace the bodies of mere freshmen with no sense of style or flair."

Blake raised an eyebrow.

"If you would like to purchase outfits, however, I have a great many contacts in those departments, I could set you up with the finest that money could buy."

"Uh, yeah, we're trying not to break the bank," Cynthia said, stepping up next to Blake, "so maybe… how about just the 'average' that money could buy?"

Olivia looked scornfully at the redhead, as though Cynthia had just suggested Olivia take a bath in motor oil.

"I don't mingle with the lower echelon," Olivia replied. "You think I would belittle myself to purchase something as stylish as a burlap sack?"

God what a bitch… Everyone collectively thought. Ayame buried her face in her hands in embarrassment, shaking her head.

"Come on, lady!" Cynthia scowled, storming over to her. "This is an important party for us! You're Blake's friend, ain'tcha? Can't you just, I don't know, give us some dresses or something? You have tons of them!"

"Friendship isn't important, this is business," Olivia replied. "Speaking of, while Blake may be my friend, you are an associate of Alden Volt, are you not?"

Cynthia flinched, nodding her head.

"And even if that wasn't so… if I just give away my clothes whenever a friend wants to use them, I will very quickly have an empty wardrobe. And besides…"

Olivia ran her eyes up Cynthia's body, clearly not impressed.

"…My clothes wouldn't fit you, anyway."

"Hey!" Cynthia exclaimed, her face hot with fury. Seeing that put a wicked smile on Olivia's painted lips. She rose from her seat and strolled over to Cynthia, reaching out her hand and tucking her finger under the shorter girl's chin. Her arrogant look turned sly and coy, and she narrowed her eyes, shooting Cynthia a smoky look that turned the red on her face from fury towards something a little more… flustering.

"Well maybe we can come up with some sort of agreement," Olivia purred.

"Uh… what did you have in mind?" Cynthia asked.

"Oh, nothing too… extreme," Olivia said, turning her gaze from Cynthia and looking out across the other girls. "I'm just… interested in doing a little bit of a fashion show, that's all…"

Olivia had to resist the urge to lick her lips. In front of her were all manner of dolls she could dress in whatever sort of outfits she wished. She felt like a kid in a candy store, and she was intent on stuffing her face full.

The girls felt a collective chill pulse through the room, all of them getting a very bad feeling of what was to come. A chorus of gulps rang out among them.

"Boys, you can go with Ayame. She'll take you to the tailors, to get you some suits made up. No need to worry about cost, I'll handle the bill on this one. And as for you girls…" Olivia's eyes narrowed, shining with a predatory glint. "I'll be handling things… personally."

"What the hell is this?!" Julia snapped. She was wearing a big, fluffy black dress with white lace that looked like it had come straight out of Kitty's closet. Her dark hair was tied up into twintails, held by a black headband lined with white lace. The dress revealed her cleavage and shoulders, with long arm coverings that reached down to her fingertips. It was not the kind of dress she would wear for herself under any circumstances.

"All part of our arrangement," Olivia purred. She was lounging back on a couch in her room, eyes aimed straight at the changing room door, the entrance Julia was standing in. The other four girls were hovering around the couch, almost like handmaidens, dreading their eventual turn and what outfits Olivia would pick out for them. Only Cynthia seemed like she was enjoying herself, getting an excuse to see her friends dressed in cute outfits.

Julia, who hated gothic Lolita clothes on herself, just wanted to change. But Olivia was very clear. She was to remain in that outfit while the other girls tried theirs on, and only then would she change into the next set of clothes Olivia provided for her.

"It's almost suitable," Olivia said. "A cool and composed tan beauty like you, in something so frilly and dark? The gap moe is pretty good if I do say so."

Julia wanted to punch the senior right in her smug, perfect little teeth. But she composed herself.

"Now, for the little kitty-cat, how about something in a punk rock, scary delinquent vibe? I'm thinking a studded collar and torn jeans."

Kitty let out a little "meep" of fright as Olivia grabbed her by the collar of her dress and dragged her over to her wardrobe, cackling.

Meanwhile, the boys were getting fitted for their suits. Ayame was sitting in one of the waiting couches outside the tailor's studio, her fingers steepled together in contemplation. The apprehension on her face was plain to see.

"What's the matter, Aya?" Ayame scowled, glancing up to see a certain tall, olive-skinned student peering down at her. The dark-haired Gladiolus "Allen" Alastair stood in front of her, wearing that same handsome smile on his face that he always did, the one the girls found oh so charming. The one he used to hide the arrogant, sinister man that lay beneath it. His blue eyes were shining down on her in what might appear a good-natured look, but Ayame knew better.

"Don't call me Aya," she replied with a snap, turning away from him and looking towards the changing rooms. "How is it coming along? Are the boys getting their suits together fine?"

"They should be 'suitable'," Allen laughed at his own joke, sitting beside her. "But I don't think that's what you're worried over, now is it?"

"No, and it's also none of your business," Ayame said coolly, going back to ignoring him. Allen sighed, scratching at the dark stubble on his face.

"The Empress wants to know how it's going," Celia said, stepping into the room, peering at Ayame through her blonde bangs. Her brown eyes were anxiously looking at the conflict on Ayame's face. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, this is nothing about them," Ayame said, shaking her head. "It's just… a private thing, my personal issue to deal with."

Celia glanced at Allen, then back to Ayame.

"Would you… like to talk about it?" Celia asked quietly. Ayame nodded, and stood up. Celia walked with her to the other room.

"So what's up?" Celia asked, closing the door behind her.

"It's… it's Blake," Ayame admitted. Celia blinked.

"What about him?" She asked.

"He's going to be wearing a suit," Ayame explained.

Celia still wasn't understanding. She chuckled.

"Aya, you're embarrassed to see your boyfriend wearing a suit? That's so like you. I still remember when you first saw him. Heh! You were head over heels, it was love at first sight! Seeing you two flirting around like that, it was-"

"I-I did NOT like him back then!" Ayame insisted, her face getting hot. "I'm not that easy a girl! I couldn't stand him at first!"

Celia nodded in agreement, not believing a word she was saying. But it was fun to watch her sputter anyway. She still remembered that first night, when Blake complimented her repeatedly. Ayame had been happy to have the attention, even if she didn't want to admit it even now. And the smile on her face when she brought up Blake inviting her on their first date? (Well, it had actually been an angry scowl, but it was the kind of angry scowl that signaled she was actually really happy and just trying to hide it.) It had just been more proof that Ayame was completely smitten and refused to see it. And now they were dating, it was the cutest thing that Celia could imagine. Ayame looked so much more openly happy now, it brought a smile to Celia's lips as well. Which was why seeing Ayame having embarrassment like this? At the thought of seeing her boyfriend in a suit? It was the most adorable thing ever.

"But… if Blake's wearing a suit… then other girls are going to see him in it!" Ayame said, burying her bright red face in her hands. "They're all going to fawn all over him, because he's going to look like the most handsome guy in the world!"

Damn she's got it bad, Celia sighed, shaking her head. She thought Ayame was embarrassed, but this was even more embarrassing. Celia couldn't imagine saying something that embarrassing about a boyfriend or girlfriend, Ayame's straightforwardness was something else. Celia found herself blushing in sympathy.

"The thought of girls going after my boyfriend, I don't want to imagine it. It'll be… it'll just be the most irritating thing! They know I'm dating him, and they're just going to be throwing themselves at him anyway," Ayame scowled, shaking her head, talking like it was a foregone conclusion that Blake would be getting that level of attention. Celia didn't think he was THAT attractive.

"What am I gonna do?" Ayame asked. "They're gonna be all over him, and I'm not allowed to go! I know he's not going to do anything, but the thought of him teaming up with some pretty girl… I don't want it! No, no, no!"

Ayame hung her head.

"And here I was boasting about how secure I was in my relationship," she sighed. "Claire must be laughing at me right now. Is it… am I a bad girlfriend for being jealous of girls potentially fawning over him? I want to talk with the boss about it, but she'd probably say-"

"You're being really dumb," Celia admonished Ayame, Ayame's mouth falling open in shock. Certainly that was what she expected to come from Olivia, but shy, sweet Celia wasn't the type to say something like that.

"Don't worry Aya, it's totally normal to be jealous of the thought of your boyfriend hanging around other girls, especially ones that are coming onto him," Celia said. "I mean, in a perfect world you wouldn't be, since you would be completely secure in your relationship with him to know he wouldn't ever cheat on you-"

"Which he wouldn't," Ayame interjected, Celia nodding in agreement. While she knew Blake significantly less well than she knew Ayame, he'd shown nothing but attention towards the tomboy in the time that she HAD spent with him. He didn't seem like the type to cheat, especially not with how happy they looked now.

Celia continued her explanation, since Ayame needed to understand that jealousy wasn't just about cheating.

"Even if you know he won't cheat on you, it's still alright to not like the idea of other girls stealing his attention. That's time he could be spending with you, after all. He is YOUR boyfriend, and feeling a little possessive of him is fine. He's going to a party that you can't go to, hanging out with other girls, one of whom he may team up with and spend the next few weeks with. So you see, it's totally fine to be a little jealous that you can't be with him."

"R-really?" Ayame asked, surprised. She thought that these feelings in her gut were a bad thing, but Celia was telling her that it was okay.

"Yup, totally fine," Celia said, nodding. "It's okay to be jealous. Just make sure not to get too possessive, you understand? You don't want to make him think you're too clingy."

Although he'd probably like seeing you be clingy, Celia mentally added, but she didn't want to encourage Ayame like that.

"So what should I do?" Ayame asked. "Just… be cool with it? Yeah, sure. I can do cool. Cool old Ayame, same as fucking always. That'll be fine."

Celia smiled in response. Ayame let out a sigh, sitting down on one of the couches in the side room (Olivia liked couches quite a bit), reaching up and rubbing her temples.

"Things would all be so much easier if he and I were in the same year," Ayame said quietly. Celia nodded glumly. Ayame was all smiles on the surface. But of course she was thinking it. There was a three-year difference between her and her boyfriend. That would make anyone nervous of the future. So even if she was happy with Blake, there was an insecurity that was no doubt nagging at her.

"It doesn't help that your birthday's in a few weeks, either," Celia said. "19, huh?"

Ayame nodded. Normally, her birthday was something to celebrate, and Olivia certainly had a large celebration planned. But honestly… she just wanted to spend a private party, alone with Blake. Just the two of them, having fun together…

Ayame's face turned red.

"N-not that way!" She insisted, shaking her head frantically. Celia smirked. She'd seen Ayame make flustered outbursts like that at her own thoughts.

"Aya, you're adorable," Celia said, shaking her head and sitting down next to the girl. "Maybe things would be easier if you two were the same year, if you were a freshman like him. You'd have three more years together here, and after that, well…"

Celia sighed.

"But then you wouldn't have the same relationship you have with Olivia, would you? Or with me, or with the girls in your club, all those girls who look up to you so much, the ones you care for so deeply. Would it be worth giving up, all for him? Are those three years we all spent together worth so little to you?"

Ayame turned her head and looked at Celia, smiling. Celia was surprised. She thought that Ayame would be crying, but her eyes were completely dry.

"I'm not sad," Ayame said, shaking her head. "I'm happy I get to be with my friends. I'm happy I get to spend what time I have left with Blake, and I believe… I hope… that even after I graduate, he and can still… but you have to admit, that a senior and a freshman… it would be easier if we were both freshmen, or even both seniors."

"The harder something is, the more worthwhile it is," Celia offered. Ayame chuckled in reply, nodding her head.

"Still… if only, right?"

"…This is because you can't do sex stuff with him due to the age difference, isn't it?" Celia asked, channeling her inner Olivia.

Stunned, Ayame let her mouth drop open, sitting frozen in place as she just stared at the little blonde girl who she'd thought would be far too shy to say something so brazen. Ayame couldn't find a word to say to her. Celia snickered in response.

"Ah, right on the money then."

Ayame floundered for something to say, to try and explain that it wasn't like that, that even if they were the same age they'd only been dating for just over a week, and they were nowhere near ready for something like that. But the words didn't come out, so her mouth just flopped open and closed like a Magikarp.

Ayame was done talking at that point, and decided her time would be better spent waiting for the boys to finish their suits.

"So what do you think?" Blake asked, looking at Ayame expectantly. The tailors had found the perfect suit for his measurements, to replace the one that had burned up on his father's yacht. He stood before Ayame, a hopeful look in his eyes. He wore a double-breasted black jacket with the bottom two buttons in place, revealing a starched white shirt and a tie the color of a light purple-blue, the same color as the iris flowers Ayame loved. Not only did he dress up nicely in the suit, but his brown hair was even brushed straight.

"Not bad," Allen said, nodding. "Not bad at all…"

"I think you look nice," Celia agreed. She turned to Ayame. "So? What do you think, Aya? You like his suit okay?"

Ayame was stunned into silence for the second time that day. She stared at Blake quietly, for a while. So long that it made Blake start to feel a little embarrassed.

Ayame placed her hand over her chest and fell over.

"Ah, a critical hit," Celia said, kneeling next to the tall girl, checking Ayame for a pulse. "It's super effective!"

"Ayame!" Blake cried, running over to her side. "What happened?!"

"It's too good!" Ayame wailed, covering her face. "I can't help it! He's so hot!"

Allen snorted, rolling his eyes. "Girl, he's just okay."

Ayame sat up and shot him a glare. Her eyes slipped over to see her boyfriend wearing a suit again, and she felt her heart skip a beat. She grabbed Celia by the sleeve.

"I told you!" She wailed. "All the girls are gonna be fawning over him!"

Celia rolled her eyes, shooting Blake an exasperated look. Blake himself felt rather flattered at Ayame's reaction.

Ayame took a deep breath and stood up, smiling bashfully at Blake.

"You… you look good," Ayame giggled. "I… I bet the girls at the party will be speechless. It looks like it's going to be a fun party, too, I hope that you'll have a good time…"

"Sorry you can't come," Blake apologized. Ayame smiled. That was enough to make her okay with everything. She was rather happy to hear he wanted her to accompany him to the party, rather than one of those other girls. Even if she wasn't a pokemon battler, she would love to team up with him for the tournament.

"I wish I could, too," Ayame said. But she sadly couldn't.

"I'd like to see you in a dress again."

Ayame blinked. A coy smile shyly edged its way across her reddened face.

"W-well, I mean… my birthday isn't far. Olivia's throwing me a big party, so… if you wanted to come, well… maybe you'll get your wish."

"Sounds like a plan," Blake said, nodding. "I can't wait. I'm sure you'll look lovely."

Ayame's smile widened and she lowered her head bashfully, brushing her bangs aside. It was a strange sight to see, as she was still taller than Blake and had to look down slightly to look him in the eyes to begin with.

Celia smiled for her friend, and hoped that everything would be okay. Hopefully, the coming party wouldn't result in anything that would make Ayame feel hurt.

Next chapter, we get to see the girl's dresses, and we get to the party itself! What awaits them there, I wonder?