Romcom shenanigans begin! Boy A brings Girl B to his room, unaware that Girlfriend C is waiting for him! But this is no ordinary romcom! In a world where all three of them have major self-esteem issues and feelings of doubt, will their relationships be able to make it through this conflict intact?!

The Finals have begun! The Pokemon Academy Best Girl Finals is heating up, I can't wait to see how it goes. The race is really close, and it's still anyone's game, showing just how great these girls really are. Any one of them deserves the title of Pokemon Academy Best Girl, but only one of them will be able to win! If you haven't voted for your best girl yet, better get those votes in quick! This contest is gonna be a close one it looks like, a single vote makes all the difference! Who will be the Pokemon Academy Best Girl?

Finalists: Sango, Ayame, Marion

Hellraiserphoenix: A lot of those things will probably happen. (though Darla and Lila would probably be participating, rather than commenting, remember, they're in the Appeals Course too) As for the confrontation, well… we'll see how that goes right now, won't we?

Thunder Fire: The strongest swords are tempered in the hottest of fires.

KedharS: Threesome is the only logical outcome, I agree.

Aurastar Warrior: Please follow the template for your character.

Aquahaze675: They're headed for an interesting time.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 315

By the time Blake and Elaina arrived at Bulbasaur House, Elaina had recovered enough of her strength to be able to walk under her own power. She was still exhausted and her head was still throbbing in pain, but she didn't feel like she was going to collapse any time soon.

Blake let Elaina into the building and headed up towards his room, with the darkly clad girl falling behind him. He glanced over his shoulder. Elaina was clearly tense; her body was still shaking, and her steps were jerky robotic.

She must still be feeling some effects from her harmonia… Blake understood.

The truth was slightly different.

A boy's room! I'm going to a boy's room! Elaina screamed internally, her mask cold against her hot face. And not just any boy's room, but Blake's room! Blake and I will be in his room, and then we'll… then we'll be…

Blake sighed. They were almost there. He just needed to get the medication and give it to her, and that would hopefully help even out her symptoms a little better.

Blake placed his hand on the door and turned the handle, opening it up and heading into his room, while Elaina waited anxiously in the hall.

Blake did not expect what he saw in his room.

Not one bit.

"H-hello, dear!" A blushing Ayame was standing in front of the door, her face bright red with embarrassment. But she still had to force the rest of her greeting out. Olivia had told her exactly what she should say when Blake came back.

But it was so embarrassing! Even so…

"Do… d-do… do you want dinner? Or a bath?!" Ayame shouted, less "cutesy" and more "frantic" than Olivia had advised. "O-o-or… d-d-d-do you want… m-me?"

She looked hopefully into Blake's eyes.

What's going on here? Blake's mind had stopped working. Ayame was in front of him? Wait, why was she in his room? Wait, did she just ask him if he wanted… h-her?

The longer Ayame stared at him, the more tears began to well up into her eyes.

"SAY SOMETHING!" Ayame cried. "Th-this is super-embarrassing for me, too, you jerk!"

"Wh-why would you…?" Blake gaped at her. "This is… if my roommates saw, then…"

"I… Olivia said this is what a good girlfriend would do!" Ayame fired back. "I was just trying to… I was just trying to be a good girlfriend, you jerk!"

"Who asks 'would you like me' in a guy's room? We haven't even-!" Blake exclaimed.

"Err…"

Ayame and Blake stared at each other. Their faces were bright red.

"Excuse me."

Elaina knocked on the door, startling Blake and Ayame.

"How long do I have to wait in the hall?" Elaina asked.

Ayame's eyes widened in surprise, and then narrowed into a glare.

"Is that Elaina Bishop?!" She hissed. "What's she doing here?!"

"She's my partner!" Blake hissed back.

"That doesn't mean you need to bring her to your room! Did you forget that I'm your girlfriend?" Ayame snapped.

"This and that are different things," Blake whispered. "Listen, Elaina is in really bad shape right now. Her… it's hard to explain, but, her harmonia… I have some medication in my room that I was getting for her, since it looked like she was about to collapse. So I brought her here so she could lie down and rest."

"…Lie down, huh."

"Come on, Ayame!" Blake whisper-shouted, grabbing her by the shoulders. Ayame let out a squeak of surprise, her cheeks flushing. "You know that I… that I wouldn't do something like you're thinking. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, I… I love you! So you don't need to worry about anything… like that, okay?"

Ayame sighed. It must be written all over her face, how jealous she was. But of course, Blake didn't care if she felt jealous or anxious, he didn't judge her for something like that, the fucking jerk! Where did he get off, being so sweet and accepting?!

Ayame was so lovestruck she didn't notice that Blake was using his grip on her shoulders to push her into the closet.

"Hey, what're you-"

"If she finds you here, it's only going to be more complicated," Blake explained quietly. "So just stay here and be quiet, okay?!"

"Don't you dare lock me-"

Blake shut the door on her, engulfing her in darkness.

"…Inside. Jerk!"

Ayame punched the door of the closet, and let out a sigh. She didn't like cramped spaces at all. She felt like she was suffocating in here, pressed in by his clothes. Even more annoying, she couldn't see what was going on! Sure, she trusted Blake not to do anything, but she still wanted to see what the two of them were up to!

The nerve of that guy… Ayame mentally grumbled. As irritated as she was by this turn of events, she was still heeding his request and staying quietly locked away in the closet, waiting for Blake to finish up his business with Elaina. Then they'd be able to have a nice, long discussion when Elaina Bishop finally left, letting her out.

"Sorry about that," Blake laughed, letting Elaina into the room. "I was… well, I was cleaning some stuff up, because my room was a mess, so… you know, didn't want you to see my room in the messy state that it was in."

Elaina nodded her head. As she did, another throb of pain shot through it and she winced, reaching up to place her fingers over her ears, massaging her temples slightly.

"Sorry, Blake, but… my headache just got worse…" Elaina whispered, shaking her head. "Can… can you get that medication now? I'm going to lie down…"

"Yeah, certainly," Blake said, nodding. "Use my bed."

Elaina resisted the urge to scream. Blake's… Blake's bed?! What was he… he wouldn't be planning to…

No, someone like her… he would never want someone like her. Not when he had someone like his girlfriend. Someone real he could be with, who could love him the way that she never could. That was… what was best.

Elaina began to feel dizzy. She walked to the bed and laid down in it, letting the exhaustion waft over her.

So warm… Elaina lazily thought, the pain in her head being soothed into a dull throb by the warmth of Blake's sheets, as if he had been laying in them just recently. It was so comforting… like feeling gentle arms wrapped around her…

Blake's bed is so… comfortable and warm… it's nothing like the bed in my room… Elaina wondered if this was what it was like to be accepted by someone else.

Blake dug around in his desk, taking out a small box. Within the box were three bottles of pills. It was all his brother had given him.

There are probably around 100 pills in here, Blake reasoned. That should be more than enough… assuming her attacks don't get worse… if she only had to take one a day that would be fine, but if she needs one every time her symptoms act up…

Blake let out a sigh, glancing over his shoulder at the dozing Elaina.

Well, either way, I should at least give these to her, for a start… If she starts to run low, I can always call my brother, I guess.

Blake turned and walked over to his bedside. Elaina was… sleeping? It was hard to tell with her face covered by that mask.

This girl… she always wears that mask over her face.

Blake could understand why. He'd worn a mask of his own as well, in a sense. Pretending to be someone he wasn't to be accepted by others. But Elaina's mask was something different. He knew why she wore it. It was a shield. Something that she wore to protect herself from the world around her, a shield she wore over her heart.

I'm sure… I know that behind that mask, she's crying in pain… Blake's heart went out to the poor girl. Unable to be accepted by others. Unable to accept herself. A shell of a girl hiding behind a mask, only seen by those around her as a monster.

If only she could take off that mask… if only she could control her harmonia… she hasn't lost herself like Gwen, she still has a chance to live a normal life… if only she could get out from under Gerard's influence… she'd be able to…

Blake reached his hand towards Elaina. Drawing closer to her face. He knew that he didn't have any right… but he still felt compelled to know what she really looked like under that mask. Elaina always hid herself from him, like everyone else. But he wanted to get to know… who was the scared little girl hiding behind the façade of the witch? The lonely girl named Elaina Bishop, beneath the pain and anguish that her harmonia plagued her with.

Ayame was growing anxious. They hadn't said anything for the last few minutes.

What are they doing? Why aren't they talking? Did they leave? Is it safe to come out?

The only sound she could hear was the pounding of her heart in her chest. No, no, it's fine. I believe in Blake. He would never do anything, especially not when I'm right here.

Blake reached out… and placed his hand on her shoulder, gently jostling her. He wasn't sure if she was sleeping, but if she was, he would wake her up.

I want to see what's behind that mask of hers. But I don't have a right to violate her sanctuary like that. Removing Elaina's mask… I couldn't do something like that. She needs the strength to face the world herself… I can't be the one to make that decision for her, after all. I can't invade her privacy and force her out into the world, even if I know that it would be in her best interest. He hadn't been able to save his sister. He couldn't force her to come back home with him. And the same way, he couldn't force Elaina to accept herself, either.

In the end… I can just be for her, I guess.

Elaina still wasn't waking up.

"Elaina…" he said, shaking her again, a little more forceful than before. "Are you asleep? I have your medicine. Can you wake up for me?"

Elaina heard Blake's voice calling out to her through the dreamless void of unconsciousness, and she blearily opened her eyes, the cold porcelain of her mask greeting her waking face. That was… Blake was standing over her, a look of concern on her face.

Concern… it was always him who showed concern for her.

"Blake, I… sorry, I must have dozed off…"

Her head was still hurting, and the world around her seemed to be swallowed in a fog of uncertainty, making her entire body feel heavy. She still managed to sit up in bed, trying to shake the darkness out of her mind, but it still clung to her, like a toxic haze.

"Elaina… here. This bottle is for you," Blake said, handing the box out to her. There were three bottles inside. "Whenever you feel fatigued, or like your symptoms are acting up on you and you can't withstand it, then take one of these pills, and you should start feeling better."

"I-I see," Elaina said, taking the box from his hands and turning it over, removing one of the bottles. She unscrewed the cap and shook it, a small white pill falling into her hand. Something so small… could help her? For real?

Elaina glanced tentatively up at Blake.

"Can… can you…"

Blake looked down at her, unsure why she was hesitating. He put the problem together about a fraction of a second before she made everything clear to him.

"Can you turn around, please?" Elaina asked, her voice quiet and fragile. "I…I can't take this with my mask on, so…"

"Y-yeah, of course," Blake said, nodding. "But Elaina…"

"Just turn around!" Elaina cried, desperation in her voice. Blake turned around as she asked. Keeping her eyes on his back, Elaina reached up, and gently removed the mask from her face.

In the silence of his room, Blake could hear the soft sound of something being placed on his bed. He heard Elaina's soft breathing, clearer than ever, no longer muffled by any obstruction. Behind him right now was Elaina Bishop, not the girl in the mask. He just had to turn around, and he could see her for who she was.

But he didn't.

Elaina's hand was shaking as she brought the pill closer to her lips. What if it doesn't work? What if it doesn't help me? What if this will just make everything worse?

She took a deep breath, feeling anxiety filling her heart. It built and built… and she let it all out in a sight of surrender.

No… I need to believe in Blake. Blake's just trying to help me. The least I can do for him is to accept his goodwill.

The times someone did something genuinely selfless for Elaina's sake were so uncommon that she couldn't recall them. But this was certainly one of them. So she would trust him.

She slipped the pill into her mouth and swallowed.

The effects weren't immediate. It was only for a few moments, but it was like nothing at all was happening.

And then it did.

The feeling was like having something heavy being pressed down on her chest, and then released, allowing her to breathe. The pressure on her head was eased off, and the throbbing was gone. The dark fog swirling around her… it was starting to part away, and let in the light around her, like stepping out of a burning building and into a clear sky.

A few moments more, and it was like nothing at all had happened. Her fatigue, her pain, her uneasiness and feelings of nausea, all of them had been washed away by a simple pill. It wasn't something she ever could have believed, but…

"Elaina…" Blake spoke to her first, before she could say anything to him. She flinched, realizing how exposed she was. Even though he couldn't see her, even though she was alone with him, she still felt naked and vulnerable.

"Y-yeah?" She asked. For some reason, she still hadn't put her mask back on. Maybe… maybe part of her didn't want to. Now that she was thinking a little clearer… didn't she want him to look at her? To see her… for who she was? Not wearing a mask, but as her…

The face of Ayame Toujou flashed through her mind.

What am I thinking… he has a girlfriend, after all. And that… that isn't me. Even… even if he would accept me… it's not like anyone else would.

She shook her head, resisting the urge to cry.

No… that's a lie. I'm just…

I'm just afraid that he'll reject me after he sees my face, that's what this really is.

"Elaina, how is it?" Blake asked, her heart throbbing in joy and pain at the concern in his voice. Of course he would care…

"How is…"

"Your harmonia, how is it? Are you feeling okay?" Blake asked, his tone dripping with worry. "Are the pills working? Do you feel-"

Elaina cut him off.

"I'm fine."

"You… you are?"

"The pill… it's like… I can't even describe it. But everything feels a little clearer now, you know? I feel… relieved, like a big weight's been lifted. Like I woke up from a deep sleep," Elaina explained. She didn't know how long it would last, but right now… she felt happy and content. "I'm doing much better, you don't need to worry anymore."

"O-oh, that's good," Blake said. Elaina could see his back slouch and his shoulders drop, as though the tension had drained from them and now he was feeling relieved. Elaina let out a content sigh. She was glad he'd worried for her, but-

"W-wait!" Elaina stopped him as he was turning.

"Er, wha-?" Blake had assumed that she was ready to talk again, and froze in place, turning back to face the door.

"Sorry, sorry… just… I don't have my mask back on yet," Elaina replied, grabbing the slender porcelain mask from the bed and lifting it back onto her face. "Don't turn around just yet."

Blake sighed.

I might as well try.

"Elaina… you don't need to wear that mask when you're with me," Blake told her. "I don't… I care about you. If you're wearing that mask to hide from others, you don't need to worry about that with me. Mask or no mask… I care about you, Elaina."

Elaina said nothing. Had he gotten through to her? Was she considering it?

"Thank you for your kind words," Elaina said. The prior vulnerability he'd heard from her was gone, and her voice was once against muffled by the barrier of porcelain between them. She'd put it back on, of course she had.

"But I will not show my face to anyone, ever again," she coldly replied. He heard the creak of her rising up off of his bed, and turned to face her. He couldn't make out anything behind that icy, empty stare of hers.

"…I see," Blake sighed. He had tried his best. But unfortunately, her barriers were simply too high for him to climb. "If that's what you want."

"Thank you for this," Elaina said, holding the box up. "It means a lot to me that you would do something like this for someone like me. But now that I've taken it, I seem to find myself wishing to eat. Would you care to join me?"

Why did I just ask that?! I can't even eat with this mask on! What an idiot! Idiot! Elaina chastised herself. It had just popped out somehow.

Blake flinched. Normally, he would want to spend as much time around her as he could, because the more he hung out with her in normal circumstances, the closer they could get, and the more she might open her heart both to himself and to her. That would be the best thing for them, to slowly get her acclimated her to life around other people. If he wanted to help her, then even more than medication, giving her a place she could be normal, to treat her like anyone else while she was with him, that was the best course of action, wasn't it?

But that would mean abandoning Ayame.

Ayame had heard it. She knew that Blake wanted to help Elaina. From her hiding place in the closet, she knew that Blake, who would do whatever he could for the girl, would want to spend more time with her, of course. That was the kind sort of person he was. And that meant they wouldn't get the chance to have their talk. She let out a silent sigh, lowering her head in defeat. She couldn't blame him for trying to help this poor girl.

Ayame's face flashed through Blake's mind and made his choice abundantly clear.

"Sorry… but we'll have to do it another time," Blake replied.

"What?" Elaina blinked, her look of surprise hidden behind her pale mask.

What?! Ayame's eyes widened hopefully and she lifted her head, not sure if she'd heard him properly through the door.

"I want to spend time with you, Elaina, really," Blake admitted. "But the thing is… I already made plans with my girlfriend tonight, so I can't."

"O-oh," Elaina said, glad that her mask was keeping the disappointment she was feeling hidden from his eyes.

"Besides, I think… wouldn't it be uncomfortable, eating while also trying to hide your face from me?" Blake asked, smiling a little in an attempt to be reassuring.

Elaina couldn't really argue with that.

"Then, um… to… tomorrow morning," Elaina said, her face hot, "after breakfast, before we go looking for trainers to fight, want to, um… maybe we could… go for a walk?"

To Blake, that sounded an awful lot like something Ayame would misunderstand as a date. And he couldn't exactly confirm that it was okay right now, while she was in the room with him. And if he tried to deflect his answer for later after already turning her down once, the effect on Elaina's self-confidence would be…

Sorry, Ayame.

"Sure, that sounds great!" Blake said, smiling.

Elaina nodded. She could tell that the smile wasn't genuine. He wanted to go with her, but not for the reason she wanted him to want to. He wanted to spend time with her, sure. He wanted to help her, definitely.

But she wasn't the one in his heart.

"Then… then I should be going," Elaina said.

"Do you want me to walk you back to your place?" Blake asked, mentally slapping himself the moment he did. Ayame was right here, waiting for him!

"No, it isn't far. I think I shall enjoy the fresh air," Elaina replied, walking past him. She stepped into the doorway and paused, looking back at him.

"Blake… may I ask you something?"

"Uh, of course," Blake said, nodding.

"That girlfriend of yours… she's very special to you, isn't she? Can you tell me what it's like… to feel something like that?"

"Ayame…? Of course she's special to me, what do you-" Blake wasn't sure exactly what she meant.

"Nothing, it's nothing," Elaina dismissed it, shaking her head. "I shouldn't have sprung that on you. That's something I should figure out for myself, I suppose… See you tomorrow, Blake."

Elaina turned and walked out the door, leaving a confused Blake standing in his room, silent as the grave.

The closet door slowly slid open and a sweaty Ayame stepped out. Even in winter, trapping someone in a closet full of clothes wasn't exactly pleasant.

"Is she gone?" Ayame asked, although she already knew the answer. She wouldn't have left the closet, otherwise.

"She is, yeah," Blake said, turning to face his girlfriend.

"Then can we… talk?" Ayame asked.

Blake swallowed. When a girl said she wanted to talk… when she looked that serious…

Please don't have her be wanting to break up, Blake pleaded to whoever was listening. He didn't want to lose the girl he loved over something like this.

"Yeah," he said softly, nodding his head. The reluctance on his face was plain to see. "We can talk."

Relationship troubles ahead! Will they be able to work everything out? Don't break up you two, you're so great for each other! It can't end this way! Not over something like this!