Iris bit into her apple awkwardly, the juices of the fruit seeping through her teeth and up and down her tongue until they inevitably fell into her throat. Then, seeing as there was no more meat for her to pick at, stood up to throw out the core at the garbage can and rinsed her hands before drying them on her skirt.

She reached her arms up to stretch them out, but cringed at the pain that flowed through her shoulder. Though with barely any hesitation shook it off and settled for rubbing the spot soothingly. She had been sitting for a good half-hour. And now there was about another 15 minutes left of lunch with nothing to do. She didn't mind.

In fact, going to class early became a habit of hers. She'd rather sit in an empty classroom than have to deal with everyone at the cafeteria. As much as her pride didn't let herself say so, she was never that popular around here. Not to say boys didn't occasionally ask her out on the fascination of her unusual hair color, but everyone else was honestly freaked out by it. She was eating an apple in the bathroom at lunch for her Axew's sake!

But, that wasn't the reason she did it anyway. She bet her whole gymnastics scholarship that when she left the girl's barrier provided sympathetically by the school, he would be there. Who was this he?

Iris opened the door, and to her great and totally not-expected surprise saw that he really had been waiting for her the whole time. "Oh, Airisu! I've been standing out here for a while. That was a long bathroom break."

He was a pain, that's who he was.

He was also blatantly oblivious to anything she said. She didn't get it. He was definitely one of the pretty boys at this school, yet stuck to her like glue ever since five months ago when he, dressed in a prince costume complete with a crown and cape, dragged her to a park filled with candle lights, a giant chocolate cake, and a bouquet of irises and professed his undying love for her. Now that was new. She was grateful he didn't end up being some kidnapper, but she didn't even know who he was at the time! The cake was good, but of course she said no!

Boys would usually give up by then. In fact, a week later she usually saw them making out with some other Blondie near the staircase. You know, that area under the steps yet not quite by the door? Yeah, great place. Seeing as anyone within sight could see them, and those still pitifully descending the stairs unaware of what permanent damage would invoke their eyes could hear them anyway, thinking that disgusting slurping was the janitor mopping up some spilled up soda. What kids…

So, when she saw the object of her frustration smiling expectantly at her, she turned the other way and walked out of the hall.

"Oh, Airisu. Wait for me~!" He called her cheerfully and countered all her attempts at avoiding him by skipping right next to her. "You know, I was thinking that you would like to go fencing with my brothers and I after school at our house. I myself don't prefer the taste of stabbing people, but Pod is pretty exuberant at it even though Corn always ends up locking him in the supply closet halfway through. I wonder why he does th-"

"No, thank you."

"Ah, so you don't like fencing either. Then how about ballet? I'm actually the best out o-"

Anger grated on her nerves. "No."

"I suppose you're one of those badminton types-"

She turned to him with a blank frown. "Look Dento, sorry but I have to do a lot homework. You know, for Accounting class." Not even he could not realize the boringness and suicidal subject that was accounting. Every student in the school hated it, even Belle. But as soon as the words lingered between them, she could tell he was going to open his mouth to say something else. So she slid the door in his face and maneuvered to her desk at the very back, ignoring the shock of discomfort itching through her skin when she shuffled through her books.

"Early as usual, huh?" Iris froze.

The front of the board was empty, so she knew that the oncoming voice could only come from the one she knew best.

And, before she knew it, two bodies held her down and the pain in her shoulder found a friend.

TTTTTTTT

She was in a darker mood than usual when she left the front doors that day. All she wanted was to get home and see her cheerful baby Axew again. The teacher lectured on and on about some ancient grass which she already knew a lot about from her grandmother. Then, at the one question she didn't know the answer to that kid had called on her to answer it like the idiot she was.

"AAIrisuu!" Crap. Only one person she knew pronounced her name like that.

She turned, giving him a demonic stare. "What d'you want, Dento?"

Dent didn't notice. "Since you're going to do Accounting homework, do you want me to accompany you in your studies? We could calculate stock markets together! Or perhaps you want to begin on today's assignment researching on the economy of unprocessed Sarimi?"

Iris gaped at the space in front of her. 'Is he serious?' "Are you serious? Why would you want to do that?"

"I've always wanted to learn more about the Japanese's clever solutions to their decline in fishery. It's actually very intriguing to compare economic profits between time periods an-"

"Ugh, NO!" She resisted the urge to kick him, so kicked a trash can while imagining his face embedded into it.

"Hm?" Clueless smile.

"Listen uh…I have an Axew and he's really sick." Iris knew the one thing Dent hated most was dirt and germs, next to Purrloins as he once gave a whole speech about their evil during his campaign to become school president. "Like, he has rabies which can spread some unknown virus and whenever anyone gets close to him, he lashes out in anger and bites the closest thing. And my house is really small, so we'd have to study sitting right next to his raging body."

"Oh dear! I should call a doctor. It can't be safe for a fair maiden to be living under such a threat! Let's go to the hospital together!"

"Won't you get bored?"

"We can take turns reading magazines about talk show foods and celebrity life to the children there. Then, go to the vending machines they'll surely have and discuss our favorite healthy snack name brands while debating about which one to buy and of which is the best quality to feed your Axew when he's ready. If there's still some time left over we can take a detour of their kitchen and I'll make dinner for the two of us!"

Iris held her head. "Ow, it hurts…"

"Do you need to see paramedics as well, Airisu?"

"Go study on your own! Why do you keep on bothering me?" He was such a…PAIN.

At this, Dent's tone softened but he still had that goofy smile as when he was talking about Japanese fishing. "Because I like you, Airisu."

He liked her. No matter how many times he said that in the last few weeks, she still couldn't get used to it. So when the line made her pause in shock and blush for even a second, she couldn't help but think she was going insane. The girl turned to him with narrowed eyes. "I barely know you. So cut it out."

The slight spark of sadness which showed in his eyes whenever she rejected him always made her feel guilty. But of course, every time, before she could try to lighten and send him off nicely, he always bounced back like the weird person he was. Instead of yelling, crying, or running in circles in complete fanboy rage while eating 10 gallons of ice cream and watching sappy foreign soap operas by himself on cold winter nights, he simply crouched in front of her and poked her forehead with a grin. "Ah, but that's why I want to get to know you more! And what better way than through unprocessed fish?"

"I can think of a lot."

Dent ignored her. "Then, let's get going!"

"H-Hey! Hold on, I didn't agree-"

"Iris, there you are." A strong yet dry cough came from in front of them. The addressed turned just in time to run up to the shorter figure and pat her back supportively as the woman continued coughing nonstop. A fit of wheezes sounded through the air, while Dent stared at the scene curiously.

"Elder! You shouldn't be out here so late in the fall. What are you doing here?" Iris quickly sifted through her backpack for her canteen of water, unscrewing the cap and forcing it to the other's mouth.

"Calm down, Iris!" The woman shooed the bottle away with a small smile. But it quickly disappeared into a forlorn gaze under the sunset. She took a breath, finally speaking just as the young girl re-zipped her bag. "I had to come to tell you something because it would've taken too long to wait for you to walk home."

"Huh? Why couldn't you tell me when I did?"

"Well, I have to leave for the airport before I miss a flight."

Iris frowned. "You have another conference?"

"Yes, that is correct. But I'll be gone for a month this time." She looked guilty, "I'm sorry. Just try to make it on your own until then-" But before she could finish, the elder erupted in another episode of coughs, seemingly choking on air as drops of saliva were thrown out from her mouth and to the ground. Iris resumed patting her back furiously, but it didn't seem to help. The hacks only deepened, nearly drowning the whole parking lot in its unpleasant sound.

"Here."

Iris stopped to see Dent holding out a medium-sized cup filled with a pale yellow liquid. "It's a chicken broth I made this morning enhanced with the freshest nutrients I cut up myself. I think she needs it." She stared at it.

"Thanks." Without looking at him, she quickly snatched it and held it to her guardian's lips, smiling as this time the woman didn't protest against drinking it.

"Th-Thank you, young man." She wheezed out after taking a satisfying gulp. She was smiling right after. "I'm really sorry I have to be gone so long this time, Iris." But Iris wouldn't have any of it.

"Elder, that's not the point! You can't keep going to these conferences when you're so sick! Just-"

"I'm not having this conversation again." Elder stated sternly. She almost seemed to snap herself into a whole different person as she sauntered herself back into her gray car, back as straight as can be and posture without a single flaw. However, before leaving, she let the window slide open and called out a weak "good bye, Iris" before backing out of the driveway.

Silence filled between the two. And the girl wasn't in the mood to fill it when she herself walked away without a single word, not saying a thing when Dent so loyally and painfully followed her just as he promised moments ago. And their tread to wherever they were going continued like that. Silent and uncomfortable.

"Thank you." Dent muttered a minute later.

Iris didn't reply.

"I'm really flattered that you can trust me."

"…what are you talking about?"

He was glad he had got her speaking again. "The broth."

The girl immediately understood. "Why wouldn't I? I know you're an amazing cook. And you wouldn't try to poison her or anything…"

"Ah, but she's the most important person to you, isn't she?" Iris turned to him in disbelief. "And her illness is pretty acute. Many ingredients out there could upset any system in her body, which is especially dangerous when she's driving. I take it since this isn't the first time, you were very much aware of that." Hearing this, she turned her gaze to the ground and let out a hesitant nod.

"Don't worry. The effects of the broth I made this time are very soothing for the stomach and helps strengthen the immune system. Do you wish to try out the recipe? It will surely-"

Iris tuned him out for the rest of the walk, which she was an expert at anyway. Just this one time, she strangely found his company and annoying rants comforting. In fact, it almost escaped her that she had on the brightest grin she had ever remembered having on her face since she was ten years old and completely oblivious to the shallow whispers and subtle mocking happening around her. She was also awkwardly hitting puberty and wondering why her chest was suddenly exploding but that was besides the point. It was just great to have someone understand and accept her request for once. However, Zekrom was feeling cruel that day so just when her foot reached its fourth step, a rock which had appeared out of nowhere stabbed into the sole of her shoe, forcing her ankle sideways into a twisted position and her body to fall forward.

"Ow!" And as the knight in shining armor he aspired to be, Dent turned from his position on the sidewalk in panic, just as Iris' slightly oversized jacket slipped away from her body before she hit the ground. She clutched her foot roughly, biting her tongue several times to rid herself of the pain, so she barely noticed the short gasp which came from beside her.

"Iris…!" She turned to see Dent a few feet away and looking at her in shock. But she didn't get it. She just twisted her ankle! Did her foot go and snap off and start eating innocent children while she was at it? But the breeze which danced against the bare skin around her collar bone and shoulders told otherwise. The almost setted sun revealed the dark black bruises covering the large portion of her right arm which travelled strong to her neck and across to the left side of her chest going completely noticed for the world to see.

She knew she shouldn't have worn a strapless today. And he only continued to stare at her.

The girl knew what was coming next, so she quickly stood up against the throbbing in her leg and held up her hands defensively. "I-I know you're going to freak out! I fell out of a tree in my yard yesterday, that's all. P-Please just pretend you didn't se-"

"Oi, Dento!" The second shout of the afternoon interrupted her.

Despite giving a nod of acknowledgement, Dent didn't take his eyes off the dark stains in his friend's skin as a group of teens marched up to the pair with a powerful grace in their steps. Iris self-consciously staggered back into her school jacket before the outside party could see anything.

The one at the front stopped first to nudge Dent in the stomach irritably. "I've been waiting in the library for an hour now! You promised to help me look up new books on cooking, remember?" At this, giggles sounded from the girls behind her.

"Hi, Dento-kun!"

"How have you been, Dento?"

"Good day?"

Shaking out of his daze, Dent shot the other girls small smiles and nods, then turned to the leader with a stoic stare. "I'm sorry, Carbernet-san. But I believe I only agreed to such arrangements once you've apologized to that young freshman Ash Ketchum for insulting his choice in Pokémon."

"Why? I'm serious that that guy has no idea what he's doing!"

"His battling style has a delectable taste, and whether you agree or not does not give you the right to take on such an overcooked one yourself."

"Oh come on, Dentooo! Why do you keep hanging around that giant-haired freak?" Dent eyed the spot beside him to see Iris' reaction, but was horrified to find that it was empty. She had somehow slipped away during their conversation. "She's such a crybaby!"

Remembering her deep bruises and swollen foot, Dent shook his head. "She isn't."

"Uh, yeah she is." But truth be told, Dent wasn't paying much attention. This wasn't good. With all those injuries and a twisted ankle, Iris was just going to walk to a home which was completely empty all on her own? What was she going to do with herself for a whole month?

"Um, Carbernet-sama…?" One of the girls stuttered.

"And she never stands up for herself. She's too quiet."

The several times Iris rejected him crossed his mind and he frowned. "No, she's not."

"Why else do you think she's so weird? You know she always comes to school at exactly 7:00am just to study at the cafeteria? Then she shows up to our third period class together 10 minutes early and reads some stupid book. All she's got going for her is being athletic at gym, but what good is that when she won't even fight back if someone lands a few kicks on her?"

Dent froze, eyes wide with shock when realization hit them. He would normally be against everything that was crossing his mind that moment, but doing so now would've been simply tasteless. Carbernet continued ranting, but stopped when the boy of her affections sent the darkest glare she had ever thought possible from someone who always seemed to either be smiling or innocently spazzing.

"It was you, then."

She could've sworn a shiver of fear travelled down her spine. "Wh-What are you talking about?"

And just like that, the deep glare on his face edged back into an aloof frown. "I'm sorry, but I've got something more important to do right now than lecture you." Then, with all the might Dent's fabulous body could take, he sprinted off to find Iris in a sea of roads and trees.

TTTTTTTT

Iris limp-ran as fast as she could to her house, thoughts of what almost took place threatening to tear her apart. Why did everything have to be so complicated? High school sucked. Getting close to anyone sucked. And most of all, trying to get to your house 5 blocks away with a badly swollen ankle and the inability to twitch without something in your body hurting sucked. She always questioned it before but now she would never wonder again how some people got gray hairs by the age of 20.

She stopped by a tree on the side of the pond, catching her breath in small huffs. She was usually great at running, but her sudden exhaustion and hunger really affected it. The sun had finally retired for the day and the night air was starting to make her shiver. Yet those hardly seemed like even miniscule problems considering the confrontation she just narrowly missed. She ducked her head down so she could wipe it on her sleeve with the least amount of trouble. 'That really was a close one…'

"Airisu!" Crap. Again.

All that ran through her mind then was: hide. That one word was enough inertia to get her climbing up the tree she was leaning on, shocks of pain hitting her ligaments with every new step she took. A trail of blood soon followed when a peeled stick tore through her leg. Dang it! Why'd it have to hurt so much? Why did he have to run after her? All she wanted was to go home and have some cake.

It wasn't until the first branch that a horrifying crack sounded from her collar. A surprised scream escaped Iris' mouth and she collapsed on the rough wood, a splinter forming on her cheek. Fine then. Let him find her. She didn't care! He could ask all he wanted about why she was such a mess and failure lying limp on a tree by the pond, but she wouldn't answer them.

Sure enough, it was her pained scream that had led Dent under the shade of the canopy, looking up at her exhausted form in horror. "A-Airisu!"

"…Wh-What," she whispered, "what do you want, Dento?"

"Get down from there! We need to get you to a doctor right away! And I'm sure your Axew would appreciate it too!"

"Y-You pain…" Iris snickered sadly. "Axew isn't sick. I just said that so you would leave me alone."

"Look, Airisu." Dent sighed. "I don't care if I never talk to you again. If that's what you want, then fine. But just let me help you this one time!"

"Go home, Dento."

"I refuse!"

"Then stay there all you want. I'm not going anywhere." Iris closed her eyes.

Dent nearly cursed. He would've ran home and apologized to Arceus a million times if he did. "Then please, at least tell me why she did it."

She found herself too tired to care anymore. "…Why who did what?"

"…Why did Carbernet hurt you?" So he did find out after all.

"…"

"Airisu!"

"…It's okay, this isn't the first time she did this."

He clenched his fists but kept his anger in check. "Then, why? Why does she do it?"

"…She used to be my best friend, you know." If Dent wasn't already looking at her, he would've shot his head up fast enough to snap it off. "She used to like this other boy back when she was ten. He rejected her, really badly. You should know who comforted her through the months that followed."

Dent wasn't that dense. He stopped, realization dawning on him. "…oh."

"But then you started liking me. Stupid how things turn out, huh?" She was too exhausted to move…getting sleepy…to deal with him or anyone anymore.

"H-hey, Iris! Please don't fall asleep! Sing the alphabet; call me a pain for not believing in ghosts! Just don't fall asleep! If you do, you'll-just don't!" He yelled desperately to her, scampering his way up the trunk but failing miserably. He didn't have Pansage with him and it was easily 10 meters high, much too far away for him to reach. Ash could probably defy gravity and run up the 90 degree distance and more on sheer will-power alone, and Dent wished now more than anything that he could do the same. "Listen, but Carbernet being your friend doesn't make those unforgiving things she does okay! I refuse to stand by and watch you like this, so please trust me and go to the hospital!"

She stayed immobile and silent.

"Airisu!" How many times had he yelled her name today? He lost count.

Then, to his absolute joy and horror, a jerk which emitted from the surface she was lying on woke her up from her daze.

The branch was snapping: she could make that much out from her tired state. Then, just as that fact processed in her mind, a fear followed it. She didn't want to fall! What if she hit her head and never woke up again? She wouldn't let it happen. She wouldn't let it happen. Iris repeated it in her head, which collected just enough energy from her to sit upright again and start desperately searching around for another branch to escape to. The branch snapped further.

One above her stuck out to her first, easily ascendable. But just as she prepared to stand and project her arms up, another slap of pain stopped her. Ugh, she forgot! The whole chunk of wood she was sitting on was shaking now, and panic rose in her body with each passing second.

"JUMP, Airisu!" Her head tilted down and could barely see the shadow of Dent below her with his arms out in the moonlight. She stared at him.

"Please Iris!" He had long ago thrown his bag down to the ground beside him. "Just trust me!" He repeated. "Like you had done with the broth!"

"You trust me, don't you Iris?"

"Of course I do! Why wouldn't I?"

"…I'm sorry about this."

"Huh? Carbernet, why are you pinning me against the wall? I-Is this some game because it isn't f-funny!"

But she didn't care. Iris leaped from the branch just as it snapped off and landed in his arms, sending both of their bodies toppling over from the force.

It was moments like these in which the green-haired boy always surprised her. Whether it was that time he showed up to her homeroom class with a valentine made completely out of irises and chocolate which was six times the size of her desk, or had willingly gotten beaten up and thrown in the garbage can sometime before he confessed by the school's bully just because he stuck mustard in her hair, he always did.

So, when Dent placed a wide grin on his face and adjusted his now dirtied bowtie from the mud around them, Iris found herself smiling back even after he told her he didn't think he liked her anymore.

He thinks he might just love her.

TTTTTTTT

Cheesey-ness for the win.

I got the idea of Iris jumping into Dent's arms from the Suki Kirai / Like Dislike Wishful AMV on Pixiv (http: / / www. youtube . com / watch?v=04ebs9zR5K0). And yeah, this is a high school AU world where Pokémon still exist. Sorry for making Carbernet seem so evil, but someone needed to fill in that role.