"Drew!"
"May-flower!"
"Stop screaming, dammit!"
"EEEK! What are you doing here?"
"Um…this is kind of my wing…"
"Actually, this is my wing."
"Eek! Don't sneak up on us, red head!"
"Why are you all screaming this early? Why is the idiot screaming like a girl?"
"Ooh, look who's here! Ice Queen!"
"Shut up, you! And you all, stop screaming like crazy banshees!"
"I am not screaming like banshee!"
"Hey! Don't scream in my ear!"
"Keep your ear away from me!"
"Keep your volume down! You'll wake everyone up!"
"Well, sorry to inform you, but…THAT IS KIND OF OUR OBJECTIVE!"
"Will you shut the hell up?" The five, arguing young adults looked up and blinked.
Drew gritted his teeth, flicking his hair away from his eyes as he let go off the doorknob and stood up straight, trying not to show too much annoyance. He took a deep breath, "Now, what are you all doing here?"
Ayame opened her mouth to reply when Daichi cut her off, "These three idiots here," He motioned to Ayame, Kei and Shū, "decided that they wanted to organize a circus. We were just helping them."
Drew deadpanned before he slammed the door in their face.
"That went well." Kei blinked as he turned to the others.
"Well, I reckon that since now he is properly awake, and hope he'll wake up May, it is time for breakfast." Daichi said cheerfully as he skipped- yep, skipped- down the corridor, followed by Miyuki.
Shū closed his eyes tightly, rubbing his temples, "I…am surrounded by idiots." Ayame and Kei shrugged before they followed Daichi and Miyuki out. Shū sighed and followed them as well.
Back inside the room, Drew sighed as he pulled his shirt over his head. He placed it on a chair, picking up another clean one and began to walk towards the sleeping form of the brunette. "May," He whispered next to her ear, "May, wake up."
May grunted once and promptly turned her back to him, using her palm to force Drew's face away from her. Drew blinked before he tried again, placing his hand on her either side for support as he whispered in her ear again, "May, get up! It's seven in the morning. Time to get up." In response, the girl pulled the covers over her head. Drew narrowed his eyes, "Wake up, kiddo!"
"Don't call me 'kiddo'! I am not a kid!" May mumbled.
Drew frowned, "Then stop acting like one!" May turned her head slightly and opened one eye to glare at him when she jumped and closed her eyes again, ducking under her covers. "What?"
"Wear a shirt!" She squeaked and Drew rolled his eyes, chucking the shirt on his bed as a smirk formed on his face.
"And here you claim that you are not a kid! Never seen a boy shirtless?"
"I have seen boys shirtless!" May retorted, throwing the covers off her face although the blush on her cheeks spoke volumes. At Drew's raised eyebrow, she continued, "Ash, Brock, my brother-"
"Who's a kid!"
"But a boy! And then there was Brandon and-"
"So then what is the problem with me?" Drew stood up straight, crossing his arms, slightly annoyed by the mentions of the other boys, "I bet I am better looking than all of them put together."
May snorted but did not respond, her cheeks reddening even more. Drew smirked and held out his hand. May accepted the hand and found herself pressed against him as soon as she was pulled up. She smiled when he tilted her chin up, lifting her up to stand as his lips brushed against hers.
A minute later, they both jumped apart, eyes wide when they heard the sound of glass crashing on the ground. Not just one, but many.
"What the-?" May started when Drew made a dive for his bed, holding up his poketech, a sheepish look on his face.
"I am sorry. I realized that the most annoying sounds get me out of the bed. Though today's wakeup call had been far worse." She was about to question about the last comment when he stood up again, nearing her, "Now where were we…"
She pushed him away with a laugh as she danced towards door, "Not now, boy! It is 7 in the morning and we need to get ready! Today is the big day of the contest!"
o.O
When they were all ready for the day, the seven administrators, two teens along with Shimizu and Suzuki found themselves in the dining room for the breakfast.
"So, Ayame," Shimizu started, pointing his fork at the raven haired girl, swallowing down his last bite. A sharp tap on his hand made him put down his hand. He began again, ignoring the snickers from Daichi, Kei and Shū, "Ayame, I heard you are taking part in today's Rubello Town R1 Pokémon contest."
There was a moment's silence which was broken by Damon's slightly high-pitched voice, "So, any specific reason you said the full name?"
Kei, Shū and Daichi, along with Ayame and Chiyo and even Drew snickered. Carlos and May would have too, but they didn't want to be rude. Madam Suzuki cleared her throat.
"Yes, no, what is it to you?" Shimizu snapped and Miyuki and Madam Suzuki coughed simultaneously. Kei rolled his eyes as Shimzu continued to mumble under his breath, "Sometimes, it feels like I have got two mothers in the headquarters!"
"Boss!" Shū bought the man back to the earth, "You were saying something!"
"As I was saying-"
"Before you were so rudely interrupted, we know. Its old." It was hard to keep a straight face after Chiyo's comment.
"Ahem. So, Ayame, I heard you are taking part in the Rube- in the contest."
"Yeah, I heard that too." Ayame said dryly, kicking Shū's shin under the table, causing his face to twist in a funny expression.
Drew rested his arm on the table, chin supported in his palm. Well, this was going nowhere.
"Where did you get the ribbon from?" Shimizu asked suspiciously. May blinked as four forks fell at the same time and Kei, Daichi, Carlos and Damon ducked under the table to retrieve it. Ayame had caught Shū's fork. "Well, that answers the question. Boys."
The four of them peeked over the table as the boss continued, "I believe you do know that you are working for the police. The protectors of law."
"Uh, well, you see…" Carlos started nervously, seeing as the other three were staring at him, "I was given direct orders from above."
"And who is above you?" Shimizu questioned. A moment of silence passed before Miyuki gave a soft cough.
"Shū Felix Hayden, I would like to have a word with you. After the contest." Madam Suzuki said, sending shivers down Shū's spine. The five boys shot Miyuki a glare which she returned with a glare of her own. Madam stood up, and tapped her watch. "It's time to go."
As everyone made their way outside, Carlos, Damon and Shimizu to drop the others off, Shu stayed back with Suzuki, "Ma'am."
"Hayden, we'll discuss the ribbon later." She said.
"No, ma'am, not that," Shu said quickly, "I was wondering about that girl, Amy. May said that she had seen the girl roaming around the headquarters yesterday night."
"And what was Miss Maple doing outside?" Suzuki raised her eyebrow. "And hy didn't she do anything?"
"Bathroom. She got lost." Shu chuckled, but sobered quickly, "I asked her that. She as not sure about the oman's objective and she says that she as scared uite a bit. No idea hy, though. I think this Amy character is pretty doubtful. Have anyone seen her today?"
"I had someone check on her. She was in her room this morning. But if it concerns you, we'll keep a watch for her. Now hurry along, or you'll be late."
O.o
"I welcome you to the Rubello Town R1 contest! I am your host, Vivian and I would like to introduce you to our judges for this contest!"
Ayame winced in the back stage, "I never liked her."
May looked at her in surprise as Drew continued to fix his collar, "What? Why not?"
"I dunno." Ayame shrugged, "She doesn't like me too."
Drew snorted and Ayame glared at him defiantly, "Oh, shut up, will you?"
"I didn't say anything! And anyway, Ayame, who do you like and who likes you?" Drew crossed his arms as he gave the older girl a smirk. Ayame glared at him.
"I like many people, thank you very much!"
"Like who? Shū?" Drew raised his eyebrows.
"Yes, Shū. And Daichi, Kei and Carlos and Damon-"
"Except those." Drew interrupted.
"Well, I like May-"
"Yeah, May and me. Who else?"
"What, who said like you?" May snorted but immediately clamped her hands on her mouth to contain her giggles when Drew glared at her. Ayame continued, ignoring the interruption, "I only tolerate you because you are Shū's brother. You are a prat, a downright arrogant prat."
"Yeah?" Drew cocked his head to a side.
"Yes!" Ayame exclaimed, "Actually, if I think about it, both you and your brother are prats. Arrogant, conceited and with that stupid smirk! –wipe it off before I do it myself!"
May burst out laughing as Drew's smirk grew. Ayame huffed, turning away from the teens. Vivian, outside, had finished introducing the judges and was moving on to explain the rules of the contest.
May smacked Drew in the back of his head, earning a wounded 'hey!' and was about to speak to Ayame when someone called her. Ayame, Drew and May turned around to see the source of the voice and May's eyes widened in amazement.
"Dawn! Is that really you?" The blunette smiled widely at her, arms wide open. May rushed to hug the girl, both of them squealing in delight. "Dawn! How are you? Where have you been? How many-"
"May! Calm down!" Dawn chuckled, releasing the older girl from the hug. "I am fine! Just perfect! How are you? I saw your last contest! You were absolutely fantastic!"
"Aww!" May said and both of them laughed. May calmed down first and gave the other girl a good look, "Grown up, have you?" Dawn chuckled as May continued, "Are you travelling alone or with-"
"May! I have no idea how you managed to tolerate both of them! They drive me absolute nuts!"
May laughed again and the younger girl sobbed dramatically, "So I take it you are travelling with Ash and Brock!"
"Yes, unfortunately! What about you, are you alone or with…?" Dawn looked around and her eyes fell on Drew, who was trying to hide behind the raven-haired woman. "Drew Hayden?"
"Yeah," May said, dragging out the 'e', trying to look casual. Dawn cocked a mild blue eye at her and she gave her a look that spoke more than the poor bloke could ever understand.
He never understood why Dawn suddenly gave a loud exclamation of 'Oh, my Arceus!' as she turned to look at him. Drew glanced at Ayame for assistance but she was merely trying to hide her smile from him.
"And who are you?" Dawn spoke suddenly, gesturing to Ayame. She smiled at her and held out her hand, "I am Dawn Berlitz. Coordinator."
"Ayame Mazuka." And she added hesitantly, "Coordinator."
"Nice to meet you!" Dawn said brightly.
"Dawn, she is," May looked as if she was thinking, "Drew's brother's girlfriend. Yep, that's right."
"I never knew you had a brother!" Dawn pointed at Drew.
"And why would you?" Drew sneered.
Dawn was about to retort when May added, "No one knew that, Dawn."
Dawn stared at Drew, and Drew stared back stubbornly. Finally, it was the sound of Vivian calling upon the first performer that caused both of them to look away and to the huge screen.
Drew sat down next to Ayame, leaning back in his chair. "So, Ayame. Aiming to win?"
Ayame shook her head, a smile playing on her lips, "Nah. I'm not."
"Why not?" Drew looked at her in confusion.
"Because, I don't need the ribbon, Drew. I don't need it, unlike the other coordinators here who need it to take part in the grand finale."
"Then why are you taking part?" Drew sat up straight, turning around face the woman.
"Because non-participants can't be backstage." Ayame said standing up as her name was called.
"Best of luck, Ayame! Do your best!" May and Dawn chimed. Drew stared at her as she walked on to the stage after giving them a mysterious smile and a wink for Drew.
O.o
Ayame's performance was truly breathtaking, if Drew said so himself. Her Umbreon in itself was magnificent. But as it performed, graceful and majestic, with its golden rings glowing, it was enough to render anyone speechless.
"I thought you said you were not aiming to win?" Drew accused as soon as an exasperate Ayame walked backstage. May and Dawn both congratulated her, squealing about the beautiful performance.
She dropped into the chair beside him with a loud sigh, "I was not! I really was not! But I had to do something! I don't know why they gave me that 9.7 score!"
Drew smirked, sagging back into his chair, "I know from experience that it's just impossible to do bad even if you try when you are naturally good like that."
Ayame gave him a sly smile, "I don't know if you are complimenting me or yourself, Hayden." Drew grinned at her, standing up to get some water.
After three more performers, it was time for Dawn performance. As May stared at the screen in awe, Drew sat down next to Ayame, fixing his hair in the mirror on the opposite side of the room.
"Best of luck!" Ayame said as she leaned back in her seat. "You're next, aren't you?"
Drew nodded, blinking rapidly. Ayame gave him an odd look before she turned to the screen. "Hey, that girl is good!"
"I know, right! She won the Wallace cup last year!" May gave her a smile as they both watched as Dawn ended her performance, bubbles glittering and sparkling around her and Piplup as they both bowed and the audience went wild.
The blunette came back, bouncing slightly. May and Ayame both congratulated her on her 9.3 score. The three girls turned to look at Drew, who was leaning back as far as he can without breaking his back or falling over.
"Best of luck, Hayden." Dawn offered and Drew nodded, pulling May towards him by her wrist.
"Drew?" May uttered in slight shock before she felt Drew's lips brush against hers. She smiled, "What for?"
"Good luck." Drew informed her, pecking her lips again as his name was called on the stage.
"Ew, get a room!" Dawn muttered, "Drew, you are being called! Get going!"
Drew, in a spurt of maturity, stuck out his tongue at the younger girl before he ran out to the stage.
Dawn rolled her eyes at him before she turned to May, eyes wide, "I never expected you to…"
May licked her lips, a soft smile playing on her features. Dawn sighed dramatically, throwing herself on the seat beside Ayame.
"They were arch-enemies." Dawn informed Ayame who laughed good-naturedly.
"I realized." Ayame gave May an amused look as she watched Drew's performance with a dazed look.
But truly, it was a sight to behold. Roselia, as graceful as ever, was surrounded by the rose petals, glowing in the bright blue light. As she danced around the stage, even the other coordinators backstage were in awe along with the audience and judges. It was no surprise when the judges gave him a 9.8 score. After they snapped out of their daze, of course.
"Woah." May and Dawn breathed out as Drew walked backstage, smirking as he flipped his hair out of his eyes. Ayame offered him an approving smile with a 'niiiice!'
"Nii-chan and the idiots were fighting, you knew that?" Drew said as they all settled in the chairs.
"They were?" Ayame's eyes widened.
Dawn snickered, "Nii-chan?"
Drew continued, albeit with a slight pinkish tint on his cheeks, ignoring the blunette and his girlfriend, who proceeded to scold the younger girl, "Yep. I think Kei and the ice girl started it again."
"Don't let her hear you say that!" Ayame sighed again.
"And I saw the idiot and the breeder!" Drew said, earning a disapproving 'hey!' from May and Dawn. "They were slightly pissed off at Nii-chan and company. Sitting right next to them, guaranteed to be annoyed, I say."
O.o
May rocked back and forth on her chair next to Drew as she watched the performance. She tapped her feet, fidgeted with her hands, chewed on her lips and took few deep breaths to calm down, annoying the hell out of the older boy.
"May!" Drew snapped, placing a hand on her knee to stop the tapping, "Stop that!"
"I am nervous!" She cried softly, watching the performer end the performance with a beautiful combination of Energy ball and razor leaf, the performer and the Cottonee bowing, the green sparkles surrounding them.
Drew closed his eyes tightly and opened them again, "How many performers before you?"
"Uh, 5-6 more." May replied after a quick calculation.
"That gives you nearly 15 minutes, ne?" Drew leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, a mischievous smile on his face. May nodded slowly, staring at Drew weirdly as he stood up, grinning like crazy. She gasped when he pulled her up by her wrist, dragging her away from the other coordinators. "We'll be back in 15 minutes!" He called over his shoulder, ignoring the surprised looks form Ayame and Dawn.
"Drew? What the hell?" May protested but allowed Drew to drag her.
"Keep quiet!" Drew said, still wearing the crazy grin as he pulled her out of the waiting room and down some corridor.
"Drew! Where are we g-" She stopped when Drew pushed her against the wall, leaning down to kiss her fiercely as he held her hands pinned against the wall with one hand.
O.o
"May! You are up next! Where were you?" Dawn exclaimed as both Drew and May returned.
"What the hell…" Ayame mumbled as both the girls took in their appearances.
May was looking fine. It was only her collar than was slightly wrinkled and her lips were slightly swollen. Her face was flushed and her eyes slightly dazed, but she looked presentable.
It was Drew who was truly a mess. He looked like he had just gotten out of bed, his hairs standing up, clothes rumpled, his eyes were a shade darker than his normal, emerald green eyes. Few of his shirt buttons were buttoned wrong and the smirk on his face reminded the girls of a Cheshire cat who had gotten its canary.
"I'm up!" May mumbled hurriedly, running past them and out on the stage, avoiding eye contact.
Ayame and Dawn raised their eyebrows at the boy who sank in his seat lazily, arms folded behind his head, eyes closed and a lazy smirk on his face, "Drew?"
"Hm?"
"What…did you do?"
"Nothing much. Didn't go too far. She was slightly nervous; she needed to calm down before her performance. I saw to that."
O.o
"I got a 9.6! I got a 9.6!" May was bouncing as the four of them made their way out of the contest hall, waiting for the results.
"Congratulations, May!" Ayame smiled kindly at her.
"May, the last move was fabulous! It was so…wow!" Dawn exclaimed, jumping around the brunette.
Drew stretched above his head, "Calmed you down, didn't I? Say thank you!"
May blushed furiously, and stuck out her tongue at the boy. Dawn gave a jump and spun May around, pointing in some random direction, "There are Ash and Brock! Ash! Brock!"
The two men turned around at their names, smiling.
"Hey Dawn, y-May!" Ash exclaimed as he broke into a run. May laughed as the boy caught her in a hug and spun her around, "May! How are you? I missed you so much! You were fantastic on the stage!" He released her, holding her at an arm's length.
"May," Brock smiled at the girl. May grinned as she hugged the tan boy tightly.
Drew crossed his arms to show his indifference, ignoring the twitch in his left eye as he watched May, his May, hug the idiot again. Ayame smirking, ruffling his hair. Drew ducked as he yelped, pulling the attention to both of them.
"Drew!" Ash smiled, offering a hand which Drew shook politely.
"What might be thou name, oh fair maiden?" Ayame stared at the man, slightly freaked out and mostly amused as he drooled at her. But this time, before May, Dawn or Ash could react; it was Drew who smacked Brock's head, pushing him away from Ayame.
"Nuh-uh, not her. She is out of bounds." Drew said as he pushed the boy as far away from Ayame as he could.
Ash and Brock looked at the coordinator in shock before Ash offers his hand to the raven woman, "Hi, I'm Ash Ketchum. Pokémon Trainer. Sorry for my friend there, he tends to do that around beautiful woman."
Brock commented to May in not-so-subtle and not-so-mature whisper, "who is she? His girlfriend?"
Drew gave a pointed cough, causing the three girls to laugh, "Ayame Mazuha. Coordinator. It's alright, I don't mind."
The group of six stood there, talking and laughing, complimenting each other's performance or generally catching up. Ash was recounting the incident of a particularly obnoxious group they happened to sit next to during the contest.
"That blue haired boy started a fight with that blonde and they were so loud! I mean, don't they have any manners? All of them were screaming at once and I mean there are other people around, for Arceus' sake!"
May and Drew were trying to bite down their laughter, and Ayame was fully blushing as Ash continued, "And then that man was trying to break them up and got caught up as well and that red-head was laughing like crazy and then the red-head girl fell off the chair and-"
"Hey, there you are!" Ash and Brock whirled around to see a huge group coming towards them.
"See, that was the group I was talking 'bout!" Ash whispered to May.
"We know." May whispered back and before Ash had a chance to question her, the group had reached them. Ash and Brock were both surprised when the man who had tried to break the fight smoothly glided up to Ayame and kissed her, causing Brock's jaw to drop.
"You were amazing there, Aya!" And imagine there surprise when the man turned to Drew and ruffled his hair, "You were great too, kid! And May, fantastic performance!"
Ash blinked when the laughing red-head caught May by her shoulder, "Absolutely spiffing!"
The two men were even more surprised when the man who had managed to mess up Drew's hair without facing his wrath turned to both of them, "Hey! You were sitting next to us! I am so sorry for the misbehavior and the trouble! Gomenasai!"
Ash and Brock stared as he, the red head, the red-haired girl all bowed in apology, forcing both the blonde and the other boy to apologize as well.
"It's-it's fine! No problem!" Brock exclaimed as Ash nodded.
"Ash, Dawn, Brock, meet Shū, Drew's brother. And Ayame is his girlfriend." May introduced, grinning like crazy.
Brock and Ash paled and looked at Drew, who had his arms crossed and was smirking at them and Ayame, who was trying to hold back a chuckle, "We're so sorry!"
"For what?" Shu asked, cocking his head to a side.
"Nothing, Shu. Don't worry, its fine." Ayame smiled sincerely at Ash and Brock.
"If anything, we kind of agree that you were right." Drew commented, causing Ayame, May and Dawn to laugh and Ash and Brock to sigh in relief.
"Are we missing something here?" Daichi asked.
"Nothing you need to fret about." Ayame said. She looked up at Shu who had suddenly gone rigid next to her. Her arm tightened around her waist for a moment before it slipped off. She noticed that Kei was also following his direction of sight. She turned her head to see what had got them so entranced when both of them broke away from the group. The others noticed it too and Daichi immediately turned to see what they had seen and followed them.
"Nii-chan?" Drew uttered, just as Ayame said, "Boys?"
"Hey!" Just as Shu exclaimed this, the three boys took off with a sprint towards the direction they were staring in. The group exchanged confused looks as they watched the three boys run.
"What are they doing?" Dawn questioned, craning her neck to see what they were running for.
Ayame squinted after them for a moment before her eyes widened in realization as she watched the three following someone, "Burglary!"
"Oh!" Chiyo and Drew exclaimed as May jumped to see for herself.
"Shouldn't we help them? I'll call Officer Jenny!" Dawn said, her poketech out before any of the others replied.
"Don't bother." Ash, Brock and Dawn jumped when they heard the small, blonde girl speak for the first time.
"Excuse me?" Brock said, too wrapped up to try and hit on her.
"I said," Miyuki started, staring at the three of them quite intimidatingly, considering that the two boys were at least a foot taller than her, "Don't bother to call Officer Jenny." She said the officer's name with something akin to distaste.
"But the thief then-"
"They are capable of taking care of themselves and the thief." The trio found it hard to retort when the small, scary lady said that with the 'no-argument' tone and turned to watch the scene that had attracted quite a bit of attention with blank stare, though her eyes showed slight disapproval.
"Idiots, always making a scene wherever they go…" the red-haired girl, Chiyo, was muttering and Ayame was shaking her head.
May and Drew, along with the trio were watching as the three men caught the thief and dragged him to who-knows-where. Brock was the first to express a question, "Isn't it police's job to take thieves to the stations?"
"Oh, I'm sure they'll take him to a police officer." Drew said, turning around with an 'I know something you don't' smirk, which irked Ash slightly.
"Hey! Contest results!" Ash exclaimed and everyone turned around eagerly.
"We are in second round!" May and Dawn squealed.
"Congratulations, Ayame, Drew, May and Dawn!" Chiyo said, grinning widely. Drew flipped his hair indifferently, smirking slightly. Ayame smiled brightly as she also congratulated the three younger participants. After the congratulations were over, they all turned again to look at who they were against.
"None of you are against each other!" Chiyo said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"That's good." Ayame said, looking at her pointedly.
Ayame was against some kid named Leo, May was against a Samantha, Dawn was against Jeremy and Drew was against-
"Hey! Have we seen this Brian somewhere?" Miyuki questioned, causing all of them to look at the person who was against Drew.
"No, I don't think so." Ayame replied. The others also shook their heads 'no'. "Why, what is it. 'Yuki?"
"Nothing. Must be my mind playing tricks." Miyuki shook her head, still staring at the face.
'Participants, kindly return to the waiting area. The Rubello Town R1 Pokémon Contest: Round 2 is about to start.'
So sorry for the longest time ever taken for an update! This chapter as also not quite of enough quality to call it an offer for apology…but still, take the peace offering! I had my final exams, making it hard to write for this…
I would say only 1-2 chapters more to go and it will be over. Yayyy…?
Anyway, please review! And thank you for reviewing the last chapter! We appreciate it very, very much! And haha but no, we are not confirming anything.
Review, please?