It felt a bit bizarre to go back to a normal life after all that. The journey of an absolute lifetime happened, and then what? Well, going back to that academy life seemed like the only thing left to do, Momo thought as much. All's well that ends well, right?

She wished it was that simple.

The start of the rest of the academic term had Director Clavell call her and her friends to his office for a quick talk regarding their recent exploits. Area Zero was complete no-no territory for students, rightfully so, but given their accounts about what happened regarding the lost professor and the time machine, he was able to excuse it. Since they 'saved all of Paldea' and all that. It was a good thing Arven brought Turo's journal back as evidence.

The idea of coming across a grand machine and saving the world by stopping it still felt odd to think about, but Momo didn't mind being advised to keep a low profile about it all. It was fun to have a super special secret exclusive to her and her friends.

With the end of her Treasure Hunt, Momo figured she'd leave that behind with a new look. A tattered jacket riddled with Psycho Cut cuts may have made for a sick souvenir of her ventures, it didn't make for a very practical piece of wear. She put on her shorts, and over her long sleeved uniform, she pulled on a sleeveless pullover sweater, ready to face the coming weeks of that academy life. New days, new Momos, of course.

She sometimes wondered if things were better before.

"Vamos, Momos!"

"Coming, Nemone!"

To that lively academy life she went. Like nothing ever changed, Momo was catching up to Nemona's energetic strides, all the way to the battle court in the schoolyard. Gotta get their fill of battle studies homework done somehow, however that worked. Academics or not, Momo was still as delighted as always to indulge in that good ol' battle fever.

She hoped the other students weren't staring at her.

Under the continued cover up of Mirage being a weird shiny Cyclizar, Momo was able to have him go all out in these battles. Her Miraidon had stuck to all fours for these bouts where people were watching, but he still carried his proud draconic and electric attacks against Nemona's Pokémon. Gave Momo a good excuse to master Mirage's Electro Drift attack, which she just played off as her personal touch on Wild Charge, which lit up the sky as the sun started to set.

After an admittedly close clash, Nemona joined Momo back on the bleachers, with some sandwiches fresh from the cafeteria. Some good eats after a good battle, like nothing ever changed.

"Hey, Momo…" Nemona spoke up between bites, grinning. "Thanks for letting me battle your Miraidon! He was so, so cool and strong!"

"Oh, it's no problem." Momo smiled back at her, puffing her chest out. "You know I'm always up for a chance to show off. You almost got me, you know! I think we gave all the other students a good show, too!"

She needed to, after what happened.

"You bet!"

Nemona was good as ever at pumping Momo up, though the two of them got back to snacking after that. Momo always did admire that contagious enthusiasm, and she wondered just how Nemona became nigh unstoppable no matter what. Not even a loss in battle, which was probably her favorite thing ever, hindered her excitement much.

"Hey, Momo…" Nemona spoke up again, leaning her cheek against her hand. "I think that was the first time I got to battle a legendary Pokémon. I hope you weren't going easy on me."

"You know I'd never do that." Momo giggled.

"Aww… Momo…" Nemona's expression softened. "You're a great friend."

Momo was surprised by how happy that made Nemona, even more so when she felt an arm around her shoulder for a quick squeeze of a hug. "Wow, you were awfully touched by that." She gave Nemona a pat on the shoulder in return. "Well, I know how much you like going all out. You never have to worry about holding back with me."

"That means a lot, Momo. It's just, I remember times where I get really passionate about stuff, the kind that people didn't really get, and…" Nemona stopped mid-sentence, and stared. "You understand, right?"

Momo remembered every urge to gush, every spark of excitement, every memory she kept and contained. Sometimes being afraid of driving people off because of it, even the ones closest to her. She related to Nemona's drive for the right outlet.

She wished she wasn't so passionate sometimes.

Momo smiled. "Of course I understand, Nemone. Great minds think and gush alike! Don't you worry!"

Nemona's gentle smile grew while softening at the same time. "You're a really special rival, you know that?"

"Oh, stop." Momo was always a sucker for flattery. "I wouldn't have aspired to your level if it weren't for you. You're the special one here."

Nemona's glee started to pick up with her clasped hands. "That's not the first time I've heard that… but it sounds more meaningful coming from you. Ooh, wanna see who can finish eating the fastest?"

Momo caught the glint in her eyes. "Oh, you're on!"

All the while, Mirage watched from the sidelines, from his chilling spot with Momo's other Pokémon. "I suppose it's just like you to excitedly clench your fists at the next wondrous chance you're presented with."

"Hey, Momo…" Nemona spoke up once more. "Have you… ever had to hold yourself back for anything?"

Momo paused mid-bite. "N-No, not really…"

She hoped her lie wasn't evident. If Nemona saw through it, Momo would've had to spill the beans about certain things. And spilling the beans was exactly what she was trying to avoid now.

"I'm here, Arven!"

What Momo remembered at that moment was that one study session, quite a while ago. She did tell Arven she was going to help him catch up if he needed to, after all. Someone had to.

"So!" Her chipper self joined him by the library study table he was at. "What subject ails you today? Teacher's pet Momo is here to help!"

"Uh…" Arven hesitated as he stared at his scattered notes and books on the table. He rubbed at his head, tapping his pencil against the table. "History, I think. Miss Raifort is going to tear me a new one if I don't catch up for the rest of the term."

"Oh, you're on Galar history now!" Momo's eyes lit up as she picked up a particular book. The words came to her proudly and naturally. "You could say I'm pretty familiar with it. The shattered Stow-on-Side mural, the heroes who stopped the Darkest Day, the cities that do and don't have Dynamax, all of it."

"Wow." Arven blinked. Then came his praising smile as he reached over to tousle her hair, propping his head against his hand as he did so. "Why don't you tell me all about it? Could help with the essay I have to get done."

Momo giggled at his touch. "Well, if you say so!"

She always did like relaying what she knew, putting her own twist on it, letting her smile show in her words and her gestures. He listened, sometimes asked her questions, and she enjoyed piquing his curiosity as he did with hers.

When the time came for Arven to put words to paper, Momo stuck around and kept a close eye as he etched away. Not that she had much reason to, but she wasn't opposed to spending another hour or so there. Arven didn't really seem to mind having her around, thankfully.

"Nice handwriting."

"Is that sarcasm?"

"Nooooo."

"Okay then. Wanna write my essay for me?"

"Nooooo!"

Momo continued snickering to herself as Arven jabbed her with an eraser. All the while, she had fun, continued to make sure he was having fun, and wanted to make sure he was doing well. She knew there were some things he still struggled with, and after everything that happened, all he had been through, she wanted to make sure he was still doing alright. Almost as if taking a silent pledge to herself, she swore to look after him the best she could. Her grumpy worrywart.

There wasn't exactly much to talk about while Arven was writing stuff down, he was focused to the point where he was sticking his tongue out as he got stuff done. Momo usually found silence awkward, since she liked letting mind and conversation alike wander, but she didn't mind as often, finding the sound of pen to paper quite nice. Getting to watch him hard at work, taking a moment to enjoy the atmosphere of the library they were in, it felt quiet, but still personal. If this stuff was supposed to be awkward, then how wonderfully awkward it was.

"...are you staring at me?"

"Oh. Yep. Y'know." Momo's smile lingered as she let her gaze trail to her shoes. She had gotten used to avoiding his eyes, just in case. "Just not used to seeing you without your biggol' backpack." She gave him a pat on the back. She wasn't used to being able to pat him on the back.

"Heh." Arven chuckled. "I'm not exactly going on any adventures anymore. I guess you could say a load's been taken off of me since… you know."

Momo did know. She didn't say anything, and neither did he, but it was clear they both knew. With that loss, the seconds of fidgeting silence started to feel awkward again, and Momo held her emotion-formed words back with a pursed lip.

"Well, I'm done with my paper. About as well-put together as something I could've done in this time, but it works." Arven took his sheet as he got back up. "You still look a bit busy-minded, little buddy. Was there anything you still wanted to tell me?"

"H-Huh?" Momo was wide-eyed for a second. "What gave you that idea? Not sure I'd have anything to hide with how tight-knit we are, ehehehe…"

"It's just been something I've been wondering about for the past while." Arven paused. "Didn't you… want to tell me something back at Area Zero?"

He still remembered that, of course he did. Momo kept her lips zipped, screaming on the inside, but she still had to scrounge up something. Even if the silence made it feel like they were alone, in this bright and roomy place, with her looking up at him, she didn't think telling him the actual truth would help.

Still wearing her blush-hiding smile, Momo proceeded. "I just wanted to tell you… that your fly was open." Her eyes narrowed as she continued to roll with it. "And it still is."

"What?!" That got a panicked cry out of him as he quickly turned around. One zipping noise later, he huffed as he turned to her, face full of fluster. "Well, now I wish you told me sooner!"

She couldn't help but giggle at the way she got him riled up and grumping his usual grump. After a study session well spent, they bumped shoulders, and he ran off to find Miss Raifort while she watched him leave.

"See you later! You're the best, little buddy!"

"Y-You too!"

No, you're the best, she wanted to tell him.

The silence returned, and with her restrained words now left with no ears to fall on, Momo quietly sighed in her lonesome state.

Of course she wanted to tell him how unbelievably happy she was around him. Of course she wanted to tell him how her heart raced and melted and swooned around him. It was a lingering truth she still wanted to spill out to him, but she couldn't. She prized their friendship too much, and she knew he prized it too, and she didn't want to risk him losing that friendship because of her speaking about her feelings. He already lost his dad, she didn't want him to lose anything else.

Resigned to holding her peace, Momo was back on the familiar duty of clean up as she took to arranging the books left over. It was only fitting that silence is encouraged in the library, if Momo didn't want to be left with her mistakes echoing around the place, it'd be best if she held those feelings back.

Maybe another time, she told herself then.

"You really like thinking about Arven, don't you? Are ya still in the itch to battle him? It's okay, I've been wondering where he's been too."

"W-Whuh?!" Momo broke out of her trance in bashful shock. She didn't expect Nemona of all people to start seeing through her. "How did—when did you—how long have I-"

"Oh, I just thought you had this look on your face." Nemona's eyes trailed skywards as she twirled at her hair. "While we were walking, you just had this stare like, 'mmm, I hope I get to battle Arven again' and stuff. Him specifically, the stare is different for different people. Don't worry, I totally get it."

Momo did not get it. She still had no idea if Nemona knew what she thought she said, but whatever the case, she didn't seem to have any ill will about it. Nemona wouldn't have any idea of knowing what the deal between them became.

Momo wanted to sigh. She just so happened to get wrapped up in her thoughts and memories, everyone does that. Maybe all this daydreaming was a sign that she needed some night dreaming. It was a good thing they were just on their way to their dorms.

After bringing the satisfaction of a job well done of a day well spent into a bed well made, Momo spent that evening jazzing it up in her favorite group chat. Even if that online space was created for a one-time thing, they still got to make the most out of their get together. No matter what, even on days when they didn't see each other in person around the academy, Momo would always have her phone to enjoy their company in. And that night, Momo lay on her bed, looking up at her phone with her favorite people in it and hoping to hear from them.

She sent a picture of Mirage yawning. "Sleepy boy did a battle today :3"

Nemona sent a picture of her Pawmot knocked out and sleeping on the floor. "I was there!1! I was in that battle :DDDD"

"Get up, Plasma!" It was Arven who messaged next, which was surprising. "I… Your friends… are all waiting for you!"

He sent a funny picture of a screaming Zeraora after that, and that was enough to put Momo in a giggly fit. He really referenced that, and for a moment, Momo forgot about her troubling thoughts. Nemona didn't get the reference, but Momo sure did, and she felt like she was living her best life with the excitement and pride that took over her at that moment. Maybe everything was going to be okay.

She wondered if that day never actually happened. Maybe he forgot, like how he probably forgot about Casseroya. Where was he?

Another notification blip caught her attention. This time it was from Penny, who decided to message her directly. It wasn't a funny video she wanted to share this time.

"mondie i dont remember arven being a powerful plasma pawmot fan" Penny's message read. "he literally referenced a spoiler. what did you do?"

That got Momo feeling sheepish, which had her wondering if Penny could hear her from her phone somehow. She could certainly feel that accusatory sneer through her walls. "Okay, Penny, it was a while ago, just let me explain…"

"You've got a pretty neat place here, little buddy." Arven was looking around her room with a curious eye. "It's very you."

"Well, I'd hope it is!" Momo proudly held her hands on her hips, standing in the splendor of the place that was hers, posters and all. "I'd be nothing if I'm not me! Anyways, I already put the books you need on my desk, so read away."

"Wow, you prepared well." Arven let out a chuckle as he pulled out a chair, and his eyes landed on a specific trinket. "A green cup of a pen holder with a pair of scissors inside it. I think I also bought that exact same bundle from the school shop, funnily enough."

Okay, so there was that one study session where she invited him to her dorm room. The library was a pretty busy place at that hour, so Momo figured, why not let him study at her place? Wouldn't be the first time she invited a friend over for study time. Plus, Mabosstiff was feeling pretty lonely, so of course her room was accomodating enough to house a Pokémon like him for a while.

"Who's a good big boofy boy…" Momo reached her hands into the Pokémon's fur as she scruffed at his scruffy face. "Did you miss me, you boofster? Maboofster?"

"He's my boofster, Momo." Arven looked back from her desk with a raised eyebrow. "Thanks for letting us stay over for a little bit. Hope you don't mind Mabosstiff fur on your carpet. My bud's been missing your company, y'know."

"Oh, did you?" Momo took to kissy-faced talk while Mabosstiff sat there on her carpet and licked his nose. "I missed you too! You're so healthy and your fur is so shiiiiny. And what big teef you have! Hey, Arvie!" She waved for him. "Do you think I can do the thing where I put my head in his mouth and you take a pic of that?"

"Momo, no."

"He's yawning! Quick, get your phone out, I'm going in!"

"Momo no."

Minor slobber incident aside, Momo had fun coddling Mabosstiff silly while Arven continued flipping pages on her desk. While she had fun giving the boofster some boops and belly baps, she made sure to keep things mostly quiet so Arven can focus on his studies. That's why he was here, after all. Director Clavell made it very clear how much he needed to catch up on his studies and stuff.

There was the nice kind of quiet, the kind that let Mabosstiff yawn again before curling up to sleep. No biggie, Momo was content enough to flop onto her bed, pulling out one of her many manga volumes she kept in her bag to keep her occupied. She did still glance at the figure by her desk to make sure he was still doing okay, of course. He was such a hard worker, even if home ecs was still his one good subject.

"Alright, that's that epic volume done and reread, time for another…" Momo muttered to herself with a satisfied sigh. She looked to her bag and started searching through it. "I could've sworn I kept that other edition here, but…"

"Hey Momo, this was on the desk, is this yours?"

Lo and behold, Momo looked up from her bed to see that very shiny cover held in Arven's hand. A flustered tinge lingered on her face as she shot up and stomped his way, trying her hardest to keep her smile up as she enthusiastically snatched the manga back.

"Oh, y-yep!" Momo tried shrugging off her sudden internal screaming with a chuckle, though her gaze found itself drooping. "Just my… Powerful Plasma Pawmot manga. You could say I'm kind of a fan." She wasn't sure if she wanted her fists to clench too hard or go limp.

"Oh." She couldn't tell if Arven was smiling when he said that, as he had turned his head to look at her wall. "I was wondering what these posters were all about. I had a hunch you were a bookworm of sorts, but I had no idea it was like this. Can't believe I never heard about this side of you."

Was that a good or bad thing? Her certainly sounded… in awe about it. "Well! It's only my favorite story growing up that I just happen to know a lot about!" Momo gulped behind her static grin. She remembered every attempt she made to flex her triple P lore know-how, and how that didn't really make her any friends other than Penny. "So… do you wanna hear about it?"

The cautious offer peeped itself out before Momo could do anything. Most of the other students tended to back away in the face of such Plasma-related enthusiasm for some reason, so her biggest worry was potentially driving away any of the friends she currently had. Yet, while the second that passed was one of agonizing anticipation, Arven looked back at her with a faint smile.

"I don't really see why not." His stare was gentle, and he gave her a quick pat on the shoulder. "Could use a break from flipping through lecture notes. Besides, we have a lot of fun with what we do, don't we? I know you said as much yourself."

That reassurance was enough to clear up Momo's thoughts. She looked back at him, recalling the clarity that started to feel natural, and eased into a smile. "Well, if you say so. I have a lot of Powerful Plasma Pawmot goodness to show you! Buckle up, because now it's time for a blessing!"

"A what?"

With that declaration of a catchphrase, Momo's devilishly fanged smirk was back. She put her hands on Arven's shoulders, which caught him off guard, and it was the back to the chair for him. With a single move, she pushed Arven back to the desk and swept her other books off to make room for the heavenly catalog that was her entire triple P collection.

All those electrifying covers, each of them detailing the various adventures and story arcs starring the underdog main character of Plasma the Pawmot. She put on her best storytelling voice and poured her heart out about Plasma's journey of worthiness, friendship, and the struggles that come with trying to live up to a legend. Avoiding all the major spoilers, of course.

"So… let me get this straight," Arven eventually spoke up amidst Momo's starry-eyed spiel. "There's no humans in these stories. It's a bunch of adventures with a bunch of talking Pokémon, is that right? That's new to me."

"... Okay, when you put it that way…" Momo briefly deflated into a pout. "Come on, you say that like it's a bad thing. Haven't you ever read any stories like that growing up? Charcadet's Adventures? Or how about the one with the Pikachu, Pyukumuku, and Slowpoke? Were any fun nursery rhymes read to you, at least?"

Arven hesitated. "... no."

"Well, allow this to be your introduction to the genre!" Momo proudly rubbed at her nose before sliding a cover his way. "Here's the first volume of Plasma's adventures, a story of humble beginnings, but one that started with the brimming spark of admiration!"

"Whoa." Arven held the article in his hands, carefully inspecting it, caution justified given how pristine its bright cover was. "You really like hyping this character up, huh? I never took you for a Pawmot lover."

"Ehehehe…" Momo blushed as she pressed her fingers together. "Truth be told, my grandma often liked teasing me, asking if I ever found a Pawmot to call my own…"

Arven chuckled as his thumb pointed for the door. "I mean, if you'd like to be around one, I'm sure Nemona wouldn't mind letting you play with hers."

But that was not what Momo meant. She cleared her throat and had her eyes gesture to the manga in Arven's hands. "So, Arvie, have I sold the concept of the story to you yet? Is it time to witness your descent into Powerful Plasma Pawmot propaganda?"

He blinked at her excited stare before giving her a pat on the head. "Whatever you say, little buddy. I'm just doing this to take a quick break from my studies." He slowly opened the book, flipping it to that first page. "Should just be a brief lighthearted little read."

"He dies?!"

Several hours and volumes later, that supposed 'quick break' turned into an intense investment, which then turned into the quick breaking of Arven's heart and composure alike.

"Mhmmm!" Momo was nodding, back on her bed, curled up and turned over to avert her eyes from the titular page, mouth zipped shut to stop herself from wailing.

Arven was still by the desk, but it was too late to hold back his wail. "B-Buh… but he's Plasma's idol! His mentor!"

"I knooow…" Momo nodded again through pursed lips, as her own tears from years beyond appeared.

"He's Plasma's everything! He was the one who told him to get up and keep fighting, and Plasma was about to do the same to him, but…"

"I knooooow…" Momo had buried her face in her pillow.

"Okay." Arven still sniffled, but he didn't let that get him down. "Now I have to see what happens next."

The only work that was getting done that study session were the waterworks that arrived for both of them. While Arven was flipping through some more pages, Momo kept a close watch over his shoulder, sometimes walking around to do other things. Sometimes it was back to scrolling through her phone, sometimes it was to offer to get him a drink from her minifridge. Seeing him experience all this was exciting, albeit very different from the excitement they had out adventuring, but it was still very nice. Reading was an adventure in of itself.

She didn't mind how long the moment lasted, though her mind briefly glanced on the possibility of a 'forever'. Thankfully, even after Arven decided to take an actual break, he still had more to say. More to gush about, more to laugh about, and more to sob together about. He even had a favorite character.

"... whew." When all was said and done, Momo gave Arven a pat on the back, and he looked like he was just about ready to take a nap on her table. She wouldn't have minded if he did. "That was… exciting. Thanks for letting me read all that. And I'm not even done with it yet. Does this make me part of the Powerful Plasma Pawmot fanclub now?"

"Mmmm…" Momo tapped on her chin for a second before giving him a playful wink. "I'll throw in a good word about you to the council."

Arven rested on arm on the chair's backrest. "Do you mean the Electric Council?"

Momo channeled her giggle into a soft shove. Of course he was already catching on with the references, as if he wasn't perfect enough already.

… what.

"Hey Momo." Arven had turned back to the desk, and when he faced her again, he had several volumes in hand. "Do you mind if I take more of these to read on my own?"

"Hey now, no." Momo hoped the authority still showed in her flustered squeak. "You have to study, Arven. It's… the law."

With Momo's huff being fueled by the power of the law and absolutely nothing else, she tried to nab her manga back, but Arven made a show of jumping out the chair and holding it out of her reach. Cheeky, that Arven, maybe it was a mistake to have him read a thing or two about the master.

That turned into its own rowdy chase, up until Arven held a finger to his mouth and pointed to his snoring Mabosstiff nearby, which then turned it into more of a tiptoeing chase with socks on. After Momo rubbed her socks on the carpet and showed Arven something shocking she learned, the mild static jolt had him throwing up his arms in surrender as he feigned death. Momo was just about in the mood to lie down as well, so the both of them ended up falling over onto her bed, eyes up at the ceiling.

"Heheh." Arven let out a chuckle at the Pawmot poster above them. "I can see that I still have a thing or two to learn from you. If Master Rory was Plasma's role model, would that make Plasma yours?"

The lingering excitement rushed through Momo's veins, especially with how cool that poster looked on her ceiling. "I can always thank Plasma for inspiring me on the magic of heroism. In helping me dream, in helping me feel, in helping me long for the sense of adventure that has followed many before me." She was proud of her internally rehearsed answer, though as the words left her mouth, she felt her thoughts reflecting on them. "Though, now that I've kinda gone on a full blown adventure already, maybe considering Plasma as my role model is kinda silly now."

Arven glanced at her. "And why's that?"

"Well…" Her answer was less rehearsed this time. The silence in her hesitation reminded her of the nights she didn't have anyone to stare at these posters with. "Plasma's dependable, hardworking, and he really cares about all his friends, always staying true to himself no matter what. He aspired to do all that because he wanted to help people."

Momo gulped as she folded her hands over her chest.

"I don't think I was like that when I set out. I wanted to do great things, make a name for myself, that kinda deal. I really did that just so I could make myself known, only looking out for me, which was kinda… selfish, I think."

"What? You, selfish?" Arven's perplexed gaze was as warm as a nearby lantern in a cold space. "After all we've gone through, I would never think of you like that, Momo." He smiled at her, then stepped off the bed. He shuffled across the carpet, got something from her desk, then lowered himself back down next to her. "Look at this."

Momo recognized that frame, those smiles, that day. "It's the picture we took together after Area Zero."

"That's right." There was a gentle smile in Arven's voice as he pointed at everyone there. "Nemona, you, Penny, me, and Mirage. I've heard about all of your exploits, you told me as much yourself. Even if you don't realize it, you went out of your way to help other people. If it weren't for you, I'd probably have cooped myself up in that lighthouse lab crying over… stuff. Do you think a selfish person would've been able to use all those friendship blasts to beat my dad and save all of Paldea?"

Momo eased into a giggle. "Nope." It was that moment that she realized she really was a different Momo than the one who started it all, and that was a good thing.

Even from his prone position, Arven managed to bump shoulders with her. "You did that. You and your big heart."

"I did. I did do that."

You have the big heart, I can see as much when you breathe, she had the urge to say. You mean so much to me right now, her thoughts clamored. You're so special to me, her emotions beckoned. You're perfect, she wanted to tell him so badly.

But she didn't. Despite the growing fondness for him that continued with every passing moment, she didn't.

The most she could do was reach out to hold that prized memory with him as well, hoping not to sour this one.

"I really like this picture, Arven. Even if Mirage thought it'd be funny to jump you guys at the last second."

Arven was still holding the other end of the photo. "I like keeling over as much as the last guy, but if you like it, then I'm glad the moment was snapped in time. Call that a once in a lifetime shot."

Her heart started to race again at the sound of his easing voice. She wanted to voice something out as well. "Absolutely. Once in a lifetime."

Not now. Soon. Definitely.

Momo looked to Arven's surprised yell in the picture, then to his peaceful smile right next to her. She felt herself relax at the scent of pepper so close to her. "I may have gone on this journey to catch the biggest Pokémon, but I'm proud to say I ended up making the biggest friends."

Arven chuckled at that. "Even if you're still the smallest out of all of us, Mono."

"Keep an eye out for my growth spurt, Ar-" It suddenly hit her, and she shot up with a long gasp. "Mono? The sheer audacity! Where's this coming from?"

Arven's chuckle briefly turned devilish as he narrowed his eyes at her. "Figured I'd give you a taste of your own name-changing medicine someday, Mondela. Do you think I can try calling you Delilah or something? What about Dellie?"

Momo gasped again, twice as prolonged, twice as offended. "You're getting the pillow for this, you utter cheek! Which one of my diaries did you peek at to learn my totally cool and secret name?"

"Uh." Arven paused. "I actually just asked Mr. Saguaro. You know, all the way back then."

"Oh."

The realization dawned on Momo for an embarrassing second. She still socked him with her wet pillow for that.

"... and then all that turned into a rowdy pillow fight, except there was a sleeping boofster, so we didn't do that :3" Momo figured it was about time to close off this drawn out text somehow. "That was all we did. Studying, reading PPP, the works :3" Momo ended the message with a thumbs up emoji for good measure.

"wow" That was Penny's first response. "he was literally on your bed in your room with you and somehow nothing happened between you two"

At that point, Momo could believe that 'nothing' was better than something. "Maybe it was better that way :("

A pause, then another message.

"would you feel better if you got it off your chest, mondie? how long are you going to keep your feelings a secret from him?"

That got Momo hesitating. Hesitating, and remembering.

"I actually already tried telling him ;-;"

"wait since when?"

"You know how I haven't seen him in person for a while?" Momo gulped as she recalled that day. "It was not long after I introduced him to PPP, actually…"

Momo was a studious girl. She got all her assignments done on time, got notes down for lectures, because she knew the key to being a good little star student was to hold off on procrastinating. After enough study sessions with Arven, she started to feel like she was stuck procrastinating on a very pivotal task. A confession.

If she was going to do it, she was going to do it right. She couldn't just give him a love letter, or just outright tell him and run. What was she, a sheepish little schoolgirl?

She had to figure out how to make it special, add some personal flair, something that felt special, but not over the top special. And then Momo's eyes fell onto the books on her desk. There wasn't any reason why she couldn't add a little educational magic in it to make it feel more natural, tastefully subtle even.

That got her blood pumping. That got her motivation bubbling and building. She was going to do this. She remembered all they had gone through. She remembered how he said he'd never think of her as selfish, and how even after she let out her enthusiasm for particularly perennial plots, he had only grown closer instead of distant. She was really going to find a way to tell him, to pour out her heart once more. Now all she had to do was prepare.

When the time came, it was just like any other study session.

"Hey, little buddy."

"Hey, Arvie."

They were in the library, he had homework, she had extra company and insight to spare. Sitting by a desk, seeing those glints of passion and realization in his eyes, she remembered those adventures, she remembered learning things alongside him, she remembered intently watching him in his element. Except this time he was the one learning things from her, still working up every smile, trying to get the hang of what he considered tricky. There were times he faltered, times he struggled, but she was still so proud of him for trying and trying.

Momo kept herself at an arm's distance, but she knew she would have to inch closer eventually. She stared at him, letting herself stare, giggling when he caught her staring. Her senses focused, the surrounding footsteps fell silent, and it started to feel like it was just the two of them sharing that desk. Every passing thought that sped through her mind become an additional drive, willing her to go for it.

And then the study session was over.

As he got up, she wanted to nudge his hand, to spur him on some more, find an excuse to cheer him on. Maybe he'd hold her hand, or she would hold his, just so neither of them would feel lost.

"This was fun, Momo." There was that smile that kept her stable, and also kept her on the verge of melting, but one she adored working for regardless. "See you tomorrow?"

Momo cleared her throat. "Hey, Arvie." The time was theirs, the moment was theirs, and she wondered just how alright he was with sharing it.

She had his attention. His stare was hers. Without so much as a quick breath, her thoughts and emotions recalled her internal rehearsals and proceeded.

Plan A. Language studies. She was good at Mr. Salvatore's class. Here we go.

"Aishitemasu. Ich liebe dich. Je t'aime. Te amo. Arven."

Momo was careful in her pronunciation. Articulating her words concisely, speaking gently, hoping her sentiment was present in her calm smile and in her chosen words.

She knew she wasn't the best at putting together words for sincerity, so she used the words of others.

Her soft voice faded into a whisper, and then came silence. She never broke eye contact with Arven, which let her see the seconds his confused expression formed, lingered, then twisted into one of realization.

"I thought we studied math today." He almost looked embarrassed. "I'm… lagging behind on language studies, so I don't really know what you said, little buddy."

"... right." Momo's voice was as fleeting as a breeze, her hidden hands quietly clenching themselves. All she had to do was say the actual words, but… "That's okay." He was still here. She couldn't quit yet.

Plan B. History. Ms. Raifort's class. That other study session left her thinking about Galarian customs, and one such affectionate tradition lingered in her mind as she started to look through her bag. Out of it, she retrieved a Pokéball.

"Hold out your hand," she told Arven. "A gift, to show you how much you mean to me."

From the Pokéball, into Arven's waiting palm, it was an Applin that appeared. One Momo had recently caught, one she went out of her way to track down, just for this.

She knew she wasn't the best at putting together words for sincerity, so she hoped her actions could do the speaking for her.

Arven's eyes lit up at that. A smile, even. "Aww, little buddy, you shouldn't have!" But his eyes were focused on the little Applin rather than on her. "This tiny thing is going to fit right in with the rest of my Pokémon."

Momo smiled back. Even if her eyes weren't showing it. "I'm glad, Arvie." Even if he still didn't understand. But he was happy. And she was happy that he was happy. Maybe she should've used a different kind of Pokéball. She couldn't quit yet.

Arven set the Applin onto the table and kept an eye on it as it rolled around. "To be honest, I was always unsure of my chances of raising Pokémon as well as other talented trainers, and I still kinda am." There was still a wholehearted gratitude in his smile. "Even if I'm not sure what to make of myself, I'm really glad you've been here to support me all the way, Momo. You mean a lot to me too."

"'Course, Arvie." Still warmed by his praise, she allowed herself to nudge his arm. "That's what friends are for." The word stung.

Plan… something. There was no plan after plan B. Her thoughts were rising with words, emotions bubbling with urges, rioting for the truth, but there was nothing else Momo rehearsed.

"How'd you know I wanted an Applin, anyway?" Arven's voice was starting to sound excited, and he looked back to the little Pokémon waiting for him. "These mini munchers are fascinating. Even without talking about how they battle, they have some cool things up their sleeve! Did you know they can somehow intensify an apple's crunch to make it hard enough to shrug off certain attacks?"

Momo's eyes widened as she glanced at the Applin. "I did not know that." The Applin glanced back. She didn't like the eyes that watched her hesitate.

Momo always did adore when Arven would start talking about intricate food facts, but she did not expect it to happen now of all times. She was as intrigued as she was enamored, and she had to steady her beating heart as she tried to think of what to do next. She still had to tell him.

Arven had already pulled out a book. "Did you know the Pokémon produces a kind of sweet syrup we can eat?"

He was sweet. He was always so cute when his eyes lit up like that. She wanted to listen to him forever. Forever and ever and ever.

"Applin syrup isn't exactly common, but it's pretty watery and not very sticky. Oh! And also…"

Oh, to heck with it.

"I love you!"

Momo's shrill cry burst forth like a piercing call out of her control, one that interrupted everything. Silence suddenly fell, Momo saw Arven's widened eyes, and she gulped. Her senses wandered, the surrounding footsteps picked up again, and Momo suddenly became very aware of the echo she made. The echo of her voice, of her heart being poured out in an eruption for all to see.

This wasn't what she planned.

She was suddenly shaking, but she had to know what Arven was thinking. He was the only reassurance she had. An agonizing second of silence passed. And then another. Momo blinked, and… his face was blurry.

Please say something.

She couldn't see through the tears. She couldn't hear over the sound of her beating heart. She didn't know. She would never know.

And then she made a break for it.

Her footsteps beat hard against the ground, louder than anything, louder than everyone. If anyone had called after her, she wouldn't have heard it. If anyone had tried to go after her, she was long gone. It was done. They parted, and that was that.

Like the sheepish little schoolgirl she was, she outright told him and ran.

"... and that was that." Momo let out a long, quiet sigh. "Guess that explains a lot, huh?"

Her downcast eyes stared at her soup as she nonchalantly drifted her spoon through it, an unusually dreary Momo staring back at her. She thought she was doing a good job of saving face since that day, hoping things would just go back to the way they were, but as she spoke about it again… Oh well.

Her world felt like it was spinning, being stirred through, but she was tumbling through it on her own now. Her emotions were as fleeting as the rippling reflections in her bowl, and across the cafeteria table, she met Penny's gaze.

"Mondie…" Penny was sounding unusually empathetic today. "That must've really, really sucked. Explains why I haven't seen him lately either."

Momo's brow furrowed. "You haven't?"

"Not me, not Nemona, not anyone. Probably busy studying, if I had to guess. Or feeling under the weather." Penny shrugged. "Still, I could not imagine being brave enough to try what you did. I would've been worried about people watching. I hope nobody's picked on you for that."

"Nothing like that's happened." Momo kept her eyes on her spoon. "Director Clavell told me something recently. Apparently one of the reasons not a lot of students want to talk to me is because they heard who my grandma is and got scared. For some reason."

Penny paused for a second before speaking. "Those people don't know what they're missing out on. But you know what, fair." Was she that scary? "Still, Mondie, if anyone's bothering you, I'll be here. I've been reconnecting plenty with Team Star, and you can be sure we'll see to it that nobody gets picked on again!"

Momo was briefly stunned by the resolve in Penny's eyes, a determination only a big boss could have. "I hope having a gang of bodyguards isn't against the academy rules."

"Team Star code," Penny spoke matter-of-factly. "The only rules that matter are our rules."

Penny was more carefree than Momo took her for. She briefly wondered if she could pull off any of her cosplay ideas in those Team Star bases. At a party, maybe. Another time. A better time, hopefully.

Penny must've caught her shoulders drooping. "Hey. I hope you're not beating yourself up over this. It's not your fault the lunk's as dense as a brick. Probably as dense as a brick house, even."

Momo's thoughts hummed as her reflection smiled. "He's built like one too." Hugs…

"What?"

The reflection rippled away. "N-Nothing…"

Penny leaned over the table. Her sneering eyes were skeptical. "You're still thinking about him, aren't you?"

"No." Momo looked off to the side.

Penny's frown deepened. "I know that look in your eye."

"Okay, okay…" Momo threw her head back before burying it in her hands. "I don't know why, even after everything, I still just want to talk to him again… He just makes me happy, okay? And I want to make him happy. Even… if I'm just stuck with a crush, and nothing more…"

She felt a hand on her shoulder. For once, Penny's smile wasn't the teasing kind. "I'm starting to think it's more than that at this point. I don't have any experience in this stuff, but… maybe he just didn't get it. Did you want him to love you?"

"Maybe." Momo struggled to find the words. "I just think of how much he's lost, and it makes me wanna be there for him, y'know? Maybe I just blew it. Maybe all this loving stuff just… isn't me."

"That doesn't sound very magical of you, Mondie." Penny gave her a pat on the back, and then Momo felt her feeling around her backpack. And then she pulled something out. "Come on, what would Plasma do?"

Momo wanted to sniffle, but she couldn't. Not in the face of the epic Powerful Plasma Pawmot cover she was being shown. "That doesn't work, Penny. You know Plasma doesn't have a love interest." She would know, because her grandma often teased her about applying for that position.

"You know what I mean." Penny repeatedly tapped a finger against the Pawmot's face. "Do you think Plasma would think he isn't worthy of love and friendship? After all the times he struggled and got beaten down, do you think his friends would give up on him?"

"They wouldn't." Momo slowly lifted her gaze. "Even after Plasma went through the worst, his friends never gave up on him. He would mess up, fall down, lose hope, but he would still triumph, because his friends knew he was reliable for who he was and they never stopped believing in him."

"That's right." Penny smiled, her eyes trailing off as she leaned back into her seat. "I… I know what it's like to have a bunch of people still believe in me, waiting for me to come back, even after making the biggest of screwups. Would you ever give up on that big lunk if something happened?"

"Never." Nobody's perfect. Momo saw for herself how standoffish Arven used to be, and how those layers of angst peeled away to show someone who was a genuine, if troubled guy. She crossed her arms. "I know he tries very hard at what he does and I still stand by that."

Penny raised an eyebrow. "Do you trust him?"

"Well, of course I do!" Momo almost wanted to slam the table at Penny's skepticism. Memories flashed of all those adventures, and she felt the need to count them. "He's been constantly worried about my safety, we've taken on some scary fights together, he's taken care of me sometimes, and I got to learn a lot around him."

Penny didn't budge, as if she expected that answer. "Does he trust you?"

The faintest memory of doubt flickered, but Momo knew what held true. "I know he trusts me. I'm his little buddy, after all. The little buddy who helped him find those herbs, fight those titans, beat up a killer robot, he even gave me the book for the finishing blow. I trust him and he… trusts me."

There was a lot Momo remembered as she thought about her words. She remembered all the times he opened up to her about his problems. She remembered all the times he listened to her talk about anything and everything as he let her whisk him away wherever she pleased.

A sheepish blush arose on her face as her thoughts raced. "I'm not… used to speaking these thoughts out loud, and I feel kinda silly now…" But even then, talking it out instead of letting it rebound in her thoughts just felt… right. "... you get me, don't you Penny?"

Hints of pride rested on Penny's face, but her stare was understanding. "You're talking to the founder of the team with a catchphrase that's so cringey it's perfect. I ran away from the people who trusted me, the squad I considered my greatest treasure, for a year and a half. Because I messed up big time. Even after feeling like I betrayed them, they… they still welcomed me back for who I really was."

Momo's smile softened. "Because you were yourself, and you hoped for the best. For the people who saw the best in you."

"You get it, Mondie." Penny dusted something off the manga cover before sliding it back to Momo. "Whew, I think… that's the most pep talk I've ever done. So what's it gonna be? Are you going to go see that big lunk again?"

"Of course!" That got Momo to slam her hands on the table. "Because I trust him, and he trusts me! I… don't know exactly what I'm going to do when I find him, but there's only one way to find out! It's time for a blessing!"

Penny's stare relaxed, looking almost proud. "That's the spirit, Mondie. Show that lunk what a true blessing is." She glanced a bit past Momo, towards her backpack. "By the way, speaking of him, there was something else I saw in your bag…"

"Something…" Recollection struck, just as Momo's palm struck her forehead. "... oh. All this time I completely forgot. Well now I have to go find Arven! Er, wherever he is! I may have inched too close to the pepper and sneezed it all away, but I'm gonna season myself back into shape and be the best little buddy I can be!" He would've been so proud of her if he heard that, which made her feel even more determined.

As Momo almost screeched out of her chair, Penny was quick to shrink back into hers, taking her phone out. "If you need to find him, I could track his phone and-"

"Don't tell me." Momo had already zipped her bag closed, hiking up her backpack straps with a confident smirk. "If I wanna do this right, I'll find him on my own. I know him pretty much better than anyone, don't I? Even if I get lost, I'll come back around."

Penny eased into her seat, gazing back at her with a smile. "If anyone can do it, it's you. Go get 'em, Mondie."

On that word, Momo was just about to take off like a shooting star, but before that, she leapt over the table to give Penny a hug of thanks. Then she gulped down her soup in one fell swoop of a scoop, which stung because it was really hot, but Momo used that burning sensation in her everything to fuel her passion.

After that meal session, Momo was determined to make things right with Arven. Nothing fancy, nothing over the top, she was going to make him happy in a way that said she knew him well. She was going to visit him, and she was ready to help him feel better, whatever was going on. She was determined to see him again, and she kept up her spark of admiration the only way she knew how. It was sandwich time.

Her following knocks on his dorm door yielded nothing. Maybe he really was feeling under the weather after everything. If he wasn't at the academy, then…

An idea popped up, and Momo hotfooted it without a moment's notice. Her bag was packed, she had everything she needed, and it was out those academy doors, down the staircase of doom, and out the Mesagoza gates into the beyond that awaited her.

Fresh air, the greatness of Paldea at the mercy of her exploration, it was go time. That sense of adventure followed her through steps familiar and unfamiliar, and as if the sentiment summoned him, Mirage popped out of his Pokéball to run alongside her. Then Diego. Then Alti. Then Brawn, Orthon, Donny, and Sami. Resurfacing like they never left her, like they were always a part of her.

Being back on the road of adventure, having her Pokémon by her side, thinking about her lack of cardio once more. This was Momo's element. This brought back the laugh in her step, the wonder in her thoughts and in her cheers, the will that made her feel like she could do anything.

She wasn't a sheepish little schoolgirl. She was Momo, the one and only, Paldea's newest champion, ally of Team Star's big boss, the best little buddy ever who beat up a rogue time machine with her bare hands to save the universe. That was who she was, that was who she needed to be, that was who she wanted to be, and she continued on her quest to make a name for herself while caring about everyone she loved.

Hesitation had shed itself in the wind, leaving itself with her memories of subpar performances and opportunities missed. She could see that tonight could go either way. Even then, whatever happens, she was ready to see this through no matter what.

Arven wondered if it was all a dream. He wondered if it was all a nightmare. Whatever it was, he wasn't going to be waking up from it.

The dark and musty space had nothing left for him, but even then, he found himself coming back to it. Staying in it. This place would always be his home, wouldn't it? This place would always be a part of him, who he was, and everything he used to have. Now it felt empty. Devoid of care, devoid of wonder, devoid of the hopes of the last two people who saw this place as something different. Devoid of those who saw it as a promise for the past and the future.

Even slumped on the floor, his head was far closer to the roof than he would've liked. He didn't grow comfortably into expectations, into comfort, into anything. A distant, hopeful version of himself used to think that being taller would make it easier to reach for his dreams, but he couldn't see any from where he was. Those dreams were formed, they shone, and they shattered, splitting apart like fading crystals.

The only surviving fragments of that broken past lay at his feet, resting a fluffy head against his feet, but still lingering by his side as always, as he did so long ago. Arven remembered the similarly dark hours he would fear that feeble heaving coming to a stop. But he was—Mabosstiff was—still here, alive and well.

Innocent eyes gazing upwards from the little Pokémon resting in his palm also reminded him of the company he still had. But the more he stared back at the little Applin he held close, he could only feel sorry. Sorry that it ended up with him of all people.

Momo said that she loved him.

She said that she loved him and then she was gone. Arven didn't know what he did wrong. Why did this keep happening? His parents said they loved him, and now they were gone. Momo said she loved him, and now she was gone. The only exception was Mabosstiff, but he was almost gone too, and it took several miracles to bring him back.

Why did Momo love him? She was too good for him.

Being back at the academy, he was faced with the reminder of what he struggled at. Catching up, fitting in, trying to be himself but knowing well he lived in the distant shadow of brilliant minds, ever looming, ever present. He felt lucky enough to make friends. He felt lucky enough to grow close to one of them in particular. But now she had poured her heart out to him and it was over. He couldn't remember the last time he saw her since. When she ran off, he was back to where he was, stuck far behind everyone else.

If only he hadn't hesitated. If only he had gone after her sooner. If only he hadn't been afraid of holding her back. If only he caught on to all her gestures, all her acts of kindness, everything she did to brighten up his day, and said the exact same thing she did.

He should've told her. Maybe if he was better, he could've told her.

He wanted it so badly. To hold her close, to see her smile again, to accompany her with what exciting things she did. To make her feel happy, to make her feel listened to, to make her feel loved, to do everything with her. But now he felt like he couldn't bring himself to show his face around her anymore.

He wanted to think of everything they did on their adventures. Think of everything that he had to look forward to that made him forget about coming back to this empty place. Everything that made him forget about expectations he would never live up to. Made him forget about everything he could never do. Forget about the person he could never be.

There was a creak, and the door opened. The faint sound was enough to break the silence, suddenly making Arven very aware of his own heaving. He tried to find his breath, tried to find his tears, but they weren't there. His downcast eyes lacked the energy to look up at the open door, but the detail was prevalent nonetheless. It was still dark inside and out, but the night's shine was vivid, appearing within the room like a ray of sunshine.

Footsteps. There were footsteps, headed his way.

As if appearing out of a dream, Momo was back, with her soft gaze, kind smile, undeserved concern on her face. He could only stare at her purple eyes, struggling to find the words, struggling to think after everything. Struggling as if doing the wrong thing would mean she'd vanish again.

Please don't go.

Then, as if a comforting arm reached out from somewhere beyond the clouds, manifesting a distant but familiar gesture, Arven felt a gentle caressing hand on his shoulder.

"There, there… I promise, things are going to be alright." There was her voice. "You're okay, Arven. You're going to be okay. Do you want a hug?"

All she planned was to give him a sandwich, a hug, some other things, maybe talk a little if he wanted to. But the second Momo saw the state Arven was in, she was ready to stay for as long as he needed her to. No running away. No other eyes. Other than Applin and Mabosstiff, they were the only ones there.

All the while, she joined him by his spot on the floor, letting herself get stuck there with him, in a space quiet compared to the world outside. She still gave him a hug, hoping to calm him down. She still gave him a sandwich, hoping its freshly wrapped state would warm him up, at least. She still heard him out, keeping her attention on him and his words, watching as he delicately held the sandwich she made for him. He wasn't eating it, only going as far as opening it, but it was as if holding it in his hands made it easier for him to speak.

Arven spoke carefully. There was a worry in his voice, but there was regret too. The sadness in his eyes was one that Momo only saw when he couldn't maintain his composure. She knew he wasn't the best at everything, but he spoke about the fact as if it were a crime. His eyes were low as he spoke, speaking about statuses and parents and everything he had trouble catching up on, and the shame he still felt about it all.

It didn't seem like he could look at her. "... and now with everything you've told me, it's all just…"

Momo offered her hand on his shoulder regardless. "It's okay. Right now, we don't have to talk or think about any of what I said." She meant it. His sorrow mattered so much more. "I'm sorry for running away."

Arven's gaze slowly lifted towards her, but his frown held the slightest signs of quivering. "I'm sorry it was me you ended up having feelings for."

He looked genuinely apologetic for it, and Momo couldn't fathom why he felt that way. "What do you mean? What happened back there wasn't your fault…" She was the one who ran away and set things up to happen there of all places and…

"I just don't understand… how could you see me in that way?" Arven was looking directly at her, eyes distraught. "You're… you're amazing, Momo. You're the newest champion-ranked trainer of Paldea, you have a wicked strong brute of a Pokémon, and you even saved the world. Going down my path, there wasn't much for me to look up to in the first place. Now that our Treasure Hunt is over… what's left for me to aspire to? Now I'm just… back to being me."

Momo pursed her lip. "Well, you're still our friend, Arven. Yeah, we're all special in our own ways, but so are you." She nudged her shoulder against his. He didn't nudge back.

"You really think so?" Arven's stare was as jaded as his tone. "I'm just… the abandoned son of the two most brilliant minds in the region, and I still can't even weigh up to anything they've done. You and all the others have all been dealing with smarts and academics and battling and everything better than I have… Compared to the rest of you guys, I guess my role's so obvious it goes without saying. Nothing special about me…"

"Arven…"

Tears stung, and for a moment, Momo couldn't tell if the drops that fell were hers or his. He was at his lowest place, but she still wanted to help him rise. She wanted him to know that it was okay to be who he was. She wanted him to know that he doesn't have to live up to the standard or approval of his parents. She wanted him to know that it doesn't have to take an adventure of epic proportions to be special to people.

She wanted him to know that despite everything, despite all his shortcomings and all he'd lost, he was still loved.

She knew she wasn't the best at putting together words for sincerity, but she was going to try, try very hard.

Momo stood up. "There's something else I have to give you. Something I… actually forgot to give you for a while now. Let me help you up."

Arven had yet to return her smile, but that was okay. He still took the hand she offered, and though it took a momentous tug, Momo was able to bring him back to his feet. She rummaged through her bag, delicately took out a few chosen things, and placed them on the table nearby. Momo adjusted them there in such a way that the moonlight would shine on them.

"Look at these."

The light was faint, but it was still there. Momo looked to the table, to the moon, then back at Arven. There was a faint shift in his expression. One hard to catch in the darkness, but Momo knew about the subtle movement of his eyes whenever something piqued his interest.

"These photos…" Arven stared at them, holding one of them in particular in his hand. A boy and his Maschiff. "How did you get these?"

"Back in the Zero Lab. Your dad let me take them. Er, your robot dad, I mean. Figured I'd put them back where they belong." Momo cleared her throat as she looked at the photos alongside him. "I know it's still kinda up in the air about whether or not your parents care for you, but… they're not here to answer that question, are they?"

"They're not." Arven paused, turning to look at her. "They've just… left me alone."

"I'm still here to care." Momo looked to the photo of young Arven, eyes and smile full of hope, a moment captured in lasting glee. "The cute boy I see there? I care about him a ton." Momo looked to Arven, his troubled expression mustering all he could, a living aftermath of everything these memories failed to promise him. "And the cute boy I see in front of me? I care about him a ton, too. Care about him a Tinka-ton."

His shoulders shifted at that, but Momo heard the faintest breath. A chuckle.

Momo stifled a giggle, instead opting to lean a bit to tug on that light switch. Those tube-shaped bulbs flickered for a faint second before illuminating the faintest area of the room around them. A spotlight that was theirs. With a space no longer dark, it felt the slightest bit homier, letting both of them take a better look of the company they shared.

"Look around you, Arven." Momo smiled warmly as she motioned to the two Pokémon curiously watching from nearby. "You're not alone anymore, and you don't have to be. You've got your Pokémon, and you've got the rest of us. We won't leave you."

With the darkness cleared away, Momo watched as Arven's expression softened once more, this time towards the Mabosstiff and Applin who still looked up at him expectantly. They never left his side. As if that mere tug shed some light on more than just the room, Arven blinked as if his eyes were opened in more ways than one.

There it was. She got a smile out of him again.

Both of Arven's Pokémon gathered around for a group hug, and when he looked up at Momo, she knew she was welcome for that embrace as well. It was one she joined, one she relished, and one she was glad to be a part of.

"Thank you, Momo."

With a moment this tender, this fragile, it felt like their hearts were balanced on opposite sides of a thin razor blade, one that could sever their ties in an instant. Still, Momo wanted to ease him however she could, to be the light shining through the rain, to cross that momentous gap. When the time came for her to look back at him with her most reassuring of smiles, she had one more idea in mind. For old times' sake.

"Wanna go sightseeing?"

Rung by rung. Step by step. Moment by moment.

After hearing about how long Arven lived here, Momo was pleasantly surprised to learn that he hadn't actually taken in the view from atop the lighthouse vantage point. At least, it had supposedly been a while, anyway.

Momo reached the top first, waited a second, then helped Arven up and led him all the way to the railing.

There was a calm smile on Arven's face as Momo whisked him away. "What did you want me to take a look at, little buddy?"

"Just a view that stuck with me for a long time." Momo giggled, finding ease in the calm they shared. "I've been meaning to revisit it. And now I get to see it with you."

Their gazes moved ahead, and ahead they stayed. There wasn't a name for this spot, and it wasn't exactly as popular as any of the other sightseeing places, but Momo found it special all the same.

The entirety of Paldea, a land of possibilities and freedom, stretched out before Momo as it did the same way it when she first started this wonderful adventure. This time, alongside her wonder, she carried the sentiments of all the memories spent in places she recognized. Being the living proof of all those paths trekked, recognizing the setpieces of distant battles fought, everything she did to carve out her own name in this journey.

These were places that shone in all sorts of colors amidst the broad nightfall, shades brighter than all, being the silver linings that surrounded all the greys of their lives. The academy's landmark shone, warmth carrying the fondness of lessons learned and friends made. Momo was able to scope out each site where titans were spotted, which were now distant, at the same time held close in both her memories and her Pokéballs. With how intoxicating the light of the stars were, those dazzling, celestial bodies, Momo's eyes wandered to Alfornada, recalling the dancing they had gone through in a space that felt like it was theirs. Past it all, the mystery of Area Zero had closed itself off to all eyes but theirs, carrying the culmination of everything they had discovered themselves.

Momo and Arven had gone through their own personal shares of love and loss. Not just in this journey, but throughout their lives as well. Regardless of it all, they still had a lot left to adore, a lot to care about, and with her absolute rollercoaster of a Paldea experience, Momo would rinse and repeat it all over again if she could. Every single moment, as arbitrary as they sometimes were, still meant the world to her.

She gently nudged her shoulder against his. "We've gone through a lot, haven't we, Arven? I remembered the times you told me about your parents being too busy with their jobs like mine, and I wanted to help you live out that wonder of fun that you missed out on. I guess… we all have our own ways of getting by. Mine is helping out my friends, and you're my friend, so I still intend on holding on and supporting you and… helping you stay on your feet, like we've always done. I genuinely care about you like that."

He nudged hers back. "You really are a lot more thoughtful than I took you for, little buddy. I told you you're not selfish."

Momo took his praise with pride, and hoped to give it back to him tenfold. "And you're not selfish for yearning the kind of company you deserve, you know. You haven't deserved it any less."

There was a relaxed sigh, one from him, one from her, and they both settled with leaning forward on the railing, indulging in the great beyond. The moment was calm, quiet, and even without the high-octane excitement Momo usually craved, there was still wonder. There was still the racing of her heart. There was still the quality time she missed from both him and those who once spent time with her.

And just as it was when she was little, she knew the moment would pass eventually. Even if it all meant so much to her. But that was okay. That never stopped her from enjoying it while it lasted.

Arven was happy. Momo was happy. She saw his easy smile, his relaxed stare, the kind she wished she could tuck into bed. This moment between them could only last so long, and that's okay. Maybe they were just meant to be nothing more than this, and that's okay. He just mattered that much to her.

"Momo, wait."

When she turned to leave, he reached out to her. Her attention was his. Her hands were in his. Momo's mind wandered in a moment of surprise. His touch was as tender as his stare, and a breath's second passed before he spoke. Was he…?

"You mean a lot to me, Momo. Not just for helping me with saving Mabosstiff or for stopping my dad or anything like that. You genuinely brighten up my days, give me things to feel excited over, and spending time with you is just… the best thing that's ever happened to me. You're so passionate, and adorable, and inspiring, and… what I mean to say is…"

He hesitated, but everything about his expression was calm and certain.

"I love you, Momo."

Momo blinked.

Nothing flashy, nothing over the top, but it was a setting meaningful enough to tug at her attention and heartstrings alike. And tug it did, rather than ripping her heart out, and she felt that declaration light up something within her. A realization that spread within, a tingling that confirmed she was awake, that this wasn't just a dream, that everything Arven said and felt and did was genuine. And now it was her turn to return everything her heart had to give.

"I…"

This wasn't what she planned. But that's okay. Like a discharged spark, all uncertainty was cleared away, crushing anything less than what Momo truly, actually felt.

This wasn't just a crush. It hadn't been for a long time.

She loved being with him. She loved battling alongside him and seeing him shine. She loved making sandwiches with him and seeing his passion in action. She loved telling stories to him, being on the receiving end of his attention. She loved hearing him out, comforting him and encouraging him when he needed it. She loved when they would be there for each other where their parents weren't. She loved his smile and all the times she tried to coax it out of him. She loved that look he gave her whenever he was worried but in the trusting way. She loved the way he hugged. She loved the way he cared. She loved…

"I love you too, Arven!"

The words poured out as naturally as her emotions did.

Everything was out in the open, both of their hearts beating with shared revelations. He was surprised, she was surprised, but they felt gratified all the same. This wasn't a dream. This wasn't a nightmare. This was reality. And what a beautiful reality it was, because it was theirs.

She blinked, and Arven was still here, gazing down at her with the beauty of the moon. Momo loved him. He loved her. That was evident, that was true, and it felt so, so real. Their following hug was warm, comforting, one Momo spent nestling against his shoulder as they swayed in the night, a moment she almost wished would last forever. Almost, because with such a close embrace, drawing apart held the faintest pause where their faces were just a breath away from each other.

Arven had already lowered himself to match her eye level, his gentle teal gaze as alluring as always as she leaned into his gentle hold. She cupped his cheek, sharing his space, his emotion, his desire. It was Momo who gladly soared closer to the moonlight, closing the distance between any gaps they shared, sealing the deal with a kiss. It was simple, brief, and straightforward, but it was special all the same. That mere shared touch of their lips lit up all sorts of wonder in Momo's eyes, and she saw it in Arven's, too.

There was a giggle and a chuckle. Now she can say she kissed him for real. And it was so, so much more magical than anything she ever read or dreamed of.

They stayed like that for a while, standing there, staring into each other's eyes, letting it all sink in. Momo's heart didn't waver one bit in the seconds that passed. Arven wasn't often the most extravagant or flashy person, but what he did and what he tried still mattered to her. In the time she had spent with him, there were a lot of little things she grew attached to. A quiet chuckle. A tousling of hair. Faint glimpses of the facets of himself he hid from others. Little things she found magic in. The kind of magic that made her troubled heart feel distant, a million miles away even, to the point where all she could think about was him. And she really did love him for that.

"I love you, Arven."

"I love you too, Momo."

Even saying it again felt like something out of a dream. It still didn't feel real, but it was, every touch, every sensation, every second of it. She could only dream to make tonight go on and on and on, because that was all that mattered to her, and she felt immeasurable glee knowing it mattered to him too. But as much as they would've liked to stare at the great beyond Paldea had to offer them, they knew there was only one thing to do about it. To go forth and make the most of what they had.

"Wanna go back to my place and read some more Powerful Plasma Pawmot?"

"I thought you'd never ask." His smile was at peace, and so was hers. "You and me?"

"Together." Now and always.

Hand in hand, they made their leave from the vantage point, to make the most out of their time, to revel in a day well spent. They were going to indulge in the memories they made together, look forward to the days ahead of them, and most importantly, enjoy the moments they shared right then and there. It didn't matter where they spent it, as long as they had each other.

To all they had won, to all they had learned, to all they had lost. They were home now.