It was Saturday and Ash woke up on his own. No alarm, no one waking him because he forgot to set one and no moody Pikachu waking him with a spark. In fact, Pikachu was not in his room. Not in his Pokemon bed, not on his trainer's bed, not on the window still. Pikachu was nowhere to be seen or heard.

"What a way to start the day, tracking down my annoying Pikachu.", mumbled Ash half asleep. "At least I know for a fact he isn't being chased by a Sprigatito for once... wait a minute, where is he then?"

He threw some clothes on and started looking for his Pikachu. First stop was the kitchen, as Pikachu is very food motivated. And he was right, Pikachu was munching on some food given by Ariana. Ariana and Maria were already awake.

"If you're looking for your father, he's still asleep.", said Ariana. "He's still drained from yesterday. Enjoy sleeping in late, you have to wake up early on Monday."

"I know.", he said. He checked on the Navigation app where his new school is. Other side of the city, close to the border of Goldenrod. The estimated walking distance lets his old way look like a joke. Not to mention they didn't bring his bike. "Well, now that I know where Pikachu is, I'm going back to bed."

"Don't you want to eat something?", asked Ariana. But Ash did not answer. "He needs to eat more."

"I agree.", said Maria. "He is so boney."

Giovanni walked in, "What a way to be woken up. Two utter idiot employees lost a whole shipment of merchandise."

"Jessie and James again?", asked Ariana.

"Yes...", confirmed her husband. "I really consider to fire them."

"Do it on Monday, workaholic. It is weekend now.", said Ariana annoyed by her husband's inability to let the weekend be the weekend.

Over the day, Ash was avoiding the Sakaki's. Well, he simply didn't leave his room, even when Silver attempted to drag him into the home cinema. No one but Silver really complained until lunch time rolled around. Ash again didn't show up.

"Just let him, he will come when he is hungry.", said Maria. "What did my son say? Do not push him?"

"Yes, but I don't think Giovanni meant to let Ash starve himself.", argued Ariana. "You know what, I make him a sandwich. If he ignores it, his problem."

"You just say that to use up the remaining baguette.", stated Maria while making a coffee.

"Hey, I know Ash eats it.", countered Ariana.

Ariana cut a baguette in half, put butter, sweet mustard and mayonnaise on it, before putting cheese, tomatoes, salad leaves and cold cut on it. As she was about to put the cold cut on, she remembered Ash doesn't eat meat, so she put it away. She put a second type of cheese on it instead. On a plate, she carried it to Ash's room, placing it on his desk.

This earned her a confused glance from Ash. "Uh, thanks I guess, but why did you do that?", he asked.

"You didn't show up for lunch.", she argued, "But you need to eat something. You already skipped breakfast."

"No, I mean why did you make it.", clarified Ash. "Won't that be Giovanni's job? After all, he is the parent, legal guardian, the reason why I am here to begin with? In other words, not your responsibility?" Ariana was a bit insulted that he doesn't appreciate her doing. "Why do you let Giovanni push his duty on you? Alexander would never let Delia do that.", added Ash.

"Your father is not demanding this from me, I do that volunteerily.", replied Ariana, trying to keep her cool. She then left before Ash got even more to her nerves.

When he heard her going down, Ash took the sandwich and walked to Silver. He was doing pottery of all things. He even has an extra room of it. One reason why Silver has so long school days is his pottery class. Ash just placed it on Silver's work bench. The red head was to hypnotized by his vase to notice. For all Silver knows, this sandwich just materialized from thin air.

Hours later was time for the dinner. Silver was sitting ready, waiting for food, while his brother didn't show up again. His mother took deep breaths to keep cool.

"Giovanni! Fetch Ash!", she demanded.

Her husband complied and walked to Ash's room. Only to see his son sleeping. He won't wake him up. Which didn't exactly roll with his wife.

"At least he ate the sandwich I made him.", said Ariana after a deep sigh. "When will this end?"

Silver froze. Sandwich? He knew someone placed one in his pottery room... did Ash give him his sandwich? Well, hindsight twenty twenty, he won't accept any food from that just appeared in the future, in case it is just Ash ditching again. He better not tell his mother he ate it, this won't be good for her nerves.

Sunday and Ash was up early. Of course he was, he fell asleep soon. His cold showed itself in form of being very tired. Ash was sure Ariana was annoyed again by him ditching dinner. Checking his desk, he saw a letter and a note. The note was from Giovanni. A formula to choose his elective subjects, he'll receive the needed books from the school when chosen. He should choose as soon as he can. Giovanni would like to send the letter back via fax. Yes, they still use fax to some extend.

Well, he has nothing to do and doesn't feel like leaving, so why not do it now? At least he could read what subjects he has. From the looks of it, he can choose a track, a specialization of sorts, including being a Pokemon trainer. But also general bonus electives. In his old school, they only had the track. In general, the list of potential subjects was a shock for Ash, so much to choose from. No wonder Silver is gone for so long.

Let's start with the general core subjects. Pretty much all subjects are split into a standard course and an advanced course. He can choose from Math, Kantonese, Galarian (how in the world that one evolved to be the world language), P.E, History, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Home economics, Literature which can only be taken if the corresponding language is taken as an advanced course and Ethics or Religion. In addition to that, the clubs. Ash knows he will join none.

General subjects. Math, standard, so is Kantonian. Galarian is advanced. P.E has no split. History is also a standard subject, same goes for Physics. Biology and Chemistry will be advanced subjects. Home economics has no split. For literature he chooses Galarian. And Ethics, he isn't religious.

Now the track subjects and electives. He is floored. Not even Riko's school has that many options. He once peaked at her list when she started. Reading about the trainer track, he read that they give out rare and exotic Pokemon as starters. He wonders what Silver choose. He saw an Espeon and Houndoom, but neither fits the bill.

Why not ask Silver? He left the room and searched for Silver. Unsurprisingly, he found Silver in the home cinema.

"I start to wonder if you live in here, Silver.", said Ash.

Silver looked up from the screen to Ash. He saw the list. "Ah, I see. You're overwhelmed with the subjects?"

"Yes, but this is not why I am here.", said Ash. "I was wondering, what did you choose as your starter?"

"I choose an Eevee, now Espeon.", revealed Silver, gesturing to the Espeon sitting besides him.

"Oh, whose the Houndoom belonging to, then?"

"He's mom's.", said Silver. "Wanna watch with me?"

"No. But thank you." With that, Ash left and returned to his room. Unbeknownst to him, Silver was following him.

"I'll help you with the electives and clubs.", explained Silver.

"I do not plan to join a club.", said Ash, "I am happy for every hour I don't have to spend in school."

"If you say so... ", said Silver. "Let's see, I assume you want to do the trainer track?"

"Yes."

"Good. If you would choose anything else, I would have no idea what to tell you.", said Silver. "All my friends and I are in the trainer track. Do you want to know in what subjects and clubs I am?"

"Even if I say no, you will tell me anyway.", guessed Ash. "Shoot."

"I have advanced Kantonian, Pokemon Theoreticals, Ethics, P.E,Standard Galarian, Basic Pokemon Care, Standard level Biology, Fencing,-" "Fancy." "Advanced Math, Advanced History, Standard Physics, Music, Japanese Literature, advanced Chemistry, Home economics, Pokemon Grooming, advanced Battle classes, and Drama class. In addition I am in the Movie Club and in the Pokemon Battle Team!", listed Silver proudly. "My club mates, Drama friends and fellow cooks from home economics may drop by on the weekends for bigger projects. And mom and I often cook. Maybe you wanna join some times?"

"We'll see. What subjects are available for the track?", asked Ash.

"Basic care, Battle classes, advanced and standard, Grooming, Theoreticals, extensive Grooming, which is actually what I choose, Breeding Theory, History of the leagues, contest, basic and advanced and cooking specifically for Pokemon.", said Silver. "Basic care, battle and basics of grooming are required. Do not pick League history, it is so useless according to my friend Alain. He regrets having taken it, despite it being easy grades."

Ash ticked on his form what he'll choose. "Done, Now the other electives.

"Oh, only cooking for Pokemon? And standard battling? Looks like we won't see when my class coaches the lower classes in projects then.", stated Silver.

"Good."

"Seriously? Anyway, electives are art, music, dance, handcrafts which no one choose in my grade and the one afterwards, wood work, metal work, IT and Tech, creative writing, cooking, fencing, archery, pottery, Drama and medical care.", listed Silver. "Before you ask why I am not in Pottery and cooking, these are my hobbies. I want to enjoy them and not worry about my grades. And the Pottery teacher is a pain in the ass. And you only can pick three at maximum."

"If you say so. I choose Medical aid and cooking, then.", said Ash. "And no clubs."

"Well, with standard batting, you can't join the team anyway. Most electives are also available as clubs, but without the grading. While I am not a full member of the Pottery and Drama clubs, I often drop by if I want. Other clubs are the comic book club, book club, chess, board games, Table top RPG's, movie club, debating and golf.", listed Silver. "Teams are Swimming, Archery, Battling, Track racing, Soccer, Baseball and cheerleading. May I ask why you choose cooking?"

"Because it is an important life skill?", answered Ash. "When I get my own place at some point, I need to learn how to cook."

"Fair, but Home economics already contains some cooking lessons.", said Silver, "Unless you're passionate about it, Cooking makes no sense to choose. Plus mom would gladly let you join when we cook. That is why I didn't choose it."

"Difference is that you're her son, of course Ariana is teaching you.", argued Ash.

"Don't say that, Satoshi.", said Silver annoyed. He hoped his assistance with the subjects would break the ice between them.

"Don't call me Satoshi! Call me Ash, please.", demanded Ash. "Now leave, I give the form to Giovanni, so that he can fax it to the school."

"Fine, fine.", agreed Silver. "Lunch should start soon."

"I'm not coming."

"Okay, but if mom makes you a sandwich, eat it. I won't this time around, little twig.", said Silver before leaving his brother's room.

It was lunch time and Ash didn't show up like he said. Silver told his family he helped Ash with his elective choosing.

"That explains why the form was ready when I woke up. I already send it to the school. They said a package with the books for the core subjects should arrive soon.", said Giovanni. "Ariana, make his sandwich after we're done."

"It doesn't take that long, Gio.", she said, before walking downstairs. Passing the entrance, the door bell rang. Placing the sandwich on a shelf, she opened the door and received said package. "Mm, that was fast." She then carried the package upstairs, sandwich on it. Walking into Ash's room, she said, "Ash, could you take this from me."

"Uh, sure?", he took the package from her and the sandwich. "What is that?"

"Your lunch and some of your books, core subjects. You'll receive the rest at school.", informed him Ariana.

"Why again are you doing that and not Giovanni?", asked Ash. He placed the package on his bed and the sandwich on his desk.

"I'm not arguing about this now." She then left.

With her gone, Ash ignored the sandwich and opened the package with the books. He decided to read a bit to catch up. As soon as he read the first page of his Galarian book, he realized this book is of the wrong grade. This is a first year book, not second year like it is supposed to be!

He took the book and walked to Giovanni. Ariana assumed he wanted to join them, but Ash asked Giovanni, "This book is for first years, I think something had gone wrong."

"No, I intentionally signed you up for a lower grade.", explained Giovanni. "Your old school hadn't had the level of Goldenrod Prep, so I think it would be better for you to start from the first grade to properly catch up."

"Mm, okay. You could have told me, though.", said Ash before leaving again. Returning to his room, he saw Pikachu was munching on the sandwich. "Looks like Silver isn't needed."

Back at the dining table, Giovanni spoke up, "Silver, you need to keep an eye on Ash. Tell us if he eats the school food or not."

"Will do.", agreed Silver.

It was dinner time. Ariana told Giovanni to get Ash, he complied.

"You know what, I will distance myself more from Ash. He rejects me anyway, so why should I bother so much?", she told me, "Which me you will need to do more. Including making sure he eats something."

"Of course, Ari."

Giovanni walked to his son's room, only to discover that he was asleep already. He was under the cover. This made Giovanni think Ash was intentionally asleep. Either way, he won't wake him up. Returning to his wife and other son, he informed them of that. Ariana sighed annoyed by this.

"Aren't you worried by his constant meal ditching?", she asked her husband.

"He'll eat with us when he warms up to us. Just wait.", he replied. "Nanu didn't eat much when he first met mother, so I'm not surprised Ash does the same."

"Nanu is a bad example.", said Maria. "I suppose I will make a big breakfast early tomorrow. Ash will be hungry."

"Excuse me? I'll cook.", said Ariana. "You're the guest, I'm the host. I am the one cooking."

"But didn't you said you want to distance yourself more from Ash?", asked Giovanni.

"I didn't mean that I won't feed him!", said Ariana annoyed. "I just won't try to bond with him as aggressively until he stops rejecting me."

"In that case.", said Giovanni. "Should we give Ash an allowance?"

"What is that for a question?", asked Ariana angrily. "You sound like Satoshi isn't that wrong about his assumptions about you."

"I mean, an allowance specifically to buy snacks at his school. So that he doesn't starve himself too much while trying to avoid us.", clarified Giovanni.

"Isn't that a bit unhealthy?", asked Maria worried. "You really don't try with Satoshi."

"Grandma, our school stocks rather healthy stuff, not just sweets. Dried fruits, nuts, that kind of stuff.", reasoned Silver, "And it would be better than Ash eating nothing."

"This is exactly what I meant.", stated Giovanni. "He would get the same allowance as Silver, of course. Well, a bit lesser, since Silver is older."

"Okay. I am still skeptical.", admitted Ariana. "I'm done, I go to bed. Giovanni, you do the dishes tonight." She then walked to the stairs. "And don't you dare letting Silver do it to get extra money."

"Yes, Ari..."

Started: 9th August 2023

Edited: 27th August 2023\

Finished: 10th August 2023

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