Lacey is sitting at her desk in the classroom. She pays attention in class when suddenly Cyrano walks into the classroom. Then in comes Florian directly behind him.

"Huh? Florian doesn't have this class. What's he doing here?" Lacey wonders.

Lacey sees both of them talking back and forth for a good while until Florian starts walking up to her. He then looks at her and holds out his hand. Suddenly the entire looks at her and Lacey gets embarrassed.

"H-Huh? Me? Why me? D-Did I do something wrong?" Lacey stammers.

"Ah... so it seems you chose Lacey to be your partner! I should've known you'd choose the student you first saw at Blueberry Academy! Very nice! You two, follow me outside the classroom!" Cyrano ushers.

Lacey nervously gets up from her seat and follows Florian outside the classroom while looking at the other students. The students are either staring at her or are gossiping about her and Florian being in a relationship because of the rumors.

After Lacey, Florian, and Cyrano and out the classroom, Cyrano is the first one to start speaking.

"So Lacey, what your pal Florian is told is that he has been assigned to assist in the Blueberry Academy research. He's been assigned to research stuff all the way back in Paldea to help with this academy's research and its improvements. It'll be nice too see what this young fellow will do! And as this academy's recent champion, I'm sure he's more than capable! And to top it off, he had the option to choose anyone he wants to bring with him, and it seems he chose you, Lacey!" Cyrano explains.

"B-But... why me? Why not someone more smarter sophisticated like Amarys? Or what about Drayton? Maybe he will finally be of some practical use instead of loafing around in the League Club Room like a Slaking..." Lacey says.

"You know, that would make sense, but I guess it's just personal preference! Besides, it assisted you that one night, so think of it as close friends!" Florian answers.

"Alright! Then that settles it! You'll both be leaving very shortly in a few hours, so get ready beforehand!" Cyrano says as he leaves.

Moments later Florian turns to Lacey.

"Hey, Lacey? Wanna go to the cafeteria before we leave?" Florian asks.

"Huh? B-But won't people think that are going on a date? I mean... rumors have spread that we were a couple... and besides, Drayton took you on a date... a cafeteria date..." Lacey says.

"Don't worry! We're still just friends! The rumors will die out eventually!"

"B-But were going to be seen together!"

"I said don't worry! Just ignore them! We're still just friends!"

"A-Alright... fine..."

As Florian and Lacey walk to the cafeteria together students start looking at both of them weirdly. Lacey sees the stares and tries to ignore them.

Both of them find a seat and still across from each other. Florian orders two Academy Shakes and hands one to Lacey.

"Huh? N-No thanks... I'm not thirsty!" Lacey politely declines.

"No, please! I'm just being nice! There's nothing wrong with accepting a drink from a friend!" Florian insists.

"Uh... alright then..." Lacey takes the drink and takes a sip.

"Uh... so... um... if I'm being honest... I've never been to Paldea before... what's it like?" Lacey asks.

"It's very vast and open world like! Believe me! It'll be amazing! Especially while riding my Koraidan will I feel the wind breezing against my face!" Florian says.

"Huh. That's nice! I actually can't wait to be there! B-But wait! What about my duties as an elite four member?"

"I think someone else in the League Club will do it. As the champion of the BB League, I'll tell Drayton to do the extra work! Think of it has payback for that one day you were overworked!"

Lacey chuckles. "That'll teach Drayton not to slack off like a Hippopotas! He won't be getting away from slacking off this time!"

"Wow! You look kinda cute when you chuckle!"

Lacey blushes. "Hey! We've already went through this! Y-You can't just keep calling me cute! T-That's just not right!" Lacey makes an X with her hands.

"I know! Just messing around! We're just friends!" Florian says.

"Wait, they're just friends! Are they actually not a couple?" a random student says.

Lacey completely forgot that people were staring at the both of them. She looks back at the students and starts feeling nervous again.

"H-Hey, I finished my drink. L-Let's go..." Lacey says as she quickly moves out the door with Florian following her from behind.

After a few more hours it's time for them to leave Blueberry Academy. They're both currently in the airplane and they're seating next to each other. Lacey looks out the window and sees a Dragonite flying with the airplane. Lacey quickly taps on Florian shoulder.

"Hey, Florian, look! A Dragonite! Look at it flapping it's wings! And look at it's face! It looks so cute!"

Florian smiles. "Yeah, I think Dragonite has a pretty nice expression for getting a Dragon type! Most Dragon types are usually fierce and scary, but this one looks really happy!"

Lacey chuckles. "I can't wait to see all the cute Pokémon back at Paldea! It'll be so awesome! This is my first time going to Paldea! I've never left Unova ever! It's... it's..." Lacey starts squealing happily with her cheeks turning really red.

Florian smiles. "Wow! I didn't think you'd be so excited about going to Paldea! I bet it'll be awesome too! I even have some old friends there as well! Just you wait! We'll be there in no time!"

As the airplane lands, Lacey takes her first step onto the Paldean ground and she gets really excited.

"Oh my gosh! I'm actually in Paldea! This is amazing!"

Lacey runs around the place and embraces the Paldean wind blowing around her.

"Wow! I can't wait to see everything here that I've never seen before!"

Florian chuckles. "Hey Lacey, calm down, would you? You'll exhaust yourself easily as if you're overworked from your duties! Take a breather!"

Lacey stops and gasps for air. "Alright... I'll stop frantically running! Where should we go then?"

Florian thinks for a moment, and then he decides to say this to her.

"Let's go to my academy; the place where my Treasure Hunt officially started!"