"Way to go, Juliana!" Crispin was quick to jump right in front of her the second they walked in the League Club room, "I saw the whole thing!"

Lacey approached, "Calm down Crispin. We all did. That was great Juliana!"

Amarys nodded, "Splendid work."

Drayton called from his chair, "That's the way, bud! You really pushed yourself!"

Juliana laughed, "Thanks guys. I'm still excited!"

Nemona put her arm around her, "Ahaha! Juliana, I'm so proud of you! I'm still so pumped from watching that battle! Now you and me definitely have to have another one!"

Juliana grinned, "Don't worry Nemona, we will!"

Penny shook her head, "You truly can't get enough, huh Nemona?"

Arven replied, "She wouldn't be Nemona otherwise."

"Juliana!" Geeta called her over. She and Rika were standing off to the side. After getting an encouraging nod from her friends, Juliana approached them, "Y-Yes?"

Geeta smiled proudly, "You were magnificent as always. I see you've continued to hone your skills. I said before I no longer have any doubts about my decision."

Juliana looked at a grinning Rika, then back to Geeta, "What decision?"

Geeta took something from her jacket, "Hold out your hands, Juliana."

Juliana cautiously held her hands out as instructed, and watched Geeta place a pair of gloves in them. She was confused at first, then she realized that the gloves looked exactly like the ones Geeta wore.

"What are these for?" Juliana inquired.

Geeta kept smiling, "I hope you think carefully about why I chose to give you those. I'll be awaiting your decision."

Juliana looked up to meet the Top Champion's proud gaze. Just before she could say anything, Rika spoke, "Congratulations kiddo. Looks like you really outdid yourself this time."

"Thank you, Rika." Juliana replied modestly.

"Ha! You don't have to be so nervous!" Rika chuckled, "It's something to be proud of! You know, the day I met you at that Gym, you were already on our radar. I remember we had told you most trainers end up quitting the challenge at the fourth Gym, but I knew you wouldn't."

Juliana asked, "How did you know that?"

Rika gave her a wink, "Call it a sixth sense."

Geeta let out a small snort, "You sure it wasn't because of Nemona?"

Rika flinched, "Okay, maybe! But come on boss, you know she had potential!"

Geeta giggled, "I know Rika, I know."

"Juliana!" Arven suddenly called from across the room, "Hey Juliana! Come trade Pokemon with me!"

Juliana felt her heart stop, she hadn't even the time to mentally prepare herself. She turned to Rika and Geeta, and they both laughed, waving her off. Juliana gulped in fear before rushing over to Arven.

Rika looked at Geeta, "What do you think, boss? You think she'll take you up on that offer?"

Geeta replied after a pause, "I hope so. She's an inspiration to all of Paldea. She would make an incredible Top Champion."

Rika agreed, "She would. Plus, I would be happy to work with her."

Geeta chuckled, "I know you would, Rika."

In the meantime, Juliana had responded to Arven's request, "A-Arvie! Yeah, I've been wanting to trade…"

Arven grinned ear-to-ear, "Yeah! We've been putting it off long enough! Let's trade right now! No more waiting!"

Nemona hopped in, "Oh, I wanna see this!"

Carmine joined, "Ooooh! Let's see what the lovely couple trades!"

Soon, they had the attention of everyone in the room. Juliana's heart was pounding so hard she thought it would come out of her chest. This is not what she had envisioned.

Arven was undeterred, "I'm gonna give you a Skwovet! Not just any Skwovet either! This one's got a unusual ability… So how about that? Whatcha gonna trade me?"

Juliana looked around at all the excited eyes watching her, and to her horror, her face began heating up. But she wasn't going to back out now.

She mentally pepped herself up, "Okay, I can do this! Go for it, Juliana!"

Once she was certain she was ready, she held out the Love Ball she had the Alcremie contained in. Carmine immediately took notice and spoke with a teasing voice, "Ooooh! It's in a Love Ball!"

Kieran elbowed his sister, "Sis, cut it out!"

Drayton decided to sneak up and startle Carmine by putting his arm around her, "Just like how I've got you? In a Love Ball, I mean…" He clicked tongue.

Carmine's face went beet red in an instant, "QUIET YOU!"
This made everyone laugh, the whole thing ignited playful chattering amongst each other. Juliana seized the opportunity and opened the Love Ball.

As rehearsed, the Ruby swirl Alcremie decorated with Love Sweets jumped out with her arms outstretched, making a joyful noise. A small note was in her little hand.

Arven appeared stunned for a moment before reacting, "Oh, she's so cute! Thank you so much, cutie! I'll take good care of her! Alongside Mabosstiff and everyone else!"

Juliana smiled, nervous he hadn't seen the note yet, "I'm so glad you like her…"

Lacey announced, "Awww, look at that little adorable Pokemon!"

Crispin joined, "Oh hey! It's that type that likes baking! Huh, maybe I should try that…"

"What's it holding there?" Nemona asked.

That's when Arven finally noticed, "Huh? Oh, what's this?"

The Alcremie readily handed the note to Arven, and he opened it. Juliana slapped her hands to her very red face as Arven read it,

Arven,

I picked this Alcremie because she's just as sweet as you!

I know she isn't exactly like the rest of your team, but I hope she brings as much joy to your life as you do to mine!

I love you to the moon and back!

Juliana.

The next thing she knew, she was being pulled into Arven's embrace. She felt the rhythm of his heartbeat as he held her close. She returned the hug, and everything around her seemed to disappear. Drayton and Carmine were having one of their little back and forths? Kieran laughing at them? Nemona standing beside him not sure what to do with an awkward smile? Crispin trying to get the nerve to ask Lacey out? Amarys uncomfortably standing off to the side? Penny shaking her head at all the madness?

Nope, not in that moment. To Juliana, she was just focusing on the hug. Soon, Arven met her gaze, "I told you that you're the sweet one here, Juliana. Thank you so much…"

Juliana swore that steam was coming out of her ears, "I'm glad you like the Alcremie, Arven."

Arven smiled, "I'll take good care of her. And Juliana?" He leaned close to whisper, "I love you too."

Juliana grinned, throwing herself into him once more, "I love you too Arven!"

The League Club room had the mood of a birthday party that afternoon. Everyone was laughing and having a fun time. No anger, no resentment or strife. It was positivity all around, just how it always should be. Juliana looked toward the door upon hearing it open and was pleasantly surprised to see Perrin enter.

She immediately went over to her, "Perrin! You're here!"

"Sure am, partner!" Perrin replied with her energetic spirit, "Hey, that was quite a show you put on. Great job!"

"I heard you didn't get in too much trouble. That's good." Juliana noted.

Perrin nodded, "Yeah, Director Cyrano gave me a bit of an earful. But at the end of it all he told me that I deserved a second chance. So, I'm free to go."

"That's so great to hear! Director Cyrano is very kind to do that for you."

Perrin chuckled, "Yeah! Hehe… I hope these pictures turn out good. But if they don't, that's okay too. I'm just glad to be safe."

"Same here, Perrin." Juliana smiled, "That's what matters the most!"

"Hey, I'll let you know as soon as I get those pictures back. And Juliana? Seriously, thanks so much for saving my hide back there. I've learned my lesson for sure."

Juliana giggled, "You're welcome, Perrin. And I'm glad to hear that."

"I'll see you around, partner. You take care now."

"Bye Perrin!"

That evening, the Paldea gang, the BB League, plus Carmine and Kieran, were all relaxing at the Academy's entrance in the bleachers. Taking the time to destress after the events that took place. The lavender sunset spread across the sky, contrasting the golden rays from the setting sun.
There under the bleacher lights, with the arm of her beloved around her, Juliana took another look at the gloves Geeta gave her. Slowly, she realized what the Top Champion was hinting at. It made her heart race with anticipation. She recalled all the events that had happened since moving to Paldea and how they led up to this moment right now. She became aware that she was coming of age faster than she realized, but she also knew that she wanted this future, whatever it might hold. As long as she had her loved ones by her side, she could conquer anything.

"Woo hoo! Time for a battle frenzy! Who's in!?" Nemona jumped from her seat and announced without warning.

Juliana laughed and spoke up, "I'll battle you!"

Then Kieran joined in, "I'll join in!"

Arven realized he couldn't just leave his girlfriend to fend for herself, "Hey, don't forget about me!"

Everyone got to enjoy a two vs. two battle that night. The moon was glowing full during that time, witnessing the joyful energy of the school. Resounding cheers echoed around the entrance.

Indeed, a lot has happened since that first day. How far everyone has come! Everyone is the same person and yet not the same. Juliana wondered if it would always be like this. People grow from one person to another all their lives, and life is just a lot of everyday adventures. Some big, some small.

Regardless, she would continue to put one foot in front of the other. And live her life to the fullest.

THE END.

Author's Note: Woo hoo! Wow, you made it to the end! Way to go!

So, where am I gonna go from here? Well, I have an idea for a Galar story. But for now, I want to take a break. Even if that break turns out to be a really short one. lol.

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it! To think that wanting to write a small, Juliana X Arven story turned into a full-fledged series! I'm happy about that!

Special thanks to MegaSalamance64 and CitrusChickadee! I love reading your reviews!

See you all next time!

Peace out!