"GOOOOOOOOOD MORNING, BLUEBERRY ACADEMY!"
Juliana's eyes snapped awake in a fright.
She hadn't really gotten used to Jazzy's loud voice waking her up every day at Blueberry Academy… and being away from it for a couple days only left her even more frazzled by it.
"You all know who it is! It's your girl Jazzy, here with the rest of your talented A/V crew delivering to you the freshest news and most pulse-pounding announcements here at the ever-exciting Blueberry Academy!"
Juliana stretched her arms out wide with a loud groan as she slipped out of bed in her pajamas. She felt a slight twist in her back muscles and winced for a second, but figured it was probably just the stress from yesterday's fraught battles. She slouched like a zombie as she made her way to the bathroom.
"So far today, the weather is looking nice and comfortable. But those clouds are slowly moving in, and on TV they're saying we could be in a cold front today. It might rain… it might not! If you've got any outdoor plans for today, might want to plan to hold them in the Terrarium!"
"Heh… well now this place feels a little more like home," Juliana mumbled, remembering how much the weather in Paldea likes to fluctuate, sometimes even within minutes, as she headed into the bathroom holding her folded-up uniform clothes.
Juliana washed her face diligently and pulled the white uniform top over her head and grimaced at the resulting frizzy mess it made of her hair in the mirror.
"Wow, ha-ha… imagine if I just left it like this."
"Current rankings for the BB League are now online. And even more exciting, students can now watch the video feed from Juliana and her battle partner Carmine's one-in-a-million championship match against Kieran! Congratulations once again to Juliana on her new title!"
Juliana blushed a little. "Jazzy knows my name… Gosh, I guess almost everyone in this school knows my name by now." She chuckled. "So much for being the shy new kid…" She examined her face and raggy hair in the mirror. Maybe I should try a little harder on my look today…
Juliana was never really one for makeup… largely because she didn't really know how to apply it. She wasn't a master of mascara like Carmine, who could maybe teach her a few things if she asked. Carmine always has a pretty face no matter where she is.
Even her lipstick is always pretty.
She fluffed up her hair in her hands and contemplated. Juliana had wondered whether she still wanted to braid her hair. A part of her was curious what a more free-flowing hairstyle would do for her confidence.
Carmine called it's a rat nest, though… She immediately remembered, turning her off from the idea.
Juliana opened a sink drawer where she kept her various hair clips. After some thought, she decided to maintain the braid, at least for today, and applied a yellow hair clip. Today wasn't the day to experiment.
"Signups for the new circuit of the BB League are still a little while away, but we've got plenty of other wonderful new autumn clubs for you to join if you're looking to make new friends, pursue your interests, and even find your purpose!"
Juliana was finishing combing her hair when that last part gave her pause.
"My purpose…"
The Paldean girl stared at herself in the mirror and frowned.
I've done so many things. I helped out so many people, accomplished so many cool things… I guess I even technically saved the world. …Twice! But—but…
Her face in the mirror really began to sink a bit.
I still don't know what my goal is. I said my friends were my greatest treasure but… what do I do with that?
"What is my purpose?" she found herself saying to her reflection.
Juliana started to feel a looming sense of anxiety at the realization that she had once again accomplished her major goal of conquering an Elite Four… and now she was probably going to start feeling those same vibes of aimlessness and hunger for more adventures that she had been swimming in back at Uva Academy.
She felt troubled by those worries, so much so that upon exiting the bathroom, she immediately went for her phone.
"Carmine might have some ideas!" Juliana started looking for Carmine's name in her contacts. "Maybe her and someone else from the BB League!"
As she let the Rotom Phone float in front of her and dial, she started to question herself again.
"…Why does it feel like I'm always relying on other people to tell me what to do next?"
Then Juliana became concerned for a different reason when Carmine failed to pick up.
"…Huh." She tilted her head. "Maybe she's not awake yet?"
About an hour later, Juliana exited the breakfast line with a chocolate chip muffin that she snacked on as she walked down the school hallways.
She was about to pull out her phone and try making another call to Carmine when she heard a voice.
"Oh! Juliana! Hey!"
She was pleasantly surprised to see who it was calling her name.
"Kieran! Hi!" Juliana made no effort to hide the glee in her voice. "How are you doing today?"
"I'm… doing great, actually!" Kieran admitted, striding up to her with a tray of french toast in his hands. "I guess I really wasn't sleepin' well the whole time I was champion, but last night, I was out like a light! Though… I guess I always get sleepy on planes."
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Juliana laughed again as she said, "I'm really glad we're getting to know each other after we just met a day ago!"
Kieran chuckled awkwardly. "You… can stop doing that now. It's getting a little weird."
"Sorry, but-!" Juliana giggled at her own response and sighed exasperatedly. "I feel like if I don't do that, I'm just gonna keep saying sorry to you over and over again."
"Well, you already said sorry plenty o' times! I just… didn't wanna listen. Too up in my own head…" He grimaced a bit. "I mean—I probably have a lot more to apologize for at this point than you do, so… don't worry about it, alright?"
"Alright. Sorry!" Then Juliana covered her mouth. "…Darn it! Sorry, I can't—I CAN'T HELP MYSELF!"
Kieran giggled really loudly. "You know what, then? I just got an idea! Can you hold this for a second?"
He returned a few minutes later holding something behind his back. He presented to Juliana… a jar!
"What's… that?"
"It's my sis's old swear jar! She used to make me put my Poké Dollars inside it every time I said a naughty word, sayin' it's 'a bad habit' and all! Y'know, cause it's not like Carmine ever curses."
"Right!" Juliana chuckled.
Kieran turned it around so she could see a makeshift label in Carmine's handwriting saying "SWEAR JAR!" except Kieran had crossed out "SWEAR" and written-
"Now it's a SORRY jar. You put in some of your money every time you say sorry for something that's already forgiven!"
Juliana laughed out loud at this concept, making Kieran laugh too, and then she pretended to wince at the jar. "So this is your new revenge: you're going to make me flat broke."
"Hee-hee. You're funny!" Kieran laughed, and then smiled fondly. "…I forgot who funny you were, back when we first met you at home."
"Were? Am I not funny anymore?"
"Uh—no! No, not at all!" Kieran backpedaled. "I was just thinking about how—"
"It was a joke, Kieran. Sorry."
Kieran sighed in annoyance. "Ugh… yeah, I knew that. Sorry."
Then Juliana looked at him pointedly, and gestured to the Sorry jar.
"What? Me?"
"It's not fair unless it's both of us, is it?"
He grumbled and tossed a couple coins into it. "Sis knew how to come up with excuses to not contribute to the swear jar… I wish I had her boldness."
"Don't we all," Juliana chuckled.
"Are you busy right now, Juliana? Cause… I'd love to catch up with you, maybe even have a battle."
Juliana grimaced hard.
"I've… got classes I have to make soon, so I can't. Sorry. Tomorrow though, we should definitely make time!"
"Yeah, definitely! But… ugh. You really took morning classes?"
"Well, yeah! A lot of my classes back home at Uva were already in the morning, so I'm kinda used to it."
Kieran shook her head. "Yeah but… surely a new school should be a chance to try new things, like not having to get up super early in the morning to take tests. I guess there are still things about you I'll never really understand…"
"But a lot of the morning classes here are fun!" Juliana defended. "My first one today is Ecology, learning all about Pokémon and how their habitats affect them!"
"Hmm. I guess that—does sound fun," he admitted.
"Maybe you should try taking them with me! We could study for those evil morning tests together."
"Yeah, that might be fun. By the way, umm…" Kieran started scratching his head. "You haven't talked to Carmine at all today, have you?"
Juliana frowned, confused. "No, I haven't… Why? Is everything okay?"
"Oh, no! I was just—curious is all," he said nervously. "Sorry, didn't mean to worry ya."
Then they heard a virtual bell ding.
"Oops! Hate to dash, but I gotta make that Ecology class right now!"
"It's no prob!" As Juliana started to turn around to bolt, Kieran called out. "Oh! Hey! Juliana, one more thing!"
"What's up?"
"Umm… Lacey wanted me to let you know that at 5:00 PM, she wants to see you in the League Club Room for something important."
"Oh, hey! Does that mean you and the BB League are still friends?"
"Huh? Oh! Yeah!" Kieran said excitedly. "I really thought they were gonna hate me after everything I did, but… Lacey says it's all water under the bridge."
"That's awesome! I'm so happy for you, Kieran! I'd love to catch up more, but—I really gotta run now!"
"No problem! See ya later, Juliana!" Kieran called out.
Juliana rushed down the hall to make her classes, smiling on one side due to having finally had a more pleasant interaction with Kieran like they used to have before… but frowning on another, wondering if there really was something up with Carmine today.
The rest of Juliana's day went by at a smooth pace. She attended her classes, used her study hall (and lunch) periods to get caught up on all the work she'd missed on her brief return home to Paldea, and then finished her afternoon classes with an hour left to do some of her homework.
Eventually, 17:00 hit. Err… 5:00 PM, that is.
Unova's time system is weird.
As she hustled down the hall on her way to the clubroom, Juliana tried one more time to contact Carmine, to see if maybe she wanted to hang out after whatever Lacey's important meeting with her was about.
But once again… no answer.
Juliana was getting a bit worried now. She hadn't seen Carmine all day, and it was probably one of the first days she'd ever spent at Blueberry Academy where the tall Kitakamite girl wasn't always tracking Juliana down to chat with her.
A day at this school without Carmine felt very strange to her.
Juliana reached the League Club Room, and opened the… door that's not usually closed?
Upon opening the door, Juliana was further bewildered to find the room was completely dark.
"…Hello?" she called out.
Confused, she reached over to turn on the light switch. Upon doing so…
"SUPRRISE!"
Cheers and clapping rung out as Juliana was suddenly greeted by the faces of all her new friends at Blueberry Academy.
All four of the BB Elite Four were there, holding up a banner. A few of the students she'd come to know and make acquaintances with on a first-name basis. Kieran.
…And Carmine!
Juliana gasped to see her most of all, as Carmine eagerly clapped along with everyone else.
"Guys! What—what is all this?" Juliana asked, her voice high from the thrill. "Is all of this for me? It's not even my birthday!"
"Can't you read, you dummy?" Carmine snarked, pointing to the Elite Four's 'Congratulations Juliana!' banner. "It's a party to celebrate you becoming Champion!"
"Ohhh!" Juliana put a hand to her heart, touched. "Really? A whole party just for that?"
"Of course!" Lacey nodded with a gleeful smile.
"We always hold a gathering like this after crowning a new Champion," Amarys explained. "It is a BB League tradition."
"Yeah!" said Crispin. "We even did one of these when Kieran became Champion!"
"And clearly it meant so much to him since he just told us earlier he doesn't even remember it," Drayton said with a wry smile.
Kieran's head slumped down, embarrassed.
Lacey shook his head and glared at him. "That's enough, Drayton." She turned back to Juliana. "I felt bad that you never really had a chance to celebrate or even process your win, since Ms. Briar took you and just immediately scooped you up to go explore that Great Crater. I can't believe you just got here and we immediately made you go back to Paldea!"
"Aww, thanks Lacey," Juliana smiled. "But it was no big deal. I was happy to help with her mission! And anyway, better late than never, huh?"
"You're so understanding…" she chuckled. "If it were me, I would've been grumbling the whole time. Sometimes this school is a bit too permissive about things…"
"A-hem." Carmine cleared her throat. "I think you had something super important to tell her."
"Ahh, yes!" Lacey gathered her hands together. "So all of us at the BB League convened here in the clubroom while you were all away on your trip to discuss how things are going to work now."
"And…? What did you decide?" Juliana asked, brimming with curiosity.
"For one thing, we decided to put a temporary halt to any rank changes in the BB League.
"So as to prevent any more confusion," Amarys explained. "Especially with… the numerous changes," she noted, glancing Kieran's way.
Juliana looked at him, confused.
"I uh—I decided I'm taking a break from the BB League for now," Kieran told her.
"Really?"
"Yeah… I thought it was the right thing to do."
"Sure was a relief for our Crispin!" said Drayton. "He isn't getting kicked out of the Elite Four any time soon now!"
"Thank goodness for that…" Crispin said with a relieved smile.
"And umm, I also asked them to take out all the strict rules I put into the club," said Kieran.
"That's right. We've rolled all the rules back to what they used to be. But…!" Lacey drummed up. "We've also written in a new rule that even visiting students can be Champion!"
Juliana gasped. "Really!? So, so that means—"
She grinned. "Yup. You are indeed, our new Champion! And now we can all officially say…"
Lacey, Amarys, Crispin, and Drayton all held up their banner saying "Champion Juliana" and shouted…
"WELCOME TO THE BB LEAGUE, OUR NEW CHAMPION JULIANA!"
Juliana tried her best not to wince.
"Oh… uh, heh-heh, yay! T-thanks, everyone…"
Now I feel Penny's pain…
The big party commenced in the clubroom. The BB Elite Four, as well as Kieran, all pooled together their BP to order in a bunch of hot, fresh pizzas for everyone to enjoy and spent several hours happily munching on pizza and mingling with each other.
Lacey first chatted up Juliana, spending some time asking her thoughts on what direction she believed the League Club should take, now that she was part of the team.
Juliana tried to complement her several times on her great leadership, but in typical Lacey fashion she denied every single one and insisted she was only doing her job.
After a while, Lacey found herself sandwiched between Kieran and Crispin on one of the tables.
"So… you're really sure about this?" she was asking Kieran. "The benefit of us freezing the ranks for a while is that you can think on it for a little while longer without it impacting your position in the Elite Rank."
"Hey, Kieran already said his piece! Why do you keep making him change his mind? Do you guys really want me out of the Elite Four that badly?" Crispin snarked.
Kieran laughed, happy that his classmate was helping the conversation stay light. "By the way Crispin, I don't think I ever said congrats when you told me you became one of the Elite Four, so… congrats!"
"Thanks, pal! Class 2-C represent, right?"
"Anyway, yeah… I'm plenty sure, Lacey. I—I really don't have a clear idea of what I want anymore, and being part of the BB Elite Four… It was a lot of fun, but… It also feels like I charged into something I wasn't really ready for, at least on the inside, and just kinda ruined everyone's fun because of it."
"I don't really agree with that part, but I think I get where you're coming from," said Lacey. "You were going through a lot the whole time you were doing the League Challenge… then it all passed you by, and you barely even got to enjoy the journey." She looked apologetic. "I'm really sorry we didn't do more to understand you and help out. Especially Drayton. He could've stood to be a lot more sympathetic…"
"It's really nothing to do with you guys. I just—I really want everyone to enjoy the club and to figure out what it is I really want, y'know?" Kieran scratched his head. "Does that… sound right?"
Lacey surprised him by leaning over and giving him a big, affectionate hug.
"I think it's a very mature decision, Kieran. I'm so proud of you."
"Gosh, thanks, Lacey…" he blushed really hard. "I don't deserve you guys…"
"Nonsense! Enough of that silly talk!" Lacey declared, crossing her arms. "I told you, the BB League always sticks together! No matter what you do, I promised we'd always have your back and it's one I'm going to stick to! So no more fussing about it! It's not right!"
"Ha-ha, got it."
Lacey's face softened again. "But really I'm… I'm just so happy to see you this positive again, Kieran. Don't tell anyone, but… I actually really missed your smile a lot."
Kieran grinned. "Wowzers, I never knew you cared about me this much… Wait, are you crying?"
Her eyes were indeed getting teary. "I guess, but—I'm not sad? Ohhh, my eyes aren't just getting wet, they're BURNING! What is that?"
Lacey rubbed her eyes aggressively and looked to her left. She balked at seeing the amount of pungent seasonings Crispin was adding to his slice of pizza, including bits of coriander, chili powder, and even habanero peppers.
Crispin was about to take a bite when he noticed the funny look they were both giving him.
"…What? Leave me alone!" he whined. "My taste buds are still ruined from Carmine's big monster sandwich! This is the only way I can taste anything right now!"
"So then Kiki brought out his own Pokémon to save Ogerpon! It was like… this Frankenstein-thing of both Gardevoir and Gallade, but as a cool robot! With a pink scythe!"
"Mm-hm."
"Then they teamed up together, Juliana Terastallized Ogerpon, he Terastallized his Pokémon, they took out the Terapagos together and stopped all the rest of the dinosaur Pokémon from being revived!"
"How fortunate."
"And then—then! This really sad thing happened at the end? That Arven dude's mom, the crazy professor lady? She came back for real, as an actual ghost being powered by Terapagos, so that she could say goodbye to him before going off to heaven! And that's how we saved the whole stinking Paldea region!"
Amarys glanced down and then back up for a second. "A most… fascinating tale indeed, Carmine."
Carmine frowned stubbornly. "Why does it seem like you're not believing me? This all really happened, Amarys!"
"…"
"Well!?"
"I will say, you weren't kidding when you emphasized how much your grand fable is reflective of the science-fiction adventures you and I have watched together. But of course, that is… science-fiction. And as you are aware, I am someone who prefers the comfort of reality."
"Seriously!? What do you, need PICTURES to prove it!?"
"Do you have photographs?"
"I—No!" Carmine quickly flashed her phone. "Look, I at least took this one!"
Amarys glanced at it.
"…Those are very lovely waterfalls." She looked at Carmine pointedly. "It's a shame you couldn't make one of those robot Pokémon from the future pose for you."
"GRRRRRRRR! Where's Kiki!?"
"Sis, have you gone crazy!? I don't even really know how to control Koraidon or Iron Valiant yet! I don't want them busting up this clubroom!"
Juliana and Drayton laughed quietly to themselves as they watched the circus erupting around them.
"Listen, you little Sneasel! My reputation for honesty is ON THE LINE HERE!"
"It's okay, Carmine," Amarys's voice called out. "If you swear that, rather adorable, small turtle consuming Drayton's leftover snacks is a giant shapeshifting monster that revives people and Pokémon from the dead, then you are my friend and I shall believe you."
Drayton shook his head as he glanced down at Terapagos, who was making himself at home munching on some leftover chocolate-covered pretzels from one of Drayton's snack boxes on the table.
"I don't care if you're some world-ending monster or not, tiny bro. Anyone who's got as much of a sweet tooth as the Drayster is a pal in my book!"
"Tera-poh!" Terapagos chirped with his mouth full of sweet and salty goodness.
"Guess it makes sense Terapagos has such a sweet tooth," Juliana giggled.
"Maybe we can keep you in here as the League Club's official mascot… and finally have someone to clean up my messes!"
"Don't… push your luck too hard," she giggled again.
"Ha-ha! A fella's gotta try, right? But hey, there's the voice of authority we need right now. Now that you've both the Champion and the new League Club prez!"
Juliana chuckled. "It's… a lot of responsibility, huh?"
"It's a lot of work alright. But them's the breaks! That's why even at the top of my game, I made a point to not call myself Champion too much. That way the Elite Four of us could just trade off club prez duties… and I wouldn't have to do 'em all myself!"
"Uh-huh…" Juliana gazed at him unimpressed. "You know Lacey's already filled me in on how much she's expecting all of you to help split duties with me, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. 'Foisting all those responsibilities onto Juliana—it's just not right!' She practically raked me over the coals with her speech. But you know how soft Lacey is. I believe in you, Juliana! I have 100% confidence that you have the power to do anything you really put your mind to all by yourself. Dive in and prez it up, prez!"
Juliana rolled her eyes. "I'm going to use my authority to make sure you actually do your part, Drayton."
"Aww, come on…" His quiff drooped down. "Can't you cut your old pal who worked so hard to get you here a break?"
"Tell you what," she smirked. "Start attending your classes instead of sitting in this clubroom all day long and we'll talk."
"…You're serious, aren't you?"
"Every passing grade you get on an exam will be another duty you're exempt from," Juliana smiled at him mischievously. "Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing you get off that chair more, co-prez!"
"Ouch. You're becoming very ruthless, aren't you?" Juliana giggled evilly in response. "Wonder where you're getting that from."
He started scooching his seat away from her a bit.
Maybe Carmine's rubbing off on you a bit too much… I've created a monster.
Juliana was greatly enjoying the festivities, and conversing with all her new friends at Blueberry, but as the evening went on, she was starting to notice something peculiar.
Although Carmine also seemed to be having a great time teasing and laughing with everyone, she and Juliana had barely exchanged any words at all. It didn't seem like she was actively avoiding Juliana but… Juliana had gotten used to Carmine seizing every opportunity to chat her up. And the fact that she wasn't was… odd.
Juliana followed Carmine's husky voice and found her at the far corner of the clubroom in front of all the lockers. Surprisingly, talking pleasantly with Kieran.
Well, her version of pleasant anyway.
"None of your classmates are giving you any trouble right, Kiki?"
Kieran tugged at the black part of hair in front of his face.
"Well… they mostly just seem super scared of me. I guess I never realized how much I was puttin' the fear in everyone…"
"Fear is a good thing! It's how you know nobody's ever going to try to mess with you," Carmine insisted. "Personally, I think you should go up and threaten to slug one of them every now and then, just to keep that rep up!"
She mimed raising her fist, much to Kieran's bafflement.
"Uhh… thanks? But, honestly sis, I'd rather everyone see me as a friend instead… Someone they can depend on."
"That's the beauty of it! Just go up to one of them and ask to be friends, and they'll be too scared shitless to say no! And then you have you have your own free minion to order around!"
"That's… not what I meant," he said, scratching his head.
"Hey, guys!" Juliana waved as she decided to cut in.
"Oh!" Carmine, strangely, jumped up in surprise. "Hey, Juliana!"
"Hi, Juliana." Kieran looked between her and Carmine for a second. "I'm gonna go talk to Crispin more, if that's okay."
"Yup! See ya!" Carmine smiled at him as he walked away.
Juliana was a bit confused at Kieran's sudden haste to leave, but she decided to ignore it.
"So it looks like you and Kieran are finally talking again!"
"Yeah…" Carmine said fondly. "I still have to grab him by the arm to do so, but at least he's not trying to be all edgy or emo again." With a smile, she said, "So! Enjoying the party, Juliana? I helped out a lot to make sure it would be a party you'd never forget!"
"Yeah! It's one of the funnest parties I've ever been to. But…"
"But what?"
"You guys making it a surprise all for me… And those banners having my name on them. It just doesn't feel right. You stepped in and won all those battles for me, and you helped me win the Championship title, Carmine. This should be your party too."
But Carmine shook her head.
"Don't worry about it, okay? I don't want any glory unless I did all the work for it. It was still your Pokémon that won those battles, and your drive that helped us to make Kiki's Pokémon eat dirt! I was just someone doing a favor to help out a friend of mine. That's all I care about."
Juliana couldn't keep herself from smiling like an idiot as she blushed bashfully. "Thanks, Carmine. I really wouldn't have done all of it without you."
"Hee-hee. I know," Carmine grinned, while winking.
"Oh!" They heard Lacey's voice, and saw her walking up to them. "Juliana! Carmine! Glad to have caught you!"
"Hey, Lace! What's up?"
"Since you're both standing there, umm…" She smiled sheepishly. "If it's alright, I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?" asked Juliana.
"I bought a whole bunch of candles for this party because I wanted to have some mood lighting for when it gets darker and we do this big ending song. But unfortunately, I forgot all of the candles in my room. I'd go and get them myself, but…" Lacey paused for a second. "Somebody has to make sure the party's still going and—keep Drayton from spiking the punch bowl. And I also don't really trust any boys to go in my room."
"Uhh, sure!" Juliana answered. "Why don't we get Amarys to help out too?"
Lacey suddenly adopted a Deerling in headlights look and seemed to stumble for an excuse.
"Uhh… Well… The thing is, uhh—You see…"
Then Carmine decided to step in. "Not a smart idea. Amarys has a tendency to be kinda, well—accident-prone."
"Yeah! That's right!" Lacey chimed in. "No offense to her, personally… but I trust you two. So if it isn't too big a deal… would you two mind doing that for me? Please oh please?"
Something felt off to Juliana. She couldn't pinpoint what. Just… something.
"Well… alright," she said, not wanting to disappoint her friend.
"Yeah, we'll both go!" Carmine immediately agreed.
Before Juliana could say anything else, Carmine led the confused girl away as they walked out together. Before they did, Carmine gave a last worried-looking glance to Lacey, who gave her a thumbs-up and mouthed the words "Good luck."
After they left, she heard Amarys clearing her throat behind her.
"My hearing is sharper than you might think… Why are you two spreading rumors about me being accident-prone, Lacey? My sense of balance isn't that awful, is it?"
Lacey huffed. "No, Amarys, of course not! We just needed a quick excuse because of…" She gestured her head towards where they'd gone. "You know."
"Oh! … Yes, of course. I knew that."
"Lacey's dorm room is right at the end of this hallway."
The walk from the League Club Room to Lacey's room, down the less packed hallways of Blueberry's female-only dorm wing in the evening, was… strangely quiet.
Juliana felt rather calm. But she kept looking at Carmine and noticing Carmine fidget. Fidgeting with her hands, and her face, in ways she'd never really noticed from her before.
She glanced up at Carmine a few times, only to feel like Carmine was avoiding her eyesight, and possibly even sweating a tiny bit.
"Hey."
"Huh?" Carmine reacted like she'd been zoning out.
"You okay, Carmine? You seem… nervous about something."
"Oh… I'm fine," she waved Juliana off. "I've just got a lot on my mind…"
"…Okay."
The two made their way to the door marked as Lacey's. Carmine held up the key card Lacey had given her to unlock the door. Juliana noticed Carmine's hand tremble a bit as she did so.
Then the door opened… and Juliana was in for a surprising sight.
The candles Lacey asked them to get weren't hard to find. They were spread out all over Lacey's dorm room.
And they were already lit.
Combined with Lacey's pink string lights, the whole room was bathed in a soft mix of dim, warm lights. Juliana looked around, both mesmerized and… now even more confused.
"Why… did Lacey light all of them here? How are we supposed to carry them to the clubroom?"
"We're not," Carmine answered her. "There is no big ending song."
"Huh?" Juliana looked to her, now completely befuddled. "I—I don't understand."
Carmine closed the door behind them and took a deep breath.
"I asked Lacey to set her room up like this and… to make up an excuse to get the two of us alone in here."
Juliana tilted her head. "But… why?"
"I kinda wanted the mood lighting for myself actually, because…" She gulped. "I have—something really important to tell you, Juliana."
Juliana immediately realized the seriousness in Carmine's tone and took a seat on the bed.
"What is it?"
Carmine twiddled her fingers anxiously.
"This is… really hard for me to admit, okay? So just bear with me a second… I've been—I've been wanting to tell you this for a really long time now…"
Juliana's eyebrows furrowed, wondering what sort of thing Carmine was about to tell her. Then she realized something.
"Oh! Is this—is this about what you were going to tell me, the day we both left Kitakami?"
"Huh? Well, not really but—I guess, sort of, actually?"
Carmine honestly didn't remember what she was about to tell Juliana that day. But at that moment, she realized—it probably was some version of what she was trying to get out now.
"I guess… this is something that I've been carrying with me since that field trip, even before I realized it myself… You see, I… I…"
She was trying with all her might to spit it out. Juliana waited with all the patience in the world.
"I…" Carmine finally walked straight up to Juliana and looked at her with soft, vulnerable eyes. "…I really like you, Juliana."
"…"
Carmine, her nerves riddled to the bone with anxiety, smiled as cheerfully as she could.
"I… really like you too, Carmine."
Her eyelids flew open. "YOU DO!?"
"Yeah!" Juliana answered earnestly. "You're… you're one of my best friends, Carmine. I like you a lot too!"
"No… I thought you—Ugh." Carmine shook her head. "What I mean is—I really, really like you!"
"Like, a lot?"
"A lot lot!"
"So like… I'm your biggest best friend now?"
"NO! Idiot! Why don't you get it!? I—What I'm trying to tell you is…" She grunted really loudly now. "I can't—I CAN'T DO IT! I'm trying so hard to just say it, but I can't…! It's like—It's like I want to do something really rash instead to show you what I mean!"
"Then do it."
"Huh?"
"Whatever it is you're trying to tell me… However you need to communicate, is fine by me. I don't mind."
"Are you sure? Like… really, really sure?"
Juliana nodded graciously. "I'm sure, Carmine. Whatever it is… I trust you."
"Okay…" Carmine knelt down to Juliana's level. "Just remember, you asked for this."
"Wait…"
Juliana became mildly alarmed as Carmine's face started to lean in closer and closer.
"Carmine…? What—what are you…!"
Juliana gasped, and her eyes widened… as Carmine's lips met hers.
Carmine kissed her passionately, like she'd imagined doing several times before. It was the most sensual, the most cathartic feeling she'd experienced in a long time. Maybe ever.
Her heart bumped up several beats, and Juliana's went even harder. They could feel the rising beat in each other.
Carmine's eyes were closed, and she felt lost in this moment, swimming in romantic vibes she hadn't felt since that makeout session with Alicia.
…This was better than Alicia. A simple kiss, but somehow it felt way hotter to Carmine.
When their lips finally parted, and Carmine let go and opened her eyes, she felt like a completely different person.
It was like all her anxieties and childlike feelings… had all melted away. She no longer felt like a girl, but a woman.
A woman who had finally, after all these months, kissed the girl of her dreams.
Juliana… for her part, sat there on the bed shellshocked. Her eyes were still wide. Her mouth hung open, bottom lip still wet with Carmine's saliva. And her heart was racing a million miles an hour.
"W-w-wow… That… That—that was very rash!" was all she could manage to say.
The thorns in Carmine's mind had all cleared up, and she laid out her confession with complete sincerity.
"Juliana, the longer we've gotten to know each other, the more and more I've had to face the fact… that I've been falling for you. I have feelings for you… that go way beyond just seeing you as a friend."
Her eyes glistened as she gazed earnestly at the girl she'd just kissed.
"Juliana, I… I think I'm in love with you."
"…W-what?"
"It's true…" Carmine was grasping her hands together as she continued with a blissful gaze. "I only admitted it to myself recently, but I think it's been building up for way longer than that… Maybe even all the way back to our Kitakami trip…"
"R-really…?"
"Yeah… I tried to fight it for a while, convincing myself it was just pesky teenage hormones… but then you came to our school. And I realized it was much more than that. Something I couldn't deny any longer."
Juliana looked down to the ground, her mind in complete shock.
"I… I… I never realized…"
Carmine swallowed really hard.
"Well… I did it. I finally got… everything off my chest. And…" She looked at Carmine like a bashful schoolgirl. "Whether or not you feel the same way, Juliana. It doesn't matter—I just… I just really needed you to know. I couldn't hide these feelings anymore."
"Right…"
Juliana felt so tongue-tied, completely lost for words.
"Carmine, I… I really don't know how to say this…"
Despite what Carmine just said… she could feel her heart sink instantly. And her dopey smile quickly began to droop.
"You don't… feel the same way."
"Well, I-! I don't…" Juliana gulped. "I mean, I really like you too, Carmine! A whole lot! You've been like, the best person to me these past few months and I've really loved spending so much time with you! But I guess I—I don't know if I ever really saw us like that…"
"Right, yeah…" Carmine mumbled, beginning to bunch up in herself a bit.
"I think I always saw us as more like… sisters! …I think."
Now Carmine looked at her, not just sad but now completely confused.
"…Sisters?"
"Yeah! R-remember? When we had our picnic?"
You mean our first date?
"And I said that I wished you were my sister… I guess, I guess that's how I've been looking at it this whole time?"
"…Sisters," Carmine repeated again, as if in disbelief.
Juliana wanted to say more, but couldn't bring herself to. In fact, she already felt a bit weird about the things she was saying.
Carmine had turned herself a bit away from her.
"Carmine…" Juliana didn't know why, but she was already feeling pangs of guilt boiling up in her.
"Sorry…" She muttered. "I'm fine. I really am. I finally told you how I feel. I guess that's all I brought you here to do… We can go now."
Carmine walked around, blowing out all the candles in Lacey's room.
"No… we should stay and talk about this," Juliana insisted.
"Talk about what? Seems like we both said what we want to say. I like you… you don't like me. At least, not in that way. And I'm cool with it! That's all there is to it…"
Carmine still seemed very despondent as she walked over and opened the door. When she turned back to Juliana, she had a very apologetic face.
"Carmine…"
"I'm… so sorry. For kissing you like that. I know that was wrong of me. I hope you can forgive me. I just…" She sighed heavily. "I just want us to at least stay friends. Okay?"
"Yeah," Juliana nodded, still not having gotten up. "Of course, Carmine. You'll always be my friend…"
"Thanks."
Carmine gave her a very tiny smirk… before departing.
Juliana sat.
And sat.
And sat.
She was feeling… a rush of so many different emotions in her mind right now.
For one thing, she was still reeling from the fact that… Carmine had just kissed her.
On the lips. And—she didn't know how to feel about it at all.
Juliana was fighting that guilt that was still rising up in her chest. She didn't know why she was feeling like she had just done something wrong… It didn't help that at this moment, she felt completely unsure of her own mind now.
What her feelings towards Carmine were… Juliana just thought she was like a really good friend to her. She hadn't put much stock into it beyond that.
She'd been so focused on building her friendship up with Carmine, on top of everything else that drove her focus that… she'd never even entertained this idea before. Of becoming something more with one of her friends…
…Or that anyone in her school, either of them, would have feelings for her.
Telling Carmine she was like a sister to her… That sounded so right in her head. Right up until she said it out loud…
Juliana still couldn't work up the nerve to get up off the bed.
She felt like her entire world had just been turned upside down in an instant.
Everyone at the party stopped when they saw Carmine enter the room.
She had let her hair fall over her face, keeping it obscured.
She said nothing. Just stood in the doorway for a second, and then made a beeline towards Lacey.
And wrapped herself around her pink-haired friend.
Even without words, Lacey seemed to understand immediately.
"…She said no?"
…
"I didn't just get friendzoned, Lace… I got sibling-zoned."
Lacey's face twisted up.
"…What?"
"She doesn't love me back… I screwed up. I screwed up hard."
Lacey gently pat her on the back.
"There, there, Carmine. You're probably overreacting. I don't think you—"
"I kissed her, Lacey."
Lacey's eyebrows shot up. "…Y-you did? Like… a real kiss? Full contact?"
She felt Carmine's head nod behind her shoulders.
"Wow… You didn't tell me you were to planning to do that."
"I didn't think. It just happened. I can tell I spooked her pretty bad. And… and now I feel like I just changed everything between us forever."
"I'm sure you didn't. I know Juliana as well you do, she's very understanding—"
At that moment, the door opened again.
It was Juliana.
Juliana was taken aback by everyone's eyes immediately trained onto her.
She quickly spotted Carmine… in Lacey's embrace. She couldn't see her face, but the girl looked upset.
Juliana's heart sunk into a pit, consumed by an irrational feeling like everyone's eyes were glaring at her like hawks, and she immediately stammered.
"I… I… I think I've done partying for tonight."
"Are you sure?" Kieran said quietly.
"…Yeah. I've had a long day. I need to get my rest." Juliana meekly uttered, "Thanks for the party, everyone," she smiled weakly. "And the pizza. Hope to… start working with you all soon."
Then she left.
Quickly, before anyone could notice that she was tearing up.
Everyone in the clubroom looked at each other. The vibes in the room were completely stiff now.
"She didn't look mad at me… did she?" Carmine mumbled.
"No," Lacey assured her. "Not at all."
"You know… I was all prepared for this," she said, starting to choke up. "I kept warning myself there was a chance she wouldn't love me back… I told myself I would be okay with it."
Lacey held onto her tighter.
"So why does it… still kind of hurt?"
Even Drayton was giving her a look of pity. He quickly turned his head away, looking out the window desperately for something else to gaze at.
"Hey, clouds are moving in. Just like Jazzy said on the radio…" He noticed. "Looks like there's a storm brewing…"
The rain could be heard pattering through the walls as Kieran returned to his room that night.
He flicked the lights on.
Ever since he'd finally let go of all his anger down in the Great Crater and then came back to Blueberry, Kieran's dorm room had an almost… entirely different atmosphere to it now.
It was like the dorm of a complete stranger now… A much more jaded and bitter kid. A kid who was so sure he didn't need anyone else…
Thunder rumbled, and he jumped.
The cold reality of living in a single dorm room alone instead of bunking with his sister… seemed to only just be getting to Kieran now. He felt an odd sense of loneliness.
Even the wall… that wall of pictures that he had built up, and drawn over… felt completely alien to him now.
The newspaper photo of Juliana celebrating her win in the Paldean Pokémon League was still at the center of this "shrine". Surrounded by the pictures from their signboard visits. Still with red circles and arrows drawn over them all.
…And more things written around them, at the highest point of his grudge. Things he would never write in a million years today.
Kieran gazed at his "shrine", feeling very uncomfortable with it.
"I should—I should really take this stuff down. Or at least put something up over all this…"
He couldn't bear to look at it anymore. Nothing on that wall was him anymore.
So instead, he turned his eyes to his desk…
…to see it still sitting there.
Kieran stared at the Pecha Berry. Really took it in.
He could smell a whiff of faint sweetness emanating from the Berry…
However. Rather than pulling him in, wafting through his nostrils into his brain and calming his nerves like it used to… sniffing the Berry's scent just made Kieran feel cross.
"You were never much of a good luck charm at all, were you?" he addressed the Berry like he was scolding an unwanted roommate. "Why is it that… as soon as I stopped carrying you around in my pocket with me, I was able to fix everything, and stop feeling so pathetic about myself?"
He waited, as if expecting the Pecha Berry itself to answer him.
It didn't.
Even the face… that face that he could sometimes imagine in his head and see within the Berry's ripened skin, wasn't there anymore.
"I don't know why I picked you up near the ogre's—I mean, Ogrepon's cave. You really aren't anything special at all. Just—some dumb Pecha Berry that won't go bad."
Kieran opened a drawer on his desk and picked the Pecha Berry up.
For some reason, he still couldn't bring it in himself to just toss this strange Berry into the trash.
"Hmmm…" he thought. "Maybe I'll just—give you away as a gift. Maybe you'll be a better lucky charm for someone else than you were me! Until then…"
He let the Berry roll off his hand, and fall into the drawer, before closing it shut.
That night… Kieran slept more soundly, and peacefully, than he had in months. Probably ever since those first few days back at home. When he first found this strange Berry.
No more weird dreams plaguing him.
…No more of that strange, smiling face.
Meanwhile… the Pecha Berry sat inside his drawer.
...
Laying dormant.
...
...
Waiting.
...
...
...
Waiting for a new host.
Epilogue... for The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero