Archive of Our Own

"However, in order to attend, I require one thing. All Performers and their Pokémon partners are hereby requested to attend my dance party with a date!"

*

A date. She needed a date to attend the soirée. Miette’s thoughts immediately jumped to a certain battle-inclined trainer. Ash.

Unfortunately, she was sure, Serena would already have snapped him up.

Or perhaps not. Miette huffed a laugh to herself. That girl was so ridiculous. Head-over-heels for Ash, traveling with him day and night – and she had yet to make a move. But this was a perfect opportunity. Surely, she thought, there’s no way Serena could have messed it up.

*

But as it turned out, Miette was in luck. She arrived at the venue and spotted Serena right away. As she approached, she overheard something unexpected. Clemont – not Ash – was to be Serena’s date.

Miette smiled slyly. “Clemont?” she asked Serena. “So that means Ash isn’t your date, non?”

Serena startled away from her. “Miette!” she yelped.

“That’s me,” Miette said. By her side, Slurpuff raised a paw in greeting.

Ash grinned. “It’s been a while,” he said.

Miette stepped closer to him. “So you guys came too,” she said, smiling brilliantly at Ash. “You could be my date! Wow, talk about perfect timing!”

She grabbed one of Ash’s hands, startling him for a second. “Please, Ash? It would be so nice if you would be my date!” Miette wheedled.

Ash was totally going to say yes to her. It wasn’t like he had any reason to say no, given that his other friends were going. This was perfect. She’d get an evening on a date with a really cute guy, and it would totally infuriate Serena. A win-win, as far as Miette was concerned.

“Sure, no problem,” said Ash. Out of the corner of her eye, Miette saw Serena stiffen.

“That’s great! Thanks, Ash,” Miette said. She turned to look at Serena, but her attention was caught by the timid little Pokémon hovering behind Serena’s legs.

“You caught an Eevee?” Miette asked. Eevees were so cute! She stepped closer, still holding Ash’s hand.

Serena looked down at Eevee and smiled. “Yeah! You’ll be amazed when you see Eevee perform. Such a beautiful dancer!”

Miette nodded. “I saw the Pokémon showcase you were in! You’ll be great rivals for us. But for right now, let’s enjoy the party!”

Miette turned to head for the venue, tugging on Ash’s hand. His hand was warm, but not sweaty. It was nice to hold. She looked back at Serena and winked, turning away before she could see Serena’s reaction.

*

At the front table, Miette, Ash, Serena and Clemont checked in, and each received an embossed card in a pale blue color. Miette wondered what it was for, but she was quickly distracted by the news that there was evening wear available to rent. That was the biggest thing she disliked about being on the road – she could never have many outfits.

Miette and Serena gasped in delight when they saw the room full of gowns. Ash and Clemont both looked a little overwhelmed. Miette took Ash’s hand again.

“Come on!” she said. They wandered among the dresses, and Miette perused those she liked, handing them off to Ash as they went.

“I’ll find a dress first, and then we’ll find something for you that matches,” Miette explained, examining another dress. “Oh, I love this orangey one!” she said, running her hands over the fabric. She looked at Ash. “But I’m not sure the color would work for you…” she trailed off, focusing on another dress – this one white, with dark-blue underskirts and sash. She added it to the pile in Ash’s arms.

Ash sighed, resigned. “How many more can you even try on?”

Miette patted his arm. “It’ll be worth it,” she said. “Now come on!”

A few minutes later, Miette led Ash to the dressing room, where he set down his armful of dresses with relief. Miette plucked one off the top of the pile. “Now wait just a minute,” Miette said, and ducked into the changing room.

The first gown she tried on was a burnished red color. It had an elegant silhouette, with a tapered waist, wide neckline, and wispy bell-style sleeves. A thin deep-blue sash completed the look.

“Hm,” Miette looked at herself critically in the mirror. It looked good. One for the maybe pile, she thought. She stepped out of the changing room, checking herself again in the mirrors outside. “Ash? What do you think?”

Ash stared at her. “Uh… it’s nice?”

Miette rolled her eyes. “It shouldn’t be a question!” she said, and snatched up another dress and disappeared again.

A few dresses later, Miette was satisfied with her progress. Her definitely not pile was bigger than her maybe pile, and that was a win.

Miette came out of the changing room again wearing an off-the-shoulder dress in a deep-blue color. This one was very nice – simple and elegant. She admired herself in the brighter lights. Maybe with a fancy hairpiece, or large earrings…

“Ash, do you like this one?” Miette asked, swinging around to face him. Ash, however, was not looking at her, but rather at a dress that another girl had discarded. Miette peered at it. It was pretty, with those embroidered pink flowers, but that turquoise color would clash horribly with her hair.

“Uh, do you like that one?” Miette asked.

“Huh?” said Ash. “Oh, it just reminds me of something Serena wore once,” he said nonchalantly. “I think she’d like it, don’t you?”

What? She’d been showing him dress after dress for their date and this was what he was thinking about? Really?

Miette took a second look at the dress. Now that she thought about it, the color scheme was a bit reminiscent of a dress that she recalled Serena wearing in a showcase once. Funny that Ash remembered that, for a guy who seemed so oblivious to fashion.

She looked at Ash with narrowed eyes. Could it be…?

Miette sighed and went to go try on another dress.

*

Eventually, Miette settled on a sky-blue dress with a similar silhouette to the first she had tried on, except that this dress had a high off-shoulder neckline made with gathered fabric, held together at the front with a sea-green jewel. She found a matching drop necklace and a sky-blue ribbon to pull her hair back with.

With her own outfit settled, she set her sights on Ash and Pikachu. Slurpuff, who had an excellent fashion sense, of course, had already found a lovely little tiara. It didn’t take much time searching through the racks for Miette to find a few formal coats in shades of blue that matched her dress and would work on Ash.

“Here,” she said, holding out four coats to Ash. “Try these on.”

As he took the first one with trepidation, she turned to the shelves to find a sky-blue cravat for him to match her dress. Ah, there was one. She grabbed it and turned back to Ash. He was wearing the first coat. Miette eyed him critically.

“No, not that one,” she said.

Obligingly, Ash removed it, and tried on another. “Not that one either,” Miette said.

When Ash tried on the third one, Miette smiled in satisfaction. “That one,” she said. The coat was a royal blue shade that popped against Ash’s tanned skin, decorated with warm green and gold embroidery around the cuffs and collar.

Miette smiled at him. “Hat off,” she instructed.

“Oh – okay,” Ash said, and pulled off his hat. Miette giggled. His black hair was completely wild, sticking up on either side of his head. It was something you couldn’t usually notice, as he always wore that cap, but it was kind of endearing.

Miette put the cravat over Ash’s head, tied it, and tucked it neatly at his neck. Immediately, Ash’s hand rose to fidget with it.

“Don’t do that,” Miette admonished, and turned to Pikachu. She knelt, and held out the adorable little blue bowtie she had found. “And this is for you!”

Pikachu stepped closer to her and let her affix the tie to the fur of its neck.

“Pika!” it said when she was done.

Miette stood up, and stood back to look at her handiwork. Ash, Pikachu, and Slurpuff looked great, and – she took a glance in the mirror – she looked pretty great too.

“Alright!” Miette said. “Let’s go join the party!”

Ash nodded. “Let’s do it!” He held out his arm to her. Miette took it, fighting down a blush.

*

Entering the ballroom arm-in-arm with Ash, Miette felt delight spread over her face as she took it in. The carpet was a deep red shade that was complemented by dark wood paneling on the walls, emphasized with tasteful gold filigree. Matching red banners draped from the white marble balustrade and stairs. A gold chandelier hung from the ceiling, and bronze sconces lit the walls.

The room was filled with people in extravagant gowns. Tables draped with white cloth and loaded with sumptuous hors d’oeuvres lined one side of the room.

Xerneas, but Miette had just arrived in the Grand Ball out of her childhood dreams.

She kept her poise as she walked in, feeling like a princess. She knew her vibrant blue hair drew attention, and her dress was as lovely as any other in the hall. The shimmering sky-blue satin of her skirts swept gracefully as she walked.

Head held high, heart to the sky, she reminded herself, remembering the phrase her ballet teacher had used to teach her to fix her posture, to keep her shoulders back and chest open. She lifted her head and smiled dazzlingly as they passed strangers, glancing at Ash by her side.

He walked with an easy, untrained confidence. This boy had certainly never taken any dance or etiquette lessons. There was none of the restraint and lifted grace that schooling brought, but… he had something nonetheless.

The number of boys Miette had met who had no sense of balance or posture at all… There were times she had to actively restrain herself from correcting a slouched spine or a schlumping, shuffling walk.

She remembered the day she had met Ash, the incident that had truly earned him her attention. The way he’d thrown himself into the air to stop that big machine – there hadn’t been an ounce of hesitation in him. That took guts, and a particular trust in the capabilities of one’s own body. Miette admired that.

Ash caught her gaze, and gave her a sort of bemused half-smile, like ‘what am I doing in a place like this?’

Miette grinned back, and tugged his arm, having spotted Serena standing with Clemont and Clemont’s little sister – what was her name again? – by one of the tables.

“Come on, let’s go join Serena,” she said.

“Lead the way,” Ash said.

If Miette were less confident in herself and less pleased with her own looks, she might have felt a pang of envy as they approached Serena and Clemont. Serena had chosen a dress in a perfect shade of red that made her skin appear luminous, and set her honey-blonde hair aglow.

The only sad thing about Miette’s own blue hair was how severely it limited the colors she could wear. But whatever its downsides, Miette loved her hair.

“There you are,” Miette said, giving Serena an obvious glance up and down, then raising a brow at her. “Fashionable, as expected,” she complimented.

Serena smiled. “You look great too,” she said.

Ash grimaced next to Miette, tugging his cravat. “This thing’s pinching on my neck,” he complained.

Clemont gave him a commiserating look, tugging at his own collar. “We’re not used to dressing up like this,” he said.

“You both look wonderful,” Serena assured.

Ash chuckled a little. “Well, thanks,” he said. “You too.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Clemont said bashfully.

Just then, the lights dimmed, and Miette turned with the rest of the guests to see. A spotlight fell at the top of the grand staircase, where Monsieur Pierre stood with Aria.

Aria. Wow.

Aria’s deep pink hair blazed against the gown she wore - white silk and cloth of gold. Well, she certainly didn’t pick that out from the rental dresses, Miette thought, eyeing the high collar of the dress and its deep, looping neckline with a discerning eye. If she didn’t miss her guess, that was an Ava Belle original.

Aria kept her jewelry light, allowing her gown and the delicate tiara on her head to carry the outfit. Elegance fairly emanated from her.

As expected from the Kalos Queen.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” Pierre began. “Thank you all for graciously attending my ball this evening.”

He lifted a hand in Aria’s direction. “And now for our special guest. I’m honored to introduce our Kalos Queen, Aria!”

Aria gazed down at them all, her smile sparkling. “Nice to see you, everyone!”

Pierre offered Aria his hand, and she accepted gracefully. The walked down the stairs together, perfectly poised, followed by Klefki and Delphox.

Arriving at the center of the floor, Pierre and Aria turned to face each other. Strains of music filled the air, and they began the opening dance.

Aria was amazing. Every move was so graceful. Every instant of her time in the spotlight was picture-perfect from every angle. Now that was a skill Miette would love to gain.

Miette glanced at Serena, who was watching the dance with shining eyes.

“She’s wonderful,” Serena said softly.

“I know,” Miette agreed. “Aria really is our ideal.”

Pierre and Aria finished their dance, and then bowed and curtsied respectively as the crowd clapped politely.

“And now, the dance floor is open for all of you,” Pierre announced. “Please have a wonderful time!”

Miette spun to Ash. “Come on, let’s dance!”

“Yeah!” Ash agreed, as enthusiastically as she could have hoped for.

“Here,” Miette instructed, once they got onto the dance floor. “Put your right hand on my waist, and - ” she took his other hand with her right and placed her left hand on his shoulder. “There we go,” she said.

Miette caught the rhythm of the music in her head without even thinking about it, and began their dance. Ash seemed to have it for the first minute or so, following her lead as they did a simple step back and forth.

But just as she was beginning to enjoy herself, Ash fell out step, stumbling away for a second as they attempted to change directions, and then overcorrecting as he returned.

“Sorry - ”

“Ash, are you okay - ”

Ash tripped on the hem of Miette’s dress, sending her stumbling as well. He reached out to catch her – and did, but pulled her towards himself too hard in an effort to keep her upright, and managed to slam their heads together.

“Ah!” Miette jerked back with a yelp, her hands clutching her forehead in pain.

Ash straightened up, rubbing his own forehead. “Sorry about that,” he told her.

Head still smarting from the blow, Miette couldn’t resist a snippy reply. “Wow, Ash. You have a hard head.”

Confident walk or not, dance training is clearly good for something, Miette thought. How Ash could go from that open stride to tripping over his own feet in every direction, she couldn’t imagine.

She shrugged. “Oh, well.” She held out her hand to him. “Go again?”

“Huh?” Ash looked at her hand, and then his smile returned. “Sure.”

She walked him through a few more steps, but his easiness from when they first began was gone. He kept glancing at his feet, and it stilted his movements.

“You’re thinking about it too much now,” she told him.

“How do I not think about it and not trip?” he grumbled. “Serena’s really the one you want for dancing, not me. She’s great at it.”

Miette tilted her head at him, pondering, and sighed. “Shall we get some refreshments?”

*

“These are so good!” Ash said, scarfing down a tiny sitrus berry tart. “Serena made ones just like this a while ago. I wonder if she’d make them again?”

Miette blinked at him. She may have miscalculated somewhere.

“I’m sure she would if you asked,” she said dryly, a subtle emphasis behind the words that Ash didn’t catch.

Miette nibbled on a small chocolate cupcake with pecha berry frosting, watching Ash closely.

“Alright, everyone,” Pierre announced. “Form into circles, s’il vous plaît. It’s time to change partners. Then, let’s dance!”

“Sounds fun!” Miette said.

“Guess I’m giving it a try then,” Ash replied.

*

Miette listened as the music began. It was a simple promenade. The women made up the inner circle, and the men the outer. The women moved counterclockwise, changing partners, and exchanging a few steps and a turn with each new man before moving on.

This shouldn’t be too hard for him. She gave Ash a reassuring smile. He smiled crookedly back, and they were off.

Xerneas, he had an endearing smile. He did seem to be a bit dense though. All this time traveling with Serena, and he really didn’t seem to have the slightest clue that she liked him. Miette had thought maybe he was just specifically not interested in Serena, but no, he just seemed universally oblivious.

After all, Miette had actually flat-out asked him to be her date, and all this evening she hadn’t seen even the slightest flicker of romantic awareness on his face. Most guys their age, faced with closeness with a pretty girl, had some sort of reaction. Miette had seen it in the embarrassed flush on Clemont’s cheeks as he danced with Serena, and she was pretty sure Clemont didn’t even have any real interest in Serena.

But with Ash – there was nothing.

Miette’s thoughts were swept away as she turned to her new partner, enjoying the ease with which he matched her movements. She loved dancing. There was something so special about moving in concert with other people and with the music, about the connection, about being a part of something bigger than yourself.

When she arrived in front of Monsieur Pierre, she gave him a charming smile as she spun with practiced poise, her shoulders remaining perfectly level, her spin perfectly unrushed, perfectly in time with the music.

“You dance so gracefully, mademoiselle,” Pierre complimented.

Fingers still clasped lightly in his, Miette gave him a shallow curtsy in gratitude. “Merci beaucoup, monsieur,” she replied.

Three more partners, and the music ended. Miette curtsied politely to her current partner, then turned to find where Ash was.

When she saw him, she almost burst out laughing. Serena was standing next to him, looking hilariously put out. As Miette watched, Ash questioned her with mild concern, clearly not understanding the source of Serena’s disappointment. Apparently, Serena had missed a chance to dance with Ash by a hair.

Near the grand staircase, Pierre raised his cane, drawing Miette’s attention.

“Let us begin this evening’s main event: our enchanting Tag Battle! There are no Pokémon battles in a Pokémon Showcase, so consider this a special treat!”

The crowd murmured in anticipation. Pierre continued.

“All our participants will be chosen at random. Please raise the card you received at the reception desk, and hold it up to the light.”

Miette pulled hers out and did so, seeing others in the room do so as well.

“If a mark appears, you are one of our lucky participants!”

Miette gasped. There was a mark on her card! A ribbon bow. She looked around to see who else might have one.

Over by Serena, Ash was grinning so widely that he must have gotten one, given his fondness for battles. He looked over at Miette, and she raised her own with a little smirk.

Serena looked over too, and raised her card as well with a challenging smile.

Well, well. What do you know?

Apparently, all three of them would be battling.

*

Miette was paired with a taller, purple-haired man in stylish glasses, who introduced himself stutteringly as James. An Inkay hovered at his side.

Across the field, Serena and Ash stood with Eevee and Pikachu. Ash was rolling up his sleeves, radiating excitement.

That’s Gym trainers for you, Miette thought with a touch of exasperated fondness.

Slurpuff and Inkay versus Eevee and Pikachu.

Miette smiled. “The pairings are great!” she commented.

The little blonde girl – Bonnie, that was her name – cheered from the sidelines. “Ash and Serena! Go for it!”

Miette lifted her chin confidently. Ash might be a battle trainer, but she was no slouch herself. “I win battles too. All the time!” she declared.

Serena met her stare for stare, a smile playing around the corners of her mouth. “We’ll just see,” she fired back, then looked at Ash. “Ready, Ash? Let’s do our best!”

“And we’re gonna win,” Ash said.

Up on the balcony, Pierre lifted a white-gloved hand. “Alright, then,” he said. “Battle begin!”

Ash jumped straight in. “Pikachu, use Quick Attack on Slurpuff!”

Hardly before Miette could blink, Pikachu shot across the field and into Slurpuff, sending Slurpuff flying.

They’re fast, but they’re not the only ones!

“Slurpuff, Energy Ball, now!”

Slurpuff righted itself in midair, readying the Energy Ball to fire at Pikachu.

“Eevee, Swift, let’s go!” Serena ordered, interrupting the Energy Ball attack and protecting Pikachu.

“Not too bad,” Miette said. Well, they did travel together. It made sense that Ash and Serena would have good teamwork.

“Inkay, use Psybeam on Pikachu!”

“Pikachu, dodge and use Iron Tail, now!”

Iron Tail struck Inkay dead on, flinging it into the floor.

Pikachu flipped back to a ready position with Eevee, both of them standing confidently in front of their trainers.

Miette narrowed her eyes. “No surprise, they’re good,” she said. But she was hardly down and out. She looked at her partner. “Well, I’ve got an idea. Will you help me out?”

James slanted a glance at her that looked almost surprised. “Yes, of course,” he said.

“First off, attack!”

He nodded. “Inkay, Psybeam, let’s go!”

“Dodge it!” Ash and Serena shouted in unison.

“Use Cotton Spore!” Miette cried triumphantly as both Pikachu and Eevee leapt into the air.

Cotton Spore spread on the floor, and Pikachu and Eevee dropped straight into it, their cries of alarm muffled.

Perfect. That would seriously limit their mobility.

“One more time, now!” Miette said.

“Inkay, Psybeam, again!”

Psybeam struck true, and when the dust cleared, both Pikachu and Eevee lay scorched on the floor. Pikachu struggled to its feet.

“Inkay, Tackle!” James ordered.

Inkay flew for Eevee, who still lay mostly inert.

Pikachu leapt in front of Eevee, taking the blow in its place.

“Pikachu, no!” Ash said, as Pikachu was flung farther back.

Eevee got up, letting out a concerned cry as it looked back at Pikachu.

Miette smiled. They had Ash and Serena on the ropes. “Great. Finale time.”

“Slurpuff,” Slurpuff agreed.

Eevee darted in front of the fallen Pikachu. “Eev-vui!”

“You’re right,” Serena said. “Okay, now it’s our turn! Eevee, use Swift!”

 “Use Energy Ball!” Miette called in response as Eevee leapt up, releasing a cascade of stars.

The attacks collided, leaving both Pokémon untouched.

“Inkay, use Psybeam!” James called.

Psybeam crashed straight into Eevee, sending it flying back to land at Serena’s feet in a heap.

“Eevee!” Serena exclaimed, kneeling.

“Pikachu, can you still battle?” Ash asked.

“Pik-aa!” Pikachu affirmed, standing once more.

“Yeah! Pikachu, use Electro Ball!”

“Dodge it!” Miette said.

Slurpuff did so, but only barely. Pikachu was so fast. And honestly, it was impressive it could muster up that much power after the amount of damage it must have taken.

Ash went straight into the next move. “Thunderbolt, let’s go!”

“Use Energy Ball!”

The attacks collided in an explosion of light.

“Thunderbolt, again!”

“Inkay, use Psybeam!”

Miette spared a glance for Serena, who was still kneeling, talking softly to her Eevee.

“Slurpuff, Energy Ball, one more time!”

Surely Pikachu could only take so much. And Miette rather thought Eevee was probably down for the count. This was nearly over. It had been a good battle, though.

“Dodge it!” Ash ordered.

Pikachu did so, but before Ash could order another attack in retaliation, a blinding light flared, illuminating the room with stark brightness.

Miette’s eyes went to the source of the light just as everyone in the room turned to look.

Serena’s Eevee was glowing like a miniature sun. It’s evolving!

Miette’s gaze flicked to Ash. His eyes were fixed on Serena as she knelt with her glowing Pokémon before her, something like awe in his features.

Wait.

A few breaths passed, and the light faded as a Sylveon stood before Serena, one of its ribbons wrapped around her wrist.

“Wow, Sylveon,” Serena breathed. New determination entered her expression. She stood, Sylveon jumping into a ready position in front of her. “The battle’s not over yet!” Serena declared.

“Eon-ee!”

Ash looked at Serena, and they exchanged a few words that Miette couldn’t hear. But it was the expression on Ash’s face that caught her attention. There was a light in his eyes as he looked at Serena.

Miette knew that look.

Miette shook herself, refocusing on the battle. “It might have evolved, but I’m gonna win!” she called. “Slurpuff, use Energy Ball!” she said, extending a hand.

“Dodge it, quick!” Serena said, but Sylveon didn’t dodge. Instead, it unleashed a blast of glittering wind that demolished the Energy Ball before it even got close.

“That was Fairy Wind!” Miette commented.

Across the field, Serena brimmed with excitement.

“Oh, dear,” Miette’s partner – James, right – said dolefully.

Miette glanced at him in confusion.

“Here we go. Inkay, use Tackle,” he directed unenthusiastically, clearly feeling the battle was lost.

Not yet! Miette thought.

Sylveon skillfully dodged Inkay’s Tackle, leaping and twirling about like it was dancing.

“It’s true, it’s a great dancer,” Miette commented, thinking of what Serena had told her earlier.

Sylveon flipped out of the way one more time. “Now use Fairy Wind!” Serena called.

“Dodge it!” Miette said.

But neither Slurpuff nor Inkay could get out of the way in time. Fairy Wind blasted them both past Miette and James.

Miette raised her arms to protect her face, squeezing her eyes shut as the attack swept past them. Then she turned and saw that Slurpuff had crashed into the wall. “Slurpuff!”

The referee spoke. “Slurpuff and Inkay are unable to battle. The winner is the team of Ash and Serena!”

“S’il vous plaît, everybody!” Pierre spoke. “Please give a big round of applause to mademoiselle and her partner. An exciting battle indeed!”

Miette went and knelt by her partner as the sound of applause filled the room. “Slurpuff? Are you okay?”

Slurpuff blinked awake. “Slur, slur-slurpuff,” it assured her.

Miette gave it a little smile. “You were amazing. Why don’t you take a little rest?” she said, and returned Slurpuff. She’d stop at the Pokémon Center before bed.

“Miette?”

Miette stood, turning to see Ash standing behind her. He grinned at her, and held out a hand. “That was a great battle!”

Miette smiled back. “It was!” she agreed. “I didn’t expect it to end quite like that.”

Ash laughed. “Me neither,” he said. “Serena’s pretty amazing, isn’t she?”

Miette lifted an eyebrow, looking across the room to where Serena was standing with Clemont and his sister, laughing as the younger girl fawned over Sylveon.

“She is,” Miette agreed softly. She looked back at Ash. There it was again, that light in his eyes as he watched Serena.

“Did you ever get to dance with her?” Miette asked, testing.

She expected that Ash might blush a little at the thought, fumble his words, something to prove her suspicions, but instead, he looked at her in abject confusion.

“Huh?” he said. “Dance with her? Why?”

She stared at him.

Was he serious?

He stared back at her blankly.

He was serious.

Xerneas, Zygarde and Yveltal. Now, really.

Miette sighed and hooked her arm through his. “Never mind,” she told him. “Why don’t we go say good-bye to everyone?”

“Sure,” Ash agreed.

Miette did take a bit of pleasure in the way Serena bristled a bit at seeing Miette on Ash’s arm as they approached. It was a little petty, but it was fun to tease Serena. She got so worked up so easily.

She disengaged from Ash as they reached the group, facing Serena. “Serena?”

“Hm?” Serena looked at her.

“We’ll settle this at the next showcase,” Miette said.

Serena met her gaze, blue eyes bright and confident. “For sure!”

“Good,” Miette said, then waved to the group of them. “Bye-bye now! See you next time, then!” She gave Ash a particular smile. “Thanks for being my date, Ash.”

“No problem,” Ash said. “I had fun.”

“Good,” Miette said, giving one more wave as she turned on her heel and walked away.

*

That night, Miette looked out the window of her room, gazing up at the stars.

She rested her chin in her hands. “C’est un imbécile,” she muttered to herself.

It was like Ash didn’t have any idea how many guys would fall all over themselves for a shot at dating a girl like herself or Serena.

No, he just wandered through the world completely oblivious. How could a person possibly be that clueless?

For it was clear to Miette that Ash was in fact head-over-heels for Serena – and equally clear that he hadn’t even noticed.

How could he not have noticed? It was one thing for Ash to be unaware of Serena’s feelings. It was another entirely for him to be completely unaware of his own. And yet, after an evening in his company (during which it had begun to feel like Ash found a way to bring up Serena with every other sentence), Miette was convinced that was exactly the case.

It was more than a little absurd.

In her imagination, the evening had gone very differently.

Ash was handsome, and kind to Pokémon, and a very strong trainer. If she was honest with herself, she had harbored some quiet fantasies of what a power couple the two of them could make for quite a while. That was why she had competed with Serena for Ash’s attention every time they met.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that Ash and Serena appeared to be stuck in a strange kind of romantic gridlock, Miette had a feeling that this was a competition she had lost.

Oh, well. She’d keep it up for a bit. It was fun to tease Serena, and maybe the jealousy would push Serena to actually make a move.

Hopefully, Ash and Serena would manage to sort themselves out eventually. Miette wasn’t too proud to admit to herself that the two of them would make a pretty great power couple. And at this point, they were such a ridiculous mess that she could hardly help but root for them.