Chapter Text
So. My sister and I were picked for this year’s field trip with another school. Naranja Academy, was it? Sounds… Paldean? Eh, I don’t know. Just so long as I get out of here for two weeks, I should be fine.
Carmine had to, “rescue,” me earlier from two of the League Club members who were giving me trouble. She’s the Champion, she reminded. Why take it out on me, she demanded. Ugh… I hate her sometimes. I’m strong enough to fight my own battles! Now if only she’d let me…
I mean, I was able to convince Briar to let me go on the trip after the student who was originally supposed to go with her had a family emergency at the last minute, so I was able to go…
Anyway, the plane ride was grueling. Briar was off in Paldea doing Arceus knows what, so Carmine and I flew home alone. Thankfully, we both had two welcoming faces greeting us and picking us up:
“Hello, you two!” Grandpa greeted. It didn’t take long before I ended up in a hug from both of my grandparents. … I missed them, actually. Quickly, they took me and Carmine home so we could drop off our suitcases, enough for two weeks.
“Uh… don’t we have to meet the Paldean kids at the Community Center?” I reminded.
“Do we have to…?” Carmine groaned.
“No worries, you two. We can wait. It’ll give us more time to get dinner ready.” Grandma said, beginning on our first home-cooked meal in a while.
Some time later, waiting at the Center while Carmine grumbled about meeting, “filthy outsiders,” or something—and now I’m wondering how she survived two years being surrounded by them. Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps rushing towards us. Oh, that must be them!
…Maybe I could be friends with them?
“Sis, look! There! There’s some now!”
And then they came into view: two figures, both in what appear to be school uniforms. One of them was tall, brunette with a green streak in her hair, and what looks a like brace on her right arm. The other…
Oh my gosh… she’s so pretty…! Her eyes, her freckles, her smile… My heart was skipping a beat. Y-Yeah I’ve been in love before—I think—but this… was this, “Love at First Sight?”
“Whoa… way cool…”
“Shh, Kieran.”
“I’m Juliana, bonjour.”
I didn’t even care that my sister was being rude at the moment. I was too busy staring at this new girl standing in front of us. Juliana… That’s a nice name.
…And then Carmine mentioned, “battle.” Oh. Carmine was challenging the new kids.
“Come on sis. You just wanna battle, makin’ this big fuss over nothing.”
“I said hush, Kiki! …Just ignore my little brother.”
Ugh… Dangit, sis. I knew you had to flaunt your Champion status some time during this trip.
But her cheering snaps me out of whatever funk I had found myself in. Cheering the other girl on. Heh… they were probably together. E-Even so, didn’t she even like guys? … Probably not. She wouldn’t go for someone like me… and yet, that warmth in her voice gives me hope…
Oh. The battle’s over? And Carmine… lost?
“W-Wowzers! You actually beat my sister?” I asked, as the taller girl—Nemona, I think?—recalled her Pokémon.
“I mean, it was tough. But I’m a Champion. I could handle it.”
…Hah! HA! S-Someone was actually able to beat my sister?! …Was it possible…?
Before I knew it, Carmine was running off. Wh-where was she going?!
“Ah geez, wait up Sis!”
“Thanks for the warm welcome!” I heard one of them call as I continued chasing after my sister… and then I noticed the Caretaker. Yeah, I don’t think he was looking forward to seeing us again.
Still, that Juliana girl… I think we’re gonna be friends. Maybe more?
At least… I hope so.