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Juliana could feel the warm breeze making contact with her skin. A smooth, gentle feeling that calmed her while they were sitting near the Wisteria Pond. The open fields were quite breathtaking with all the flowers and wisteria trees in full bloom around them, creating a wonderful, naturey vibe that kept her heart at peace.
Her eyes gazed at the boy sitting beside her, the same cute and shy expression on his face as he kept eating the sweets he kept in his bag. Kieran looked so adorable with the pleased smile he sported every time he ate of his candies. The growing sunset reflected the fading sun’s light over his soft face as it slowly turned into twilight, making him even more dashing.
It was a very…cute sight.
After taking their picture for the second signpost and their battle at the Dreaded Den, she and Kieran decided to have a little picnic together before they headed back to his house to get ready for the Festival of Masks. She was very excited with the chance to experience the wonders and attractions the festival had to offer from the way Kieran explained it to her.
Especially when it meant she could spend the night getting to know more about her new friend. Someone Juliana considered to be special to her from the short time that they’ve known each other.
She took a bite out of the sandwich she brought with her, enjoying the sweet taste from the strawberry jam sandwich she made before coming to Kitakami. Kieran happily took one out of her hands that made Juliana’s heart swoon a little from his touch.
Thank goodness her faithful dragon wasn’t hungry enough to eat them all right now. She’ll have to prepare some more later to thank it, though.
“You sure do love sweet stuff a lot. Just like me.” Juliana noted amusingly.
“Yep! That’s why I always keep some candy and chocolate in my bag whenever I feel a sugar binge coming on.” Kieran replied with a grin.
“I’m surprised you were all too willing to share some with me if you love eating them so much.”
Kieran’s cheeks started to redden a bit as he tried answering back.
“W-Well, I don’t usually give ‘em out, not even to my sis. Doesn’t stop her from tryin’ to take ‘em anyway…”
Juliana giggled. “Yeah, I can see Carmine be the type to just grab whatever she wants without a second thought. Her attitude told me that much when we first met.”
Kieran sighed. “No kidding. But you’re an exception, Juliana. I mean, you’ve treated me so kindly ever since we partnered up for the orienteering activity, even when I’ve been avoidin’ you while you handlin’ it. I thought this could make up for it or somethin’.”
He truly was a thoughtful and sensitive soul, Juliana thought.
“You don’t have to think you owe me, Kieran. I understand how you feel. Whether you feel comfortable enough with my presence is your choice, and I’m willing to wait as long as it takes for that time to come where we can walk side-by-side. Just like how we’re spending time now enjoying the food and view around us.”
Kieran’s face lit up from her words. “Thanks, Juliana. I’m grateful to have met someone so kind and understandin’ like you. It makes me want to keep spendin’ time with you like this!”
Juliana happily nodded. “Me too! Let’s make sure we enjoy everything the festival has to offer when we go there together! Just thinking about it is getting me all pumped up.”
“Ehehe. I’m lookin’ forward to it. Once we finish eatin’, we can head to my house to get ready.”
The excitement Kieran was displaying warmed Juliana’s heart even more while she continued feeling the evening breeze caressing her skin. The vibrant purple colours around them reminded her of Kieran’s highlights while his hair wafted gently from the wind.
She couldn’t help but feel entranced by it as they kept swaying alongside the plants near the pond. Not to mention, the atmosphere around them being incredible too.
“The Wisteria Pond really is beautiful when it gets dark. Especially with the various wisteria flowers and lilacs growing here to make things calm and serene.” Juliana observed. “It makes me grateful I get to enjoy this moment with you.”
Kieran softly pulled one the loose strands of hair on his face. “I feel the same. Bein’ with you has been one of the best experiences in my life. I’m so lucky to have been blessed with someone so radiant and amazin’ like you, Juliana.”
Juliana covered her mouth with her hand while she let out a few giggles. “You’re pretty amazing yourself, Kieran. You’re kind and thoughtful to boot. Someone sweet and considerate about others who I want to keep getting to know while we’re here.”
His blush returned with a vengeance. “R-Really? Wowzers! That’s really nice of ya to say to me. Nobody’s really thought of me like that besides Sis and my grandparents. Hearin’ that from you is makin’ my body feel all fuzzy. A different kind of feelin’, but in a good way.”
The Blueberry student walked up towards one of the lilacs near their picnic blanket, slowly plucking it and soon handing it to Juliana to grab. He gave her a dear smile that shined as brightly as the sun.
“I want you to have this.” Kieran whispered, trying his best to find the right words to say. “I’m not much of a flower guy, but I heard lilacs hold a special meanin’ when you give ‘em to someone. To symbolize our budding relationship and even more to come while we’re together. At least that's what my grandma told me one time.”
Juliana’s cheeks started flushing too while she wholeheartedly took Kieran’s gift before she stood up and walked towards one of the wisteria trees near them. There, she plucked out some of the flowers growing from one of the branches, heading back to do the same gesture Kieran did.
Kieran looked at her with surprise, yet he didn’t shy away like usual. Instead, he took the courage to grasp the flower Juliana presented him as he pressed it towards his chest in gratitude.
“My mom gave me some knowledge of flowers too. So, with this wisteria flower, I promise that our friendship will be as durable as the flower field that surround us. I’ll make sure it’ll prosper through whatever challenges or struggles that comes our way! That’s a vow I will never break!”
Kieran felt his body shake with raw emotion from Juliana’s words, finally meeting someone who would want to stay by his side like this. Slight tears prickled from his eyes while he turned away to wipe them off.
He couldn’t look uncool towards the girl who blessed him with such friendship before he finally turned back to face her with a thankful smile.
“Then, I’ll do everyhin’ I can in order to make that a reality. No matter what happens, we’ll keep bein’ at each other’s sides!” Kieran loudly declared, with the two finishing up their picnic to head to Kieran’s house to prepare Juliana for the festival.
The two walked together at each other’s sides through the growing evening light, ready for even more fun together. Plus, even more while they enjoyed the rest of what the school trip between their academies had to offer.
Until that day when their promise was tested beyond those flowers’ embrace, thanks to the appearance of a Teal Mask.
Yet, fate seemed to had drawn them back together thanks to the exchange student program.
A few months had passed since that fateful day in Kitakami. Yet Juliana wouldn’t erase those moments in the end. After all, she and Kieran were able to finally make up beyond the tears and despair to reforge their friendship towards new heights.
They were finally able to start back from zero like Kieran suggested during that colourful sunrise.
That was why they were making the most out of their time together now that Kieran was back from his break, enjoying another picnic at the Coastal Biome. Just the two of them to relish in each other’s company without prying eyes. The wind swirled around the grassy plains they were currently sitting on, caressing them with a cool breeze that created a tranquil atmosphere around them.
It was just like before, with them eating the sandwiches Juliana made beforehand coupled with the various brands of candies Kieran kept within his bag to share with her. All under the various plants and tree within the artificial biome for them to relax.
“I’m glad you’re back at the academy.” Juliana noted with a cheerful expression. “I’ve really missed you since the last time we were in Kitakami. Feels like we didn’t have enough time to enjoy it to the fullest with you and Carmine.”
Kieran let out a wry laugh. “I mean, the whole Pecharunt thing did take a lot of work to deal with because of the whole Mochi Mayhem incident. Plus, Nemona got really enthusiastic about turning your visit into a multi-day battle fest.”
Juliana chuckled awkwardly over remembering those days. “Sorry about that. You and Carmine managed to get swept up in the Nemona Survivors Club. But we did have a lot of fun going all-out during those matches, right? And the way you looked so excited and passionate with your partners was absolutely breathtaking!”
“R-Really? I guess I did have a lot of fun overall. I didn’t think you’d be watching so closely at my matches.”
Juliana nodded. “I’ve always paid attention to your battles, whether it’s against me or my friends. The way your eyes light up whenever your Pokemon battle alongside you made my heart warm. Just like how you were when we first met. That’s why I’m glad things have gotten better between us now that you’re back.”
Kieran beamed. “It does feel good to be back here after taking a break from Blueberry Academy. I've had a lot of time to think about how to move on after everything that happened. Things have been picking up since I came back now that you’re in charge of the League Club. I’ve been trying to make amends to the club members too after how badly I treat a lot of them.”
“Well, I’m proud of you for having the courage to make things right with the others while you were the League’s Champion. It means you’ve grown a lot since then.”
He looked down with a bittersweet smile.
“A lot of students said they forgave me for my actions and attitude toward them. They even asked for some future battles against an Ex-Champion like me. Still, don’t like how Drayton had to trademark that, but whatever. Some students they weren’t ready to accept my apology, but that’s okay. I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes to earn back their trust.”
“That’s good to hear. I know you can do it, Kieran. You're one of the strongest trainers I know.”
Kieran chuckled once more as he stared towards Juliana’s eyes. “I’m even more grateful that you were able to forgive me so easily, Juliana. I treated you really badly with my cold words and horrible actions because of my envy. All because I wanted to be like you. Because I thought you were the ideal person to be with how amazing and friendly you were.”
All Juliana did to respond was let out a sweet smile that pieced his very soul. “You don’t need to worry about that, Kieran. I’m glad that we were able to work things out in the end. That we were able to reconnect with each other and grow ever stronger in our relationship. Just we promised back then before we went to the Festival of Masks.”
Kieran soon realized what even Juliana meant. Vivid images of flowers along with Juliana’s bright face crossing his mind.
“You mean, back when we were eating at the Wisteria Pond? Before…things went so wrong.”
When Juliana discovered Ogerpon at the festival, causing Kieran’s insecurities to fester into a growing plague towards him. The starting point where he decided he needed to become the strongest to avoid such heartbreak again. Bearing a cold façade to break through his limits towards becoming the top trainer at the academy.
Even if he had to sacrifice his health and friendships to do so. Especially with the girl who became most dear to him.
Just thinking about it made his heart ache.
Despite those lingering feelings, he felt Juliana’s hand grasp his from his left side as if she wanted to comfort him. The warmth coming from her dispelling any doubts he had about himself as he glanced at Juliana’s loving expression towards him.
“Hey. No matter what happens between us, we’ll stick through it together. I want you to continue being a part of my life, Kieran. That’s never going to change, I swear.”
He did his best to smile back. Taking his time to reduce the growing blush from his cheeks while he answered back with one question.
“Promise?”
Juliana nodded, grasping his hand tighter before finally letting go.
“I promise.” She said, extending her pinky closer to seal the deal. One which Kieran was all too happy to accept as he connected his pinky with hers.
An eternal vow sealed between the two that they swore would never break for as long as whatever life took them. So long as they did so together.
Then, he saw Juliana’s face light up with an idea. Her legs bounced excitedly while she stood up to tell him what she wanted to do next.
“You know what we should do? We should make flower crowns for each other.” She proposed.
Kieran became perplexed. “Flower crowns? Are you good at making them?”
“Yeah! I used to make them back when I lived in Galar, so I'm kind of an expert." Juliana proudly declared. "We used Galarica Twigs to make the crown part and added some flowers we plucked from the fields to make them. There’s plenty of flowers in the Coastal Biome, so I figured we could make some together.”
Kieran didn’t have a problem with that. In fact, it sounded like a lot of fun. Especially with the thought of Juliana making a present for him passed his mind. Getting something amazing and handmade from the Paldean Champion made his heart flutter madly.
He tried to get those feelings under control. The last thing Kieran needed was for Juliana to see him spaz out because of his growing excitement over getting something special made by her own hands.
“I’d love to make them with you!” He joyfully answered back. Maybe a bit too loud that Kieran sort of regrated later on. “I just hope I don’t mess up making them. I’ve only ever made flower crowns with Sis back in Kitakami. She…wasn’t the best teacher with how much she yelled at me over the tiniest mistakes.”
Juliana paid his doubts no mind, grinning in anticipation instead.
“I’d be happy to guide you through it while we get the flowers and twigs. We’ll make the best flower crowns ever!”
And with that bit of reassurance, Juliana and Kieran finished up their picnic to search around the Coastal Biome for the best flowers and Galarica Twigs to make their crowns. How the Terarium even had those twigs in the first place was a mystery, but they weren’t going to drag their heads thinking about it.
Thirty minutes later, they finally collected the flowers and twigs needed to craft their crowns. Juliana did her best to guide Kieran over how to connect the twigs and flowers together to make them. Her hands nimbly supporting him all the way that Kieran was extremely grateful for.
Plus, the alone time and feeling Juliana’s hands over his as she moved them through the motions was a nice bonus that took all his willpower not to do anything stupid in front of her.
Kieran placed his flower crown over Juliana’s head once she knelt down as the girl soon did the same for Kieran afterwards. They were all smiles and joy while they spun around to showcase their creations while the wind itself spun around them.
Juliana’s crown held a mix of sunflowers and asters while Kieran’s crown was adorned with an assortment of chrysanthemums and purple hydrangeas. A perfect way for both of them to represent their current feelings towards their relationship.
And perhaps the potential for it to flourish into something more.
“The chrysanthemums represent longevity and friendship, while the purple hydrangeas symbolize a deep understand between the person you give it too. I want to keep understanding you, Kieran. So that our relationship can blossom even further for eternity! Sorry if that’s a little cliché, ehehe.”
Kieran shook his head. “It’s not cliché at all! I mean, I picked those sunflowers and asters for your crown because I adore you so much for your bright and cheerful personality! You never give up and always keep going with a smile. It’s one of the many reasons I admire you, Juliana. And my faith and love for you won’t ever waver.”
The girl hummed in agreement, her eyes shimmering after taking her crown to gaze at the flowers Kieran picked for her. Spinning around with great delight soon after as she answered.
“Me too.” She gently whispered. “I wouldn’t want anything less.”
She grabbed Kieran’s hands for him to spin with her, the boy only laughing amusingly as they spun together. Just the two of them in their own world with nothing else mattering in that moment except each other’s embrace.
They kept spinning together for at least another ten seconds where that gust of wind was. Weird that it was doing so in that particular spot, but Juliana supposed it was just another one of the Terarium’s many quirks.
While they continued enjoying their moment together, Juliana noticed a faint presence coming from a few feet away from them. Some sort of invisible aura that seemed like it was watching them from afar.
Juliana inched closer to see what this presence could be, getting close enough that the figure’s form became seeable while it looked at them with vibrant curiosity.
Her eyes sparkled with intrigue. “Is this a Pokemon? She looks so cute!”
Kieran squinted his eyes to take a closer look before realization set in on his face. A wave of excitement and shock wormed his way into his expression when he answered her.
“Wowzers! I…I think that’s a Meloetta. They’re a mythical Pokemon from Unova from what I learned in class. Her voice is said to affect the emotions of those who hear her melodies.”
“Whoa, that’s pretty incredible seeing one! How did a Pokemon like that get all the way into the Terarium?” Juliana wondered out loud. “But she looks really happy to see us from the looks of it.”
“Guess you’ve just got lots of luck meeting Legendary Pokemon, Juliana. First your kaiju, then Ogerpon and Terapagos, and now Meloetta. You really are incredible!”
Juliana’s lips curled into a playful grin. “You’re not jealous, are you?”
Kieran merely giggled in response. “Nah, I’m good. I mean, I used to be when I thought you were this perfect heroine who got everything she wanted. But now I know you’re just an amazing girl who worked hard to achieve her goals. I should’ve understood that all along before things went wrong between us.”
“Kieran…”
“But I’m glad that things turned out this way.” He continued, his lips moving upwards slightly. “Because I finally got to understand you in the end. And we were able to become friends again. And hopefully more than that one day while I stay by your side...”
“Huh? I didn’t catch that last part. Could you say that again?”
But Kieran turned his face around telling her not that it was nothing, confusing Juliana for a bit. Though, if he didn’t want to talk about it, then Juliana would respect Kieran’s wishes. She wanted to have more fun with him today.
Seemed like Meloetta wanted to have some fun with them too with the way she floated left and right to touch their crowns. Juliana giggled inwardly, happy to know that a Legendary Pokemon had excellent taste in handmade creations.
“Do you want us to make a flower crown for you too?” She asked Meloetta.
The green-haired Pokemon hummed a merry tune to signal her excitement, causing Juliana and Kieran to fawn over how adorable she was acting. They got to work gathering more twigs and flowers to adorn the Legendary with as they assembled their newest crown for her to enjoy.
Meloetta hummed with immense contentment, singing her Relic Song to thank them for all their effort that made their hearts thump with exhilaration over how amazing it sounded. The melody was so clear that it instantly soothed their hearts to create an air of calm between them. It’s not every day they were able to hear such an ancient song, after all.
She waved goodbye soon after while Juliana and Kieran did the same, glad to have experienced such a rare meeting together before Meloetta disappeared from view once more.
“She must have shown up because we were having so much fun back then. Guess she wanted to get in it too.” Juliana intuited.
Kieran nodded. “I think you’re right. And there’s no one else I would enjoy these moments with than you, Juliana. It’s been so long since I could enjoy myself like this without being afraid of going back to who I was. I know I can get better with you by my side. That’s why I want to keep spendin’ time with you. To be happy doin’ all sorts of things and be free with the most special girl in the world!”
“Aww. You’re going to make me blush harder if you keep sweet-talking me like this, Kieran.”
“I’ll keep sayin’ as many syrupy words as possible to you because you deserve it. You changed my entire world, Juliana. And I was able to change too because of it to become someone I can be proud of.”
He was able to truly be himself thanks to her. And he would keep growing with her love and support.
Meanwhile, Juliana couldn’t help but press her hands over her cheeks to absolutely gush over his words, along with his accent leaking out just for her. After all this time, they were going to move towards a brighter path together. Their first steps taken within this glorious flower field.
She held Kieran’s hand tightly, as if making sure she wouldn’t let go while Kieran squeezed her hand just as tightly. They kept walking at the same pace to enjoy their next activity in earnest.
Because whatever destination they headed towards, they were resolved to head down that path by walking it together.
Their relationship buds anew, blossoming into full bloom against all odds.
Maybe she should trade him an Applin one day to make her true feelings clear one day. Or maybe Kieran will do the same if he knew about Galarian legends.
Guess they'll see. The future was for them to decide.