"Ash~"
"Ash~"
"Ash, where are you…?"
Stepping beyond the campground and into the forest, Serena tried to call out for Ash. But her shy nature made it hard for her voice to carry. What was meant to be a loud cry turned into a soft, reserved whisper.
Though the Pokémon Summer Camp had only lasted two short weeks, Serena felt that the joy and growth she experienced during this time far surpassed everything she'd known in her life before.
She used to be shy. Timid. Even a little self-conscious.
She never imagined she could become someone this cheerful, this confident.
She never dared to dream...
Never imagined feeling so passionate about the future.
And all of it…
Every single change in her…
Was because of one boy she met during this summer camp organized by Professor Oak—
Ash Ketchum.
Ash was so knowledgeable and amazing.
To her, he was like a miniature sun—
Chasing away the stormy clouds over her heart and lighting up her whole world.
Even though she was ordinary in every way, Ash never once looked down on her.
Instead, he always cared for her, encouraged her, and gently helped her discover her true self.
It was thanks to his unwavering kindness that this once-shy girl finally stepped out of her dark, isolated little world…
And began to dance in the sunlight.
She owed all of it to him.
At first, she had only felt gratitude toward Ash for helping her.
But slowly… as they spent more time together…
They became friends—friends who could share their thoughts and dreams with each other.
But then…
Serena realized she had begun to feel something more.
Something that made her heart race.
Something that filled her with warmth… and embarrassment.
She'd fallen for him.
She tried to ignore it.
Tried to pretend the feelings didn't exist.
But they didn't go away.
Like a seed sprouting in the spring, her emotions bloomed and spread like wildfire—
Until now, on the final evening of camp, they could no longer be held back.
Tomorrow, she would return to Kalos with her friends.
And after that… she might never see Ash again.
Just the thought of it made her heart ache.
So she decided—
Before camp officially ended, before they said their goodbyes…
She would tell him.
She would tell Ash everything in her heart.
Even though she was shy… she wanted—no, needed—to find Ash and confess.
She had to let him know:
That she really, really liked him.
…
The valley campground was large.
Since Ash had gone to copy the last batch of wild Pokémon moves, he'd headed all the way to the outskirts of the valley.
Serena didn't find him in any of the familiar places.
Wandering deeper and deeper, she eventually realized…
She had no idea where she was.
Looking around, the scenery all looked the same—endless trees and shadows.
That's when it hit her:
She was lost.
Dense canopy blocked out the sunlight, leaving the forest floor cold and dim.
And the wind… it howled unpredictably through the leaves, making the trees and bushes sway and groan eerily.
The entire forest seemed to shudder with a life of its own—
As if something could leap out at any moment.
Fear gripped her heart.
"H-hold me tight, Clefairy…" Serena hugged her partner close, curling her neck inward as tears crept into her voice.
Swish swish…
Suddenly, the bushes in front of her began to shake violently.
Something was coming.
WHOOSH!
Her instincts were right.
In the next instant, a dark blue Pokémon burst out of the brush.
"AHHH!!"
On edge and overwhelmed, Serena didn't even realize it was just a Poliwag darting past.
The Pokémon disappeared into another bush in a blink.
But her nerves were already stretched to the breaking point.
Stumbling back in fear, her foot landed on a fallen branch—
CRACK!
She lost her balance and fell hard to the ground.
Pain flared in her right ankle.
It was twisted.
The fair skin of her ankle quickly flushed red and began to swell.
Serena released her hold on Clefairy and pushed herself up off the ground—
Only to cry out in pain.
"Ahhh! That hurts!"
Tears welled in her eyes.
All she wanted was to tell Ash how she felt before the camp ended.
But instead of finding him…
She got lost.
She got hurt.
And now…
She was alone.
Scared.
Vulnerable.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Waaah…"
"Ash, where are you…? Huu… I can't find you…"
One hand holding her ankle, the other wiping away tears—Serena sat on the forest floor, sobbing quietly.
Rustle rustle…
Another movement in the bushes.
Serena flinched in terror, choking back her tears.
But then—
"Serena!!"
Ash's voice cut through the forest like sunlight breaking through clouds.
He stepped through the brush, Froakie in his arms.
His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Serena sitting tearfully on the ground.
It felt… familiar.
Like something he'd seen before.
But this wasn't the time to reminisce.
He hurried forward and pulled a soft, pale blue handkerchief from his pocket.
In the corner was a stitched image of a Poké Ball.
Gently, he knelt beside her and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Serena, are you alright?" Ash asked softly, worry in his eyes.
"I-I fell… I think I twisted my ankle…" Serena whispered, blushing as he wiped her tears.
She had come here to confess her feelings.
But now?
She was sitting, ankle swollen, face tear-streaked…
Not exactly the romantic scene she'd imagined.
And Ash—
He looked just like a handsome hero from a fairy tale.
But she?
She wasn't some graceful princess.
Just a teary little girl who'd gotten herself lost.
Even though Ash had arrived like a brave knight, sweeping in to save her…
In this embarrassing, awkward moment…
Serena found she couldn't say the words she'd come here to say.
She just couldn't.
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