" Hey, look! It's Red!"

I looked up from the map to the direction my friend, Misty was pointing. There, indeed was my big brother, along with Leaf and Blue

I felt a sadness wash upon me. " You guys go say hi. I.... I have to go somewhere.

Misty, Brock, Gary and Barry ran off to the three amazing Pokemon Trainers.

Rosa, on the other hand, didn't.

She followed me to where I sat, drawing in the sand. She sat next to me.

" Are you okay?"

I shook my head. " No. Not really."

" You wanna talk about it?"

I took a deep breath. " Okay, hear me out. Remember when I said I had this amazing brother who was incredible?"

Rosa nodded.

" That's Red. My brother."

Rosa gasped. " Really?! You're so lucky!"

I didn't reply.

" Oh. Not so lucky?"

I looked at her. " It looks fun, but it's not. He doesn't like me, Rosa. He hates me."

" What makes you say that?"

" He's always angry with me and he never hugs me back and he looks at me like I'm filthy and he doesn't like Pikachu and.... And I can never do anything that'll make him proud!"

Pikachu pat my head, sympathetic. " Pika pi...."

Rosa wrapped her arms around me and pulled me for a hug. " That can't be true!"

" But it is! No matter what I can never please him and last time I went to him he told me to go and never come back and... And...."

" Oh, Mimi...."

Rosa held me tighter as I choked on my words, tears streaming down my face. "He doesn't care about me, Rosa. I'm just... nothing to him."

"That can't be true," Rosa insisted, her voice gentle but firm. "Maybe he just doesn't know how to show it."

I sniffled, wiping my face with the sleeve of my jacket. "Then why would he say that? Why would he tell me to go and never come back?"

Rosa paused, thinking carefully. "Maybe... maybe he was having a bad day. Maybe he was scared of something or trying to protect you in some weird way. I don't know Red as well as you do, but from everything I've heard about him, he doesn't sound like the kind of person who'd hate his little sister."

I looked down at Pikachu, who was perched in my lap. "But it feels like he does," I mumbled. "It feels like no matter what I do, I'll never be enough. I'm just... a burden to him."

Rosa gently tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet her gaze. "Listen to me, Mimi. You are not a burden. You're smart, you're kind, and you have one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen. If Red doesn't see that, then that's his loss. But I don't think he hates you. I think... he's just bad at showing how much he cares."

I wanted to believe her, but the weight in my chest wouldn't lift. "You really think so?"

Rosa nodded. "I do. And if you want, I'll help you figure out a way to talk to him. Maybe he just needs to hear how you're feeling."

Before I could respond, I heard the crunch of footsteps behind us. I turned around to see Misty and Brock standing there, looking unsure. And behind them... was Red.

My breath caught in my throat as he approached, his usual quiet demeanor unreadable. Blue and Leaf stood a little further back, watching closely.

Rosa gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before stepping aside, letting Red take her place. I stared at the ground, unable to look him in the eye.

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, he crouched down in front of me and placed a hand on my shoulder. When I finally glanced up, his expression surprised me. It wasn't anger or annoyance—it was something softer. Regret, maybe.

He reached into his bag and pulled out a small notebook, quickly scribbling something down. Then he handed it to me.

The note read: "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. You're not a burden. You're my little sister, and I... I'm proud of you."

I stared at the words, tears welling up in my eyes again. "Y-You mean it?" I whispered.

Red nodded, his expression earnest. Then, to my shock, he pulled me into a hug. A real hug.

I clung to him, sobbing into his jacket. "I thought you hated me," I choked out.

He shook his head, holding me tighter.

From behind, I could hear Rosa whispering, "I told you he cares."

Pikachu climbed onto Red's shoulder, nuzzling him, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like everything might just be okay.

_____

_____

Rosa held me tightly, her warmth providing a small comfort to my spiraling emotions. I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. They streamed down my face as I clung to her, my chest heaving with sobs.

“It’s not fair,” I choked out. “Why does he treat me like this? I’ve always looked up to him, Rosa. I’ve tried so hard to make him proud, but it’s like… like he doesn’t even want me around.”

Rosa stroked my hair gently. “Mimi, I don’t know what’s going on with Red, but I know one thing for sure—you’re amazing. You don’t have to prove anything to him. You’re kind, talented, and strong in your own way.”

I shook my head. “But he’s my brother. I just want him to love me, to look at me like I’m not a burden.”

Rosa sighed, her voice soft. “Maybe he’s dealing with his own stuff, you know? People like Red… sometimes they don’t show their feelings the way we want them to. That doesn’t mean he hates you.”

I sniffled, wiping my eyes. “I wish I could believe that.”

Just then, a shadow fell over us. I looked up to see Blue standing there, his usual cocky smirk replaced with a more serious expression. Behind him were Misty, Brock, Gary, Barry, and… Red. My heart sank when I saw him.

“Hey, kid,” Blue said, his tone surprisingly gentle. “What’s this I hear about you thinking Red hates you?”

I froze, my face heating up in embarrassment. “I-I didn’t mean for anyone to hear that…”

Blue crouched down, his sharp eyes softening. “Listen, Mimi, I’ve known Red for a long time. And trust me, he doesn’t hate you. He’s just… well, Red. He’s not great with words or showing emotions, but he cares about you more than you realize.”

I glanced at Red, who stood a few steps behind Blue, his face as unreadable as ever. He wasn’t saying anything, just watching me with that same stoic look he always had. It didn’t reassure me.

“Yeah, right,” I muttered, looking away. “If he cared, he’d act like it.”

Blue sighed, standing up. “Red, you’re gonna have to help me out here, buddy. Say something.”

Red didn’t move for a moment, but then, slowly, he stepped forward. My heart pounded as he crouched down in front of me, his intense eyes meeting mine. For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t say anything, but then he did something that shocked me.

He reached out and placed a hand on my head, ruffling my hair gently.

“...Sorry,” he muttered, so quietly I almost didn’t hear it.

I blinked, stunned. “W-What?”

Red glanced away, his cheeks tinged with pink. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… make you feel like that.”

My mouth fell open. Red never apologized. Ever. And yet here he was, looking almost… shy?

Blue grinned. “Well, would you look at that? The silent champ actually spoke.”

I ignored Blue, staring at Red. “You’re… you’re really sorry?”

Red nodded, his eyes meeting mine again. They weren’t cold or angry this time. They were… soft.

A lump formed in my throat, and I launched myself into his arms, hugging him tightly. This time, he didn’t push me away. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I just wanted to make you proud.”

Red’s hand rested on my back, and though he didn’t say anything, his hug said it all.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe… just maybe, things could get better.

_____

_____

Rosa held me tightly, stroking my hair as I sobbed into her shoulder. Pikachu nuzzled against my side, letting out soft cries of sympathy.

“I don’t understand why he’d say that,” Rosa whispered. “You’re amazing, Mimi. Maybe there’s been some sort of misunderstanding?”

I shook my head, my voice muffled against her. “It’s not a misunderstanding, Rosa. He’s never liked me. He’s always been so cold. I just… I don’t know what I did wrong.”

Rosa pulled back slightly, holding my shoulders and looking me in the eye. “Listen to me, Mimi. You’re one of the kindest, most hardworking people I know. If Red can’t see that, then… then maybe he’s the one with the problem, not you.”

Her words brought a small comfort, but they didn’t erase the pain in my chest. “It just hurts,” I admitted. “He’s my brother, Rosa. I look up to him so much, and all I want is for him to see me as someone worthy of being his sister.”

Rosa frowned, thinking for a moment. “Maybe you need to tell him all this. Have you ever tried talking to him about how you feel?”

I hesitated, wiping my tears. “No… I’ve always been too scared. What if he doesn’t care? What if he just tells me to go away again?”

Rosa’s expression softened. “You won’t know unless you try. And you’ve got me, Brock, Misty, and everyone else by your side. We’ll help you, okay?”

I nodded slowly, sniffling. “Okay.”

Just then, we heard footsteps approaching, and I froze, recognizing the familiar sound of Red’s quiet, deliberate steps. I quickly looked down at the sand, my heart racing.

Rosa glanced up and nudged me gently. “Mimi…”

I hesitated before looking up, and there he was—Red, standing just a few feet away, his hands in his pockets and his usual unreadable expression on his face. Behind him, Leaf and Blue lingered, watching the scene unfold.

For a moment, none of us said anything. Then, to my surprise, Red crouched down in front of me, his gaze meeting mine. He didn’t say a word—he never did—but there was something in his eyes that made my breath catch.

“Red…” I whispered, my voice trembling.

He reached out, gently brushing the sand off my hands. Then, to my complete shock, he held out his arms.

I stared at him, unable to process what was happening. “What…?”

Rosa gave me a little nudge. “Go on.”

Slowly, tentatively, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him. To my surprise, he hugged me back, his grip firm and comforting. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe in his arms.

“I… I thought you hated me,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face again.

Red shook his head, his hand gently patting my back. He pulled away just enough to look at me, his expression soft. He didn’t need words to tell me what he was feeling—his actions spoke louder than anything.

“Red…” I sniffled, wiping my tears. “Do you… Do you really care about me?”

He nodded, giving me a small but reassuring smile. Then, to my surprise, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small, carefully wrapped box. He handed it to me, his eyes urging me to open it.

I carefully unwrapped the box, my hands shaking. Inside was a beautiful, hand-carved pendant in the shape of Pikachu, my favorite Pokémon. My breath caught as I looked up at him in disbelief.

“You… You made this for me?”

Red nodded again, his smile growing just a little wider.

I clutched the pendant to my chest, overwhelmed with emotion. “Thank you, Red. Thank you so much.”

Rosa smiled, her eyes glistening with tears. “See? He cares about you more than you know, Mimi.”

Leaf and Blue exchanged knowing looks in the background, and for once, Blue didn’t have a sarcastic comment to add.

In that moment, I felt like the luckiest sister in the world. Red might not say much, but his actions showed everything I needed to know.

____

_____

As I sat there, venting my frustrations, Rosa held me tightly, her voice soft and full of empathy. "Mia, maybe you're just misunderstanding him. I know he’s quiet, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about you."

I shook my head stubbornly. "No, you don’t get it. He doesn’t even try to hide it. He doesn’t want me around."

Rosa opened her mouth to say more, but before she could, the sound of hurried footsteps made us both look up.

There he was—Red, with Blue and Leaf trailing close behind. His crimson eyes scanned the beach frantically until they locked onto me.

My heart raced as I stood up, unsure of what was happening. “Red? What are you doing here?”

Before I could say another word, he crossed the distance between us in a matter of seconds. Without hesitation, he scooped me up into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest.

I froze, completely caught off guard. “R-Red?”

He didn’t let go, his grip firm yet gentle. For someone who rarely showed emotion, his hug spoke louder than any words ever could.

My eyes widened as tears welled up. “You’re… hugging me?”

Red pulled back slightly, just enough to look me in the eyes. He shook his head, as if to say, Of course, I care about you.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I clung to him, burying my face in his shoulder. “I thought you hated me,” I whispered. “I thought I was just a burden to you…”

He shook his head again, more insistently this time, and placed a hand gently on the back of my head, reassuring me.

Leaf and Blue approached us, watching the scene unfold with soft smiles.

“Mia,” Leaf said kindly, “Red’s been worried sick about you ever since you ran off.”

Blue nodded. “He wouldn’t stop pacing until we found you. You really scared him, you know.”

I looked up at Red, whose eyes were filled with an emotion I couldn’t quite place—something like relief mixed with guilt.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to make you worry. I just… I didn’t think you cared…”

Red placed a finger under my chin, gently tilting my face up to meet his gaze. His expression was serious, but there was a softness there too.

“Pika!” Pikachu chimed in, climbing onto Red’s shoulder and nuzzling his cheek, as if to say, We all care about you.

Rosa stood up, smiling brightly. “See, Mia? Your brother loves you more than anything. He’s just not great at showing it sometimes.”

I wiped my tears, nodding as I hugged Red again. “I love you too, big brother. I’ll try to do better from now on, I promise.”

Red hugged me back, tighter this time, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like everything was going to be okay.

____

____

Misty, Brock, Gary, and Barry enthusiastically ran off toward Red, Leaf, and Blue, their voices filled with excitement. I stayed behind, sitting quietly on the beach as I traced random patterns in the sand with a stick. Rosa hesitated for a moment before walking over to me, her usual cheerful demeanor softening. She sat beside me, watching silently for a moment before speaking.

"Are you okay?" Rosa asked gently.

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "No. Not really."

"You wanna talk about it?"

I hesitated before taking a deep breath. "Okay, hear me out. Remember when I told you I had this amazing brother who was incredible?"

Rosa nodded eagerly. "Yeah! You always talk about him. Why?"

I swallowed hard, my voice trembling. "That's Red. My brother."

Rosa's eyes widened in awe. "Wait... the Red? The legendary Pokémon Trainer? Mia, you're so lucky!"

I didn't reply, keeping my eyes on the sand.

Her excitement faded as she realized something was wrong. "Oh... not so lucky?"

I looked up at her, my throat tight. "It looks fun, but it's not. He doesn't like me, Rosa. He hates me."

Rosa’s face fell. "What makes you think that?"

I bit my lip, tears brimming in my eyes. "He's always angry with me, he never hugs me back, and he looks at me like I'm filthy. He doesn’t even like Pikachu. No matter what I do, I can never make him proud!"

Pikachu, sitting beside me, patted my head softly, her big brown eyes filled with sympathy. "Pika pi..."

Rosa didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a warm hug. "That can't be true, Mia. He’s your brother. I’m sure he loves you."

"But it is true!" I choked out, the tears falling freely now. "Last time I saw him, he told me to go and never come back! And… and…"

Rosa held me tighter as my sobs grew heavier. "Oh, Mia… I’m so sorry."

Before either of us could say anything else, I heard a voice call my name—or at least, I thought I did. Rosa turned, her eyes widening slightly.

I glanced up and froze. There, standing a short distance away, was Red. His face was pale, his usually calm expression replaced with something that looked like a mix of guilt and worry.

"Red," Rosa whispered.

Before I could even process what was happening, Red closed the distance between us in a few quick strides. Without hesitation, he scooped me up into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest.

My eyes widened in shock. "R-Red?"

He didn’t say anything—of course, he couldn’t—but the way his arms wrapped around me spoke louder than words. His grip was firm yet gentle, and I could feel the slight tremble in his hands.

I hesitated for a moment before wrapping my arms around him in return, burying my face in his shoulder. My tears started again, but this time they weren’t from sadness.

"Red…" I whispered, my voice breaking. "I thought… I thought you didn’t want me anymore…"

He pulled back just enough to look at me, shaking his head firmly. His eyes, usually so stoic, were filled with something I could only describe as love and regret. He placed a hand on my cheek, his thumb brushing away my tears.

"You mean it?" I asked softly, searching his gaze. "You don’t hate me?"

He shook his head again, squeezing me tighter for a moment before releasing me slightly.

Rosa watched with a soft smile, tears glistening in her eyes. "See, Mia? He does love you. He was probably just worried."

Red nodded, giving me a small, reassuring smile.

I sniffled, wiping at my eyes. "I missed you, big brother."

He tapped his chest gently, then pointed at me, his message clear: I missed you too.

A small laugh escaped me, and I hugged him again. This time, I didn’t let go.

----

_____

I buried my face in my hands, tears slipping down my cheeks. Rosa kept her arms wrapped around me, her warmth helping soothe the ache in my chest. Pikachu hopped into my lap, nuzzling me gently.

“I don’t know what I did wrong,” I whispered. “I just want him to like me. I just want him to be proud of me.”

Rosa pulled back slightly, looking me in the eyes. “Mia, I don’t think Red hates you. Maybe he’s just... not good at showing how he feels. People are different, you know? And Red... he’s kinda known for being quiet.”

I sniffled, shaking my head. “Quiet doesn’t mean mean. It’s like... I’m not even his sister. Like he’d be happier if I just disappeared.”

Before Rosa could respond, a shadow fell over us. We both looked up, and my heart stopped.

There was Red, standing just a few feet away, his expression unreadable. Behind him, Leaf, Blue, and my other friends lingered, their faces filled with concern.

Red’s eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I thought he was going to turn and walk away. Instead, he closed the distance between us in a few quick strides. Without saying a word, he knelt down and scooped me into his arms.

I froze, stunned. “R-Red?” I whispered, my voice shaky.

His embrace was firm but gentle, and I could feel his hands trembling slightly as he held me close. My tears started anew, but this time, they weren’t from sadness. I wrapped my arms around him tightly, burying my face in his shoulder.

“You were worried about me,” I murmured, my voice muffled against his jacket. “You do care…”

Red pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes filled with an emotion I couldn’t quite place. He nodded slowly, then pressed a hand to his chest and pointed to me, as if to say, I always care.

I let out a shaky laugh, wiping my eyes. “You could’ve told me, you know.”

He gave me a faint smile—small but genuine—and shook his head, tapping his throat to remind me of what I already knew: he couldn’t.

Pikachu climbed onto Red’s shoulder, chirping happily, while Rosa grinned beside us. “See, Mia? I told you he doesn’t hate you.”

Leaf stepped forward, her hands on her hips. “Red’s not exactly great at expressing himself, but he’s your big brother. Of course he loves you.”

Blue smirked. “Yeah, he’s just bad at showing it. Guess you inherited all the talking genes.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled, clutching Red’s jacket tightly. “Thanks, guys.”

Red stood up, still holding me in his arms like I weighed nothing. He gestured for the group to follow as he started walking toward the others.

“Where are we going?” I asked, looking up at him.

He didn’t answer, of course, but Leaf grinned. “Probably to find something fun to do together. Family bonding time, right, Red?”

He nodded, his smile widening ever so slightly.

As we walked back toward the beach, I rested my head against his shoulder, feeling a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. Maybe Red wasn’t great with words, but his actions spoke louder than anything he could’ve said.

For the first time in forever, I truly believed that my big brother cared.

-----

----

The sun cast a golden glow over the beach, but I barely noticed it as I sat drawing aimlessly in the sand. Rosa stayed by my side, her arms still around me after my emotional outburst. Pikachu nuzzled my cheek, her small paws patting me gently as if to say it would be okay.

“Mia,” Rosa said softly, “I know it feels like that now, but I don’t think your brother really hates you. Maybe he just doesn’t know how to show how he feels?”

I sniffled, wiping at my eyes. “I don’t know. Sometimes it feels like he cares, but most of the time, it’s like I don’t exist to him. He’s Red—the Red. He’s so perfect, and I’m just… me. How can I ever measure up to that?”

Rosa gave me a squeeze. “You’re amazing in your own way, Mia. I wish you could see that.”

Before I could respond, I heard voices behind me—familiar voices. I froze, my heart sinking as I recognized them. I turned slightly, peeking over my shoulder, and there he was.

Red stood a few feet away, his piercing gaze locked on me. Behind him, Misty, Brock, Gary, and Barry were awkwardly silent, and even Blue and Leaf seemed unsure of what to say.

My stomach twisted into knots. “Rosa,” I whispered, “he’s here. I can’t face him. Let’s go.”

But before I could get up, Red moved. In a flash, he was in front of me, crouching down. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—something that made my breath catch.

“Red, I—” My voice cracked, and I looked down, unable to meet his gaze. “I didn’t mean to bother you. I’ll go.”

I moved to stand, but then, something unexpected happened. Red reached out, his hands gentle yet firm as he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. My eyes widened in shock as his arms wrapped around me, holding me close.

“R-Red?” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t say anything—he couldn’t—but the way he held me spoke louder than words ever could. His grip was strong, almost desperate, as if he was afraid I might disappear if he let go.

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time, they weren’t from sadness. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around him, clinging to him tightly. “You… you’re hugging me,” I said, my voice trembling.

Red pulled back just enough to look at me. His hand moved, signing quickly in a way only I could understand.

I was so worried about you. I thought you were hurt. Don’t ever scare me like that again.

My breath hitched, and I shook my head. “I thought you didn’t care about me. I thought… I thought you hated me.”

Red frowned deeply, shaking his head vigorously. He signed again, his movements firm and clear. Never. I could never hate you. You’re my little sister. I love you.

The words hit me like a tidal wave, and I burst into tears, burying my face in his chest. “I love you too, Red,” I choked out. “I just wanted you to be proud of me.”

He hugged me tighter, his hand gently rubbing my back. Then, he pulled away slightly to sign something else: I’m already proud of you. You’re amazing just the way you are.

I looked up at him, my heart swelling with a mix of relief and joy. “Really?”

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Behind us, I heard Misty sniffle. “Okay, that’s just the sweetest thing ever.”

Gary groaned. “Ugh, why is this so emotional? I didn’t sign up for this.”

“Shut up, Gary,” Leaf said, elbowing him in the ribs.

I laughed softly, wiping at my eyes. Pikachu climbed onto Red’s shoulder, nuzzling him affectionately. For once, he didn’t seem to mind.

“Thanks, Red,” I whispered, leaning into him again. “I needed this.”

He didn’t respond, but the way he held me said everything I needed to know.

____

____

As I buried my face in Rosa’s shoulder, the weight of everything I’d been holding in spilled out. Tears streamed down my cheeks as Pikachu nuzzled my leg, trying to comfort me. Rosa held me tightly, her voice gentle as she said, "Mia, I don’t think Red hates you. Maybe there’s something else going on, something you don’t know."

I shook my head, my voice trembling. "No, Rosa. He does. He told me to leave and never come back. He didn’t even look sad when I left. It’s like... it’s like he doesn’t even care about me."

Before Rosa could respond, we heard the sound of footsteps on the sand. I glanced up and froze.

It was him.

Red stood there, his usual stoic expression faltering as his eyes landed on me. Behind him, Leaf and Blue stood a little distance away, clearly unsure whether to approach. Misty, Brock, Gary, and Barry lingered awkwardly, trying to figure out what was happening.

I quickly wiped my tears and looked away, my voice shaky. "What are you doing here? Did you come to tell me to leave again?"

Red’s eyes widened slightly, and he took a step forward, his hands raised as if to protest. His mouth opened, but no sound came out, as always. Instead, he knelt in front of me, his gaze softening as he looked at my tear-streaked face.

I blinked, confused by the concern in his eyes. "What do you want, Red?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Without hesitation, Red leaned forward and scooped me into his arms, pulling me into a tight hug.

I froze, completely caught off guard. Red wasn’t one to show affection—not like this. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around him, clinging to him like I had when we were kids. My tears started again, but this time, they weren’t from sadness.

"Red..." I whispered, my voice breaking.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look at me. His hand moved to his chest, and he tapped it twice before pointing at me.

Rosa tilted her head. "What does that mean?"

I sniffled, my voice trembling as I translated. "It means... 'I care about you.' "

Red nodded, his expression earnest. Then he reached out and gently wiped the tears from my cheeks, his touch warm and comforting.

I stared at him, my heart aching with a mix of emotions. "But... but you told me to leave. You didn’t want me around. You never hugged me, or smiled at me, or—"

Red shook his head vigorously, cutting me off. He pointed at himself, then at his throat, and then made a frustrated motion with his hands, as if to say, I can’t explain.

Leaf stepped forward cautiously, her voice gentle. "Mia, I think what Red’s trying to say is that he’s not good at showing how he feels. But he does care about you. He was worried sick when he saw you run off."

Blue added with a smirk, "Yeah, he practically dragged us here looking for you. For someone who’s ‘always angry’ at you, he sure looked ready to fight anyone who upset you."

I looked back at Red, who gave me a small, apologetic smile.

"You... you really care about me?" I asked hesitantly.

Red nodded, his grip on me tightening slightly as if to emphasize his point.

I felt a fresh wave of tears, but this time, they were accompanied by a smile. I hugged him tightly, burying my face in his shoulder. "I missed you so much, big brother."

Red patted my back gently, his way of saying, I missed you too.

Behind us, Pikachu let out a cheerful "Pika!" while Rosa wiped a tear from her own cheek.

Misty, Brock, Gary, and Barry finally approached, their faces a mix of relief and curiosity. Misty leaned down to me and said with a grin, "Looks like your big brother does care after all."

I laughed softly, still clinging to Red. "Yeah... he does."

And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I truly belonged by his side.

____

____

I buried my face in Rosa's shoulder, letting out all the tears I’d been holding in. “It’s just not fair,” I whispered. “I try so hard, but it’s like he doesn’t even care.”

Rosa stroked my hair gently, her voice soft. “Maybe he just doesn’t know how to show it, Mia. Everyone has their own way of caring, even if it’s hard to see sometimes.”

I sniffled, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. “I don’t know, Rosa. It feels like I’m invisible to him.”

Before Rosa could reply, a shadow fell over us. I looked up, and my heart skipped a beat. It was Red, standing there with Leaf and Blue a little ways behind him. Misty, Brock, Gary, and Barry were trailing back too, their excited chatter quieting as they noticed the tension in the air.

Red’s gaze locked on mine, his expression unreadable. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “What do you want?” I asked, my voice wavering.

He didn’t respond—of course, he couldn’t—but his eyes softened as he took a step closer.

“You told me to leave, remember?” I said bitterly, hugging my knees to my chest. “You don’t want me around, so why are you here?”

For a moment, Red just stood there, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. Then, without warning, he knelt down and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug.

I froze, my heart pounding in disbelief. “Red…?”

He didn’t let go, his hold on me firm and protective. I could feel him trembling slightly, and it was then that I realized—he was worried.

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time they weren’t from sadness. I hugged him back tightly, burying my face in his chest. “I thought you hated me,” I whispered.

Red shook his head fiercely, his grip on me tightening as if to say, I don’t. I never did.

“Pika pi!” Pikachu chirped happily, hopping onto Red’s shoulder and nuzzling him.

Rosa smiled softly, standing up to give us some space. “See? I told you it couldn’t be true.”

Blue crossed his arms, smirking. “Man, you really gave him a scare, Mia. He’s been searching for you like crazy.”

Leaf nodded, her expression warm. “Red may not say much, but trust me, he cares about you more than you know.”

I pulled back slightly, looking up at Red. “You do?”

Red nodded, his expression serious but kind. He gently tapped his chest with his fist, then pointed at me.

I blinked, processing his silent message. “You mean… I’m in here? In your heart?”

He nodded again, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face.

Gary grinned. “Looks like big bro does have a soft spot after all.”

Misty rolled her eyes playfully. “Took him long enough to show it.”

I hugged Red again, tighter this time. “I’m sorry I doubted you,” I said. “I just… I didn’t know.”

Red stroked my hair gently, his way of telling me it was okay.

From that moment on, I knew I didn’t need to prove anything to him. Red didn’t need words to show he cared—his actions spoke louder than anything else ever could. And as I stayed in his arms, surrounded by my friends, I finally felt like everything was going to be okay.

__

__

Rosa hugged me tightly, her warmth soothing even though I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Pikachu nuzzled against my cheek, trying to comfort me too.

"That doesn't sound like the Red everyone talks about," Rosa said gently. "I mean, he's supposed to be this big hero, right? Why would he say something like that?"

"Because I'm a failure to him," I whispered, my voice breaking. "He's always so perfect, and I'm... I'm not."

Rosa pulled back slightly to look at me, her eyes filled with determination. "Mia, listen to me. You’re not a failure. Maybe there’s something going on with Red that you don’t know about. Have you tried talking to him?"

I shook my head, wiping my face with my sleeve. "I can’t. He doesn’t talk, Rosa. Not to me, not to anyone. It’s like... like I don’t exist to him."

Rosa frowned, her brows knitting together. "That doesn’t make sense. You’re his sister. He has to care about you."

"Then why doesn’t he show it?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Why does he push me away all the time? Why can’t he just... love me like a brother’s supposed to?"

Rosa didn’t have an answer for that, but her grip on me tightened as if she could protect me from the pain in my heart. "Maybe he does love you, Mia," she said softly. "Maybe he just doesn’t know how to show it."

I opened my mouth to reply, but before I could, a shadow fell over us. I froze, my eyes widening as I looked up.

Standing there, silent as ever, was Red. Leaf and Blue were behind him, looking unsure but concerned. My heart sank.

"R-Red..." I stammered, scrambling to my feet. "What are you doing here?"

He didn’t say anything—of course, he couldn’t—but his expression was... different. Softer, almost hesitant.

Leaf stepped forward, smiling gently. "Hey, Mia. We, um, heard what you said."

My face turned red, and I took a step back. "You... you did?"

Blue nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. And look, kid, Red doesn’t hate you. He’s just... bad at showing stuff like that."

I looked at Red, searching his face for any sign that what Blue said was true. His gaze met mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. Then, slowly, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small box.

He held it out to me, his hand trembling just slightly.

I hesitated, glancing at Leaf, who nodded encouragingly.

Tentatively, I took the box and opened it. Inside was a beautifully crafted bracelet with a tiny Pikachu charm. My breath hitched.

Red pointed to the bracelet, then to me, his expression serious.

Leaf translated softly, "He’s saying it’s for you. That he got it because... well, because he cares about you."

Tears filled my eyes again, but this time they weren’t from sadness. I looked up at Red, my voice barely above a whisper. "You... you got this for me?"

He nodded, his lips curving into the faintest smile.

I didn’t think—I just threw my arms around him, hugging him as tightly as I could. For a moment, he didn’t move, and I was afraid he’d push me away. But then his arms came around me, hesitant at first, then stronger.

"You don’t hate me?" I asked, my voice muffled against his jacket.

He shook his head, his grip on me tightening slightly.

"Thank you," I whispered, clutching the bracelet in my hand.

Rosa wiped her eyes, sniffling. "That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen."

Blue grinned. "See? Told you he doesn’t hate you. He just has his own way of showing things."

Leaf smiled warmly. "Looks like you’ve got your answer, Mia."

I pulled back to look at Red, my heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. "I’ll make you proud someday, big bro. I promise."

Red didn’t say anything, but the way his eyes softened told me I already had.

___

____

Rosa tightened her hug around me as I buried my face in her shoulder. "Oh, Mia," she whispered softly, stroking my hair. "I'm so sorry you're feeling like this."

Pikachu nuzzled my cheek, sparks flickering faintly from her red cheeks as if she wanted to comfort me too.

"I just don’t get it," I mumbled into Rosa's shoulder. "I love him so much. I’ve looked up to him forever. But no matter what I do, it’s never enough."

Rosa pulled back slightly, her warm eyes meeting mine. "Mia, maybe he’s not angry at you. Maybe he just doesn’t know how to show how much he cares."

I shook my head. "You didn’t see the way he looked at me last time, Rosa. Like I was some sort of nuisance. He doesn’t even talk to me anymore!"

Rosa frowned. "Well, he doesn’t talk to anyone, right? Isn’t he mute?"

"Yeah," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "But he still talks with Leaf and Blue. He smiles at them and listens to them. With me? He barely even glances my way."

Rosa took a deep breath. "Mia, sometimes people show their love in ways that aren’t easy to see. What if he’s just… really bad at showing it?"

I blinked, looking at her. "You really think so?"

She nodded, her expression firm. "I do. Maybe he thinks he’s protecting you by keeping his distance. Or maybe he doesn’t know how to tell you how much you mean to him."

"Pika…" Pikachu murmured, her ears drooping sympathetically.

Before I could respond, I heard the crunch of footsteps on the sand behind us. Rosa looked up, her eyes widening. "Uh, Mia…"

I turned slowly, my heart skipping a beat when I saw him—Red. He was standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Red…" I breathed, feeling a lump form in my throat. I quickly wiped at my eyes, not wanting him to see me cry.

He walked closer, his steps steady but unhurried. Leaf and Blue were a little ways behind him, watching with interest but staying out of earshot. Misty, Brock, Gary, and Barry were nowhere to be seen, probably caught up in some battle or story.

Red stopped in front of me, crouching down so he was at my eye level. His gaze softened, and he slowly reached into his pocket, pulling out a small notebook and pen.

I watched in silence as he scribbled something down, then handed me the notebook.

I stared at the words, my heart pounding.

"I don’t hate you."

My hands trembled as I looked back up at him. "You don’t?"

He shook his head, then wrote again.

"I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. I just… don’t know how to show it. But I care about you, Mia. A lot."

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time they were happy tears. "You mean it?"

Red gave me a small, genuine smile—the kind I hadn’t seen in years. He nodded firmly, then hesitated before opening his arms slightly.

I didn’t waste a second. I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding on tightly. For the first time in what felt like forever, Red hugged me back, his grip strong and reassuring.

"I love you, big bro," I whispered, my voice breaking.

Red didn’t need to say anything. His hug said it all.

____

____

Rosa held me tightly, her warmth a small comfort against the whirlwind of emotions I felt. “Mia, I don’t think that’s true,” she said softly, her voice full of conviction.

“But it is!” I insisted, tears spilling down my cheeks. “He doesn’t talk to me, Rosa. He doesn’t even have to say it—I know he hates me.”

Rosa pulled back slightly, cupping my face so I’d look at her. “Red doesn’t talk to anyone, Mia. He’s mute, remember? That doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.”

I sniffled, shaking my head. “You don’t understand. He always avoids me. He never smiles at me like he does at Blue or Leaf. And when I try to hug him, he just… stands there. Like I’m nothing to him.”

Rosa frowned thoughtfully. “Do you think maybe he just doesn’t know how to show it?”

I blinked at her, caught off guard.

“Think about it,” Rosa continued. “Red’s been through so much, right? He’s battled the strongest trainers, climbed Mt. Silver, and faced Team Rocket. Maybe he doesn’t know how to express how much he cares about you. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t.”

Pikachu chirped in agreement. “Pika!”

I wiped my eyes, considering her words. “But… what if he really does hate me?”

Rosa smiled gently. “Then why would he look so sad every time he hears you cry?”

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. “What?”

She nodded. “I’ve seen it, Mia. When you’re upset, he watches you from a distance, and his whole face changes. He looks like he wants to fix it but doesn’t know how.”

My chest tightened. Could that really be true?

Rosa continued, her tone soft. “Maybe he’s scared he’ll mess up. Maybe he thinks he’s protecting you by keeping his distance. But I don’t believe for a second that he hates you.”

I looked down at the sand, my fingers tracing small circles. “I want to believe that, Rosa. I really do. But… what if you’re wrong?”

She grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. “Then let’s find out together. Come on, Mia. Let’s talk to him.”

I hesitated, my heart racing. “What if he tells me to leave again?”

“Then I’ll be right here with you,” Rosa said firmly. “You’re not alone in this.”

Pikachu jumped onto my shoulder, nuzzling me reassuringly. “Pika-pi!”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

We stood up and headed back toward the group. Red was still standing with Leaf and Blue, his usual calm demeanor unshaken. But when his eyes landed on me, something flickered across his face—something I couldn’t quite place.

“Mia,” Rosa whispered, giving me a small nudge.

I swallowed hard, my feet feeling like lead as I approached him. “Red…”

He looked down at me, his expression unreadable.

“I… I need to ask you something,” I said, my voice trembling. “Do you… do you hate me?”

Everyone around us froze. Even Blue, who usually had some snarky comment ready, stayed silent.

Red’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he just stared at me. Then, slowly, he shook his head.

I blinked, my heart pounding. “Y-you don’t?”

He shook his head again, this time more firmly. Then, to my utter shock, he reached out and gently rested a hand on my head, ruffling my hair in the way he used to when we were younger.

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time, they were happy ones. “Red…”

He gave me a faint smile—small, but undeniably there.

Rosa beamed. “See? Told you he cares!”

Blue crossed his arms, smirking. “Well, this is new. Guess the big guy does have a soft spot after all.”

Leaf elbowed him. “Don’t ruin the moment, Blue.”

I threw my arms around Red, burying my face in his chest. This time, he didn’t just stand there—he hugged me back, his grip strong and reassuring.

For the first time in forever, I felt like everything was going to be okay.

____

-----

Rosa’s eyes softened as she pulled me closer into the hug, resting her chin on my head. “Mia, that doesn’t sound like the Red I’ve heard about. Are you sure he doesn’t care about you?”

I nodded quickly, tears threatening to spill over. “He doesn’t! He doesn’t say anything because he can’t, but his actions say it all. He doesn’t want me around.”

Pikachu nuzzled against me, trying to comfort me, but it only made the ache in my chest worse.

Rosa frowned, deep in thought. “You said he told you to never come back. Are you sure he meant it? Sometimes people say things they don’t mean, especially when they’re upset.”

“He wasn’t upset,” I muttered. “He was calm. He just looked at me and motioned for me to leave. Like I didn’t even matter to him.”

Rosa’s grip on me tightened. “That doesn’t sound right. Everyone says Red’s the most loyal, caring person ever. He wouldn’t just turn his back on his little sister like that.”

I pulled away slightly, wiping my eyes. “But he did! And it hurts so much, Rosa. I just want him to love me.”

Before Rosa could respond, a shadow fell over us. We both looked up to see Red standing there, his expression unreadable as always.

I stiffened, my heart racing. “W-What are you doing here?”

Red crouched down in front of me, his eyes locking onto mine. He didn’t say anything—he never did—but there was something in his gaze that made my tears start falling all over again.

“Go away,” I whispered, turning my head away. “You don’t want me around, remember? So just go.”

But Red didn’t leave. Instead, he reached out and gently took my hands in his, his touch warm and steady.

I blinked in surprise, glancing back at him. “What are you doing?”

He pulled out a small notebook and a pen from his bag, quickly scribbling something down before handing it to me.

I stared at the note, my hands trembling as I read the words.

“You’re wrong. I care about you more than anything. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel otherwise.”

My breath hitched, and I looked up at him, my vision blurry with tears. “You… you mean that?”

Red nodded firmly, his grip on my hands tightening slightly as if to emphasize his sincerity.

Rosa smiled softly beside me. “See? I told you he loves you, Mia.”

I couldn’t stop the sob that escaped my lips as I threw myself into Red’s arms. He caught me easily, holding me close in a way that felt so safe and comforting.

“I thought you hated me,” I whispered, my voice cracking.

Red shook his head, gently rubbing my back. He pulled out the notebook again, scribbling another note.

“I could never hate you. You’re my little sister, and I love you more than anything.”

I clung to him tightly, my tears soaking into his jacket. “I love you too, Red. So much.”

Pikachu climbed onto Red’s shoulder, nuzzling him affectionately. He smiled faintly, giving the little Pokémon a pat on the head.

Rosa leaned back, watching the scene with a satisfied grin. “Well, I think my work here is done.”

Red glanced at her and gave a small nod of gratitude before turning his attention back to me. He didn’t need to say anything—his actions said everything I needed to know.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like everything was going to be okay.

_____

------

Rosa’s eyes widened, and she tightened her hug. “That can’t be right, Mia. No brother who loves you that much could ever say something like that and mean it!”

I sniffled, burying my face in her shoulder. “But he did. He doesn’t want me around, Rosa. I’m just… I’m just a failure to him.”

Pikachu nuzzled my cheek, letting out a comforting “Pika pi.”

Rosa pulled back slightly, cupping my face in her hands. “Listen to me. I don’t know your brother like you do, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Mia. He cares about you—a lot. Maybe he’s just bad at showing it.”

I frowned, wiping at my eyes. “You think so?”

Rosa nodded firmly. “Absolutely. Sometimes people have a hard time expressing their feelings, especially when they’re like your brother—quiet and, well, kind of legendary. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.”

I let her words sink in, my heart aching but feeling slightly lighter. “I don’t know, Rosa. What if you’re wrong? What if he really does hate me?”

“Then prove me wrong,” Rosa said, smiling softly. “Talk to him. Ask him how he really feels. I bet you’ll find out he loves you more than you think.”

I hesitated, glancing in the direction where Red, Blue, and Leaf stood surrounded by my friends. “What if he just ignores me again?”

“Then I’ll be right there with you,” Rosa said, standing up and offering me her hand. “And so will Pikachu. Right, Pikachu?”

“Pika!” Pikachu agreed, hopping to my shoulder and nudging me encouragingly.

I looked at them both, my heart swelling with gratitude. “Okay,” I said softly, taking Rosa’s hand. “Let’s go.”

As we approached the group, my stomach twisted with nerves. Red’s back was to me, but Blue noticed me first. His expression softened, and he gave me a small nod.

“Hey, Red,” Blue said, nudging him with his elbow. “Look who’s here.”

Red turned slowly, his crimson eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, his expression was unreadable, and I felt my heart sink.

But then, something unexpected happened. His eyes softened, and he took a step toward me.

“R-Red,” I stammered, my voice trembling. “I… I wanted to talk to you.”

He tilted his head slightly, a silent invitation to continue.

I clenched my fists, summoning all my courage. “I thought… I thought you didn’t love me. That you hated me. But I need to know—do you?”

The silence was deafening. Red’s gaze didn’t waver, but he didn’t move either.

Rosa nudged me gently. “He’s mute, Mia. He won’t say anything. But watch—he’ll tell you in his own way.”

Red reached into his pocket and pulled out something small. My eyes widened as he handed it to me—a tiny, intricately carved wooden Pikachu.

I looked up at him, tears welling in my eyes. “You… you made this for me?”

He nodded, his lips twitching into the faintest of smiles. Then, to my utter surprise, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me in a tight, protective hug.

I froze for a moment, stunned, before finally hugging him back. Tears streamed down my face as I clung to him, my heart overflowing with relief and love.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I love you, Red.”

He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet my gaze, and gave me a look so full of warmth and affection that it told me everything I needed to know.

Rosa grinned from ear to ear. “Told you so.”

Blue smirked, crossing his arms. “Well, I guess he does have a soft side after all.”

Leaf chuckled. “He’s just full of surprises, isn’t he?”

I smiled up at Red, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. He may not have said the words, but his actions spoke volumes. My big brother loved me—so much, so so so much—and I would never doubt it again.

____

____

Rosa held me tightly as I broke down, tears streaming down my cheeks. Pikachu nuzzled against me, trying her best to comfort me.

"That doesn't sound like the Red everyone knows," Rosa said softly, her hand gently rubbing my back.

"But it's true!" I sobbed. "He always pushes me away, and it's like I don't exist to him. I try so hard, Rosa, but he never notices. It’s like he’s ashamed of me!"

Rosa stayed silent for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Finally, she said, "Maybe he’s not good at showing how he feels? I mean, he’s quiet, right? It’s probably hard for him to express how much you mean to him."

I sniffled and looked at her skeptically. "Then why would he tell me to go and never come back?"

Rosa frowned. "Did he really say that? Or was it something you thought he meant?"

I paused, her words striking a chord. My mind replayed the memory, the hurt still fresh. "He… he wrote it down," I muttered. "He didn’t say it, but he wrote it. He made it clear."

Rosa bit her lip, clearly troubled. "Maybe you misunderstood why he wrote it? Or maybe he was trying to protect you somehow? Red’s a good guy, Mia. I’ve heard so many stories about him being brave and kind. I can’t believe he’d hate you."

I shook my head, frustration building. "You don’t get it, Rosa. You don’t see the way he looks at me, like I’m a problem he can’t solve. Like he wishes I wasn’t around."

Before Rosa could respond, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. My heart sank when I looked up and saw Red standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable. Leaf and Blue were with him, their faces a mixture of concern and confusion.

"Mia?" Leaf said gently. "We’ve been looking for you."

I quickly wiped my tears, avoiding their gazes. "I’m fine," I said quickly. "You didn’t need to."

But Red wasn’t fooled. He crouched down to my level, his intense gaze locking onto mine. His hands moved swiftly, signing something I couldn’t understand.

I glared at him. "Stop it, Red. I don’t know what you’re trying to say, and honestly, I don’t care."

Leaf knelt beside him, her voice soft. "Mia, he’s trying to explain. Can I translate for you?"

I hesitated, my fists clenched. Finally, I nodded.

Leaf sighed and turned to Red, who signed again. She watched carefully before looking back at me. "He says… he’s sorry. He didn’t mean for you to think he hated you. He was scared."

"Scared?" I asked, my voice rising in disbelief. "Scared of what? Of me?"

Red shook his head furiously, his hands moving again.

Leaf translated, her tone filled with emotion. "He was scared because he thought you’d get hurt if you stayed too close to him. He doesn’t want to lose you, Mia. He loves you more than anything, but he didn’t know how to protect you and show it at the same time."

My breath hitched, my tears threatening to spill again. "He… he loves me?"

Red nodded, his eyes shimmering with an intensity I’d never seen before. He reached out hesitantly, his hand brushing against mine.

For the first time in forever, I felt the warmth of his embrace as he pulled me into a hug. My heart swelled, and I clung to him tightly, sobbing into his chest.

"I thought you hated me," I whispered, my voice muffled.

Red shook his head, holding me even closer.

Leaf smiled gently, wiping her own eyes. "I think he’s been trying to tell you all along, Mia. You just didn’t see it."

Pikachu leapt onto Red’s shoulder, nuzzling against him as if she, too, was forgiving him.

Rosa, who had been watching quietly, smiled brightly. "See? I told you he loved you."

For the first time in what felt like forever, I believed it. My big brother didn’t hate me. He loved me—so much, in fact, that he just didn’t know how to show it.

And in that moment, I decided I’d never doubt it again.

-----

-----

Rosa’s hug tightened as I choked back a sob, trying to keep myself together. She rubbed my back gently, her voice soft and soothing.

“Mia, sometimes people say things they don’t mean,” she said. “Maybe he was upset, or maybe he just doesn’t know how to show how much he cares about you. I mean, you’re his little sister—how could he not love you?”

I sniffled, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. “But he doesn’t act like it anymore. He used to be different, you know? When we were kids, he’d always carry me on his shoulders, he’d hug me whenever I was sad, and he’d even sneak me extra snacks when Mom wasn’t looking. I just… I just want that Red back.”

Pikachu nuzzled against my cheek, her soft fur comforting. “Pika pika,” she murmured.

Rosa tilted her head thoughtfully. “Do you think maybe he’s trying to protect you by being distant? Like, maybe he’s scared of something happening to you because he loves you so much.”

I shook my head, my voice trembling. “If he loved me, he wouldn’t have told me to leave and never come back.”

Rosa hesitated, then reached out to take my hand. “Mia, you’re strong, kind, and so full of life. I don’t believe for a second that Red hates you. Maybe he’s just bad at showing how he feels now that he’s older. You should talk to him. Really talk to him.”

I looked down at the sand, tracing little patterns with my finger. “What if he doesn’t want to listen?”

Rosa smiled warmly. “Then you make him listen. Because you’re his little sister, and he owes you that much.”

Before I could respond, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned and froze when I saw him—Red, standing a few feet away. His usual stoic expression softened slightly as his eyes landed on me.

“Mia,” Rosa whispered, nudging me gently. “Go talk to him.”

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. Then, slowly, I stood up, Pikachu hopping onto my shoulder for support. I took a deep breath and stepped toward him.

“Red,” I said, my voice quieter than I wanted it to be. “Can we… talk?”

He nodded, his gaze steady but unreadable.

Rosa gave me an encouraging thumbs-up before stepping back to give us space.

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling. “Why don’t you like me anymore?” I blurted out.

His eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“You used to be so nice to me,” I continued, my voice cracking. “You used to care about me. But now… now you act like I don’t matter. Like you don’t even want me around. Why?”

Red’s lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out. Instead, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small notebook and a pen. He scribbled something down and held it out to me.

“I’ve always cared about you. I just don’t know how to show it anymore.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I read his words. “Then why did you tell me to leave? Why did you push me away?”

He looked away, his jaw tightening. After a moment, he wrote again.

“I thought it would keep you safe. I didn’t want you to get hurt because of me.”

I stared at him, my heart aching. “But you did hurt me, Red. More than anyone else ever could.”

He flinched, his expression pained. Then, without warning, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me.

I froze for a moment, shocked, before melting into his embrace. It was the first time he’d hugged me in years, and it felt like coming home.

“I missed this,” I whispered, clutching his jacket. “I missed you.”

He tightened his hold on me, and I felt him nod against my shoulder.

From a distance, Rosa smiled, wiping a tear from her cheek. "Told you," she whispered to herself.

____

____

Rosa tightened her hug around me as I broke into sobs. Pikachu nuzzled my cheek, trying her best to comfort me, but the hurt in my chest felt too big to contain.

Rosa’s voice was soft, filled with kindness. “Mia, sometimes the people we love the most have a hard time showing how much they care. Maybe Red’s just... bad at expressing it.”

I shook my head, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. “No, Rosa. It’s not just that. He used to be different. When we were kids, he was everything to me—my hero. He used to carry me around, hug me when I was scared, and tell me I was the best little sister ever. Now, it’s like... I don’t even exist to him.”

Rosa frowned, her brows furrowed in thought. “What changed?”

“I don’t know!” I cried, throwing my hands up. “Maybe it’s because I mess up a lot, or because I’m not as strong as he is. I’ve tried so hard to make him proud, but nothing works. It’s like... like I’ll never be enough for him.”

Rosa gently took my hands in hers, her gaze steady. “Mia, you are more than enough. You don’t have to be like him or impress him for him to love you. And honestly? I don’t believe for a second that he hates you.”

I sniffled, looking at her doubtfully. “How do you know?”

“Because I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching,” Rosa said, smiling softly. “There’s no hate in his eyes, Mia. Just worry. Maybe he pushes you away because he’s afraid of something—like losing you.”

I blinked, her words sinking in slowly. “You think so?”

Rosa nodded. “I do. And I think you should talk to him. Really talk to him. Tell him how you feel.”

I hesitated, glancing back at the direction where Red and the others were. “What if he doesn’t care?”

“I think you’ll be surprised,” Rosa said, giving me a reassuring squeeze.

I took a deep breath, letting her words settle. Maybe she was right. Maybe... just maybe, there was still a chance to fix things with Red.

Before I could decide, I heard someone approaching. I looked up and froze.

There he was—Red.

He stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable as always, but his eyes... they weren’t cold. They were soft, almost hesitant.

Rosa glanced between us and smiled. “I’ll give you two some space.” She stood, patting my shoulder before walking off with Pikachu following behind.

It was just me and Red now.

“Hey,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t say anything—of course, he couldn’t—but he slowly sat down next to me in the sand.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched, but it wasn’t as heavy as I thought it would be.

Finally, I found the courage to speak. “Red... do you hate me?”

His head whipped toward me, his eyes wide with shock.

“I mean, I know I’m not perfect,” I continued, staring down at the sand. “And I mess up a lot. But I try, Red. I really try. I just... I miss you. The old you. The brother who used to carry me and hug me and... and make me feel like I mattered.”

When I dared to look up at him, I saw something I hadn’t expected—tears. They welled up in his eyes, and before I could say another word, he pulled me into a tight hug.

I gasped, my heart skipping a beat. “Red?”

His arms trembled as he held me close, his grip firm but gentle, like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go.

“I’m sorry,” I heard him whisper—not with words, but in the way he clung to me, the way his body shook with emotion.

I buried my face in his shoulder, tears streaming down my cheeks. “I missed you so much,” I choked out.

Red pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes filled with a depth of emotion I’d never seen before. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his notepad and scribbling something quickly.

When he held it up, my heart melted.

"You’re my little sister. I could never hate you. I love you more than anything."

I broke down, throwing my arms around him again. “I love you too, Red. So, so much.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like I had my brother back. And it was everything I’d ever wanted.