Rosa held me tighter as I buried my face in her shoulder, tears spilling down my cheeks. "I just want him to love me like he used to," I whispered, my voice breaking. "He used to carry me around, tell me stories, and protect me from everything. Now, it’s like I don’t even exist to him."

Rosa rubbed my back gently. "I don’t believe that. Maybe something happened to him—something that made it harder for him to show how much he cares."

I sniffled, pulling back slightly to look at her. "But why can’t he just say it? Or show it? I’d give anything for one hug. Just one."

Pikachu crawled into my lap, nuzzling me as if to offer comfort.

Rosa gave me a small, reassuring smile. "Mia, I know it hurts. But I don’t think Red hates you. Maybe he’s scared or doesn’t know how to express himself anymore. He’s been through a lot, hasn’t he?"

I nodded slowly, wiping my eyes. "Yeah... but that doesn’t mean he can just push me away. I’ve been trying so hard to be someone he’d be proud of, and it’s like he doesn’t even notice."

Before Rosa could respond, a shadow fell over us. I looked up to see Red standing there, his expression unreadable. Blue, Leaf, and the others were behind him, their faces filled with concern.

I froze, my heart pounding. "R-Red?"

He crouched down in front of me, his eyes meeting mine. For a moment, he didn’t move or say anything, and I felt a wave of panic rising in my chest. What if he’d heard everything?

But then, without warning, he pulled me into a tight hug.

I gasped, my eyes wide as I felt his arms around me—the same protective embrace I’d missed so much. He didn’t say anything, of course, but the way he held me spoke volumes. It was warm, strong, and filled with an emotion I hadn’t felt from him in years.

Tears streamed down my face as I clung to him. "You do love me..." I whispered, my voice trembling. "I thought you didn’t..."

Red pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes soft and full of something I couldn’t quite describe—guilt, maybe, or regret. Slowly, he raised his hand and signed something in the air.

Leaf stepped forward, translating for him. "He says, ‘I’ve always loved you, Mia. I just didn’t know how to show it.’"

My breath hitched, and I threw my arms around him again, crying into his shoulder. "I love you too, Red. So much."

Blue smirked, crossing his arms. "Well, this is heartwarming and all, but maybe next time, Mia, just ask him directly instead of drawing in the sand and making Rosa panic."

"Blue!" Leaf snapped, elbowing him.

Rosa laughed softly, wiping her own tears. "I think this is the best outcome we could’ve hoped for."

Pikachu climbed onto Red’s shoulder, nuzzling him affectionately. He smiled faintly, reaching up to pat her head before turning back to me.

For the first time in years, I felt like I had my brother back.

Rosa tightened her hold on me as I started to cry. “I just want my big brother back,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “The one who used to carry me on his shoulders and tell me everything would be okay. But now… he just pushes me away.”

Pikachu nuzzled against my side, letting out a soft, sympathetic “Pika-pi.”

Rosa pulled back slightly to look at me. “Mia, I don’t know Red like you do, but… maybe there’s more to this than you think. Maybe he’s not pushing you away because he doesn’t care. Maybe it’s because he cares too much.”

I frowned, wiping at my eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it,” Rosa said gently. “Red’s been through a lot, hasn’t he? Battling all those Trainers, becoming the Champion, taking on challenges most people can’t even dream of. That kind of pressure changes people. Maybe he’s scared he’ll hurt you or let you down.”

I sniffled, glancing back at the group in the distance. Red stood with his arms crossed, his expression as stoic as ever while Misty and the others chatted animatedly. He wasn’t smiling, but he also wasn’t pushing anyone away.

“But he never talks to me,” I said quietly. “He doesn’t even try.”

Rosa smiled softly. “Maybe he doesn’t know how. He’s mute, right? That must make it hard for him to say what he’s feeling. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you, Mia.”

I looked down at the sand, tracing shapes with my finger. “I just wish he’d show it. I miss him, Rosa. I miss us.”

Before Rosa could respond, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Red standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable. My heart clenched.

“Red…” I started, but my voice trailed off.

He crouched down in front of me, pulling something from his pocket. It was a small notebook, the kind he always carried with him. He flipped to a page, then turned it around so I could see.

The words were simple but clear: I’ve missed you too.

My breath hitched, and I stared at him, unsure if I’d read it right. “You… you have?”

Red nodded, his eyes softening. He pointed to another line he’d written beneath the first: I’m sorry if I made you feel like I don’t care. I do. More than anything.

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time, they weren’t from sadness. I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I missed you so much!”

For a moment, he didn’t move, and I feared he’d push me away like before. But then, slowly, his arms came up to hug me back. It wasn’t the tight, carefree hug I remembered from when we were younger, but it was there. It was real.

Pikachu hopped onto Red’s shoulder, nuzzling him with a happy “Pika!”

Rosa smiled from behind me. “See? He does love you.”

When I pulled back, Red looked down at me, then scribbled something else in his notebook: I’ll try to be better. I promise.

I wiped at my eyes, smiling through the tears. “You’re already the best, Red. I just… I just wanted to know you still cared.”

He nodded, ruffling my hair like he used to when we were kids. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe—just maybe—we’d be okay.

The waves lapped gently at the shore as I poured my heart out to Rosa, my tears mixing with the sand I was drawing on. She held me close, her warmth comforting but not enough to fill the void in my heart.

"I just... I just wish things were like they used to be," I whispered, my voice trembling. "When we were kids, Red would always look out for me. He’d carry me on his shoulders, call me his little sunshine, and he was always smiling. Now... he doesn’t even smile at me."

Rosa rubbed my back gently, her voice soothing. "Mia, I don’t think he hates you. Maybe he’s just... going through something? Or maybe there’s a reason he’s been acting that way."

I shook my head, hugging my knees. "I don’t know, Rosa. I’ve tried everything. I’ve trained so hard with Pikachu, tried to show him I could be strong like him, but... it’s like nothing I do is enough. I just want him to be proud of me again."

"Pika..." Pikachu nuzzled my cheek, her sparks faintly buzzing as if trying to cheer me up.

Rosa smiled softly. "Maybe he is proud of you, but he just doesn’t know how to show it."

Before I could reply, a familiar voice interrupted us.

"Mia."

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Slowly, I turned around to see Red standing there, his expression unreadable. Leaf and Blue stood a short distance away, their gazes filled with concern. My friends—Misty, Brock, Gary, and Barry—were watching from behind a tree, clearly curious but staying out of the way.

"Red," I whispered, scrambling to my feet. "I... I didn’t mean for you to hear that."

He shook his head and stepped closer, his eyes softening as they met mine. Then, without a word, he did something I hadn’t expected in a long time—he pulled me into a hug.

My breath caught in my throat as I felt his arms around me, strong and protective, just like they used to be. For a moment, I didn’t know what to do.

"I’m sorry," he whispered, his voice quiet but steady.

I blinked, pulling back just enough to look up at him. "Wait... what?"

Red sighed, his grip on my shoulders firm but gentle. He looked at me with an expression I hadn’t seen in years—warmth, regret, and so much love that it made my chest ache.

"I didn’t mean to push you away," he said, his voice hoarse. "I thought I was protecting you. That day when I told you to go and never come back... it was because there was a bomb. I didn’t want you to get hurt."

I stared at him, my mind racing. "A... a bomb?"

He nodded, his gaze dropping for a moment before meeting mine again. "I couldn’t risk you being there. And ever since then, I’ve been trying to keep you safe, but... I guess I didn’t realize how much it hurt you."

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time they weren’t from sadness. "Red... you don’t hate me?"

His eyes widened, and he shook his head vehemently. "Never. Mia, you’re my little sister. I love you more than anything in this world. I’m sorry I made you feel otherwise."

I couldn’t hold back the sob that escaped me as I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. "I missed you, Red. I missed you so much."

He held me tightly, his hand gently stroking my hair. "I missed you too, sunshine."

Behind us, I heard Rosa sniffle, and when I glanced back, she was wiping her eyes with a smile on her face. Pikachu was buzzing happily, and even Leaf and Blue looked a little misty-eyed.

"Alright, you two," Blue called out, grinning. "As touching as this is, maybe save some of the drama for later? We’ve got a whole beach day ahead of us!"

Red chuckled softly—a sound I hadn’t heard in ages—and I couldn’t help but laugh too. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt whole again. My big brother was back, and this time, I wasn’t letting go.

Rosa tightened her embrace, her voice soft and soothing. "Mia, I don’t believe Red hates you. He’s your brother. Maybe he just doesn’t know how to show it anymore."

I sniffled, burying my face in my hands. “He used to be so kind, Rosa. When we were little, he’d carry me everywhere, play games with me, and protect me from anything. But now… now he doesn’t even look at me like I’m his sister. It’s like I’m just… there.”

Pikachu nuzzled against my arm, her tiny paws resting on me as if to remind me she was there, too.

Rosa tilted her head, thinking for a moment. “Mia, people change. Maybe he’s dealing with something, too. You should try talking to him—tell him how you feel.”

I froze, shaking my head vigorously. “No! I can’t!”

“Why not?”

“Because…” I hesitated, feeling the lump in my throat grow. “Because I’m scared of him.”

Rosa’s eyes widened in shock. “Scared? Why?”

Tears pricked at my eyes, and I hugged Pikachu tightly, as if she were my shield. “I keep having these nightmares, Rosa. Nightmares where the people I love hurt me. They whip me, yell at me, and say horrible things. And Red… he’s always the worst in them. He’s so angry, and I can’t… I just can’t face him.”

Rosa’s face softened with understanding. She didn’t speak right away, giving me a moment to collect myself.

“Mia,” she said finally, her tone gentle but firm. “Dreams aren’t real. They’re just your fears playing tricks on you. Red would never hurt you like that, I’m sure of it. And if you’re scared, then that’s all the more reason to talk to him. You need to tell him how you feel, or nothing will ever change.”

I wiped my eyes, looking down at the sand. “But what if he doesn’t care? What if he really does hate me?”

Rosa shook her head. “He doesn’t hate you, Mia. I’ve seen the way he looks at you from afar, like he’s afraid of losing you. He’s just… distant. But maybe he’s waiting for you to reach out, too.”

Before I could respond, a shadow fell over us. I looked up to see Misty, Brock, and Gary standing there, looking concerned. Behind them, Red, Blue, and Leaf were approaching slowly, Red’s expression unreadable as always.

“Mia,” Misty said softly, kneeling down next to me. “Are you okay?”

I didn’t answer, my eyes darting to Red. He stopped a few feet away, his gaze locking onto mine. My heart pounded, fear and hope clashing inside me.

Rosa gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “Go on, Mia. Say what you need to say.”

I swallowed hard, my voice trembling as I finally spoke. “Red… can we talk?”

Red tilted his head slightly, his expression softening just enough to make me wonder if Rosa was right. He nodded, motioning for me to follow him away from the group.

I stood up, my legs shaking as I walked beside him. Pikachu perched on my shoulder, her presence comforting.

When we were far enough away, I stopped, clutching my hands together. “Red… do you hate me?”

His eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head quickly, his expression turning to one of alarm.

“Then why do you act like you do?” I blurted out, tears streaming down my face. “You never hug me back, you’re always angry, and you look at me like I’m some kind of burden! What did I do wrong?”

Red’s face fell, and for the first time in years, I saw real emotion in his eyes—regret, sadness, and something that looked like guilt. He hesitated before stepping closer, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I flinched slightly, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he slowly brought his other hand up, signing something with trembling fingers.

I’m sorry.

I stared at him, my heart aching. “You’re sorry? For what?”

He hesitated again before signing more. For being distant. For making you feel like I don’t care. I do, Mia. More than anything.

Tears streamed down my face as I choked out, “Then why? Why did you push me away?”

Red’s hands shook as he signed, I was scared. I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t know how to be what you needed.

I reached out, grabbing his hand. “You’re my brother, Red. That’s all I ever needed you to be.”

His expression crumbled, and for the first time since we were kids, he pulled me into a hug. It was tentative at first, but when I didn’t pull away, he tightened his grip, holding me as if he’d never let go.

“I missed you,” I whispered, my voice muffled against his chest.

Red nodded, his arms shaking slightly. I missed you, too.

The beach was quiet except for the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore. Rosa held me tightly as I buried my face into her shoulder, tears quietly soaking her shirt. Pikachu stayed close, her tiny paw resting on my hand.

"Mia, I don’t think your brother hates you," Rosa said softly, stroking my hair.

I sniffled, pulling back just enough to look at her. "How do you know? You’ve never seen the way he looks at me… like I’m a disappointment."

Rosa frowned, her brows knitting together. "Maybe you’re misreading it. Red’s not really great at showing emotions, right? He’s mute. Maybe he just doesn’t know how to show he cares."

"But he used to," I whispered. "When we were little, he’d carry me everywhere. He’d hug me if I got scared. I felt safe with him. But now…" I looked down, clutching my knees. "Now I’m just scared of him."

Rosa blinked in surprise. "Scared of him? Why would you be scared of your own brother?"

I hesitated, my fingers tracing patterns in the sand. "I… I’ve been having these nightmares, Rosa. Nightmares where the people I love—Red, you, Misty, everyone—hurt me. Whip me, yell at me… leave me." My voice cracked on the last word, and tears welled up again.

"Oh, Mia…" Rosa’s arms tightened around me, her warmth comforting but not enough to chase away the cold fear in my chest.

"No one knows," I admitted. "Not Misty, not Gary, not even Pikachu. But when I see Red, I keep thinking… what if the nightmares are right? What if he really does hate me?"

Rosa shook her head firmly. "Mia, nightmares aren’t real. And I don’t think Red could ever hate you. He’s your brother. I’ve seen the way he looks out for you, even if he doesn’t say much. You should talk to him."

I stared at her, my stomach twisting. "Talk to him? What if… what if he tells me to leave again? What if he…" My voice dropped to a whisper. "What if he hurts me?"

Rosa’s expression softened, and she took my hands in hers. "You won’t know until you try. And I’ll be right here with you if you need me."

Before I could respond, a shadow fell over us. I looked up to see Red standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable but his eyes fixed on me.

My heart leapt into my throat. "R-Red…"

He didn’t say anything—of course, he couldn’t—but he crouched down, his hands resting on his knees as he watched me.

Rosa nudged me gently. "Go on," she whispered.

I swallowed hard, wiping my eyes and sitting up straighter. "Red… I have a question. If we talk… you’re not gonna… beat me to death, are you?"

Red’s eyes widened, his usually calm demeanor breaking as surprise—and what looked like hurt—flickered across his face. He shook his head vehemently, his hands moving quickly in a gesture that I couldn’t quite interpret but that Rosa seemed to understand.

"He’s saying no," she said softly, her hand on my back.

I hesitated, searching his face for any sign of anger or rejection, but all I saw was concern. Tentatively, I reached out to him. "Do you… do you hate me, Red?"

He froze for a moment, then shook his head so firmly it was almost comical. He pointed at me, then placed a hand over his heart, his expression serious.

I blinked. "You… love me?"

He nodded, his eyes softening as he held out his arms slightly, an invitation.

A sob escaped my throat, and I threw myself into his arms, clutching his shirt as I cried. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, just like he used to when we were kids, and for the first time in a long time, I felt safe.

"I thought you hated me," I mumbled against his chest. "I thought I’d lost you."

He shook his head again, holding me even closer as if to say he’d never let that happen.

Rosa smiled, wiping a tear from her own eye as she stood up, giving us a little space. Pikachu climbed onto Red’s shoulder, nuzzling him affectionately, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like everything might just be okay.

Rosa’s hug tightened around me as I buried my face in my hands. Pikachu nuzzled closer, her small paw resting on my shoulder.

"Mia," Rosa said softly, her voice steady and soothing, "I know it feels like that, but... maybe it’s not what you think. Maybe he just doesn’t know how to show it anymore."

I shook my head, my voice muffled. "You don’t understand, Rosa. He used to be everything to me. He’d carry me on his shoulders, tuck me in when I was scared, tell me I was his little star. But now... it’s like I don’t exist to him. And it hurts. So much."

Rosa was silent for a moment, then she gently pulled back, looking me straight in the eyes. "Have you told him this? Does he know how you feel?"

I hesitated, my hands clenching into fists. "No. I’m too scared. What if... what if he really doesn’t care anymore? What if he really... hates me?"

Her expression softened further. "Mia, you’re his sister. He doesn’t hate you. Maybe... he’s just bad at showing how much he loves you. Some people are like that, you know?"

Before I could reply, a shadow loomed over us. Rosa looked up, her eyes widening slightly. I turned slowly, my breath hitching when I saw who it was.

Red stood there, silent as always, his expression unreadable. His arms were crossed, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—concern, maybe?

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. For a moment, it felt like the nightmares were real again, like the whip would come out, and I’d be left sobbing in the sand.

Rosa noticed the way I was trembling and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Red," she said cautiously, "maybe you should sit down. Mia’s... feeling a little upset."

Red didn’t move at first, but then he crouched down in front of me, his gaze steady. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small notepad and a pen.

He scribbled something down before showing it to me.

"What’s wrong?"

I stared at the words, my lip trembling. Rosa nudged me gently, encouraging me to speak, but I couldn’t. My chest felt tight, and my voice felt trapped.

Finally, I blurted out the question that had haunted me for so long. "You’re not gonna... b-beat me to death if I talk, are you?"

Red’s eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he looked completely frozen. Then, in an instant, his notepad and pen fell to the sand as he reached out, his hands trembling slightly.

He didn’t touch me at first, as if afraid he might scare me more. But then he slowly cupped my face, his thumbs brushing away the tears I hadn’t even realized were falling.

He mouthed something, but no sound came out. His eyes, though—those told me everything. They were full of worry, of guilt, of something I couldn’t quite place but desperately wanted to believe in.

Finally, he managed to write something else on his notepad, his handwriting a little shaky.

"Mia, I could never hurt you. Never."

I stared at the words, my heart clenching. "But... you told me to leave. You told me to never come back!"

Red shook his head frantically, scribbling again.

"No. I was angry. I didn’t mean it. I regret it every day."

His hands moved quickly as he kept writing, almost as if he were racing against time.

"You’re my sister. I love you. I’m proud of you. I miss you. Please believe me."

My breath hitched, and I looked up at him, my vision blurred with tears. "You... you’re proud of me?"

He nodded emphatically, his expression so earnest it made my chest ache.

Rosa gave me a gentle squeeze before standing up. "I think you two need some time alone," she said with a soft smile, walking a little farther down the beach with Pikachu trailing behind her.

I looked back at Red, who was now sitting beside me, his notepad still in hand.

"Red," I whispered, my voice trembling, "I just... I want my big brother back. The one who used to carry me around and make me feel safe. I’m scared of you now, and I don’t want to be."

Red’s face crumpled, and he immediately wrote something else.

"I’ll do anything to fix this. Anything. Just tell me how."

I stared at the words, my heart aching. Slowly, I reached out and grabbed his hand, holding it tightly. "Don’t leave me again. That’s all I want."

Red dropped the notepad and pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around me protectively. For the first time in years, I felt like that little girl again—the one who believed her big brother could take on the whole world.

And maybe, just maybe, he still could.

Rosa held me tighter, her warmth doing little to dispel the ache in my chest. “Mia, I can’t imagine how hard that must feel. But… are you sure Red hates you? Maybe it’s just—”

I shook my head furiously, tears spilling over. “No, Rosa! You don’t understand. He told me to leave and never come back! He said I was an embarrassment!” My voice cracked, and Pikachu nuzzled against me.

Rosa’s expression softened further. “Mia… when did he say that?”

“Last year,” I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper. “Right before I left Pallet Town.”

Rosa tilted her head. “But… are you sure he actually said those words? Or could it have been something you thought he meant?”

I opened my mouth to argue but faltered. My memories felt like a blur—words twisting, emotions amplifying. And then there were the nightmares...

“He didn’t have to say it exactly,” I whispered. “It was in the way he looked at me. Like I didn’t matter. And now, every time I see him, I feel like… like I’m going to mess up again. Like he’s going to yell at me or—”

I hesitated, my stomach knotting.

“Or what?” Rosa asked gently.

I stared at the sand. “Or he’s going to hurt me.”

Rosa’s eyes widened. “Mia! Red would never do that!”

“I don’t know that,” I replied, my voice trembling. “Because sometimes, it’s like I can hear him yelling, calling me useless, saying he’s better off without me. And in my dreams… in my dreams, he’s so angry, Rosa. He… he hurts me.”

Rosa looked horrified. “Oh, Mia…”

“But I don’t know what’s real anymore!” I cried, clutching Pikachu like a lifeline. “Because when I woke up this morning, I swore it happened. I swore he told me to leave and never come back. But now I don’t even know if he really said that or if… if I just imagined it.”

Rosa frowned, her brows furrowed. “Mia, you’re my best friend, and I believe you, but this doesn’t sound like Red at all. Maybe… maybe you should talk to him? Tell him how you feel?”

I let out a shaky laugh. “Yeah, right. And what if he does get angry? What if he says it’s true, that he wishes I was gone?”

Rosa smiled softly, brushing a tear off my cheek. “Mia, if Red really loves you—and I think he does—he won’t say that. You just have to trust him.”

I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure I could trust him—not after everything my mind had convinced me of.

But fate didn’t give me much choice.

“Hey, Mia!” Blue’s voice rang out from behind me.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Slowly, I turned to see Red standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable. Blue, Leaf, Misty, and the others hung back, watching curiously.

Red’s eyes softened when they met mine, but all I could see was anger—imagined or not. My hands trembled as I stood up, Pikachu hopping off my lap.

I swallowed hard. “Red… I-I have a question.”

He tilted his head slightly, his way of telling me to go on.

I took a shaky breath. “If we talk… you’re not gonna beat me to death, are you?”

Everyone froze. Blue’s jaw dropped, Misty gasped, and Rosa looked like she wanted to cry.

But Red? Red’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief and something else—worry. Deep, gut-wrenching worry. He shook his head furiously, stepping forward.

“You’re not?” I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

He shook his head again, his movements desperate, as if he couldn’t deny it enough. He placed a hand over his heart, looking at me with such hurt and confusion that it nearly broke me.

“Mia,” Leaf said softly, stepping closer. “Why would you think Red would ever do something like that?”

“Because…” I stammered, my voice cracking. “Because he told me to go and never come back! He said I was useless! He said…”

Red shook his head violently again, his expression pleading.

Blue stepped forward, his face serious. “Mia, Red never said that. Not once. I’ve been with him almost every day for the past year. He’s been worried about you, not angry.”

I looked at Red, my heart pounding. “But… but I remember—”

Red stepped closer, kneeling in front of me. He placed a hand over mine, his eyes shining with emotion. Slowly, he pointed to his chest, then to me, his way of saying, I love you.

My breath hitched. “You… you do?”

He nodded, tears brimming in his eyes.

All the fear, confusion, and pain I’d been holding in came crashing down, and I collapsed into his arms, sobbing.

“I’m sorry,” I choked out. “I’m so sorry, Red. I thought… I thought you hated me.”

He shook his head, holding me tightly. His embrace was warm and safe—just like I remembered from when we were kids.

“I missed you,” I whispered. “I just wanted my big brother back.”

Red pulled back slightly, looking me in the eyes. Then he smiled—a small, soft smile that spoke louder than any words ever could.

I smiled back, for the first time in what felt like forever.

The waves lapped gently against the shore as Rosa held me in a comforting embrace. Pikachu nuzzled my side, her warmth grounding me even as my emotions swirled like a storm inside.

“It’s not true,” Rosa repeated softly, her voice gentle yet firm. “You’re not filthy, and there’s no way Red hates you. No one could hate you, Mia.”

I sniffled, wiping my tears on my sleeve. “Then why does it feel like he does? Why does it feel like I’m invisible to him?”

Rosa hesitated, her brow furrowing. “Maybe… it’s not him, Mia. Maybe it’s something you’re telling yourself. Something that’s not real.”

I looked at her sharply, my chest tightening. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” Rosa said carefully, “sometimes, when we’re scared or sad, our minds can play tricks on us. They make us believe things that aren’t true, like someone hating us when they don’t. Could that be happening here?”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words caught in my throat. Memories of Red’s supposed coldness and anger flickered in my mind, but they felt… strange now. Unclear. Like looking at reflections in a rippling pond.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “It felt so real. I dream about it all the time. I see him yelling at me, telling me to leave, calling me useless. I thought it was real, Rosa. How could it not be real?”

Rosa’s expression softened, and she reached out to take my hand. “Dreams and fears can feel real, Mia. But that doesn’t make them true. Have you ever asked Red about it? Told him how you feel?”

“No,” I said, my throat tightening again. “I was too scared. What if he does hate me? What if it’s not just in my head?”

“Mia.” Rosa’s voice was firm now, but kind. “The only way to know is to ask him. I think you’ll find he doesn’t hate you at all. In fact… I think he loves you more than you realize.”

I shook my head, tears spilling down my cheeks again. “I don’t think I can, Rosa. What if I’m wrong? What if I’m right?”

Rosa squeezed my hand. “You’re braver than you think. And I’ll be here for you, no matter what. But I really think you’ll be surprised by what he says.”

I bit my lip, staring down at the sand where I’d been doodling aimlessly. A shaky breath escaped me. “Okay. I’ll… I’ll talk to him.”

At that moment, Misty’s voice carried over the beach. “Hey, Mia! Red’s here! He’s looking for you!”

My heart leaped and twisted at the same time. Rosa stood, offering me a hand. “You’ve got this,” she said, her smile warm and encouraging.

I nodded, swallowing hard as I stood. Pikachu hopped onto my shoulder, giving me a supportive nuzzle. “Pika-pi.”

Together, we walked back toward the group. And there, standing tall and silent as always, was Red. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something—concern, maybe? Worry?

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “Red,” I said, my voice trembling but steady. “I have a question.”

His head tilted slightly, his silent way of encouraging me to go on.

I hesitated, clutching Pikachu close. “If we talk… you’re not gonna beat me to death, are you?”

The reaction was immediate. Red’s eyes widened, his normally stoic expression breaking into one of shock and alarm. He shook his head furiously, his hands coming up as if to say, What? No!

I felt Rosa’s hand on my back, grounding me. “I… I just needed to know,” I said quietly.

Red’s expression softened, and he stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he was afraid of scaring me. He reached out, his hand hovering near my shoulder before gently resting there.

He shook his head again, his eyes meeting mine with a mix of sadness and urgency. Then, he pulled out his notepad, scribbling quickly before handing it to me.

You’re imagining things. I never said or did any of that. I’d never hurt you, Mia. I love you. So much. More than anything.

My hands shook as I read his words, tears streaming down my face. “But… but I dreamed it. I saw it. It felt so real.”

Red gently took the notepad back, writing again. Dreams aren’t real. But I am. And I’m here. I’ll always be here.

I broke down, sobbing as I clung to him. “I’m sorry,” I choked out. “I’m so sorry.”

Red wrapped his arms around me tightly, holding me like he used to when we were kids. And in that moment, I finally felt it—the brother who had always loved me.

Rosa’s hug tightened as I let out a shaky breath, my fingers gripping the edge of my jacket. Pikachu nuzzled against my leg, her soft fur grounding me a little.

"I don't know what to do anymore, Rosa," I whispered. "Every time I see him, I just… I feel so small. Like I’m not enough."

Rosa pulled back, her hands resting on my shoulders. "Mia, listen to me. You’re enough. You’re more than enough. I don’t know what’s going on between you and Red, but there’s no way he hates you."

I bit my lip, tears pricking my eyes. "But why does it feel like he does?"

Before Rosa could answer, a shadow fell over us. I looked up to see Misty, her expression filled with concern. Behind her, Brock, Gary, and Barry stood awkwardly, glancing between us and the group of trainers farther down the beach.

"Hey," Misty said softly. "We noticed you didn’t come with us. Are you okay?"

I looked away, wiping at my face. "I’m fine. Just… not feeling great."

Gary stepped forward, tilting his head. "It’s about Red, isn’t it?"

I stiffened, and Rosa shot him a warning look. "Gary!"

"What? It’s obvious," he said, crossing his arms. "You’re always weird when it comes to him."

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I stood up abruptly, brushing sand off my legs. "I need to go."

Before anyone could stop me, I took off toward the water’s edge, Pikachu darting after me. The salty breeze stung my face as I stared out at the waves, my mind swirling with emotions.
----
I didn’t realize how long I’d been standing there until I heard footsteps behind me. Turning, I saw him—Red. My heart raced as he approached, his expression unreadable as always. Blue and Leaf were a few steps behind, but they stopped, giving us space.

Pikachu stepped protectively in front of me, her cheeks sparking slightly.

Red crouched down, meeting my gaze. His eyes softened, and he tilted his head as if to ask, What’s wrong?

I hesitated, my fists clenching. "I… I have a question, Red," I said, my voice trembling. "If we talk… you’re not going to beat me to death, are you?"

Red’s eyes widened in shock, and he straightened up immediately, shaking his head vigorously. His hands moved rapidly as he signed, his expression filled with worry.

I blinked. "What are you saying?"

Blue stepped closer, translating for him. "He’s saying, ‘I would never hurt you. Never. Where did you get that idea?’"

Tears welled up in my eyes again, and I looked away. "But you told me to leave… you told me to never come back. You said I was worthless."

Red froze, his hands falling to his sides. He looked devastated, shaking his head again.

"He says he never said that," Leaf interjected gently. "Not once. Mia, are you sure?"

"I… I thought you did," I whispered. "I’ve been having these dreams, these nightmares, where everyone I love turns on me. And they feel so real, Red. They feel so real that I… I thought…"

Red stepped forward cautiously, his hands hovering near my shoulders before he finally pulled me into a hug. It was hesitant at first, but when I didn’t pull away, he held me tighter.

I froze, my heart pounding. It had been so long since he hugged me like this—since he made me feel safe.

"I’m sorry," I whispered, my voice muffled against his jacket. "I didn’t know what was real anymore."

Red pulled back slightly, cupping my face in his hands. He signed slowly, his eyes never leaving mine.

Blue translated again. "‘You’re my sister. I love you. I’ll always protect you. Whatever’s happening in your mind, we’ll figure it out together. I promise.’"

Tears spilled over as I nodded, clinging to him tightly. "I just… I miss the brother you used to be. The one who carried me everywhere and hugged me all the time."

Red smiled faintly, ruffling my hair. He signed something else, and Blue chuckled.

"He says, ‘I can still carry you if you want.’"

I laughed through my tears, shaking my head. "You don’t have to. Just… stay close, okay?"

Red nodded, his expression full of silent determination. I felt a warmth spread through me, the heavy weight on my chest lifting just a little.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I believed him.

I sat there, drawing aimlessly in the sand as Rosa hugged me, her comforting presence the only thing keeping me from crying harder. Pikachu nestled into my lap, her warm fur against my hands grounding me slightly.

"You know," Rosa said softly, "sometimes we can convince ourselves of things that aren’t true. Especially when we’re scared or upset. Are you sure Red hates you?"

I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. "It feels real," I whispered. "He told me to go and never come back. He looked at me like I was nothing. How can that not be real?"

Rosa tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Have you talked to him about it? Like, really talked to him?"

My hands stilled on the sand. The idea of confronting Red—really confronting him—terrified me. "What if… what if he does hate me? What if he gets angry and… and…"

I couldn’t finish the sentence, but Rosa seemed to understand. She wrapped an arm around my shoulders and squeezed gently. "I don’t think Red would hurt you, Mia. And I don’t think he hates you either. Maybe he’s just… not great at showing how he feels."

Pikachu nuzzled my hand, her small "Pika pi" a quiet encouragement.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Okay. I’ll talk to him. But I’m scared, Rosa. What if I’m wrong? What if he really does hate me?"

Rosa gave me a reassuring smile. "If you’re wrong, then I’ll be right here to remind you that you’re amazing. But I don’t think you’re wrong. I think you’re scared, and that’s okay. Just… give him a chance to explain."

I bit my lip, nodding again. "Okay."

Later that day, I finally mustered the courage to approach Red. He was sitting on a bench near the Pokémon Center, Leaf and Blue chatting nearby. As I approached, my heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest.

Red noticed me immediately, his eyes softening slightly as I stood in front of him. He tilted his head, a silent question.

I hesitated, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. "Red… I have a question."

He gestured for me to sit beside him, but I stayed standing, feeling too jittery to stay still.

"If… if we talk… you’re not gonna beat me to death, are you?"

The words tumbled out before I could stop them, and the look of shock that crossed Red’s face was instant. His eyes widened, his posture stiffened, and his mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to say something—but, of course, he couldn’t.

"Because," I continued, my voice trembling, "I’ve had these dreams. Nightmares, really. And they feel so real. You’d tell me to leave and never come back, and then you’d…" I trailed off, wrapping my arms around myself. "I don’t know what’s real anymore."

Red reached out slowly, his hands trembling as he gently rested them on my shoulders. He shook his head firmly, his eyes full of worry and something else—pain.

"You… you didn’t say any of that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Red shook his head again, more forcefully this time. He tapped his chest, then pointed to me, his eyes locking with mine as if trying to convey something words couldn’t.

"You love me?" I guessed, my voice cracking.

He nodded, his expression softening into something so full of warmth and affection that my chest ached.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I sank onto the bench beside him. "But… but it felt so real, Red. I was so scared."

Red frowned, pulling a notepad from his bag. He scribbled something down quickly and handed it to me.

"Nightmares can feel real, but they’re not. You’re my sister, Mia. I love you. I always have. I never want you to be scared of me."

I read the words over and over, my tears spilling freely now. Red hesitated for a moment before pulling me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around me like a protective shield.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe.

Rosa held me tightly, her warmth seeping into my cold sadness. She gently rubbed my back, her voice soft and soothing. “Mia, that doesn’t sound like the Red you grew up with. Are you sure this isn’t… I don’t know, your fears playing tricks on you?”

I froze, staring at the sand I’d been drawing in. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” she began cautiously, “you told me before how much Red used to love you, how he always protected you and carried you around. It doesn’t sound like someone who would suddenly hate you. Have you talked to him about this?”

I shook my head quickly, the thought of confronting him making my chest tighten. “No! I can’t do that! What if he gets mad? What if…” My voice trailed off, and I hugged my knees to my chest. “What if he really doesn’t want me around?”

Rosa frowned, her brows knitting together. “Mia, I don’t think that’s true. But… if it’s okay, can I ask—what makes you so sure he hates you?”

I hesitated, then started speaking, my voice trembling. “He never smiles at me. He doesn’t hug me back when I try to hug him. And once… once I thought I heard him say he didn’t want me to come back.”

Rosa tilted her head. “You thought you heard him? What do you mean?”

I bit my lip, feeling tears sting my eyes. “I… I’ve been having these nightmares, Rosa. Horrible ones. In them, the people I love—Red, Blue, even you—turn on me. They yell at me, hurt me… it feels so real. And sometimes… I can’t tell what’s real and what’s not anymore.”

Rosa’s eyes widened, her arms tightening around me. “Mia, that’s awful! Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

I sniffled. “I didn’t want to bother anyone. And… I was scared they’d think I was crazy.”

“You’re not crazy,” Rosa said firmly, her voice leaving no room for doubt. “You’re just scared. And it makes sense—those nightmares sound terrible. But you have to talk to Red. He needs to know how you feel. Maybe he can help you figure out what’s real and what isn’t.”

I hesitated, my fingers digging into the sand. “What if… what if he really does hate me?”

Rosa cupped my face, forcing me to look at her. “I don’t think he does. And if he loves you as much as you’ve always said, he’ll want to help you. But you’ll never know unless you try.”

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. Could I really face Red and tell him everything? The nightmares, the fear, the doubt?

Just then, I heard Misty’s voice in the distance. “Hey, Mia! Red’s looking for you!”

I froze, my stomach flipping. Rosa gave me a reassuring smile, her hands still on my shoulders. “You’ve got this,” she said softly.

Taking a deep breath, I stood up, Pikachu climbing onto my shoulder. As Misty waved me over, I saw Red standing in the distance, his eyes scanning the beach until they landed on me.

My legs felt like jelly as I walked toward him, Rosa’s encouragement echoing in my mind. When I finally reached him, I hesitated, my voice barely above a whisper. “Red… can I ask you something?”

He tilted his head, his expression calm but curious.

I fidgeted, my hands gripping my shirt. “If we talk… you’re not going to… you’re not going to beat me, are you?”

His eyes widened in shock, his mouth parting slightly as if he wanted to say something. His hand reached out, resting gently on my shoulder, his touch steady and warm.

Then he shook his head firmly, his expression filled with both surprise and worry.

I blinked, my breath hitching. “You’re not?”

He quickly shook his head again, then pulled out a notebook and scribbled something down. When he showed it to me, my heart skipped a beat.

“I would never hurt you. Ever. Why would you think that?”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stammered, “But… but you told me to leave! You said you didn’t want me around!”

Red frowned, his brows knitting together as he wrote again.

“I never said that. Not once. I don’t know where you got that idea, but it’s not true.”

I stared at the words, my chest tightening. “But… I remember it. I remember you saying it. I…” My voice broke, and I looked away. “I’m so scared, Red. I keep seeing these things, hearing these things, and I don’t know what’s real anymore.”

Red crouched down so we were eye level, his expression softening. He wrote something else and handed it to me.

“You’re not crazy, Mia. You’re just scared. But I need you to know this—I love you. Always have, always will. I’m sorry I made you feel like I didn’t. I’ll do better.”

I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. I threw myself into his arms, and this time, he hugged me back tightly. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe.

“I missed you,” I whispered.

Red pulled back slightly, looking me in the eyes. He smiled—a small, genuine smile that made my heart ache with relief.

And in that moment, I knew he loved me. He always had.

The beach was quiet, the sound of waves crashing against the shore filling the space as I sat in the sand, aimlessly drawing lines and shapes. Rosa sat next to me, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently, breaking the silence.

I shook my head, tears threatening to spill over. "No. Not really."

She waited patiently, not pushing me, until I finally sighed and began to speak. "Okay, hear me out. Remember when I told you about my amazing brother? The one who’s incredible?"

Rosa nodded, her smile encouraging. "Yeah! You said he was the best."

I hesitated, staring at the lines I’d drawn in the sand. "That’s Red. My brother."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Red? The Red? The one who climbed Mt. Silver and beat the Elite Four? Mia, that’s incredible! You’re so lucky!"

I didn’t respond, just kept drawing circles with my finger. Rosa’s excitement faded, replaced with confusion. "Oh. Not so lucky?"

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

Her brows furrowed. "What makes you say that?"

I felt the tears spilling over as I tried to explain. "He’s always angry with me. He never hugs me back. He looks at me like I’m filthy. He doesn’t like Pikachu. And... no matter what I do, I can never make him proud!"

"Pika pi..." Pikachu, sitting beside me, gently patted my head with her small paw, her big eyes filled with sympathy.

Rosa wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. "That can’t be true, Mia. He’s your brother."

"But it is!" I sobbed, my voice cracking. "No matter what, I can never please him! The last time I went to him, he told me to leave and never come back! He... he doesn’t want me around, Rosa! I’m just... a burden."

Rosa rubbed my back soothingly. "Oh, Mia..."

I cried into her shoulder, my words spilling out in broken fragments. "I just... I miss the brother I used to have. The one who would carry me on his shoulders, who’d hug me, who’d tell me everything would be okay. I don’t know what I did wrong to lose him."

Rosa held me tighter, her voice firm but kind. "You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re not a burden, Mia. I don’t think Red hates you. Maybe something’s just... gotten lost between you two."

I sniffled, wiping my face with the back of my hand. "I don’t know. I just... I’m scared of him now. I keep having these nightmares... where the people I love are hurting me. And sometimes... I dream he’s the one whipping me. And when I wake up, it feels so real, like he really wants to hurt me."

Rosa pulled back slightly to look at me, her eyes wide with worry. "Mia, that’s... that’s awful. Have you told anyone about this? Does Red know?"

I shook my head. "No one knows. I just... I don’t want to talk about it. And I can’t tell Red. What if it’s true? What if he really does hate me?"

Rosa hesitated, then said softly, "I don’t think he does. But... maybe you need to talk to him. Just to know for sure."

Later that evening, after much convincing from Rosa, I found myself walking toward where Red was sitting near the campfire with Blue and Leaf. My heart was pounding, and my palms were sweaty as I approached him.

When I finally stood in front of him, my voice came out shakier than I intended. "Red... can I ask you something?"

He looked up at me, his eyes calm but curious.

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling. "If we talk... you’re not gonna beat me to death, are you?"

Red’s eyes widened in shock, his entire body going still. Leaf and Blue both froze, staring at me like I’d grown another head.

"Mia!" Blue said, his voice sharp. "What the heck are you talking about?"

Red quickly stood up, his expression filled with worry. He reached out toward me, but I took a step back, my chest tightening.

"You... you told me to leave and never come back," I blurted out. "You always look at me like you don’t want me around. I just... I thought..." My voice broke, and tears started falling again.

Red shook his head vehemently, stepping closer. He pointed to his mouth, then to his head, trying to explain.

"He’s saying he never said that," Leaf translated gently. "Mia, Red doesn’t talk, remember? He wouldn’t have said anything like that."

"But..." I stammered, my mind racing. "I saw it. I heard it. It felt so real!"

Red frowned, his brows furrowing as he crouched slightly to meet my gaze. He gently took my hands in his, his touch warm and steady. He shook his head again, his eyes pleading with me to believe him.

"He’s saying it was all in your head," Leaf continued softly. "Mia, Red loves you. He would never hurt you."

I looked at him, my voice barely above a whisper. "Really?"

Red nodded firmly, squeezing my hands.

I felt something in me break—relief, guilt, and longing all crashing over me at once. I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. "I’m sorry," I cried. "I’m so sorry, Red. I just... I was so scared."

Red hugged me tightly, one hand gently resting on the back of my head. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe.

Blue cleared his throat awkwardly, but his voice was kind. "See? Told you he’s not the bad guy."

Leaf smiled softly. "It’s going to be okay, Mia. You just need to trust him."

I nodded against Red’s chest, holding on a little tighter. "I missed you," I whispered.

Red held me closer, his actions saying everything he couldn’t.