The room was filled with a tense and painful silence, broken only by Red's gut-wrenching sobs. I had never seen him cry like that before—not when he lost battles, not when his Pokémon were injured, not even when he was hurt. But now, tears streamed down his face, and his body shook as he clung to me.

Leaf was dabbing at her own eyes, Blue looked like he was barely keeping himself together, and Pikachu had leapt onto my lap, rubbing its face against me with worried cries.

I blinked, confused. "Why are you crying, Red? Please, I'm sorry! I'll do whatever you want!" My voice cracked with desperation. "Just don't abandon me... please."

Red's breath hitched, and everyone froze.

Leaf whispered, her voice trembling, "Oh Arceus, it's worse than I thought."

I stiffened. "W-what's worse? I'm sorry, Leaf! I'll do better, I promise! I can win more battles, make Red proud—just please don't abandon me!" My voice was rising, panic lacing every word. "I’ll just go if that’s what you want! I’m sorry I even exist!"

Red let out a strangled noise, his grip on me tightening.

" How did this happen?" Leaf muttered.

"It's because you raised a disgrace," I whispered bitterly, my voice hollow. "But that’s fine. Because soon the disgrace will no longer be alive."

Red's sobs grew louder, and I could feel his anguish as he clung to me like I was slipping away. I didn't understand. Why was he crying? Wasn't I supposed to be the problem? The disgrace?

"Mia, stop," Leaf choked out, her face pale. "Please... don't say things like that."

"But it's true," I insisted earnestly. "It's because Red didn’t whip me to death earlier. But that's okay. I'll find someone who will."

The horror on their faces was immediate. Leaf gasped, covering her mouth in shock, and Blue cursed under his breath, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists. Pikachu let out a mournful cry, nuzzling against me frantically.

Red's voice, raw and broken, finally cut through the chaos. "Stop... please." His voice cracked. "Mia, please stop."

I looked at him, confused. "Why? I'm just being honest."

Red shook his head violently, tears streaming down his face. "No... no, you're not a disgrace. You're not worthless. You're everything, Mia. Everything."

My heart skipped a beat at the raw emotion in his voice. "Red, you're just saying that because you're crying."

He shook his head again, his eyes filled with anguish. "I'm not just saying it. I've always been proud of you. Always. But I... I never said it enough. And now... I..." His voice broke. "I failed you."

I blinked, stunned. "Failed me? Red, you’re the best trainer in the world. You didn’t fail me."

He cupped my face, his hands trembling. "I failed as your brother. I should've told you every day how much you mean to me. How proud I am of you. How much I love you." His voice was thick with emotion. "Mia, you're my little sister. You're the most important person in my life."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "But I thought... I thought you didn’t care. You never said anything. You never even smiled at me."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, Mia. I thought I was being strong by staying silent, but I was wrong. So wrong." He pulled me into a fierce hug, his body trembling. "Please, don't ever think you're worthless. You're everything to me. I love you more than anything."

I clung to him, my own sobs finally breaking free. "I'm sorry, Red. I just... I didn't know."

"It's not your fault," he whispered, his voice raw. "It's mine. But I swear, I'll never let you feel like that again. Never."

Leaf and Blue stood nearby, their eyes filled with tears. Leaf wiped her face with the back of her hand. "Mia... we're so sorry too. We should've seen this. We should've told you how amazing you are."

Blue nodded, his voice hoarse. "Yeah, kid. You're a legend, just like Red. And we’re never gonna let you think otherwise again."

I buried my face in Red's chest, my sobs muffled against his shirt. "I just... I wanted to make you proud," I whispered.

"You already have," Red said softly, his voice filled with love. "You always have."

The room fell deathly silent after I spoke. My words, spoken so matter-of-factly, hung in the air like a storm cloud. No one moved, no one even breathed. Red’s grip on me tightened, his body trembling, and I realized too late that my attempt to downplay things had caused something far worse than I intended.

Leaf’s voice broke the silence first, shaky and thick with emotion. “Mia… you can’t mean that. Please tell me you didn’t mean that.”

I blinked at her, confused. “Of course, I mean it. It’s just the truth, right? I’m not mad or anything.”

Blue shot out of his chair, pacing the room, running his hands through his hair like he was trying to stop himself from screaming. "This isn’t happening," he muttered under his breath. "This can’t be real."

“Why is everyone acting like this?” I asked, my voice quieter now. “I’m fine. I’m used to it.”

Red finally moved. Slowly, he pulled back just enough to look at me. His face was pale, his cheeks stained with tears. His brown eyes were wide with pain, but what struck me the most was the look of sheer devastation. “Mia,” he said, his voice so soft it was barely a whisper. “Why would you ever think that?”

“Think what?” I asked, genuinely baffled. “That I don’t matter? That I’m a burden? That I’m supposed to be better or just go away if I can’t be? It’s true, isn’t it?”

Red shook his head, his hands cupping my face as more tears spilled from his eyes. “No. No, it’s not. None of that is true.”

Leaf was crying openly now, her hands covering her face. Blue had stopped pacing, leaning against the wall with his head bowed, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.

“Mia,” Red said again, his voice breaking. “Listen to me. You’re not a disgrace. You’re not a burden. You’re not ‘just there.’ You’re my sister, and I love you more than anything in this world. More than words can ever say.”

I stared at him, stunned. “But… but you never say that. You never—”

“Because I’m an idiot!” Red interrupted, his voice louder now, trembling with emotion. “Because I thought you knew. I thought you could just see how much I love you, how proud I am of you. I never thought I had to say it out loud. I didn’t know you felt this way, Mia. I didn’t know…”

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “Red, I didn’t mean to—”

“No,” he said firmly, pulling me into another hug, holding me so tightly it almost hurt. “You don’t get to apologize. Not for this. This is on me. I failed you, Mia. I let you think for even a second that you don’t matter, and that’s unforgivable.”

His words were muffled against my hair, but I felt every one of them like a weight on my chest. I didn’t know what to say. I’d never seen Red like this, never heard him speak so much, let alone so passionately. It was overwhelming.

“Mia,” Leaf said, her voice shaky but determined. She sat down next to us, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “We’re sorry too. All of us. We should have seen it. We should have told you every single day how much you mean to us, how much we care about you. You’re not a burden. You’re not a disgrace. You’re family.”

I looked at her, then at Blue, who nodded silently, his jaw tight. “You’re not just Red’s sister, Mia,” Blue said, his voice low but steady. “You’re our little sister too. And we’re not going to let you keep thinking this way.”

Tears welled up in my eyes before I could stop them. “But… but I’ve messed up so many times. I’m not as good as you guys. I—”

“Stop,” Red said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes again. “You don’t have to be ‘as good as us.’ You just have to be you. That’s more than enough. You’re more than enough.”

I started crying then, the weight of everything I’d been carrying for so long finally crashing down on me. Red held me through it, his arms steady and strong, whispering over and over again that he loved me, that I mattered, that I was everything to him.

Eventually, I felt Leaf and Blue join in, their hands on my back, their presence warm and comforting. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel alone. For the first time, I believed them. I believed that I mattered.

And as Red pressed another kiss to my forehead, I knew I wasn’t just “there.” I was loved. I was important. I was family.

The room was thick with silence, the kind that weighs heavily on the chest. Red's sobs broke through that quiet like cracks spreading across glass, raw and heart-wrenching. I'd never seen him like this. Red, who never spoke, never cried, never wavered—was crumbling right in front of me.

And it was all because of me.

I looked around the room in confusion. Leaf was wiping tears from her eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line. Blue had turned away, fists clenched, his shoulders shaking slightly. Even Pikachu had hopped off the bed, her eyes wide with worry.

Why were they all acting this way? I was the problem. Not them.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I'm sorry for being this way. I'll just... I'll go." I tried to pull away from Red's embrace, but his arms tightened around me.

"No," he choked out, his voice hoarse. "No, you're not going anywhere."

"But—" I protested, but Red cut me off.

"You think you're a disgrace?" His voice cracked as he pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. His brown eyes were filled with anguish and love all at once. "Mia, who told you that? Who made you think you didn't matter?"

"I just... I don't know." I shrugged helplessly. "No one had to tell me. I just figured it out. The older kids matter, the ones who win big battles matter. Me? I'm just... here."

Red's breath hitched again, and he cupped my face in his trembling hands. "That's not true," he whispered. "That's never been true."

Leaf knelt beside us, her voice thick with emotion. "Mia, we've failed you. We should have made sure you knew how much you mean to us. How much you mean to Red."

"You didn’t fail me," I said quickly. "I'm the failure. I can't even sleep in a proper bed without causing trouble. I should've just—"

"Stop it!" Red's voice was sharp, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. "Stop talking like that. You matter to me, Mia. More than you'll ever know. You're my sister, and I love you."

I blinked, stunned. "But... you never say that. You never show it."

"I know," he admitted, his voice breaking. "And that's my fault. I've been silent for too long, and I made you think you weren't important. But you are. You always have been."

Tears stung my eyes. "Red, you're just saying that. If I made you proud, you wouldn't be crying like this."

He shook his head. "I'm not crying because of you. I'm crying because I failed you. Because I let you think you were worthless when you're the most precious person in my life."

Leaf was openly crying now, and Blue wiped his face roughly with the back of his hand. "Mia," Blue said softly, his voice unusually gentle, "you're family. We love you. And we're sorry we didn't make that clear."

I swallowed hard, my voice trembling. "I just... I thought you'd all be better off without me. I thought maybe if I disappeared, it would be easier for everyone."

Red's arms tightened around me, and his voice was fierce. "Don't you ever think that again. Do you hear me? I can't—won't—live in a world without you. You're my little sister, and I love you with all my heart."

Tears streamed down my face as I buried my head in his chest. "I'm sorry," I sobbed. "I'm sorry for everything."

"No, Mia," he whispered, his voice tender. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Just... promise me you'll never think you're a disgrace again. Promise me you'll never wish to disappear."

"I promise," I choked out, clinging to him.

Red kissed the top of my head, his tears mingling with mine. "Good. Because I can't lose you, Mia. None of us can."

As Leaf and Blue joined the hug, I felt warmth and love surrounding me, banishing the cold that had taken root in my heart. I wasn't a disgrace. I wasn't unwanted.

I was loved.

And that was more than enough.

A thick silence filled the room as my words hung in the air, heavy and painful. Red's shoulders trembled, his sobs shaking both of us as he held me tighter. His breath hitched, and I could feel his heart pounding against mine.

Leaf's eyes were red, filled with shock and guilt. Blue clenched his fists, his jaw tight. Pikachu whimpered, nuzzling against my leg.

"Mia," Leaf choked, her voice breaking, "what are you saying? No one wants to abandon you. How could you think that?"

I blinked at her, my confusion genuine. "But... isn't that what happens when you're useless? You just get left behind?"

Blue slammed his fist on the dresser. "What is wrong with us? How did we let this happen?!"

Red's grip on me tightened even more, as though he was afraid I'd vanish if he let go. His face was buried in my shoulder, but his voice finally broke through, raw and filled with anguish. "Mia... stop. Please stop saying those things."

"But it's true," I whispered, confused by their reactions. "Red, you always told me not to complain. To be the best, or else I’d be a disgrace. I was just following what you said."

Red pulled back, his face streaked with tears. His brown eyes, usually so composed, were filled with pain. "Mia, no. I never meant it like that." His voice cracked. "I never wanted you to think... Arceus, I never wanted you to think you were worthless."

I blinked at him, trying to process his words. "But... but you were always so disappointed in me."

"I'm not disappointed in you!" Red's voice rose, desperate. "I never was! You're my sister, Mia. I love you, and I'm proud of you. I've always been proud of you."

I stared at him, my brain struggling to catch up. "But... you never said that before."

Red's expression crumpled. "That's my fault," he admitted, his voice hoarse. "I thought you knew. I thought... I thought you'd just feel it somehow. But I was wrong. I was so wrong."

Leaf wiped her tears, her voice gentle but firm. "Mia, you're not a disgrace. You're not worthless. You're one of the strongest, kindest people we know. And we've been idiots for not telling you that."

I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. "But I messed up so many times... I—"

"No." Red's voice was firm now. He cupped my face in his hands, his touch gentle but unyielding. "You're not a failure. You're not a disgrace. You're my sister, and I love you. Nothing you do will ever change that."

I felt my resolve crack, the walls I had built around my heart shattering under the weight of his words. "Red... you really mean that?"

He nodded, tears still streaming down his face. "With all my heart."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I threw my arms around him, clinging to him as sobs wracked my body. "I'm sorry, Red. I'm so sorry..."

He held me tightly, his voice soft but steady. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Mia. We should be the ones apologizing."

Leaf and Blue joined us, wrapping me in a group hug. Pikachu climbed onto my lap, nuzzling me with comforting chirps.

"I love you, Mia," Red whispered again, his voice raw with emotion. "I promise I'll never make you doubt that again."

And in that moment, for the first time in what felt like forever, I believed him.

I had never seen Red cry before. Not once. He'd always been stoic, quiet, and in control—the kind of person who never let anything slip through the cracks. So seeing him now, his face buried in my shoulder, his body trembling with emotion, was nothing short of terrifying.

I tightened my arms around him, patting his back awkwardly. "Red, what happened?" I whispered, confused and panicked. "Did I mess up? I'm sorry! I can win battles and make you proud, I swear—"

Red pulled back slightly, his tear-streaked face filled with raw emotion. "Mia," he said softly, his voice cracking. "Sweetie, can't you see? I am proud of you."

I shook my head, my eyes stinging. "You're just saying that," I insisted. "You wouldn't be crying if I made you proud."

Leaf, sitting at the edge of the bed, wiped her own tears and shook her head. "Mia, we're not crying because of you," she choked out. "We're crying because of our own stupidity."

I froze, my heart racing. "Wait! I'm sorry! Leaf, I promise I'll do whatever you want! Just don't abandon me, please!" My voice broke, desperation clawing at my throat.

The room went deathly silent.

Blue's eyes widened in horror. "Oh Arceus... it's worse than I thought," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Red's grip on me tightened, his voice filled with anguish. "Mia, who told you that you were disposable?"

I blinked at him, confused. "No one had to tell me," I admitted quietly. "I just... picked it up on my own. The older ones matter. The younger ones are just... there. We don't really matter as much."

Leaf gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Blue looked like he'd just been punched in the gut. Even Pikachu let out a distressed "Pika pika!" from the bed.

Red shook his head vehemently, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and heartbreak. "Mia, that's not true. Not even close."

I frowned, still not understanding why they were making such a big deal out of this. "But Red, you always told me not to complain and to be the best ever. Or you'd... you know... You'd.... Slap me and..." I trailed off awkwardly.

Red's face hardened, and his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "I never said I’d slap you, Mia. Never. Where did you even get that idea?"

I shrugged. "I guess I just assumed," I said quietly. "I didn't want to disappoint you. I thought if I wasn't good enough, you'd stop loving me."

Red's breath hitched, and Leaf let out another sob. Blue turned away, rubbing his face furiously.

"Mia..." Red's voice was thick with emotion. "I could never stop loving you. Never. Not if you lost every battle, not if you made every mistake in the world. You're my sister. You're everything to me."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. "But... but I thought—"

"You thought wrong," he interrupted firmly. "And that's on me. I should have told you every day how much you mean to me. I was stupid and silent and distant, and I made you think you didn't matter. But you do. You always have."

Tears stung my eyes, and I couldn't hold them back any longer. "I... I just wanted to make you proud," I whispered.

Red cupped my face, his thumbs gently brushing away my tears. "You already do, Mia. Just by being you."

Leaf sniffled. "Mia, you have no idea how much we care about you. You're not just 'there.' You're the heart of this whole group."

Blue nodded, his voice rough. "Yeah, kid. Don't ever think you're not important. You're the toughest, most stubborn little spark I've ever met. And we love you for it."

I let out a choked laugh. "You guys are so dramatic," I muttered, though my voice was thick with emotion.

Red pulled me into another tight hug. "Maybe. But you're worth every bit of it," he whispered.

I buried my face in his chest, letting the warmth of his embrace wash over me. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly safe.

And I knew, without a doubt, that I mattered.

The room plunged into a stunned silence.

Red's arms tightened around me like he was afraid I'd disappear. His chest shook as he took a ragged breath, and I could feel the warmth of his tears against my shoulder. Leaf covered her mouth, her eyes shimmering with disbelief, while Blue's face contorted with anger.

"What did you just say?" Blue's voice was low, dangerously serious.

I blinked, confused. "I mean, if you guys think I don't matter, it’s okay. I can find a place where I do—like a dungeon or something. I’ve even—”

"Stop." Red's voice cracked, cutting me off.

I flinched at the raw pain in that single word. Red rarely spoke, and hearing him like this was like being hit by a Thunderbolt from Pikachu herself.

"I—I didn't mean to upset you," I stammered, feeling guilt clawing at my chest. "I was just... I thought it'd be better if I didn't bother you guys. I just wanted to follow what you said and not complain—"

Red cupped my face, forcing me to meet his tear-filled gaze. "Mia, you always matter," he whispered hoarsely. "Do you hear me? Always."

I blinked, utterly baffled. "But... you said to be the best and not complain or you'd slap me—"

"I never meant that literally!" Red interrupted, his voice filled with anguish. "That was never what I wanted for you!"

Leaf's shoulders were shaking as she wiped at her face. "How did we mess this up so badly?" she whispered, her voice cracking.

Blue's hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles white. "We've been so focused on battles and competitions that we didn’t see what was happening to you," he muttered bitterly. "Mia, this is our fault, not yours."

I frowned, my head spinning. "What are you guys talking about? I'm fine! I just did what Red said, and now—"

Red hugged me tighter, cutting me off again. His voice was thick with emotion. "Mia... I never wanted you to think you had to earn my love or prove your worth. You’re my sister. I love you just for being you."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. "But you stopped hugging me, talking to me... You just stood there looking at me like I was a disappointment."

Red shook his head fiercely. "I thought I was protecting you by being strong and silent. I thought if I was the perfect trainer, you'd never have to see me struggle. But I was wrong. And I hurt you because of it."

Leaf sniffled and reached over, placing a hand on my arm. "Mia, you are the heart of this group. We need you. And we are so, so sorry for making you think otherwise."

I felt my chest tighten, tears welling in my eyes. "I just... I didn't want to be a burden," I whispered.

Red's grip on me didn't waver. "You are not a burden. You are my sister, and I love you more than anything."

The sincerity in his voice broke something inside me. Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I clung to him, finally letting out the emotions I had buried for so long. "I love you too," I sobbed. "I just thought... I thought you didn't want me anymore."

Red shook his head vehemently, his own tears falling freely. "Never, Mia. Never again will I let you feel that way."

Leaf and Blue sat beside us, their faces etched with regret and determination.

"We're a family, Mia," Leaf said softly. "And we’re going to do better. We owe you that."

Blue nodded. "Yeah. From now on, no more freezing hotel rooms and no more letting you sleep on the floor. You get the bed—or we'll wrestle Red for it."

I let out a watery laugh despite myself. "You'd lose," I muttered.

Blue grinned. "Probably, but it's the thought that counts."

Red kissed my forehead again, his expression fierce. "You matter, Mia. You always will. And I’ll never let you forget that again."

As I buried my face in his chest, surrounded by my friends, I felt the weight of loneliness lift. They loved me. They always had—they just hadn't shown it the way I needed.

But now, things were different. And I knew we would be okay.

The room was dead silent. Even Pikachu, who was usually full of energy, sat frozen, wide-eyed at my words. The weight of what I had said hung in the air, pressing down on everyone like a suffocating blanket.

Red's grip on me tightened, his whole body trembling. His face was buried in my shoulder, but I could feel the silent tears soaking through my shirt. I had never, ever seen him like this. Not even when he lost battles or got hurt in training.

Leaf's voice was thick with emotion. "Mia... do you even hear yourself right now?"

I blinked, confused. "What? I’m just stating facts. You guys are older, stronger, and more important. I’m just the annoying little sibling who tags along. And that’s okay. I’ve accepted it."

"No." Red's voice was hoarse, but it cut through the room like a blade. He lifted his head, and his tear-streaked face was filled with raw pain. "No, Mia. That’s not okay."

I flinched at the intensity in his eyes. "But... you told me not to complain. To be strong. To be the best. Or else—"

"I never said I’d slap you," Red interrupted, his voice breaking. "I would never, ever hurt you."

"But you looked so disappointed when I lost battles," I whispered. "And when I cried, you said crying was for the weak. So I stopped. I thought... I thought I had to be perfect for you to love me."

Red's face crumpled, and he pulled me into a fierce hug, his arms trembling. "Mia, no... Arceus, no. I never wanted you to think that. I just... I thought I was teaching you to be strong. I didn’t realize I was hurting you."

Leaf wiped her eyes furiously. "We all messed up, Mia. We got so caught up in our own stuff that we didn’t see what was happening to you. And that’s on us, not you."

Blue's jaw was clenched, his voice low and fierce. "You're not junk, Mia. You're not useless. You're one of the toughest, smartest, and kindest people I know. And Arceus, if anyone ever tells you otherwise, they'll have to deal with me."

I blinked, my heart racing. "You... you really think that?"

Red cupped my face, his brown eyes filled with determination. "Mia, you matter. You matter more to me than anything in this world. I love you. And I’m sorry I ever made you think otherwise."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and for the first time in years, I let them fall. "I... I love you too, Red. I just... I didn’t think you cared anymore."

He kissed my forehead again, his voice gentle but firm. "I care. I always have. And I always will."

Leaf sniffled. "Okay, this is officially the most emotional morning of my life."

Blue cleared his throat, clearly trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, uh, not that I’m crying or anything, but can we all agree never to let this happen again?"

Red nodded fiercely. "Never again."

I smiled through my tears. "Deal."

Pikachu jumped onto the bed, nuzzling my cheek. "Pika pika!"

I laughed softly, hugging Red tighter. "Thanks, Chuchu. And thanks, guys. I... I think I needed this."

Leaf smiled through her tears. "We all did."

As we sat there, tangled in a messy, emotional group hug, I realized something important. I wasn't alone. I never had been. And no matter what happened, I knew Red and the others would always be there for me.

And that was all I needed.

The silence after my words was deafening. The air grew thick, heavy with disbelief and heartbreak. I didn’t understand why they all looked so shattered—it was just the truth as I saw it. I’d learned not to complain, not to expect anything, and not to think I mattered. That was normal, wasn’t it?

“Mia.” Red's voice was hoarse, trembling in a way I'd never heard before. His arms tightened around me like he was afraid I’d disappear. "Don’t say that."

I blinked up at him, confused. “Why? It’s true. I’m just—”

“Stop.” His voice broke. “You’re not useless junk. You’re my sister, and I love you.”

Those words hit me harder than any attack I'd ever faced in a battle. Red never talked. He just didn’t. And now, here he was, breaking his silence for me.

“You... love me?” I whispered, my voice wavering.

Red cupped my face, his brown eyes glistening with tears. "Of course I do. I always have." His thumb brushed against my cheek. "I just didn’t realize I was making you feel like you didn’t matter."

I shook my head. “But I don’t matter. The older ones are important. I'm just... there.”

Leaf let out a strangled sob. “Mia, no! That’s not true!” She wiped her tears fiercely. “You’re the heart of this group. We love you so much.”

Blue’s voice was rough. “And if we ever made you think otherwise, then we're the useless junk, not you.”

My breath hitched. I didn’t know how to process what they were saying. I had always believed I was just background noise, the tagalong who didn’t deserve a place in their world.

“But... Red always told me to be strong and never complain,” I whispered. “I thought that meant I wasn’t allowed to be... anything.”

Red’s face twisted with guilt. “Mia, I said that because I wanted you to believe in yourself. I never wanted you to think you couldn’t come to me. I’m so sorry I made you feel like that.”

Tears pricked my eyes, and I buried my face in his chest. “I just wanted to make you proud,” I choked out. “I didn’t want to be a burden.”

“You’ve never been a burden,” he whispered fiercely. “You’ve always made me proud, Mia. Always.”

Leaf sniffled. “And if anyone ever makes you feel like you’re not important, they’ll have to answer to us.”

“Damn right,” Blue added, his voice fierce.

Pikachu let out a determined "Pika pi!" in agreement.

I clung to Red, my tears soaking into his shirt. For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel invisible. I didn’t feel like I was just there.

Red gently kissed the top of my head, his voice soft but resolute. "You're my little sister. And I’ll never let you feel like this again."

I nodded against him, my voice trembling. "Okay... I’ll try to believe you."

Leaf smiled through her tears. “That’s all we ask.”

Blue grinned. "Now, how about we eat breakfast before it gets cold? I’m starving."

I laughed softly, my heart lighter than it had been in a long time.

As we sat together, eating and talking, I realized something: I wasn’t just there. I was loved. And that was more than enough.