Ash looked worriedly at the hall. " Dawn's been in bed for an awfully long time. Hope she's okay."

Brock nodded. " I hope."

A brown bag dropped on the couch, and Ash and Brock turned.

" Where is she?"

Dawn was covered with the blanket when someone shook her. " Wake up."

Dawn didn't even bother to look. " Why brother?"

" You have to get up at SOME point."

" I just want to die." Dawn muttered as she squished her face onto the blanket.

" Dawn don't you dare speak like that ever, understood?"

Dawn didn't answer.

" Dawn."

" What does it matter? It's not like anyone's gonna miss me if I quit."

" Dawn-"

" You saw me out there, Kenny. I lost. Me and Amipom gave it out all and we still lost. If even our best doesn't let us qualify then it doesn't matter."

" D-"

" Might give up contests while I'm at the beginning."

Kenny grabbed the blanket. " Dawn Hikari don't you dare think about that, you hear me?"

Dawn didn't reply.

" Dawn." Kenny said in a sharpness Dawn hadn't heard for a long time.

Not since.... That day with the play in third grade where she sneezed and the kids laughed at her. She had stayed at home for days, until Kenny came in and snapped her out of her funk.

Dawn turned to face Kenny, who's face was a mix of anger and concern.

Kenny gently sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Dawn. " Sit up."

" Can I have the blanket first?"

Kenny spread the blanket on the two of them, and Dawn sat up. Kenny gently tilted her face so they were looking at one another in the eye.

" Dawn Hikari, you are going to hug me and you are going to cry on my shoulder, and then we are going to go out and train. Do you understand."

Dawn nodded, and Kenny wrapped his arms around her, and Dawn buried her face in Kenny's shoulder and for the first time in a long time, she cried.

In her boyfriend's arms.

From the doorway, Ash and Brock watched.

" Now that's a good boyfriend." Brock whispered. " One who knows how to snap their girl out of a funk."

Ash nodded. " Yeah."

Dawn's sobs filled the quiet room, muffled by Kenny's shoulder. His arms remained steady around her, holding her tightly, as if anchoring her to reality. He didn’t say a word, simply letting her cry. His patience and presence said everything he needed to in that moment.

From the doorway, Ash and Brock exchanged glances. Brock, ever the romantic, crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe with a knowing smirk.

“You see that, Ash?” Brock whispered. “That’s how a real boyfriend does it. He’s there when it counts.”

Ash tilted his head, watching the scene unfold. “Yeah… Kenny’s pretty good at this stuff, huh?”

Brock chuckled softly. “More than ‘pretty good.’ He’s got that balance—firm when he needs to be, gentle when it counts. You should take notes.”

Ash frowned, scratching the back of his head. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Brock said, waving him off with a teasing grin.

Inside the room, Dawn’s sobs began to subside. Kenny gently rubbed circles on her back, waiting patiently for her breathing to even out. When she finally pulled back, her face was red and blotchy, but her eyes looked lighter—less burdened.

Kenny grabbed a tissue from her bedside and handed it to her. “Feel a little better?”

Dawn sniffled and nodded. “A little… thanks, Kenny.”

He smiled, his usual teasing glint returning to his eyes. “You know, you’re not allowed to quit, right?”

Dawn gave him a weak glare. “Oh? Says who?”

“Says me,” Kenny replied, booping her nose lightly. “And Ambipom. And Piplup. And, oh, I don’t know, everyone who believes in you.”

Dawn sighed, but there was the faintest hint of a smile at the corners of her lips. “You always know how to make me feel guilty.”

Kenny smirked. “It’s my job.”

From the doorway, Ash stepped in cautiously. “Hey, Dawn. You okay?”

Dawn turned her head toward him, her face still puffy but her expression soft. “Yeah, Ash. I think I will be.”

Brock followed behind Ash, a grin plastered on his face. “Good, because we’ve got your back too. Don’t forget that.”

Dawn looked at all three of them—Kenny, Ash, and Brock—and felt a warmth in her chest she hadn’t felt since her loss. She gave a small nod. “Thanks, guys. I mean it.”

Kenny stood up, ruffling her hair. “Alright, time to get moving. We’ve got training to do.”

Dawn groaned dramatically but swung her legs off the bed. “Fine, but only because you’re so persistent.”

As she stood, Ash grinned. “That’s the Dawn we know!”

Brock crossed his arms with a proud nod. “And Kenny’s the kind of guy every girl deserves.”

Kenny turned, smirking at Brock. “I try my best.”

Together, they headed out of the cabin, ready to take on whatever came next. Dawn knew she wasn’t alone—and that made all the difference.