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.

I'm 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 cried for a while, her emotions flooding out of her as she clung to Kenny. She hadn’t realized how much the loss had been weighing on her, how much it had shaken her confidence. She felt utterly defeated, like everything she’d worked for had just crumbled.

Kenny didn't say anything at first, just holding her tightly, letting her cry. He knew there was no quick fix to this kind of pain, but he was determined to help her through it. As she slowly started to calm down, wiping her eyes, he gently pulled back to look at her.

"Feel a little better?" Kenny asked softly, brushing some stray strands of hair from her face.

Dawn sniffled and nodded. "I guess… It's just so frustrating, you know? I thought I was ready. But even when I gave it my all... it wasn't enough."

"Hey," Kenny said, cupping her face in his hands gently, his voice firm but tender. "Listen to me. One loss doesn’t define you. You’ve accomplished so much already. And you’re not alone in this. I’m right here. We’re going to keep pushing, together."

Dawn looked at him, her eyes red but softened by his words. She’d always appreciated how Kenny could read her so easily, how he always knew just what to say when she needed it most.

"But… what if I don’t make it?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Kenny smiled gently, a knowing look in his eyes. "You’re going to make it. You just need to trust in yourself, like I trust in you. You’ve got so much potential, Dawn. You can’t give up now."

Dawn bit her lip, feeling a little spark of hope begin to ignite within her. Maybe Kenny was right. Maybe she had been too hard on herself.

"Okay," she said, her voice still shaky but stronger than before. "I won’t give up."

Kenny grinned, pulling her into another tight hug. "That’s my girl."

They stayed like that for a few moments, the comfort of the embrace soothing the last of Dawn’s anxiety. Finally, Kenny pulled back slightly, looking at her with a determined expression.

"Now, let’s get to work," he said, his eyes gleaming with purpose. "We’ve got some serious training to do."

Dawn blinked in surprise. "Wait, what? Now? But I’m still..."

"No excuses," Kenny cut her off with a teasing grin. "You’ve got a contest to win, right? We can’t afford to waste any more time."

Dawn managed a small laugh, a hint of her old determination starting to return. "You’re crazy, you know that?"

"I know," Kenny said with a wink. "But you love me for it."

Dawn rolled her eyes, but the smile that tugged at her lips was genuine this time. "Alright, alright. Let’s get to it then. But you’re not going easy on me, got it?"

"Wouldn’t dream of it," Kenny said with a grin. "Now, let’s show the world what you’re made of."

As they stood up, preparing to head out, the door creaked open quietly behind them. Ash and Brock had been standing there, silently watching the whole exchange.

Brock gave Ash a nudge, a proud smile spreading across his face. "Told you. That’s what a real partner does. Not just someone who cheers you on, but someone who helps you back up when you’re down."

Ash nodded thoughtfully, his gaze still on Dawn and Kenny. "Yeah, I get it now. It’s about being there when they need you the most. Not just for the victories, but for the tough moments too."

Brock chuckled, giving Ash a friendly slap on the back. "You’re starting to get it, kid. Maybe one day you’ll find someone like that too."

Ash grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, maybe. But for now, I’ll just keep focusing on my own journey."

Brock shook his head, still smiling. "That’s the spirit. Now, let’s see how Dawn does in her next contest. I’ve got a feeling she’s going to come back even stronger."

As Dawn and Kenny left the room, heading for the training grounds, Ash and Brock stood in silence for a moment, both reflecting on what they had just witnessed.

"She’s going to be fine," Ash said, his voice filled with newfound understanding.

Brock nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah. With Kenny by her side, there’s nothing she can’t do."