Dawn clung tightly to Kenny, her body trembling as the tears streamed down her face. She sobbed into his shoulder, her words muffled and broken. “I’m such a failure… I don’t know why you even bother with me, Kenny. I’m just a disappointment. I mess everything up.”

Kenny’s arms tightened around her protectively, his voice steady and firm. “Don’t you ever say that, Dawn. You’re not a failure. You’re one of the strongest, most determined people I know. That’s one of the reasons I… care about you so much.”

Dawn shook her head against him, her voice filled with self-loathing. “Strong? Determined? I couldn’t even qualify for the Grand Festival. Am I supposed to just keep failing over and over again until everyone laughs me out of contests altogether? Maybe they already are. Maybe I’m just—”

“Dawn, stop!” Kenny said sharply, pulling back slightly to look into her tear-streaked face. His hands gently cupped her cheeks, his thumbs wiping away her tears. “You’re not a joke, and you’re not a failure. You’re Dawn Hikari. The girl who lights up a room with her smile, who inspires everyone around her with her passion. You’re the one who made me believe in myself when I didn’t think I could do anything right.”

Dawn sniffled, her eyes glistening as she stared at him. “You… you really think that?”

Kenny smiled softly, his gaze unwavering. “Of course I do. Dawn, do you know why I wanted to be your boyfriend? It wasn’t just because you’re beautiful or talented—though you are. It’s because you have this way of making everyone believe that anything is possible. When I’m around you, I feel like I can take on the world. And even when you’re struggling, you keep trying. That’s the kind of person I admire. That’s the kind of person I… I love.”

Dawn’s breath hitched, her hands clutching at his shirt as if afraid to let go. “Kenny… I… I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything right now,” Kenny said gently, pressing his forehead against hers. “But I need you to stop beating yourself up. Losing doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It just means you’re learning. And I’ll be right here with you, every step of the way, until you reach your goals.”

From the doorway, Ash and Brock exchanged glances. Brock’s expression was thoughtful as he whispered, “He’s saying everything she needs to hear. That’s what a real partner does.”

Ash nodded, his eyes softening. “Yeah. Kenny really gets her.”

Inside the room, Dawn took a shaky breath, her tears slowing as she looked into Kenny’s eyes. “I don’t deserve you,” she murmured.

Kenny frowned, his tone turning playful to lighten the mood. “Oh, please. I’m the lucky one here. Do you know how many guys would kill to be in my shoes? You’re Dawn Hikari. Anyone who doesn’t see how amazing you are is just blind.”

Dawn let out a soft, watery laugh despite herself. “You’re such a dork.”

“Maybe,” Kenny said, grinning. “But I’m your dork. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Dawn hugged him again, this time with less desperation and more gratitude. “Thank you, Kenny. I… I’ll try to believe in myself again. For you. For us.”

“For you,” Kenny corrected, holding her close. “I’m just here to remind you of what you’re capable of.”

From the doorway, Brock nudged Ash. “We should give them some privacy.”

Ash nodded. “Yeah. But we should keep an eye on her, just in case.”

As they walked away, Dawn pulled back slightly, her hand still gripping Kenny’s. “So… about that training?”

Kenny smirked. “That’s the spirit. Let’s start fresh, okay? Just you, me, and Ambipom. We’ve got this.”

Dawn smiled—a small, tentative smile, but a genuine one. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

As they stood up, Kenny grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Together, they stepped out of the room, ready to face whatever came next, side by side.