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. She just curled up more.

Kenny sighed deeply, looking at the lump under the blanket that was his girlfriend. He leaned closer, his voice firm but gentle. “Dawn, look at me.”

There was no response at first. Kenny hesitated, then reached out, pulling the blanket away just enough to reveal Dawn’s face. Her blue eyes were red and puffy from crying, her lips pressed into a stubborn pout. Kenny’s heart ached seeing her like this, but he steeled himself.

“Dawn, come here,” he said softly, pulling her into a hug before she could protest. At first, she stayed stiff in his arms, but after a moment, she melted into the embrace, burying her face in his chest.

“Kenny… I don’t know anymore,” she mumbled, her voice muffled by his shirt. “What’s the point if I can’t win? I tried so hard… and I still lost.”

Kenny tightened his hold, resting his chin on top of her head. “Look, Dee Dee, let’s make one thing straight. There’s no way I’m going to let you quit contests. Not until I beat you, you hear me?”

Dawn pulled back slightly, blinking up at him with a mix of frustration and disbelief. “Great,” she said sarcastically, wiping at her tears. “Then why don’t we battle right now? You can take all my ribbons, and I can stay here and knit sweaters or something.”

“Dawn, no,” Kenny said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You are not going to quit. Do you hear me?”

Her bottom lip trembled as she looked away. “But Kenny…”

“No buts,” he interrupted. “You’re Dawn Hikari. The girl who can light up an entire contest hall just by walking in. The girl who inspires people with her passion and creativity. And yeah, you lost this time. So what? Everyone loses. Even the best.”

“But it’s not fair,” Dawn muttered, her voice barely audible. “Ambipom and I worked so hard…”

Kenny smiled softly, cupping her cheek and making her look at him. “I know you did. And you know what? That’s what makes you amazing. Because even when things don’t go your way, you keep going. You fight back. And that’s why I’m not going to let you quit, okay?”

Dawn sniffled, her resolve starting to crack. “But what if I’m just not good enough?”

“You are more than good enough,” Kenny said firmly. “And if you don’t believe in yourself right now, that’s fine. I’ll believe in you until you do.”

Dawn stared at him for a long moment, her eyes filling with tears again—not of sadness, but of gratitude. Finally, she let out a shaky laugh and leaned her forehead against his. “You’re really annoying, you know that?”

Kenny grinned. “Yeah, but you love me anyway.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah, I do.”

“Good,” Kenny said, pulling her back into a hug. “Because I’m not going anywhere. And neither are you, Dee Dee. We’re going to keep chasing those dreams together, okay?”

Dawn nodded against his chest, her voice quiet but determined. “Okay.”