"Five losses in a row, huh? That's rough," Ash nodded, showing no surprise. He had expected this outcome long before hearing it.
What did catch his attention, though, was something hidden in Green's earlier words—apparently, Goh had tried convincing Chloe and the others to rig a few matches, letting him draw so he could keep his points.
Winning a battle granted two points, a draw gave one, and a loss gave none.
By pulling this stunt, Goh could've secured five points easily. But that also meant his friends would have to lose something for him—and their bond simply wasn't that deep.
Ash sighed. Goh really had been spoiled by Chloe's gentle, accommodating nature. He'd started to believe that others were responsible for helping him, and that their sacrifices were only natural.
Still, Ash knew Green and the others too well. Even if no one had challenged Goh, there was no way Green or Shauna would have agreed to throw matches for him.
Maybe—just maybe—only Chloe would've been soft-hearted enough to say yes.
Luckily, that awkward situation never came to pass.
Ash didn't dwell on Goh's troubles any longer.
Right now, his focus was on someone else entirely—Serena.
"Green, you said earlier that Serena hasn't battled yet?" Ash asked curiously.
"Yeah…" Green nodded, a trace of helplessness on her face. "You know how Serena is—she's just too shy. She can barely talk to strangers, let alone stand in front of a crowd and battle under everyone's gaze."
"So we've all been trying to encourage her," Green continued. "But if she still can't bring herself to do it, we were thinking of helping her like Goh suggested—going easy and forcing a draw, just so she can earn some points without feeling pressured."
Ash turned his gaze toward Serena, who stood nervously behind Shauna. She looked so small, clutching the hem of Shauna's shirt, her wide eyes flicking between the others.
Unlike Goh, Serena was different.
Over the past two days, she and Shauna had been staying at Green's house. Green already considered her a friend, so she was willing to sacrifice a few points if it helped Serena gain confidence.
"I see," Ash said with a nod, his expression softening.
Serena, overhearing their conversation, noticed that even Ash was now concerned about her. Something inside her shifted.
She hesitated—then slowly released her grip on Shauna's clothes.
For the first time, she stepped out from behind her friend and faced the group.
"A-Ash…" she whispered timidly.
Her voice was barely audible—like the hum of a mosquito—but Ash, ever alert, caught it immediately.
"Serena?" He blinked in surprise.
This shy girl had barely spoken a word since they met. Even though she had been staying next door the past two days, and had come over to play with Green and Shauna because of Pichu, Serena had never once initiated a conversation with him.
Ash had wanted to reach out before, to befriend her—but he always held back, afraid that being too forward might scare her off.
So when she finally called his name—his actual name, not "Ash-kun" or a shy mumble—it made him unreasonably happy.
"Serena, you don't have to be so formal. You're Green's friend, right? That means you're my friend too. Just call me Ash."
He gave her a warm, sunny smile—the kind that seemed to melt away hesitation.
"…Ash," Serena repeated softly. She blushed but obeyed, switching from the polite "Ash-kun" to simply "Ash."
"Serena," Ash said gently, "there's something you wanted to tell me, isn't there?"
Serena hesitated, then nodded.
"Green, Shauna, and everyone else are all working hard for the Outstanding Camper award. I don't want to drag anyone down… or make you lose points because of me," she said quietly but firmly.
"Ash, you're really strong. So… I want to learn from you. Please teach me how to command my Pokémon in battle. I want to try fighting on my own."
Her voice wasn't loud—but it was steady, resolute.
That determination brought smiles to everyone around her—Ash, Green, Shauna, Tierno, Trevor, even Gary.
A true friend doesn't want to be a burden. A true friend values what others give, and even when they're scared, they find the courage to stand tall.
That was Serena.
That was why someone so shy and quiet had earned Green's respect—while Goh, despite his boldness, hadn't.
"Serena," Ash said warmly, "you really want to battle, don't you?"
"Can I?" she asked softly, looking up at him with wide, uncertain eyes.
"Of course you can," he said. "I told you—we're friends, right? Friends help each other. Always."
Then he turned to the others.
"Gary, Green, Shauna—you guys go on ahead. I'll stay here and help Serena train."
"OK! We'll leave her in your hands, Ash," Green grinned, waving as the others went off to find new opponents.
Before long, it was just Ash and Serena left.
"Let's go over there," Ash said, pointing toward the quieter edge of the campgrounds. "It's calmer, and you'll be able to focus better."
He walked up to her naturally, holding out his hand.
Serena froze for a moment—but then, blushing fiercely, allowed him to take it.
They were only six years old, but her heart still fluttered wildly at the gesture.
Ash noticed the redness on her cheeks but said nothing. He just smiled faintly, relieved that she wasn't pulling away.
He led her to the open training field where he'd practiced with Froakie earlier. Once they arrived, he gently released her hand.
"Serena," he said, his tone patient and instructive, "for the rest of the summer camp, most of the tests—aside from battles—will still require teamwork with your Pokémon. You'll need to cooperate and understand each other deeply."
"So from now on, you should let your Pokémon out more often. Spend time together. Talk to them. Get used to each other's rhythm. That'll help—not just in battle, but in every challenge that comes later."
Serena nodded seriously, her eyes shining with determination.
"You mean… like letting them stay outside?" she asked. Her gaze flicked to Froakie perched neatly on Ash's shoulder.
"That's right," Ash said with an encouraging nod.
Without hesitation, Serena took out her Poké Ball.
"Alright then… come out, Clefairy!"
A burst of pink light flashed across the field, and Clefairy appeared with a cheerful twirl.
Ash smiled proudly. Serena had taken her first real step forward.
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T/N:
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