1 month passed without too many troubles, during which after Kellyn got used to the very uncomfortable uniform of the students, began to adapt to his environment. He was signing much smoother and clearer, but only with Keith, Rhythmi, and Miss April. Otherwise, he stayed as silent as the death. But hey, it was a good start.

For now, he was in class.

- You know what day it is, don't you?

- THE DAY OF THE OUTDOOR CLASS!!!!!

The whole class screamed in sync, completely excited. So excited that even the brunet's muteness went unnoticed. Despite this, their teacher chuckled softly.

- That's right. This is our famous Outdoor Class today. A real Ranger will come to answer your questions. And he's waiting for us at the Pledge Stone. Let's meet there, shall we?

And so she left the class followed closely by her students. Only our trio remained which wasn't holding in place.

-Yahoo!! Finally! The Outdoor Class! I couldn't wait any longer!

The redhead was jumping up and down, completely excited, under the desperate gaze of the blonde and the amused one of the youngest.

-....Did he seriously say "Yahoo"...?

- /...He looks like a child like that...So cute.../

- Oh dear...Alright, that's enough Tomato. Let's get to the meeting place, or we're goona be late.

This had the effect of calming the oldest enough for him to lead the way, followed closely by his two friends. Quickly, they found their class who had surrounded an Afro hairstyled Ranger who seemed very joyful and friendly.

The latecomers finished the circle and waited for Miss April or the principal to make introductions. It was the redhead who finally took care of it.

- Everybody is here? Alright! This is Crawford, one of our former graduates and Ranger of Vientown. Say hello!

- Thanks for coming!

- Welp! That's quite the enthusiasm! But yeah, my name is Crawford and this is my Partner Budew!

- Dew!~

The little green creature danced happily around the adult, efficiently charming the most sensitive students. Their teacher chuckled before continuing:

- Nice to see you again Crawford! Although I did not expect such an explosion for your hair...

Everyone, even the one concerned, laughed heartily.

- Well, so be it. Now let's move on to the most exciting event of our lesson, "The Question-&-Answer Session of Terror" !

The man with the afro haircut kept a cool and relaxed posture but the most observant of the group noticed that he had lost his color a little. He then launched the call of his downfall.

- So, who starts?

Immediately several students began to speak at the same time, creating a disturbing chaos. He tried as best he could to answer all the questions, making the teenagers and the proud-looking redhead laugh.

A few bickering from Keith and Rhythmi later, the 1st round was finally over...Or almost.

- Oh? Tell me, kiddo: did you ask your question already?

Everyone stared at Kellyn who hadn't signed except when necessary. He suddenly froze, and bit his lip nervously.

- / A question...? Hmm....I don't know...!/

He was beginning to seriously panic when the Budew caught his eye. He was not paying attention to what was happening, and continued to dance around Crawford...Not controlling his gestures, he then asked his question:

- <...B-Budew....W-What is Budew...To you...? J-Just a....A simple P-Pokemon P-Partner...?>

The brunet forced the clarity of his signs, hoping to make himself understood, although it had taken a good part of his energy in the process. He then looked up, and saw that no one was making a sound. His heart then began to race with panic.

- / Oh sweet Mew, what did you say this time, you idiot...?!/

Finally, the Ranger laughed before grabbing his Partner and placing him on his shoulder, a thoughtful smile on his face.

- What is Budew to me, huh? This is a tough one. Hmm...He's a friend. My best friend. He is the one who will always be by my side no matter the situation. The one I can count on when I'm feeling down...Yes, a very good friend. But kiddo, don't take my words as a reference. No one has the same view of their Pokemon Partner compared to each other. You'll see, you'll forge your own when you'll have one.

Kellyn closed his eyes before cracking a smile and nodding. He was...Reassured. The one with the afro cut began to tell anecdotes when suddenly an alarm echoed. He grabbed his Styler and picked it up.

- Voicemail! Voicemail! Barlow here! Crawford, we need you to rescue a Mantine! It looks like it hit a cargo ship and ended up badly injured. Luana should arrive by boat in no time, so don't dawdle and bring your ass quickly!

....And the call ended. Crawford's gaze grew very serious as he turned toward Miss April and the principal.

- I'm sorry to cut this lesson short, but duty calls me.

- You don't have to apologize, rather worry about your mission. Oh? Isn't this your boat over here?

Indeed, at the pier was a boat that had just arrived. A loud but somewhat slightly high-pitched voice came out.

- Hey Crawford! Come on, we don't have all day!

- I'm coming Luana, I'm coming!

He quickly jumped into the boat and the ship went off again. Soon the students couldn't even make out the shape. A common murmur formed afterwards when the boat was no longer visible.

- So cool....

A clearing of the throat from the redhead brought them back to reality.

- Well, this Outdoor Class was the shortest but also the most realistic of them all! Take this as a life lesson, and don't forget your dreams of becoming Rangers, Operators or Mechanics!

- Yes Madam!

- Alright! Now let's go back to class.

She went away followed by the principal and her students leaving the trio of friends in front of the statue.

- I still had 37 questions to ask him but...I think I'll find out those answers by myself.

The redhead's voice was filled with confidence but also with a certain serenity.

- Me too, I don't intend to give up my dream! I would do anything to become a good Operator!

Rhythmi crossed her hands over her heart as if to carve her words into a promise. And that made the brunet smile seeing his two friends so determined. He glanced at the Pledge Stone before speaking.

- <...How about we make an oath? To always pursue...O-Our dreams, I mean...>

The two oldest looked at each other, incredulous, before giggling lightly. The redhead answered him first.

- Hey, that's a good idea Kell!

- That way we'll always have a reason to move forward, huh? Alright, I'm in!

She placed her hand in the middle of their group, before being quickly joined by Keith's. The one with teal eyes hesitated for a moment, then delicately placed his hand on the oldest's. The three stared at each other for a moment before exclaiming in unison:

- For our dreams!>

It sounded completely childish, but yet Kellyn could swear that something had changed deep within his being. As if...This oath had been engraved in his heart.

The three friends smiled at each other before returning to their class and thus ending their day of lessons.

-------

The night was already well advanced when the redhead woke up from his sweet slumber. Which was strange coming from him. He then mechanically checked the time.

- 3 AM? Is this a joke?

He grumbled in a hushed voice, cursing the fact that he woke up. It was at that moment that he noticed a faint light coming from the dining hall, and curious, he decided to go and see. It's not like he was going to go back to sleep anyway.

He got up and silently left the room, looking for the source of light....And he found it immediately.

It came from a small portable lamp on one of the dining hall tables. It lit very little in the end, except for the area within a radius of 2m. Beside it was...Kellyn?

-...Kell...?

The brunet had headphones on, and seemed to be working on a piece of fabric while humming quietly. The eldest remained frozen for a few seconds before recovering and going to meet his friend.

He hesitated before gently patting the shoulder of the teenager who jumped violently. The latter stopped his music and took off his headphones before turning toward the one who had dared to enter his personal space.

- <...Keith...? S-Sorry, I woke you up...?>

- Nah...Woke up on my own, don't worry. But, and you? You do know it's 3 AM?

- < Already? I didn't see...The t-time go by....>

-....Excuse me?

The youngest rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment, then turned his eyes away from the inquisitive gaze of the oldest.

- <....I-It's just that....Sometimes, I have trouble sleeping....And because of this, I-I spend my nights m-making ribbons, shawls...I keep myself busy.>

Kellyn signed slowly, while pointing to his gear that he had spread out on the table, showing that despite his words, he was getting tired. Pieces of fabric of many colors, spools of thread, drawing sheets as well as fragments of gems and basic sewing tools were on the wooden surface....Clearly not professional equipment, but we felt the investment.

- I see...Is it a hobby?

- < Humhum....I-I only know how to do simple things though...No clothes per se. Just...Accessories, I guess...Even though I have more experience w-with shawls, haha....Wanna see some?>

Piqued in his curiosity the redhead accepted the proposal of his friend who gave him a shy smile. The latter reached into a bag on his right and pulled out several finished projects. He handed them to Keith who took one with a surprising delicacy.

It was a midnight blue shawl with gold embroidery. The patterns were composed of arabesques, simple flowers as well as small symbols. Although the basic form of the accessory was basic, it's design was much more complex. But, it remained elegant and pleasing to the eye, without apparent overload but above all, it was light and soft to the touch.

-...It's pretty.

The crimson-eyed one continued to observe the works of the younger boy who was blushing with embarrassment. Ribbons of various sizes, some adorned with small gems, other shawls of different colors...Yes, the brunet put a certain passion into it.

- They are so beautiful! I may not know anything about this kind of stuff, but I can recognize when something is pretty!

The older one's remarks warmed the heart of the boy, who was beaming. Keith froze for two seconds before taking a small vermilion ribbon accompanied by fine black lace. He stared at it for a moment before tying it in the brown hair. The owner blushed violently and tried to reason with his friend who was not listening to him.

- < K-Keith! W-What the->

- I knew it, red suits you! You look like an angel like that!

The teal-eyed one felt himself turning even redder than before, and turned away his head sharply, trying to avoid Keith's teasing but sincere smile. Oh Arceus, he was pretty sure smoke was coming out of his ears!

- < D-Do you hear yourself t-talking?!>

The redhead laughed out loud with such innocence that Kellyn found himself petrified. Therefore he didn't react when the hands of the one with crimson eyes rested with an unsuspected gentleness against his cheeks that were on fire.

-/...Cold. His skin is cold....B-B-B-But wh-what am I talking about?!!/

As his thoughts swirled in all directions like chaos, the voice of the oldest called out to him.

- You should smile more.

- <...H-Huh?>

- You always seem withdrawn and serious. Seriously, loosen up a bit!

A dull sound echoed almost immediately, and the redhead took a few steps back, holding his cheek. He had just been slapped by the brunet whose face was red, no longer with embarrassment but with anger.

- < You Asshole!>

The youngest turned his back to the teenager and curled up, refusing any contact or explanation.

- K-Kellyn...

- < Leave me alone! Go away!>

Keith tried to approach the youngest but when this one turned toward him he noticed that his eyes were shining and filled with tears. The redhead blinked and left without saying a word, going back to bed.

Once the oldest was no longer visible Kellyn stared at the bedroom door. His heart was a mess, and his chest felt heavy.

- /....Did I go too far?/

-----------------------------------

Crawford: *to Kellyn* Oh! I didn't answer your question yet! So, what is it?

Kellyn:..../ Darn!! I thought I made myself completely forgotten!/

---------------------

Keith: *holding his cheek* Ouch....It hurts you know...?....Kellyn, put that shawl away RIGHT NOW!!!