Ever since the "accident", the two boys have become very close. If Keith calmed down in contact with Kellyn, the brunet learned to communicate better with words. Although he always preferred to do it with gestures, if possible.

-....How? Can I know the how and the why?

Our trio was currently in the library, one sleeping soundly, another one reading and the last one completely stunned. Indeed, instead of dozing off on the table as usual, the redhead was now lying on the bench, his head against the youngest's thighs. Youngest who, was also absent-mindedly stroking the fire mane.

-....Let's just say our bond has grown stronger.

Ah yes, it was good to mention that Kellyn had taken his courage into his 2 hands, and could now speak openly with Rhythmi. The latter was even euphoric when she heard his voice for the first time.

- Other than stronger! By Arceus, it looks like you've known each other forever!

The brunet chuckled softly, trying not to wake his friend.

- Maybe. Anyway....what's going on Rhy?

The blonde froze for a moment, before her memories returned to her.

- Oh yes! You know the 1 Day Internship is tomorrow, right?

- Humhum.

- Well, our internship locations are displayed in the hall. Don't worry, I took the informations for the three of us.

The youngest gave her a grateful smile, which the teenager returned.

- Thank you Platina. And so? Where are you going?

- Well...It's going to take place at the Ranger Union! The place where all Top Operators and Chairperson Erma are! I've always wanted to see her in person, haha!

- But, that's fantastic! A step closer to your dream, right?

The blonde only responded with an excited giggle. The only thing that was preventing her from jumping up and down was the fact they're still in the library. Kellyn, him, was smiling, observing with amusement the happy behavior of his friend. The latter seemed to take notice of what she was doing, since she turned bright red.

- Humhum!....Sorry.

The brunet giggled behind his free hand, his eyes full of playful mischief.

- We'll see who will laugh last, Chocolate!

The golden-eyed girl pouted, ignoring her classmate who bursted out laughing.

- Sorry, sorry!~

- You're lucky that I love you both! Or else, I wouldn't work my arse off to find yours and Keith's Internship info!

A few months earlier, the teen would have reacted quite badly. Except now he understood humor!...Or at least, his only friend's humor.

- We love you too, Tina.

The 2 of them laughed once, amused by their own idiocy.

- Anyway...Oh, yes. Your 1 Day Internship's location! You'll voth go to Vientown's base!

The teal eyes started to shine with excitement.

- Vientown? Isn't that Crawford's base?

- Yup! At least, you'll know somebody!

- I don't know if it's a good thing...

Suddenly, the bell rang, announcing 7PM.

- Haha! It's time to eat! I'll go reserve our seats, take care of this lazybum!

- Hihi, okay. Let's do that. See you later!

The blonde waved to him before going to the dining hall as quickly as possible. The boy giggled and gave all his attention to the one sleeping on his thighs. He smiled, and softly stroked the scarlet hair while whispering:

- Eh, Scarlet, wake up...You need to wake up...Come on...~

Kellyn leaned toward the redhead's face, and slowly rubbed his nose against his temple. This got the expected effect since Keith started to emerge from his slumber.

-...Hi Kell...

- Heiya sleepyhead. Did you sleep well?

- Humhum....~

The younger one softly chuckled at the sleepy expression of the oldest, while playing with some locks of his hair.

- Before you ask, it's time to eat.

The red-haired boy flashed a big smile before standing up and stretching out, allowing Kellyn to move again.

- I see!~ Thanks for waking me up, Kell.

- No problem! Let's get going, Platina is waiting for us.

The 2 boys smiled at each other before going to the dining hall, which was Heaven on Earth when it's dinner time.

---

And like that, time flew by, the next day coming rather swiftly...

- This is one of the moments you're all waiting for...The 1 Day Internship!

As soon as Miss April finished her sentence, a general pure scream of joy echoed in the room. The students were whispering to each other, completely excited, forcing the only adult to raise her voice to be heard.

- Calm down, calm down! I know you're impatient, but rushing into things won't do any good.

The students became silent or at least a little more manageable. The red-haired woman sighed out of relief at this new peace.

- As you know, you're going to spend a full day at your assigned base. I count on you to learn as much as possible from the official Rangers, Operators and Mechanics.

She looked around the class before smiling.

- With that, I release you. Good luck to all of you!

- Thank you Miss April!

The teenagers got up one after the other, quickly leaving their classroom.

- Well I'm leaving. It's not that, but the Union is not next door! Come on, see you tonight!

Rhythmi waved to her two classmates and left.

- Hey Kell, we're both going to Vientown, right? Let's go together.

The brunet nodded with a soft smile.

The teenagers didn't take long to get out of the school and it's yard, except that, when they wanted to access the gate... They heard a cry.

- A-Ah!!! Help!!

The two exchanged a confused look before rushing towards the source of the noise. Said noise was due to the voice of a middle-aged man, clinging to a tree trunk. Some Bidoofs were happily jumping all around him, not noticing the human's panic.

- What is happening?!

- T-These Bidoofs want to eat me!

The boys stared at the creatures going about their business, causing a fond smile on their faces.

- Aw~ They're cute though, right Kell?

- < Hmmm...>

Keith quickly turned his head towards the brunet, puzzled by his behavior, before it came back to him:

- Oh yes it's true. Your selective mutism...

The youngest looked sorry, something that the redhead didn't like at all.

- Don't apologize. It's not your fault.

- I-I'm sorry b-but can you g-g-give me a hand?

- A-Ah! Sorry! Let's hurry Kell, these Bidoofs seem a little too excited to me, anyway.

The two teenagers nodded before drawing their Styler and beginning their capture. Said capture which didn't last that long since the creatures were quite easy to appease.

- That should do the trick! You can get off Little Tim! There's no danger anymore.

The man came down from his "hiding place" cautiously, and positioned himself near the students.

- A-Ah! You are my saviors, kids! Although, one of you isn't f-familiar to me...A-A new student, maybe?

The crimson-eyed teen, upon seeing the confusion of the other two's faces had a small enlightenment.

- Oh! Now that I think about it, it's true that you've never seen each other. Kell, meet Little Tim. He owns a farm in Vientown with his family. He regularly brings milk to school, although this time is much later than usual. He's also terrified of Pokemons, only for them to love him to Death!...To be honest, I think it's because of the smell of milk.

Kellyn giggledquietly before giving the adult a smile and bowing in respect.

- Little Tim, this is Kellyn. He arrived a few months ago, that's why you've never seen him before.

The farmer scanned the brunet from top to bottom, as if to try to remember his appearance.

- T-That makes s-sense. In that case, I wish you g-good luck with your studies! I-I'm sure y-you'll become a-an excellent Ranger!

The teal-eyed boy felt his cheeks heat up slightly from the compliment, causing him to look away.

- Haha! Don't be so shy Kell! He's right anyway, you will become a very good Ranger!

The younger boy hid his bright red face with his hands, causing his friend's expression to soften. The latter gently stroked the brown hair, in order to appease it's owner.

- Hey~ It's fine. You don't have to feel ashamed.

Kellyn raised his head hesitantly, staring at the red-haired boy with a sorry look who was also filled with shyness and anxiety. Keith smiled before pressing their temples together and slowly rubbing them together.

The brunet froze for a moment, then relaxed and closed his eyes. A soft sound then began to slowly escape from the back of his throat. A weak but adorable sound: a purr.

The older of the 2 was surprised to hear his classmate purr like a Pokemon, but he didn't mind. It was very cute to him.

- Hehe....You're adorable, you know that?

The teal-eyed teen gave Keith a "nice" nudge before heading for the gate, pouting. The redhead let out an offended cry while running after Kellyn, who didn't speak to him out of revenge.

- Keeeeeeeelllll!~ I'm sorry!~

- Hmph!

The brunet slightly puffed out his cheeks and crossed his arms in front of his chest, pretending to be angry....Sweet Arceus, it's so adorable!

The eldest pouted, visibly annoyed. Until a flash of genius streaks through his mind, making him smile. The younger student frowned, confused and suspicious at the same time. He didn't have time to open his mouth that Keith grabbed him by the waist, and lifted him up as if he weighed no more than a feather!

- W-What?! K-Keith! Put me down!

The brunet in his panic, clung to the nearest object...Which was his classmate. Now, he was having the red-haired teen's head cradled against his heart, his arms wrapped around said head. His eyes being closed, because he got scared, he didn't realize the awkward position the two were in.

The redhead found himself petrified. It wasn't what he expected, at all! He knew that his cheeks were red, but he couldn't tell if it was coming from him or from Kellyn's body temperature. He heard a heart pounding in his ears, probably the other boy's.

...Or maybe it was his?

Anyhow, the crimson-eyed one still had to put his poor friend back on the ground. Said friend, who, when he opened his eyes, turned into a big ripped tomato. He then let go of the teenager but kept a firm grip on his shoulders.

-...Y-You put me down?

-...Huh? O-Oh yes! Right away!

Keith slightly leaned forward, allowing his friend to have both of his feet back on the ground again. The two parted, looking in opposite directions. An awkward silence settled until the brunet decided to break it.

- W-We....We better get going. We'll be late otherwise.

- G-Good idea...!

The trip to Vientown ended up being so awkward that the atmosphere could be cut with a knife. It was finally the redhead who decided to break the ice.

-...Hey Kell?

- Yeah?

- Sorry about earlier. You... You know, I'm more of a tactile type. But I didn't think you would react like that, honestly.

The teal-eyed one gave him a surprised look before a tender one appeared on his face.

- Don't worry. I know you meant no harm. You just surprised me, that's all. I'm not used to being lifted, that's for sure! At least, I won't be surprised next time.

The brunet chuckled lightly, as if amused by his own words. This gesture made Keith burst out laughing and he felt his conscience ease. It was in this state that they finally arrived at Vientown's base.

- Oh~ So this is a real base? I thought they were bigger, oh well.

Kellyn gave a light flick to his classmate who stuck out his tongue in return.

-...I still feel nervous.

- Who wouldn't be? This is the first time that we will see how the professionals work. We are only trainees, after all.

- Not wrong.

The teenagers stared at each other for a few seconds before nodding. The two entered the building at the same time...And saw nobody.

-...Eh? It's empty?

- < I-It's not supposed to be full of p-p-people...?>

Keith then stepped forward, and raised his voice a little.

- Hello!!! Is someone here? We are Kellyn and Keith from Ranger School! We are here for the 1 Day Internship!

Silence answered him. The redhead turned toward the brunet, whose pupils were filled with worry.

- Ah! Please, forgive me! I didn't see you coming.

Suddenly, a woman with short purple hair came out from under the counter. She was dressed in a bluish green outfit, the Operator's outfit. The boys then went to meet her, nervous as hell.

- Kellyn Gungnir and Keith Dazzle, right? The school has notified us of your arrival. As you can see, I'm all alone here. And it's for a very good reason. All the Rangers of the base have been called up for an extremely urgent mission, and won't be back for quite some time.

Keith gave a confused look to his younger friend who shrugged, just as lost as the oldest.

- The leader, Barlow, left me a letter and a package for the both of you. Let me read the content first..."To the trainees of the Ranger school. As you probably know, our entire team had to go on an emergency mission. Except that, in order not to let you twiddle your thumbs, I left our trusted Operator with a very important package. Pick it up and bring it to the top of the hill after Nabiki Beach. Consider it a real mission! Barlow."

The older boy's crimson eyes lit up in excitement, while the other raised an eyebrow doubtfully. Before the latter could sign, the woman handed them the famous package.

- So this is the object you have to deliver! On the other hand, it's prohibited to shake it in all directions! It's fragile. Very fragile....

- Oh. You better take it Kell. You know me, I'm like a Tauros in a china shop.

Kellyn chuckled silently before gently picking up the package and pressing it against his chest. The adult wished them both good luck, then the two left.

- The hill after Nabiki Beach, huh....It's to the West if I remember correctly.

- I trust you, I don't know Almia enough to say anything about it.

- Haha! Don't worry, Almia isn't THAT much of a maze.

The oldest sneered at the bored gaze of the brunet who was beginning to go towards the famous beach.

- Hey! Wait for me!

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

Kellyn: *clutching for his dear life onto Keith* P-Please put me down!

Keith: *has his head stuck into Kellyn's chest*.....*Keith.exe has stopped working, please retry later*

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

Operator: *telling that Barlow and co are on an important mission*

Kellyn: I smell a scam.