Lessons at Sycamore High had finally finished for the day and as students began to pour out of the entrance of the building, Ash, Pikachu and Gary were already outside the school gates waiting for everybody.
Gary: How long do you think everyone is going to take?...My legs are beginning to hurt.
Ash: Do you ever quit complaining? You came back from Alola today and I'm surprised you're not tired from the journey back...
Pikachu: Pika..
Gary: Hey! I wasn't complaining! I was stating that my legs were aching!
Ash: Yeah... Yeahhhh...
Gary: Watch it Ashy Boy! Or I won't give you your surprise I received back in Alola.
Ash: What surprise?..
Pikachu: Pika?
Gary didn't reply, instead he winked at Ash, but the raven haired boy knew Gary was teasing him, so he ignored him and carried on looking out for Serena and the others. A few minutes later, Clemont, Hau, Mallow and Lillie walked out of the building and towards the Kantonians.
Gary: I see you've fully met Clemont.
Mallow: We sure did!
Hau: He was showing us one of his inventions until Lillie asked him about our group meet up later and he said he was going, so we decided to walk with him!
Lillie: But he's rather slow...
Clemont: Running is a lot of effort...
The blonde scientist sweat dropped only to realised that no one else was here yet.
Clemont: Are we the first ones here?
Ash: Yeah, Serena and the others still haven't arrived yet.
Gary: How much longerrrr!....
Lillie: You sure impatient.
Ash: Gary tends to do stuff at a fairly fast pace meaning he wants others to work at that speed too...
Gary: The quicker you do things the more time you have to do what you want!
Mallow: I don't understand you sometimes...
Pikachu: Pika!
While Ash and Gary's group were standing outside the gates, Serena and her group were rushing to the entrance of the school as they were let out of last lesson late.
Tierno: I can deal with dancing, but not running!
Trevor: I agree!... I hate running.
Miette: Stop be wimps and speed up! Serena and Calem are ahead of us!
Serena noticed the three behind her were struggling to keep, so she stopped to wait for them as Calem carried on running in front.
Serena: Come on! Ash and the others are probably waiting for us!
Miette: We're just coming! But if our teacher would of let us out at the right time then we wouldn't be in this situation!
Trevor: She kept us behind because weren't being quiet..
Tierno: That's ridiculous! Every other student were talking in the classroom...
Serena: Let's not worry about that right now! Let's just worry that Ash is waiting outside with the others and Gary is probably getting very impatient...
Calem made it to the entrance only to look behind him to see the rest at the other end of the hallway.
Calem: What?! How can you possibly be that slow?!....
Serena: We're just coming Calem! Hold on!
The rest of the group managed to catch up with Calem and exited the building where they saw the rest of the group standing at the gates of the school.
Serena: Ashhhh!
Ash: Huh?... Serena! About time!
Serena's group ran over to Ash and the others, but Serena immediately pinched Ash's cheek.
Ash: Owwww!... What was that for?
Serena: That was for being rude!
Pikachu: Pika?
Serena: Hi Pikachu!
Pikachu: Pika!
Serena began to rub her index finger gently against Pikachu's right cheek which made him cry out in happiness.
Lillie: Wait?!
Gary: What's wrong Lillie?
Everyone looked over at Lillie who had a shocked expression on her face.
Lillie: Is Ash and Serena a couple?!
As soon as those words left Lillie's face, everyone was shocked to hear that Lillie didn't know that Ash and Serena were a couple.
Mallow: You didn't know?! I noticed when I first met them!
Lillie: I've only just realised.... You two are adorable!
Serena: Oh.. T-thank you...
Serena began to blush which Ash noticed, so instead of everyone realising that Serena was embarrassed he recommended they started to walk back to his house.
Ash: So now that we're all here, why don't we start heading back to mine and Gary's?
Hau: Let's go! I can't wait to tell everyone what I experienced when I returned to Alola!
Ash: Sounds like you had fun when you went back.
Hau: Sure did!
Hau rummaged through his pocket and brought out a Pokeball.
Ash: You finally got one?!
Miette: Got what?
Hau: My first starter Pokemon!
Ash and Miette crowded Hau in amazement while the rest of the group carried on walking.
Ash: What Pokemon did you pick?!
Hau: I'll give you a hint! It's a starter from Alola!
Ash: What?! That's not a hint! I don't even know any Pokemon from Alola....
Miette: Alola? What's that? A person?...
Ash: Miette? Are you feeling okay?
Hau: I can't believe you just said that...
Miette: Said what?... I'm confused guys...
Ash and Hau face palmed after experiencing Miette's stupidity, but she had no clue why Ash and Hau looked emotionless.
Ash: Let's just carry on walking and pretend you didn't say that...
Hau: I second that... Let's get moving....
Miette: Come on!.... Tell me!
Ash and Hau ignored Miette and swiftly caught up with the rest leaving Miette to catch up.
Miette: Heyyyy!... Wait up!
Hau: You're gonna have to run if you want to catch up!
Miette ran after the group as they began to make their way back Ash and Gary's home back in Vaniville town. After an hour of walking the large group had made it to the front of the house. Ash knocked on the door and Delia answered, but was shocked to see so many people standing before her.
Delia: Oh my!.... What a large group Ash!
Ash: Sorry about that mum...But we're only going to be relaxing in the house anyway.
Delia: That's fine as I was planning on going out tonight with Grace and Meyer.
Ash: Oh...Well have fun!
Delia: I'm heading to the shops first, so would you kids like anything?
Ash: Ermm...
Pikachu: Pika! ( Ketchup! I need ketchup! Now!)
Ash: No! No ketchup!
Pikachu: Pika..
Ash: I think we'll be fine for now, we have food anyway inside the fridge and cupboards.
Delia: Okay dear, you kids have fun and I'll be back later with the shopping then I'll be heading back out with Grace and Meyer.
Ash: Okay! See you later mum!
Delia: Wait!....
Serena: What's wrong Delia?
Gary: You looked scared?
Delia stared down at Ash, she looked lost, frightened.
Delia: Where is Noibat?!
Serena: Oh! Don't worry! My mum is looking after Noibat and Pichu. Me and Mallow had school, so my mum offered to look after the two.
Delia: You had me worried for a second.... But why did you say Pichu?..
Ash: Huh?... Oh! You haven't met our new addition have you?!
Delia: Well I did only get back from my weekend away.
Ash: I'll explain later about Pichu, for now you go have a fun night out!
Delia: Alright dear, have fun and make sure to change your underwear when you go to bed! You're JigglyPuff underwear are still on the floor! So make sure you clean your bedroom.
Gary: Haha! Ashy Boy and his JigglyPuff underwear!
Delia: Oh! You too Gary! Your Clefairy underwear are all over your bedroom.
Gary: Wait! what!
Ash: You were saying?..
Pikachu: Pika..
Delia smiled as the two boys debated, but she noticed Hau at the back which was a surprise for her as she thought he was back in Alola.
Delia: Hau?!
Hau: Huh?... Oh! Hi Aunt Delia!
Mallow: Aunt?! That means Ash is your cousin!
Lillie: You didn't know that?
Mallow: Not till now...
Ash: You learn something new everyday...
Gary: I'm going in to sort my bedroom out...
Ash: To hide your Clefairy underwear? Or to take a shower and sing again like you did when you first moved in?
Gary: Watch it Ashy Boy!
Ash grinned as Gary turned bright red after the conversation back fired, but once Delia left the house the whole group entered the large mansion like house with an amazed look on their faces.
Hau: I forgot how big this place is!
Ash: It has been around four months since you last placed a foot here.
Lillie: You have such a big house for just three people!
Ash: I guess my mum is just lucky to have a good job..
Gary: She works?...
Ash: Of course she- Huh?
Tierno: So much space to dance around in!
Calem: Really?... How childish can you get...
Gary: Someone sure is grumpy..
Calem: Whatever Kanto boy...
Gary pouted after Calem's remark, but the loud shouting coming from Mallow, Hau and Trevor caught everyone's attention.
Mallow: The back garden is crawling with amazing Pokemon! Are they all yours Ash?
Ash: Most of them are.
Gary: Then some of them are mine.
Trevor: I've got an idea! Why don't we let all of our Pokemon out of their Pokeballs so they can roam around the back garden?
Pikachu: Pika!
Mallow: Is that alright with you Ash?
Ash: Oh sure!
Serena: Are you okay Ash?... You seem to think hard every time you're asked a question...
Ash: I'm fine! I promise!
Serena: As long as you're sure..
Ash smiled at Serena and left her side as he followed everyone out to the back garden, but Serena knew something was up with him because he would never have to think before answering a question which was very unusual for him.
Once everyone let their Pokemon out into the back garden, they all returned into the house to start discussing.
Gary: So Ash!How are we going to sort this out?
Ash: Sort what out?
Gary: The living room of course! We need to make room for everyone! We can use the bean bags from the spare room to sit on!
Ash: Sounds like a plan! Calem, Tierno and Trevor can you move the wooden table and chairs from the living room and into the Kitchen while the rest of us go and get the bean bags?
Tierno: Sure thing Ash!
Trevor: I'm not very strong, but I guess I can try!
Calem: Just leave it to the strong guys Trevor! Me and Tierno have got this!
Gary: Show off...
As Calem and Gary had a stare off, the girls began to giggle as Ash lost the motivation to put up with Gary and Calem, so he asked Mallow and Hau to help get the bean bags while the rest were downstairs moving the table or too occupied by laughing at Gary.
Hau and Mallow followed Ash upstairs both receiving instructions to retrieve the bean bags in Ash and Gary's room.
Ash: I'll start taking the bean bags from the spare room and taking them downstairs while Hau you get the two from my room and Mallow you get the one from Gary's.
Hau: Okay!
Mallow: Before I enter Gary's room should I know any health hazards?
Ash sweatdropped indicating he no advice leaving Mallow worried to what to expect when she walked into Gary's room. As Mallow walked into Gary's room she was surprised to see how clean it was, but Delia was right about the Clefairy underwear covering his bed.
Mallow: Looks like Ash's mum was right... Gary is a big fan of Clefairy...
Mallow began to explore Gary's room, as she walked in the room seemed to be big at first, but she adjusted to the size quickly. She looked to her left to see the bed side ways against the back wall with chest of draws at the end. A cabinet rested against the right wall while a desk was neatly tucked into the left corner closest to her.
She slowly took small steps as she didn't want to make Gary's room more messy than it already was. She spotted the bean bags underneath Gary's bed, but as she approached the bean bags she noticed a picture in a brown frame hanged up on the wall above the small wooden desk.
Mallow: What's this?... A picture of Gary? With who?..
Mallow picked the frame of the pin that attached the picture to the wall and scanned the picture instantly realising that the picture was of Gary, Ash and an old man behind them. She then turned the picture around and saw three names on the back.
Mallow: 'A picture to remember memories by, Ash Ketchum, Gary Oak and Sammy Oak'...... Wow! The old man in the back must be Gary's grandad! They look so alike!
As Mallow found an amazing discovery Hau had found one of his own.
Hau: Bean bags... Bean bags... Where are they?....
Hau quickly looked around the whole room for the bean bags, but he couldn't find any. Ash's room had the same format as Gary's room just a little bigger. Hau carried on searching for the bean bags in Ash's room until he looked in the cupboard and two large bean bags fell on top of him.
Hau: Why me... Always me...
Hau didn't try to avoid the attack by the bean bags instead he let it happen and fell to the floor made out of soft carpet which broke his fall, but Hau broke the bean bags fall leaving him covered by cushioned objects.
Hau: Mhmmmhhhhmmmm!
Hau quickly pushed the bean bags off him and sat up as he rubbed the back of his head.
Hau: Ow.... My head really hurts. Let's just get these stupid things downstairs.
Hau managed to get up after his dramatic fall, but as turned and looked around the room he noticed something familiar resting on the desk in the far corner of the room. Hau instantly dropped the bean bags and walked over to the desk and picked up an envelope which had the name Ash written across in large letters, but the handwriting looked very familiar to Hau as he inspected it closer.
Hau: T-this handwriting... It's my handwriting! It's the style I write in!
Hau turned the envelope around to see that Ash hasn't even opened it which slightly annoyed Hau a little then he thought about it then understood why Ash still hasn't opened it just yet, but as soon as Hau was about to place the envelope back down onto the desk Ash opened the door and dashed in with Mallow slowly following behind.
Ash: Hau! Are you okay?!..
Hau: Y-yeah... I'm okay.
Mallow: Are you sure? We heard you shout and loud thuds against the floor.
Hau luckily hid his hands behind his back hiding from Ash that he had discovered the unread letter inside, but Hau desperately wanted to know why Ash still hasn't opened it.
Hau: Yeah I'm fine... But...
Ash: But what Hau? What's wrong?
Hau: Whatever you do don't get mad at me... I understand why you haven't opened it yet...
Mallow: What are you talking about Hau?
Ash: Haven't opened what yet?..
Hau: T-this?...
Hau slowly swung his arms to in front of him revealing that he was holding the unopened envelope. At first Ash didn't know how to feel, it was mixed emotions for him as the Kantonian felt surprised, shocked, annoyed and happy.
Ash: Looks like you found it... I'm sorry that I-....
Hau: Look Ash... I didn't expect you to open it after what happened with the Pokemon Hunters...I'm not mad at you for not opening it, but I'm curious for why you haven't opened it yet..
Mallow: May I ask what you two are going on about?
Ash turned around and faced Mallow and was about to explain, but then smiled at her.
Ash: Why don't we read it together?
Hau: R-read it together?
Mallow: Are you sure? I don't want to get in the middle of your business with each other..
Ash: I'm sure it's fine! Right Hau?
Hau: Oh....Erm.... I guess it's fine..
Mallow: Then what are you waiting for! Open it!
Ash: Talk about mood change in an instant second..
Hau: That's Mallow for you...
The three exchanged smiles and sat down on Ash's bed as the raven haired boy began to open the four month old letter that Hau had wrote him when he left for Alola.
End Of Chapter 68