Pasio University: Sophomore and Junior Years

Chapter 73- Trust the Process

Brendan POV

It's been about 2 weeks since Elio left and we've enjoyed quite a lot of success since then. We're able to focus completely on winning since all our minds are at ease about him being alive. We're up to 19-7 with 4 games left to go. Playoffs are all but locked up.

Greater Islands Conference Standings

#1 Alola Regional University 21-5 (5-0)
#2 Pasio University 19-7 (3-2)
#3 The Isle of Armor 18-8 (4-1)
#4 Malie City University 14-12 (3-2)
----------- Playoff Cutoff ----------------------------
#5 HeaHea City College 13-13 (2-3)
#6 Melemele Regional College11-15 (1-4)
#7 Pokemon Colosseum Orre 9-17 (2-3)
#8 Lental University 5-21 (0-5)

It's getting down to the wire now, with just a little bit of February left to go, it's almost time for the tournament month of March. I quickly scanned our remaining schedule and groaned when I saw who we had to play.

Pasio Last 4 regular season games

At Alola Regional
Vs Sunyshore Tech
Vs Coumarine Tech
At Cerulean University

Alola Regional. Again. Never get a break from those people unfortunately. As much as I wish I could. I guess it's on me to prep us for them this time, and maybe Rich will be less antagonistic without his favorite target around... Or maybe Rosa is his favorite target now? I don't know I couldn't bother to keep up with it all. I paced around, that game is in 3 days. Dang. That's gonna suck. It's also kind of bad because we don't really get anything for winning either. Unless Regional would lose 2 more matches after that, they'll still be the #1 come Tournament time. So it feels like we're not playing for much, but have the chance to lose quite a lot. I heard the door to the practice facility swing open and I raised my eyes to see who it was. "Ah well ain't this a crew. The Unovans and Dawn." Hilda, Hilbert, Rosa, and Dawn all looked at me and waved. I stood up, "What brings you all here? We have today off." Dawn answered, "We've got regional in 3 days. Rosa doesn't want to lose to them. I don't want to lose to them. I don't think these two lovebirds want to lose to them either. We're putting in the extra work." I smiled, "Cool! If you guys want me to help out just shout. I'm trying to figure out what we can do to mix them up. I'm not quite so good at this game planning stuff..." Dawn walked over to me and snatched my papers, I looked up confused as she read them over. She looked down to me, "If you want- this is a really good start by the way- anyway, if you want to go help them practice, I'd be more than willing to help polish this up." I responded, "Really? You'd do that?" Dawn smiled, "Sure. I mean I've done it for you loads of times. This shouldn't be too much different." I slid off the bleachers and walked down to the Unovans while Dawn pulled out a pen and began to scribble some notes on my game plan.

Rosa looked at me, "I don't think Rich is gonna let you off the hook Brendan. He wants this rivalry to stay heated as far as I know." I huffed, "Nah he's smarter than to go after me still. He got it to work once but he knows he can't get in my head anymore." Hilbert tilted his head, "You sure? I don't mean to be pushy, but you've been taking what the media said about you pretty hard." I shook my head, "That's different." Hilbert shrugged, "Alright I trust you." Hilda pointed, "Can we get started on some 2 on 2s? I want to learn as much as I can." I nodded, "Sure. Me and Rosa against you two then." They nodded in agreement and we battled for a while.

We ended up splitting after 4 battles 2-2. I shook my head, "Alright, you guys all look really sharp. That being said, none of us were perfect. Let's talk about what we can do better." Hilda puffed her cheeks, "Really? No rubber match?" Hilbert patted her on the back, "Hey, hey, we're learning Hild. We don't have to beat them. We just have to remember how much we totally would've won the rubber match by." Rosa puffed her cheeks in return, "That's not true!" I chuckled, "Goodness you are all competitive. Relax. We all totally would've stomped each other. Anyway, want to get us started..."