1. Ash's Story (Part 9: Alola)

Chapter 9: First Ribbon

The next morning, school felt unusually quiet after everything with Litten.

I kept glancing toward the market road on the way there, half expecting the stubborn Fire type to appear with another stolen lunch. Lillie noticed, but she did not tease me. She only squeezed my hand once, reminding me that waiting was part of helping too.

Nebby stayed at home with my parents again. Mom promised to keep the curtains partly closed, and Dad promised not to let the little Cosmog float near anything breakable. That second promise sounded less certain, but Lillie still looked calmer when we left.

When we reached the classroom, Professor Kukui was already waiting near the door.

"Everyone, Principal Oak has a special lesson prepared today," he said. "Bring your bags and come with me."

"A special lesson?" I asked.

Mallow leaned closer to Lana. "That usually means either something fun or something very strange."

"In Alola, those may be the same thing," Lana said.

We followed Kukui through the hallway to Principal Oak's office. Samson Oak stood behind his desk with his usual bright smile, but what caught everyone's attention were the two eggs resting on soft cushions in front of him.

One egg was red with warm markings that reminded me of Kanto sunlight. The other was white with pale, flower-like patterns curling across the shell.

Sophocles stepped forward immediately. "What kind of eggs are they? Have you examined them yet?"

Samson Oak chuckled. "The red one here was brought from Kanto by Ash and Lillie. The white one was recently discovered on Mount Lanakila."

Lillie's eyes went straight to the white egg. "Mount Lanakila..."

"It was found in a cold place, but the shell remained warm," Samson Oak said. "As for what Pokemon is inside, that is something you will have to wait to discover."

Rosa folded her arms thoughtfully. "So this is not just a show-and-tell lesson."

"Exactly," Kukui said. "Caring for a Pokemon from an egg teaches observation, patience, responsibility, and affection. Those are not smaller than battle skills."

Samson Oak placed one hand near each cushion. "How about this? I will raise one egg here, and all of you will raise the other as a class project."

"We get to raise the other egg?" Mallow asked.

"Indeed," Samson Oak said. "You will monitor it daily, note any changes, and show it kindness. Sounds simple, right?"

"Simple means everyone must do it properly," Kiawe said.

Nate nodded. "If everyone is responsible, then everyone needs a schedule."

"Absolutely right," Samson Oak said. "And do not forget affection. An egg may not battle, but it can still feel warmth around it."

Samson Oak gestured to the eggs. "First, choose which egg your class would like to raise."

I looked at Lillie. "What do you think?"

Lillie hesitated, then smiled shyly at the white egg. "Personally, I would choose the white one. It has those cute flower-like patterns."

"Indeed, those patterns are adorable," Selene said.

Sophocles blinked. "Is that the reason?"

"What is wrong with that?" Nate asked. "A gentle reason can still be a real reason."

Rosa smiled. "And if the egg responds to affection, choosing with affection seems fair."

Kiawe studied both eggs seriously. "The red egg feels energetic. The white egg feels quiet, but not weak."