"Ruff ruff!"

"Okay okay, I'm up!" Honoka tried to block her face from the relentless licking assault from the Rockruff on top of her. Sitting up, she ruffled the puppy's head, who happily barked in response. "Oh yeah, you love that don't you, you crazy mutt," Honoka giggled as Rockruff pressed its head on her palms and laid down on its back.

"You never wake up if Rockruff doesn't barge into you room, do you onee-chan," Yukiho interrupted the petting session.

"Yukiho! Good morning," Honoka beamed her little sister a smile as she rubbed the Pokemon's tummy. "Well, it's a good thing you always let him in, then! I'd always be tardy if it weren't for you."

"Well, don't thank me now because you're already on the clock," Yukiho frowned and walked away. "Mom! Onee-chan's up!" Honoka could hear her yell.

"Yukiho's right, today's the big day, Rockruff!" Honoka opened her window and took a deep breath of the New Bark Town's fresh air. "The day I become a Pokemon trainer."

"Did you pack everything? Clothes? Toothbrush? Your Pokegear?"

"Yup, I ran through your list last night and packed everything! You're worrying too much, Mom." Honoka patted her backpack and flashed the Pokegear hanging on her hips.

"I'm just…" Honoka's mom gave her daughter a sweet smile and pressed her arms before hugging her. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, mom." Honoka hugged back. "Dad's still working on that huge order?"

"Yeah, talk about bad timing. Even with Yukiho helping I don't think he can leave the kitchen for even a second. He'll probably miss you the most, right after Yukiho."

"Don't forget to feed Rockruff, okay?" The soon Pokemon-trainer-to-be said as she knelt down to give Rockruff a few last head rubs.

"I wonder which of you two will miss the other more," the two Kousaka's shared a laugh before embracing each other one last time.

"Honoka, remember you can always come back home."

"Thanks, I will."

"Oh! Before I forget…" Honoka's mom let go and handed Honoka a bag that lied in the counter. "Your dad prepared you some Homura and Oran manjuus. For sharing!"

Honoka took a peek inside the bag, two boxes stacked on top of each other. "Thanks, Dad!" Honoka shouted loud enough to be heard outside.

"Don't forget to pick the strongest one! You'll need it!" Yukiho yelled back from the kitchen.

"Now, off you go. Your friends are already waiting outside."

Honoka nodded, gave her mother one last and quick hug before running outside.

"You seem very excited," Umi commented with a small smile, standing right outside the Homura bakery and next to Kotori.

"I've been waiting for this day my entire life, you bet I'm excited!" Honoka embraced her two best friends and giggled. "And I get to embark on my journey with you two, I couldn't ask for anything else."

"So, are you ready...?" Kotori asked with a hint of mystery and eagerness before pulling out a case out of her bag. "For our first Pokemon?" she finished her question as she opened the case, revealing inside three brand new Pokeballs.

All of their eyes glinted with thrill, thrills of taking their first step on their biggest journey yet.