The living room was steeped in a suffocating silence. The rhythmic tick of the wall clock mocked the tension hanging in the air. Floorboards groaned under shifting weight, but no one met Ash’s eyes.

Ash sat slouched on the couch, still in his travel-worn gear. His hat lay abandoned on the coffee table, and Pikachu, unusually quiet, sat with ears drooped and tail still.

Misty leaned against the window frame, voice sharper than usual. "Another loss, Ash. Not just a loss—embarrassment. You charged in like always, no plan, no thought, just… stubborn hope."

Ash didn’t flinch. He’d heard worse. Or so he thought.

Brock crossed his arms in the doorway, frustration in his tone. "You act like heart alone is enough. But guess what? It’s not. You're not ten anymore. You can’t keep playing the underdog forever. It’s pathetic."

Serena stood behind the couch, arms limp at her sides, voice trembling with disappointment more than sadness. "I used to believe in you. Really believe. But this? This is just chasing the same dream and pretending you’re evolving. Everyone else grows… you just run in circles."

Ash's eyes dropped to the floor. Pikachu glanced up at him, concerned.

May finally broke the silence from the corner, arms crossed. "I skipped a contest for this. And you didn’t even try to listen when we warned you about your strategy. You brushed us off like always."

Dawn added, biting her lip. A little sad…How others speak to him. "Guys…! But Ash had helped us so many times to get our goals…"

Even Clemont, always reserved, spoke up. "Your potential means nothing if you refuse to learn. It’s like you’re addicted to failure. Don’t support him Dawn.”

Ash finally looked up at them. His voice was barely a whisper. “…So what are you saying?”

Misty turned fully toward him, arms still crossed, her words final. "We’re saying we’re done pretending you’re going to be the Champion someday. You’re not. And we’re tired of watching you drag yourself—and us—through the mud for a dream that’s already dead."

No one stepped in to stop her. No one disagreed. Even Pikachu turned its gaze away.

"Ash. It’s best you take some time yourself, these… guys aren’t very understanding.” Gary said, he respected Ash a lot, regardless of the outcome in battles, he respects his rival.

Ash stared at them all—people he trusted, cared for, traveled with—and saw only disappointment, impatience… and something worse: pity.

He reached slowly for his cap, pulled it down low over his eyes. His voice cracked as he muttered:

“…Guess I really am alone now.”

No one said a word.