After the crowd settled, Professor Oak took the mic again, his voice echoing across the campgrounds.
"To help you all make new friends and learn teamwork, this year, students will be divided into teams of four! Each team will be selected through a random draw. Please come up, one by one, and pick a chit from the box on the table."
Excitement buzzed through the air as children quickly formed a line and started picking chits from the box. Akg, Ash, and Gary all joined the queue. When they opened their chits, Akg noticed his had a different symbol compared to Ash and Gary, who both shared the same.
"Ah, well," Akg thought with a small smile. "Maybe I'll make new friends too."
Once everyone had their chit, Professor Oak continued:
"Now I'll call out team numbers. If your chit matches, please step onto the stage to meet your teammates!"
The first team was called, and four students gathered. One by one, teams were assembled.
"Team 11, please step up!"
Akg's heart gave a small jump. He made his way to the stage—and paused.
Standing together were three girls—each with a distinct presence. One had short honey-blonde hair and nervous eyes—it was Serena, the girl he had long been waiting to meet. Next to her stood a girl with long brown hair tied in a ponytail, curious and thoughtful—Chloe. The third was a confident-looking blonde with sharp blue eyes and a strong stance—Korrina, radiating energy and strength.
Akg walked over calmly and stood beside them. Serena glanced at him shyly before quickly looking away, her cheeks slightly pink. Akg returned a soft smile, making her even more flustered.
After all the teams were formed, Professor Oak addressed them again:
"Children, now that you're in teams, please proceed to your designated cabins. Each cabin is labeled by team number. You'll live and work together for the duration of this camp. There will be no activities today—use the time to settle in and get to know one another. Dismissed!"
The newly formed Team 11 made their way toward their assigned cabin. It was a cozy wooden building with a bold "11" painted above the door.
Inside, the cabin was simple and clean: four single beds lined up along one wall, a shared bathroom and toilet, and a table with shelves along the other side.
They each picked their beds—Akg chose the last one by the window. Serena, after a moment's hesitation, picked the one right next to his. Chloe and Korrina took the other two.
After everyone settled into their respective beds and unpacked their belongings, Akg decided it was the right time to break the ice.
He stood up with a calm smile and said,
"Hello, I'm Akg from Pallet Town. It's nice to meet you all. I hope we can help and support each other during the summer camp."
His polite and warm tone instantly set a friendly atmosphere. The girls, seeing him take the initiative, began introducing themselves one by one.
The confident Korrina went first.
"Hey! I'm Korrina, nice to meet you too. I'm from Shalour City in Kalos. My goal is to become the greatest Gym Leader ever!"
She raised her fist with fiery determination, earning a smile from the others.
Next was Chloe, a little hesitant but soft-spoken.
"Hello, I'm Chloe Cerise… I live in Vermilion City."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice shy but steady.
Finally, the timid Serena looked down for a moment before glancing up at Akg and softly said,
"H-Hello, I'm Serena… I live in Vaniville Town, Kalos."
There was a short silence, but Akg's encouraging smile and calm energy helped ease the initial tension.
They slowly began to talk—starting with simple things like their hometowns, favorite Pokémon, and hobbies. At first, Chloe and Serena still seemed a little embarrassed, especially around Akg, but as the conversation went on, that discomfort began to melt away.
Akg listened attentively to each of them, responding with genuine curiosity and kindness, making it easier for the girls to open up.
By the time the sun had begun to set outside their cabin window, Team 11 was already feeling more like a group of friends than strangers.