Voice list, where you at?!
Since when would Lillie and Mallow help out in terms of helping Ash be friends with Litten? Last time, they just hear Ash crying about his croquet yummy sandwich. Kukui's much more involved.
Yes, you're right. Only a fool would believe that flat characters and decoration could be of use to the protagonist, it is not as if we should expect friends to help each other or have at least something for more to contribute.