As dusk gave way to night, all the other competitors of the Indigo League walked out from the backstage.
Moving in neat formations, they stepped into the center of the field amid thunderous applause and dazzling fireworks.
President Goodshow walked down, took the souvenirs from the staff members, and handed them to the competitors one by one.
When it was Eichi's turn, President Goodshow spoke appreciatively, "I think highly of you. Keep it up!"
"Thank you, I will work hard," Eichi replied with a smile as he accepted the souvenir.
Eichi looked at the spectators in the stands, then at the beautiful fireworks filling the sky.
The Indigo League had officially concluded, and for some reason, a trace of melancholy washed over his heart.
Once the closing ceremony ended, Ryuichi, Buliangren, and the others, making a group of five, dragged Eichi's senior students along to a restaurant to eat together.
After tomorrow, everyone would likely part ways and head towards their respective destinations, and no one knew when they would meet again.
During their conversation, the two senior students shared that they planned to travel around the Kanto region for a few months before heading back.
Ryuichi, Buliangren, and Mumu intended to continue their journey through the Kanto region as well.
Kadokawa planned to travel to the Johto region to photograph more unseen landscapes, people, and Pokémon.
Having gone through this period together, everyone's friendship had continuously deepened. The world was vast yet small, and Eichi believed there would be a day when they would meet again.
After finishing the meal, Eichi did not return to the Competitor Village. Instead, he strolled outside by himself.
Behind the Indigo Plateau, past the venue itself, there lay a small forest.
Eichi walked inside and spotted a cliffside.
Lights were illuminated here, highlighting a manually carved staircase, which Eichi began to climb.
Ten minutes later, he reached the summit, revealing a highly spacious area.
Eichi saw that many people were already here, admiring the moon, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and watching the brilliant fireworks in the sky.
He found an unoccupied corner, which still offered a clear view of the distant beauty.
Eichi released all of his Pokémon. Since they had not eaten dinner yet, he opened his compression backpack to prepare their meal.
He let them enjoy the fireworks in the sky while they ate.
After a while, Beedrill finished eating and flew over to Eichi's side. At this moment, its heart felt highly complex, filled with both excitement and melancholy.
"Beedrill, do you still remember what I said to you back in Viridian Town?" Eichi asked, looking up at the fireworks in the sky.
Beedrill nodded. By this time, the other Pokémon had finished their food as well, and they quietly walked over to stand beside Eichi.
"Back then, I said I would make you all the strongest Bug-type Pokémon."
"Even though we haven't achieved it yet, the current you are incomparable to how you were back then."
"In this Indigo League, you shone brilliantly, and countless people have come to know you."
"This is only the first step. We will slowly climb upward until we become the strongest."
Eichi finally gave voice to the words he had been keeping inside.
For some reason, his emotions fluctuated intensely tonight, perhaps because he had finally left his name on the grand stage of the Indigo League.
Beedrill did not speak but gave a firm nod, offering Eichi its encouragement.
Looking at the other Pokémon, Eichi smiled, "I am incredibly grateful to each and every one of you for this Indigo League. If it weren't for everyone's hard work, I wouldn't have today's achievements."
"Thank you, everyone."
"Chacha!"
"Yakulu!"
They all spoke up one after another to express their thoughts, causing a brief moment of noisy confusion.
Eichi did not stop them, listening intently until they finished speaking.
"Alright, I understand your feelings," Eichi laughed happily, the melancholy in his heart dissipating completely.
Sitting on the lawn with the night breeze blowing, it felt exceptionally cozy as countless fireflies danced through the air.
He wondered how many people were feeling just as melancholic as he was tonight.
The next day, Eichi unexpectedly woke up late. He got out of bed, washed up, ate breakfast, and packed his belongings.
After spending half an hour, Eichi headed out, though he made sure to put on a mask and sunglasses before leaving.
Stepping out the front door, he reflected on how, although he hadn't interacted much with the competitors living in the same apartment over the past few days, they had coexisted peacefully.
Now they were all gone. Eichi let out a sigh and walked out of the main gate.
Strolling along the commercial street, although it was still lively, the crowd had thinned out significantly, lacking the bustling prosperity of the previous days.
Many people were walking along the road leading out of the Indigo Plateau, and Eichi spotted Ryuichi and the others near the main entrance.
The group was waiting for Eichi, and Mumu's eyes lit up upon seeing him.
"Brother Eichi, you're finally here!" Mumu shouted.
"Sorry everyone, I'm late," Eichi apologized as he approached.
"It's fine, we only arrived a moment ago ourselves," Ryuichi said.
"The timing is just about right, let's go," Buliangren said.
"Okay."
With that, the group set off. The road ahead was identical for all of them until they parted ways upon reaching Viridian City.
Just like that, Eichi embarked on his journey home.
A week later.
The sun shone brightly in the sky as a gentle breeze blew, and a travel-weary Eichi stepped out of the Viridian Forest.
He was entirely on his own now, having parted ways with the others upon entering the Viridian Forest.
As Eichi walked down the road, he felt a sense of comfort from finally returning.
Passing by the fields, he saw his familiar neighbors working the land.
"Eichi, you're back!" an aunt called out in pleasant surprise upon spotting him.
"Aunt Suzuki, I'm back," Eichi greeted her.
"It's Eichi! You've returned!"
"Isn't that Eichi? I watched your matches, you did really well."
The other uncles and aunts farming the land greeted him one after another, buzzing with excitement.
"Right, uncles and aunts, I'm heading home first. I'll chat with you when I have time."
After speaking, he walked toward his house, encountering many more acquaintances along the way and greeting each one in turn.
Due to his performance in the Indigo League, Eichi seemed to have become a massive celebrity in their eyes.
In truth, that was exactly the case. Over the past few days on the road, people had been calling him to ask if he wanted to do endorsements.
The offers were quite lucrative, and some companies even wanted to sign Eichi to become a star.
He neither wanted to be a star nor do endorsements, so he rejected them all.
He was only eleven years old. Neglecting his studies to become a celebrity would be completely losing sight of his priorities.
Click.
With a soft sound, he unlocked the front door, walked inside, put down his compression backpack, and sat on the sofa.
Not long after he sat down, the communicator in his pocket began to vibrate.
Someone was calling him. He pulled it out and saw it was Tetsu, so he answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Eichi!"
"I'm here."
"Eichi, have you finished competing in the Indigo League? You didn't even give me a call," Tetsu said, his tone sounding somewhat resentful.
"Sorry, I forgot," Eichi replied.
"Eichi, do you know how Sato performed in the Johto League this time?" Tetsu asked.
"No idea."
"If I tell you, it'll scare you to death," Tetsu said.