Fallarbor Town.
Gorgeous Competition venue.
The already noisy hall became even more lively as someone was recognized.
"Hey, look, is that person...?"
"Wearing a mask, how can I see... huh? Really looks like them!"
"It's not just similar, it's definitely them! Haven't shown up for over a month and suddenly appear in Fallarbor Town? There's going to be a good show now!"
"Hurry and post on the blog!"
The crowd began to buzz, with many trying to catch up for a quick chat.
Unfortunately, the person quickly disappeared into the throngs of people and Pokémon, leaving those who came up empty-handed to face puzzled looks from other spectators, sighing in exasperation.
On the other side.
Baimu, with his hat brim pulled low, distanced himself from the crowd and found a random bench in the nearby park to sit down, taking out bread and feeding the wild Taillow.
After the Shiny Feebas successfully climbed the Dragon Gate Waterfall, he had no reason to stay in Meteor Village.
Time itself was not particularly abundant; having started his journey in summer, he had to catch up to the Ever Grande Conference held in winter. Now, three months had passed, and autumn had arrived before he knew it.
However, the climate in the Hoenn Continent didn't seem to change much with the season transition. The temperature dropped, but it was merely the difference between wearing short sleeves and long sleeves.
Those with a good constitution didn't even need to change, and by noon, you'd want to roll up your sleeves due to the heat.
Notably, some Meteor People, after discussion, decided to build a house for him in Meteor Village, even covering the decorations. Zheng Fang also promised to send updates on the house construction progress.
A kindness hard to refuse.
The elderly always have plenty of reasons, like having nothing better to do or that a grown man shouldn't always be staying at someone else's place.
Even the Dragon Elder came to persuade Baimu, fearing he might refuse. He mentioned that as people age, their enthusiasm for doing things decreases rapidly. They missed working together and wanted to do something collectively, not just to repay him, but to regain the feeling of their younger days.
As for the previous rewards given, they claimed it was the business of the young and irrelevant to the elderly.
In summary, they said, it's best if you accept, but even if you don't want to, you have to accept it.
What could Baimu say to that?
But speaking of gifts from the young ones, the most precious among them was a curved Dragon Fang, which has a unique effect of enhancing the power of Dragon-type Pokémon, unlike ordinary teeth shed by regular Dragon-type Pokémon.
Similar to the attribute-enhancing item, the Mysterious Waterdrop.
Baimu asked Elder Qing Shan to make the Dragon Fang into a pendant and hung it around the neck of the Hydreigon, burying it in its fluffy fur. As long as there wasn't a battle that could burn its fur off, it should be safe.
Only it in the team was suitable for this item.
Incidentally, he also replaced the bracelet embedded with the Key Stone with a pendant, as the spiral bronze bracelet was too conspicuous, not fitting his reserved personality.
Of course, he made a headpiece for Mawile that could hold the Mawile Evolution Stone, to be used interchangeably with the Calming Bell when needed.
Definitely not today.
The sound of the Calming Bell could earn points.
After feeding the bread, Baimu crumpled the plastic bag into a ball, shooing away the wild Taillow.
"Leave it to you guys today."
He shook the Pokeballs containing Blissey and Mawile, as the Pokémon inside wouldn't be affected by outside influences, so he needn't worry about them spinning around in place.
About two hours remained until the Gorgeous Competition took place.
Many Coordinator Trainers, having completed their registration yet still overwhelmed with nerves, were here rehearsing their performances in hopes of a last-minute stroke of luck.
Baimu looked around but was disappointed not to have encountered any Coordinator Trainers from the anime, unlike his expectations from the previous two occasions.
Liuqia was supposed to be preparing for the Shuijing City's Gorgeous Competition. With her mighty Mega Altaria, in just a few months, she had transformed from a fresh-faced film star into an exceptional Coordinator Trainer in the public eye.
Many were eagerly anticipating the appearance of both her and the equally famous Baimu in a Gorgeous Competition event.
Xiaoguang remained missing; she seldom used her phone, making phone calls the only way to reach her. She still hadn't responded to the message sent a week ago.
And Wula La... they didn't even exchange Pokeline.
Baimu suddenly snapped back to reality, turning his head to see Miss Jun Sha and Growlithe approaching him.
"Hello! We've received reports of a suspicious masked individual in this area. Please remove your hat and mask and show your identification!"
The latter saluted.
Baimu: "..."
How come Jiro and Musashi never got caught by Officer Jenny while disguised like this?
It's not scientific!
He obediently pulled out the Illustrated Guide, navigating to the Trainer ID Card section, to prove to Officer Jenny that he was an innocent Coordinator Trainer.
"...Thank you for your cooperation!"
Officer Jenny saluted once more, then suddenly blinked, "Could you give me an autograph?"
"Huh?"
Baimu, bewildered, took the offered pen and signed his name in a small booklet, "Miss Jun Sha, do you follow the Gorgeous Competition too?"
"Of course! I'm a fan of yours!"
Miss Jun Sha showed a hint of excitement, but quickly reigned it in. After all, asking for an autograph while on patrol was against the rules.
"Good luck in the Gorgeous Competition!"
"...Sure, I will." Baimu was completely taken aback by how renowned he had already become.
It had been over a month, after all.