"So amazing... Ah-Ye (Hakuya), how did you do that?"
After the battle ended, the sound of light footsteps came from the stairs of the stands.
Miss Hilda leaped in front of Hakuya, her already bright fluorescent blue beautiful eyes now even brighter.
On the other side, having recalled Weavile who had fallen into a swirly-eyed state, the twin-braided girl finished reviewing the battle and sat paralyzed on the ground as if exhausted.
She was completely led by the nose—
Whether it was her tactic being easily seen through, consecutively dodging Abomasnow's Wood Hammer move and killing it in one hit, or the accumulated [Aurora Veil] + [Hail] field being used against her by Hakuya, using the reflection of the ice crystal snow curtain to defeat her Weavile...
From beginning to end, her battle rhythm was controlled, with no power to fight back at all.
Thinking of this, Candice raised her slightly pale face and couldn't help but move her gaze not far away.
The black-haired youth who defeated her two main Pokémon cleanly was now rubbing the long hair of the blushing high-ponytail girl beside him, explaining the tactical idea just now with a smile.
If in the previous Hiyori Forest, Hakuya relied on the powerful Articuno to annihilate the rioting wild Pokémon...
Then this duel, besides displaying the powerful strength of his Pokémon vividly, also showed a heart-palpitating on-the-spot command ability comparable to his training level.
Even though her strength was in the upper reaches among Gym Leaders in the Sinnoh region, there was still a gap between her and Hakuya in this aspect.
Phew... the momentum was really suppressed to death—
Just as the girl with twin braids sat paralyzed on the ground in disappointment, a hand was extended in front of her.
"Miss Candice, your tactical command just now was very experienced. It was my first Gym battle, and I enjoyed it very much!"
Although chatting happily with Hilda, Hakuya didn't forget the defeated Gym Leader on the side.
Although the energetic and dashing girl looked careless and passionate on the outside, she ultimately had her own pride deep in her heart.
Usually proud of Pokémon battles, ending in such a tragic way, it was inevitable to be disappointed—
"Where... where was it experienced... wasn't I defeated cleanly..."
Sensing the concern in Hakuya's words, a warmth floated in Candice's heart. Although she turned her head away arrogantly, two pink cheeks were stained with a light red female halo at some point, cute and charming like being slightly drunk.
Even though the black-haired youth's eyes were as gentle as autumn water, Candice surprisingly felt a scorching heat in her delicate body.
Clearly cold and ruthless like ice during battle, but completely opposite in daily interaction, truly...
After a while, wondering what she thought of, she held the extended hand back, her standing body leaning lightly against him.
"H-However, the address feels a bit too formal; just call me Candice!"
...
After the duel between Candice and Hakuya, the remaining time came to Hilda's Gym Challenge.
Slightly different from the former battle, the rules became four-on-four. As the Gym Leader, Candice didn't send out her main Pokémon but specially chose some slightly weaker second-team and third-team Pokémon.
Gym Leaders never existed solely for victory.
Instead, they had to act as mentors, giving corresponding guidance to challengers during battles.
Although the high-ponytail girl before her was far less strong than Hakuya, after a passionate four-on-four duel, Candice still felt she qualified for the Badge.
Recalling the unconscious Swinub into the Poké Ball, Candice handed over a badge engraved with a twin iceberg style. "Congratulations, this is the token of defeating the Snowpoint Gym—the Icicle Badge, please accept it~"
"Thank you very much, Miss Candice!"
Putting the Badge into the iron box, Hilda's fair face beamed with a smile.
With this, she had collected five!
Like the joyful Hilda, Hakuya looked at the signed paper contract and nodded with satisfaction.
Currently, in the cooperation reached with this Gym Leader, the milk processing factory he operated needed to provide Snowpoint City with no less than 50,000 bottles of 500ml Hinata Brand MooMoo Milk monthly, at a purchase price of 1000 League Coins per bottle.
Judging from the cooperating merchants, basically all Pokémon Marts in Snowpoint City were involved. Candice even planned to create an independent counter in the Pokémon Center of Snowpoint City specifically to sell Hinata Brand MooMoo Milk to passing Trainers.
It could only be said that the support Candice gave them was indeed too great; this trip was not in vain!
"Mmm-hmm~ As long as Ah-Ye is satisfied~"
Signing her name on the contract, the twin-braided girl smiled.
Because they became much more familiar, Candice also switched to a similarly intimate address.
[Mission Complete: Reached cooperation with Snowpoint City Gym Leader]
[Mission Reward: Fairy Feather (Red)]
"By the way, Ah-Ye~"
Just as Hakuya put away the contract, the beautiful girl with twin braids suddenly thought of something and asked.
"Do you have free time in three months? Can you come to Snowpoint City again?"
Thinking in his head for a moment, Hakuya gave an affirmative reply.
"Taking out a few days is no problem... what's wrong?"
"Great!" Candice first raised a joyful smile, then began to explain, "Three months later, Snowpoint City will hold a super-large Battle Festival. Many Trainers specializing in Ice-type Pokémon will come to participate..."
"But before the official competition, a Master-level exhibition match must be held according to the procedure. If possible, could Ah-Ye participate as a battle guest then?"
Although Hakuya wasn't a conventional Battle Trainer, possessing a Legendary-level Ice-type Pokémon like Articuno, plus impressive battle tactics, Candice finally believed Hakuya was qualified enough to be a performance guest for this Battle Festival.
However, speaking of this, probably afraid the black-haired youth before her wasn't familiar with exhibition matches, she didn't forget to emphasize and add at the end.
"The exhibition match doesn't count as an official competition; it's just an opening ceremony. Winning or losing doesn't matter..."
"Besides, since it's a super-large Battle Festival, there will also be many advertising stalls. Ah-Ye's farm and company can also be promoted there... As the organizer, this privilege can still be given..."
"So that's it..."
After speaking, looking at those beautiful eyes full of expectation, Hakuya smiled and nodded.
Leaving aside the accompaniment of beautiful girls, just the free advertising stall Candice proposed at the end was worth a special trip.
And although it was just an exhibition match, thinking of battling top Ice-type masters made Hakuya look forward to it in his heart.
"Confirm the specific time then, and I will arrive as scheduled."
"Okay!"
Determined to participate in the Ice-type Battle Festival three months later, Hakuya followed the original plan and went out of the Gym to have dinner with Hilda.
The afterglow of the setting sun was about to sprinkle down, and the figures of the two people dragged long shadows under the sunlight.
Candice watched Hakuya's back until he pushed open the Gym door and disappeared from her sight.
After a while, the twin-braided girl woke up as if from a dream, patting her rosy cheeks.
Immediately after, she took out her communicator, entered a familiar number, and dialed.
"Teacher, I saw the Trainer who uses Articuno today..."
"Mmm."
After a while, the lazy, charming female voice paused, raising the volume unconsciously.
"Mmm?"