After testing—unexpectedly sturdy?
Baimu was initially a bit incredulous, but soon found out the reason. "You can actually adjust the size of the hole?"
The hole on the side of Aggron's head hadn't shrunk, but deeper inside, it had indeed gotten smaller, forming a funnel shape that securely held the Super Stone.
"You… that's impressive. I didn't know you could do that."
He just thought Pokémon truly lived up to their name—amazing indeed.
"Guhu~"
Aggron bashfully grinned, not knowing it could do that; it just didn't want the Super Stone to fall out, and it ended up like this.
Baimu examined it two more times, then clicked his tongue twice as Mawile came to mind.
He wondered where this one's Super Stone would go; likely, it would be placed in a custom hairpin tied with a red ribbon, but maybe it could fit in the mouth behind its head?
With similar thoughts, he washed away a day's fatigue and hustle in the bathroom.
The next day.
Upon waking, Baimu began to consider his next plan.
Should he return to Rinshin Town to look for Treecko Forest and revisit childhood memories, or should he stay in Kanaz City to challenge the Gym?
He asked for Aggron and the other Pokémon's opinions, only to receive indifferent responses of "whatever."
"I guess it was a mistake to ask you all for advice."
Sighing, Baimu got up to dress and wash up.
Mawile glanced at his back, holding a flyer and seemingly hesitating about something, "Chii do…"
"Lucky?"
Chansey clapped its little hands encouragingly, "Lucky!"
Aggron lazily roared along, "Guhu~"
"Mow nau!"
Deino looked around curiously, not quite understanding.
Galarian Corsola: "…"
Mawile, after seeing the encouraging gestures from its companions, finally made up its mind. As Baimu came out of the bathroom, Mawile hurried up to him, "Chii do!"
It lifted the flyer up, trying to get its Trainer's attention.
"Hmm?"
Baimu took the flyer and glanced at it, "A Pokémon Gorgeous Competition… Are you really interested in it?"
"Chii do!"
Mawile nodded eagerly.
"If you're interested, then go for it." Baimu agreed without much hesitation and gently patted its head. Trainers and Pokémon should accommodate each other.
Since Mawile was willing to challenge Gyms with him, there was nothing odd about joining the Gorgeous Competition together.
However…
"How did you find out about the Gorgeous Competition? I remember you can't read, right?" Baimu was very curious about how Mawile learned about the competition.
Mawile gestured excitedly, explaining that it saw it on TV at the Pokémon Beauty Salon yesterday.
Before leaving, it discreetly picked up a flyer about the Gorgeous Competition and kept it hidden, hesitating until now to confess to its Trainer.
"You could have told me earlier; how could I refuse such a small request?"
Baimu was a bit helpless.
Mawile hadn't said anything earlier, not solely because it feared rejection; it didn't want to disrupt Baimu's plans, and shyness was also a significant factor.
On one hand, it yearned to showcase on stage like those Pokémon and receive audience praise. On the other, it worried about not being appreciated, feeling shy about performing moves in public.
Understanding this, Baimu was a little surprised, "Weren't you performing just fine in Pyrite Town, going around as the boss without any shyness?"
"Chii do!"
Annoyed, Mawile bit his hand with its large jaw, indicating how the situations were entirely different.
Back then, it didn't care about appearances, just wanted to get stronger to ensure its Trainer's safety and to earn more admiration.
It's different now!
But when Baimu asked how it was different, Mawile became at a loss for words, only managing to chew on him furiously with its jaws.
"Hmm… It seems that as the environment and atmosphere change, not only do my habits alter, but Pokémon also change," he quietly mused, left hand caught by Mawile and the right by Deino.
Environment and atmosphere inevitably affect people, and apparently, Pokémon too.
——
The Gorgeous Competition venue in Kanaz City was located on the outskirts.
It was a round auditorium that looked somewhat like an egg.
Xiaoyao first encountered the Gorgeous Competition here and embarked on the path to become a "Hoenn Dancer." It was unclear if she had participated here since then.
"Please give me a Gorgeous Competition entry certificate."
Baimu requested a participation voucher from the front desk staff, saying, amid Mawile's expectant gaze, "Can we register now?"
The staff member apologized, "I'm very sorry, the Kanaz City Gorgeous Competition is held once a week, and it's two days until the next one."
"Chii—"
A crestfallen Mawile visibly turned to stone.
Baimu chuckled and ruffled its head, then asked, "Can we reserve a spot? Or make an online reservation?"
"I'm very sorry, you need to come in person to register on the day…" The staff member apologized again.
Are there too many participants?
Baimu didn't mind. After expressing thanks, he said to Mawile, "It seems we can't participate today, but we can come back in two days."
"Chii do!"
Mawile quickly regained its composure and nodded firmly, eyes full of determination.
It was determined to join the Gorgeous Competition!
Baimu saw its expression and understood that Mawile had truly fallen for the Gorgeous Competition…
So now he had a lot more to consider.
After all, the Gorgeous Competition required doubles later on, meaning at least two participating Pokémon were needed.
Chansey?
Perhaps it would do okay, but it was important to persuade it properly.
As Baimu and Mawile left the venue, he spoke while walking, "With two days to spare, should we challenge the Gym next? We should have enough time to enter the Gorgeous Competition after winning."
"Chii do!"
Mawile nodded in agreement.
Just as they were about to leave, a voice suddenly called out beside them.
"Such a cute Mawile, but it's not right to underestimate the Gorgeous Competition!"
Baimu and Mawile looked over and saw someone wearing a cap and overcoat, covered up tightly. The person also wore sunglasses and a mask, appearing highly suspicious.
The person had an air of being stopped by Officer Jenny for questions on the street.
Their voice was a bit muffled due to the mask, but seemed to be female.
However, before they could continue speaking, Baimu interrupted, "Liuqia?"
"Eh? Eh—!!"
The person exclaimed in surprise, "How could you recognize me?"
Who wouldn't recognize you, especially when you didn't even change your earrings while in disguise?
Baimu pointed to his own ear in exasperation, and Liuqia belatedly realized, feeling for the accessory on her earlobe, "Ah!"