"Congratulations on your victory at the Slateport Contest. This is your Slateport Ribbon."
Standing on the modest podium, Kashiwagi accepted the green Ribbon from Mr. Sukizo.
The President for Pokemon Fan Club beamed, his signature phrase coming out with practiced warmth:
"I look forward to your next performance. Remarkable!"
"Keep up the good work~" Raoul added, winking and flashing a "charming handsome guy" look.
"Chansey's performance was truly moving," Nurse Joy chimed in, her eyes still sparkling with admiration.
"I could feel her healing heart through her expressions. She is an exceptional Pokémon!"
Kashiwagi thanked them with a smile and carefully tied the new Ribbon around Mawile's head.
Together, they waved to the roaring crowd, officially bringing the Slateport Contest to a close.
Three Ribbons left to go until the Grand Festival.
...
...
Back in the waiting room, Dawn had already changed out of her contest dress.
She greeted him with a bright smile.
"Congrats on your second Ribbon! Should we have a massive feast tonight to celebrate?"
"Definitely. But getting out of here might be a challenge."
Kashiwagi handed her his phone, showing a photo he'd just snapped of the front entrance.
The area was swarming with people, including quite a few sharp-dressed types in business suits.
"Those look like talent scouts from entertainment agencies. I'm not exactly great at dealing with them."
"Heh... I think I've run into them before too,"
Dawn said, tapping her chin before sticking out her tongue playfully.
"I turned them all down. I'm not really interested in being an idol, even if acting sounds like it could be fun."
"Anyway, let's wait for the crowd to thin out."
"Should I go out and distract them for you?"
"No need. Besides, how would you even escape them?"
"No problem!"
Dawn chirped, flashing her signature "No need to worry!" pose.
Just then, a voice called out from nearby.
"Need a lift?"
They turned to see Mila, the coordinator Kashiwagi had defeated earlier.
She was leaning against the doorframe, car keys in hand. "I have a car parked nearby. I can give you two a ride."
They weren't about to pass up such a perfect escape.
After Kashiwagi changed, the three of them donned masks and slipped into the parking lot like ninjas.
They merged into traffic behind a few private cars, bypassing the congested crowds at the gates and reaching the main road smoothly.
...
...
"Phew~ You're quite the celebrity," Mila noted as she drove.
"The fan presence was even bigger than I expected. You sure you don't have an agency?"
"If I had an agency, I wouldn't be hiding," Kashiwagi joked. "I'd have bodyguards clearing the way for me."
He knew most of his fame came from the "Lucky Scale".
Therefore, he had to accept the problem of his privacy being compromised by fame.
With gain comes loss, whether big or small.
Mila didn't press the issue and instead struck up a conversation with Dawn. Even though they hadn't faced each other in the contest, the two women found plenty of common ground.
Kashiwagi listened quietly, but his mind drifted to Zweilous.
From one head to two... what kind of changes will that bring?
Can he—or rather, they—adapt to the new body?
He had researched the species online and confirmed with Takeshi that with proper care, the two heads wouldn't necessarily fight constantly like the Pokédex claimed.
Still, without hands-on experience, he was anxious.
He just hoped the personality shift wouldn't be too drastic.
He wanted the sweet little dragon who loved biting his hand, snuggling up, and snoring on his chest—not a pair of grumpy brawlers.
...
...
Soon, they arrived at the resort hotel. Mila turned down their dinner invitation.
"I need to get back to my husband and my baby girl," she said warmly. "They're waiting for me."
"Wait, what!?"
Dawn's jaw dropped. "You're married? You have a child?!"
"Of course. I'm twenty-three,"
Mila laughed. She looked no older than eighteen.
"My daughter is a little over a year old and she's adorable. Maybe we can all meet properly next time."
"I'd love that!" Dawn nodded enthusiastically.
Mila turned her gaze back to Kashiwagi.
"You look like a completely different person in those clothes. But remember what I said—I won't lose next time. You'd better watch out."
"I'm looking forward to it," Kashiwagi replied with a smile as he watched her drive off.
Dawn sighed as the car disappeared.
"I can't believe Mila is married... I should have asked her for her skincare routine!"
"Hahaha!"
Kashiwagi burst out laughing.
For a second, he thought the "female version of Ash Ketchum" was having a moment of romantic realization, but nope—it was all about the skin.
"What? Is that funny?" Dawn asked, puzzled.
"Nothing. Let's go in, it's getting late and we need to prep dinner."
After a week of traveling together, it was clear that neither of them viewed the other as a "romantic interest".
Kashiwagi couldn't bring himself to have weird thoughts about a thirteen-year-old who was essentially a living childhood memory, and Dawn... well, she was simply oblivious.
If Ash Ketchum's dream of becoming a Pokémon Master made him blind to Serena's advances, Dawn was the same with her dream of becoming a Top Coordinator.
Romance? She didn't have time for that. She loved fashion and looking pretty, but that was for the stage.
Their relationship was pure "Friendship First," much like the early days of Ash and Dawn.
...
...
At Dusk.
Dinner was ready.
Kashiwagi had set up a celebratory meal on the beach.
After portioning out food for the others, he felt a knot of nervous excitement as he pulled out a specific Poké Ball.
Pop!
White light flashed against the setting sun.
"Zwe-ill!" "Zwe-ill!"
Two identical cries rang out as the much larger Zweilous hit the sand.
After a long sleep in the Poké Ball, the Pokémon was fully recovered and brimming with energy.
It—or rather, they—began curiously scanning their surroundings.
And yes, they were scanning.
Though their eyes were still covered by the thick, black fur of their bangs, their vision had developed to a normal level.
They were no longer the "blind dragons" that relied solely on scent and biting.
While the reasons were unclear, some research suggested that this evolution was linked to Deino's desire to expand its territory beyond dark caves.
In the world of the anime, Pokémon evolution was often shaped by their heart's desires.
Kashiwagi watched closely as the two heads began to observe the world.