Upon testing, the result was—surprisingly secure?
Kashiwagi couldn't believe it at first, but he soon discovered the reason. "You rascal, you can actually adjust the size of the holes in your head?"
The external diameter of the holes on the side of Aggron's head remained unchanged, but a bit deeper inside, the cavity narrowed significantly, forming a funnel-like shape that gripped the Mega Stone in a vice-like hold.
"Well... look at you. I didn't even know you could do something like that."
He marveled at the fact that Pokémon truly were "pocket monsters"—mysterious and full of surprises.
"Agg-rron~"
Aggron gave a bashful, goofy grin. In truth, it hadn't known it could do that either; it had simply focused on the thought of not letting the stone fall out, and its body had responded accordingly.
Kashiwagi observed it for a few more moments, clicking his tongue in admiration before his thoughts drifted to Mawile.
I wonder where hers will go? While she'd likely use a custom hairpiece or a red silk ribbon to tie it on, he couldn't help but wonder if she could just tuck it into the massive second jaw behind her head.
With such idle thoughts, he stepped into the shower to wash away the fatigue of a long day of traveling.
-----
The New Ambition
The next morning, Kashiwagi woke up and immediately began mapping out his next steps.
Should he head back to Littleroot Town to find the Treecko Forest and check off another childhood memory landmark? Or should he stay in Rustboro City to challenge the Gym?
He asked Aggron and the others for their opinions, only to receive a chorus of indifferent, "whatever you want" responses.
"I really shouldn't look to you guys for advice," Kashiwagi sighed, getting out of bed to get dressed.
Mawile watched his back, clutching a flyer in her hands, looking hesitant. "Maw-wile..."
"Lucky?"
Chansey leaned in, waving her small hands encouragingly. "Lucky!"
Aggron let out a lazy, supportive roar. "Agg-rron~"
"Dei-no!" The little dragon looked around aimlessly, confused but wanting to be involved.
Galarian Cursola: "..."
Mawile looked at her supportive teammates and finally made up her mind. As Kashiwagi emerged from the bathroom, she hurried over. "Maw-wile!"
She tilted her head back and held the flyer high, trying to catch his attention.
"Hmm?" He took the paper and scanned it. "A Pokémon Contest... You're interested in this?"
"Maw-wile!" She nodded vigorously.
"If you're interested, let's enter." Kashiwagi agreed without hesitation, gently patting her head. Trainers and Pokémon needed to compromise for each other. Since Mawile was willing to challenge Gyms with him, why shouldn't he enter a Contest with her?
"But... where did you find out about Contests? I didn't think you could read."
Mawile gestured wildly, explaining that she'd seen it on the television at the Pokémon Salon yesterday. Before they left, she'd swiped a flyer and hidden it, agonizing over whether to tell him until now.
"You could have just told me. Why would I say no to a small request like that?" Kashiwagi felt a bit helpless.
Mawile's hesitation hadn't just been about his plans; she was also incredibly shy. On one hand, she yearned to stand on stage and receive the audience's praise; on the other, she was terrified of failing and felt bashful about performing moves in public.
Realizing her internal struggle, Kashiwagi felt a bit baffled. "Weren't you perfectly fine beating people up back in Pyrite Town? You never seemed shy when people called you 'Big Sis' during patrols."
"Maw-wile!"
Mawile angrily nipped his hand with her large horns, indicating that the environments were completely different. Back then, she didn't care about her appearance; she only cared about getting stronger to protect her trainer and earn respect.
Now, things were different! But when Kashiwagi asked how they were different, Mawile couldn't find the words, so she just kept nipping him in frustration.
"Hmm... as the environment and the atmosphere change, it's not just my habits that are shifting; the Pokémon are gradually changing too."
He lowered his head in thought, his left hand caught in Mawile's jaw and his right hand being gnawed on by Deino. It was inevitable that surroundings would change a person—and it seemed the same was true for Pokémon.
-----
The Contest Hall
The Rustboro Contest Hall was located on the outskirts of the city—a massive, egg-shaped dome. This was where May had first encountered Contests and started her journey toward becoming the "Princess of Hoenn."
"I'd like a Contest Pass, please."
Kashiwagi requested a pass from the receptionist. Under Mawile's expectant gaze, he asked, "Can we sign up for a competition now?"
The staff member looked apologetic. "I'm very sorry. The Rustboro Contest is held once a week, and the next one isn't for another two days."
"Maw—"
Mawile's joyful expression turned to stone before his very eyes.
Kashiwagi laughed and rubbed her head, then asked, "Can we make a reservation? Or sign up online?"
"I'm afraid not. You must come in person on the day of the event to register," the staff member apologized again.
Is it because there are too many participants? Kashiwagi didn't mind. He thanked her and turned to Mawile. "Looks like we can't enter today. We'll come back in two days."
"Maw-wile!"
Mawile snapped out of it and nodded firmly, her eyes burning with determination. She was going to enter that Contest!
Kashiwagi saw the look in her eyes and realized she had truly fallen for the idea. This gave him more to think about; later stages of the Contest circuit required Double Battles, meaning he'd need at least two participating Pokémon.
Chansey? She might be a good fit, but he'd have to convince her first.
As Kashiwagi and Mawile walked out of the hall, he chatted with her. "We have two days. How about we challenge the Gym first? By the time we win, it should be time for the Contest."
"Maw-wile!" She agreed.
Just as they were about to leave, a voice rang out from the side.
"What a lovely Mawile! But it's a mistake to underestimate the Pokémon Contest, you know!"
Kashiwagi and Mawile turned to see someone wearing a baseball cap and a heavy coat, bundled up so tightly they looked incredibly suspicious. With sunglasses and a face mask to boot, they looked like exactly the kind of person Officer Jenny would pull over for questioning.
The voice was muffled by the mask, but it sounded like a young woman.
Kashiwagi squinted at the figure for a few seconds. Before she could say another word, he asked:
"Lisia?"
"Eh? EEEHHH?!!"
The stranger let out a shocked cry. "How could you possibly recognize me?!"
It would be harder NOT to recognize you. "You didn't even change your earrings", Kashiwagi said, pointing at his own ear.
Lisia belatedly reached up to touch the distinct charms hanging from her earlobes. "Ah!"