Walking around sounded easy, but they didn't dare stray too far.
Slateport City was currently swarming with tourists, and the moment word got out that a Pokémon Contest was starting, crowds surged toward the venue like a tidal wave.
Before long, the area surrounding the Contest Hall was packed tight.
It wasn't just spectators; a massive number of contestants with their diverse Pokémon occupied every inch of the lawns, fountains, and pathways. It was a scene of vibrant, noisy chaos.
"Registration used to close at ten, but now it's nine. The start time even moved up from one in the afternoon to ten in the morning..." Kashiwagi scrolled through the notifications on his phone, clicking his tongue.
Contest rules and schedules varied by city, but big-city events almost always started earlier—simply because of the sheer volume of people.
By his rough count, there were at least two hundred participants.
If each person gets a minute and a half for their appeal, plus rotation and intermission time, the second round won't start until three or four in the afternoon, he calculated.
Fortunately, the second round usually only featured the top eight or four contestants, and with each battle lasting only five minutes, the event would definitely conclude before dark.
"I... I'm back!"
Dawn and Piplup pushed through the crowd, arriving at his side breathless. "Sold out..." she muttered dejectedly.
"Pip-lup-lup..."
She had spotted a temporary stall selling cute hairpins and had charged in with Piplup to snag one.
When Kashiwagi had asked if she needed help, she had given him a confident "No problem." The result was a crushing defeat in the shopping war.
"Did you get the vendor's phone number?" Kashiwagi asked.
"Why would I need his number?"
"To ask when he's restocking so he can set one aside for you. You don't think he's going to leave after just one profitable rush, do you?"
"Ah! That's a great idea!"
Dawn snapped her fingers and turned to look for the stall, but the vendor was already gone. She looked even more crestfallen.
"He's already left."
"It's fine. You can check again after the Contest; he'll likely be back. The show is about to start—let's head inside and get ready."
Dawn took a deep breath and nodded, regaining her spirit.
...
...
"Sea breeze, sunlight, and golden sands!"
"Excitement, thrill, and a magnificent stage!"
A brown-haired, elegant woman held the microphone, her voice sweet and captivating.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting! Welcome to Slateport City! I am your host, Vivian, and I hereby declare the Slateport City Pokémon Contest officially open!"
Cheers and applause erupted as the audience settled into their seats, buzzing with anticipation.
Vivian smiled and gestured toward the judging panel. "First, the Vice-Chairman of the Contest Committee, who provides strict yet caring evaluations: Mr. Contesta!"
The grey-haired Mr. Contesta stood and gave a polite bow to the crowd.
"The President of the Pokémon Fan Club: Mr. Sukizo!"
The dapper Mr. Sukizo nodded in acknowledgment. "Remarkable."
"And from right here in Slateport City: Nurse Joy! These three judges will be evaluating today's contestants."
Nurse Joy bowed with a warm smile.
Vivian looked up at the massive screen above the stage, where an image of a green ribbon appeared.
"The Coordinator and Pokémon who win today's event will receive the Slateport Ribbon! Those who collect five ribbons will earn the right to compete in the Grand Festival!"
The applause thundered once more.
"And now, let the first round of appeals begin! Please welcome our first contestant!"
The spotlight shifted from Vivian to the first performer entering the stage.
...
...
In the waiting room, Dawn had changed into her princess-style dress.
The light blue and white gauzy skirt paired with her flowing hair and star-shaped clips gave her an aura of pure, youthful charm. She wore deep blue gloves and dainty low-heeled shoes, looking every bit the graceful performer.
She scanned the room and quickly spotted Kashiwagi. He was wearing a sharp, tailored suit that gave him an air of quiet authority he didn't usually carry. She hesitated for a split second before approaching.
"Kashiwagi?"
"It's me. Did you really not recognize me just because I changed clothes?" he asked with a chuckle.
"No, no! I just realized how tall you actually are! I have to crane my neck just to talk to you!" Dawn stepped closer to compare their heights.
Her forehead barely reached his chest.
"I'm older than you, so it's only natural I'm taller," Kashiwagi replied with a shrug.
He'd intentionally kept a respectful distance during their previous interactions so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable or have to strain her neck.
"Hehe." Miss "No Problem" beamed, circling him to admire the suit.
"This look really suits you; you look like a different person. If I had seen you looking this intense when we first met, I might have been too intimidated to talk to you!"
Kashiwagi teased back, "It's fine; Piplup would have been brave enough for both of you. And if I saw you in that dress first, I'd be the one too nervous to speak—you look like a princess on a royal tour."
They both laughed at the mutual flattery.
Speaking of princesses, Kashiwagi thought, there actually was a Princess Salvia in Sinnoh who looked exactly like Dawn.
That princess had gifted Dawn her Togekiss so it could compete in the Grand Festival. It was a shame Dawn had ultimately lost to Zoey in the finals.
As Kashiwagi stood there in his "battle gear," the people around them began to take notice. Whispers spread as they realized he was the trainer from the viral videos—the one to beat.
Their gazes then shifted to Dawn, who, as a seasoned winner of Contests across various regions, was just as much of a threat.
Before long, the weight of dozens of competitive stares felt like a barrage of invisible swords, forcing the two to move to a quieter corner.
"I guess being famous isn't always a good thing," Dawn noted with a wry smile.
"Tell me about it," Kashiwagi agreed. He glanced at the monitor in the waiting room. "Wow, time is flying. There are only about ten people left before it's your turn."
"Then this humble lady shall take her leave." Dawn hitched up her skirt and gave a playful, exaggerated curtsy—likely a move she'd picked up from Princess Salvia.
Kashiwagi watched her go, then turned his attention to the screen to scout the competition.
The talent pool in Slateport was deep. Within a short span, two coordinators had already hit the 28-point mark, and five others had reached 27!
It was incredibly competitive—far more "sweaty" than a standard Gym challenge.
It was a good thing the Grand Festival only required five ribbons; if it required eight like the Pokémon League, very few would ever make the cut.