But now, she was genuinely happy for Serena.
Even though Haley lost, the room still erupted in cheers for Serena.
Emily stared intently at Haley's face on the screen, trying to analyze if there was any other, hidden emotion behind her expression.
But there wasn't any.
"She's changed a lot too," Emily murmured.
When it reached the award ceremony, Emily immediately called Haley.
"Emily?" Haley looked at Emily's face on the screen, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Did you watch my match?"
Seeing Emily nod, Haley felt a little guilty.
"I'm sorry."
"You performed really well, and you've changed a lot. I never would have imagined this," Emily said, only realizing afterward that Haley had just apologized to her.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Uh," Haley said. "You worked so hard to make that dress, but I couldn't wear it onto the winner's podium."
As Haley said this, she saw Emily quickly shake her head on the other end: "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. I never cared about that."
Rather than imagining how Haley would look standing on the podium in that outfit, while Emily was making the dress, she spent more time thinking about what kind of state Haley would be in when she wore it. Or rather, which part of the design she would like, and what kind of smile it would bring to her face.
That was what Emily truly cared about.
Hearing this, Haley couldn't help but smile.
"Happy birthday, Haley," Emily continued. "I'm so glad you've changed this much."
After chatting for a bit, Haley suddenly remembered that today was her birthday back in Pelican Town, which meant that in ten days, it would be the Flower Dance Festival.
She couldn't help but ask, "By the way, for this year's Flower Dance, who are you planning to dance with?"
"Me?"
"Yeah," Haley continued. "Since I'm not here this year, it should finally be your turn to be the Flower Dance Queen."
"?" Emily looked over with a face full of question marks. "The reason I didn't become the Flower Dance Queen in previous years wasn't because I didn't want to! It's because I didn't use my full strength!"
"Right, right, right." Haley nodded perfunctorily. "Actually, you practice dancing in your room every day—"
"Haley!!!!" Emily screamed, cutting Haley off. She looked around in embarrassment: "Enough! Haley."
Haley snorted a laugh, then asked, "So, who are you preparing to ask? Let me guess—Hmm, Ron?"
"Him?" Emily thought for a moment. "He could work."
"'Could work.'" Haley pondered this choice of words, then added, "Ron might actually be in high demand in Pelican Town this year."
Hearing Haley's words, Emily turned her head to glance at Ron, who was still chatting with Nurse Joy in the distance.
"Will he?"
"He will," Haley blinked. "If I were there, I'd invite him, anyway."
Emily pondered this. Just then, Haley was called over by Serena and the others. She waved at Emily, "Let's chat next time! I gotta go!"
"Have a safe trip."
With that, the call ended.
Emily looked at her face reflected on the screen and walked slowly toward the counter.
Coincidentally, Ron was just talking to Nurse Joy about this year's Flower Dance.
Last year, because she was taking care of Ron and Nurse Joy, Emily had specifically avoided enforcing the usual tradition of requiring men and women to pair up for the dance.
Now that they had all been living in Pelican Town for a year, there was no reason to stand in the corner like a punishment anymore. Therefore, Robin had specifically reminded Nurse Joy to find a dance partner early.
"I really can't think of anyone to dance with," Nurse Joy let out a long sigh and asked a bit dejectedly, "What about you, Ron?"
"Me?—" Ron uncomfortably rubbed the Rabbit's Foot in his pocket and replied awkwardly, "I don't know either."
"Then how about—"
Before Nurse Joy could finish her sentence, she noticed Emily walking over, so she awkwardly swallowed her words.
Asking someone to be your dance partner was somewhat of a private matter.
To put it bluntly, being rejected in front of an outsider was a little humiliating.
"Ron, have you decided who you're going to dance with at the Flower Dance?" Emily asked straightforwardly.
"Me?" Ron shook his head, tightly clutching the Rabbit's Foot in his pocket.
Although Ron wasn't entirely sure himself, through Indeedee, he had unexpectedly learned that both Penny and Leah were planning to invite him to dance.
"You haven't?" Emily confirmed.
Nurse Joy watched Ron a bit nervously. It was obvious from Emily's posture that she was about to invite Ron. But if Ron agreed, then she really wouldn't have anyone to dance with. The person she was closest to was, unfortunately, only Linus.
Although she didn't discriminate against Linus, in a traditional setting like this where people were supposed to dance with someone they had mutual affection for, she couldn't very well just invite Linus.
"Probably not," Ron said vaguely.
Emily was just about to extend the invitation, but inexplicably felt that asking ten days in advance was a bit too early. So she changed her tune: "Oh, what a coincidence. I don't have one either."
Saying this, Emily changed the subject: "By the way, tomorrow is the Desert Festival. Did you know?"
Seeing Ron nod, Emily then told him about the favor Sandy had asked of her earlier.
"Have Sailor go play in the desert?" Hearing this, Ron waved at Sailor, who was still putting on its Rain Dance performance over there.
"Rattata?"
Sailor jogged over to Ron.
"Tomorrow is the Desert Festival," Ron said. "Sandy wants to invite you to go play in the desert. What do you think?"
"Rattata!"
Sailor tilted its head to think for a moment, then cheered.
"It's willing," Ron said. "Then have it come find you first thing tomorrow morning."
"Alright." Emily nodded, thought for a moment, and added, "Oh right, they gave me a stall over there for the duration of the Desert Festival. I'm planning to let everyone participate in free dress-ups. If you're interested, you can come join in too—I promise I'll style the most suitable outfit based on my impression of you."
"I definitely will," Ron nodded in agreement.
Nurse Joy, who was standing to the side, agreed to go as well.
Time skipped to the next day, to the Desert Festival.
Having been invited to Emily's house for breakfast, Sailor headed out bright and early. Only after foraging for a wild flower from Pelican Town for Sandy did it knock on Emily's door, holding the flower in its paws.
"Coming!" Emily opened the door, took one look at Sailor, and rubbed its head. "Is this for me?"
Seeing Sailor shake its head, Emily immediately guessed who it was for and couldn't help but say, "You and Sandy really have a great relationship."
"Rattata." The Sailor nodded, adjusting the hat on its head.
After all, she had made him a sailor Rattata outfit!
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