After realizing that her heavy disguise might attract even more unexpected trouble, Lisia dragged Hakuya back to her temporary residence in Rustboro City to change into a different outfit.
Watching the girl's graceful silhouette disappear up the stairs, Hakuya leaned against the front door on the first floor and cast his gaze over the massive villa.
It had to be said, Lisia truly lived up to her status as an ultimate sugar mommy.
Even though she was only staying in Rustboro City for a few days, the house she had chosen was unexpectedly luxurious.
It featured a beautiful European architectural style, looking almost like a miniature castle.
Just a few steps from the front door was a sprawling outdoor garden brimming with fragrant flowers, occasionally attracting a few Beautifly that fluttered around.
Whether it was the aesthetic landscaping or the security measures, this place was absolutely top-tier.
Just as Hakuya was admiring the surroundings with great interest, he suddenly felt a light tap on his shoulder. Immediately after, the girl's captivating voice, sweet as a songbird's melody, rang out from behind him.
"Thanks for waiting~"
Her small heels clicking against the floor, Lisia walked down the stairs. She slightly lifted the hem of her skirt and did a twirl in front of Hakuya.
"Well? Well? Wearing this out shopping shouldn't be a problem, right?" Her voice was as crisp as jade beads dropping onto a plate, and Lisia looked at him with eyes full of expectation.
Hearing this, Hakuya seriously appraised the girl standing before him.
Her fragrant, silky emerald hair was tied back with a hair accessory, cascading down her back. Framing her exquisite, delicate face was a Hime cut.
The previously overly-bloated black coat had been replaced by a modified, somewhat conservative sailor uniform.
The most eye-catching feature, naturally, was the lower half of her slender, snow-white legs exposed beneath her skirt.
Even without the pure innocence of white stockings or the alluring sex appeal of black pantyhose, the sheer, graceful shape of her legs and her smooth, snow-white skin were more than enough to surpass any external embellishments.
—I can only say it's truly fantastic!
"Not bad. You look very beautiful."
Hakuya nodded, making no effort to hide his genuine admiration.
Then, he looked down at his own outfit and couldn't help but tease her softly.
"I feel like standing next to you, all the 'Style Points' I've managed to scrape together are going to be completely eclipsed."
"Eh?"
Originally thrilled by Hakuya's compliment, Lisia's bright, radiant smile froze for a moment upon hearing his words. Then, she couldn't hold back and let out a lively, crisp laugh. "Hahahaha! Hakuya, since when did you become someone from the Kalos region~"
As an idol, Lisia immediately got the reference to "Style Points."
—In the Pokémon world, different regions possess their own unique cultures and customs.
For example, the Johto region was considered the birthplace of many traditional cultures, where dragons, Buddhism, ninjutsu, and Shintoism flourished, and people mostly adhered to tradition. The Alola region, with its numerous islands, overflowed with a rich tropical vibe, and the people were mostly passionate and hospitable.
The Kalos region, on the other hand, was filled with historical landmarks and art exhibitions, and its people were passionate about pursuing fashion and romance.
In Lumiose City, known as the City of Romance, the locals even had this concept of "Style." The more appropriately and fashionably dressed you were, the higher your personal Style would be. Not only would it grant you free entry to places like the art museum, but you could also enjoy discounts when buying desserts at cafés.
After changing into her new shopping outfit, the conversation naturally arrived at the crucial question of where they should go.
"When it comes to Rustboro City... besides the famous Devon Corporation headquarters where many people specifically travel to buy the latest PokéNavs, there's also commercial streets like the Stone Walkway, the museum displaying various ancient fossils, and the Grand Music Theater famous for its Kricketune Orchestra... I've heard that after the professional performances end, they even allow tourists to go on stage and perform."
Acting as the tour guide for this outing, Hakuya scrolled through the recommended sightseeing spots on his PokéNav and spoke.
"The Kricketune Grand Music Theater?"
Lisia revealed an interested expression.
"I've never heard music performed by an orchestra composed entirely of Pokémon before! And the fact that tourists can go on stage at the end sounds absolutely amazing..."
Hakuya nodded and smiled. "In that case, let's head out right away~ The theater is about five blocks from here. If we hurry a bit, we should be able to catch the last few performances."
"Yay~ Let's go, let's go, let's go!!!"
Lisia pumped her small fists and happily took the lead.
The girl couldn't wait to go listen to the concert.
Unlike Vermilion City, which was famous for its ships and seaport, Rustboro City, as a renowned mega-city in the Hoenn region, leaned heavily towards the integration of nature and technology.
Along the way, the crowds surged and the traffic flowed endlessly. Towering buildings rose from the ground like a forest of steel. As the city's iconic landmark, the Devon Corporation headquarters stood out from the rest in the northern part of the city. Its hundred-story glass curtain wall refracted champagne-gold halos in the sunlight, holding up the sky like the skeleton of a giant behemoth.
"So many people..."
Looking at the tidal wave of people surging through the streets, Lisia couldn't help but click her tongue.
Probably because it was approaching evening, many elementary school students heading home and office workers finishing their shifts had gathered here. The various vendor stalls lining the road were packed, and the long queues forming only exacerbated the congestion on the streets.
It didn't look like an easy task to squeeze through this sea of people all the way to the Kricketune Grand Music Theater at the end of the avenue.
Hakuya also felt a bit of a headache regarding this.
It was a pity he didn't have a Psychic-type Pokémon with him right now. Otherwise, in a situation like this, [Teleport] would definitely be the optimal solution.
"Hold my hand tight. There are too many people; let's not get separated."
Concerned about Lisia's safety, Hakuya reached out and firmly grasped the small hand the girl offered.
"O-Okay."
Despite the special circumstances, and despite not being someone who easily got shy, this was the first time she had ever held hands with a boy. Two faint rosy blushes crept onto Lisia's cheeks, and she even felt her earlobes growing slightly hot.
But right at that moment, a displeased "Meowha" sounded near their ears.
Having popped out of her Poké Ball at some unknown time, Floragato stared at her Trainer's hand lightly holding the girl's, her gaze filled with deep resentment.
"Eh... Hakuya, is this...?"
Not quite understanding the situation, but clearly sensing the cat's resentment and hostility, Lisia blinked and then looked at Hakuya beside her, silently asking for help.
"Sorry, sorry. Floragato isn't actually hostile. It's just that she probably wants to hold hands and walk down the street with us too." Feeling the tight grip of vines wrapping around his waist, Hakuya's mouth twitched, his expression somewhat helpless.
I'm doomed. Floragato is steadily marching down the path of becoming a full-blown yandere.
Even when she was inside her Poké Ball, she would occasionally monitor his every move like this. He felt that... if he mishandled their relationship even slightly, there was a very high chance he'd end up tied up in a basement someday.
After listening to Hakuya's explanation, the highly intelligent Lisia pursed her lips and quickly understood the reason.
Immediately after, her face lit up with excitement. She leaned in closer, her eyes instantly shooting little stars as she looked at Floragato.
"So cute—!"
A cat that can't help but get jealous and hiss just because her Trainer is holding another girl's hand is just too incredibly cute!
At this moment, completely ignoring the large cat's cold expression, the girl deliberately raised the hand holding Hakuya's right in front of Floragato's face, attempting to see the adorable sight of Floragato puffing her cheeks in jealousy one more time.
"...Meowha?"
Floragato's face stiffened, completely thrown off by Lisia's bizarre thought process.
I really need to keep you under control, you homewrecker deliberately provoking me to my face! Meowha—!
"Ha~"
Seeing this scene, Hakuya couldn't help but find it highly amusing.
The large cat, who had been fully prepared to hiss and throw a fit, had actually been completely defeated head-on by Lisia, who simply adored cute Pokémon.
It seemed that besides Alcremie, a second person capable of countering this cat had appeared.
Finally, after pacifying the jealous Floragato, Hakuya, under the amazed gazes of the pedestrians along the road, held Floragato's paw with one hand and Lisia's hand with the other, marching grandly toward their destination—the Kricketune Grand Music Theater deep within the avenue.
It had to be said, it truly lived up to its reputation as one of Rustboro City's must-visit attractions. Even from a distance, they could see the magnificent, massive stadium. The polished marble presented a warm, smooth luster under the bright sunlight.
By the time Hakuya and his group finally squeezed their way in, bought their tickets, and took their seats, the musical performance had just officially begun.
Standing under the stage's spotlights, an orchestra composed of over fifty Kricketune was assembled.
In Pokémon battles, Kricketune could only be considered a pure "roadside trash" Pokémon. It had abysmal base stats and a barren movepool; basically, no one would ever use it. In Randomized Emerald, it was something Hakuya frequently just elbowed out of the way.
But when the setting changed from a battlefield to an opera house, it instantly transformed into a musician of incredibly high artistic mastery.
As the piece concluded, thunderous applause instantly erupted in the venue.
Even Hakuya had been somewhat mesmerized by the music, completely changing his perspective on Kricketune as a Pokémon species.
Hmm...
If anyone ever dares to look down on the great 'Kricketune-man' again, I'll just bring them here to properly receive the baptism of musical art.
As a highly recognizable Contest Idol, Lisia, who had made absolutely no attempt to disguise herself, was naturally recognized by the audience and fans present. Unable to decline their passionate requests, and having already harbored the desire to perform on this stage anyway, she ultimately went up with Altaria and sang her hit song, Charm & Heart.
—The idol girl, whose dream was to get more people to join Pokémon Contests, continued to use this method to promote them, just as she always did.
Unlike the classical string music performed by the Kricketune, Lisia's singing clearly leaned toward modern pop.
Even though it was a completely live vocal performance without lip-syncing, her solid vocal foundation made it sound surprisingly as flawless as a studio recording.
"Nai~"
Sitting on her Trainer's lap, Alcremie half-closed her eyes, revealing an intoxicated, enchanted expression.
When Lisia stepped off the stage amidst the cheers and screams of the audience, Hakuya immediately offered his validation.
"Your singing was truly amazing. I feel like your live vocal skills could already rival many professional singers, Lisia."
"Hehe~ I am a Contest Idol, after all! Singing is naturally one of my specialties~" Hearing this unabashed praise, the girl walking off the stage smiled brightly, her face full of pride.
Compared to Misty and Roxanne, Lisia's personality was undoubtedly much more lively and outgoing.
If she had heard this same compliment, the girl who called herself the 'Cerulean Mermaid' would never have been this honest. She would most likely be secretly thrilled inside, but outwardly she would maintain her composure, cross her arms over her chest, lift her chin, and deliver a tsundere response.
And with her underlying persona as a top student and her identity as a teacher at the Trainers' School, Roxanne's personality was far more serious and humble. Even though her girlish heart wouldn't be able to resist such praise either, amidst her joy, she would only calmly shake her head, stating that the sea of knowledge is boundless and she still had much to learn.
"Meowha, meowha~"
Walking out of the grand theater, Hakuya suddenly felt a tug on his sleeve.
Floragato pointed her paw at an ice cream stall by the street, a look of eager anticipation on her face.
—She wants to eat ice cream!
"I see~ Then I'll go line up and buy a few servings for you~"
Before long, Floragato happily received two Wasabi-flavored ice cream cones from her Trainer.
Watching her stick out her cat tongue and lick them happily, Hakuya nodded secretly, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Type matchups didn't just play a role in battles; they also influenced a Pokémon's daily life to a certain extent.
For example, the Rock/Ground-type Onix hated environments with lots of water. When Trainers cleaned their rocky bodies, they had to try their best to use dry brushes instead of wet towels. The same went for the Fire-type Charmander; if they lived in an overly humid environment for a long time, the intensity of the flame on their tail would weaken, leading to physical weakness.
But right now, even though Floragato was clearly a Grass-type, she didn't seem to reject cold foods like ice cream at all. It was actually quite surprising.
If the Grass-type cat didn't have a problem with it, then what about the Dragon-type...
Hakuya turned his head and looked at Latias, who was currently hovering beside him.
Today, the little jet plane hadn't transformed into her alluring Rosa form like she usually did; instead, she was following him around invisibly in her Pokémon form.
Being stared at from such a close distance, Latias froze slightly, her cheeks visibly flushing with a faint blush.
Just as she was preparing to drop a few cold, tsundere psychic telegrams like usual, she saw her Trainer take an ice cream cone from the elderly woman running the stall and slowly offer it to her.
"Do you want to try some too, Latias?"
"...La-woo?"
Feeling the chilling air drawing closer, Latias gulped loudly, breaking into a cold sweat.
For some reason, even though it was just an ordinary chocolate-flavored ice cream cone, the oppressive pressure it brought her was far greater than that of the overpowered monsters in the randomized world.
"LA-WOO—!!!"
Finally, after a panicked dragon's roar, the little jet plane slipped back into her Poké Ball, leaving her Trainer standing bewildered in the wind.
The plan to have Latias eat more ice cream to increase her Ice-type resistance: Failed!
"Alright, it seems it's just Floragato's personal taste. Type matchups really do affect a Pokémon's diet." After feeding all the remaining ice cream to Alcremie, who was immune to Ice-types, Hakuya helplessly arrived at this conclusion.
At this time, Lisia was also standing in front of the stall, trying to make a choice. However, judging by the way she was pondering with her fingertip resting against her lips and occasionally furrowing her brow, she seemed to still be struggling over which flavor to pick.
"Wasabi-flavored ice cream... the name sounds a bit strange~"
"This chocolate-flavored one looks like it would be much tastier... No, no, no. Cream and chocolate together... the calorie count seems a bit too high." The girl shook her head like a rattle drum, quickly eliminating the next option.
As a Contest Idol, basic figure management was still highly necessary.
At this moment, Hakuya looked at the idol girl furrowing her delicate brows, her face full of conflict over which flavor to choose. For some inexplicable reason, he saw the shadow of a certain Cynthia in her. If he could just dye that emerald hair blonde, the resemblance would probably be perfect.
Are girls these days really this prone to chronic indecisiveness?
During Lisia's brief moment of hesitation, Hakuya also noticed that a massive crowd of people had gathered behind them at some point.
After all, they were in the Hoenn region, and the Wallace Cup had just concluded in Rustboro City a few days ago. Many people passionate about watching Contests had recognized Lisia's identity. He felt that if they stayed here any longer, they were highly likely to be surrounded and mobbed for autographs again.
"Ma'am, we'll take one of each of these, please."
Pointing to the various flavors of ice cream Lisia had been agonizing over, Hakuya spoke to the elderly woman at the stall.
"Eh?"
Looking at Hakuya, who had not only made the decision for her with a grand wave of his hand but had also paid the bill, Lisia cast a surprised look his way.
She didn't actually have any problem with Hakuya buying all these ice creams.
After all, only kids make choices; adults naturally want it all—even if she didn't know if they could finish all of these later. However, they had previously agreed that she would cover all the expenses for the outing. How could it be his turn to...
"It's fine. Just consider this an apology for me being late this afternoon~" Hakuya shook his head, directly cutting off whatever Lisia was hesitating to say.
While the feeling of clinging to a sugar mommy was certainly intoxicating, a healthy give-and-take was the normal way for friends to interact.
Immediately after, noticing the lingering doubts in the girl's eyes, Hakuya instantly thought of a solution for her.
"Besides, if you think you can't finish them all, you can always share them with your Pokémon, right?"
"Oh, right! I still have Ali and the others!" His words awakened the dreamer, and Lisia's eyes instantly lit up.
"Come on out, Ali! Yaya!"
"Meow, meow~" "Chirp?"
After coming out of their Poké Balls, Altaria looked at the idol girl who was already happily eating, then at Delcatty, who had stuck out its tongue and was eagerly licking its treat. Finally, Altaria turned its head, faced the bone-chillingly cold vanilla-flavored ice cream, and fell into silence.
Hmm... is it too late for it to hide back in its Poké Ball like Latias right now?