Chapter 219:
The final match of the quarter-finals was about to begin.
The audience was still basking in the afterglow of the previous battle.
"So frustrating—really frustrating. If I were that Swampert trainer, I'd just quit and get a desk job…"
"Poisoned, seeded with Leech Seed, and with Poison Heal? Good grief… that's downright evil. Someone bring out a Fire-type to teach them a lesson already!"
"The fourth match features the trainer with the Blaziken, and his opponent is… with a Delphox."
"Honestly, whenever I see that contestant named Hayashi Kaede walk onto the stage now, I get excited. Will his opponent surrender again?"
"Please, someone—anyone—take down that Breloom for me!"
...
"Alright, folks! Up next in this quarter-final, we once again welcome contestant Hayashi Kaede! As everyone knows, all his previous opponents have surrendered—proof of just how formidable his Pokémon are!"
"Let's see if his opponent this time will follow suit or put up a real fight!"
In the commentary box, Kondō Satoshi was doing his best to hype up the crowd, his voice full of enthusiasm.
But inwardly, he felt a little helpless.
Because if everyone kept surrendering, it made his job… rather difficult.
People came to watch battles, not forfeits.
The first surrender might have been novel, but after several, it was starting to feel stale.
Please, just let something different happen this time.
He muttered the thought to himself.
As the two trainers took their positions, he deliberately turned his gaze toward the girl on the opposite side.
Coincidentally, Rosalie took a deep breath and called out to him, "Commentator, may I say a few words?"
"Hm?" Kondō Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "Of course—it will be a part of the pre-match build-up. Go ahead."
"Thank you." Rosalie shot a grateful glance toward the commentator before bowing slightly to the audience.
Under the crowd's curious stares, she began slowly, "Before this match begins, I feel I must first apologize to everyone…"
Her words immediately captured everyone's attention.
"Apologize? What's she apologizing to us for?"
Even Hayashi Kaede looked surprised.
She isn't about to mention the agreement we made, is she?
Sure enough—Right after his moment of surprise, the trainer with the Larvitar began explaining what had happened earlier.
She told the audience how she had asked Hayashi Kaede not to use Goodra, and how they had agreed for one to use Eevee and the other Larvitar.
She said it expecting criticism.
After all, she was basically asking her opponent to throw away a major advantage.
But interestingly— Instead of backlash, the audience responded with cheers and encouragement.
"It's okay, sis! Just the fact that you didn't surrender against this guy is impressive. Go get him!"
"And here I thought it was something serious! That's what you're apologizing for? Have you seen what he's done? Using a pseudo-legendary in a junior cup? Toying with that poor Ponyta using his Blaziken? Word is, that Ponyta's still traumatized!"
"Eevee versus Larvitar? Nice! Larvitar's a pseudo-legendary too! Getting to see that in action's a treat!"
"Perfect chance to see if this guy's Eevee is as terrifying as the rumors say…"
"Hang in there, big sister! You can do it!"
Watching the scene unfold, Kondō Satoshi brightened up in the commentary box.
"Well, well! So that's what was going on behind the scenes! It seems the two contestants had a private agreement before the match!"
"And this time, contestant Hayashi Kaede has finally brought out his Eevee! Let's see if it's anything like his Alolan Vulpix—cute on the outside, but utterly ruthless in battle!"
As his words echoed through the stadium, Hayashi Kaede's expression darkened.
Seriously?
I skip just one day of checking the video feeds, and my image has shifted again?
He is now the big bad guy now?
And to think he was the one who agreed to her request.
Even little nine, who had jumped onto the field beside him, looked completely confused.
It had come here to do a good deed—to be a hero.
Logically speaking, heroes were supposed to be admired, right?
So how had it ended up being treated like a villain?
Was this what Alolan Vulpix meant by, "Heroes are destined to be scorned"?
"Eevee?" (Huh?)
It tilted its head toward Hayashi Kaede, as if asking what they should do.
Hayashi Kaede could only give a wry smile. "Well… looks like we're the villains now."
"Eevee…" (Sigh…)
Little nine's ears drooped slightly, as if regretting coming onto the field at all, but there was no backing out now.
Rosalie hadn't expected things to turn out this way either. Flustered and unsure how to explain, she looked at Hayashi Kaede helplessly.
He waved a hand, signaling that it was fine.
Most of the audience's comments were clearly in jest and frankly, he didn't care much about what others thought anyway.
Then, as Kondō Satoshi finished riling up the crowd, his voice rang out—
"Let the battle begin!"
Hayashi Kaede's Eevee officially faced off against Larvitar.
If this had been a no-holds-barred fight, Hayashi Kaede wouldn't have been too concerned. Because although Larvitar was a pseudo-legendary, the truth was that until it evolved into Tyranitar, its strength was fairly limited.
Just like this Larvitar— Its energy level was about the same as little nine's, but it only knew a few basic moves.
Sand Attack, Bite, Tackle… maybe Leer?
That suggested its trainer hadn't focused much on move training.
Honestly, just managing its daily appetite was probably enough of a headache for her.
With that thought, Hayashi Kaede glanced down at little nine. "Little nine, do you know how a villain should act?"
Unexpectedly, the corners of its mouth curled into a mischievous grin.
"Eevee, Eevee~" (A villain? Hehehe, of course I do~)
Hayashi Kaede: "???"