Suddenly.
He felt something bump against his leg, and when he looked down, sure enough, it was Piplup with a shy and expectant expression on its round face.
"Piplup..."
He chuckled and said, "You want to see Mawile?"
"Piplup!"
Piplup's eyes lit up, and it nodded its little head quickly.
Ever since they parted, it had dreamed countless times of meeting Mawile. When it woke up during the day, it felt lost, as if it and Mawile were forced apart like Illumise and Volbeat.
"Then as you wish, come out and meet your old friend."
Baimu took out the Pokeball where Mawile resided and opened it.
He had no intention of matchmaking Mawile and Piplup, merely leaving the decision to the former, allowing it to consider how to handle Piplup's admiration.
If it couldn't handle it, he would step in to help.
Bam!
A flash of white light.
Mawile landed on the booth and looked around, already reaching for a phone from the Trainer's pocket.
"What are you doing!"
Baimu hurriedly covered his pocket, glaring at it, saying, "What did we say before you came out? No checking!"
Smartphones undoubtedly have a certain addictive quality, especially as Mawile gradually mastered human text and unlocked more phone features on its own.
"Mawile!"
Not getting what it wanted, Mawile was a bit upset.
It pretended to be indifferent and looked away, as if to say, "If you don't give it to me, so be it, no need to be fierce," and then its gaze landed on the bashful Piplup beside it, whose eyes were almost turning into hearts.
"Mawile..."
Mawile looked at this familiar face, then toward the Trainer whispering with someone, and suddenly understood why it had been brought out of the Pokeball.
Old friend?
In its eyes, there seemed to be a hint of animosity as it gradually recalled memories of Piplup.
As an expert on thirty-six romance dramas, it was no longer the naive Pokémon it once was. That former "love declaration" was now a part of its dark history.
If the Trainer dared to bring it up, it would get furious.
Like me?
So what! Just because someone likes you doesn't mean you have to respond! It only liked watching romance dramas, with just a slight interest in starring in one.
As for actually falling in love with another Pokémon—
It absolutely refused!
It would use its fists to respond and show this fellow its resolve!
Mawile's eyes were full of determination as it looked at Piplup, but the latter, a love fool, saw the blazing eyes as sparks of romance.
This is a mutual pursuit!
"P-Piplup..."
The little penguin felt like it couldn't breathe, clutching its chest with its small wings and panting heavily, as if the air it exhaled would form the shape of a heart.
"Piplup? What are you doing?"
In the midst of discussing tomorrow's shopping trip with Xiaoyao, Xiaoguang finally shifted some attention to her Pokémon. Seeing the scene, she showed a teasing expression, "Aha... so that's it..."
Xiaoyao glanced back and forth between the two Pokémon, her demeanor quickly becoming ambiguous, "Is there such a story? It looks like something beautiful!"
Gossip is indeed a human nature, especially for teenagers, where budding love is very normal. Even if they don't have romantic thoughts themselves, seeing Pokémon in love excites them.
"Your Piplup's condition has worsened again."
Baimu shook his head and sighed.
The love-inexperienced Xiaoguang retorted confidently, "What do you mean by condition! Even if it's an illness, it's lovesickness!"
Xiaosheng nodded as if understanding, "Mm-hmm."
The mature-minded Xiaogang solemnly commented, "Piplup has a long way to go; Mawile's response doesn't seem that strong..."
Not strong?
Mawile was practically burning with fury, yet the love feedback really wasn't strong.
The urge to punch a Pokémon was rising!
As Mawile's Trainer and the person who achieved Super Evolution with it, Baimu knew exactly what this troubled girl was thinking at the moment. He sighed and reached out to touch its head.
"Don't be so aggressive, keep a calm mind. I'll allow you to watch the evening drama on TV later."
"Mawile?"
Upon hearing that, Mawile quickly turned its head, the rage in its eyes transforming into sparkling little stars, as if asking if it was true.
With this TV drama fanatic, ordinary methods were no longer effective.
"Are you insulting your Trainer?"
Baimu feigned anger, glancing at the still dazed Piplup with its eyes filled with pink hearts, thinking: 'Little one, this is as far as I can help you.'
Judging by the current situation, rejection was imminent.
But even in rejection, there are different scenarios. He only hoped it wouldn't hurt Piplup too much emotionally.
Otherwise, if this little penguin became disheartened and gave up on love altogether, never to be interested in any female again, he and Mawile would be in big trouble.
——
Moments later.
Everyone watched as Mawile, Piplup, and several other Pokémon went off to play, each showing a different smile.
They then sat down and prepared to catch up.
There was indeed no need for Xiaoguang and Xiaogang to help Miss Joy, so they had the chance to see the message from Baimu and meet up with them.
"You all stayed at the Pokémon Center, and didn't meet during that time?"
Baimu's expression was odd.
The Pokémon Center being so small, and Xiaoguang and Xiaogang always busy helping Miss Joy, it was strange they didn't encounter each other.
Xiaoguang replied, "Because we were always in the treatment room and hardly ever came out, that's why we didn't meet... Huh? So you're not staying at the Pokémon Center?"
"By the time I arrived, all the rooms were already taken." Baimu shrugged helplessly.
Xiaogang placed a hand on his shoulder, flashing a bright smile, and said, "I have an extra bunk in my room. If you don't mind, you can stay with me. We can discuss breeding Pokémon techniques, especially for Steelix."
"It's tempting, but I have another place to stay."
Baimu decisively declined.
The main issue was Adam's promise to teach him for a month. Besides, Xiaogang wouldn't be leaving Glazed City anytime soon, likely entangled with Miss Joy there. He could consult Xiaogang in his free time.
Upon hearing he coincidentally stayed at the Glazed Gym and was quite familiar with the Gorgeous Competition's Aidoru, Liuqia, the group was surprised but not overly reactive.
Xiaoyao and Xiaosheng had long been accustomed to Baimu's exceptional nature, while Xiaoguang assumed he met Liuqia during some Gorgeous Competition in a town, which was a common occurrence.
Xiaogang was undoubtedly uninterested in young girls, having only heard of Liuqia's name without any curiosity to know more.
"Liuqia is also participating..."
Xiaoguang counted on her fingers, glancing at Xiaoyao and Baimu. She quickly ran out of fingers to count and slumped onto the table, "There are so many strong opponents! The Mikoli Club is still as formidable as ever!"
In the Jewel Drill arc, Xiaoguang won the Mikoli Club's ribbon by defeating a returning Xiaoyao in the finals. Looking back, luck had been on her side then.
Not only was the strongest rival Xiaowang defeated by Xiaoyao early, but many strong opponents didn't even pass the first screening.
Time, place, and people had all been on her side—
Of course.
That was the past.
Winning this time undoubtedly required even greater strength and more incredible luck to defeat those opponents she considered formidable.
Especially this guy!
Xiaoguang glared at the surprised Baimu across from her, not forgetting Piplup's defeat to Mawile at the Kaina conference. This time she was determined to avenge that loss.
Reignite the glory of the Coordinator Trainer; it's our duty!
It's bound to work out!