Spikemuth.
A massive punk-style town where disorderly buildings were stacked atop one another, cramped together beneath a slightly dim atmosphere.
Under neon signs of every color, Baimu and the breathtakingly beautiful Scream Tail looked around in wonder.
"Eeya..."
What a rock-and-roll place...
Under Exploud's tutelage, Scream Tail had developed a one-sided view of rock music. To it, rock meant only six words—
Dark! Bloody! Violent!
Exploud's understanding had come from their Trainers, those former members of Pyrite Town's various third-rate organizations.
The saying "a crooked beam makes a crooked roof" probably described it perfectly.
Baimu intended to show this misguided Scream Tail what a proper and respectable school looked like, reshape its worldview, and keep it from becoming a wailing banshee.
It would be fine while it was young, but when it got old, he might not be able to withstand its soundwave attacks.
They ventured deeper into town.
Team Yell, with their matching hairstyles and outfits, was the first thing they saw. Team Yell spotted Baimu as well, immediately eyeing him warily.
This brat was here to steal their precious cabbage again!
As Marnie's supporters, they were more vigilant than even her own brother, Piers. Even Baimu's status as a Regional Champion did nothing to change that.
"Champ—Baimu!"
A gentle call came from the other side. Marnie approached, her expression seemingly cool, though her entire body radiated quiet delight.
Calling him by name had been Baimu's request. Constantly addressing each other by titles would only deepen the distance between them.
He had seen enough worshipful gazes. He did not want his friends to look at him that way too.
"Sorry for the wait."
Marnie was slightly out of breath, as though she had jogged all the way here.
Morpeko on her shoulder looked at Scream Tail, curious why this