The Lilycove Contest venue.
Beneath countless spotlights, Vivian smiled at the crowd that had been waiting for her. She raised her right hand high, and her sweet, affected voice rang through the arena.
"Invited by the south wind, the north wind, and the sea breeze—sing, dance, Pokémon Contest!"
"Sorry for the wait, ladies and gentlemen! I'm your host, Vivian, and the Lilycove Contest officially begins now!"
The moment she finished, cheers and applause surged like a wave, nearly blowing the roof off. The spectators watched the stage below, eager for the performances to come.
Holding the microphone in her right hand, Vivian walked to the judges' table with a faint smile. "Allow me to introduce the deputy director of the Contest Affairs Bureau, Mr. Patestan..."
As usual, the judges were Patestan, the silver-haired middle-aged man active on the front lines of Pokémon Contests in Hoenn; Mr. Yanase, a popular actor and Pokémon Fan Club member; and Miss Joy from the local Pokémon Center.
Together, the three represented different circles and were a major draw for the Contest's television and online audiences.
Vivian raised her right hand toward the screen above the center of the venue. An oval ribbon with a green border and blue center appeared on it. "The winning Coordinator and Pokémon will receive the Lilycove Ribbon Badge! Contestants who collect five Pokémon Contest Ribbon Badges will have the chance to enter the Grand Festival!"
It was the same familiar announcement as ever.
That did nothing to stop the audience from applauding wildly. They craned their necks, waiting for Baimu to appear and deliver another performance of his usual high standard.
That was right.
Ever since someone had recognized Baimu at the market while he was shopping, word had spread that he was in Lilycove City and might enter