"Pheobe, Poppy."
Baimu entered the noodle shop and greeted them.
The other customers turned to look at him, their expressions varying as they whispered among themselves.
As the city hosting the League Conference and the Champion League, Ever Grande City was several times more attuned to news about them than other cities.
Besides, word of Baimu's "withdrawal" had already spread everywhere.
And after all these days, he was still in Ever Grande City?
"Didn't you withdraw? Changed your mind?"
Pheobe gulped down her ice water. Her blunt question left everyone around them speechless.
Most people online had guessed that Baimu withdrew because he couldn't beat the Elite Four. If that was true, he might not take kindly to her question.
Would they start arguing... or even fighting?
The noodle shop's customers bent over their bowls and slurped, but their eyes stayed fixed on the group.
Baimu merely shook his head. "I came with Captain Drake. He offered to take my friends and me back to Orre."
"Grandpa Drake? Oh! His ship really is fun! Last time I rode it, we even came across a ghost ship!"
Pheobe grinned.
Beside her, Poppy finished her meal, set down her bowl, and elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin. Ignoring everyone else, she asked, "Baimu, are you really not entering?"
"I'm not."
Baimu was about to explain when a Poké Ball at his waist began shaking violently.
Dragapult... no, was it Dreepy Big Sister?
Realizing what was happening, he let the unsuspecting Dragapult out. The socially awkward dragon felt all the eyes on it and timidly vanished.
But the two Dreepy in its launch ports stayed visible. Dreepy Big Sister, in particular, flew straight at Pheobe in her tropical outfit.
"Dreee!"
She rubbed excitedly against Pheobe's cheek. How could she forget someone who