Since Ash and his two companions were also entering the Junior Cup, they joined Liu Yuan, Lusana, and Dawn, bringing the group to six as they trained together before the tournament. A day later, Cynthia received a notice from the Junior Cup organizers asking her to come over to prepare for the opening ceremony. Liu Qing and Cynthia therefore arrived in Lacunosa Town ahead of the others. After a round of preparations, the day of the opening finally arrived.
"It really is lively. So many people came!" Liu Qing murmured as he strolled hand in hand with Cynthia, watching the crowds around them heading toward the venue. Just then, he spotted a stall nearby selling Beartic ice cream. He turned to Cynthia, who was looking in the same direction, and smiled. "Nana, you must be getting hungry after walking this long. Rest here for a bit. I'll get you something to eat!"
With that, Liu Qing walked off. He failed to notice an older, red-haired man stepping out from behind a large tree not far from where they had been standing. Dressed in rugged clothes, with six Poké Balls strung around his neck and another three clipped to his waist, the man waved to Cynthia.
"Mr. Alder, did you need something?" As Sinnoh's Champion, Cynthia naturally knew Unova's Champion, and she was well aware of some of Alder's "bad habits." Still, she could not be certain whether he genuinely needed something. She walked over, folded her arms across her chest, and lowered her eyes slightly as she asked.
"You're as beautiful as ever, Miss Cynthia!" Alder began with a compliment. When Cynthia remained unmoved, he took no offense and continued, "How about setting the tournament aside for now and having a meal with me?"
"Please go by yourself, as usual!"