After all, today's match was a showdown between Elite Four members: Hu Bin versus Flint!
This match had plenty to offer!
Hu Bin had slipped into the Arena's competitors' tunnel early that morning and hidden himself away. No way was he coming late and getting held up by all those reporters.
What a hassle. He would rather battle an Elite Four member than deal with reporters.
Flint, however, had not been so lucky. Countless reporters stopped him as soon as he arrived at the venue.
The reporters all talked over one another, nearly shoving their microphones into Flint's mouth.
"Flint, how would you rate your chances of winning today's match?"
"Flint, if you lose, will you feel embarrassed?"
"Flint, do you think you'll win?"
"Flint, what do you think of Hu Bin's strength?"
The endless questions stabbed at Flint's heart like sharp blades. Facing so many reporters, he still had to maintain the dignity of an Elite Four member.
Flint cleared his throat and said, "In a match, friendship comes first and competition second. Hu Bin is a worthy opponent. Of course I'll be happy if I win, but I won't mind losing either. After all, when Elite Four members battle, wins and losses are both part of the game! We'll both give it everything we've got!"
Flint's answer was a respectable one. It let both him and Hu Bin save face. In a battle between Elite Four members, either outcome was perfectly acceptable.
Soon, security staff arrived and escorted Flint into the Arena's competitors' tunnel to prepare for the match.
Alone in the tunnel, Flint began to ponder in silence.
He was not thinking about how to approach the battle, but what he should eat that evening. His match against Hu Bin was bound to take a lot out