The Lumiose Conference
came to a close amid cheers and applause.
Although he had lost to Ash, Alain felt he had gained a great deal, most importantly a passion for battling.
Alain had always had a goal.
He wanted to become the strongest Mega Evolution user.
But having a goal alone had not told him where to find his motivation.
The look in Ash's eyes and Ash-Greninja's fiery spirit were exactly why Alain had wanted to battle Ash.
This battle had lived up to Alain's expectations.
He had lost, but he had gained a great deal.
"Ash, I'll see you in the Master League."
Ash scratched his head with a sheepish grin.
"I don't even know if I can enter yet!"
Alain glanced at Green, who stood with his arms folded.
"You definitely can."
"I'll be going now."
"Aren't you staying for dinner?
Mr. Li Wei said he's cooking tonight!"
Ash raised a hand and called out to Alain.
Alain stopped in his tracks
and turned to look at Mairin, who was holding Chespin.
"No, there's someone else I want to have dinner with."
There would be plenty of opportunities to eat Li Wei's cooking in the future. Today, Alain wanted to save his time for Mairin.
"Oh."
Ash nodded, only half understanding.
He's passing up Mr. Li Wei's cooking even though it's so delicious?
Li Wei had made it clear the night before:
whether Ash won the championship or not,
there would be a feast tonight.
If Ash won, it would be a celebration.
If Ash lost, it would be a gathering of friends.
Li Wei, Xiao Meng, Brock, and Yellow left ahead of the others for the villa in the suburbs to start preparing dinner.
They could have used the villa downtown,
but it was relatively small