Carrying a huge box, Yong trudged along at the rear, sighing mournfully. Beside him, Qingcao was laden with bags of all sizes.
The box contained the other prize Cynthia had won besides the flower crown that represented the "Doll Goddess"-the prize every girl had set her sights on tonight!
A complete set of custom Doll Festival dolls!
There were thirty-six in all!
Cynthia was in a wonderful mood. She even glanced at Yong's miserable face and couldn't help laughing as she said,
"You were the one who insisted on dragging me to the Doll Festival, so you should have been prepared for this outcome!"
The boy raised an eyebrow in silent protest.
Leading the way up ahead, Mr. Norman saw this and said with a smile,
"I was just wondering whether you'd ever come back after heading off to the Kalos Region and becoming a Gym Leader. I never expected to run into you and Miss Cynthia tonight!"
Mr. Norman shook his head.
"As expected of the Sinnoh Champion. The presence Miss Cynthia had on the battlefield was enough to make even me nervous!"
Still wearing her gown, Cynthia smiled gently.
"Habits are hard to change."
Mr. Norman nodded. Looking at the Petalburg Gym ahead, he smiled at the three of them.
"Here we are. Stay at my place tonight!"
"Thank you for having us!"
"Sorry for imposing!"
During the earlier "Doll Goddess" competition, Mr. Norman had recognized Cynthia at a glance and spotted Yong standing in the crowd as well.
After announcing the results, he had quickly found the three of them. Upon learning that Yong and his companions had only arrived in Petalburg City that day and happened to join the Doll Festival, he had invited them to stay at the Petalburg Gym that night.
Because of the