Iris's and Cilan's Pokémon had both been knocked out in a single hit, giving them a true glimpse of Xia You's strength.
"So Xia You's Pokémon are actually this strong!" Iris said, clicking her tongue. "And Ash actually sees someone this powerful as a rival he wants to surpass?"
Makomo chuckled. "That's why Dawn and I were so surprised when he challenged Xia You just now."
Thinking of Ash, Iris waved a hand dismissively, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "So that's how it is. I really thought he was about as strong as Xia You. Turns out he's just a guy who has no idea how far out of his depth he is."
As luck would have it, just then, seemingly having heard the sounds of battle, Dawn came running over from afar as well.
But when she saw that the Pokémon in front of Makomo was Gardevoir, she came to an abrupt stop.
"G-Gardevoir!?" Dawn's eyes widened as she looked at Makomo in disbelief. "Xia You actually lent you Gardevoir!?"
Makomo chuckled. "He did."
"How are we supposed to fight that?" Dawn pouted. "How could we possibly beat Gardevoir? Xia You is playing favorites! We don't have any chance of winning!"
The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart.
Those words, "Xia You is playing favorites," instantly set Makomo's thoughts wandering.
That's right.
Why did Xia You lend me Gardevoir specifically, rather than some other Pokémon?
Was he looking out for me? Making sure I wouldn't lose, no matter what?
That could be the only reason.
The thought instantly set Makomo's heart stirring. Sometimes, she really wanted to study Xia You inside and out, to thoroughly work out just what kind of person he was.
Coming back to her senses, she suppressed the scientific frenzy in