After the host finished speaking, the venue fell silent for a moment. About two or three seconds passed before the spectators snapped out of their daze, rose to applaud, and burst into cheers!
Although they had cheered Gaomei on during the match, once it was over and they recovered from the shadow cast by Red Gyarados, Xia You remained the only contestant they truly acknowledged, the one everyone had most expected to win.
Just as most people had firmly believed before the match, Xia You had won in the end.
Applause and cheers came crashing over him like a tidal wave. Standing in the Pokémon Trainer's Battle Area, Xia You smiled and waved to the people around him.
From where he stood, he could clearly see fireworks bursting continuously overhead and spectators applauding in celebration in the stands, while below, countless colorful flags and ribbons fluttered in the wind along the walls!
A sight like this set his heart surging. No matter how many times he saw it, he could never get enough...
The excitement continued for quite a while before the host's voice rang out again.
"Now, would contestant Xia You please come to the awards podium!"
According to the competition schedule, the awards ceremony naturally came next. Anyone else might have returned to the corridor through the contestants' passage, then taken the stairs up to the viewing platform.
But Xia You did the opposite, deciding to put on a little show this time!
He beckoned to Red Gyarados, who swam back over to him. As that enormous head lowered, Xia You took a few steps forward, left the Pokémon Trainer's Battle Area, and stood directly on its head!
Before anyone could realize what he intended to do, Red Gyarados swam straight to the water beneath the viewing platform.