Misty and May left the party area and followed the gravel path all the way to the shore.
The dim streetlights stretched their shadows long, while behind them, another dazzling burst of fireworks rose into the sky, lighting up the night.
Waves struck the rocks with a rushing sound.
After walking all this way, May finally could not hold back her question. "What's wrong with you today? You seem a little unhappy."
Misty stopped, turned around, and looked at May seriously.
"May, after the festival ends, what... what are your plans?"
May did not understand why Misty had suddenly brought this up, but after thinking for a moment, she answered, "Well... I haven't decided yet, but I'll probably keep going down the Pokémon Coordinator path."
When she finished, she saw an expression on Misty's face that seemed to say, "Just as I thought," and asked in surprise, "Why do you ask?"
Misty did not answer immediately. Instead, she said solemnly, "Could you do me a favor?"
Perhaps sensing something unusual in Misty's tone, May lost her smile too and gave a firm nod.
"Aren't we friends? Whatever it is, just tell me."
Taking a deep breath, as though entrusting her dream to someone else, Misty said, "After the Ever Grande Conference ends, could you take my place and keep traveling with Xia You?"
"Huh? Huh?!"
May could hardly believe her ears. She did not understand why Misty wanted her to travel with Xia You!
"Y-you want me to travel with Xia You? Why?"
Misty turned away somewhat forlornly and looked toward the distant sea. Since night had already fallen, however, she could not make anything out and could only hear the waves echoing before her.
"I don't have a choice. After the Ever Grande Conference ends, I have to go