On the evening the battle tournament ended, all the Pokémon Trainers and spectators who had attended gathered in the venue. Tables, chairs, and food soon filled the once-empty grounds. Lou and her companions were there too, and the girl wearing a crown stood out so much that Xiaoqi found her immediately.
"Big sis, I heard you're entering tomorrow's Pokémon Contest! I'll be cheering for you from the stands!" Xiaoqi hugged her sister's arm and nuzzled against her affectionately. The Pichu perched on her shoulder followed her example, clinging to Lou's Pikachu and Buneary.
"Thank you, Xiaoqi." Lou smiled, then looked up to find both young men staring at the arms she and Xiaoqi had linked. Noticing her gaze, Paul silently turned his head away, apparently hoping to pretend nothing had happened. "Oh, Xiaoqi, will you be coming back to Loth City with us after the contest?"
"Yes, of course! I've always wanted to travel with you, big sis!" Xiaoqi's eyes sparkled as she answered without hesitation. She had already completely forgotten about Xiaolun and the others she had come with.
"After the contest..." Listening to Lou and Xiaoqi's conversation, Silver lowered his eyes, staring blankly at the ground. He slipped a hand into his pocket and tightly gripped the paper hidden inside. Taking part in the tournament with his friends had been so much fun that he had inadvertently forgotten his troubles. Now that he remembered them, his mood soured.
The departure time printed on his ticket left him no breathing room at all. He would have to leave immediately after the Pokémon Contest to make it in time. He had never asked Xiaoxiang to book such a tight schedule. With no time to spare, never mind a proper goodbye-he might have to leave before he could even exchange more