"What's your name?"
"Shen... Shen Qi."
"Hehe, if you like me that much, sit in my section later."
Chirp, chirp...
As Lisia expressed her wishes, Altaria wrapped cloudlike wings around Shen Qi, acting exceptionally affectionate.
"I... uh..."
After gathering his thoughts a little, Shen Qi knew he couldn't linger here. Before he could think of an excuse to leave, the broadcast called for the finalists to take the stage.
"Come on, come up with me?"
"Up onstage? No, I'll just watch from the side."
"No." Lisia shook her head firmly. "Never mind Kanto, I've never seen a fan as devoted as you even back home in Hoenn. Win or lose today, I'm giving you a chance to admire your idol up close."
"I..."
"No more arguing. Keep turning me down and you'll delay my match."
Lisia winked playfully and led Shen Qi toward the arena by the hand.
At the exit of the competitors' passage, a staff member motioned for them to stop there for now and wait for the commentator to move the proceedings along.
Shen Qi tried to escape several times, but the white-gloved hand held his tightly. There was no getting away.
"Shen Qi, you know..." Outside, the crowd's clamor rose and fell, but Lisia's voice carried a hint of dejection. "I feel like the gap between Li Yizi and me is getting wider and wider. The talent and effort she's shown in performances really are astonishing."
"You could try surpassing her in other areas."
"Battling? Hard to say. She doesn't battle much."
"What about racing?" Shen Qi asked tentatively.
"Racing... racing!"
An excited gleam flashed in Lisia's eyes. As she recalled, Li Yizi seemed to own a rather unimpressive racing team in her hometown of Jubilife City.
Maybe she really could get the better of Li