"Yes."
"I signed up right at the start."
Koji was not particularly surprised that he could take part in the Friendly Match. His strength spoke for itself; even the Third-Year Class graduate representative might not be a match for him.
Taichi, on the other hand, was rather surprised. He did not think he was particularly strong. He had only spent some time studying in the Alola Region and received instruction from Ilima.
Putting himself in that position, Taichi reckoned that if he took on the Island Challenge, completing the trials on one or two islands would probably be his limit. He could not clear the whole thing, much less enter the second round of arena trials against the Island Kahunas.
"Comparing the difficulty of the Island Challenge with Pokémon High School is giving this place far too much credit."
Shen Qi first told them about his conversation with Principal Gui that day.
"So that's what happened... Principal Gui thinks I'd be suited to taking over his position in the future and putting Pokémon High School under my management."
"Great!"
"I'm all for it!"
The two young admirers chattered their agreement.
If Shen Qi graduated next year, he would certainly spend less time at Pokémon High School. They might only get to meet him on the racetrack.
But if Shen Qi became principal, Pokémon High School would benefit enormously from all his honors, and Koji and Taichi would have more drive to study and train.
"Aren't you two oversimplifying things? If Pokémon High School keeps going like this, it'll be a vicious cycle until it dies out."
Taichi had not thought that far ahead, while Koji nodded.
As a resident of the Orange Islands, he naturally understood that connecting them to the Sevii Islands would inevitably create competition, and the Sevii