Besides predictions of the results, there was also a vote for the most popular driver.
Ayaka had actually lost the popularity vote. In first place was the Toy Car, Racing Driver: Wen Jiu.
Nobody expected the Toy Car to place well. They just wanted to see what antics it would get up to this time.
In the hearts of children and Pokémon, Pokémon Paradise's Toy Car was the undisputed king of popularity.
"Huzang, are you nervous?"
Inside the Service Bay, Kadabra clung to the underside of the raised Little Sheep, still performing the final checks.
"Why would I be nervous? You're the one who'll lose face if you lose, Shen Qi."
Despite those words, Huzang had come all the way from Island 6 to watch the race, which showed how much importance he placed on it.
Since leaving Celadon City University, he had barely left the Sevii Islands except to pick up supplies occasionally.
"Why would I lose face?"
Shen Qi desperately wanted to beat Ayaka, but he was definitely under less pressure than she was.
If the Little Sheep lost... it was perfectly normal for a D-class Car not to do well in the T3 grand finals;
if the Rainbow Flying Sword lost, Ayaka would face tremendous public backlash. Those fans would probably tell her to get out of the Rainbow Flying Sword on the spot, so disappointed they would never want to see her race again.
If Ayaka left the Rainbow Flying Sword's research and development experiments, Shen Qi, Feiyue, and everyone who truly cared about her and knew the inside story would breathe a sigh of relief.
While Huzang continued his checks, Shen Qi wandered outside and headed straight for the Service Bay diagonally opposite.
A petite figure in a gray-and-white Racing Suit stood there.
"Meng Ai!