On the afternoon of the preliminary tournament's third day, every seat in A Stadium was filled.
The sea of bobbing heads left Flannery, who was responsible for security, feeling helpless.
"Seriously, don't these people need to go home to eat?" The red-haired girl sank into deep self-doubt.
"Can't be helped. This is Young Master Mao's last preliminary match, so everyone's looking forward to it," Winona, the other Gym Leader beside her, explained with a smile.
"And look at the VIP box."
Flannery followed Winona's pointing finger upward and saw the Elite Four, Steven, and Wallace, all those heavyweight spectators, gathered at the window.
"Wow... isn't this a little over the top...?" Flannery couldn't help exclaiming.
"Well, given Young Master Mao's strength, even someone as powerful as Steven admires him immensely," Winona said with a smile.
Amid the roar of cheers and chatter from the stands, Young Master Mao and his opponent, Hinata, walked to the center of the field and shook hands.
"I look forward to learning from you." The refined-looking Pokémon Trainer, wearing glasses and a scarf, gave him a textbook smile.
He had clearly spent ages practicing it in front of a mirror...
Young Master Mao nodded with an odd tone. "Oh, teaching you isn't a problem. It's just... aren't you hot wearing a scarf in this weather?"
"Uh..." Hinata's smile froze, leaving him utterly awkward.
"Pfft~ don't mind me. Good luck." Young Master Mao smiled and turned back to his command area.
Behind Gary, Hinata frowned, his eyes resentful. "How uncultured~
"And to think he came from a scholarly family."
In the stands, Ash and Brendan had brought their friends and family to enjoy the spectacle from the front row.
Holding his PokéNav, Max browsed the internet and soon found Hinata's information on a forum.
"What the