I caught a Pokémon

Xia You affectionately ruffled Xiao Yao's hair, then turned her gaze to Xiao Guang.

"Go for it, believe in yourself and your Pokémon, and you will definitely overcome your inner demons."

Xiao Guang's eyes shone brightly as he nodded vigorously at Xia You.

"I see!"

Xia You took his hand off Xiao Yao's head and was about to let it fall naturally when he saw a hint of expectation in Xiao Guang's eyes. He hesitated for a moment, then hovered his hand over Xiao Guang's head but did not put it down. Instead, after thinking for a moment, he placed his hand on her shoulder.

The instant they made contact, Xiao Guang's body trembled almost imperceptibly, a barely perceptible shyness flashed deep in his eyes, and even his heart, which shouldn't be beating wildly at his age, inexplicably began to beat violently.

Bang! Bang! Bang bang! Bang bang!

Xiao Guang's heart was beating faster and faster, and for a moment, he felt as if it was about to jump out of his chest!

What's wrong with me...?

However, before her ears could turn red, Xia You had already lowered his arm, as if it had just been an older brother encouraging his younger sister.

Xiao Guang showed no resistance from beginning to end. Instead, after noticing his own abnormality, he lowered his eyes and dared not look into Xia You's eyes again.

A completely different emotion suddenly sprouted in her heart.

Quietly, subtly, she sensed it, yet couldn't articulate it, couldn't feel it, and was filled with panic.

Xiao Yao, standing to the side, watched this scene and saw her friend's reaction. Her mouth was slightly open, but in the end, she didn't say anything. Only a deep sense of helplessness flashed in her eyes.

Xiaoguang's current state is just like my past self.

Xiao Guang…you…

Standing opposite Xiao Guang, Xia You also felt that her actions just now seemed a bit too intimate, and shouldn't be done in their current relationship.

However, he can't be entirely blamed. After all, Hikaru and Haruka were standing together, so close. He stroked and encouraged Haruka, and after seeing the look in Hikaru's eyes, he suddenly felt as if he would be treating Haruka differently if he didn't encourage Hikaru, and that he only believed Haruka could win.

What will Xiaoguang think of this?

Do you want to stop considering her a friend?

How could the words of comfort and encouragement I gave her yesterday be so easily defeated in front of Xiaoyao?

It was because of this thought that he inexplicably patted Xiaoguang on the shoulder.

However, Xia You also knew how to be tactful. After all, rubbing someone's head and patting their shoulder conveyed two different meanings, and he believed that Xiao Guang would definitely be able to tell the difference.

In addition, he also knew that Xiaoguang was such a dazzling and proud person that it was impossible for her to become like Xiaoyao.

After all, even though others said that, he knew he was no heartbreaker.

So why think so much?

Xia You chuckled to herself and didn't take it too seriously. But just as she was about to wave goodbye to the two, she suddenly saw Xiao Zhi's slightly expectant eyes.

Xia You: ...

No, what are you doing here, a boy?

What's it to you?

Although he found it amusing, in front of this ten-year-old boy who always regarded him as his older brother and his ultimate rival, in Ash's eyes, his hand still patted Ash's head through his hat, showering Ash with his warm sunshine.

"At least let me make it to the semifinals once."

A seemingly casual remark, which sounded like a joke but also like a gentle reminder, instantly energized Xiao Zhi, making his eyes sparkle!

"Don't worry! Just watch how I perform!!"

His change successfully attracted the attention of Haruka and Hikaru, causing the two to smile at each other again.

As Ash's former and current travel companions, if we were to ask who could best change Ash's mood, they all know that, apart from his mother Hanako and Professor Oak, it would probably only be Natsumi.

In some respects, Xia You's words are sometimes even more effective than those of Hanako and Daiki.

For example, right now.

The group said goodbye again and watched Xiaoyao and her two companions enter the venue through the other contestant entrance. Xia You, Yami, and Xiaogang also entered the venue through the main entrance and found their seats.

At this very moment, they looked around, and before they could even take in their surroundings, they realized that they were surrounded by fans with two completely different auras.

First, there was the largest group, a group of girls wearing white berets. Some were scattered around the audience, while others were neatly gathered together. Without exception, their faces were filled with the fervor of fans, and they were constantly cheering and shouting.

Xia You knew at a glance that these white berets were the same style as Mikoli's, and needless to say, these female fans had come for Mikoli.

Die-hard fans, and they're all girls...

Xia You sighed as she thought of the biker gang members who called her "Big Brother".

Look at who likes Mikoli, and then look at who likes you. Why is there such a big difference?

The other group consisted of young men and children.

They were wearing T-shirts with Rukia's image on them or holding her support items, making it clear at a glance that they were Rukia's fans.

It's astonishing how incredibly popular this uncle and niece are!

Their fans alone made up almost half of the audience!

It's important to know that this is no ordinary small venue, but the famous lakeside venue, which can accommodate 40,000 audience members at the same time!

What kind of ratio is this? Could it be that all their fans from Sinnoh have come?

In other words, only half of these spectators are genuinely there just to watch the game!

Xia You shook her head, no longer paying attention to these things, and instead focused her attention on the stage.

Unlike other ordinary venues, this venue is open-air, and in the center of the circular venue is a huge swimming pool. There is only one stage for performances on one side of the pool, and there is no other place to stand.

They made full use of the advantages of Lizhi Lake's water.

Xia You thought to herself, then glanced at the time again.

Before we knew it, it was already nine o'clock. Before the female host Bai An took the stage, music started playing and images flashed on the big screen, and a special opening took place at this moment.

To the accompaniment of cheerful and dynamic music, Rukia, dressed in a gorgeous outfit and full of energy, sang and happily held a microphone as she hopped and skipped onto the stage.

Her appearance immediately ignited the atmosphere at the scene.

In an instant, Rukia's name resounded throughout the entire lakeside venue, with shouts echoing everywhere, making everyone's ears ring. Xia You couldn't even hear what song Rukia was singing.

This was the first time Yami had ever encountered such a scene, and she truly felt the popularity brought by the words "glamorous idol".

so horrible!

Although Xia You really wanted to hear what Liu Qiya's new song was, unfortunately, there were several chubby boys around him shouting Liu Qiya's name at the top of their lungs, so he couldn't hear anything.

This left him with a helpless sigh.

The experience was terrible...

However, seeing Ryukia's energetic appearance on stage through the big screen, he couldn't help but smile.

Who would have thought that the Ryukia who is causing such a frenzy on stage today would have called Xia You "Mr. Xia You" and teamed up with him for a doubles match yesterday?

If her fans found out, they would probably all be on edge.

After finishing her first song, Lucia sang her signature song before leaving the stage.

Amidst the lingering sighs of dissatisfaction, the female host, Bai An, stepped onto the stage.

It has to be said that although it was not an official event organized by the Magnificent Affairs Bureau, but was only held in the name of Mikuri personally, they still invited Bai An, the official host, and even the judges were the same three people as before. This shows the value of the Mikuri Cup ribbon medal and why it is valid throughout the region.

Bai An first thanked Ryukia for her performance, and then introduced Mikori.

And just as she warmed up the crowd, Mikoli took the stage and, with his Milotic, put on a spectacular opening show, bringing the atmosphere to a climax once again.

It has to be said that even though the chubby boys around her quieted down, Xia You still couldn't hear anything clearly.

Because Mikoli's fans started shouting again.

If what was just now could be described as deafening, then now, all that remains is a piercing, sharp sound.

It's the kind of eardrum that feels like it's going to shatter.

This made Xia You secretly groan, and she vowed that she would never sit in the middle of the audience again in such a situation.

Just like him, Yami next to him also covered her ears.

Unlike Mikoli's fans, although she was also a woman, she didn't find Mikoli attractive at all, nor did she fit her aesthetic preferences; on the contrary...

He turned to look at Xia You and saw him with his head down, covering his ears, looking like he couldn't stand the noise. He smiled slightly.

Xia You is completely unknown in Sinnoh, but once he wins the Lily of the Valley Tournament, many more people will surely like him!

Xia You immediately noticed her smile.

"why are you laughing!"

Xia You looked at Ya Mi strangely and raised his voice, but in this environment, no matter how loudly he shouted and how close he was sitting, Ya Mi still shook his head.

"I can't hear you!"

Thankfully, as Mikoli's performance ended, the surrounding noise finally quieted down.

Just then, Michael, who was standing in the center of the stage, spoke again, and this time, Xia You finally understood what he was talking about.

"...So, who is the most dazzling dancer on this stage today? Let me see right now!!"

As his words fell, it meant that the competition was about to officially begin. It was at this moment that Xia You also realized that Mikoli's performance was not just a simple act. He would also serve as a special referee to score and comment on the contestants.

Regardless of the circumstances, Xia You just wants the competition to start as soon as possible.

He didn't want to suffer from the noise from these crazy fans anymore.

He was not alone in thinking this way. Fortunately, the host was professional enough to avoid unnecessary chatter. After introducing the medals, judges, and rules as usual, the competition officially began.

I never expected that the first contestant to take the stage today would be Xiaoyao!

Actually, given Xiaoyao's strength, it's not a big deal for her to be the first to go on stage. Besides, she just warmed up the crowd with Rukia and Mikuri, and the atmosphere is currently very heated, with the audience's attention highly focused. Going on stage at this time would actually attract more attention.

All I can say is that even though Xiaoyao didn't need it, this still counts as a huge help to her.

Shaking her head to stop thinking about these things, Xia You focused her gaze on Xiao Yao.

Clearly, Xiaoyao had made careful preparations for today's important conference. At this moment, she was no longer wearing her usual clothes, but had changed into a desert-style dancer's outfit!

Chapter 1016 Each Person's Role

The Hoenn dancer, dressed in her costume, took to the stage to perform.

It's estimated that after this tournament, this beautiful girl from Hoenn will definitely leave a deep impression on these Sinnoh viewers.

Xia You and Ya Mi also perked up and watched Xiao Yao's performance.

May chose her Wartortle as her partner this time, which is not surprising. After all, in a venue surrounded by lakes on three sides, it is most suitable to have a Water-type Pokémon to work with her. This is also the result of her careful consideration after checking the venue in advance.

Right from the start, Haruka had Squirtle retract into its shell, then used a high-speed spin to circle the arena, making a rapid advance across the pool like skipping stones, creating countless splashes of water on the surface.

As the water droplets splashed up, the audience had just started clapping when Wartortle, which was still spinning, suddenly appeared in the center of the pool and used its Aqua Tail to create a giant water 'windmill' in the pool as it spun around in place!

Some water splashed onto the audience in the front row, but people didn't mind at all; instead, they applauded and cheered.

It must be said that this highlights the importance of a wonderful performance and a venue that had already created a lively atmosphere.

Normally, even if Haruka's performance is brilliant, without the warm-up from Rukia and Mikuri, the audience's emotions wouldn't be fully engaged. While it would still be surprising, it wouldn't immediately reach the point of such enthusiastic cheers from the entire audience.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Xiaoyao has gained a huge advantage.

After all, this atmosphere doesn't just affect Xiaoyao; it also allows the subsequent contestants to enjoy it, giving them more room to perform under tension and excitement, and keeping the audience focused.

In short, it will definitely help the whole competition.

However, if anyone were to make a mistake at this moment, it would also elicit good-natured laughter from the crowd.

Just then, Wartortle sprang up and returned to May's side, landing on its tail and spraying a stream of water into the sky, creating a rainbow above May and its head.

A perfect performance, a magnificent ending.

Without a single mistake, she handled everything with ease, a gentle smile always on her face, giving off an impression of composure with elegance.

Just as Xia You had initially thought, Haruka, the Hoenn dancer, did indeed leave a very deep impression on the audience, as could be seen from their thunderous applause.

Amidst the cheers, Haruka waved goodbye to the audience before disappearing from the stage with Wartortle.

"That's progress that's truly visible to the naked eye..."

Xia You let out a long breath, and the various behaviors of Haruka back when they were still in Hoenn involuntarily came to mind.