Chapter 786: Friendship Changes

【Your kimono is wildly popular】

Harbor tourism cities truly embrace diversity.

In just a short while, all the male and female kimono sets the girl brought for this trip sold out, and more importantly, her shop's reputation was successfully launched.

Many customers said that if they ever visited Scent City, they would definitely stop by her store.

This left the kimono girl utterly thrilled.

【You know very well that selling kimonos alone won't save your family's clothing shop; what matters more is establishing the kimono's reputation】

Yet the customers weren't the "fellow townspeople" she had assumed.

A moment's thought makes it clear: would tourists traveling abroad buy products they could get back home?

They'd buy local specialties, of course!

Of course, some did buy one or two pieces after seeing the kimono girl and her two idiot childhood friends' fashion show.

【You've rediscovered the meaning of travel, and you know full well it's all thanks to your two good friends】

【You're deeply grateful to them】

The kimono girl watched the two boys bustling around, and a heart symbol floated silently above her head.

"Huh?"

What does this mean?

All All Baimu stared in shock. You're grateful, fine—but why are hearts appearing?!

Did friendship suddenly turn romantic? And into two at once?

A female version of "You're both my wings"?

He slapped his forehead to dispel the thoughts. The persistent absence of peach blossoms had left him slightly unhinged; hearts don't necessarily mean romance.

Perhaps the simulator just couldn't find another symbol for friendship.

Inside the screen.

The kimono girl and the two boys arrived in Mesagoza with their empty-load mount, a goat-drawn cart.

But they didn't rush straight to challenge the Mesagoza Gym; instead, they headed north back to Scent City to restock.

What they hadn't expected was that news of their kimono fashion shows across the Kalos region had reached Scent City.

The moment the kimono girl appeared, her mother rushed forward and gave her a tight hug.

【You were startled by the sudden embrace】

From the narration, you learn the kimono girl never told her mother the true purpose of her trip, and the clothes she sold were secretly taken from the warehouse.

She knew her mother always bore everything alone, never wanting her to shoulder any financial or other burdens.

This time, she had intended to confess everything to her mother, but by the time she returned, her fame from challenging Gyms and performing fashion shows had already spread to Scent City.

The kimono girl was nervous, fearing she'd be scolded by her mother.

But no scolding came.

She received only her mother's tearful, warm embrace—making her feel her efforts had meaning.

【You proudly told your mother of your achievements, declaring you would surely spread the kimono's fame and claim a place for it in Kalos】

After her journey through southern Kalos, the kimono girl had glimpsed her future.

This gave her resolve.

【You found your friends and revealed your heart】

The kimono girl was deeply grateful for the boys' help, and because of that, she seriously asked if they'd join her in building this venture.

She knew their previous actions were merely acts of friendship—such help couldn't last forever.

She also knew the boys had been lost and aimless since the League Conference, wasting time without direction.

That's why they'd later encouraged her to join the League Conference—to give her a reason.

Hoping she'd avenge their past failures.

But now, she believed they'd found a cause worth fighting for.

【You excitedly tossed out photo after photo—taken by strangers—showing the boys smiling joyfully during the fashion shows】

The boys, as the kimono girl suspected, were in a state of confusion; their poor performance in the League had dealt a devastating blow to their dreams of becoming Trainers.

Their journey through southern Kalos had also given them new understanding of themselves and their futures.

They agreed to officially join the kimono girl's venture, but they didn't plan to make it their sole occupation. Boy A, from a Gym family, vowed to inherit his Gym and become a worthy Gym Leader.

Boy B, who knew Pokémon species inside and out, hoped to become a scholar studying Pokémon types.

The three formed a circle, palms up, hands stacked together, cheering each other on.

【You're filled with confidence in the future】

And at the moment they swore their dreams into being—

The Eevee the kimono girl carried evolved.

【Your Eevee evolved into Sylveon, and new kimono designs were added】

The evolution came as desired.

The kimono girl successfully achieved a full Fairy-type team, strengthening the three's confidence in the future.

"Hmm… somehow this feels farther and farther from a romance story."

All All Baimu rested his chin on his hand.

Pursuing a career is great—having dreams is admirable—but I chose Peach Blossoms because I wanted romance.

What's the difference from choosing "physically strong"?

It's not like the kimono girl will turn into a muscle-bound kimono girl just because I picked "physically strong"!

Keep reading.

His attention returned to the simulation screen.

At this moment—

The kimono girl, with a fully loaded cart and her two partners, returned to Mesagoza.

【You haven't forgotten the heartbreaking scene of being ignored before; this time, you'll sell every single kimono】

Ambitious, the kimono girl marched toward the Prism Tower in the central square.

【You begin challenging the Mesagoza Gym】

The Gym Leader of this era was certainly not Clemont; the kimono girl faced a slender young man.

His specialty remained unchanged: Electric, symbolizing the Second Industrial Revolution.

The kimono girl sent out her newly evolved Sylveon to face the opponent's Magnezone.

Since it didn't have the Hidden Ability "Fairy Skin," Sylveon's moves were much the same as the kimono girl's other Pokémon.

But guided by Boy B, Sylveon skillfully used its ribbon-like arms to force Magnezone into a calm, sage-like state.

She then struck the opening with Moonlight to defeat it.

"Ugh!"

All All Baimu couldn't help but think of Serena's Sylveon.

He'd interacted with it once before on Nibel Plateau; those ribbon arms truly brought calm when touched, and the kimono girl's clever use in battle was admirable.

Then again, the kimono girl's team had four pure Fairy-types, and the other two were Steel/Fairy duplicates.

Too monotonous—it's easy to find weaknesses.

Inside the screen.

Plusle jumped playfully into the Electabuzz's parabolic charging zone, got knocked back, and was electrocuted.

Both Pokémon fainted simultaneously.

And this was the Gym Leader's last Pokémon.

【You defeated the Mesagoza Gym Leader and earned the Mesagoza Badge】

The sixth badge secured.

The kimono girl's confidence swelled beyond anything before; she borrowed open space in front of the Prism Tower from the Gym Leader, had her childhood friends don kimonos, and even dressed her Pokémon in custom-made kimonos.

【You will make all of Mesagoza experience the charm of the kimono】

The novel fashion show drew massive crowds.

As a city modeled after Paris, Mesagoza remained at the forefront of fashion even in its old age; the kimonos might not have stunned them, but the boys' youthful beauty and the Pokémon dressed in kimonos won over many hearts.

【Beauty】 played its role at this moment too.

All All Baimu noticed that when the kimono girl appeared, the crowd's smiles were the most abundant—clear proof that looks grant you power.

The fashion show ended.

The kimono girl set up her stall—

This time, her stall was no longer ignored; her kimonos sold out in record time, and people even paid deposits to pre-order.

Several scouts also approached her, discussing whether she'd consider becoming a model or celebrity.

Though she hadn't yet collected all badges, the kimono girl had already achieved great success.

【You suppressed your excitement, knowing you could end your Gym challenges now—but winning the League Conference would bring far greater rewards】

【You also haven't forgotten your promise to avenge your friends' failures】

Everyone encounters temptations in life; interestingly, nearly all Blue-Talent simulation subjects resisted them.

The chef, the perfumer, the actress, and the kimono girl.

They resisted temptation and completed their Gym challenges, achieving results that matched their expectations.

Perhaps this too is a talent?

——

Return to Huxiang City to restock on kimono.

The kimono girl and her party head east toward Kalos, preparing to claim the remaining two badges.

【You have arrived at Windwhisper Town】

The town's climate is cold.

The kimono girl specifically chose a thickened kimono with a fur-lined scarf; thanks to her growing fame, even this small town saw strong sales.

When one sets out, heaven and earth lend their strength.

All All Baimu watched as the cargo pulled by his Ride Pokémon Goat shrank visibly, and couldn't help but marvel: once fortune turns, it turns without limit.

Perhaps joy invites sorrow.

The kimono girl's party encountered hardship on Route 17.

Due to constant blizzards, only Wooloo could pass through; they had no choice but to unload their cargo from the Ride Pokémon Goat and transfer it to Wooloo.

Unexpectedly, the cart collapsed off a cliff, nearly dragging the Wooloo down with it.

Fortunately, Boy A reacted quickly, sending out a Pokémon to sever the connection between cart and Wooloo, averting disaster.

Yet to recover their vital cargo, the kimono girl's party had to remain in the snow-covered wilderness for nearly a week.

【You vow to one day find a solution to Kalos's road transport problems】

The three arrived in Haku City, battered and exhausted.

The Gym battle loomed.

The kimono girl quickly regained her spirits—but All All Baimu was stunned to learn the Haku Gym Leader now possessed Mega Evolution.

【You gaze at the Mega Alakazam before you, knowing a brutal battle is coming】

In this era before the seer Gohkiya was even born, the old Haku Gym Leader's Mega Evolution became the hardest battle the kimono girl had faced so far.

Even with Boy A and Boy B's pre-planned tactics, the kimono girl's Pokémon steadily lost ground.

Only Lady Bouffalant held out until the end.

Sustaining her HP with 【Grass Terrain】, 【Photosynthesis】, and 【Ultimate Absorb】, she wore down the Mega Alakazam by sheer endurance.

No matter how powerful Mega Alakazam became, its HP was severely lacking—nowhere near Lady Bouffalant's effortless stamina and high Defense and Special Defense.

【You defeated the Haku Gym Leader and earned the Encyclopedia Badge】

This badge was won with such difficulty that the kimono girl resolved to make her Gulpin achieve Mega Evolution.

Unfortunately, she had never succeeded yet.

"There just isn't enough time."

All All Baimu, putting himself in her shoes, believed the kimono girl needed at least six months with her Gulpin to even begin achieving Mega Evolution.

Moreover, the kimono girl rarely used Gulpin in Gym battles—high-pressure combat was the best way to build trust between Trainer and Pokémon.

The kimono girl lacked this experience; her two childhood friends had even less.

Sold another batch of goods.

【You head toward the location of the final Gym】

Along the way, they passed through Linktown.

This time, the kimono girl's goods sold out effortlessly, forcing her to travel to Mirror Snow City with an empty cart.

【You feel a pang of poor planning】

Mirror Snow City.

The young Defu had lost his potbelly but remained a burly, bear-like man.

【You begin challenging the Mirror Snow Gym】

All All Baimu expected Defu to Mega Evolve his Abomasnow—but even after Gulpin knocked it out with Iron Head, Defu never pulled out a Key Stone.

Why?

Did he not have a Key Stone?

He strongly suspected Defu hadn't yet obtained Mega Evolution, explaining why he was the complete opposite of Haku's Gym Leader.

What should have been there was gone; what shouldn't have been, was there.

Quite peculiar.

【You defeated the Mirror Snow Gym Leader Defu and earned the Bingshan Badge】

It seemed Kalos had no shortage of elderly Gym Leaders: besides CocoBul, who had retired and passed the Gym to his granddaughter Korni, both Fu and Defu had held on until their hair turned white.

All All Baimu thought of Master Adam.

If Mewtwo had not stepped down as Regional Champion and inherited the Liusui Gym, would he too have held on until his hair turned completely white?

Right now, his hair was already half-gray.

Hmm…

What a terrible thought.

All All Baimu shook off the thought, then saw the kimono girl's party return to Mireau City, standing once again before the Communication Exchange Tester from before.

The evolved Pokémon was Puffuff.

【Your Puffuff evolved into Aromatisse】

Of the six Pokémon, Puffuff was the only one that had never fought in a Gym battle—but thanks to the two boys' training, its strength remained solid.

After evolution, it gained an extraordinarily powerful special ability—

The ability to emit extreme fragrance and extreme stench.

When the fragrance was strong, it rendered the kimono girl and her companions senseless; the stench alone forced the Pokémon training with it to surrender on the spot.

Its power rivaled biochemical weapons.

"Hmm."

All All Baimu had never seen Aromatisse firsthand, but due to using its body hair in perfume-making, he knew its scent intimately.

Both the fragrance… and the stench.

Once, by accident, a single hair clung to his clothes—Gulpin refused to let him hold it for a full week; Triplehorn wouldn't dare approach; even the gentlest Happiny wore a mask to get near him.

Clearly, its power was terrifying.

With Aromatisse's evolution, the kimono girl's team was now complete.

【You now focus on strengthening your skills and studying Mega Evolution, preparing for the upcoming League Conference】