"Hikaru: 'With that outfit, you've got to be Iono, right?'"
"Iono: 'Eh?! Are you my fan? Ehehe, that makes me so happy!'"
Kosa stared in disbelief.
"Kosa: 'Lord Hikaru actually recognizes her… I truly didn't expect that.
Could it be that you sometimes look for artistic inspiration from her videos as well?'"
Obviously, in Kosa's view, the girl in front of them was of absolutely no help to anyone's artistic training.
Someone as outstanding an artist as Hikaru should not be wasting any attention on "useless" videos like hers.
But if Hikaru was watching them as a source of inspiration, that would be a different matter.
Kosa began to wonder if maybe he himself ought to watch some, and reflect on his previous attitude.
Iono picked up on the subtext and puffed up her cheeks, clearly displeased.
"Iono: 'Don't say it like that, Kosa. I'm at least a little famous, you know!
You're thinking my videos are pointless again, aren't you? That's super rude!'"
Kosa shot back immediately.
"Kosa: 'I went to great lengths to invite Lord Hikaru here. Don't you dare mess this up for me.
You really have no respect for art at all…'"
He sighed and shook his head over and over.
"'There is nothing avant-garde about this at all!'"
The girl with pastel blue-and-pink hair was of course the famous streamer-gym-leader, Iono.
Cheerful, energetic, throwing herself wholeheartedly into streaming and running her Gym, the Electric-type Gym Leader who never gets discouraged even when she loses.
It was just that right now, Iono didn't yet have those two trademark, Magnemite-like mystery creatures floating over her head, and she hadn't developed her later trademark speech quirks either.
She had, however, been making videos for quite a long time.
People in Levincia City said she'd been at it for years already, to the point that they were starting to question her true age.
On top of that, in this era before the Rotom Phone existed, doing live streams with just a Pokégear or an ordinary communicator was still somewhat inconvenient.
Because of that, Hikaru was a rare sight here: a streamer using a small handheld video camera.
It was rare in the Pokémon world, with all of its crazy high tech, to see a piece of equipment that felt this "familiar" to him.
"Come to think of it, the Kalos Region's holo-caster tech should be close to launch," Hikaru mused silently.
"Since XY and Black & White run almost in parallel on the timeline, the generational gap between the two regions is actually pretty big, huh?"
Unova was full of advanced tech, but their communications gear was still stuck at the old-style Xtransceiver level, while Kalos already had full holo-casters.
Xtransceiver → Holo Caster → Rotom Dex → Rotom Phone.
That was probably the evolution line.
As for Iono and Kosa, the two of them were classic mutual-roast partners in the promo videos and story.
Artazon and Levincia City were fairly close to each other, after all.
In the promotional trailer, Iono had joked that Kosa would jump off the windmill, while in the Blueberry Academy arc, Kosa had critiqued Iono's streams as "not avant-garde enough" and refused to appear on camera.
Yet in the promo video he still showed up, and even struck a pose.
And then there was that now-classic exchange from Blueberry Academy:
Iono: "I've always wondered… what does 'avant-garde art' even mean?"
Kosa: "The very fact you're asking that question proves you're not avant-garde enough."
Hikaru still remembered it clearly.
The reason Iono's current look was different from the way she'd appear later on was something that had been explained in a conversation with Grusha, the Ice-type Gym Leader.
Supposedly, once she got popular, she accepted a ton of sponsored gigs, and in order to better cater to her new, younger audience, she changed her appearance and on-screen persona.
Grusha had even complained that her show had gotten worse because of it, and Iono had fired back at him:
"So you're one of those hard-to-please old-school fans!"
Kosa's resigned sigh pulled Hikaru's mind back to the present.
Hikaru smiled at this pale, always-sort-of-spaced-out-looking artist, who had the air of someone permanently "out of it."
"Using video editing and streaming platforms can really increase an artwork's reach," Hikaru said.
"The best works are the ones that everyone can enjoy.
If only a tiny handful of people can appreciate it, then I'd say it's already lost the essence of art."
"That's right, that's right! Even a legendary artist says so~!" Iono chimed in.
She had no idea who Hikaru actually was, but that didn't stop her from flattering him on the spot.
Kosa only looked even more conflicted, though Hikaru's words did start to make him think.
"Kosa: 'Hmm… the essence of art…'"
Hikaru nodded.
"Hikaru: 'Exactly. Extravagance and splendor are art; so are loneliness and hesitation. But being lively and cheerful is also art.'"
And right as Hikaru said that, Larvesta pounced forward with a leap.
"'Larv!'"
Art, you say? Let this little bug show off a performance, then!
"Ohh, could this Larvesta be…?!"
"The First Flame!"
The moment he saw Larvesta, the slightly slumped expression on Kosa's face vanished.
He suddenly became extremely animated.
This Larvesta had already become famous in art circles.
The critical acclaim for that earlier work featuring it was still climbing, even though there were plenty of eccentric voices criticizing and attacking it.
But in the art world, it wasn't rare at all to see would-be upstarts step on a famous predecessor's work, hoping to make their own name in one shot.
Most artists were used to such stunts by now, and some had even begun publicly firing back at these clueless clout-chasers online.
Ironically, that only made the piece in question even more popular.
Not only that, the artists along Unova's Route 5 had even done a collaborative performance with this Larvesta.
At the same time, a second piece centered on this Larvesta, "The God Who Stole Joy," had appeared in a gallery in Mistralton City, where it was being hailed as the latest must-see masterpiece.
That one was by the renowned artist Jonathan.
"So this really is the Larvesta from that artwork…?"
Kosa specialized in Grass types, while Burgh, the artist in Mistralton City, specialized in Bug types. Put like that, they really did make for a neat contrast.
In the Blueberry Academy storyline, Kosa had gone straight to visit Burgh as soon as he reached Unova.
"'Larv~'"
Larvesta waved its feelers, stirring the flames around its body.
Under Kosa's and everyone else's astonished gaze, the fire it breathed shaped itself into a vivid canvas of living flame.
Sunlight, a town, Sunflora, and a tiny sun-knight.
Blazing hot, yet exquisitely controlled fire.
Larvesta had just finished excitedly taking in everything about this town, recording the scenes in its little head, especially that moment when all the Sunflora had clustered around Charcadet.
Hey now, that's my sun-knight. As the sun-god, how could I not pay attention to my own partner?
In the living, animated painting of fire that Larvesta created, the Sunflora gently swayed, while Charcadet in the center spread its arms wide, embracing the blazing sun of flame shining down from above.
Larvesta's fire brimmed with life.
When it became a moving image like this, it naturally made its viewers feel joy.
That cheerful emotion radiated outward, stirring everyone around.
Even random artists and visitors who had simply been passing by gathered to watch.
Once the flame faded away, Larvesta wiggled its feelers and blinked, then looked around.
For a brief second there was silence.
Then, starting with Kosa, applause broke out.
At first it was scattered and sparse, but it very quickly surged together like an incoming tide, swelling into thunderous clapping.
"'Mmm, wow! That was amazing!'"
Even Iono, who had rushed over mostly to chase clout and who honestly knew nothing about art, normally lumping every work she saw into only two categories, "pretty" and "I don't get it," was stunned by that flaming animation.
With that level of fire control, did this Larvesta secretly have a Psychic type?
No way, of course not!
But the piece just now was undeniably fun, and Iono could feel a warm, happy emotion bubbling up inside her chest.
"That's animation, right? More than some lofty 'high art,' what we just saw was the simplest kind of animation!"
"The simpler the better," Hikaru said. "Fire can light up the world, and it can cook food.
Of course it can also be used to paint."
In truth, fire painting was simply an advanced form of "fire performance."
Fundamentally, it wasn't much different from some of the techniques used in Pokémon Showcases in Kalos, or the Contest Spectaculars.
The most famous fire-performer Pokémon line was probably Fennekin and Delphox.
Thanks to their innate Psychic abilities, they were able to shape their flames at will to put on dazzling performances.
Of course, the Paldea Region had its own "fire performance" specialists among Pokémon.
For example, Oricorio in its Baile Style.
Just like now.
"'Ah, those are Oricorio!'"
Even though Larvesta's fiery painting had ended, a flock of Oricorio attracted from the nearby wilds had gathered on the rooftops of Artazon's houses, launching into a fresh round of dancing.
They stamped out passionate steps, whipping up fierce flames with each beat.
Though the sun was high and the temperature a little hot, people were generous with their praise.
Applause rang out once more, and the wild Oricorio puffed out their chests proudly.
"I… I'm so moved…!" Kosa's voice was shaking.
"Even wild Oricorio were drawn here by the piece just now.
Does… does it have a title?"
He was focused on the work itself, completely swept away.
He'd already tossed all thoughts of Iono aside and was trembling with excitement.
Hikaru thought for a moment, looked at Larvesta, then said:
"Let's call it 'Praise the Sun.'"
"'Praise the Sun! Such avant-garde art!'"
Kosa's eyes all but shone.
"It's perfect for Artazon! Please, you must… you must let me…
I want to carve it, turn it into a sculpture!"
A torrent of inspiration swirled through Kosa's mind. He couldn't wait to start recreating the scene he'd just witnessed.
Any thought of managing this art festival's exhibition had left his head.
All he wanted now was to retreat straight into his workshop and enter his world of pure creation.
"What did you think of that piece just now?" Hikaru asked.
He turned to look at Mela, who had been zoning out in silence this whole time.
The red-haired girl finally snapped out of it, but didn't know what to say. She could only let out a string of confused little "Ah… ah…" sounds.
That made her blush even harder.
So embarrassing.
Hikaru smiled.
"Hikaru: 'Let's go to the studio. We'll use that scene as our theme and do a painting session. What do you think…?'"
"I… I want to draw it!" Mela finally managed, after forcing the words out.
She clenched her fists. For some reason, a strange emotion was roiling in her chest, making it impossible to stay calm.
"Please let me draw it. I… I want to learn how to paint!"
Watching the way the others were interacting, Iono suddenly found she had no idea how to insert herself into the conversation.
Gulp.
Did this mean she really had to go and study some of that "avant-garde art" Kosa kept going on about?
As a proper electric streamer, she had to have her fingers in a lot of pies to keep producing good content.
"I– I mean, Kosa! Wait up!" Iono hurriedly called after him.
After the intense wave of inspiration just now, Kosa had apparently reached some sort of realization.
"Hm? I understand now, I understand," he said. "Go ahead. You can film any of the exhibits here however you like."
"Just now… I figured it out."
Iono tilted her head in confusion.
"Iono: 'Eh? Figured what out?'"
Kosa replied:
"Kosa: 'I realized that, even though my own style of creation is rooted in melancholy and solitude, there are times when melancholy and solitude can also give rise to bright, positive works.'"
"Yes. Why was I so moved? Why was I so excited?" he continued.
"It was because, at the very moment I finally found my inspiration, my heart was pointed toward the light."
"That's the resonance of the heart," Hikaru said, meeting his eyes.
"When you're struggling inside, and you finally break through your bottleneck, what is it that you see?
You see the dawn of hope."
Kosa nodded firmly.
"Exactly. So, I won't reject you anymore, Lord Hikaru.
When it comes to light and liveliness, there's no one more suitable than you."
Iono blinked, then her cheeks went pink. She looked a little flustered.
"I– I'm being praised…?"
"But that's a good thing, right?" she said quickly. "I'll just humbly accept it. Thank you, all of you!"
By the look of things, Kosa had already changed a little, even before this "miracle piece" of his was actually created.
Hikaru hoped that this shift would help him continue producing new works.
By the way…
Hikaru turned to Iono.
"Hikaru: 'Brassius-san really does jump off the windmill, doesn't he?'"
"'Eh?! You're a legendary artist, and that's what you're fixated on?!'" Iono yelped.
"Is that part of the artistic process too?!"
Originally, she had thrown out that line purely as a joke for the sake of the show's entertainment value, but Hikaru actually stopped to think about it.
"Performance art is still art," he said seriously. "And the windmill is steeped in an important kind of cultural and historical power."
Iono quickly picked up on the fact that this "legendary artist" from Unova was not like Kosa at all.
Hikaru was much easier to talk to and far more conversational.
Her streamer's instincts immediately kicked in.
"A lot of people are super curious about how artworks come to be," she said. "Could I… maybe… watch you work while you're creating something?"
She was already imagining the collab: interacting with a famous name, participating in local events, and of course boosting her channel's subscriber count until it shot up like an Eelektross leaping the Dragon Gate.
"If I could collab with someone this famous, it would be… well, okay, I'd make bank, but more importantly, it'd be such an honor!"
"Buuut… my criteria for judging art are just 'looks nice' and 'I don't get it.'
No, no, maybe it's not that I don't get it. Maybe I just don't get Kosa's art!"
She thought hard.
Yes, that had to be it. It was Kosa's work that was too hard to understand.
The pieces by this artist from Unova in front of her were positive and fun, weren't they?
So real art had to be something everyone could understand.
That was what earned it the title of "genius" or "legendary."
"Of course I don't mind," Hikaru replied. "But the creation process might be a bit dull, and it'll take some time. Are you really fine with that?"
Iono waved it off.
"No problem! I want to learn more about art too, and anyway, for videos I can always just fast-forward and edit!"
If it were a live broadcast, she'd need to worry about time.
But for recorded uploads, she could just trim everything in post.
Hikaru glanced at the handheld camera in Iono's hand and suddenly had an idea.
"Hikaru: 'So you don't have anything more convenient? Something that flies next to you on its own, comes when it's called, has built-in A.I., and can film in 360 degrees without blind spots?'"
Iono scratched her head, baffled.
Iono: "Eh? Where would I find something that convenient?"
"No, something like that does exist," Hikaru said, eyes narrowing.
Every villainous team, and even random Pokémon hunters along the roadside, had those handy little robots.
Yet here was Paldea's top Electric-type streamer, and she didn't have anything like that?
And she was an Electric Gym Leader, too. Unlike people like Volkner, Wattson, or Elesa, she didn't personally mod her own machines at all.
To be fair, Iono's character setup really was different from the previous generations' Electric leaders.
"I can help you modify a machine like that," Hikaru offered. "It'll cost you, of course. I can even add some artistic decoration."
"With good equipment, your filming will be much smoother and more polished, and you'll reach way more viewers, right?"
"Eh?" Iono stared. "Mechanical modifications? But aren't you an artist?"
Hikaru cleared his throat.
"Ahem. I also dabble a little in mechanical engineering. Other regions have plenty of people who tinker with machines. It's nothing special."
"So? What do you say?"
"W– wait, wasn't I the one who asked for a favor first?" Iono muttered.
"How did it turn into me being pitched a business deal…? Why does this feel both oppressive and exciting?"
Her head was spinning, but the vision Hikaru was painting really was huge and tempting.
No, seriously now. Did a filming rig that convenient really exist?
"Then, um… what would it cost?" she asked cautiously, doing a quick mental tally of her budget.
She'd saved up a fair amount over the years from her streaming.
Upgrading her gear every now and then was definitely within reach.
"Simple," Hikaru said. "I've got some good stuff here: from specialty vegetables to battle items, all sorts of things.
If you've got spare time, how about you do a little affiliate marketing for me?"
"Paldea is a wide-open blue ocean when it comes to commerce. I think the students in Mesagoza have bright futures ahead of them."
"So that's all it is?!" Iono slapped a hand over her chest in relief.
"You scared me. So you just want ad placement!"
"If that's all, then I've got no problem with it!"
"But you can really build something like that—whoa! What is that, where did you pull it out from?!"
She hadn't even finished her sentence when she saw a device hovering by itself in mid-air.
The little machine was one Hikaru had previously salvaged from some Pokémon hunters.
"It understands voice commands, its camera can shoot right through tree cover and foliage to catch hidden angles, it's got full light-sensing systems…"
"And it can even fire Electric-type attacks."
The instant she saw the demo model, Iono's eyes went glassy.
This… this… this was the ultimate filming rig!
Right then, a shout rang out from not far away.
"Found you! I finally found you!"
A green-haired butch-style beauty stumbled into view, looking absolutely exhausted, but the moment she saw Hikaru, her eyes lit up.
"Eh? Isn't that Miss Rika from the Elite Four? Does she know you?" Iono whispered.
"Of course she does," Iono added a second later, answering her own question. "You're so famous, there's no way she wouldn't know you!"
Her instincts screamed one thing.
This smelled like "content."
Whenever some huge, exciting event was about to go down, there was always this shift in atmosphere.
For an Elite Four member to suddenly appear in Artazon, she clearly wasn't here for the art exhibition.
She was here for a specific person.
"Tehe~! Could it be, could it be… that we're about to get a battle segment? A legendary artist versus an Elite Four member? That's guaranteed headline material!"
And as it turned out, Iono's streamer-brain was spot on.
"Please!" Rika said, eyes blazing. "I know this is sudden, but…
Would you have a battle with me?"
Rika's gaze burned with intensity, as if she needed to confirm something for herself.
Even Iono, who had been laughing and joking a second ago, froze in place.
Then her own eyes lit up like she was shooting sparks.
A back-and-forth clash, a fierce battle without pause!
Everyone across the region would be hyped out of their minds for a fight involving an Elite Four member.
But Rika's next words threw Iono into confusion.
What did she mean by, "The boss of Area Ten of the Black Skyscraper wants you to serve as one of the local Elite Four"?
"Eh?!"
That sounded like a seriously big deal.
Wait, so this guy… was that incredible?
Heehee. The view counts were going to skyrocket!
Ahh, this was bliss. She felt like she was ascending right then and there.
(End of Chapter)
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