"Congratulations on winning the Kaina Conference. This is your Kaina Ribbon Medal."
On the simple stage.
Baimu received the green Ribbon Medal from Patistan.
The deputy director of the conference bureau, with a smile on his face, said, "Looking forward to your next performance."
"Keep it up~"
Liu Lai winked at him and released a handsome wave.
"Chansey's performance truly moved me. I can see its healing heart from its expression. It's an outstanding Pokémon!"
Miss Joy seemed still captivated by Chansey.
Baimu smiled and thanked them, then tied the new Ribbon Medal on Mawile's head, waving and saluting to the cheering audience together.
Thus, the Kaina Conference was brought to a perfect, satisfying conclusion.
Three more were needed to meet the requirements for the grand Gorgeous Competition.
Back to the preparation room.
Xiaoguang had already changed clothes. Seeing him come over, she immediately smiled, "Congratulations on earning your second Ribbon Medal. Shall we have a big feast to celebrate tonight?"
"Of course, but going out now is too dangerous."
Baimu handed over photos he just took from the front entrance, showing the packed crowd, many wearing suits, "These should be people from celebrity management companies, right? I'm not very good at dealing with them."
"Heh... I seem to have met them too, but I've always turned them down."
Xiaoguang thoughtfully considered and then stuck her tongue out, "Because I'm not interested in becoming a star, although acting sounds quite interesting."
"Anyway, let's wait for a bit."
"How about I help lead them away?"
"No need, plus how will you escape?"
"No problem!"
Miss No Problem looked assured and confident.
At this moment, a voice suddenly came from not far away.
"Need a lift?"
The two turned towards the voice, unexpectedly seeing Mira, who had lost to Baimu earlier. She leaned against the doorway and said, "I have a vehicle that can give you a ride."
Such a great opportunity couldn't be missed, and they promptly agreed.
Thus.
After Baimu changed clothes, the three of them, wearing masks, sneaked to the parking lot, quickly getting in the car while passersby were unaware, following some private cars through congested streets, smoothly reaching the main road.
"Wow~ You really are quite popular, more fans than I imagined. You really don't have a management company?"
Driving, Mira curiously asked.
"If I had a company, I wouldn't need to hide, could walk out openly with bodyguards keeping people away," Baimu replied, knowing most of his fame came from the Lucky Scale.
Thus, he had to endure the lack of privacy brought by fame.
With gains, comes inevitable sacrifices, big or small.
Mira stopped insisting on this matter, instead chatting with Xiaoguang. Though they hadn't met in the Gorgeous Competition, unexpectedly they had many common topics.
Baimu quietly listened to their conversation, but his mind returned to Zweilous.
How would evolving from one head to two bring changes?
Could Zweilous adapt to the new body?
Despite gaining much knowledge online and confirming with Wu that reasonable nurturing prevents the heads from constantly fighting as the Illustrated Guide suggests, without actually experiencing it himself, he remained unsure.
Hoping the personality wouldn't drastically change.
He hoped Zweilous remained the cute little dragon, that liked to nibble hands, snuggle, and rest its head on his chest or belly, rather than turning aggressive.
Before long.
They arrived at the resort hotel.
Mira declined their invitation for dinner together.
"I still need to reunite with my darling daughter and husband, they're waiting elsewhere."
"Really!?"
Xiaoguang was shocked, "You're already married? And have a kid!?"
"Of course, I'm already twenty-three years old."
Looking only seventeen or eighteen, Mira smiled, "My daughter is over a year old and very cute. Maybe you can meet her in the future."
"Sure, sure!"
Xiaoguang nodded enthusiastically.
Mira focused again on Baimu, "You look quite different in changed clothes, but let me say, next time I won't lose to you, watch out."
"I'm looking forward to it."
He replied with a smile, watching Mira drive away.
Xiaoguang watched the departing car, exclaiming, "I never imagined Miss Mira was married... I should've asked her for beauty tips!"
"Hahaha!"
Baimu, thinking Xiaoguang was about to open up as a female Ash Ketchum, laughed heartily.
"What's so funny about that?" Xiaoguang didn't quite understand why he was so amused.
"Nothing, let's go back, it's late, time to prepare dinner."
He waved his hand.
Though they'd been together for a week, clearly neither saw the other as the opposite sex.
Baimu really couldn't have any strange thoughts about the thirteen-year-old Xiaoguang, far more caring about her as his childhood memory; while Xiaoguang didn't have such awareness.
If Ash Ketchum dreamed of being a Pokémon Master, ignoring Sarina's straightforward advances; then Xiaoguang dreamed of being a top Coordinator Trainer, relegating romance far aside.
Of course, she still loved dressing up, being a girl after all.
Thus, their relationship was like Ash Ketchum and Xiaoguang's early days.
Friendship first.
Unintentionally showing it through a high-five.
——
Dusk.
Dinner was ready.
Baimu specially chose the beach for celebration, distributing food to other Pokémon, slightly anxious to release Zweilous.
Bam!
White light shimmered.
"Heywoo—""Heywoo—"
With two cries echoing, the enlarged Zweilous landed.
Having rested long in the Pokeball, it... or they were fully rejuvenated, curiously looking around.
Indeed.
Looking.
Though their eyes remained covered by dark bangs, their sight had returned to normal, no longer blind dragons solely relying on smell and bite to gauge surroundings.
Exactly why is unclear, but many studies suggest it might relate to Deino wishing to expand its territory beyond dark caves.
Pokémon evolution often ties to their aspirations.
Game data aside, based on real circumstances, the animated Zweilous can truly observe with its eyes.