After finishing Feebas's new makeup for the upcoming semifinals, Ash finally remembered the idea he had earlier about publishing a Feebas makeup artbook.
"Hmm? You want to discuss something with me? What is it?"
Green looked at Ash with a puzzled expression.
"Well… before this, didn't we design over a hundred beautiful makeup styles for Feebas together?"
"And in this Cerulean Water-Type Pokémon Beauty Contest, even if Feebas changes its makeup every single round, it'll only end up showing four styles total by the time the finals arrive."
"Plus, based on Feebas's current strength level, I think it's probably going to evolve very soon."
"And once it evolves, all those makeup styles we designed for Feebas earlier will basically become useless."
"So I was thinking…"
"What do you think about publishing an artbook using all those beautiful makeup designs we created for Feebas?"
Ash explained his idea seriously.
"…!"
However, the moment she heard his proposal, Green's eyes widened in shock.
"That's unbelievable."
"Whether it's this idea of publishing a Feebas makeup artbook, or your earlier application for the 'Remote Pokémon Capture' patent…"
"Why is it that you always come up with ideas nobody else can think of?"
"No wonder the outside world says you're not only a genius trainer, but also a business genius."
Green stared at Ash with shining eyes, as though she were seeing her childhood friend in an entirely new light.
"Haha… it's not nearly as exaggerated as you make it sound."
"What genius? I just pay closer attention than most people."
"Actually, the idea for the Feebas artbook only came because I overheard one of the contestants talking earlier in the waiting hall, so I quietly remembered it."
Ash scratched his head modestly.
But Green immediately shook her head in disagreement.
"You're being way too humble."
"We were all in the waiting hall earlier."
"We all heard those contestants praising Feebas."
"But while the rest of us only felt happy hearing people compliment Feebas, none of us thought about turning that into a makeup artbook."
"I remember reading something in a book before."
"A genius isn't just someone who comes up with impossible ideas nobody else can imagine."
"Sometimes, genius is being able to discover the hidden brilliance and value inside ideas that other people overlook."
"Keen insight is itself a kind of talent."
"So Ash, you really don't need to downplay yourself like that."
Green smiled brightly while speaking.
"Haha… if you say so, then I'll accept it."
Ash laughed helplessly before steering the conversation back.
"So, what do you think about the Feebas makeup artbook idea? Is it feasible?"
"Of course it is."
"Feebas itself is already incredibly confident and elegant."
"And the hundred-plus makeup styles we designed are all absolutely gorgeous."
"Combined with your current popularity and fame, I have zero doubt that if this makeup artbook gets published, it'll become an explosive bestseller."
"So as for publishing a Feebas beauty artbook—"
"I fully support it with both hands and feet!"
"Go for it boldly, Ash. You'll definitely succeed."
Green encouraged him enthusiastically.
However, hearing her response, Ash suddenly laughed helplessly and shook his head.
"Green… you misunderstood what I meant."
"Feebas may be my Pokémon, and the idea of publishing the makeup artbook may have been my suggestion…"
"But those hundred-plus makeup styles we designed earlier were all created together."
"In fact, most of them were independently designed by you."
"So when it comes to publishing this Feebas makeup artbook, it's not me doing it alone."
"We're doing it together."
"You and I will both be listed as authors of this Feebas makeup artbook."
Ash looked directly at Green, his expression and tone unusually serious and sincere.
"Ash… you're joking, right?"
A moment ago, Green had still been smiling lightly while viewing herself merely as a witness cheering for Ash's success.
But now, her face was filled entirely with stunned disbelief.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Ash tilted his head slightly and looked at her.
"But… this…"
"Feebas is your Pokémon, Ash."
"And the idea of publishing the makeup artbook was also yours. I…"
In life, once basic survival needs were met, almost everyone longed to achieve their dreams and personal value.
People wanted to create works they could proudly call their own.
Works remembered by others.
And for teenagers like Ash and Green, the pursuit of dreams and self-worth mattered even more deeply.
Earlier, when Ash proposed publishing a Feebas makeup artbook, Green had sincerely felt happy for him as his close friend.
But deep inside—
There had also been a small trace of envy.
She wanted to become someone just as outstanding as Ash.
She wanted to continuously create amazing works like he did.
To gain recognition, fame, and value—
To create something remembered by many people.
But now—
When Ash proposed publishing this future bestselling artbook together with her—
When he said her name would also appear in the author section—
Green felt both overwhelming surprise and nervous panic.
"I already told you earlier."
"Yes, Feebas is my Pokémon."
"And yes, the idea of publishing the makeup artbook was mine."
"But the most important thing in any published work is the actual content."
"And Feebas's makeup styles were created together by us."
"In fact, you designed even more of Feebas's makeup looks than I did."
"To be honest…"
"If I weren't worried you'd refuse, I'd have wanted to put only your name on the author section of the Feebas makeup artbook."
Ash said half-jokingly.
"And Green…"
"You know I'm not lacking fame or money anymore."
"Gary, as Professor Oak's grandson, doesn't lack those things either."
"For me, this makeup artbook would just be icing on the cake."
"But for you, it's different."
"This artbook could help you gain a huge amount of recognition."
"And the royalties and profits would also be extremely substantial."
"Sure, I already gave you 0.5% shares from the 'Remote Pokémon Capture' patent, so you won't struggle financially in the future…"
"But that income hasn't actually started arriving yet, right?"
"And more importantly—"
"You're planning to become a Breeder."
"But the Breeder profession, just like Researcher or Trainer, covers an enormous range of fields."
"So what exactly do you want to specialize in someday?"
"Move learning?"
"Move inheritance?"
"Healthcare?"
"Nutrition?"
"I don't know which of those areas you're most interested in, or where your greatest talent lies."
"But at least right now…"
"It's obvious that you're extremely passionate about Pokémon makeup."
"And you're genuinely talented at it too."