"So I think you should seriously consider researching Pokémon makeup as a professional specialization."
"It could become an excellent branch within the Breeder profession."
"And if you're willing…"
"Then this Feebas makeup artbook we're about to publish can become the stepping stone that opens the door to that career path for you."
"It'll help you build up fame and recognition within the Pokémon beauty and makeup industry."
Looking at his childhood friend and next-door neighbor, Ash spoke with an unusually serious and sincere expression.
"Ash… thank you…!"
Hearing his words, Green became so emotional that tears welled up in her eyes.
The Feebas makeup artbook Ash planned to publish—
By adding her name to the author section, he wasn't merely giving her a share of a massive profit opportunity or helping her gain fame.
He was also laying the foundation for her future career.
A career path she herself hadn't even fully figured out yet suddenly became clear and bright.
It could even be said that by placing her name on the upcoming Feebas makeup artbook—
Ash had handed her a bright future.
"Alright now."
"You, Gary, and I all grew up together."
"I've always treated you like a sister."
"So being able to help contribute to your future dreams and career path is something I should do."
"Honestly, in other people's eyes, I'm already considered very successful."
"If I can't even help the people around me, that would be the most disappointing thing of all."
Ash pulled out a tissue and gently helped Green wipe away her tears.
As always—
Ash admitted to himself that he was, by nature, a very self-centered person.
Ordinary people who didn't offer sufficient value would never be able to gain anything from him.
But when it came to family and close friends—
He had never been stingy.
"Mhm…"
Hearing his words, Green quietly wiped her tears.
Although she stopped saying thank you aloud, deep inside her heart, she firmly engraved this kindness forever.
"Since it's an artbook, there won't actually be too much written content required."
"And although Feebas is probably going to evolve soon, every time we created a new makeup style for it before, I had Rotom take photos."
"I even specifically printed those photos and made an album."
"So those pictures can be used directly."
"But for each makeup style, things like what cosmetics were used, how the look was applied, and the detailed step-by-step process…"
"That's something you'll need to carefully organize and write up whenever you have free time."
"You should prepare yourself mentally in advance."
"Once the Cerulean Water-Type Pokémon Beauty Contest ends, I'll immediately contact publishers."
"The editors can handle things like cover design and page layout later."
"You only need to focus on the content."
"And once the artbook officially gets printed and released, I'll also promote it heavily."
"If you need Feebas to act as a model while organizing the material, just tell me anytime."
"As for the royalties…"
"We'll split them fifty-fifty."
Ash calmly laid out all the details.
"No."
Green immediately shook her head.
"Feebas is your Pokémon."
"And the idea of publishing the artbook was yours too."
"The hundred-plus makeup styles for Feebas were something we created together, but honestly, the amount I contributed really wasn't that much."
"Besides, a lot of those makeup styles—I don't even remember them clearly anymore."
"But you already have all the photo references preserved."
"When the artbook gets published, those pictures themselves can directly become content."
"As for me, all I'm doing afterward is organizing and explaining the makeup steps."
"The fact that you're already willing to include my name as a co-author is something I'm deeply grateful for."
"But the royalty split afterward…"
"There's no way I can accept it."
"Especially not fifty percent."
Green firmly shook her head, refusing the royalty share Ash proposed.
But while Green shook her head hard—
Ash shook his even harder.
"No."
"If we're both authors of the book, then how does it make sense for me to take all the royalties while you get nothing?"
"Fifty-fifty."
Ash's tone was extremely firm.
"…This…"
Seeing how determined he was, Green hesitated awkwardly.
"Then… how about ninety-ten?"
She asked cautiously.
"Fifty-fifty."
Ash refused instantly.
"…Twenty-eighty?"
"Nope."
"…Seventy-thirty?"
"No."
"…Fine!"
"Then forty-sixty. You take sixty percent and I take forty."
"And if you still refuse to compromise, then I won't participate in publishing the Feebas makeup artbook at all."
Seeing Ash refuse to budge no matter what, Green finally became a little annoyed.
"…Alright."
Since they had grown up together since childhood, Ash knew perfectly well just how stubborn Green could be.
Now that she had spoken so seriously, he had no choice but to accept the compromise.
"That's more like it."
Only after hearing Ash agree did Green finally reveal a bright smile again.
"Alright, Feebas's makeup for the semifinals is finished."
"We should hurry back now."
"Gary, Clarissa, and Misty should be going on stage soon."
"The Water-Type Pokémon Beauty Contest will finish tonight anyway. We can discuss the artbook again after the tournament ends."
Green said while standing up.
"Mhm, sounds good."
Ash nodded.
After recalling Feebas into its Poké Ball, the two of them left the makeup room together and returned outside to continue watching the competition.
Because helping Feebas redo its makeup had taken some time, by the time they returned to the contestant waiting hall, many more groups had already finished competing.
Gary had drawn contestant number 25, making him the first contestant of Group 09.
And just as Ash and Green returned to the waiting hall—
It happened to be Gary's turn to go on stage.
"Gary, do your best!"
Ash patted Gary's shoulder encouragingly.
"Don't worry."
Gary nodded before heading toward the entrance passage with his Magikarp.
To be fair, Gary himself was extremely confident.
And when Magikarp entered the stage, it also performed energetically, repeatedly leaping from the water like a dolphin in a series of graceful diving jumps.
But…
Magikarp was still Magikarp.
No matter how lively it looked or how high it jumped, compared to the elegant and beautiful Pokémon belonging to the other contestants in the same group, Gary's Magikarp inevitably seemed inferior.
After all—
This was a beauty contest.
No matter how talented or energetic a Pokémon was, if its appearance couldn't measure up, everything else became meaningless.
"One minute of voting has ended. Round Two, Contestant No.27's Pokémon, Golduck, has received 4763 votes. All contestants from Group Nine have now completed their showcases."
"The final vote tally for Group Nine is as follows:
Contestant No.25's Magikarp — 4103 votes
Contestant No.26's Goldeen — 4572 votes
Contestant No.27's Golduck — 4763 votes
Comparing the final vote totals, the contestant advancing to the semifinals from Group Nine is Contestant No.27's Golduck!!"
After the other two contestants completed their performances and the final results were compared—
Gary ended up ranking last within his group.
And was directly eliminated.
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T/N:
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