"So it wasn't my imagination after all. Feebas really is showing signs of evolution."
After hearing Feebas confirm it, Ash couldn't help feeling delighted.
Thinking about it carefully, it made perfect sense.
Unlike many Pokémon, Feebas didn't require a high level to evolve into Milotic.
What it needed was Beauty.
And ever since Ash had first come up with the idea of using makeup to help improve Feebas's confidence and Beauty condition, several months had already passed.
During that time, Feebas's strength had steadily increased.
More importantly, it had gradually stopped obsessing over its appearance.
The timid, insecure Feebas from the past had become confident.
Proud.
Self-assured.
If its body hadn't still been developing, Ash honestly wouldn't have been surprised if it had shown signs of evolution a month ago.
Now, however—
Its body had matured.
Its Beauty condition had long since met the requirement.
And after spending the past two days participating in the Water-Type Pokémon Beauty Contest, it had received countless cheers, compliments, and words of admiration.
Magikarp had already shown signs of evolution several days ago.
The fact that Feebas only experienced its first evolutionary response today actually felt rather slow to Ash.
"Still, evolution signs are always a good thing."
"It means Feebas will evolve soon."
"Once that happens, we won't have to hide things anymore during training or battles."
"And its combat strength will grow much faster."
Ash smiled to himself.
At that moment, Feebas suddenly spoke from inside the small glass fish tank in his arms.
"Gulu~"
(Ash, the evolutionary power that surged through my body just now was incredibly strong.)
(Actually, it was even stronger than what Valor described when he experienced his own evolution signs.)
(I deliberately suppressed it.)
(Otherwise, I would have evolved right there on the stage.)
"...Huh?"
Ash froze.
"Stronger than Valor's evolution reaction?"
"And if you hadn't suppressed it, you would've evolved immediately?"
His expression instantly became one of shock.
"Is this what they call a breakthrough after long accumulation?"
"But why suppress it?"
"Haven't you always dreamed of this day?"
Ash asked curiously.
Feebas blinked.
"Gulu~"
(Because I wanted to surprise you, Ash.)
(And there's still one more round left in the contest, isn't there?)
(I want to evolve during the finals.)
(I want to surprise the audience too.)
Then Feebas hesitated slightly before continuing.
"Gulu~"
(Also... Ash...)
(For the finals... could I go on stage without makeup?)
The request caught Ash completely off guard.
"Without makeup?"
"Why?"
"Don't you like the makeup designs Green and I created for you?"
Ash asked in confusion.
Feebas quickly shook its head.
"Gulu~"
(No, no!)
(The makeup you and Miss Green designed is beautiful.)
(Every time I trained in the river outside Pallet Town, all the female Pokémon were jealous of me.)
(And lots of male Pokémon tried to court me.)
Ash almost laughed hearing that.
Feebas continued.
"Gulu~"
(But I'm about to evolve.)
(You've shown me so many pictures of Milotic before.)
(You even put Milotic posters on your bedroom wall to encourage me.)
(Back then, I never imagined that my evolved form could become so beautiful.)
Its eyes gradually softened.
"Gulu~"
(But precisely because Milotic is so beautiful...)
(After I evolve, I won't need makeup anymore.)
(Every time I appear in front of people, I'll receive praise and admiration.)
(The beauty I used to desperately long for will no longer be a dream.)
Ash quietly listened.
Feebas lowered its head slightly.
"Gulu~"
(And because of that...)
(After becoming Milotic, I think I'll often remember how ugly I used to be.)
(So before I evolve...)
(I want to be ugly one last time.)
(I want the world to see my real appearance one last time.)
(The ugly appearance that truly belongs to me.)
For a moment, Ash fell silent.
Then Feebas looked up expectantly.
"Gulu~"
(Can I?)
(Ash... can I enter the finals without makeup?)
(Let everyone see my real self.)
(Then I'll release the evolutionary power I've been suppressing and evolve into Milotic.)
(With Milotic's beauty, I should still have a chance at winning the championship.)
The hopeful look in Feebas's eyes was impossible to ignore.
And Ash—
Had never been the type of trainer to disregard his Pokémon's wishes.
There was only one answer.
"Of course."
Ash smiled.
"If you want to go on stage barefaced, then we'll go on stage barefaced."
"Even if we don't win the championship, it doesn't matter."
"To me, the result of this competition was never as important as you think."
Ash gently touched the glass of the fish tank.
"In my heart, you all matter far more than any trophy."
"Your feelings."
"Your happiness."
"Your wishes."
"Those are what matter most to me."
"So go ahead and do what you want."
"Be your truest self."
"Show the audience that beauty isn't limited to appearance."
"Inner beauty."
"Confidence."
"Character."
"Those are the highest forms of beauty."
Feebas's eyes immediately became misty.
"Gulu~"
(Mhm!)
(Thank you, Ash!)
It was genuinely touched.
"Come on."
"Let's head back to the waiting hall first and accept everyone's congratulations."
"Then we'll go remove your makeup."
Ash smiled.
"Gulu~!"
(Okay~!)
Feebas nodded obediently.
…
The moment Ash returned to the waiting hall carrying Feebas's fish tank, everyone immediately gathered around.
"Ash, congratulations!"
"Another perfect score!"
"You and Clarissa are putting enormous pressure on the rest of the contestants."
"Lumina, you were amazing!"
"That's your third perfect score!"
"So impressive!"
"Ash, you're incredible!"
"Lumina, you're the best!"
"..."
"..."
The group spared no effort in showering them with praise.
Ash laughed.
"Well, since all of you insist on praising us so much, then for once, Lumina and I will proudly accept all of it!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
"What's there to be embarrassed about?"
"You deserve it."
"Out of 646 contestants, you and Lumina not only reached the finals but earned perfect scores every single round."
"If you still acted humble after that, it would honestly feel strange."
"Exactly!"
"Totally!"
"..."
"..."
After accepting the compliments, Ash quickly remembered the important matter at hand.
"Alright."
"There are still a few contestants left before the semifinals finish."
"Lumina and I are going to the makeup room first so we can remove her makeup."
Then he turned toward Green.
"Green, I'll have to trouble you one more time."
Green immediately smiled.
"Trouble?"
"Not at all."
"It's an honor to do Feebas's makeup."
"Besides, if Feebas wins the championship, I get to share in the glory too, right?"
Laughing together, the two headed toward the makeup room beside the waiting hall.
As they walked, Green began thinking excitedly about the finals.
"Ash."
"For the final round, which makeup style are you planning to use?"
"What about that pale yellow design I created based on yellow butterfly orchids?"
"It would look amazing on Feebas."
Ash glanced at Feebas inside the fish tank.
Feebas looked back at him.
Neither said a word.
But both already knew the answer.
For the final performance—
There would be no makeup.
No decorations.
No disguises.
Only the real Feebas.
And perhaps...
The most beautiful transformation of all.