Once they entered the makeup room and confirmed that no one else was around, Green finally felt comfortable enough to discuss the competition's confidential plans with Ash.
"So, about that playful yellow makeup design…" Green began.
"The one inspired by yellow butterfly orchids?"
"It's incredibly cute."
"According to my original plan, I really was going to have Lumina use that look in the finals."
Ash nodded.
"But after today's match, something unexpected happened."
"So that plan's been canceled."
"I've got a new idea now."
A mysterious smile appeared on his face.
Green blinked.
"A change of plans?"
"Wait—don't tell me Lumina got injured?"
A hint of concern immediately surfaced in her voice.
Ash chuckled and shook his head.
"No."
"Nothing like that."
"Lumina wants to go on stage barefaced in the finals."
"Barefaced?"
Green froze.
Ash then explained everything.
The fleeting flash of evolution light that had appeared when Lumina left the stage.
The fact that she had already begun showing clear signs of evolution.
Her ability to suppress the evolution energy inside her body.
And finally—
Her wish to appear in the finals without makeup before evolving directly into Milotic in front of everyone.
After listening to the entire story, Green's eyes widened.
"So that's what happened."
She immediately began analyzing the situation.
"Lumina's confidence and presence are extraordinary."
"But this contest doesn't have professional judges."
"All five thousand audience members are ordinary people."
"Even with your popularity boosting her appeal, there's no guarantee everyone will notice the refined beauty hidden beneath her appearance."
"In other words…"
"Going on stage without makeup is actually very risky."
Especially considering the competition.
"Clarissa's shiny Magikarp is absurdly beautiful."
"Misty's Marill is incredibly charming."
"And the remaining contestants all have outstanding Pokémon as well."
"If Lumina makes even the slightest mistake…"
"She could lose the championship entirely."
Green paused.
Then her eyes suddenly lit up.
"But!"
"If she can truly control her evolution and evolve during the finals…"
"Then appearing barefaced might actually be a stroke of genius."
Ash raised an eyebrow.
Green grew more excited as she continued.
"Think about it."
"The contrast between Feebas's natural 'ugliness' and Milotic's dreamlike beauty would be overwhelming."
"It would create an emotional impact unlike anything the audience has seen so far."
"I honestly think that could secure the championship in one move."
Ash smiled.
"Maybe."
"To be honest, I didn't think that far ahead."
"As long as Lumina is happy, that's enough for me."
Still—
Hearing Green's analysis and realizing that Lumina's decision might actually increase her chances of winning made him happy.
After all, while he wasn't obsessed with becoming champion in a beauty contest—
He certainly wouldn't reject the title.
Every achievement earned alongside his Pokémon was a precious memory.
Whether it was a battle tournament or a beauty competition, he always wanted to give it his all.
…
"Alright."
"Let's remove Lumina's makeup first."
"After that, we can head back to the waiting hall."
"The finals aren't far away now."
Ash released Feebas from her Poké Ball.
"Okay."
Green nodded and got to work.
Compared to applying makeup, removing it was much simpler.
She thoroughly soaked cotton pads with makeup remover and carefully wiped away the cosmetics according to the sensitivity of each area.
Eyes.
Forehead.
Cheeks.
Nose.
Lips.
Body.
Once the makeup had been removed, Green used cotton swabs to clean the residue trapped between Lumina's scales.
Finally, she applied moisturizing lotion across her entire body.
And just like that—
The process was complete.
…
Looking at the Feebas before them, restored to her original appearance, Ash and Green exchanged a glance.
Both wore complicated expressions.
A little nostalgic.
A little emotional.
And more than a little proud.
Ordinary Feebas were already considered ugly Pokémon by conventional standards.
Their scales were dull tan.
Their fins were blue.
Their bodies were covered with uneven brown blotches.
They had thick lips.
Dark circles beneath their eyes.
And vacant, lifeless expressions.
By most people's standards, Feebas truly lived up to its name.
An ugly fish.
But Lumina was even more unique.
As a shiny Pokémon, her appearance had somehow become even less appealing.
The already unattractive tan scales had turned purple.
The brown blotches had become deep violet spots resembling poisonous stains.
Her blue fins had become a cold gray.
The oversized lips remained unchanged.
The dark circles remained unchanged.
Everything that people considered unattractive had become even more pronounced.
Overall—
Becoming shiny hadn't improved Feebas's appearance at all.
If anything, it had made her look even uglier.
…
Yet ironically—
To evolve into Milotic, Feebas needed Beauty.
As a shiny Pokémon, Lumina's potential and talent were greatly enhanced.
But so was the difficulty of her evolution.
Back when Ash had first named her Lumina, it wasn't merely a name.
It was a wish.
A hope that one day she would become Milotic.
A hope that she would discover the true meaning of beauty.
Over time, Ash had helped her gain confidence through training and strength.
Then he had helped her gain confidence in her appearance through makeup.
Without anyone realizing it—
The timid, insecure Feebas had disappeared.
Without anyone noticing—
She had become confident.
Her appearance had never changed.
Yet the confidence radiating from within her had transformed her completely.
That confidence had become her greatest charm.
…
And now—
She was finally on the verge of becoming Milotic.
The dream she had chased for so long was within reach.
Even more impressive was the fact that after removing all her makeup, Lumina remained calm and composed.
She was willing to appear before everyone exactly as she was.
That confidence made both Ash and Green feel emotional.
And incredibly proud.
To ensure the surprise remained intact, Ash immediately recalled Lumina into her Poké Ball after the makeup removal was complete.
No one in the waiting hall would see her.
Not the audience.
Not Gary.
Not Misty.
Not Clarissa.
No one.
Even the plan to appear barefaced and evolve into Milotic during the finals would remain a secret.
For now.
When the time came—
Lumina would give everyone the surprise of a lifetime.
…
Returning to the contestant waiting hall, Ash deliberately avoided taking Lumina back out.
Instead of carrying her usual glass fish tank around, he simply kept her Poké Ball with him.
The moment everyone noticed that, their curiosity exploded.
Naturally, they assumed Ash was hiding some kind of ultimate trump card for the finals.
"Ash."
"Did you finish Lumina's makeup?"
"What kind of look are you planning to use in the finals?"
Gary immediately leaned over and asked in a low voice.
Ash grinned mischievously.
"Hehe…"
"Classified information."
Gary stared at him.
"You really are impossible."
"Why are you always so mysterious?"
Although annoyed, Gary didn't press the matter further.
The competition continued.
Ash had drawn number twenty-four in the semifinals.
Between completing his performance and taking Lumina to the makeup room, quite a bit of time had passed.
By the time they returned, the contest had already reached Contestant No. 36.
Only four contestants remained.
After that, the semifinal results would be compiled.
The final rankings would be announced.
And the ten contestants advancing to the championship round would finally be decided.
The finals—
Were almost here.
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T/N:
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