The next step was for both girls to head together to the town center to sign up.
This Poké Puff Contest welcomed anyone who had arrived in the town within the last two days—so long as they could make Poké Puffs, they could register.
But of course, because Poké Puffs were all about Pokémon, each participant was required to pair up with their Pokémon partners to create them.
After all, even if Pokémon shared the same typing, their personalities were completely different.
And those unique personalities meant they each had distinct tastes and preferences.
That's why this was a contest of real skill—no one could substitute for you.
Only the trainer who truly knew and cherished their own Pokémon could succeed here.
After registering, Serena gave Miette a little haughty glance.
Clemont and Bonnie exchanged looks, then wisely chose to stand firmly on Serena's side. Miette didn't seem to mind; after all, they'd only just met.
As for Ash—there was no need to say where his loyalty lay.
"Alright, Serena," Miette said confidently, "today's contest isn't the first round. The preliminaries finished yesterday. Everyone who's left now is really strong. Today's match will decide the top three who advance to the Grand Finals. I'll be waiting for you."
Serena huffed. "Hmph, I'll definitely make it through! You'd better worry about yourself first!"
And with that, the two split off, both already deep in thought.
They each had to decide on the unique flavor of Poké Puffs they would make.
Neither of them was foolish—in fact, both were sharp.
With so many contestants, at least thirty to forty people, the only way to stand out was to create a flavor so distinct it could not be ignored.
Serena had already formulated her plan.
Miette, on the other hand, was doing the same.
Both scoured the streets for just the right ingredients to bring their visions to life.
Time slipped away quickly, and soon, the contest was about to begin.
Serena donned her kitchen attire, looking absolutely adorable with her Fennekin trotting proudly at her side, ready to help.
Miette, too, had dressed in her favorite competition outfit, brimming with confidence.
Once the Poké Puffs were baked, the host invited their special guest judge—a world-class Poké Puff Patissiere, none other than Miss Gena!
All the contestants who had finished stepped off the stage, awaiting the announcement of the three finalists.
Miss Gena ascended the stage, preparing to give her opening remarks.
But down in the audience, Bonnie's eyes suddenly lit up the moment she saw the dignified, elegant woman.
"This Miss Gena looks perfect! She's dependable, mature… She'd make an amazing wife for my big brother! Which means she'd be my sister-in-law! Since big brother is too shy, it's time for me, Bonnie, to take action!"
And with that, Bonnie dashed off in a flash before Clemont even realized what was happening.
When he finally noticed, he was horrified to find Bonnie already up on the stage.
"Wha—?! Bonnie!!!"
Clemont panicked, rushing after her. But it was already too late—Bonnie had darted right up beside the world-renowned Poké Puff master herself.
At that exact moment, Miss Gena was gracefully delivering her speech, thanking everyone for coming. Suddenly, she felt a tug on her sleeve. She turned to find a little eight or nine-year-old girl staring up at her earnestly.
What Bonnie said next, however, nearly made Mrs. Gena stagger.
"Miss Gena! You're such a talented, mature, and wonderful lady—you'd be perfect as my big brother's wife! Please, accept him!"
The whole crowd buzzed in shock.
Clemont's brain nearly exploded.
There were so many people here—how embarrassing could this get?!
He activated his special backpack, and a mechanical arm shot out, snatching Bonnie off the stage.
"Bonnie! Even if you're joking, there's a time and place! I'm so sorry, everyone—please don't mind her!"
Face red as a tomato, Clemont bolted with Bonnie tucked under his arm, vanishing from the hall in seconds.
Miss Gena could only laugh wryly, not having expected such chaos.
Meanwhile, the other contestants looked at one another helplessly, caught between amusement and exasperation.
Miette, however, had latched onto a single word Bonnie had said—"wife."
Her eyes flicked from Ash… to Serena, sitting beside him.
Cough, cough… Ash noticed her glance and immediately braced himself.
Here it comes. The divine assist.
And sure enough, Miette shifted casually to sit on Ash's other side, pretending it was nothing special. Then, with an innocent air, she asked:
"'Wife'… What a romantic word, isn't it? Ash, I wonder… who do you think will be your wife in the future?"
!!!
Serena froze.
What?! This Miette… She'd only just met Ash!
How dare she ask something so bold?
Her heart pounded. What would Ash say?!
In the original story, Ash had brushed such a question off thoughtlessly: "There's no such person in the world."
Idiot!
But this time, Ash's answer was very different.
"My future wife… hmm. She'd be someone who knows how to take care of Pokémon, someone who really cares about me. She'd probably be great at making delicious food—like sweets, or Poké Puffs with all kinds of flavors. And most importantly, she'd get along wonderfully with my family and friends…"
The more he spoke, the more Serena's heart sank.
Wasn't he describing Miette?
Could it be… that she was losing to this girl she had only just met?
Tears welled up in her chest.
But then Ash smiled.
"So if Serena's willing… of course, it'd be Serena."
Of course it'd be Serena.
Serena blinked.
Wait—what?! Me?!
Yes… wasn't she exactly the person Ash had just described?
Her whole face flushed crimson.
"Oh, Ash… you never stop saying things like that!"
She couldn't respond directly, not with her heart racing so wildly.
At that moment, Miss Gena announced the results: Miette, Serena, and another team—the Berrybaker kids—had advanced to the Grand Finals!
Now, the finalists would have to create an entirely new kind of Poké Puff.
The three hurried to gather their ingredients.
Serena's heart still felt light and floaty, Ash's words echoing over and over in her mind.
"Fennekin, fen~!"
Her partner gave her a little nudge, reminding her that this was the finals—she needed to focus!
Once Serena had her ingredients ready, Ash refrained from interfering.
Even though his Advanced Culinary Mastery skill could easily give her hints, he knew it was best if Serena figured it out herself.
Lessons you learn on your own are always the most valuable.
By three o'clock that afternoon, the final round was in full swing.
Miette, Serena, and the Berrybaker kids all worked hard, each crafting a completely new flavor of Poké Puffs.
But Serena's creation was different from what had happened in the original story.
This time, her Poké Puffs carried a theme of pure love—Heart-Shaped Poké Puffs!
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T/N:
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