Man in the Mirror

Chapter 27: Style

"The people here are really respectful. I haven't had anyone come up to me without making me uncomfortable," May noted with surprise. They walked through a crowd of festivalgoers who minded their own business. They all seemed simply content to be there for the spectacle.

Pikachu and Ash agreed with her. "Yeah, I thought we'd have a bunch of people rush over to you and invade your personal space. The people who did come up to you were polite enough to ask for a photo or autograph instead of demanding one," Ash added.

"I know. I don't why people behave so differently here, but I love it!" May squealed with relief. Her biggest concern upon being in a public space again was getting surrounded by hordes of obsessive fans, but this was a breath of fresh air.

"That's because the With You Festival is a celebration of solidarity, love, and humanity. I'd say it goes against the festival's values if the attendees can't respect someone's personal space," an informative voice addressed May's thoughts on the festival.

Ash and Pikachu perked up upon hearing the familiar voice. The trio turned around to see who said that. Ash and Pikachu's faces brightened with excitement upon seeing a blonde-haired boy with glasses wearing a blue jumpsuit with yellow stripes and a cybernetic backpack. On his left, there was a small blonde-haired girl. She wore a brown shirt and white skirt with black knee-length compression shorts. She had a yellow shoulder bag with a Dedenne inside. On his right was an older blue-eyed girl with shoulder-length blonde hair. She wore a reddish-pink fedora, a bright pink dress with a white collar, and a red waistcoat with a blue ribbon on her chest. Upon seeing her, May thought she was the most beautiful person she'd ever seen.

"Serena, Clemont, Bonnie!" Ash yelled at the top of his lungs with happiness.

"Pika!" Pikachu cheered with his best friend.

"Hello, everyone," Clemont politely bowed at the trio.

"It's so nice to see you again!" Bonnie was ecstatic to see her friends. Pikachu jumped into her arms to nuzzle her. "Aw, I missed you too, Pikachu." The little one nuzzled her cheek against the yellow mouse.

"De denne," Dedenne also warmly greeted their friends.

"I can't believe the three of you are here. This is amazing," Serena giggled with delight over reuniting with Pikachu and the boy who meant so much to her. When she saw May, a mix of pleasant surprise and uneasiness entered her. Everyone knew what May meant to the world, but few, including Serena, knew what May meant to Ash. Nonetheless, Serena was happy to see them and refused to let jealousy ruin their reunion.

Ash rubbed under his nose as he chuckled. He gestured to May with his hand, "Guys, I'd like you to meet my friend, May. She's a coordinator from Petalburg City in the Hoenn region."

"I'm Clemont. It's such an honor to meet one of Ash's old friends. Nice to meet you, May," Clemont formally introduced himself.

"Hi, I'm Clemont's sister, Bonnie! I can't believe I'm meeting May; you and your Glaceon are incredible every time I see you on T.V.," Bonnie gushed over May. It's not every day she gets to meet a top coordinator.

May placed her hand over her mouth to contain her laugh over Bonnie's awe, "That's sweet, thank you, Bonnie."

"Dedenne ne," Dedenne reminded Bonnie to introduce him.

"Oh yeah, and this is my friend Dedenne!" Clemont's sibling pulled the orange mouse from her bag to show him closely. The Fairy-type rodent happily waved to the brunette.

May delightfully scratched the mouse's cheek with her finger, "He's so cute."

Now that Bonnie had passed the formalities, she reached for May's hand and kneeled. "May, you're so beautiful and strong. You're a keeper, so won't you please take care of my brother!"