1. Ash's Story (Part 7: Kalos)

Chapter 48: First Showcase

The day of Serena's first Pokémon Showcase arrived, and Coumarine City felt different from the moment we stepped outside. The same streets that had been calm after the Pledging Tree festival now carried banners, flower arches, and excited voices pointing toward the Showcase arena.

Serena walked beside me with Pikachu at her side, holding her new outfit bag close while trying to look calm. I could tell she was nervous from the way she kept checking Pikachu's ribbon box even though she had already checked it three times.

Pikachu's meaning reached me through the confident lift of his ears. "If Serena needs me onstage, I will make her proud."

"I know you will," I said quietly.

Braixen walked on Serena's other side, carrying her decorated stick from the Pledging Tree. Pancham tried to act serious, but he kept glancing at the arena entrance like he wanted to rush in and challenge the stage itself.

When we arrived at the arena, Shauna was already there with Bulbasaur beside her, and Scarlett stood nearby with Meganium and Sceptile. Serena froze for half a second, then smiled because seeing rivals made the day feel real.

"You two are also here?" I asked.

Shauna put her hands on her hips. "I cannot stand by and let Serena win. From this point on, we are rivals, right? There is no way I am going to lose."

Serena smiled back, but her fingers tightened around her bag. "Then I will do my best too."

Scarlett gave me a small look that only I could understand. "The reason I came is because Ms. Palermo is watching the Showcase this time."

My stomach jumped. "Grandma Palermo is going to be here?"

Shauna blinked in surprise. "Your grandma is Palermo?"

I rubbed the back of my head. "Palermo is my grandmother from my mother's side. She is also someone who understands Showcases better than almost anyone."

Elline looked toward David with a small smile. "That means she is not related to us by blood until the marriage side of the family makes everything complicated."

David sighed. "Our family tree is already complicated enough."

The Showcase arena was organized differently from Contest halls. Instead of judges sitting at the front with point cards, everything seemed built around audience excitement, stage screens, and the performers' ability to make their partners shine at the right moment. Serena had watched Showcases before, but stepping into one was different. I could tell from her shoulders that she was trying to absorb every detail without letting the size of the room swallow her confidence.

Clemont pointed toward the stage map on the wall. "The first round is Pokémon Styling. The scoring depends on how well the Performer decorates the Pokémon and presents the style."

Bonnie bounced beside him. "Serena can do that. Pikachu is already cute."

Dedenne nodded from her bag with complete confidence in that answer.

"Being cute is only the start," Elline said gently. "The Pokémon still has to move."

That sentence stayed with me because it was exactly the kind of thing that sounded simple until the stage made it matter. Serena had learned battles, cooking, riding, and performance practice in pieces, but this was the first time the Showcase would judge how all of those pieces fit together under lights, music, and thousands of eyes.

Serena, Shauna, and Scarlett were called backstage soon after that. Serena took a deep breath, and Pikachu looked up at her with steady eyes.

Pikachu's meaning reached me through the way he stepped closer to her boot. "Even if your hands shake, I will walk with you."