Chapter 0759: Serena’s First Performance! The Short-Haired Girl(Two-in-One)

The first round’s theme was ‘Style Duel.’ Performers needed to do makeup and coordinate outfits for their partners.

Those with the most votes would advance to the next round.

The second round’s theme was ‘Freestyle Performance’, similar in format to a Coordinator’s dazzling exhibition.

Jessie and Serena were placed in different groups.

For the first round, Serena appeared on stage in a princess dress, accompanied by Fennekin.

Natsume had returned to the judges’ booth on the second floor. “Let the battle begin, then?”

“Yes, it seems Serena’s presentation is already a crowd favorite,” said Ms. Palermo.

During the voting round, viewers lifted their glow sticks high.

The arena was lit up with pink beams of light, marking Serena’s support.

“Congratulations to Serena—she advances to the next round duel!”

“That’s great!” Serena hugged Fennekin, holding it tight.

Next up was Jessie in the second group, who decked her partner Pumpkaboo out in a bizarre style complete with bandages, Will-O-Wisp accents, and a witch’s hat.

Viewers’ expressions were mixed.

This… well, if it isn’t ugly, then it’s actually kind of stylish…

“I actually really like Jessadia’s gothic style,” Fantina commented.

“Her technique is impressive, but it doesn’t quite fit the theme,” Natsume said thoughtfully.

Suddenly, Jessie stepped out from backstage and immediately caught everyone’s eyes.

A comeback!

Jessie herself had changed into a Halloween witch’s outfit.

Now, Pumpkaboo’s look was no longer out of place—instead, it matched perfectly with the performer’s style!

Natsume smiled.

Don’t be fooled by Jessie’s role as comic relief—she’s got real skills in the Coordination domain!

The voting ended, and Jessie successfully advanced to the next round.

“Jessie—”

“Awesome!!” cheered James and Meowth as the audience stared in surprise.

“Haha, thank you, thank you all~” Jessie laughed, blowing kisses to each side of the crowd.

“For this contest, the three finalists have already been determined!” announced the host.

“They are: the unique Jessadia,”

The camera zoomed in on Jessie, waving her fan like a queen.

“The rookie Serena!”

Serena’s high ponytail shimmered, turquoise eyes shining with excitement.

“And from Vaniville Town, Shauna!”

Shauna gleefully waved to the crowd.

“Who will claim the Princess Key? Let’s find out together!”

At the window of the upper-level lounge, Ms. Palermo asked:

“What do you two think of the results, Mr. Natsume, Master Fantina?”

“I’m rooting for Serena,” Natsume said honestly.

“As for me, I love Jessadia’s style—and she feels strangely familiar,” said Fantina.

Natsume looked up wryly.

After all, Jessie had competed in the Sinnoh Region’s Coordination contests—Fantina was the one who judged her back then.

The finals officially began.

Jessie sent out Pumpkaboo and Wobbuffet.

“Pumpkaboo, use Shadow Ball!” Jessie shouted.

“Pumpkaboo—!”

Pumpkaboo’s eyes blazed as it fired a pitch-black Shadow Ball.

Under the audience’s anxious gaze, the Shadow Ball struck directly at an unsuspecting Wobbuffet.

“Wobbuffet, use Counter!” Jessie fanned herself elegantly. “Pumpkaboo, Bullet Seed!”

“Wobbuffet!” Wobbuffet began to glow.

The Shadow Ball rebounded and intersected with Pumpkaboo’s Bullet Seed, exploding in a flurry of smoke and crystalline Grass-type energy.

Jessie stood below the sparkling shower, bowing gracefully.

The audience was baffled, but deeply impressed.

“What on earth is this artistic form…?”

“I get it—art is explosion!”

Natsume twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Honestly… Jessie might just pioneer a whole new genre of Coordination!

Shauna was next. The young girl, ribbon in hand, commanded her Bulbasaur, who danced in a whirlwind of vibrant flowers.

The crowd applauded warmly.

“Shauna’s performance is spectacular,” Ash praised.

“Hmph, I think the previous act had a more unique flavor,” Clemont huffed, pushing up his glasses.

“That’s because you love explosions too, brother,” Bonnie giggled.

“No, I don’t!”

Serena watched Shauna’s performance, lost in thought.

Whether it’s Jessadia’s confidence or Shauna’s unique skills… I can’t seem to measure up…

But… there are so many people waiting for my performance…

Serena lowered her head, fingers trembling slightly. Fennekin looked up at her, concerned.

“Next, please welcome our final contestant—Serena!” announced the host.

Applause rose from the audience.

Serena took a deep breath and stepped onto the runway with Fennekin.

“There’s something off about that girl’s condition,” Ms. Palermo frowned.

Natsume nodded, also frowning.

“She’s putting too much pressure on herself…”

When her freestyle performance began, Serena’s nerves showed, leading to a quick mistake.

Right before everyone’s eyes, Fennekin stepped on her own ribbon and tripped, dragging Serena down, both tumbling to the ground.

The performance was forced to stop, and the stands erupted into murmurs.

Ms. Palermo’s frown deepened.

The anticipated accident… it really happened…

“Serena…” Bonnie stared, worried.

“That girl might have twisted her ankle,” Meowth said.

“Well, that makes Jessie the winner!” James paused, “Although, the poor girl probably can’t compete.”

The spotlight blazed down on Serena.

She lay crumpled on the runway in silence as the arena fell dead quiet.

With a signal from the director, the music ceased. The awkward silence was sharper and more suffocating.

Fennekin, clearly distraught, tried to steady Serena. Serena leaned on her arms, dress stained with dust, head bowed and face hidden.

The silence lasted about three seconds.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd stood up.

Ignoring the stares, breaking the hush,

Ash cupped his hands and shouted at the top of his lungs:

“You can do it, Serena!!”

“Pikachu!!”

Clemont and Bonnie blinked, then caught on and shouted:

“Go, Serena!!”

The tension still lingered in the air.

James and Meowth joined in, “Go for it!!”

Jessie’s eyes flickered, but she didn’t try to help. If she interfered, Serena’s performance would officially be over.

The audience’s attitude shifted, the “let’s see what happens” vibe starting to fade as more people looked at Serena with support.

At the window above,

Natsume turned to Ms. Palermo and said coldly,

“Who told you to cut the music?”

Ms. Palermo snapped out of it, hastily pressing her headset, then said in a strained whisper,

“The performance… continues!”

Soft music swelled again.

Shakily, Serena stood up, head down, and walked the full runway.

As viewers broke into spontaneous supportive applause,

Serena bowed low, marking the end of a performance that, for her, was far from perfect.

“All three contestants have finished their shows!”

Host Pierre returned to the stage, raising the energy and declaring:

“Now, please wave your voting sticks for the Performer you wish to support!”

The dim arena lit up with colorful wands.

Audience cheered on the contestants.

In the end, Jessie won by a narrow margin, securing the first Princess Key!

“Wonderful, Jessie won!” James and Meowth cheered.

“All our hard work finally paid off!”

Jessie opened her fan with flourish, hiding her smile behind red lips as she laughed grandly:

“The Master-class stage, here comes Jessadia, ha-ha-ha~!”

“You still need to collect two more keys to enter the Master Tournament,” Pierre added sheepishly.

Jessie froze: “Eh, is that so?”

Serena, holding Fennekin, walked backstage in low spirits.

“Whine~” Fennekin looked at her with guilty eyes.

“It’s okay,” Serena said softly, “I cared too much about how things looked.”

“Serena!” Ash and the others hurried over.

“Serena, are you alright?” Bonnie asked worriedly.

“I’m fine—I’ve already bounced back.”

Serena lowered her eyes and smiled, “There’s still a chance to win a Princess Key next time. I’ll succeed for sure!”

Bonnie and Clemont exchanged relieved looks.

“That’s great,” Ash laughed. “Let’s go eat dinner. I’m absolutely starving!”

“Mm…” Serena nodded, drifting off in thought.

“Serena.”

Serena looked up, seeing someone approach from afar.

He slowly removed his sunglasses, revealing a familiar, serious face.

“Natsume-sensei?” Ash and the others exclaimed in unison.

Natsume ruffled Bonnie’s hair, then looked at Serena with gravity.

“I just came to tell you—what we’ve done so far hasn’t been for nothing.”

Serena was stunned, her mind flashing through the hard work before the exhibition match:

All-night practice, discussions of techniques, designing costumes…

But in the official round, none of it had shown through…

Her chest trembled; she took a deep breath.

“All of us are made up of everything that’s come before,” Natsume said gently. “So don’t ever deny your past. It’s real, it matters, and it will always hold value.”

“Y-yes…” Serena replied, voice trembling.

“Alright then…” Serena cleared her throat and smiled. “Let’s go eat dinner.”

“Huh?”

Ash scratched his cheek, half-understanding. “Okay then…”

Dinner was a quiet affair.

Night passed in silence.

The next morning, Natsume rode his Rotom Bike along the coast for morning exercise, zipping around the island, taking the greenway, circling the luxury hotel’s fountain, then riding off again.

The sky grew light with the coming dawn; waves crashed on iron-hard reefs, sending up bursts of white spray.

Natsume paused, watching from above the pier—he caught a glimpse of a figure in a red cap.

Serena looked out at the sea, the wind tousling her chestnut hair, turquoise eyes thoughtful.

Natsume-sensei didn’t disturb her.

He left Gengar to keep watch and biked on to the Pokémon Center.

“Natsume-sensei!” Nurse Joy exclaimed, surprised.

“Hello,”

Natsume smiled.

“I’m looking for Ash.”

……

On the horizon, all was gray and dim, the night wind howling and surf breaking into powder on the rocks.

Serena’s chestnut hair fluttered in the breeze; Pancham and Fennekin followed, both worried for her.

Her turquoise eyes shimmered as she remembered her misstep earlier.

Ash’s encouragement.

Her rivals’ performances.

Natsume-sensei’s words:

‘What we’ve done so far hasn’t been for nothing.’

Tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks, then, as if the string had broken, Serena began to sob.

She fell to her knees, brushing her eyes, great tears spattering the dock as she finally, painfully cried out.

Further down, a plump purple figure kept watch.

Gengar bit its handkerchief, sobbing: “Gengar! (ToT)”

Pancham and Fennekin, also misty-eyed, dove into Serena’s arms.

“It’s alright.”

Serena hugged her little ones, noses touching, “Sorry… it’s all my fault…”

The anchored ferry gleamed; morning light crept in from the east, revealing a faint new dawn.

“But right now… for the first time, I feel alive.”

Serena smiled. “Now, I’m truly a challenger too.”

Pancham and Fennekin gazed up at her, then were swept up in an embrace.

The three shared their warmth. Serena put her Pokémon down and took out her makeup kit from her bag.

She drew out a pair of scissors and slowly stood up.

Facing the sea breeze, she closed her eyes, her elegant chestnut hair waving in the wind.

In the east, the sun was about to rise—across the water, golden flames crept up as the first light of day appeared.

Memories streamed by—meeting Ash, riding Rhyhorn, catching Fennekin…every little thing.

The scissors closed.

A lock of hair drifted out on the breeze—then another, and another.

Up on the pier,

Natsume rode his Rotom Bike, glancing at Ash, who was breathless riding a shared bicycle.

“Good thing mine’s electric,” Natsume thought. “Otherwise, I’d never catch up to Ash.”

“Serena!!” Ash shouted.

Serena turned, her lovely turquoise eyes surprised.

She stood on the pier, the sunrise behind her, short hair giving her a tomboyish youthfulness, eyes red from tears.

“Ash…” Serena touched her ear, feeling her cropped hair, her cheeks growing pink.

“It’s just one failure!”

Ash called, “I’ve failed countless times too! And, well—”

“I think your short hair is really cute!” Ash blurted, voice cracking.

Natsume: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ

Handsome, who are you?

“So I know you can win the title of Kalos Queen.”

Ash extended his palm, earnest, “Just like me and Pikachu—we’re going to reach the peak of the Lumiose Conference together!”

“Pikachu!” Pikachu beamed, cheeks sparking with electricity.

Serena’s cheeks flushed. She touched her cropped hair, didn’t reach for Ash’s hand, but clasped both hands behind her back, nodded firmly, and smiled,

“Yeah!”

Gengar bit his handkerchief, “Gengar~ (ToT)”

Natsume: “…Save me a piece of that, too, would you?”