Having obtained the coveted Shiny Stone, Gary Oak and Lorelei continued their journey. After traversing forests and mountains, they finally arrived at Doll Town.
"This place is so full of girly charm," Gary smiled as he looked around at the dolls everywhere.
"Do you like dolls too, Gary?" Lorelei asked curiously.
"Well, it's not that I'm particularly fond of them, but I wouldn't refuse a complete set of Kanto Pokémon figurines at home," Gary replied, his eyes sparkling. What boy wouldn't love collectibles?
"Buoy~?˙▽˙?!" Eevee suddenly pointed excitedly at something off to the side. Curious, Gary stopped and looked. Outside a figurine shop on the street, there was a handwritten poster.
"Cosmic Invincible Doll Set? The annual Doll Festival is coming up soon, and the beauty battle competition in this town is actively recruiting participants! The winner will receive the Cosmic Invincible Doll Set as a prize! Get it, and you'll be sitting pretty as it appreciates in value. Show it off, and you'll gain instant prestige! What are you waiting for? Confident beauties in both looks and skills—come sign up now!" The TV blared an advertisement about the Doll Festival.
While Gary was contemplating booking a hotel on Red Lotus Island in advance, Lorelei interrupted him.
"Gary, let's stay here for a few days. Please~"
Looking at Lorelei with her hands clasped together like a little girl, Gary smiled and nodded in agreement. What was wrong with Lorelei? She just wanted a doll from the festival. With her good looks and charm, how could he refuse her!
"Alright! You go ahead and shop; I have something to do outside. Let's meet at the hotel later!" Waving his hand, Lorelei skipped off toward the registration building for the beauty battle competition.
Gary exchanged glances with Eevee, shrugged, and said, "Let's go buy some stuff first."
"Buoy!" Eevee nodded and perched on top of Gary's head while continuing to look around. After buying food and medicine and booking a hotel, Gary strolled along the street holding two ice cream cones. Though the Doll Festival was still two days away, the festive atmosphere in Doll Town was already thick.
It mainly manifested in boys running around frantically while girls shopped endlessly—"Ugh~ Having multiple girlfriends can be quite exhausting." This was something Gary could relate to deeply. As a former legendary playboy from Pallet Town who had dated thirteen girlfriends simultaneously, his Valentine's Day schedule was filled from morning till night...
"Are you kidding me? You're taking this long just to buy an ice cream? Get down on your knees!" Suddenly, a loud shout echoed through the street. Smack! A crowd of guys dropped to their knees...
Watching the awkward exchange between the men, Gary shook his head in disbelief. "What a mess~" Fortunately, they were all decent people; realizing they had made fools of themselves, order quickly returned to the street.
On the top floor of Doll Town's department store, Lorelei calmly finished filling out her registration form. "So that means I'm officially signed up now."
The staff member broke into a cold sweat. "Of course! Please take your time..."
Watching Lorelei strut away in her high heels with grace made him gulp nervously. "Is this event going to be competitive?" As this town prepared for a large celebration event, there were all sorts of stalls selling quirky items. There was even an auction and Pokémon trading events planned for the festival.
After being asked three times if Eevee was available for trade, Gary promptly returned Eevee to its Poké Ball. What were these random passersby thinking? Eevee was not for sale!
However, one person caught his attention—a man in a white coat named Bill, who operated the trading machine.
"Hey! Isn't that Bill? Out here slacking off again?" Gary greeted him with a smile as he approached.
"Hey! Gary! You're traveling here too! Come on over!" Bill enthusiastically pulled him closer. "Check out my latest model of Pokémon trading machine! What do you think?"
Tilting his head slightly, Gary replied, "Hmm, it's great; looks just like a Pokémon trading machine."
"Uh—hearing that from you is quite something!" Bill retorted helplessly.
"There's no technical barrier with this thing; if you insist I give feedback, I can only say it looks decent," shrugged Gary.
"Hmph~ You're still as unlovable as ever," Bill pouted.
"And you're still not doing your job properly," Gary shot back without hesitation.
"Tch! I'm not the same guy I used to be!" Bill puffed out his chest. "I'm moving to Johto next month! Just got my lifetime doctorate from Johto League; I'll finally be able to live like a lazy bum!"
"Wow—now that's impressive," Gary rolled his eyes in response. A lifetime degree meant that even if he never made any academic contributions again until he died, he could eat and drink for free in Johto until natural death...
"Hehe! So what? Aren't you jealous?" Bill bragged while shaking his head smugly.
"Excuse me! Is this trading machine still operational?" shouted a young person waiting nearby.
"Coming right up!" Bill winked at Gary. "I can't chat with you anymore; come visit me in Johto sometime—I'll have your back!"
"See ya! Good luck with your work!" After turning around, Gary raised an eyebrow at Bill. "I'm leaving now; envy you!"
Bill held his head in despair. "You really should stop messing around..."
Turning around the corner, Lorelei, wearing a sexy fitted dress approached with a chuckle. "Were you teasing your friend?"
"Oh? Not really; I just believe no one can resist your charm," replied Gary, shrugging casually.
"Oh~ And what about you?" Lorelei leaned slightly closer to him.
Feeling his face flush slightly, he stammered, "I mean... any normal guy would..."
"Hehe! Let's head back and rest. We'll go out for dinner tonight—my treat!" With that, she happily took hold of his arm and walked forward together amidst everyone's amazed gazes.
"Whoa! That's Lorelei, one of the Elite Four? Gary is dating a rich lady now!" Bill suddenly felt less excited about his lifetime degree.
As they walked away together, Gary raised an eyebrow back at him. "I'm off now; work hard!"
With those words echoing behind him as they turned around the corner together—feeling Lorelei's warmth against him made him take a deep breath; this girl was truly lively...