"Poké Puffs are a symbol of the bond between humans and Pokémon—an expression of our shared hopes and dreams. Because of this, the definition of a Poké Puff is very broad. Today, we have three finalists who've created brand-new flavors. Now, let us see how their creations turned out!"
Miss Gena began her evaluation.
The Berrybaker kids, Miette, and Serena all stood stiff with nerves.
Miss Gena first examined the Poké Puffs made by the Berrybaker kids.
"The Berrybaker kids—working together with their Makuhita—have produced something that looks refreshingly simple yet inviting. One bite, and it's like being bathed in a gentle spring breeze. Not bad, not bad at all."
Hearing this, the siblings clenched their fists in excitement.
"Next, let's take a look at Miss Miette's creation. Miss Miette has blended three different fruit jams. Two of them are especially suited to Electric- and Fairy-type Pokémon, no doubt influenced by her partner, Slurpuff. The third jam balances the first two perfectly. A clever idea. Very nice."
Miette sighed in relief, finally able to breathe again.
But Ash, listening from the sidelines, already understood why in the original story both Serena and Miette lost to the Berrybaker kids.
Their Poké Puffs were too narrow in scope!
Would Serena be able to break that pattern this time?
Ash looked at Serena's finished Poké Puffs, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.
"As for Miss Serena's Poké Puffs… At first glance, they radiate the sweetness of a young girl's heart—shaped like little hearts and wrapped in a pink glow of affection. A taste reveals not only the tenderness of someone who truly loves and cares for Pokémon, but also a warmth that feels almost romantic. Exquisite. Truly excellent."
After tasting all three, Miss Gena closed her eyes, deep in thought. The silence stretched for ten long seconds, and the entire hall seemed to hold its breath.
Everyone knew the next words from her lips would announce the winner.
"And so, the ultimate victor is… Miss Serena! Congratulations!"
Applause erupted like thunder.
Miette, though unwilling to accept the result, still clapped for Serena.
After the competition, Miette pulled Serena aside.
"So, the contest is mine, but now you've beaten me. Do you have anything left to say?"
Serena didn't feel as angry anymore. She had already proven herself victorious.
"Serena, if I were you, I wouldn't hesitate. A boy who looks at you the way Ash does—that's something rare. His feelings are written all over his face, whether he admits it or not. And you? You act as if his words mean nothing to you. One day, if someone else takes him away, don't say I didn't warn you. Be prepared."
Miette's blunt words caught Serena completely off guard, sending a deep blush racing across her cheeks.
Of course she had noticed Ash's feelings—but as a girl, her shyness kept her from answering him directly.
"Serena, congratulations!" Clemont and Bonnie cheered as they ran over.
Serena's eyes softened as they fell on Ash. If not for the words he had spoken earlier, she never would have had the courage to create her "Heart-Shaped Poké Puffs." In a way, this victory was his as well.
Since the afternoon was waning, and the sky suggested nightfall wasn't far off, the group decided to spend the rest of the day training their Pokémon in the nearby forested hills.
The forest was alive with birdsong and blooming flowers, when suddenly—whoosh!—a gust of wind blew past, and a tiny Flabébé drifted down, landing gently in Bonnie's hair.
Serena had styled Bonnie's hair that very morning, tying it up prettily with a Fairy Flower hair accessory.
The little Flabébé clung to it, looking exhausted and unwilling to leave.
"A-ah! Who is this little one?" Bonnie gasped with delight. What luck to encounter such a cute Pokémon so suddenly!
"This is Flabébé, a very sweet Pokémon," Serena explained. "But Flabébé always holds a Fairy Flower. Why doesn't this one have one?"
Before Ash could respond, an old man rushed forward, arms outstretched—not for Bonnie, but for Flabébé.
The man realized he wasn't alone and quickly bowed, apologizing:
"I-I'm terribly sorry! I was just so excited. That Flabébé… it belongs to me and my wife. Without its Fairy Flower, a gust of wind carried it away. I've been searching everywhere. Thank you for finding it!"
The man introduced himself as Grey, and explained that his wife, Florence, was Flabébé's dearest companion.
Flabébé lived happily with them, until one day, while Florence was tending her garden, she suddenly collapsed. Flabébé panicked and called Grey, who rushed Florence to a hospital in Calanthe Town, quite far away. She required several days of observation.
But Flabébé couldn't eat or rest—it missed Florence terribly. It waited faithfully outside her hospital window, determined to watch over her until she could return home.
Grey had come to retrieve it, but just then a strong wind blew. Flabébé's Fairy Flower was torn from its grip and crushed beneath a speeding car's tires.
Since birth, Flabébé bonds with a Fairy Flower, drawing mutual energy from it to stay strong. Without one, its spirit and vitality fade.
It could find another flower, yes—but it wasn't the blooming season. Without Flabébé's nurturing energy, the flowers would wither before it could claim them.
And so Flabébé grew weaker and weaker, searching in vain. Spotting the Fairy Flower in Bonnie's hair, it had latched onto it in desperation, only to realize it was just an ornament.
Florence was now stable but depressed without her Flabébé. Doctors warned that if her spirits didn't improve, her health would collapse beyond saving.
Grey searched tirelessly, and though he had found Flabébé at last, seeing it in such a weakened state would surely break Florence's heart even further.
Serena exchanged a glance with Ash. She had been deeply moved by the love between Flabébé, Grey, and Florence.
And Ash… well, in the vast garden inside his system space, Fairy Flowers bloomed in abundance.
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals