040: Xiao Hao and Claire!!
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the group of students from the Kalos Region had already been hosted in the homes of local students in the small town of Pallet for two full days.
Today marked the official opening of the highly anticipated Pokémon Summer Camp organized by Professor Oak an annual event known across Kanto for its rigorous training and hands-on activities. Besides the Pallet Town locals and the Kalos students who had arrived early, many others had registered from across the Kanto Region, hoping to learn under the legendary Professor Oak, whose work had been cited numerous times in the Pokémon Adventures manga by trainers like Blue and Bill.
These incoming students, hailing from cities like Cerulean, Saffron, Vermilion, and Lavender, gathered in Tokiwa City early this morning. As the nearest urban hub to Pallet Town, Tokiwa had long served as a transit point for regional events. Under the arrangements of the summer camp, a dedicated transport bus was provided to ferry them directly to the campgrounds.
"Snorrrring…"
Near midday, a white tourist-style bus, its sides decorated with a vibrant rainbow pattern reminiscent of the old festival carriages shown in Oak's archival photographs, slowly came to a stop at the main entrance of Pallet Town.
Unlike the arrival of the Kalos delegation two days earlier an event marked by a parade-like reception hosted jointly by Pallet residents and Oak's assistants the students arriving today were greeted with far less fanfare. The townspeople didn't turn out in full this time. However, the current participants of the summer camp, both local and from Kalos, had been organized by Professor Oak to form a neat welcoming team. They stood at the roadside, holding signs and small flags, extending an official but less extravagant greeting.
"…"
"…"
"Wow!! This is Pallet Town? So this is where Professor Oak does his research? It's even more remote than I expected."
"Good thing we can still receive our starter Pokémon Yusanjia from Professor Oak through the Poké Ball Transfer System," said one boy, referencing the advanced tech often mentioned in the manga as being co-developed with Silph Co. and used by trainers like Yellow and Crystal.
"Otherwise, it'd be way too inconvenient to travel all the way here from Vermilion City just to pick up a Yusanjia Pokémon like Bulbasaur or Charmander."
As the white rainbow-patterned bus unloaded its passengers, a youth stepped off in high spirits. He wore ankle-length, heather gray training pants, paired with a sporty red-and-gray color-block jacket over a T-shirt with a chibi Gengar print across the chest. A compact satchel hung across one shoulder, and a distinctive red Gengar hairpin held back his dark hair.
The boy radiated urban energy, clearly a city-born trainer who had only read about rustic places like Pallet in magazines or watched them in Pokémon League documentaries.
"Xiao Hao, slow down! You're walking too fast," came a call from behind.
Another figure emerged a girl with long auburn hair tied in two neat braids, adorned with a cherry blossom-shaped clip. Dressed in soft pastel hiking shorts and a layered blouse, her refined yet cute appearance stood out even among the diverse group. It was Claire, daughter of the renowned Professor Sakuragi from Vermilion City's Sakuragi Institute, whose work had been referenced in the system data during Ash's earlier training sessions.
"Claire, if you can't keep up during our arrival, how are you going to keep up with the pace of the camp?" Xiao Hao teased, his eyes sparkling with confidence.
He continued, "I've already decided that I'm taking first place in this camp no contest. But Claire, you're my best friend and Professor Sakuragi's daughter, so you have to take second! I won't accept anything less."
"So you better work hard!!" Xiao Hao added, puffing out his chest as he adjusted the strap of his satchel with one hand, his red hairpin catching the light like a badge of pride.
"The summer camp hasn't officially started yet, Xiao Hao. Are you really that confident you'll win first place?" Claire asked, her voice sweet but laced with concern. "My father told me this year's summer camp is a joint initiative between Professor Oak's Laboratory and the Bratano Laboratory of the Kalos Region."
"In addition to the students from all over Kanto, there are many top-ranking students from Kalos as well so don't let your guard down, Xiao Hao," added Claire, the well-mannered girl with braids, her cherry-blossom hairpin gleaming in the sun as she turned to look at the cocky boy beside her.
"Don't worry, Claire. I'm a genius, after all," Xiao Hao declared confidently, brushing imaginary dust off his Gengar-print shirt while adjusting the stylish red Gengar hairpin holding up his bangs. "No matter how many students participate or what region they're from, I'm destined to take first place in this Pokémon Summer Camp."
"I can't wait to officially get my Earl Dervish Pokémon Yanerhu, the Fire-type starter!" His tone brimmed with excitement, practically bouncing in place.
"Hey wait a second!" Claire exclaimed, her eyes widening slightly. "Didn't you tell me before that you were planning to choose Froakie the Water-type middle starter from Kalos's Yusan lineup?"
"How did it suddenly change to Fennekin, the Fire-type?" Claire asked, blinking in confusion. Her braided hair swayed gently as she tilted her head.
"Ah~ Ah~" Xiao Hao waved his hands with theatrical flair. "The Kanto Region's Yusan trio Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur are all too basic. They don't match my unique identity or fashionable temperament. From the start, I had my eyes set on Kalos's starters."
"At first, I really did consider Froakie, especially after reading about its versatility in the Pokémon Adventures manga. But then I ran a deep-dive analysis on my Mega Laptop, referencing data compiled by Professor Bratano himself."
"That sticky bubble collar around Froakie's neck? Totally off-putting. Just thinking about it makes me lose my appetite."
"Plus, when I compared the final evolutions of Froakie, Chespin, and Fennekin... Greninja and Chesnaught just don't appeal to me. Delphox, though? Elegant, mystical, and bursting with style. It fits my aesthetic perfectly!"
"So I've made up my mind. After I win first place in this summer camp, I'm officially picking Fennekin as my Earl Dervish Pokémon," Xiao Hao concluded, puffing out his chest proudly, a gleam of pride in his eyes.
"Of course," he added with a thoughtful nod, tugging at both straps of his satchel, "Yusan Pokémon are incredibly rare. Even though I don't like all of them, having a full set would still be great for my collection."
"By the way, Claire," he said, turning his head with a cheeky grin, "which Yusanjia are you planning to choose as your Earl Dervish Pokémon?"
"Hm… I don't know much about Pokémon yet," Claire admitted softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I haven't really made up my mind, and honestly, I'm not confident I'll even place in the top three of this summer camp."
Claire's eyes darted down shyly, and she rubbed the back of her hand. She didn't give a definite answer to Xiao Hao her childhood friend but her unease was written all over her face.
"Claire, come on, you're good at everything you're just too modest!" Xiao Hao said encouragingly. "You're the daughter of Professor Sakuragi, one of the most brilliant researchers in Vermilion City, and you're also my best friend."
"You need to believe in yourself more. I know you'll do well in this summer camp. And I'll help you!"
With steam puffing dramatically from his nose like Thomas the Tank Engine in full throttle, Xiao Hao pounded his chest with his palm, as if sealing a solemn promise.
"Thank you, Xiao Hao~" Claire replied, her voice touched with emotion. The sincere assurance from her oldest friend brought a gentle smile to her face.
"As for your Earl Dervish Pokémon," Xiao Hao continued with a smirk, raising one finger like a sly researcher, "I still recommend you choose Froakie the Water-type starter from Kalos's Yusan trio."
"Even though I can't stand that slimy bubble collar," he said, wrinkling his nose, "I bet it would come in handy for taming your wild morning hair."
Xiao Hao turned his head sideways dramatically, winked his left eye, and struck a pose like a shrewd fashion expert evaluating a style disaster.
"AHH!!" Claire gasped, cheeks reddening instantly.
She looked around in panic, scanning for anyone who might've overheard. Seeing that no one was listening, she patted her chest in relief and exhaled.
"Xiao Hao!! How many times have I told you not to talk about my hair in front of others? If you say that again, I'm seriously going to be mad! o(′^`)o" Claire said with a puffed face, her voice equal parts embarrassed and angry.
"Furu baa~ Furu baa~"
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