Pokemon : Rewind-Chapter 486 - 73: Brock Gives Up

The beauty pageant was held in a small park near Beauty Street. Though the scale wasn't grand, a large stage had been set up for the event, drawing a sizable crowd.

Ash and Misty found seats near the front, while Suzy and Brock headed backstage to prepare for their turn.

Before the competition began, photos of the contestants' Pokémon were displayed on a large screen.

Some Pokémon looked stunningly beautiful, while others appeared quite quirky, eliciting a mix of reactions from the audience.

"When is Brock and Suzy's turn?" Ash asked, growing bored after watching a few presentations.

He leaned toward Misty, who was flipping through the event booklet handed out at the entrance.

"Let's see..." Misty said, placing Togepi on her lap. "They're number thirty-seven. Right after them, Zane and his Ninetales are up."

Ash sighed, shaking his head. "With a rival like Zane, I don't see much hope for Brock."

Despite his usual habit of fawning over attractive women, Brock's feelings for Suzy seemed deeper and more genuine.

"You might be underestimating Brock," Misty replied, smiling knowingly.

Ash frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If Suzy were really interested in Zane, they'd already be together. It's clear Zane likes her, but Suzy treats him more like an old friend. If Brock plays his cards right, he might have a chance."

Ash nodded slowly. "You think so? I guess that would be great for Brock if it's true."

Soon, the competition officially began. For breeders, the event was thrilling, but for Ash, it felt monotonous.

Contestants showcased their Pokémon's grooming and training results, which lacked the excitement of battle or the flair of a Contest performance.

Ash stifled a yawn, while Pikachu, initially curious, eventually curled up on Ash's lap to nap. Misty, however, watched with keen interest, captivated by the different Pokémon and their stories.

"Next up is Contestant Number 37—a duo presenting their cooperative Pokémon, Vulpix!" the announcer declared.

"Wake up, Ash!" Misty nudged him, snapping him out of his daze just in time to see Brock and Suzy step onto the stage.

Brock and Suzy, dressed in contrasting black and white outfits, flanked their playful and radiant Vulpix.

Although their attire was simple, the sunlight reflected off Vulpix's lustrous coat, captivating the audience.

The pair introduced Vulpix, explaining their training methods and care routines. Suzy highlighted Brock's meticulous grooming techniques, while Brock emphasized the bond and mutual trust they'd built with Vulpix.

When their turn ended, Zane and his majestic Ninetales took the stage. The audience showered Ninetales with praise for its elegant posture and shimmering, golden fur.

Finally, all the contestants and their Pokémon returned to the stage for the results.

"I must say, the competition today has been impressive," the announcer began, glancing at the voting results. "But two contestants stand out above the rest!"

The screen displayed the photos of Brock and Suzy alongside Zane. Their scores were revealed: Brock and Suzy earned an astonishing 422 out of 437 votes, narrowly beating Zane's 406 points.

"We... won?" Suzy gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief.

"We did it, Suzy!" Brock exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. Vulpix, equally jubilant, bounced around happily.

Zane managed a polite smile, clapping graciously despite his disappointment. He couldn't deny that in the eyes of the crowd, Vulpix had outshone Ninetales.

—-

After the competition, the group went to a restaurant to celebrate. During dinner, Zane turned to Suzy with a proposal.

"Suzy, since you're back in the region, why don't we open a store together?" he suggested.

"You could focus on bringing out the hidden charm of Pokémon, while I specialize in enhancing their appearance. Together, we'd make an unbeatable team."

Suzy hesitated, clearly intrigued but uncertain. It was an appealing idea, but she wasn't sure if she was ready for such a commitment.

"That's... a great suggestion," she admitted cautiously.

Before she could elaborate, Brock spoke up. "I think it's a fantastic idea," he said with a smile.

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Only.

Everyone at the table froze, including Suzy. "Brock...?" she murmured, her eyes wide with surprise.

"You complement each other perfectly," Brock continued, his tone sincere but tinged with bittersweet acceptance.

"Winning first and second place shows just how well your styles align. A partnership like this could be truly successful."

Suzy stared at him, searching his expression for hidden emotions, but Brock only smiled.

"I'll think about it," she finally said, glancing briefly at Zane.

—

Later that night, Ash, Misty, and Brock returned to their room at the Pokémon Center. Suzy had chosen to stay at a nearby hotel.

As they settled in, Ash turned to Brock, frowning. "Why did you encourage Suzy to work with Zane? Don't you know that proximity can lead to romance?"

Brock chuckled, though his smile was faint and laced with resignation. "I've thought it through," he said softly.

"Suzy and Zane really are a good match. Their strengths complement each other perfectly, and Zane... he's everything I'm not. He's tall, handsome, and successful."

Ash and Misty exchanged worried glances.

"But Brock—" Misty began, only to stop when Brock lay down and pulled the blanket over himself.

"Let's drop it," he murmured. "We've got an early day tomorrow. We're heading to Ecruteak City, remember?"

Realizing Brock didn't want to discuss it further, Ash and Misty left him to rest. As they turned in for the night, they couldn't shake the feeling that Brock had made a painful but selfless decision.

________________________

Join my Patreon for more advance Chapters