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"Of course," he chuckled, recalling their last meeting in Kanto. "The famous Lumiose Press reporter how could I forget? Though, calling me now… I assume this isn't just a social chat?"
Her laugh came warm and knowing. "You caught me. Same as before I'd love to do another exclusive interview with you. Please don't refuse."
Kai sighed inwardly. Just as he thought.
Still, he owed her. She'd given him fair coverage back then, and turning her down now would feel rude.
"Alright. The opening ceremony isn't until later, so I've got some free time."
"Wonderful!" Alexa's voice brightened instantly. "I'm at a café just a short walk from the Village. If it's convenient, could you come by now?"
Kai glanced at Erika resting in the dorm room, then at the bustling League Village.
"Well then," he murmured with a smile. "I suppose one more interview won't hurt."
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When Kai arrived at a small café near the Trainers' Village, he found Alexa waiting with two colleagues from the Lumiose Press, all wearing matching vests with the company's logo.
Compared to her last solo trip overseas for the Indigo Plateau Conference, this time Alexa had come prepared with a full team and professional equipment.
"Kai, it's been a long time!" Alexa greeted him warmly, extending her hand with a smile.
"Good to see you again."
Kai shook hands with each of them, then turned back to Alexa. "So, the League sent you here too? Seems no matter which region's tournament it is, you're always there. Busy as ever, huh?"
She chuckled. "That's the job."
After some small talk, Alexa led him inside. She had already reserved the entire café for the interview, ensuring a quiet, relaxed environment.
Aside from them, only a barista remained behind the counter.
Once seated, Alexa placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of Kai while her colleagues set up the gear camera, sound, lighting, and reflectors. When everything was ready, they gave her an okay sign.
Alexa crossed her legs as she sat across from him, a natural gesture that nonetheless caught Kai's eyes for a brief second.
She looked not only professional but striking, the form-fitting outfit only adding to her presence. He quickly pulled his gaze away before she noticed.
"Kai, ready to begin?" she asked with a reassuring smile. "No pressure. This is recorded, not live. If anything needs adjusting, we can edit afterward."
"No problem. I'm ready."
"Great. Let's start then."
With the camera rolling, Alexa turned toward it. "Welcome, everyone, to our coverage of the Silver Conference. I'm field reporter Alexa, and today we're honored to have with us a very special guest the reigning Indigo Plateau Champion and a familiar face to all—Kai!"
The camera panned to him, and Kai gave a small wave.
"Hello to all viewers watching from Kalos and beyond. I'm Kai. Glad to see you again."
Once introductions were done, Alexa began her questions. "For this Silver Conference, what are your expectations or goals?"
"Goals?" Kai didn't hesitate. "To make it as far as possible. At the very least… to match my result at the Indigo Plateau."
Alexa blinked, then smirked. Match the Indigo Plateau? Kai had won that tournament.
In other words, he was indirectly saying his goal here was to win the Silver Conference as well. Bold as ever.
Unlike with unfamiliar reporters, where he stayed guarded out of fear of misrepresentation, Kai trusted Alexa. She wasn't here for gossip or tabloid material Lumiose Press was a respected publication, and Alexa herself was a fair professional.
That's why his answers came across as lighter and more genuine.
The interview carried on, Alexa asking questions with warmth and humor, while Kai responded with ease.
It lasted close to twenty minutes before wrapping up, leaving Alexa more than satisfied with the results.
At her request, Kai also released Dragonite, Scizor, and Tyranitar, the same three Pokémon that had stood out during the preliminary matches, for photos to accompany the article and video.
The entire process reminded him of their first interview back at Indigo, except now both were more familiar with each other, and Kai handled the flow with more confidence.
…
When it was over, Kai bade Alexa and her team farewell and headed toward Silver Stadium to meet Erika and the others.
He felt utterly drained, as though the interview had taken more out of him than a full day of battling. Honestly, he'd rather spend hours training Pokémon with Ash than go through media work like this again.
By now, Silver Town was buzzing with even more excitement than during the opening ceremony. Crowds pressed tightly around the stadium gates.
Kai passed through the competitors' tunnel and entered the preparation area, where Erika, Misty, and Brock had been waiting.
"You're finally back!" Misty sighed in relief. "What took so long? The ceremony's about to start I thought you'd miss it!"
"Relax, I timed it just right."
As one of the trainers advancing to the preliminaries, Kai was expected to take part in the ceremony alongside the other forty-seven competitors marching into the arena, greeting the crowd, witnessing the arrival of the sacred flame, and listening to the League President's speech. Tedious, maybe, but an honor nonetheless.
Kai glanced around, suddenly realizing something. "Wait, where's Ash?"
"No idea," Misty shrugged. "He left with a couple of staff members earlier. Probably for some kind of side event."
Before Kai could ask further, a staffer entered the room to line up the trainers for the march-in. With a quick word to Erika and the others, he joined the group.
"We'll head up to the stands," Misty called out, waving. "Good luck out there we'll be cheering for you!"
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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