“And here comes our last dish.” The girl’s gaze shifted from her floating Rotom phone to the chef himself carrying out her order. “This one's called the House Special Hot Pot. Now the ingredients of this dish are said to be a house secret, so I'll be going on flavor alone. Mmm, I can already smell it too. It's got my mouth watering.”

Kofu placed the large pot of soup on the table, careful not to knock over any of the other dishes spread out before them. On one end of the table sat Elodie, a girl with the sweetest of smiles. With light, reddish pink hair that formed natural waves, she had the top half in a ponytail held by a bright red bow. Her fair skin was complemented by her white dress with red cherry print. Red painted nails matched, and her violet eyes seemed to shine with excitement at the prospect of tasting this particular dish. At the opposite side of the table sat a Lopunny, fur a softer brown than usual, and the normally cream-colored fluffs of fur a light pink hue.

“Hope ya enjoy!” Kofu said with a big, bright smile, stepping away to not so subtly watch from beyond the bar.

Elodie and her pokemon both leaned forward to take a big sniff of the tantalizing aroma. Using her chopsticks, the girl picked out a piece of meat. After blowing on it to cool it off, she bit into it, taking a moment to savor the taste while her partner, with the manners of a princess, did the same.

“Delicious!” Elodie cried, her gaze on the phone’s screen where she could see herself. “Cooked to perfection! The meat is juicy and tender, it practically melts in your mouth! And the broth…it has a kinda richness to it. It's hard to describe. And don't worry, all you with sensitive taste buds out there, no spiciness. All in all, I give this dish a perfect five stars!” Kofu fist pumped in the background, meanwhile the girl looked over at her partner. “What do you think, Candy?”

Candy held up her paw, smiling with all her fingers up. “Lopun pun!”

“Sounds like Candy agrees. I actually think this is my favorite of the dishes.”

“Lop!” Candy pointed to the Flamigo shaped bowl off to the side. “Pun punny.”

“Candy’s favorite is still the Tofu Pudding. I'm not surprised, it was super tasty too.” Elodie turned slightly in her seat to better face her phone, watching the chat go crazy. “To all you viewers, if you live in Paldea or are planning a trip here, I highly recommend coming down to Kofu Lounge in Cascarrafa! Your taste buds won't be disappointed!” She paused, beaming at the donation she just earned. “Thanks for the dono, Munchlad! And that concludes this stream! Hope you all had a wonderful time on this episode of Elodie's Eats!” She waved cutely. “Until next time!”

“Lopun!” Candy waved as well.

The screen went black before Kieran’s eyes. He gasped, nearly dropping the phone onto the bed. “Aw man…”

He scrambled to find where he'd put the charger. Not only had he swiped his sister's phone, but he also let the battery run down. Carmine wouldn't be happy if she found out. He was sure to get an earful. But honestly, he thought it was worth it. To sit down and quietly enjoy Elodie's videos in the comfort of his room, where he could not so subtly drool over how pretty she always looked and how sweet her voice was.

Finally, Kieran found the charger, swiftly plugging the phone up. “Maybe Sis won't notice it's gone for another hour or two…”

A sudden knock on his door nearly made him jump out of his skin. “C'mon, Kiki! We're gonna be late!” The door swung open and in stepped Carmine. “I thought you of all people would wanna be there when… Is that my phone?!”

Kieran frowned. “Y-You were supposed to knock first! You can't just…b-barge into someone's room!”

“I can do whatever I want! I live here!” Her angry tone made the boy flinch back in fear. “And I wouldn't be barging into your room if you'd hurry up!” She sighed, her fury subsiding. “Y'know, if you wanted to borrow my phone, you could've just asked. I know how much you like watching Elodie.”

Kieran's face lit up. “N-No, that's…not what I…”

Carmine rested her hands on her hips. “No point lying to me, Kiki. I know how much you like her. But seriously, let's go already! Her bus will be here any minute! Don't you wanna be there to welcome her?”

“Yes!” Kieran shouted before catching himself and reining in his excitement. “Um, o-of course… Let's go.”

He was quick to follow after his sister to leave the house, but as soon as they were away from their grandparents, Carmine flashed him a teasing smirk. “Now listen, I know you'll wanna go to the festival with Elodie again this year, so how about this time, I get out of your hair?”

Kieran almost began panicking right then and there. “What? B-But what am I supposed to do? I'm no good…at talking… It's gonna be super awkward…”

“You'll be fine. Not like Elodie's a stranger at this point. As for me, I'll keep our Paldean friend busy while you enjoy your little date.”

Kieran started nervously fiddling with his bangs, his face bright red. Sure, he wanted to spend the festival with Elodie like he did every year, but normally Carmine was there to do most of the talking. And he did feel a little bad ditching their new friend, Florian. But he really liked the idea of an actual date this time around. Elodie was great. She was friendly and sweet, and just plain fun to be around. Plus she was super pretty in his eyes, especially when she cosplayed. She was so great that even Carmine grew to like her on her first visit to Kitakami, and she usually didn't like outsiders.

Upon reaching the bus stop, the siblings saw the large vehicle heading their way. They'd made it just in time. The bus slowed to a stop and the door slid open. Carmine pulled her brother back a bit to make room for the tourists pouring out. They waited patiently, peering over and around the crowd. Finally, a familiar pair were the last to exit the bus. Elodie smiled brightly at the siblings. Candy looked happy to see them as well.

“Carmine, Kieran!” the girl cried, rushing to them. “Hi!”

Carmine was caught off guard by the sudden hug she was engulfed in, but broke out in a smile. “Hey, Elodie! You act like you haven't seen us in ages.”

“Well it has been since last year's festival,” Elodie replied, releasing her. “I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be back!” Her gaze landed on the boy, moving toward him next. “Kieran, great to see you again!” She wrapped him in a hug, making him a flustered mess.

It took Kieran a moment to muster the courage to return her hug, a giddy grin on his face. Oh, how nice it felt to hold her. “Y-Yeah…good to see you…and Candy too.”

The hug ended all too quickly when Elodie pulled away to look at him. “Have you gotten taller, Kiki?”

“Um…m-maybe?”

“He must've hit a little growth spurt since last year's festival,” Carmine added.

“Lopun.” They looked back at Candy who was pointing to the large suitcase on wheels her trainer had brought. “Punny.”

“Oh, right. I need to take my stuff to my room. I have a brand new cosplay for the festival this year.”

“Are you gonna be streaming?” Kieran asked, suddenly very interested.

Elodie went and took the handle of her suitcase. “Just a short stream for my cosplay and to showcase this year's festival. I've streamed the whole event and reviewed the food in past years, so unless there's something brand new to cover, I think I'll just do a short vlog style stream.”

Kieran was internally jumping for joy. “In that case…w-we can all have fun and just enjoy the festival this year.”

Elodie nodded. “Sounds great! I have to admit, going to an event without having to stream the whole time sounds like a nice break.”

“I'll bet,” Carmine replied. “Unfortunately, you two will have to go without me this year.”

Elodie tilted her head to the side. “How come?”

“There's this group of students from Paldea’s academy here on a school trip. Kiki and I have been hanging out with one of them. I may have already agreed to show him around the festival.” The older girl shook her head with a sigh. “Big mistake on my part. I'm sure you'd much rather have my wonderful company again this year. My little brother will have to do.”

“Oh.” Despite a brief look of disappointment, Elodie was beaming again in a matter of seconds. “Well that's okay! I don't mind! I hope you still have fun, Carmine. It's not every day that you make friends with ‘outsiders’.”

“Y-You really don't mind…getting stuck with me?” Kieran timidly asked.

“Not at all! I like spending time with you.” The boy was smiling at her response. “Anyway, I really need to go get my things in order before tomorrow. As much as I wanna catch up, it'll have to wait, I'm afraid.”

“Want me to walk with you?” The question had tumbled from Kieran’s mouth before he had a chance to stop it. Both girls looked at him. “Um…n-nevermind…I shouldn't have asked…”

“You can walk with us if you like,” Elodie told him. “Candy and I would be happy for the company.” Candy nodded.

The boy’s expression brightened. “Wowzers…o-okay.”

Carmine lightly nudged her brother with her elbow, a smirk on her lips. “You be a gentleman now, Kiki. Walk the ladies all the way to the Community Center.”

Kieran frowned at her. “Sh-Shut up, Sis…”

“Watch your mouth!” Carmine snapped, making him flinch. “Don’t back talk me! Now go on, be on your way. I'll see you all later. I'm gonna get in a little training so I can make our Paldean pal eat dirt.”

Kieran, despite his sister's big mouth, was grateful she made herself scarce. She knew how much he wanted to spend time with Elodie. He began walking alongside her, following the road toward Mossui Town.

“So, how've you been, Kieran?” Elodie suddenly asked.

“Oh, um…p-pretty good. I got enrolled at Blueberry Academy, just like my sis. I mean…I've already been there for half a year now, but…that all happened after your last visit.”

“That's great! Good for you! I bet you're gonna get super strong with all that battling.”

That had the boy grinning. “Maybe I'll be able to take on my sis some day!”

“I so wish I could be there the day you beat her. No offense to Carmine, of course. I just really wanna see you stand up for yourself and win.”

“R-Really?”

Elodie looked over at him, keeping her pace. “Yeah! I've said it before, remember? As much as I like the sweet, quiet Kieran here right now, I know there's a power in there just waiting to come out. And I bet the day you win is gonna be just the confidence boost you need.”

“I hope you're right… That'd be awesome.”

Upon reaching Mossui Town, Elodie’s gaze landed on the Community Center. “Well, here we are.” She smiled at Kieran. “Thanks for walking with us. We'll meet up tomorrow for the festival, okay?”

Kieran nodded. “Yeah… I'll see you then.” Only once the girl and her partner were inside and out of view did the timid boy allow a dreamy sigh to leave him. “Wowzers. She's even prettier than last year.”

With the excitement building up in him, he could hardly keep from smiling all the way home. But there was also a growing anxiety. He'd formed a plan for her visit, and now that Carmine was going to be out of the picture, he had to go through with it. It was the perfect opportunity. He just hoped he could muster the courage to actually do it. And so his thoughts wandered in aimless circles that evening. After dinner, he shut himself in his room and laid across his bed on his back, fiddling with the Love Ball in his hand. He couldn't stop thinking about the festival, or her.

“Kiki, can I come in?” a voice called from the other side of his door.

Kieran sat himself up. “Yeah.”

The door opened and Carmine stepped inside, being polite for once. “You feeling okay? You were basically in a trance all through dinner.”

“I'm fine. J-Just thinkin’ is all…” Kieran’s gaze drifted down to the ball again.

“About your little date tomorrow?” She smirked slightly when she saw his face light up. “It'll go fine. Stop worrying so much.” She, too, noticed the ball in his grasp. “Hey, isn't that the ball you caught that wild Applin in?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Carmine started giggling. “Aw, that's so cute, Kiki! You'd better give it to her tomorrow if you wanna have a chance. Don't go Torchicing out now.”

“But what if…” Kieran set the ball aside and brought his legs up to hug his knees, muffling his already soft voice. “What if she…doesn't like me back? Elodie's so pretty…and nice…and everyone likes her… I can't compare. I'm a nobody…”

Carmine sighed. “Not this again. I'm telling you, Elodie definitely likes you. She makes sure to visit Kitakami every year.”

“For the Festival of Masks.”

“And to see us,” his sister added dryly. “She doesn't do that with any other places. She's barely even gonna do any streaming, she said so herself.”

“That's…true, I guess.” Kieran brightened up a bit. “And she did seem happy about going with me. But what if…she was lying?”

Carmine wanted to pull her hair out, but instead marched over with her fists clenched. “Ugh, enough second-guessing! She wasn't lying! Tomorrow, you're taking her to the festival. You're gonna have fun. And you're definitely giving her that Applin. Got it?”

Carmine’s confidence on the matter gave Kieran some assurance that it would be fine, though perhaps looming over him wasn't the best way to go about it. “G-Got it!” he answered.

“Good. Now get some sleep. You'll wanna be well rested for the festival.”

Once she left, Kieran laid back down. A smile appeared on his face and he stared up at the ceiling. Carmine might've been a big mouth, but she could certainly give a pep talk when he needed it. He was once again excited about going to the festival with his long-time crush.