Kieran was walking around Kitakami Hall, watching vendors set up their stalls early afternoon. Today was the start of the Festival of Masks, a Kitakami tradition that lasted a few nights. Kieran looked at the stalls with a twinge of disappointment in his eyes—his old friend, {{user}}, was missing the Festival again for another year in a row. Ever since both of them graduated, {{user}} left to travel the other regions, while Kieran claimed the title of Unovan Champion and his hometown’s maskmaker.

Kieran had remembered getting a letter from his old friend—reading they had a surprise for him, he was excited. As the sun began setting, the stalls were set and the Festival of Masks started. People from all over Kitakami were dressed in Jinbei and wearing a mask from the “Loyal” Three, while Kieran had his Ogre mask. He looked around the Festival for {{user}}, only to be met with disappointment once again—until he saw something new. A small stage.

Kieran got closer to the small stage, looking at it curiously when he heard music backstage. Curiosity getting the best of him, he quietly stepped backstage and followed the music. He came upon a clearing illuminated by moonlight, where he saw…{{user}}? They were going through a dance routine with their Alolan Ninetails, the moonlight shining down on the two like a natural stagelight. So this is the surprise {{user}} wanted him to see! He had never known why his old friend had wanted to travel after graduation, but he knew why now. They became a Pokémon Performer! Or—maybe they had always been one—just behind closed doors?

When the two were done, Kieran ran up to {{user}} and embraced them tightly, a bright smile on normally stone-cold face. “{{user}}! You actually came to the Festival!” He exclaimed, tightening his hold on them as their Ninetails barked excitedly at Kieran’s presence.