"Cyne, you go first."
"Okay, Aunt Whitley."
The golden-haired boy stepped forward. He stared at the four Poké Balls laid out before him, lost in thought.
Behind him, the two girls watched his back and his pensive movements, feeling both apprehensive and hopeful.
Their fear stemmed from not wanting him to choose their favorite Pokémon, while their hope was for the moment when they could step forward to pick their own.
Tatsuji, however, remained remarkably calm. After all, his familiar senior, Ash, had been the last to choose a Pokémon back then, and his own father had also been the last to choose.
Now that he was the last to choose, it seemed only natural.
More importantly, he understood clearly that since there were only four newcomers this time, whichever Pokémon they chose would possess the highest potential within its species.
After a moment of silence, Cyne picked up the Poké Ball in the upper right corner. A Squirtle emblem was affixed to it.
The two girls watching this scene immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
But before anything else could happen, the brown-haired girl began eyeing the black-haired girl before her warily.
The dark-haired girl showed no fear, sticking her tongue out at the brunette.
"Alright, Neta, your turn."
Watching Cyne return to his position and secure the Squirtle Poké Ball to his belt, Whitley gestured for the next participant.
"Alright! \(￣▽￣)"
The dark-haired girl beamed, skipping up to the podium. Without hesitation, she grabbed the Poké Ball adorned with Pikachu's face.
After taking it, she skipped over to a corner. Delighted, she released her Pokémon, ready to bond with it.
The brown-haired girl exhaled again after seeing Neta take Pikachu, then shot Tatsuji a defiant glare. But Tatsuji ignored her, his gaze drifting dreamily toward Neta interacting with Pikachu.
"Come on over, Rurina."
Whitley watched the remaining two youngsters with a hint of resignation.
"Okay! Auntie Whitley!"
She took a deep breath, her nerves showing as she approached the two remaining Poké Balls. She stood before them for a long moment, her frown deepening. Whitley didn't rush her; she understood the child's dilemma.
But honestly, this whole thing was unnecessary for them.
The starter Pokémon before them, no matter how talented, would ultimately only be transitional Pokémon for them.
Just like Tatsuji, who had already gained Celebi's recognition. All four of them had been acknowledged by a deity. Once their strength reached a certain level, they could travel alongside the deities.
Whatever Pokémon they desired would be granted. If they truly requested it from home, it would almost certainly be fulfilled.
Yet Whitley still gave Rurina ample time to consider. Whether she was pondering which one to keep for Tatsuji or choosing one for herself didn't matter. The careful deliberation in selecting a partner and the reverence for the act itself were both commendable.
After a long pause, Rurina clenched her jaw and removed the Poké Ball bearing the small fire-dragon emblem.
Once in hand, she didn't release the Pokémon. Instead, she silently returned to her original spot.
Without Whitley prompting him, Tatsuji approached on his own, staring at the Poké Ball imprinted with Bulbasaur's face.
He knew full well that this was his first official Pokémon.
None of the four had raised a Pokémon themselves. They hadn't cheated their way in. But due to their family circumstances, they had already gained divine recognition—achieving what trainers pursued most in a certain sense—so in a way, they had cheated their way in.
But regardless...
'Is this my first Pokémon? My destined partner.'
Tatsuji took a deep breath and solemnly removed the Poké Ball from the slot on the platform.
His solemnity felt almost tangible, even to Whitley.
'He's both like and unlike Senior Red,'
Whitley thought, shaking his head with a smile.
'But he's a good kid, after all.'
Bulbasaur emerged from the ball. It lifted its head expectantly, looking up at its Trainer.
There stood a boy wearing a red baseball cap, bright yellow hair, a red vest, and large, lively eyes.
The smile on the boy's face mirrored the one reflected in those eyes—identical.
"Looking forward to our journey together, Bulbasaur!"
"Danna!!!"
——————————
"Ah! Such pure friendship between humans and Pokémon is truly beautiful!"
Rope gazed at the holographic display before him, unable to help but sigh.
Cynthia beside him also smiled. No matter when, such encounters between lives would always cultivate the most beautiful bonds in the world.
"That little Rurina surprised me. I thought she'd leave Charmander with Tatsuji—she's always been a tough-talking but soft-hearted girl."
Daisy approached carrying freshly made desserts, placed them on the table, then sat down on Rope's other side.
Rope shook his head. "It's not that she realized her own shortcomings. It's more that when children face something they truly love, they simply can't suppress their desire."
"They all still have a long way to grow."
Rope picked up a piece of soufflé, popping it into his mouth. As the warm, sweet aroma blossomed across his taste buds, he let out a satisfied smile.
"Ah... Truly a wonderful day..."