The red-haired girl suddenly paused, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear, and wore an expression of realization. "Oh, I almost forgot to say... thank you, Gary."
Gary felt his heart skip a beat. This girl, adopted by his grandfather and usually indifferent to him, was unexpectedly expressing gratitude. He cleared his throat, feigning nonchalance, "No problem, it was meant for everyone, including you."
The girl took the gaming console and settled into a corner to play. Soon, others joined in, animatedly discussing their choices.
"I'm going for Charmander!"
"Didn't you say it had a bad temper?"
"It doesn't matter in the game!"
Listening to these conversations, Gary suddenly noticed the box was empty. He ruffled his hair in frustration, "What? I didn't even save one for myself!"
Half an hour later, the lab door slammed with Professor Oak's angry roar echoing behind it. Gary rubbed his sore backside and dialed his phone. "Find out where I can get this console, now!"
The voice on the other end sounded apologetic, "Sir, there's currently no stock in the Kanto region..."
You've got to be kidding! Gary stamped his foot in anger, "Even Grandpa's playing this game, and I can't get one?"
Gary was desperate, pounding the table. "Place an order for a million consoles! Start planning the promotion immediately!"
If he couldn't resist the game's allure, he might as well get more people hooked. Soon, he wouldn't be alone in his obsession.
Meanwhile, in a plush villa in Fairfield, Havenport.
Carl glanced at the clock—it was already five in the afternoon. He rubbed his growling stomach and turned to Serena, "Shouldn't we get dinner ready?"
No time! Serena's eyes were glued to the screen. "I have to catch that shiny Butterfree!"
Carl sighed helplessly. At odds of one in four thousand, dinner was likely to become a midnight snack at this rate.
He exchanged a glance with Quinn, both regretting the mention of shiny Pokémon ten minutes earlier.
Serena had just learned the game's basics and was navigating the forest storyline. Though she didn't admit it, she was genuinely interested in the game.
Then a golden Caterpie appeared on the screen, and Serena couldn't help but quip, "What's with the game design? Since when are Caterpies gold? Will it evolve into Rayquaza?"
Carl chuckled inwardly but maintained a serious tone. "That's a shiny Pokémon, like the rare colors in the real world. Notice the special effects when it appears."
Shiny? Serena's voice rose with excitement.
Carl guided his character through the mountain while explaining, "It's rare, about a one in four thousand chance. I based it off the Pikachu series settings; there might be adjustments later."
Serena's hands trembled slightly. "So... it's really hard to find?"
Indeed, Carl explained, "The chance of encountering a shiny Pokémon is one in 4096. If you catch the same Pokémon ten times, the odds improve to one in 1024, then to 512 after twenty, stabilizing at 341 after thirty."
"Additionally, using special incense and charms can increase the odds, up to one in 273, but that requires completing your Pokédex."
Carl fondly remembered his past shiny hunts, smiling at the memory.
Wait, did you already find one? He noticed Serena's screen, showing the forest scene.
Did you catch the shiny Caterpie? Let me see. Carl leaned over, curious.
What luck!
Quinn, who had already completed the game and was hunting shiny Gyarados, joined in.
Serena's luck was impressive, even if it was just a shiny Caterpie.
I didn't catch it—I knocked it out. Serena's voice was tight with regret.
"You knocked it out?!"
The two exchanged glances, stifling laughter.
She was lucky to encounter a shiny so soon, but unlucky to have knocked it out!
By the way, Carl added with a grin, "The shiny Butterfree evolves into a pink one."
Pink Butterfree? Pink?!
Serena, initially just a bit regretful, froze. As a pink enthusiast, she couldn't resist the allure of a rare shiny pink Pokémon.
It should have been hers, against all odds.
But now...
I have to catch a shiny Caterpie! Serena declared with renewed determination, diving back into her hunt.
However, shiny Pokémon weren't that easy to encounter, especially since she'd already seen one without any bonuses, making it a long process.
As evening fell, it was time for dinner.
Quinn rubbed his hands together, "Should I head out?"
He hadn't planned on staying, but rumors of Serena's cooking had kept him around.
What's the rush? Carl glared at him and turned to Serena, "Time to make dinner. I'm starving."
Without looking up, Serena responded, "Give me half an hour." Her fingers were a blur over the buttons.
Carl was exasperated. This girl had claimed she didn't even like games. He pulled out a stack of papers and slapped them on the table, "Don't forget what the contract says."
Serena looked up sharply, took a deep breath, and forced a smile, "Are you threatening me?"
Carl quickly stashed the contract, smiling placatingly, "No way! I just meant you can leave the boring game grind to me. You go make dinner?"
Fine. Serena pouted, handing the console to Carl, "Keep track, I'll be checking later." She headed to the kitchen.
Carl sighed. If his cooking wasn't terrible, he wouldn't be indulging her like this.
Quinn sidled up, whispering, "Why keep such an apprentice?"
Carl smirked, "Remember what you just said."
Before long, the kitchen was filled with delicious aromas. Quinn devoured the sweet and sour ribs, leaving the plate spotless.
You can keep the plate. Carl looked at him with disdain.
Quinn shamelessly asked, "Can I come for dinner tomorrow?"
No way! Do you know how expensive it is to have her cook? Carl retorted.
"I'll cover the ingredient costs and pay to eat."
"Deal!"
Quinn: "..."
Fine, I'll leave!
With the villa now empty except for Carl and Serena.
Don't stay up too late. Carl called out from the living room, ready to meditate.
Got it! Serena replied without taking her eyes off the screen.
Carl chuckled, shaking his head as he headed to his room.
He wasn't worried about Serena; she'd calm down eventually.
"This is ridiculous!"
The next morning, Carl rubbed his eyes as he entered the living room, finding Serena still on the sofa, gaming.
"Did you pull an all-nighter?"
You didn't even find a shiny Caterpie?
Huh? Serena blearily lifted her head.
Seeing her dark circles and oily face, Carl understood immediately.
"You really outdid yourself."
Carl, are you making breakfast? Serena suddenly remembered something, glanced at her phone in a panic.
Realizing it was almost seven, she froze, then blushed, wanting to disappear.
She'd always called Carl a slacker, yet she'd spent the night gaming.
Feeling embarrassed, she quickly used making breakfast as an excuse to escape.
But as she stood, her vision went black, and her legs gave out.
Instead of hitting the floor, she fell into a warm embrace.
"Ca-Carl..."
Serena turned her face away, too shy or embarrassed to meet his gaze.
Maybe both.
"You don't need to make breakfast today."
"But..."
"I won't dock your pay."
Then... I'll make you a midnight snack to make up. Serena offered softly.
Sure, get some rest. I'll have food delivered. Carl agreed readily.
"Okay."
Serena nodded, blushing, and turned to leave, only to nearly collapse again.
A steady hand caught her.
Let me help you, you seem a bit hypoglycemic. Carl said, handing her a peeled chocolate.
"Thank you~"
Serena took the chocolate, the sweetness spreading over her tongue, though her heart felt even sweeter.
Who knew this straightforward guy could be so considerate?
But what were you doing last night? Carl suddenly asked, "Shiny hunting shouldn't be this hard."
Serena almost choked.
Her earlier gratitude vanished—was he just here to tease her?
Actually... I found one early in the morning. She mumbled.
"So you weren't shiny hunting, just addicted to gaming?"
Serena: "..."
Don't think I didn't see you smirking!