"Ding!"
The automatic doors of Pallet Town's PokéMart slid open with a cheerful chime, and cool air greeted them.
Compared to the quiet calm of Professor Oak's lab, this place was bustling — shelves stacked high with brightly colored goods, the scent of plastic packaging mixed with faint sweetness from Pokémon snacks, and the rhythmic beep-beep of the checkout counter.
Leaf's eyes sparkled. "Wow… I didn't know Pallet's PokéMart was this big!"
Gary puffed up his chest proudly. "Of course! This is where future Champions like me shop!"
Blue rolled his eyes. "You said that last time, and you bought nothing but bubble gum."
"I was strategically testing its elasticity," Gary shot back.
Leyn chuckled quietly but didn't follow them toward the candy section. His focus was elsewhere — the price tags.
He took out a slim silver card with a Pokéball logo embossed on the corner — his Trainer Account Card, the one Professor Oak had given him three weeks ago. He tapped it, and a soft holographic display appeared, showing his remaining balance. His brows furrowed as he began to mutter calculations under his breath.
"Okay… 200 Pokédollars per day… it's been three weeks, so that's twenty-one days total. But I got grounded for two after the Fearow incident… Does that still count?"
He frowned, tapping the card against his chin. "Hmm, if not, that means I've got about nineteen days' worth. Nineteen times two hundred is thirty-eight hundred Pokédollars."
He sighed softly. "Not bad… unless the food's expensive."
And it was.
Rows of colorful bags filled the Pokéfood section, each with big, shiny letters.
PokéTreat Basic Mix – 200 PD
ThunderMeal Balanced Formula – 500 PD
VoltPure Premium – 1,000 PD
He stared at the last one for a moment. The gold-and-silver bag looked almost majestic, with an image of a happy Pikachu on the front. The brand's slogan read: "For those who deserve only the best."
"Yeah, that's the lab's brand," he murmured. "Figures the good stuff costs a fortune."
Behind him, he could faintly hear Gary and Blue arguing about which snack tastes better and Leaf giggling as Pikachu tried to climb onto a candy display. But Leyn tuned them out for a moment — he was too busy comparing the numbers in his head.
"Two hundred for low-quality, five hundred for medium, one thousand for high-grade… that's crazy. Even a Potion costs twenty, and a Pokéball's fifty. Is my allowance too low or are Pokémon items just highway robbery?"
He rubbed his neck, remembering what Professor Oak had said when he first got his allowance.
"It's more than enough for snacks, toys, or hobbies," Oak had said kindly, not expecting Leyn to actually use it for Pokémon research expenses.
Leyn sighed, crouching near the display and muttering, "Guess I'll have to budget carefully."
He grabbed one small sample dish from the counter and called, "Pikachu, come here a sec!"
Leaf walked over, carrying Pikachu in her arms. "You're testing food, huh?"
"Yup. Let's see what this picky eater likes best."
He poured small portions of each food type onto three plates and set them on the ground.
First, PokéTreat Basic Mix. Pikachu sniffed it once, frowned, and actually gagged.
"Pika… chu…" it muttered miserably, turning its head away.
Leaf burst out laughing. "That bad?"
"Yeah," Leyn sighed. "Guess that's a no."
Next was ThunderMeal. Pikachu sniffed it, took a small nibble, then shrugged — if a Pokémon could shrug.
It wasn't disgusted, but it wasn't impressed either.
Finally, the PureVolt Premium. Pikachu sniffed it, eyes sparkling instantly, then began happily munching with its tail wagging.
"Pika! Pikachu!" it squeaked, cheeks sparking in delight.
Leyn slumped his shoulders dramatically. "Of course. The expensive one. You little luxury mouse."
Leaf laughed, covering her mouth. "He's got taste!"
Blue, who'd overheard, grinned. "Or he's got standards higher than his trainer."
"Very funny," Leyn replied flatly. "You'll see when you have to buy your own Pokéfood."
Gary tilted his head. "Wait, how much is that?"
"About a thousand per week."
Both brothers froze. "A thousand?!" they exclaimed in unison.
"Yup. A third of my allowance gone, just for one week of food," Leyn said dryly. "At least he's cute."
Leaf smiled, patting Pikachu's head. "He's more than cute."
Blue folded his arms. "Still, that's rough. You sure you can handle that much spending?"
Leyn smiled faintly. "Yeah, I've been helping out at the lab. Professor Oak gives me some extra for assisting."
Gary blinked. "Wait—he pays you?"
Blue's jaw dropped. "Hold up. We help him too! He's never paid us!"
Leyn chuckled. "Well, you're his grandsons. If you ask, he'll just hand you cash. I actually have to earn mine."
Leaf giggled as the two brothers started complaining in unison.
"Man, that's unfair," Gary grumbled.
"Totally rigged," Blue muttered.
"Stop whining," Leyn teased. "I could ask my parents for money too, but I don't want to. Relying too much on others turns into a habit."
Leaf looked at him, slightly surprised, then smiled softly. "You sound like someone older than ten."
He shrugged. "Guess being electrocuted once in a while builds character."
Pikachu puffed his cheeks in mock offense. "Pika!"
"See?" Leyn said with a grin. "He admits it."
The group laughed together, drawing a few amused looks from other customers.
After a while, Leyn straightened up. "Okay, since I'll still have some money left after this, how about this — each of you pick something under twenty Pokédollars. My treat."
Blue's eyes widened. "Really?!"
Gary was already halfway down the aisle. "Dibs on the PokéGear section!"
Leaf smiled. "You don't have to, Leyn."
"I want to. Besides, you guys helped me with the food decision."
Pikachu nodded in agreement from Leaf's arms, looking quite pleased.
Soon, everyone was scattered around the shop. Blue returned with a Trainer Multi-Tool Keychain — it had a small compass, a Pokéball opener, and even a whistle. "Fifteen PD. A good deal," he said smugly.
Gary came back holding a PokéDex Screen Cleaner Set. "Eighteen PD. Gotta keep my future research gear spotless."
Leaf browsed a small rack of accessories and found a mint-green hairband shaped like a leaf with a tiny golden edge. She held it up shyly. "What do you think?"
Leyn looked at her for a moment before smiling. "It suits you perfectly."
Leaf turned red instantly. "R-really?"
"Yup," he said casually, pretending not to notice her reaction. "Very fitting for someone named Leaf."
She playfully hit his arm. "You're such a smooth talker."
Leyn laughed and turned back to his basket. He'd picked a few candies, PokéSnax, two little hair clips (one lightning bolt, one leaf), and a lace wristband — plus, of course, the PureVolt Premium for Pikachu.
At the counter, the cashier scanned everything efficiently.
"That'll be one thousand seventy-eight Pokédollars," she said kindly.
Leyn handed over his Trainer Card. The reader blinked blue, and a faint ding sounded.
"Transaction approved. Here's your bag — and your receipt!"
"Thank you," Leyn said, smiling politely.
As they stepped out of the shop, the sun had started to dip slightly, painting the road in soft orange hues. The group paused near the entrance, distributing the bags.
"Here," Leyn said, handing everyone a small share of candies. "Don't say I never share."
Gary grinned. "You're the best!"
Blue smirked. "Still think Pikachu eats better than all of us."
Leaf giggled. "Well, maybe he deserves it."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu chirped proudly from her arms.
They walked together through Pallet's peaceful streets, chatting and laughing. The sound of distant Pidgey calls filled the air.
Blue and Gary soon split off toward their home, still teasing Leyn.
"Try not to get zapped again!" Gary called.
"Yeah! Maybe wear rubber gloves next time!" Blue added.
"Very funny," Leyn said, waving them off with a laugh.
Now it was just him, Leaf, and Pikachu walking side by side. The quiet between them wasn't awkward — just calm. The golden light made the world glow softly.
At the front of Leaf's house, Leyn stopped. "Hey, Leaf."
She turned. "Hmm?"
He took one of the hair clips from his bag — the small leaf-shaped one she'd admired. "Here. You should have it."
Her eyes widened. "Wait, what? Why?"
He smiled sheepishly. "Because it looks good on you. And… you look cuter with it on."
Her face turned red again. "Wh— you can't just—!" she stammered.
He gently clipped it into her hair, stepping back to admire it. "See? Told you."
Leaf looked down, flustered, trying to hide her blush. "Thanks… Leyn."
Pikachu, sitting smugly on Leyn's shoulder, smirked. "Pika~."
Leaf giggled nervously, waving goodbye. "See you tomorrow, okay?"
"Yeah," Leyn said softly. "Goodnight."
When he finally got home, the smell of food filled the air — warm and welcoming. Rhea and Gerald were setting the table when he came in, Pikachu trotting happily beside him.
"Welcome home, sweetie!" Rhea said warmly.
Leyn placed the shopping bag on the counter. "Got something for you both."
He pulled out a hair clip for Rhea and a ID lace for Gerald. "Here — small gifts."
Rhea beamed, pinning the clip immediately. "It's lovely, dear. Thank you."
Gerald grinned. "Didn't have to spend your money on us, champ."
Leyn flopped into a chair, stretching. "It's fine. The Pokéfood cost me a third of my allowance anyway. Might as well use the rest wisely."
Gerald laughed. "Welcome to real trainer economics."
Rhea giggled. "And did Pikachu like it?"
As if on cue, Pikachu munched happily on the PureVolt food in its bowl, tail wagging.
Leyn smiled fondly. "He loves it. Worth every Pokédollar."
The family laughed together as the sun set behind the window, painting their small dining room gold. For now, life was peaceful — filled with simple joy, the laughter of family, and the soft sound of a happy Pikachu chewing.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges…
But tonight, it was enough to be home.