"Ah…" Ron blinked, staring at her.
Abigail shifted under his gaze. "It's not like that," she quickly clarified.
She hated dancing—and despised wearing that itchy, frilly dress every Flower Dance.
But since she was tired of it anyway… if Ron had no partner, she could keep him company.
It'd spare him the awkwardness of being new… and double as repayment for helping her with the Egg Festival's egg hunt.
"If you've got other plans, that's fine too," she shrugged. "I just figured—if you're alone, I can go with you."
Ron thanked her—then explained Robin and Lewis's decision about canceling partner dances.
"What?!" Abigail froze. She instantly recalled Robin's sly grin earlier. "She knew and didn't tell me?!"
She gritted her teeth, flustered—but the moment passed when they ran into Pierre, who'd doubled back to fetch forgotten tools.
Pierre, lost in daydreams of profit, stiffened when he saw them.
"You're here, Abigail?"
"My class ended," she said.
"I know—but your mom said you'd help me?" Pierre had been touched by her sudden helpfulness.
"I'm on my way now," Abigail declared.
"…"
Pierre fell silent.
Clearly, Abigail was walking away from the festival site—the opposite direction of his own path.
"…" She realized her blunder instantly. Eyes locking with Pierre's, she pivoted sharply.
"—Haha! Got lost! So the venue's that way? Wow, just figured it out!"
Pierre gave a tight-lipped nod and thrust his tool bag at her. "Then let's go."
He turned to Ron. "You coming too?"
Ron had finished his tasks, so he joined them without protest.
Pierre now couldn't decide whether to appreciate Ron's help… or suspect ulterior motives.
He sighed and marched ahead in silence.
---
Meanwhile, at the Community Center…
Joy had risen early to deep-clean her new home—every corner polished as a housewarming ritual.
Finally, she stood before the Junimo Hut in the corner.
These would be her neighbors. Shy creatures—they'd only spoken once (after drinking the Wizard's potion) and stayed hidden since.
Last night, she'd treated a gravely injured Pokémon—one she'd never seen before.
Her Pokédex couldn't scan it; it vanished after treatment, erasing even her memory of its appearance.
All she recalled: severe wounds, now healing well.
Sighing, she crouched and reached toward the hut.
A tiny line-like limb brushed her fingertip—then darted back inside.
"Afternoon," she whispered, leaving wild berries by the door.
At the front desk, silence reigned. No trainers had come—perhaps their Pokémon were healthy, or they didn't yet know the Center existed.
"Well, that's good news," Joy smiled, opening the computer.
This machine—restored with the Center—was the same one that'd sent her job application.
As she browsed, a new interface popped up.
"Ah… this is—" She frowned, then realization dawned.
The computer had synced with a Pokémon Mart backend. She could now order Poké Balls, Potions, and more—priced identically to Kalos.
"…Did no one sell these before?" she mused.
Pelican Town was isolated from Kalos, yet basic items like Poké Balls clearly existed.
Not leftovers from Gabriel's era either—Gus's Snorlax was caught after the farm collapsed. He must've bought his Ball locally.
Pierre's shop probably sells them.
She dismissed the thought. If someone already stocked supplies, she needn't double as a shopkeeper.
Then Ron's repeated warnings echoed in her mind: "Pierre's a scammer."
But running a business here was tough. With so few townsfolk, another vendor could bankrupt Pierre.
Honestly? Even 500G per Poké Ball seemed reasonable.
"It can't possibly cost more than that," kind-hearted Joy decided, closing the computer.
---
Back at the festival site…
With Ron and Abigail's help, Pierre meticulously arranged his stall.
Beyond flowers and decorations, he'd devised a bold plan: clear out stagnant Poké Ball stock with a "sale" price of 4,900G!
Now that Pelican Town had a Pokémon Center, a catching boom might erupt. Sell a few more, and all future profits would be pure gain.
He aggressively highlighted "4900" on his price list—ensuring no eye could miss it.
"How many do you think'll sell at this price?" Pierre asked Ron, who was securing posts with Geodude.
Ron glanced at the sign—and winced.
"…I think zero," he said flatly.
Pierre paused, then forced a smile. "Go ahead—be a little jealous. Reality will prove me right."
Ron rubbed his temples, already calculating how soon he could sail to Kalos… and return with wholesale Poké Balls.
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