The next morning, the streets outside had quieted down, and the bustling and lively Kabukicho once again fell into a brief rest.
The Alolan Muk and Garbodor from the Street Sanitation Department were organizing the Grimer and Trubbish to clean the streets.
Originally, they should have been natural enemies, but here they were unexpectedly harmonious, and because of good living conditions, they were surprisingly clean and left no odor when cleaning.
Hoshino woke up early, tidied himself, opened the main door for ventilation, and then went to make breakfast for the still-sleeping Gengar and Cyclizar; those two guys were more troublesome than the other.
One learned to float and kept flying around the room, seemingly tireless, while the other accompanied it, chasing it endlessly around the room…
Breakfast today was the same as yesterday. He planned to go to the commercial district to buy some groceries after school in the afternoon. Since he earned money yesterday, he naturally had to improve his living conditions.
Without places that required a lot of money, Hoshino actually didn't like saving much. This was a habit he had developed in the past. Since he wasn't considering marriage or buying a house, he didn't have a stable job and traveled around.
However, now that he had Pokémon, he knew he had to make some changes.
But in just two months, it was still difficult to completely change habits formed over more than twenty years, at least he was already making changes.
While waiting for the water to boil, he returned to the living room and glanced at the Sparkling Stone on the desk. He had left it there after studying it last night.
It was a pity, though, that he hadn't figured anything out. He had even asked Boss Slowking yesterday, who said he had seen it before, but it was just a strange stone…
"I still don't know how this thing can turn into a Z-Ring. I have no clue. Should I find someone to help me research it? I remember the Kahuna should have this technology…"
This thought appeared in Hoshino's mind, but it was quickly pushed aside. He didn't like cooperating with others; it was a personality issue, which was why he didn't have any human friends.
"Never mind, I'll take my time. Developing the Yorozuya is the key for me right now!"
After a while, after finishing breakfast, he rode Cyclizar to Smile Restaurant. Nai-chan had already returned, so it was good to say hello.
Gardevoir was still dressed in her usual high-slit cheongsam today. When she saw him come over, she thought he was there to help again.
After all, there wasn't much to breakfast; no matter how much you tried, you couldn't make it more elaborate. This was a Chinese restaurant, and the breakfast it sold was fixed.
So Hoshino had learned everything long ago. Later, it was more about getting to know and familiarizing himself with the ingredients of this world, which he had now basically mastered.
After that, he would come every day under the guise of helping, getting free breakfast. In reality, these tasks didn't require him, and Gardevoir knew it but didn't refuse.
"Gardevoir?"
Gardevoir looked at Gengar floating in mid-air, her lazy expression for the first time becoming alert. Her eyes watched it with surprise, and she liked it at first sight.
"This is Nai-chan. Say hello."
"Gengar~"
"Gardevoir~"
Gardevoir reached out and caught Gengar as it floated over. Even though she was long past the age of liking dolls, she still couldn't refuse cute things, let alone a little sister.
Seeing this scene, Hoshino and Cyclizar exchanged glances, feeling that their little one was unexpectedly popular.
…
After saying goodbye to Nai-chan, he took Gengar, who was carrying a pile of candies, and rode Cyclizar to school. The winter break was coming this weekend, so there would be a lot of free time, but he still had to attend school.
Unusually, when leaving the Wanderer District, he didn't encounter Meowth and the others. Those guys usually didn't show up for a few days when they were brewing something big, so he just needed to pay a little attention in the coming days.
They arrived at school unhurriedly just before 9 o'clock. After Hoshino got off, Cyclizar went off to play by itself, while he carried Gengar upstairs. He was usually the last one to arrive…
Inside the classroom, all students except him had already arrived. It wasn't time for class yet, so they were all noisy, chatting about various things.
Moon was already used to it and didn't bother with them. She turned around, rested her hand on the desk, and facing Lillie, who was reading, asked, "Winter break is almost here. Do you have any plans for the end of the year?"
"Hmm…"
Lillie looked up, lost in thought, and after a while, she responded with a smile, "Not sure yet. It will probably be the same as every year, going to the Malie Library to read and study. I can't go out into the wild."
Hearing this, Moon sighed softly, as if she knew the reason but didn't say it directly. Then she asked with a smile, "Do you want to come to my house for New Year's? My mom really likes you; she'll definitely be very happy to see you!"
Upon hearing her words and invitation, a desire to agree flashed across Lillie's face instantly, and her eyes seemed to hold a hint of envy, but in the end, she gently shook her head, "No, I still have to go home…"
"…"
Moon knew she was hiding something, but even as a friend, if the other person didn't volunteer the information, she couldn't directly ask. She could only comfort her from time to time, so she prepared to change the subject.
But just then, a surprised sound suddenly came from the class, especially from Mallow and the other girls.
Moon and Lillie instinctively looked over and saw Hoshino, still injured, slowly walking into the classroom doorway, holding a pink Gengar doll wearing a skirt.
The displeasure from over a month ago had long passed for them. They usually treated Hoshino like a passerby they wouldn't pay attention to, but now they couldn't help but pay attention.
"This guy finally…"
Moon simply couldn't understand it. A guy whose demeanor suggested he was not to be trifled with appeared holding a pink doll. The contrast was too strong, making her unsure where to even begin complaining.
However, Lillie's expression was different from hers. Her attention was completely focused on Gengar, and she murmured, "What a cute doll…"
Hoshino was still the same, continuing to ignore these people. Under everyone's gaze, he returned to his seat but didn't immediately start sleeping.
He now wanted to use his free time at school to train Gengar. He would learn by reading; the textbooks contained information on move learning. This world didn't have convenient things like TMs; everything had to be learned bit by bit.
The primary goals were Thunder Punch, Fire Punch, and Ice Punch, the three elemental punches. Then, Focus Punch, Drain Punch, and Mega Punch couldn't be left out either. With a combination of these punches, who could withstand it?
"It feels a bit like random training, but it would be a waste of such good talent not to punch. But I'll take it slow… Hmm?"
Hoshino reacted, only to find Lillie in the front row staring at Gengar, who was curiously observing its surroundings on the desk, looking like she wanted to touch it but didn't dare.
"What are you doing?"
Hearing the voice, Lillie came back to her senses and asked softly, with a slightly nervous expression, "Um… can I borrow this doll to hold?"
"…"
Hoshino silently glanced at her. He instinctively wanted to refuse, but then he suddenly remembered the scene of her at the claw machine store earlier. After hesitating for a moment, he agreed.
"You can, but don't bully it."
"Thank you!"
Lillie didn't seem to understand the meaning of that sentence. Then, under the envious gazes of the other classmates, she picked up Gengar.
However, as soon as she picked it up, she noticed something unusual and asked curiously, "This doll's skirt doesn't look like it came from a factory assembly line. Is it handmade?"
"I spent half a night making it myself."
"Your craftsmanship is amazing!"
"It's just average, don't flatter me. I know my own capabilities…"
Hoshino replied casually, but to Moon and the others, it was like witnessing an incredibly rare sight.
Normal conversation was one thing, but handmade doll skirts? What kind of skill was that? Did he possess such a talent?
Lillie's attention was still on the doll, and she kept smiling, clearly showing how much she liked it.
However, when she saw Gengar curiously blink its eyes because it was being touched, she suddenly froze, and quickly blinked her own eyes as well.
"Huh?"
"Gengar~"
Seeing this, Hoshino suddenly smiled proudly, "My Gengar is very cute, isn't it? Although it looks like a doll, it's a real Pokémon, so don't squeeze it too hard, or it will hit you."
"!!!"
Upon hearing that the doll was a real Gengar, Lillie's face instantly changed, and she bristled, showing a very unbelievable expression. Then her body suddenly stiffened as if petrified.
"???"
Hoshino was startled by this sudden situation. Moon and the other students, seeing what happened, anxiously shouted, "Lillie can't touch Pokémon!"
"Huh?"
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