Hayashi Kaede couldn’t help but shake his head as he watched Takagi gumi walk away confidently after receiving his advice.
All he’d said was that she should have Squirtle lift its head a little higher when using Tackle. She’d imdiately had a lightbulb mont, convinced that was the reason for her loss.
She took Squirtle off right away for focused training.
But still...
"How could the reason she lost be sothing as simple as bad Tackle form?"
"Snivy..."
Even Snivy seed unconvinced.
"Alright, let’s head to the city center. Want to go into your Poké Ball?"
Hayashi Kaede took out a Poké Ball and offered it.
"Snivy?" (Do I have to?)
Snivy glanced at the Poké Ball with a clear look of disdain. It had zero interest in staying cooped up in that cramped space.
"Okay, then how about I carry you? Or do you want to ride on my shoulder? Otherwise, you won’t be allowed on the bus."
Under Pokémon regulations, large Pokémon weren’t allowed on public transportation unless they were in direct physical contact with their Trainer.
"Snivy?"
Snivy eyed him skeptically.
"I’m serious."
Hayashi Kaede nodded with a straight face—though truthfully, he wouldn’t mind holding Snivy at all.
It was sumr, after all.
That cool, smooth skin felt amazing to the touch.
"Snivy..."
Snivy reluctantly gave a small nod.
—
At the Pokémon League branch in Aogiri City, Hayashi Kaede stepped out holding Snivy in his arms.
At first, the little Pokémon had insisted on riding on his shoulder.
But it soon realized that, because of its height, it stood out too much that way—especially on a crowded bus.
Feeling self-conscious, it eventually gave in and let Hayashi Kaede carry it.
And honestly... it wasn’t so bad.
It was warm and cozy, actually—though it would’ve been nicer if Hayashi Kaede’s hands didn’t keep fidgeting.
Snivy flushed at the thought, feeling awkward.
The certificate had been issued quickly. The receptionist was a pretty woman who even complinted Hayashi Kaede on becoming a mid-level Breeder at such a young age.
She also helped him get the license to open his own Breeding House.
"I should grab so basic supplies—bandages, Super Potions, and ingredients for energy cubes."
With that in mind, Hayashi Kaede made his way toward HappyMart, located just across from the League building.
HappyMart was the biggest League-affiliated departnt store in the city, selling both daily necessities and Pokémon goods.
But just as he reached the entrance, sothing caught his eye.
A massive banner was hanging at the front:
To beco a great Trainer, start with battle experience!
This sumr, HappyMart and the Pokémon League proudly present the Baby Cup—an exclusive tournant for new Trainers! Free entry for all participants!
Amazing prizes await!
Next to the banner was a big cartoon sticker of a Gardevoir blowing a kiss. Clearly, the event organizers knew how to attract kids’ attention.
Hayashi Kaede, however, wasn’t focused on that.
His eyes were locked on the prize list below:
First Prize: One starter Pokémon egg, a HappyMart shopping card worth 88,000 Poké Dollars, and a chance to play the mystery egg ga at HappyMart Headquarters.
Second Prize: A shopping card worth 88,000 Poké Dollars and a chance at the mystery egg ga.
Third Prize: A shopping card worth 88,000 Poké Dollars.
...Wasn’t that a bit too generous?
Hayashi Kaede narrowed his eyes and stared at the fine print.
The event was scheduled for July 15.
Eligibility: Only first-stage Pokémon may enter, and their strength must be below Superior rank.
The standard strength rankings below legendary Pokémon went sothing like this: Rookie, Normal, Superior, Gym, Overlord, Elite, Champion.
So "below Superior" ant only level 0 to 20 Pokémon could participate.
True, joining a tournant didn’t really line up with his long-term goal of becoming a Breeder...
But those prizes were awfully tempting.
"Snivy, what do you think?"
He turned to his Pokémon for input.
"Snivy?" (What’s this all about?)
"Snivy..." (I can’t read any of it... except the word ’Gardevoir.’)
"You agree too? Great, I’m signing up."
Hayashi Kaede grinned and walked straight into the store.
Snivy: ???
...You just said whatever you wanted, didn’t you?
—
Inside, Hayashi Kaede was surprised to see quite a few people already lined up to register.
Then it hit him—of course.
It was sumr break.
The preliminary Trainer exams had just finished, and this was the perfect ti for a tournant.
HappyMart was clearly taking advantage of that. Hosting the Baby Cup was a clever way to get new Trainers fired up about raising Pokémon.
Because raising Pokémon took resources.
And where do those resources co from?
Obviously, the supermarket.
With just a few flashy prizes, they could pull in tons of custors and boost sales.
Damn.
That’s actually a genius strategy.
Hayashi Kaede cursed inwardly—then imdiately decided to steal the idea for his own Breeding House in the future.
—
"Hey there, cutie. Is this your Pokémon? It’s adorable."
A young employee walked over with a friendly smile and complinted Snivy.
Hayashi Kaede agreed imdiately. "Yeah, Snivy’s super cute."
Hearing that, Snivy’s face turned slightly red, and its body stiffened a little.
"Are you here to sign up for the Baby Cup? What do you think of the tournant we’re hosting?"
She was clearly doing a little market research.
"I think it’s great. It gives new Trainers a chance to get hands-on experience and builds enthusiasm for raising Pokémon. Personally, I think the rewards could be even better. That way, I’ll be even happier when I take first place."
His blunt confidence made the employee pause. She was used to dealing with all types—but this boy was sothing else.
She burst into laughter. "Wow, you’re pretty confident! Are you from one of those Pokémon schools?"
"Nope. I’m a Breeder. Just training part-ti."
Hayashi Kaede flashed a brilliant smile.
"Uh... right."
Not quite sure how to respond, she smiled awkwardly, said a few polite words, then walked off.
Under her breath, she muttered:
"A newborn calf really doesn’t fear the tiger... Does he actually think he’ll win first place?"
She shook her head.
She knew sothing Hayashi Kaede didn’t.
The owner’s son was also participating in the Baby Cup.
And his Pokémon... was a Lapras.
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