"I brought lunch," Mira said, waving a small lunchbox as she walked over to Kai.
"You're a savior, Mira," Kai flashed her a joyous smile. He preferred Mira's home-cooked food over outside junk.
As they sat on a bench at the sports center, Kai eagerly opened the lunchbox she had brought. It was filled with rice, shelled shrimp, sliced stewed beef, and blanched cauliflower, all neatly arranged. The aroma alone made him drool.
In the next instant, he forgot all manners and began eating like it was the end of the world.
"It's delicious," Kai mumbled, his mouth stuffed with food.
Mira smiled softly, watching him devour the meal.
After finishing, Kai set the box down and patted his stomach. "Thanks, Mira. I'm full."
"You're welcome," Mira replied, noticing a grain of rice on Kai's mouth. Without thinking, she reached out, plucked it off, and ate it herself.
Kai: "…"
"What's wrong?" Mira asked, confused by his stunned expression. Realizing what she'd just done, her face turned bright red. "N-n-no... I just didn't want to waste it!" she stammered. "I wasn't trying to... kiss you indirectly!"
"Calm down, Mira. I haven't even said anything yet," Kai sighed.
Mira kept her gaze fixed on the ground, her face flushed all the way to her ears. After a while, when she finally calmed down, Kai shook his head with a chuckle.
Noticing that Charmander had also finished eating, Kai stood up and turned to Mira. "Are you going back now, or will you stay here and wait while I train a bit more?"
Mira thought for a moment before answering, "I'll wait. It'll be more convenient to leave together." She glanced at her watch. "It's less than two hours until three. Shouldn't you rest a bit?"
Kai smiled. "I'm not tired yet."
"Alright then," Mira replied.
Time flew by, and by 3 PM, Kai and Charmander had completed their training.
Initially, Mira was confused as to why Kai was training Charmander in melee combat when ranged attacks seemed to be his forte. However, after witnessing Charmander's destructively powerful physical attacks, her doubts vanished. Watching Charmander in battle was like watching a berserker in a game, yet his stats screamed 'mage.'
"Which shopping center are we going to?" Kai asked as they walked out of the training room together.
"Let's go to the one closest to here. I just need to buy some ingredients to stock up," Mira said, before glancing at her chest. "Oh, I also need to buy…"
"Undergarments?" Kai asked nonchalantly. "Is it really okay for a guy to tag along?"
"It's not undergarments! I was just thinking about what to buy!" Mira quickly covered her chest and took a step back.
"Come on, Mira, there's no need to be embarrassed," Kai teased. "Did you forget? We used to bathe together."
"That was when we were toddlers, idiot!" Mira shouted, even more embarrassed.
Kai just laughed and shook his head.
It didn't take long before they reached the mall. Mira had said they were only going to buy ingredients and seasonings, but they ended up with two large bags full of items.
As they casually strolled off to the fourth floor of the shopping center, which featured Pokémon supplies, Kai spotted something that caught his interest.
"Excuse me, could you take down that device for me to have a look?" he asked the store clerk, pointing to an item on the wall.
"Sure," the clerk replied, taking down the device and handing it to Kai.
It was a metal vest connected by springs. When worn by a Pokémon, the weight and tension from the springs would make it harder for the Pokémon to move freely. It was called a Training Vest.
The device could enhance a Pokémon's burst power, speed, and strength, but it was clear most Pokémon wouldn't enjoy wearing something so restrictive.
Kai pondered whether he should get one for Charmander.
Having the bloodline of a powerful Pokémon like Salamence, Charmander needed various outlets to channel his destructive impulses. The resistance from the vest might help him dissipate that energy more efficiently.
"Can this be used for newly-hatched Pokémon?" Kai asked the clerk.
The clerk smiled. "The vest's restriction can be adjusted to five levels. For a young Pokémon, level one would be suitable."
"Are you going to buy it?" Mira asked, looking at the vest curiously, wondering if it would suit her Rowlet.
Kai took out a Poké Ball. "I'll ask Charmander first. If he's okay with it, I'll buy it."
In a flash of white light, Charmander appeared.
"Charmander, this device can enhance training efficiency, but it might feel uncomfortable. Do you want to try it?" Kai crouched down to Charmander's level, holding the Training Vest.
Upon hearing "enhance efficiency," Charmander seemed intrigued. He sniffed at the vest and nodded. "Gah!"
"I won't force you. Try it first, and if it doesn't work out, we'll stop," Kai assured him.
With the clerk's help, they adjusted the vest to fit Charmander. Once secured, Charmander felt the weight and resistance from the vest. After a few unsteady steps, he found it hard to move and eventually sat down.
"Is he okay?" Mira whispered to Kai.
The clerk also shook his head, unsure.
"It seems a bit too strenuous," Kai was about to suggest removing the vest when he saw Charmander trying to stand up, growling with determination.
Step by step, Charmander moved forward, stubbornly pushing through the resistance, leaving both Mira and the clerk stunned.