The bright morning sun filtered through the high windows of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, illuminating the large hall where disputes were heard and resolved. Today was a particularly busy day for Yanfei, Liyue's well-known legal advisor. She sat at her desk, adjusting her legal cap, her eyes flicking over the stack of case files in front of her. Her new partner, Pichu, sat on the desk beside her, its big eyes watching her every move with curiosity.
Yanfei glanced at Pichu and smiled. "Okay, Pichu, today is going to be a big day for us. We have quite a few disputes to settle, and I'm counting on you to help keep things running smoothly. Think you can handle that?"
Pichu raised its tiny paw, chirping energetically in agreement. It hopped around the desk, its excitement palpable, and Yanfei couldn't help but laugh at her new partner's enthusiasm. She straightened a few papers, ready for the first case.
A crowd began to gather in the hall, each person with a different grievance or concern that needed Yanfei's expertise. The first case of the day was a property dispute between two merchants. Yanfei listened attentively as both parties voiced their complaints, her quill scribbling notes at lightning speed.
Pichu, however, was more interested in the quill itself. Its eyes sparkled as it watched the feather tip move back and forth, almost hypnotically. Without warning, Pichu reached out, grabbing the quill and giving it a playful tug.
"Pichu!" Yanfei exclaimed, trying not to laugh. She gently took the quill back, shaking her head. "You have to behave, okay? I need to concentrate."
The merchants paused, both of them watching with amused expressions. One of them, an older man with a thick mustache, chuckled. "Looks like even a legal advisor needs to handle some unexpected distractions."
Yanfei gave a good-natured sigh, her smile never wavering. "Yes, even in the courtroom, Pokémon have a way of bringing a bit of chaos—and a lot of joy." She gently patted Pichu's head before returning to her notes.
Pichu seemed to understand and hopped down onto the floor, exploring the area around Yanfei's desk while she worked. The little Pokémon sniffed at the base of the desk, its tiny ears perking up at every new sound. It wasn't long before it found something even more interesting—a small stack of case files that Yanfei hadn't gotten to yet.
Pichu approached the stack cautiously, poking at it with its tiny paw. As it did, one of the files slipped off the pile and fell to the floor, scattering papers everywhere.
Yanfei paused, glancing over at the sound. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw Pichu sitting in the middle of the scattered documents, looking up at her with an innocent expression.
"Oh, Pichu," Yanfei sighed, though her voice held a hint of laughter. She quickly got up, gathering the scattered papers. The two merchants couldn't help but chuckle at the scene, and the tension that had previously been in the room seemed to dissipate.
"It looks like Pichu is determined to keep things interesting," Yanfei said as she returned to her seat, her expression lighthearted. "Now, where were we? Ah, yes—let's continue discussing the property boundaries."
---
The morning continued with various cases, and Pichu gradually settled down, sitting contently on Yanfei's lap as she listened to each dispute. It seemed to sense when it needed to stay still, and its presence brought a surprising amount of calm to what could have been a very tense courtroom.
Yanfei was in the middle of a particularly challenging case—a disagreement over the inheritance of a family estate—when Pichu decided it was time for a nap. It curled up in her lap, its tiny body rising and falling with each gentle breath.
Yanfei smiled, her hand resting lightly on Pichu's back as she spoke. "To settle this matter, we need to ensure that all parties are treated fairly. Let's start by reviewing the documentation together." She spoke with confidence and clarity, her voice carrying a reassuring tone that seemed to ease the concerns of those involved.
Just as the discussion was moving towards a resolution, a soft crackling noise came from Yanfei's lap. She glanced down, her eyes widening slightly as she saw small sparks of electricity dancing around Pichu's cheeks. It appeared that, even in its sleep, Pichu's excitement had found a way to manifest.
The other participants in the room also noticed, and a few of them exchanged curious glances. Yanfei quickly cleared her throat, her expression a mix of amusement and mild concern. "It seems Pichu is having quite the dream. Let's make sure we finish up before it gets too... electrifying." She gave a small laugh, and the people around her joined in, the light-hearted moment helping to break the tension.
---
After a long morning of settling disputes, Yanfei finally had a break. She made her way outside, Pichu now fully awake and perched on her shoulder, its eyes wide as it took in the sights of Liyue Harbor. Yanfei stretched, her tired muscles protesting after hours of sitting, and took a deep breath of the fresh afternoon air.
"You did great today, Pichu," Yanfei said, her tone affectionate as she looked at her little partner. "Even with a few little mishaps here and there, I think you helped make things run smoother."
Pichu puffed out its chest proudly, letting out a cheerful "Pichu!" Yanfei laughed, giving it a gentle scratch behind the ears.
As they walked through the harbor, Yanfei spotted Chongyun sitting by a small food stall, his Duskull floating beside him. He seemed to be in the middle of contemplating something, his expression serious as he stared at the menu in front of him.
"Chongyun!" Yanfei called out, waving. "Taking a break too?"
Chongyun looked up, a faint smile crossing his face as he saw Yanfei. "Oh, Yanfei. Yes, I'm trying to decide what to eat. Duskull has been trying to help, but..." He glanced at Duskull, who was hovering near the menu, pointing at various items with its ghostly hand.
Yanfei chuckled as she approached. "Maybe Pichu can help too!" She looked at the menu, then at Pichu. "What do you think, Pichu? Any recommendations for Chongyun?"
Pichu tilted its head, looking at the menu before pointing excitedly at an item with its tiny paw. Chongyun leaned closer to see what it was pointing at and blinked. "Spicy tofu?" He gave Yanfei a hesitant look. "You know I can't handle anything spicy..."
Yanfei laughed, shaking her head. "Looks like Pichu still has a lot to learn about your tastes, Chongyun. How about something a bit milder?"
Chongyun nodded gratefully, and Duskull gave a reassuring pat on his shoulder, as if to say, "We've got this." After some more deliberation, they finally decided on a simple, mild soup that Chongyun could enjoy without risking his delicate constitution.
---
The group found a quiet spot to sit, enjoying their food while their Pokémon played nearby. Pichu and Duskull seemed to get along well, with Pichu playfully running in circles around Duskull, who floated just out of reach, its ghostly form shimmering in the sunlight.
Chongyun watched them, his expression softening. "It's amazing how quickly Pokémon can bond with each other, even if they're so different."
Yanfei nodded in agreement. "It really is. Pichu's been a handful, but it's also brought so much joy to my day. I think that's what makes Pokémon so special—they find a way to brighten even the most mundane moments."
Chongyun smiled, glancing at Duskull. "Duskull has been a great partner for me too. It keeps me calm, even when things get a bit overwhelming."
As they finished their meal, a familiar voice called out from behind them. "Hey, you two!" Xingqiu approached, his Finneon swimming in a small bowl he carried. "I was just passing by and saw you here. Mind if I join?"
Yanfei waved him over, smiling. "Of course, Xingqiu. We were just talking about how our Pokémon have been making our days more interesting."
Xingqiu sat down, placing Finneon's bowl on the table. "Oh, absolutely. Finneon's been wonderful company, especially during all those long hours of studying. It's like having a friend who never gets tired of listening to me read aloud." He laughed, and Finneon splashed playfully in response.
The conversation continued, full of laughter and stories about their experiences with their Pokémon partners. It was a peaceful, light-hearted afternoon—one that reminded them all of the simple joys that came from the bonds they had formed with their Pokémon.
---
As the sun began to set over Liyue Harbor, the group stood up, ready to part ways. Yanfei looked at Pichu, who had dozed off again, this time nestled comfortably in her arms. She smiled, her heart feeling full. "Thank you for today, everyone. It's moments like these that make all the hard work worth it."
Chongyun nodded, his expression serene. "I agree. It's nice to take a break and just enjoy the moment."
Xingqiu adjusted the bowl in his hands, his smile warm. "Indeed. And with our Pokémon by our sides, every day feels like a new adventure."
With that, they all said their goodbyes, each heading off in different directions, their Pokémon partners by their sides. As Yanfei walked through the harbor, the lanterns beginning to light the way, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment. Pokémon had brought a new kind of magic to Liyue—a magic that was all about connection, laughter, and the promise of new beginnings.
And as she looked down at Pichu, its tiny body curled up in sleep, she knew that this was only the beginning of their journey together—a journey that she was eager to continue, one day at a time.