The sun was beginning to rise over Mondstadt, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, and bathing the city in a gentle warmth. Hiroshi was standing in front of his newly opened shop, surveying the early morning bustle of Mondstadt's market. Today was special—he had a new mission from the [Pokémon Popularization System], and he knew it was going to be a long day.
Zekrom floated beside him, a faint blue glow surrounding its majestic form. "Are you ready for today, Hiroshi?" Zekrom asked, its voice filled with both excitement and humor.
Hiroshi nodded, smiling. "You bet I am. Today we're going to focus on introducing more people to the magic of Pokémon. But first... breakfast. I'm not starting my day without some Sweet Madame."
Zekrom let out a chuckle, the deep rumble almost vibrating the air around them. "Fair enough. Even the mighty need a hearty breakfast."
After a quick stop at Sara's Good Hunter stall to grab some breakfast, Hiroshi returned to the shop, a half-eaten Sweet Madame in his hand. As he opened the door, the bell chimed, and he saw a familiar face waiting inside.
"Lumine! Paimon! Good to see you two again," Hiroshi greeted them warmly.
Lumine turned, smiling at Hiroshi. "Hey, Hiroshi! We were just taking a look around. It seems like you've expanded a bit since the last time we were here."
Paimon floated around excitedly, pointing at the various Pokémon-themed items around the store—plushies, Pokédexes, Pokéballs, and even food for Pokémon. "It looks so cool! You've got so many new things. Paimon thinks Lumine should buy Paimon that plush Pikachu!"
Hiroshi laughed. "Well, you know, the [Pokémon Popularization System] has been keeping me busy. Mondstadt has taken a liking to Pokémon, and I wanted to give everyone a wider variety of products."
"It's amazing to see how fast things are growing," Lumine said, admiring the colorful decorations Hiroshi had put up around the shop.
As they chatted, the shop door opened again, the bell chiming to announce the new arrival. Jean, the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, stepped in with an air of purpose.
"Good morning, Hiroshi," Jean greeted, her tone polite but warm. Litleo, her new Pokémon partner, was trotting beside her. The little lion-like Pokémon looked around curiously, its fluffy tail swishing back and forth.
"Jean! Glad you could make it," Hiroshi said, nodding in greeting. "What brings you by today?"
Jean glanced at Litleo, then back at Hiroshi. "I've been meaning to learn more about Pokémon training. I thought it would be beneficial if I learned how to interact with Litleo more effectively—both for personal reasons and to help the citizens of Mondstadt who are starting to get their own Pokémon."
Hiroshi smiled. "Of course! I'd be happy to help you. Let's start with the basics. And since Lumine and Paimon are here, maybe they can help too?"
Lumine looked intrigued. "I'd love to help. I've been getting the hang of things with Pikachu, so I can share some tips." Pikachu, who had been resting on Lumine's shoulder, gave a cheerful "Pika!" in agreement.
Jean looked grateful, her usually stern face softening. "That would be wonderful. Litleo is energetic, but I want to make sure I'm guiding it properly."
Paimon floated over, inspecting Litleo. "Aww, Litleo is so cute! Look at its little mane! Paimon wants to pet it!"
Litleo sniffed Paimon curiously before giving a small roar that sounded more like a meow. Paimon squealed in delight. "It's like a big kitty!"
Zekrom, who had been hovering nearby, cleared its throat to get everyone's attention. "Perhaps we should start by having Jean and Litleo try a few simple exercises. Hiroshi, how about something basic, like getting Litleo to follow commands?"
Hiroshi nodded, motioning for Jean to step forward with Litleo. "Let's start with something easy—a basic sit command. Litleo seems eager to learn, so it'll be a good exercise to build trust and understanding."
Jean knelt down beside Litleo, meeting its eyes. "Alright, Litleo, let's try this. Sit!" she said, her voice firm yet encouraging.
Litleo blinked, tilting its head as if it didn't quite understand. Jean tried again, her expression softening. "Sit, Litleo. You can do it."
Lumine watched closely, then called out to Pikachu. "Pikachu, can you show Litleo how it's done? Sit!"
Pikachu immediately sat down, looking at Litleo with a proud expression. Litleo seemed to understand now and mimicked Pikachu, plopping its rear on the floor.
Jean's eyes lit up, and she smiled broadly. "Good job, Litleo!" She reached out and gave it a scratch behind the ears, which Litleo responded to by purring happily.
Paimon clapped her hands, floating around excitedly. "Yay! Litleo did it! Maybe Litleo can learn some tricks too, like Pikachu!"
Zekrom interjected, its tone amused. "One step at a time, Paimon. Every Pokémon learns at its own pace."
They spent the rest of the morning working on different commands and playing with Litleo. Jean was a quick learner, and her natural discipline helped her bond with Litleo as they worked through the exercises. Pikachu also helped by showing Litleo what to do, and soon enough, Litleo was following Jean's commands with enthusiasm.
After a while, Hiroshi suggested a break, and they all sat down at a table in the shop, enjoying some berry-flavored pastries Hiroshi had picked up earlier.
"Jean, you're doing great with Litleo," Lumine said, taking a bite of her pastry. "I think it really likes training with you."
Jean smiled, looking at Litleo, who was busy nibbling on a small piece of pastry. "Thank you, Lumine. I feel like we're starting to understand each other better. I can see why people are so fascinated by these creatures. They're more than just companions—they're partners."
Hiroshi nodded. "That's exactly it, Jean. Pokémon have a special way of forming bonds with their trainers. They can sense your emotions, your intentions, and they want to work with you as a team."
Paimon, her mouth full of pastry, added, "And they're super cute too! That's the most important part!"
Everyone laughed, and even Zekrom let out an amused rumble. "Yes, Paimon, cuteness does seem to play a big role for many people," Zekrom said, a playful glint in its eye.
Just as they were about to continue their conversation, the door to the shop opened once again. This time, it was Kaeya who strolled in, his usual smirk plastered on his face.
"Well, well, what do we have here? A gathering of Mondstadt's finest with some new friends," Kaeya said, his gaze flickering over the Pokémon in the room.
Jean straightened up, her expression becoming more composed. "Kaeya, what brings you here?"
Kaeya shrugged, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I heard rumors about this place, and I thought I'd drop by. Plus, I heard something about adorable creatures that can breathe fire or shoot electricity. Who could resist?"
Paimon floated over to Kaeya, her arms crossed. "You mean you came here to get a Pokémon, didn't you?!"
Kaeya chuckled, giving Paimon a wink. "You caught me, Paimon. I can't let everyone else have all the fun, now can I?"
Hiroshi smiled, getting up from his seat. "Well, Kaeya, you've come to the right place. Why don't we see which Pokémon would be the best fit for you?"
Kaeya looked intrigued, his eyes scanning the shelves of Pokéballs and Pokédexes. "I think I'd like something... unique. Something that matches my style. Any recommendations, Hiroshi?"
Hiroshi thought for a moment before nodding. "I have just the thing in mind. How about a Zorua? It's a Dark-type, and it has the ability to create illusions—perfect for someone like you, Kaeya."
Kaeya's eyes widened slightly, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "A Zorua, you say? Sounds like a match made in heaven. I'll take it."
Hiroshi retrieved a Pokéball from behind the counter and handed it to Kaeya. "Take good care of it, Kaeya. Zorua is a loyal partner, but it also has a mischievous streak. I think you two will get along just fine."
Kaeya took the Pokéball, examining it for a moment before nodding. "Thank you, Hiroshi. I'll make sure to treat Zorua well."
Jean smiled, her gaze softening. "It's good to see everyone in Mondstadt starting to bond with these creatures. I think they'll bring a lot of joy and strength to our city."
Lumine nodded in agreement. "It feels like a whole new chapter is beginning for Mondstadt. Pokémon have a way of bringing people together, and I think that's something we could all use."
As they wrapped up their conversation, the sun was now high in the sky, and the market square outside was bustling with activity. Hiroshi looked around at everyone gathered in his shop—Jean with Litleo, Kaeya with his new Zorua, Lumine and Paimon with Pikachu by their side—and felt a sense of fulfillment.
This was what the [Pokémon Popularization System] was all about. Bringing joy, building bonds, and creating a world where Pokémon and the people of Teyvat could coexist and grow together.
And Hiroshi knew that this was only the beginning. There were still many adventures to come, many more people to introduce to the wonders of Pokémon, and he couldn't wait to see where the journey would take them next.