It was a rare sight—a day without any missions, store openings, or Pokémon-related events. For Hiroshi, today was his day off, something he hadn't experienced since arriving in Teyvat. He had decided that he would spend it exploring Mondstadt, not as a shopkeeper or a Pokémon advocate, but just as an ordinary citizen of this lively city. And what better way to start his day than with breakfast at Good Hunter?
Hiroshi walked through the bustling plaza, the smell of freshly baked bread and cooked dishes drifting through the air. Beside him was Zekrom, who, instead of hovering menacingly as usual, had shrunk to a much smaller, less intimidating size. It had taken on a form similar in size to a child, which made it much easier to walk through the crowded streets without drawing too many stares—though it still drew a few curious glances.
"Mondstadt certainly feels different when I'm not behind the counter," Hiroshi mused aloud, his eyes scanning the bustling streets. Children were running about, laughing as they chased each other, while merchants called out to advertise their wares.
Zekrom glanced down at him, its eyes glinting with faint amusement. "I must admit, it is unusual to see you without stacks of Poké Balls and promotional posters," it said, its deep voice still resonant despite its smaller size.
Hiroshi chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Even I need a break sometimes. Besides, I've been curious about how people here spend their days. I figured today could be a learning experience."
---
As they approached Good Hunter, Hiroshi noticed that the terrace was already bustling. He saw Amber seated at one of the tables, Swablu perched comfortably on her head as usual, and Noelle, who seemed to be busy serving plates to customers while her Geodude helped carry an extra tray.
"Hiroshi! Over here!" Amber called out, waving energetically as she spotted him. Swablu echoed her excitement with a cheerful chirp.
Hiroshi smiled, making his way over to their table. "Morning, Amber. Decided to grab some breakfast here too?"
Amber nodded, patting Swablu affectionately. "Yep! Good Hunter's berry pancakes are the best! You and Zekrom should definitely try them. Right, Swablu?"
"Swablu!" Swablu chirped, fluffing up its feathers as if to emphasize the point.
Hiroshi chuckled, taking a seat across from Amber. "Alright then, berry pancakes it is. What do you think, Zekrom?"
Zekrom looked skeptical for a moment before nodding slightly. "I suppose it could be an interesting experience," it said, though its tone suggested it wasn't particularly excited about berry-flavored food.
Noelle soon came over to take their order, her face lighting up when she saw Hiroshi. "Hiroshi! I didn't expect to see you here today. Usually, you're always so busy at the shop."
Hiroshi smiled, nodding. "Yeah, I thought I'd take a break for once. How about you, Noelle? Busy day?"
Noelle glanced at Geodude, who was balancing a tray of glasses. "It's always busy in the morning, but with Geodude helping me, it's a lot easier," she said, her voice filled with appreciation. Geodude grinned, flexing its rocky arms proudly.
---
While they waited for their food, Hiroshi and Amber chatted, discussing the latest happenings in Mondstadt and the progress of Pokémon training. Hiroshi was pleased to hear how well everyone was bonding with their partners, and he even shared a few funny stories from the Pokémon shop—like the time Klee accidentally set off one of the displays while trying to introduce Voltorb to a stuffed Charmander toy.
"Oh no! Poor Klee!" Amber laughed, imagining the chaos. "That must have been quite a scene."
Hiroshi grinned. "It was. Luckily, nothing was seriously damaged, but I think Voltorb and Klee learned a valuable lesson about impulse control that day."
Zekrom, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "Mondstadt has embraced Pokémon rather well. The people here are learning quickly how to build strong bonds. You should be proud of that, Hiroshi."
Hiroshi looked at Zekrom, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, I am. It's amazing to see how far everyone has come. And it's not just about training or battling—it's about creating a community."
Their conversation was interrupted as Noelle returned with their plates, placing a large stack of berry pancakes in front of Hiroshi and a smaller plate for Zekrom. Hiroshi's eyes widened slightly as he looked at the generous serving, and he couldn't help but smile. "Wow, Noelle, you've outdone yourself."
Noelle blushed slightly, shaking her head. "It's nothing, really. I just want to make sure everyone is well-fed and happy. Enjoy your meal, Hiroshi."
---
As they ate, Hiroshi couldn't help but relax. It was nice to sit back, enjoy good food, and chat with friends without the pressures of his mission looming over him. Zekrom, to his surprise, seemed to enjoy the pancakes—though it tried to maintain its stoic demeanor as it ate, not wanting to admit that the sweet flavor was to its liking.
After breakfast, Amber suggested they take a walk around the city. Hiroshi agreed, curious to explore more of Mondstadt's daily life. They walked through the market, stopping at various stalls to check out the goods. One of the vendors, an older woman selling flowers, offered Amber a small bouquet of Cecilias, and Amber immediately offered one to Swablu, who chirped in delight.
"Here, Hiroshi. You should take one too," Amber said, handing him a bright blue Windwheel Aster.
Hiroshi blinked, taking the flower with a smile. "Thanks, Amber. I guess I'll have to find a place for it in the shop. Maybe it'll brighten things up a bit."
Zekrom watched the exchange, its eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "This city has a unique charm," it said quietly. "The people here... they value the small things. The connections they form, the simple joys of life."
Hiroshi nodded. "That's what makes it so special, Zekrom. I think that's why Pokémon fit in so well here. They add to that sense of connection."
---
Their next stop was the Knights of Favonius headquarters, where Jean was busy organizing some documents. She looked up, surprised to see Hiroshi and Amber walk in, Zekrom trailing behind them.
"Hiroshi! This is a pleasant surprise," Jean said, standing up and giving him a warm smile. "What brings you here today?"
Hiroshi shrugged, grinning. "Just taking a day off, exploring the city. Thought I'd drop by and see how things were going."
Jean glanced at the pile of documents on her desk, sighing slightly. "Well, it's as busy as ever, but we're managing. Litleo's been a great help, though. It keeps me company while I work."
As if on cue, Litleo peeked out from under Jean's desk, giving a small roar of greeting. Hiroshi smiled, kneeling down to give Litleo a pat on the head. "Glad to see you're keeping Jean company, Litleo."
Amber leaned over, her eyes sparkling. "Hey, Jean, why don't you take a break and join us for a bit? We're just wandering around, enjoying the day."
Jean hesitated, glancing at the paperwork before finally nodding. "I suppose a short break wouldn't hurt. Let me just finish this one thing, and I'll join you."
---
With Jean now part of the group, they made their way to Windrise, deciding that a bit of fresh air would do them all good. They found a spot under the massive tree, and Jean let out a sigh of relief as she sat down, Litleo curling up beside her.
"It's nice to get away from the desk for a while," Jean admitted, smiling. "Thank you for inviting me, Amber."
Amber grinned. "Of course! It's not every day we get Hiroshi out of the shop, so we have to make the most of it!"
Paimon, who had been floating around nearby, suddenly appeared, her eyes wide with excitement. "Hey! Paimon thinks we should play a game! Something fun!"
Hiroshi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A game, huh? What kind of game, Paimon?"
Paimon tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... how about hide-and-seek? But with Pokémon! They can help us hide or find each other!"
Jean laughed softly. "That actually sounds like a lot of fun. Litleo could use some exercise, and I think it would be good for all of us."
Amber nodded eagerly. "Alright, hide-and-seek it is! Let's split into teams! Hiroshi, you and Zekrom are with me and Swablu! Jean, you can team up with Paimon and Litleo!"
---
The rest of the afternoon was spent in laughter and excitement as they played hide-and-seek around Windrise. Zekrom, despite its usual stoic demeanor, seemed to get into the spirit of the game, using its abilities to help Hiroshi and Amber find the best hiding spots. Litleo, with its keen sense of smell, managed to track them down more than once, much to Jean and Paimon's delight.
By the time the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, they were all exhausted but happy. They gathered under the tree once more, sharing stories of their hiding adventures and teasing each other about who was the best at hiding.
Hiroshi looked around at his friends, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. It wasn't often that he got to experience moments like this—simple, carefree, filled with laughter and camaraderie. It reminded him of why he was so determined to succeed in his mission. It wasn't just about Pokémon or fulfilling the requirements of the [Pokémon Popularization System]. It was about creating moments like this—moments that brought people together, that forged bonds and created lasting memories.
Zekrom, sensing Hiroshi's thoughts, looked down at him, its voice gentle. "This is what you came here for, isn't it? To bring people together."
Hiroshi nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "Yeah. And I think we're just getting started."