"In the era of the Internet, why are you still waiting for customers to come through the door like an old-fashioned business?"
In the Pokémon House, Diancie was quietly and obediently watching cartoons, while Alex lay on the front seat, scrolling through his phone with a slight pout.
The video of Diancie dancing to "Bliss Pure Land" was as popular as he had expected, perhaps even more so.
After all, Diancie's charm is hard to resist for most people, especially when it's a Diancie that can perform such a captivating dance.
Creating videos for promotion is just a small tactic, but the popularity from the video was promising.
"I just wonder if those locals from Magic City will actually visit the store."
Alex mused to himself, but just as this thought crossed his mind...
Jingle~
The bell above the door rang with a crisp, sweet chime.
A customer had arrived!
Alex instantly stood up and looked toward the door. Sure enough, it swung open, and a young man wearing glasses and looking quite polite entered slowly.
"Welcome."
Alex patted his face, adopting his trademark professional smile to greet the visitor.
"Boss, you really have... Diancie here!"
The boy was Ethan, and he looked around curiously, his gaze quickly locking onto Diancie.
Hearing her name, Diancie turned and looked at Ethan with puzzled eyes.
"It's actually alive!"
Seeing Diancie move, Ethan couldn't contain his excitement. The video was real!
A living Diancie!
"Uh... sir, your words are a bit... unusual."
Alex's eyelid twitched slightly, as he replied with an embarrassed but polite smile.
"Sorry, I watched your video on the site, so I got a little excited seeing Diancie in person."
Ethan realized his blunder and touched his nose, a bit embarrassed.
"I understand. So, are you here to look at the pets we have?"
Alex didn't take it to heart. Ethan's reaction was proof enough of the impact Diancie had.
"Yes, I'd like to take a look, but boss, where are the pets?"
Ethan adjusted his glasses and looked around the store hesitantly. There were no visible pets.
This was his first time considering getting a pet, but only if what Alex had said in the video was true.
"Our store operates a bit differently from other pet stores. I believe that pets and humans are destined to meet."
"So, the type of pet you connect with depends on you."
Alex led Ethan to the lounge area and handed him the store's Pokédex.
"This is a Pokémon Pokédex. Please click to see what kind of partner you will draw."
Seeing Ethan's puzzled look, Alex explained with a smile.
"Alright, I'll give it a try."
Ethan, intrigued by the idea, decided to give it a shot. He clicked 'Go' on the Pokédex.
Shadows flashed across the Pokédex, and Ethan focused intently on them.
He was eager to see if the "magical" pets Alex mentioned were as amazing as Diancie.
The shadows gradually became clearer.
"Boss, is this it?"
Seeing the image on the Pokédex, Ethan was initially stunned, then his eyes lit up. He showed the Pokédex to Alex.
"It seems your luck is quite good, sir."
Alex raised an eyebrow. The image was of Vulpix, the normal form—not the Alolan variant.
While the regular Vulpix isn't as strikingly white as the Alolan Vulpix, it is certainly a very cute little fox.
"Boss, is this real?"
The more Ethan looked at the image, the more he liked it, and he asked Alex eagerly.
A little fox!
There are many fox pets in the world, but the one in the image had multiple tails!
"Of course it is. Please wait a moment," Alex replied with a smile.
He then stepped into a back room to extract Vulpix from the system. After all, what would be magical about it otherwise?
"Sir, this is the Vulpix you drew. What do you think?"
A minute later, Alex returned, followed by a small fox with six fluffy tails.
Ethan's eyes brightened as he gazed at Vulpix.
The creature was small, with reddish-brown fur, large brown eyes, big pointed ears, a small black nose, and six curved orange tails.
"There are foxes with six tails in the world?"
Ethan marveled at the cute and soft little fox, the affection in his eyes nearly spilling over.
"Vulpix?"
Vulpix tilted its head slightly, looking at Ethan with its brown eyes full of curiosity.
"When Vulpix is born, it has only a white tail. As it grows, the tail becomes more beautiful and divides."
Alex explained to Ethan, providing insight into Vulpix's characteristics.
"But it's still very small."
"Yes, this Vulpix is still in its infancy," Alex nodded.
"Will it grow more tails in the future?" Ethan asked curiously.
"Are you wondering if Vulpix will become a Ninetales?"
Alex replied with a knowing smile, easily guessing Ethan's thoughts.
After all, in various mythologies, the nine-tailed fox is a famous figure.
"I can assure you that Vulpix can evolve into Ninetales, but it requires a special method. However, it's still young, and today isn't suitable for that transformation."
Alex explained, knowing that Vulpix needs a Fire Stone to evolve into Ninetales, but it's not the right time for this young Vulpix.
"Can I hold it?"
Ethan didn't press further, understanding that Alex, as the store manager, would have authoritative knowledge about Vulpix.
And the prospect of eventually having a Ninetales was thrilling enough. Now, he just wanted to get closer to Vulpix.
"Of course, Vulpix has a gentle temperament," Alex smiled.
Ethan crouched down slightly. Vulpix, still curious, didn't sense any malice from him and didn't back away.
"So soft and comfortable!"
Ethan carefully reached out, gently touching the soft fur on Vulpix's head.
As he stroked Vulpix's little head, Ethan's eyes almost turned into hearts, especially as Vulpix closed its eyes in contentment.
Oh my, this little fox is truly enchanting!