Chapter 24 - ch24

"It's a good day again, and I hope to have good business today as well."

After a good night's sleep, Alex opened the store door and felt the morning sun warm and comforting on his skin.

As he was about to light a cigarette, Alex noticed two people approaching from a distance.

"Yo~ Mr. Ryan, good morning," Alex greeted with a smile, recognizing one of them as Ryan.

Ryan, smiling back, replied, "Good morning, boss. But your store opens a bit late."

Alex chuckled awkwardly, "Ahaha~ Sorry, I was a bit late last night."

"This is my cousin Jack. He wants to buy a pet from you today," Ryan said, introducing Jack to Alex. With his cousin's support, Ryan was excited to get another Pokémon.

"Good day, boss," Jack greeted.

"Hello, since you're here, let's head inside," Alex said, shaking hands with Jack. Despite his casual clothes, Jack's calm and confident demeanor suggested he wasn't an ordinary person—a potential client.

The three of them entered the store. Jack glanced around briefly before his eyes settled on Diancie at the front desk.

"It's beautiful," Jack remarked, admiring the elegant creature he'd never seen before.

Unfortunately, Ryan had mentioned that Diancie was Alex's Pokémon, but Jack wasn't too concerned. He was eager to see what he could draw for himself.

"So, Mr. Chen, are you ready to draw?" Alex asked.

"I'll let Ryan go first," Jack said, wanting to see how the process worked.

"I washed my hands on purpose today, so I'm going to get something great!" Ryan declared, taking the Pokédex from Alex and wiping it on his pants, causing Jack to raise an eyebrow.

Alex just smiled; the Pokémon draw was random—superstitions wouldn't change the outcome.

"Go!" Ryan exclaimed, tapping the screen and watching the shadows of Pokémon silhouettes flash by.

Jack watched with interest as the shadows varied in size and shape, indicating a wide variety of possibilities.

The silhouettes gradually slowed until they stopped on one.

"Boss, what's this?" Ryan asked, surprised by what he saw on the Pokédex.

"Huh? That's Fennekin," Alex replied, momentarily stunned. Another fox!

"A fire-type fox?"

"Guest, you're being funny. Since it's called Fennekin, of course it's a fire-type fox."

"Ah, well..." Ryan stared at the Pokédex in disbelief.

This wasn't what he expected! Why did he get another fox?

And didn't Fennekin's type overlap with his Vulpix?

Yet, looking at the big-eared yellow fox on the screen, it was undeniably cute...

"Boss, I'll take it," Ryan finally decided.

A fox is a fox, and he liked them.

"OK, just a moment."

Alex nodded and went to the back room.

"You'll have company now, Vulpix."

"Woo~"

Ryan gently rubbed Vulpix's head and said affectionately.

Vulpix blinked and whimpered softly.

"Tsk tsk~ Well, cousin, raising two foxes," Jack teased, admiring Ryan's luck. Drawing two foxes in a row—what were the odds?

"Foxes are great, especially since they're cute."

Ryan couldn't help but feel a bit helpless but remained firm in his choice.

Jack shrugged, but from the pictures, Fennekin seemed pretty appealing.

"Fennekin is here."

Hearing Alex's voice, Ryan and Jack turned to look.

Behind Alex was a petite, adorable big-eared fox looking up curiously, following Alex step by step.

"So cute!"

Ryan's eyes lit up.

With a mostly yellow coat, ruby-like red-orange eyes, large ears, and a fluffy tail with red fur, it was irresistibly cute and innocent-looking.

'Drip~ Fennekin, Fire Type, Fox Pokémon

Ability: Blaze

Moves: Scratch, Tail Whip, Ember

Carries twigs to snack on and intimidates rivals with heat from its ears.'

Ryan checked Fennekin's profile on the Pokédex—a fox that eats twigs? Hmm...

Energy cubes would definitely be a staple in its diet!

"Mr. Ryan, your luck is actually quite good. Fennekin is a very intelligent Pokémon with great potential. With proper care, it could become one of your main Pokémon."

Alex smiled at Ryan, knowing that Fennekin was one of the starter Pokémon from the Kalos region.

The starter Pokémon were never a bad choice.

"Fennekin, this will be your Trainer. Be a good Pokémon for him."

Alex bent down, gently patting Fennekin's soft fur.

"Woo~" Fennekin hummed softly, its big, clear eyes curiously staring at Ryan.

"Nice to meet you, Fennekin."

Those eyes were beautiful!

Ryan approached Fennekin cautiously, speaking warmly.

Fennekin's appearance rivaled Vulpix, even surpassing it in cuteness.

Vulpix sniffed Fennekin curiously, wagging its nose inquisitively.

Jack watched the two Pokémon with envy!

"Looks like Mr. Ryan is very pleased. Fennekin will be 27,350 $. Will you be paying with a card or cash?"

Seeing Ryan's delight, Alex inquired.

"I'll pay by card, but with mine," Jack interjected before Ryan could respond. "Boss, can I try drawing now?"

"Of course, Mr. Chen, let's see which cutie you can win," Alex replied, handing the Pokédex back to Ryan and offering another to Jack.

"Whew~"

Taking the Pokédex, Jack exhaled, feeling a touch of nervousness.

He hadn't felt this way since starting his business after school.

Gently tapping the "go" button on the Pokédex, Jack watched the spinning silhouettes intently.

The two little foxes seemed to get along well. Ryan moved closer to Jack, curious about what his cousin might draw.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

The silhouettes slowed and finally stopped, revealing a green Pokémon.

"Hey? Is this a little dinosaur?" Jack exclaimed, intrigued by his find.