"You're good to go for today, kid," Mr Wton called out.
Kyle turned back, a little puzzled. "Huh? But isn't it still a couple hours till close?"
He glanced at his watch to double-check. Yeah, the mail office should still be open. He'd been working this part-time gig long enough to know how things usually ran.
Mr Wton just waved it off. "Not much left to do. Barely any parcels came in today, and you've already sorted everything. No point making you hang around for nothing."
"Alright then," Kyle said with a small nod. He knew the old man wasn't the type to cut corners. He was just one of those rare folks who actually cared.
"Thanks," he added, heading to the back to grab his stuff.
As Kyle disappeared behind the swinging door, one of the younger staff muttered, "Kid's already got a grip on how the real world works. He's serious about the job too."
Another chimed in, "Top of his class too, right? Heard he's the best in his year."
"If my son turned out half as decent, I'd stop worrying," one guy sighed.
"Same here. Mine's obsessed with Pokémon battles. Thinks that's all there is to life. Can't even earn a single Poké yet, unlike Kyle," another added, shaking his head.
Mr Wton just scratched his chin as he stared at the door Kyle had gone through. "Ain't a bad thing. Means he understands what's at stake. What could happen if he slacks off."
Someone younger, probably one of the new hires, asked, "Does losing your parents really change someone that much?"
Mr Wton paused for a second. "Yes and no. Some kids grow up faster when they're alone. But not all orphans end up like Kyle. He's... different."
A guy in glasses leaning on the counter looked up. "Didn't you once say you thought about adopting him?"
Mr Wton gave a slow nod. "Yeah. I did."
"So why didn't you?" someone else asked.
"He turned me down."
That got a few surprised looks.
"Wait, really? Why would he say no?"
Mr Wton sighed, arms folding. "Said he's used to being on his own. Said having someone now, it'd just feel weird."
The room went quiet for a beat.
Then someone murmured, "Kid's tougher than he looks."
Mr Wton gave a quiet nod. "Yeah. Too damn tough for his age."
---
"At least I get to rest a bit more today," Kyle muttered as he walked down the street, watching Pokémon and their trainers pass by.
Most were local species: Beautifly, Dustox, Taillow, and the occasional Skitty trotting alongside their owners.
But then he spotted something that made him pause.
"Wait… is that a Goodra?" he muttered, eyes widening. "Didn't expect my first dragon-type in person to be that one."
The big gooey Pokémon lumbered along beside its trainer, drawing a lot of attention. Kyle felt the urge to go closer, maybe even touch it, but he stopped himself.
Not everyone's cool with that. He'd learned the hard way after trying to pet someone's Monferno once and getting properly scolded for it.
"Forget it. Let's go," he said, shaking his head and picking up his pace.
Eventually, he made it past the last few blocks and reached the city boundary, just a little ways before the actual outskirts.
That's where his home was.
Or... his new home.
When he turned 14, the orphanage couldn't legally keep him if he wanted to leave. And he did. Took back what little property he had from the administration. It was just a small house. Nothing fancy. But it had been inside the city.
Then about a year ago, some big shot decided to build a new hotel right where his house and a few others happened to be.
So, like always, a deal was offered. Money in exchange for the house.
Of course Kyle didn't reject it. Why would he? He was alone. No family. No one to back him up if he caused trouble. He wasn't stupid enough to go up against people with money and connections.
He knew disappearing quietly wouldn't be that hard if someone really wanted him gone.
So he just nodded, took the money, and left.
Now, he rented a small place on the edge of the city. Nothing fancy, but it was enough.
After finishing his bath, Kyle dried off, pulled on a loose T-shirt, and moved over to the bed. He grabbed a worn-out notebook from the side table and flipped it open.
"With the amount I have left… I can survive about four more years," he muttered, jotting it down. "That's only if I live alone and don't get sick."
He stared up at the ceiling fan, its slow, steady spin oddly hypnotic.
"I could try becoming a bounty hunter… but that needs a Pokémon. And maintaining one costs money with continuous risk of life."
He sighed and scribbled a few lines under the first one.
"Or… I just finish high school and try for a government job. Maybe something like a forest ranger."
His pen paused for a moment before continuing.
"Steady pay. Close to nature. And they even assign you a Pokémon partner after training."
Kyle clicked his pen shut, set the notebook aside, and leaned back with a sigh.
"But if I go that route… I'll be tied to a contract. Can't leave the job for years."
His eyes drifted toward the ceiling, then back down.
"Dad… what should I choose?"
Of course, no answer came. His dad was gone. Had been for years.
His gaze shifted to the photo on the side table. One of a younger him perched on his father's shoulders, both of them smiling under the sun.
A soft look crossed his face, but it didn't last. The warmth faded, replaced by something harder. Angrier.
"I dunno what I'm doing," he muttered, voice quieter now. "But whatever path I pick… I'm not forgetting what happened."
He stared at the photo a little longer, then rolled onto his side, facing the wall.
"I'll get the bastard who took you from me. One day. No matter what it takes."
***********
Suitable Character templates for pokemon