Despite Gengar's desperate attempts to keep Hayashi from leaving, he ultimately chose to go—he knew that if he softened now, he'd keep softening again and again, and before he knew it, he might end up staying here for months.
"Guh-geh..."
Gengar stood dejectedly at the mansion's entrance, blankly watching Hayashi wave as he walked away. In the end, she pulled out a handkerchief with a sigh and waved it at his retreating figure.
Alone again, huh?
Once Hayashi disappeared from view, Gengar raised her hands and closed the iron gate. Then, turning around, she flashed a smile at the familiar mansion.
"Guh-geh!"
What's the big deal about being alone? Haven't I lived by myself for over a hundred years? It's nothing! I'm used to it, used to it!
With that thought, Gengar covered her mouth with a giggle, then skipped cheerfully back into the mansion. Picking up the broom behind the door, she hummed a familiar tune and began her daily cleaning routine.
"Kekeke—"
I'm a hardworking Gengar, I love cleaning, la la la—
"Kekeke~~"
Not afraid of loneliness at all, I'm a strong Gengar—
"Kekeke!"
Don't need meals at all, I'm a thrifty Gengar—
Staring at the desolate, empty mansion, Gengar couldn't help but recall yesterday's scene when she was nestled in Hayashi's arms playing games—the four of them screaming and shouting together.
As the memories flooded her mind, Gengar's cleaning song trailed off.
She stood alone in the hallway, placed the broom in the corner, then sat dazedly on the floor, swinging her stubby little legs.
"Keke—"
So strange… Why does my heart feel so hollow? Is it because we didn't finish that game? Or because I'm still bitter about losing at Old Maid? Or maybe… because I'll never get to eat such delicious food again…
"Keke!"
No, no, no!! None of that!
"Keke."
I miss him.
"Keke…"
I feel lonely.
Gengar flopped weakly onto the floor, letting out a soft whimper.
If only I'd never known the light… Why give me a single night of warmth, only to take him away?
Knock knock knock—
Just as Gengar was wallowing in melancholy, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps at the entrance.
"Keke?"
Gengar bolted upright from the floor, eyes wide as she stared toward the door.
"Huff… huff…"
Hayashi leaned against a cabinet, catching his breath before shaking his head and flashing Gengar a dashing grin. "Hey, Gengar! Wanna come with me?"
"Keke!?"
Gengar froze for a second, then whoosh—sprang up from the floor, rubbed her pudgy belly with both hands, and launched herself at Hayashi.
"Keke!"
You should've said so earlier! I was sad for so long!
"Keke!"
Let's go, let's go! Together!
...
...
"You actually managed to lure Gengar out?"
Erina gave Hayashi a strange look as he rejoined the group, casually tossing a Poké Ball. "So you two just hit it off in one night?"
"Mhm—" Hayashi smugly raised an eyebrow. "Call it fate! You know, like finding the right person in a sea of faces, right, Gengar?"
"Keke—"
Gengar's voice emerged from Hayashi's shadow as the little purple puffball popped halfway out, waving enthusiastically at Erina and Hisako.
"Kekeke!"
Hi there! Now we can play together all the time!
Erina crouched down, smiling as she pinched Gengar's cheeks, then looked up at Hayashi. "What about the belongings of Gengar's former master? Wasn't she guarding them in that mansion?"
"That—" Hayashi scratched his cheek and said, "Gengar took me to see it. There was a metal box, an unsent letter, and some badges and such. After I took precautions against oxidation, I buried them in the backyard with Gengar."
Erina shook her head helplessly. "If you'd handled it like this earlier, Gengar wouldn't have had to be so scared, right?"
"Well, you can't say that," Hayashi replied, reaching out to Gengar. "If we'd done this sooner, Gengar wouldn't have met us, right?" Gengar giggled, high-fiving Hayashi before nodding happily.
"Wait a minute—"
At this point, Hisako looked at Hayashi in confusion. "A metal box, an unsent letter, and badges—that doesn't sound like anything valuable?"
This reminder made Erina realize—oh right! The reason that thief had targeted Gengar's former owner's belongings was because they were supposed to be valuable. But the things Hayashi mentioned just now didn't seem valuable at all?
"The valuable stuff is here—" Hayashi said, pulling two small glass orbs from his pocket. "This rainbow-colored one is a Key Stone, and this light purple one is Gengarite."
"A Key Stone and Mega Stone?"
Erina and Hisako leaned in curiously, examining the two orbs in Hayashi's palm. "What do they do?"
Hayashi explained, "The Trainer wears the Key Stone, and the Pokémon holds the corresponding Mega Stone. When their bond is strong enough, it allows the Pokémon to temporarily evolve into a more powerful Mega form."
Erina nodded in understanding. "So, doesn't that mean you hit the jackpot?"
Indeed, not only did he get a Gengar for free, but he also took over the Key Stone and Gengarite. It was like winning the lottery twice over.
"Well, not exactly—if I were a Trainer in this world, getting a Key Stone and Mega Stone to significantly boost Gengar's strength would be amazing. But my goal isn't to be a Trainer, so these things are just icing on the cake for me." Hayashi waved his hand dismissively. "Compared to the Key Stone and Mega Stone, what I value more is Gengar herself—meeting her and forming this bond is the real jackpot for me."
"G-Geehee—"
Gengar covered her face with both hands and wiggled happily. Oh my, her Trainer really knew how to say the sweetest things! Geez!
"Ugh, that's so cheesy!" Erina rubbed her arms. "Alright, alright, now that we've picked up Gengar, let's hurry up and head to Pewter City!"
"Right—" Hayashi nodded energetically, raising his fist. "Okay! Destination Pewter City, let's go!"
Charge forward—!
...
...
Despite the enthusiastic "Charge forward!" slogan, their journey was more about sightseeing than speed. After a leisurely day of travel, they still ended up having to camp for the night.
"Geehee—"
After Gengar finished the creamy stew, it let out a moved sound and then eagerly pulled out the chair for Erina with an utterly sycophantic demeanor.
"See, even Gengar has more conscience than you—" Erina shot Hayashi a sidelong glance and snorted. "Some people eat the dishes I make every day without a shred of gratitude, and on top of that, they even badmouth me."
This guy, his conscience is seriously big-big bad!
"You've got me all wrong. When have I ever badmouthed you?" Hayashi looked up innocently at Erina before him and said, "You're slandering me, slandering me!"
"Oh? Really not?"
"How would I dare! In my heart, I've only ever said good things about you, okay?" Hayashi protested loudly, raising his hands. "Like how young lady Erina's skin is so fair and tender, a flawless beauty from every angle! Or how young lady Erina's figure is so great, so full of charm at such a young age! Or how young lady Erina's legs have such perfect curves, elegant and rounded without losing—"
"STOP!"
Erina couldn't hold back anymore. Her face flushed red as she slammed the table. "Y-you—what are you even saying?! You, you—"
Now she couldn't even speak properly.
"I'm just telling the truth. If you don't believe me, ask Hisako, okay?" Hayashi turned to Hisako beside him. "Hisako, don't you think what I said is right? Isn't Erina both beautiful and adorable, flawless from every angle—"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Hisako nodded frantically, her expression fanatically fervent. "The young lady is the most perfect person in the world…"
The following was omitted—a ten-thousand-word-long string of praises.
'Hisako…'
Erina covered her forehead helplessly, then shot a glare at Hayashi, who was snickering. "I think I finally understand why your compatibility with Gengar is so high—the way you two grin is exactly the same."
"Eh? Really?"
Hayashi turned to look at Gengar beside him.
"Geng?" Really?
Gengar also looked at Hayashi curiously.
"Grin—"
The next moment, the two of them simultaneously broke into identical mischievous smirks.
"Completely identical—"
Erina shook her head and said irritably, "I feel like you two could Mega Evolve right now—why don't you give it a try?"
Hayashi seemed reluctant. "Eh? No way! What if it fails? That'd be so awkward—"
Gengar, however, looked eager. "Geng geng!"
Let's try it! Come on! I've never tried Mega Evolution before!
"You wanna try?" Hayashi looked at Gengar and sighed. "Well, if you really want to—but I'm warning you upfront, even if we fail, don't be upset! We've only just met—there'll be plenty of chances to bond later!"
"Geng!"
Gengar excitedly jumped up from the chair. Its plump body landed nimbly on the open space nearby, then it started shadowboxing with its fists, looking full of fighting spirit.
Let's go! I'm ready!
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan