Wow, you say there are whales that can use Water Spout, and Lily White has actually seen them, but a turtle with that skill? Have you ever heard of that?
Well, Lily hadn't.
"That's amazing!"
Once she snapped back to reality, Lily looked at Squirtle with even more affection. Not only was it adorable, but it also had such a unique skill!
Although the water jet wasn't huge, it was magical enough.
"Squirtle~~"
Understanding Lily's admiration, Squirtle's big eyes squinted into slits, its chin raised slightly, and it let out a proud Growl.
There was a very human-like pride in its demeanor, which both Lily and Chris could easily detect.
"Wow, this is too clever!"
Lily's eyes sparkled with admiration, but she tried to remain composed. This turtle was full of personality!
"It seems you like it."
Seeing this, Chris smiled. After all, how could anyone resist a smart and cute Pokémon?
"Yes! I love it! I want this little turtle!"
Lily exclaimed with certainty.
Though she had initially come for a cat or dog, Lily was now sure that this turtle was her ideal pet! And she had drawn it herself from the Pokédex. It felt like destiny!
"Great, it's an honor to satisfy our customers. This Squirtle is of excellent quality."
"So the price is $200,000. Would you like to pay by card or another method?"
Chris's smile widened as he spoke to Lily.
"Of course, I'll use my card..."
Lily replied without hesitating, but then something clicked.
"Wait... how much did you just say?"
"The price is two hundred thousand."
Silence.
Lily stared at Chris with a stiff expression, and Chris blinked back.
After a moment, confirming she'd heard correctly, Lily patted her own face and took a deep breath.
"Are you serious about money? You're selling this water-loving turtle for $200,000?"
Lily pointed incredulously at the innocent-looking Squirtle in her arms.
"You dare to set such a price—doesn't your conscience ache?"
Lily wasn't short on cash; $200,000 was nothing to her. But still, she didn't want to be taken for a fool.
She had done her research before deciding to get a pet. A pet turtle being priced at $200,000 was outrageous!
"Miss, I must clarify that its name is Squirtle, not a 'water turtle.'"
"And do you really think $200,000 is expensive?"
Chris's smile remained steady as he asked Lily.
Lily paused, glancing at Squirtle, who gazed back with big, watery eyes.
"Squirtle is an intelligent creature, capable of understanding your words and emotions and responding accordingly."
Chris emphasized Squirtle's high IQ. Pokémon, especially legendary ones, were renowned for their intelligence, often rivaling that of humans.
"And believe me, this is already a special offer as a new customer at our newly opened store."
"Squirtle can be your daily companion and friend, and you'll discover more of its unique features over time—I assure you."
Chris spoke sincerely to Lily.
His mission was to introduce Pokémon to the world, and Chris was confident he could do it! People would soon discover the charm of these magical creatures.
Lily was conflicted. She adored Squirtle, and while she could afford it, she felt like she was being taken advantage of.
"Squirtle~"
The tender call resonated in Lily's ears. Looking into Squirtle's big, endearing eyes, she sighed.
Oh, what a dilemma~
"$200,000 it is, then. I'll use my card."
Lily pouted, reasoning that high-end pet dogs could cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands, and Squirtle was no less special. Why shouldn't it be worth $200,000?
Thinking this way, Lily felt a little more at ease. After all, she'd never heard of a turtle like Squirtle elsewhere.
She still cherished unique species!
Wait a minute!
"Hey, isn't this a protected species?" Lily quickly asked Chris.
It's not that protected species can't be kept, but if it was, she'd need proper certification for Squirtle.
"No, there's no need to worry."
Chris returned to the counter to prepare some items for Lily and responded with a smile.
Squirtle was making its debut in this world.
"And just so you know, Squirtle isn't an animal—it's a Pokémon."
After Lily completed her purchase, Chris handed her two small bags and explained.
"Pokémon?" Lily tilted her head in confusion.
She'd never heard of it, though the shop was named Pokémon House.
"Yes, and here are two boxes of energy cubes for your Pokémon. Water-type Pokémon love them."
"For now, Squirtle is still small, so these two boxes should last it about half a month."
Lily opened a bag, revealing two long wooden boxes. Energy cubes? Another unfamiliar term...
She opened one box to find it filled with small blue squares, taking one out to sniff it.
A pleasant fragrance wafted through her senses, and it felt as soft as jelly.
And Squirtle was eyeing the energy cube in Lily's hand.
"It's made from tree fruits. You might want to try it yourself—it tastes good," Chris suggested with a chuckle.
Curious, Lily placed the energy cube in her mouth, finding it deliciously sweet.
"Squirtle~" Squirtle almost drooled.
"Haha, here you go."
Lily laughed, grabbing a handful to offer Squirtle.
But despite its eagerness, Squirtle remained obedient, not jumping up to snatch them.
Watching Squirtle happily munch on the energy cubes, Lily couldn't help but smile warmly.
So adorable~