When they finally rolled the overflowing carts to the registers, Wise stepped up to pay for the mountain of party supplies—and Nicole's heavily disguised household goods.
Cedric stepped forward, holding the giant bag of spicy chips, his blue drinks, and a few premium snacks he had picked up for himself.
"I'll pay for these."
Wise looked back. "You sure? I said I was covering it."
"These aren't for the party," Cedric said calmly.
Before Wise could argue, Cedric retrieved the Black Card from his pocket and placed it on the counter with complete indifference.
Nicole stopped breathing for a fraction of a second.
Her green eyes fixed on the sleek, gold-edged card, fully aware of the sheer, staggering wealth it represented.
A calculating, starry-eyed gleam flashed in her eyes. She opened her mouth, ready to launch a barrage of highly motivated questions.
Wise immediately noticed and glared at her.
"Don't."
Nicole cleared her throat, forcing her face into a painfully neutral expression, and quickly looked away, whistling a suspiciously casual, off-key tune.
Cedric paid and slipped the card back into his pocket. He didn't say anything, but he had a feeling that conversation would return someday.
As they left the supermarket and continued through the mall, Cedric suddenly realized something was wrong.
Gible was being quiet. Too quiet.
Usually, the little dragon couldn't go ten seconds without snapping at a passing display, screeching at a hologram, or trying to chew on someone's shopping bag.
Yet now, he was trotting along with the unnerving discipline of a tiny saint who had suddenly discovered manners.
"Aw, look at him," Belle pointed out with a warm smile, glancing down.
"He's being so well-behaved now! Good boy, Gible!"
Normally, that kind of attention would have earned an ear-splitting chirp and a victory hop.
Instead, Gible kept his eyes locked straight ahead, a faint sheen of sweat betraying the effort it took to maintain that discipline. He merely offered a stiff, polite little nod.
A well-behaved Gible was never a good sign.
Cedric looked down. The little Pokémon was waddling innocently beside him, but his cheeks were suspiciously bulging.
Cedric stopped walking.
"Open your mouth."
Gible firmly shook his head, keeping his lips pressed tightly together.
"Mmph."
"Hahh."
Cedric didn't hesitate.
He knelt down, caught Gible's squishy face between his hands, and pried his jaws open. Then he reached inside and pulled out the exact same bright orange plastic fruit from earlier.
"Gyu..." Gible pouted heavily, looking entirely defeated as Cedric tossed the plastic orange into a nearby bin.
But the pout didn't last long, because a moment later, they arrived at the bakery.
Through the display glass, a beautifully glazed chocolate pastry sat under a warm spotlight.
Gible instantly forgot the plastic orange ever existed. He planted his entire face against the display glass hard enough to leave a dusty imprint.
"Gible!"
"You want that?"
"Gii!"
Cedric nodded.
"Alright."
He walked inside and emerged a minute later with a small, neatly tied pastry box.
Belle was waiting near the entrance, watching the scene with a soft smile.
"That one is for Gible?"
Cedric nodded.
Belle smiled wider.
"And what about you?"
Cedric paused. He looked through the glass again. A row of dark chocolate bars sat neatly beside the register.
Belle wasn't asking whether he was hungry. She was asking if there was something he wanted.
Cedric stared at the chocolate for a little while. He remembered eating it before. He thought he had liked it.
"...Chocolate."
Belle blinked in surprise.
"Chocolate?"
"Yeah."
[There you go.]
Cedric was quiet for a moment.
'I think I like it.'
[I know.]
He bought the chocolate. The small warmth that settled in his chest felt oddly similar to the way Gible reacted whenever he found something he genuinely loved. It was a tiny thing, but it was his choice.
The shopping trip continued through the rest of Lumina Galleria, with the group wandering between the larger stores and smaller boutiques.
A little later, Cedric stopped outside a quiet boutique, his attention caught by a small, intricately designed mechanical pocket watch in the display window.
He stared at it through the polished glass for a moment.
Something about it caught his attention before he could even explain why. In a city where everything was saturated with neon holographic displays and digital timers, the antique craftsmanship felt strangely grounded.
"You want it?" Billy asked, leaning over the glass as his optics zoomed in with a soft, mechanical whirr. "Whoa, check out the detailing on those engravings!"
"Yeah," Cedric murmured softly.
Turning toward the entrance, he pushed open the heavy, brass-trimmed glass door and stepped inside, Billy following right behind him.
The chime of a small bell overhead announced their arrival, and the blaring noise, holographic chatter, and bustling chaos of Lumina Galleria were instantly cut off behind them.
The boutique felt like a quiet sanctuary carved out of the bustling city.
Warm amber lighting glowed against rich, polished mahogany shelves and glass showcases. The air carried the faint, dignified scent of aged leather and fine mechanical oil, accompanied by a subtle, ambient chorus of quiet ticking from antique clocks lining the walls.
Behind the dark wood counter, an elderly clerk in a crisp, conservative suit looked up, resting his hands politely atop the counter.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," the clerk greeted them with calm, practiced courtesy. "How may I assist you today?"
Cedric gestured slightly back toward the front window.
"The mechanical pocket watch in the display outside. May I see it?"
"Of course."
The elderly clerk offered an appreciative nod. He produced a small silver key from his pocket, stepped over to the interior panel of the window case, and carefully unlocked it.
With practiced, reverent care, he retrieved the timepiece and brought it back to the counter, setting it gently onto a plush, midnight-blue velvet tray.
"A discerning eye, young man," the elderly clerk murmured with practiced, respectful ease.
"That is an authentic, handcrafted piece from the heritage house of Lorex—a rare tribute to their classic pre-disaster 'Oyster Precision' line. Boasting an iconic fluted bezel and a hand-wound caliber forged from their proprietary surgical-grade steel, it stands as a timeless piece of pure mechanical horology, certified as a superlative chronometer."
Cedric picked it up. The metal casing felt cool and pleasantly solid against his palm.
At the top, the brand's iconic crown insignia was crisply engraved right above the miniature lettering: Lorex Geneve.
When he pressed the crown, the spring-loaded lid popped open with a crisp, clear chime, revealing an open-heart dial where tiny brass gears and a balance wheel spun in ceaseless, hypnotic rhythm.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
He listened. Amidst the artificial buzz of the outside world, that tiny, rhythmic pulse felt wonderfully real. It was steady, patient, and grounded.
A small, genuine smile slipped onto his face before he even noticed it was there.
"I like it."
Outside, Nicole had waited by the mountain of shopping bags for another minute, arms crossed and foot tapping with growing impatience.
Wondering what could possibly be taking them so long in a quiet antique shop, she finally let out an exasperated sigh and pushed through the heavy brass-trimmed doors.
The small overhead chime sounded a second time, cutting through the store's serene silence as she marched inside.
She made a straight line for the mahogany counter, fully intending to drag Billy out by his collar—only to pause when she saw Cedric cradling the open pocket watch in his hand, a rare, genuinely calm look on his face.
Curiosity briefly overcame her irritation, and she stepped closer to see what had caught his interest.
But as she leaned toward the counter, her eyes drifted down to the midnight-blue velvet tray and stopped dead on the pristine white price tag beside the display stand.
Her eyes widened in pure, unadulterated disbelief. She stared at the row of zeroes printed on the label, blinking several times as if suspecting an optical illusion, before slowly turning her gaze up to Cedric.
"Wait..." Nicole said, her voice dropping into stunned silence. "You're actually paying that much for a watch?"
She looked from the watch in his hand back to the tag, completely dumbfounded.
"It doesn't even have a digital display. Seriously, Cedric... how much money do you even have?"
Cedric didn't answer. He listened to the quiet ticking for one more second, feeling the gentle pulse against his fingertips.
Without a second thought, he handed the Black Card to the shopkeeper.
With practiced composure, the clerk took the sleek card in both hands and processed the transaction.
The register chimed softly.
Transaction approved.
The clerk returned the card with a polished, customary nod.
Without missing a beat, he retrieved an elegant, lacquered wooden presentation box lined with midnight-blue velvet, carefully setting the Lorex inside alongside a fine microfiber cloth before fastening the brass clasp.
"An exquisite acquisition, young sir," the clerk said smoothly, presenting the boxed timepiece with flawless professional courtesy.
"May it serve you faithfully."
Nicole just stood there with her mouth slightly open, staring at the receipt in sheer shock.
[And just like that, you broke her brain.]
Cedric took the watch, slipping it securely into his coat pocket where the faint ticking rested quietly against his chest.
'She'll be fine.'
[Nahh, she looks like she just saw a ghost made entirely of Denny.]
Cedric looked at the watch once more, listened to its quiet ticking, and gave a small, satisfied nod.
They wandered on. When they passed a pet-supply boutique, Belle slowed for a moment before quietly disappearing inside.
A minute later, she returned with a small collar fitted with a tiny silver bell.
"I got something."
She held it out to Cedric. The little bell chimed softly in her hand.
Cedric looked at it.
"For Gible?"
Belle nodded, not quite meeting his eyes.
"I thought it might suit him."
Cedric gently took it from her grasp.
"...Yeah."
Belle smiled, her expression softening.
"I think so too."
Gible immediately reached up, trying to snatch the shiny bell. Cedric smoothly lifted it out of reach.
"No."
"Gyu!"
Belle laughed softly.
"Fufu."
The little Pokémon tried again, jumping on his stubby legs. Cedric moved the collar higher.
"Later."
Gible huffed, crossing his arms stubbornly.
Neither of them commented on it, but something between them had shifted all the same.
Further along, they came across a brightly lit hobby and toy store tucked between two larger boutiques.
Inside, the place was packed from floor to ceiling with plush toys, puzzles, model kits, card games, and colorful boxes stacked in every available corner.
One entire wall was devoted to board games, ranging from simple party games to elaborate strategy sets with thick rulebooks and tiny wooden pieces.
Billy disappeared almost immediately.
"WHOA!"
A second later, he reappeared wearing a ridiculous novelty visor while carrying three different Starlight Knight collectibles under one arm.
Nicole looked up from a display of party card games.
"Put those back."
"But they're limited edition!"
"Exactly. That means they're expensive."
Across the aisle, Gible had waddled down a path between the shelves, only to find his way completely blocked by a massive stuffed bear slumping on the floor.
Gible stopped and tilted his head.
"Gyu."
The bear, being an inanimate pile of cotton and polyester, did not move.
Gible let out a soft, resigned huff. Accepting the inconvenience, he tried to squeeze politely past along the narrow edge of the shelf.
But the bear's plush, chubby belly squished right back, bouncing the little dragon right onto its rear.
Gible scrambled back up and dusted off his knees. He stood there for several long seconds, patiently waiting for the fluffy giant to realize he was blocking traffic and step aside.
But nothing happened. The bear just stared into the void with its soulless, glossy button eyes.
Seeing that common courtesy had failed, Gible narrowed his eyes. He stepped forward to initiate formal diplomatic negotiations.
Clearing his throat with a dignified little cough, he began gesturing with his stubby claws, pointing firmly toward the empty space beside the shelf.
"Gii. Gible. Gyu."
He was laying out a perfectly reasonable compromise. All the bear had to do was scoot two inches to the left.
But the bear continued to say absolutely nothing. It merely leaned forward a fraction under its own weight, its stitched-on smile looking suspiciously smug.
And that was the final straw.
Gible's patience snapped completely. He let out a furious growl and planted his feet wide on the floor.
"Gibleeeee."
His stubby little arms cocked back, and the claws on his hands suddenly began to glow with a sharp metallic sheen.
[Cedric! Grab it right now! It's about to use Metal Claw on the merchandise!]
'Crap.'
Cedric lunged forward, scooping the dragon off the floor just as his claws swung.
SWISH!!!
Gible thrashed wildly in his grip, snapping his jaws and unleashing a barrage of furious roars, squirming with the unmistakable energy of a child demanding to be let down so he could deal with the most offensive stuffed animal ever created.
"GYAAA! GYU-GII!"
"Stop it," Cedric grunted, struggling to hold the squirming, surprisingly powerful creature.
Seeing Cedric struggling with Gible, Ellen stepped over and stared down at the raging Pokémon.
Her eyes narrowed, her shark tail giving a single, sharp twitch, and a low, chillingly dangerous growl rumbled from her throat.
"...Manners."
Gible froze instantly.
The metallic glow vanished from his claws, his roars cut off mid-screech, and he immediately stood at rigid attention in Cedric's arms, giving a crisp, terrified salute.
Cedric blinked in sheer confusion. He looked from Gible to Ellen.
"...What was that?"
Ellen casually crossed her arms, the dry threat in her voice doing more than any lecture could have.
"I taught him some basic things while he was staying with me."
[FLASHBACK]
Back at the Victoria Housekeeping residence, Ellen was usually too lazy to care about minor mischief, completely ignoring the scuffed floors or table legs that Gible had gnawed on.
But Gible had committed the unforgivable sin: he had completely shredded her favorite sleeping pillow and clamped his razor-sharp teeth onto her sensitive shark tail while she was deep in a sacred nap.
But Ellen hadn't yelled, scolded, or laid a single finger on him.
She had simply put on a layer of sickeningly sweet, manufactured warmth, asking gently, "Are you really that hungry?"
Thinking he was about to score a free treat, Gible had perked up instantly, nodding with frantic enthusiasm and letting out an eager, cheerful chirp.
"Gib, Gible."
Without another word, Ellen had strolled calmly into the kitchen and returned holding a heaping spoonful of Rina's freshly made, bubbling, faintly glowing purple "comfort stew," feeding it straight into the dragon's expectant, wide-open mouth.
A single swallow had left Gible staring into the middle distance with the stunned expression of a creature who had just discovered a new definition of suffering.
"Manners," Ellen had muttered with terrifying lethargy. "Or next time, you finish the entire pot."
From that harrowing day on, the single word "Manners" was permanently seared into Gible's soul as pure, unadulterated terror.
[END OF FLASHBACK]
Anby, meanwhile, had already found the board-game section. She picked up a box and studied the back with the same seriousness she used when watching a movie.
"The rules appear straightforward."
"That is not exactly a selling point," Nicole muttered.
Cedric wandered toward the shelves beside her. At first, he only looked, letting his eyes move from one box to another without knowing what he was searching for.
Then one box caught his attention—a cooperative game with a sprawling illustrated map, small wooden tokens, and enough pieces to keep an entire table occupied.
He picked it up and turned it over in his hands.
"This one looks fun."
Belle leaned over to look at the cover.
"It is. I played something like it once."
Cedric nodded and placed it in the basket. He started to walk away, then glanced back at it once more.
A few steps later, he stopped in front of a brightly colored card game.
He picked up the box, looked at the picture on the front, then at the game already sitting in the basket.
"...And maybe this one."
Wise raised an eyebrow.
"You sure?"
Cedric looked down at the box. He hesitated, then gave a small nod.
"Yeah."
He carried it with him for another few steps before spotting a small puzzle set. He picked that up too, turning the little box over in his hands with quiet curiosity.
Nicole stared at him.
"Okay. Who are you, and what have you done with Cedric?"
The System sounded quietly amused.
[You're really starting to pick things on your own, huh?]
Cedric glanced down at the growing pile in his arms.
He looked at each box again, as though making sure he still wanted them.
He did.
"We can play them later."
Belle smiled.
"Yeah. We can."
A small plastic display near the register collapsed when Billy backed into it, sending a rain of bouncy balls across the floor.
"I got them!"
He caught one, missed another, and accidentally knocked over a second display.
Nicole stared at the mess.
"We are never coming here again."
Anby caught a rolling ball with one hand.
"That seems unlikely."
By the time they finally left the store, everyone was carrying something.
Cedric had a small stack of new games tucked securely under one arm, and for once, nobody had needed to convince him to take them.
As they left Lumina Galleria and started back toward Sixth Street, Billy spotted the flashing neon signs of the Godfinger Arcade.
"Arcade!"
Nicole sighed heavily, adjusting her bags.
"No."
"Arcade!"
"We still have shopping to do."
"Arcade!"
"Stop spamming a single word over and over. YOU'RE NOT A DAMN SEAGULL."
"ARCADE!!!"
Ellen looked at Cedric with a tired expression.
"He's not going to stop."
Cedric looked through the glass doors. Inside, the atmosphere was a chaotic bombardment of sensory inputs. Screens flashed in rapid succession, machines beeped in overlapping melodies, and the synthetic sounds of digital combat echoed off the walls.
Gible's eyes were already practically sparkling with anticipation.
"Gyu!"
Cedric let out a quiet sigh.
"Fine."
Billy immediately threw both fists in the air.
"Yes!!!"
Inside, Billy sprinted straight to a fighting game cabinet.
Gible waddled over to a racing machine nearby, climbed onto a plastic stool, and aggressively slapped the steering wheel.
Beep.
Nothing happened. It slapped another button.
BEEP! WINNER.
Billy froze mid-combo and stared.
"...Did he just win?"
Gible jumped up and down on the stool, his little silver bell jingling with every hop.
"Gible!"
Billy rushed over, his optics widening.
"Your pet is amazing!"
Anby stepped up to study the glowing screen calmly.
"It was probably a randomized demonstration mode."
Billy pointed a metallic finger at her.
"Do not ruin this for us, Anby."
Gible slammed another glowing button.
BEEP! WINNER.
Billy grabbed the sides of his head.
"Masaka!?."
Cedric tried to keep his expression flat. He really did. But the sheer absurdity of the android and the dragon screaming over an arcade racing game broke his defenses.
"Heh."
A short, genuine chuckle escaped him.
Billy spun around so fast his neck servos whined.
"Did you just laugh?"
Cedric instantly smoothed his features.
"No."
"I heard you! He laughed, right?!"
Belle covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking with quiet giggles.
"Fufu..."
Billy pointed triumphantly at Cedric.
"He laughed!"
[You did laugh.]
'Why are you helping him?'
[I'm just spitting facts.]
Cedric shook his head, looking away to hide his face.
"Whatever."
Through the Auras around him, Cedric caught the emotional atmosphere of the room.
Billy's pure elation and Belle's warm amusement came through clearly, even though the finer details of their presence remained beyond what he could properly make out.
…
…
…
Once they left the arcade, they headed straight back to Random Play.
By the time they returned to Random Play, evening had fully settled over Sixth Street.
The video store had been completely transformed. Belle was hanging the slightly crooked banner across the wall, while Wise efficiently arranged the table and Anby lined up the soda cans with absolute precision.
Billy had already connected a retro fighting game to the main television, aggressively testing the controllers. Nicole was inventorying the snacks, though Cedric highly suspected she had already stashed her "premium household party supplies" away in her own bag.
Ellen had taken the quietest seat on the sofa, keeping to herself, but she was still there.
Gible, meanwhile, had apparently forgotten that the word "quiet" existed. He chased a stray balloon across the room, crashed headfirst into a cardboard box, and sent a handful of party poppers spilling across the floor.
"Gii!"
Nicole shouted, desperately trying to shield a bowl of chips.
"MY CHIPS! GET BACK HERE!"
Gible grabbed a single chip in his mouth and bolted under the table.
"Hey!"
Cedric stood near the doorway, one of the new board games tucked under his arm.
He watched the absolute chaos unfolding around him. The decorations were crooked, people were bickering, and Gible was doing his best to make the entire room even messier.
Somehow, Cedric found himself smiling. He let his Aura Perception settle over the room, just enough to catch the Auras around him.
Their exact outlines were still difficult for him to distinguish, but the emotions carried through them were unmistakable.
Joy, amusement, comfort, and warmth spread through the room.
There was no pity in it, no relief that he was finally acting "normal." They were simply happy to have him there.
Cedric lowered his gaze. The feeling was still deeply unfamiliar. But it wasn't unpleasant at all.
Later, when the room had become quieter and the initial chaos had settled, Belle sat down beside him.
Her eyes drifted toward the stack of new games Cedric had placed on the table.
"That one really caught your attention, huh?"
She asked, amusement softening her voice.
Cedric looked at the games, then at her.
"Yeah."
"Fufu... I wasn't sure you'd be interested in board games."
Belle laughed gently.
Cedric turned his head.
"Why?"
Belle hesitated, her fingers tapping lightly against her soda can.
"You always seemed like you didn't care about much. Like you were just... passing through."
Cedric was silent.
She wasn't entirely wrong. For most of his life, he hadn't cared about much beyond getting through the next day.
Food was food. A room was a room. He had never really stopped to ask himself whether there was anything he wanted just because it made him happy.
Then, he looked around the room.
Gible was fast asleep against Billy's leg. Nicole was complaining about a video game mechanic. Anby watched the screen intently. Ellen relaxed in the corner. Wise was smiling from the kitchen. Belle was sitting right beside him.
Cedric looked down at his hands.
"...I didn't."
Belle waited.
"And now?"
Cedric thought about the question. He could have given a simple, evasive answer. Instead, he shook his head slightly.
"I don't know."
His eyes drifted back toward the warmth of the room.
"But I'm trying."
Belle's gaze softened into a truly genuine, bright smile.
"That's enough."
Cedric gave a slow, barely perceptible nod.
"Yeah."
Neither of them said anything for a while. The silence wasn't uncomfortable; it simply existed between them, steady and calm.
Eventually, Wise walked over and picked up one of the new board games from the table.
"Where does this go?"
Cedric pointed toward an empty spot on the display shelf.
"There."
Wise moved it.
"Here?"
"A little to the left."
She adjusted it.
"Now?"
"Yeah."
She placed the game neatly on the shelf beside the others.
Gible woke with a small yawn. He climbed off Billy's leg, waddled sleepily over to Cedric, and curled up against his leg. Cedric rested one hand gently on his head, and the Pokémon relaxed immediately.
Belle leaned back against the cushions.
"Did you have fun today?"
Cedric looked around.
He didn't need to focus on the Auras around him. The warmth of the room was already there in the quiet laughter and the gentle smiles.
The things he'd picked out were all small, ordinary things. A drink he wanted to try. Chocolate he thought he liked. The watch that he wanted. A few games he wanted to play with everyone.
None of them were important on their own. But they belonged to him, because he had chosen them.
Cedric looked back at Belle.
"...Yeah."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I did."
Belle's smile widened.
"Good."
A quiet stillness settled over the room.
Cedric knew his injuries still needed time to heal.
Aura was a vast, mysterious discipline he had barely begun to understand. His ability to perceive it was still developing, even if Emotion Aura allowed him to read the feelings carried through other people's Auras with unusual clarity.
Caduceus waited in his Inventory, an artifact whose true potential he had yet to test. And the Hollows were still out there.
There would be more fights, more questions, and more problems waiting for him once tonight was over.
The System's voice echoed softly in his mind.
[You're doing it again.]
'Maybe.'
[You don't have to figure out tomorrow tonight.]
Cedric was silent for a moment. Then he gave a subtle nod.
'...I know.'
The System didn't add anything else.
Cedric looked at Gible. Then at the people scattered around the warm, brightly lit room.
He hesitated. Only for a fraction of a second.
"Can we do this again?"
The room went completely still.
Billy paused his game. Nicole lowered the snack in her hand. Ellen looked up. Anby turned her head. Belle blinked in surprise.
Wise looked at Cedric.
Then she smiled, and the warmth in that expression seemed to reach all the way across the room.
"Of course."
"Gyu..."
Gible chirped softly in his sleep.
"Hell yeah!!!"
Billy shouted, throwing his arms up.
Nicole crossed her arms, trying unsuccessfully to hide her grin.
"Sure."
She paused.
"As long as I don't have to pay next time."
Wise slowly turned her head to look at her.
Nicole immediately looked away, whistling a terrible off-key tune.
"...That was a joke."
"Heh."
Cedric laughed.
A quiet, genuine sound escaped him, and this time he didn't try to hide it.
Somehow, that little laugh seemed to belong in the room as naturally as everything around it—the overlapping voices, the rustle of food wrappers, the movement of people cleaning up, and the city humming beyond the windows.
For most of his life, he had never really stopped to wonder what he liked. He had learned how to get through days. Wanting something just because it made him happy was something else entirely, and he was only beginning to understand it.
But tonight was different.
He was sitting there with people he cared about, Gible asleep against his leg and the stack of new games waiting for their first night on the table.
The food scattered across the table and the small things he had chosen today were little more than ordinary things, yet he found himself strangely glad that they were there.
For once, the future didn't feel like another obstacle he would have to endure. It felt like something he actually wanted to reach.