After arriving in Celadon City, Sam originally planned to go straight to the Pokémon Center to pick up the Pokémon for him by Professor Oak. However, after contacting Professor Oak, he learned that the Pokémon had not yet been delivered and that he would need to wait a while longer.
When he heard this, Sam felt a bit disappointed. After all, he had been waiting for a long time and had rushed to Celadon City without much rest. If he said he wasn't disappointed at all, that would be a lie.
That said, Sam was already an adult. Unlike a child, he wouldn't lose patience just because he had to wait a few days.
Since he had some free time, Sam didn't immediately challenge the Celadon Gym. Instead, he decided to take a short vacation and properly explore the city.
After all, now that he was in Celadon City, how could he not visit its most famous attraction?
—The Celadon Game Corner.
Sam got off the bus and felt a surge of excitement as he looked at the brightly lit building with its massive, eye-catching sign.
He hadn't played games since coming to this world. Now that he finally had the chance, he was determined to relive his old passion.
The first through third floors of the Celadon Game Corner were filled with arcade machines for regular players. The fourth floor and above housed casinos and luxury venues, accessible only to members.
Sam was only interested in the arcade machines. He had no interest in gambling or high-end lounges.
Besides, even if he were interested, they wouldn't let him in without money or a membership card anyway.
"Welcome!"
"Sir, how many coins would you like to exchange?"
As Sam approached the counter, he froze slightly when he saw the staff behind it.
He hadn't expected to run into Team Rocket's trio here.
Jessie and James, dressed in waiter uniforms, wore professional smiles with narrowed eyes, while Meowth squatted on the counter, posing like a lucky cat.
Apparently, Jessie and James didn't have very good memories. They failed to recognize Sam and treated him like any other customer.
That wasn't surprising. They had only met Sam once at the Pokémon Center in Viridian City, so it was perfectly normal that they didn't remember him.
"I'd like to exchange 1,000 Pokéyen worth of game coins," Sam said calmly.
After seeing the trio, Sam more or less guessed that the Celadon Game Corner was owned by Team Rocket.
But that had nothing to do with him. He was just here to play games. Who owned the place was irrelevant.
After taking the game coins handed over by James, Sam left immediately. He hadn't forgotten why he came in the first place—he had spotted a fighting game as soon as he entered, and now he couldn't wait to try it.
"Hey, Meowth, don't you think that guy just now looked familiar?" James asked suspiciously.
"Really? Maybe he's a regular here, meow!" Meowth replied casually.
"Meowth! James! What are you doing chatting? Get back to work! Do you want to exhaust me?" Jessie snapped.
"Coming, coming!"
Seeing Jessie get angry, James didn't dare slack off and hurried back to the counter.
…
"Young man, you've got some nerve, challenging me. Do you know who I am?"
A middle-aged man in his thirties sneered at Sam.
Fighting games required two players. After getting his coins, Sam found a machine and was just about to start a match when the man beside him spoke up.
"And who might you be?"
Since the man had already provoked him, Sam naturally responded.
The man had clearly been waiting for this moment. He suddenly stood up, struck what he thought was a cool pose, and declared loudly:
"Those who know me call me Hao of the Game Corner! My ID is Hitmonchan97—the undisputed king of this game!"
"Oh?"
Sam became interested. He had studied this fighting game quite a bit himself.
"What a coincidence," Sam said lightly. "I'm fairly confident too. Let me see just how strong this so-called 'Hao of the Game Corner' really is."
"Hah! I hope you don't cry when I beat you," Hao said with absolute confidence.
Two hours later—
"How is that possible?! How is that possible?! One more game—just one last game!"
Hao grabbed Sam's arm desperately, refusing to let him leave.
Sam sighed inwardly, feeling a bit disappointed.
He had thought Hao might actually be skilled, but after two full hours, the man hadn't managed to win even once.
Ah… life truly is lonely, like snow.
---------------Author---------------
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