Ch.173 Happiny, the Tiny Titan

Akira and Mai Zenin took off.

They'd arrived with a stir, but left with even more noise.

Mostly Mai—she was salty. "Tokyo High folks getting Pokémon, fine. Now Mechamaru's got one too? You can't leave me hanging!"

Akira shrugged. "I can."

"You're not Mechamaru, cooped up fifty meters underground, dodging people. Give you a Pokémon today, and tomorrow spies'd swarm you. Think I'd miss that? Even if they avoid me outright, you dodging hidden Sucker Punches?"

Mai clammed up.

She couldn't handle it—not unless she hit Special Grade like Akira or Tsukumo Yuki.

Still pissed, though.

Recalling Akira's promise—how Maki's edge was growing and he'd balance it—she kicked up a fuss.

Factoring in the bond boost between Pokémon and Trainer, Akira compromised: cloud-raising.

Online peeps cloud-raise cats and dogs—cloud-raising a Pokémon's fair game, right?

When the time's ripe—like you hitting Tokyo, me locking down the city, or cracking remote trading—you'd go from cloud to IRL.

Cloud pick: Porygon. Only it's 24/7 online, responsive to Mai.

What, too ugly? Tough luck—take it or leave it.

Mai whined.

"No way, no way, no way!"

"See ya."

Akira bolted.

Catch me? You'd need Maki's legs.

"Jerk, you're running?!"

That's the last thing Yoshikichi caught on his monitors.

The unfamiliar, cozy bickering made the loner teen squirm—and a bit jealous.

If—if—he could goof off and laugh with the girl he liked someday, how great would that be?

He'd pay any price for that dream, any—

His gaze dropped, skimming his broken body for the umpteenth time. The right hand was still a bear paw.

"Why hasn't it reverted?"

He tried neutralizing it with cursed energy. Nada.

"Don't tell me it's stuck like this."

Yoshikichi's lip twitched, but he rolled with it, tapping a nearby touchscreen with the paw.

"Call it a dry run for future fixes. Ignore the feel—it's surprisingly handy. Just the water-soaking's a hassle. Waterproof fabric an option?"

DUANG, DUANG. The pink blob plopped onto the paw, bouncing comfy-like.

Happiny's eyes slit into happy lines, chirping, "Puku~ Puku~"

"Almost forgot you, huh. Little guy, how should I treat you?"

Yoshikichi nudged Happiny's tuft with the paw's pads.

"Puku~" Happiny loved it, clinging tight with stubby arms.

He tried pulling back—Happiny's grip was unreal. No budge.

"Freshly hatched with this strength? Replacing sorcerers might actually work."

"Puku~" No chest to puff, so Happiny stuck out its belly, proud as hell.

Then, with a flex of those tiny arms—

Yoshikichi felt himself lift from the tub.

This 60cm shrimp was hoisting him.

Panicked, he yelled stop.

That move alone rivaled cursed reinforcement—average sorcerers wouldn't mess with it easy.

Good thing Happiny listened, and understood—halt on command.

"Little guy, what fuels you? Food?"

"Puku?" Happiny tilted its head, tuft swaying.

Yoshikichi waved his other hand. A puppet shuffled from the shadows, holding a snack bag, snipping it open with built-in scissors for easy grabs.

He munched one, then offered Happiny a piece.

Happiny's mouth popped open, chomp—eyes slitting again.

Yoshikichi knew that meant joy. "Like it? Have more."

"Puku~"

Happiny toddled over, climbed the puppet, and nabbed snacks—stuffing them not in its mouth, but its red belly pouch.

"No need for the pocket—plenty more over there, all yours," Yoshikichi chuckled.

"Puku?" Happiny blinked, hopped to the tub's edge, and handed him the pouch's stash. "Puku~ Puku~"

"For me? Thanks, little guy."

Yoshikichi scarfed it down. Besides his parents, first time another being fed him.

Then, the external comms beeped—a text.

Happiny Care Tips:

Loves eggs, dairy, big eater.

Clingy, loves caretaking.

Note: Obsessed with white, round stuff—egg-like things go in the pouch. Shares with faves. Prep toys accordingly.

"So that's Happiny's egg deal," Yoshikichi said, poking its belly.

Happiny thought he wanted more, passing two pieces. "Puku~ Puku~"

Not hungry, but he didn't refuse—downed 'em, muttering, "Likes… sharing, huh? Hang on, little guy."

Cursed energy shifted. A workbench across the room lit up.

Puppets buzzed under Yoshikichi's control—grabbing materials, cutting, polishing, teamwork on point.

Soon, a pearl-sheen alloy "stone egg" was born.

A puppet delivered it; Yoshikichi handed it to Happiny. "Your gift—like it?"

"Puku?"

Happiny's eyes locked on, handling it gingerly, tucking it into the pouch—perfect fit.

It flailed in glee.

"Puku~ Puku~ Puku~ Puku~"

"Easy to please, huh."

For mech-building Yoshikichi, crafting a stone egg was cake.

Happiny caressed it in the pouch, then offered it back. "Puku~"

He pushed it back in. "It's yours—no sharing needed."

Happiny settled, plopping by the tub, tuft brushing Yoshikichi's head idly.

He closed his eyes, calm like never before. "Fate… chemistry… not bad."

Behind them, screens blinked with alerts. Yoshikichi ignored 'em.

Even if it was the modern era's worst, most-wanted Curse User—Suguru Geto.