Pokémon: Helping Pokémon Pays Off [26]

"Hey, look over there—isn't that someone's Cyclizar?"

"Hmm?"

The other three looked in the direction Lillie pointed. After spotting the Cyclizar, Selene had Rowlet confirm it with a nod and said, "It really is—so that means he's nearby?"

Mallow waved her hand dismissively and replied casually, "Who cares? Just act as if that guy doesn't exist. He wouldn't even bother apologizing for what he did; he ignores us and we ignore him. We're not on the same wavelength—no need to let him ruin our mood."

Beside them, Lana nodded and murmured, "I thought he was just a transfer adjusting to the new school and that he'd eventually warm up. Who would have guessed his personality is just that annoying? A guy like him probably doesn't even have a friend. It's kind of pitiful…"

Then, Selene suddenly smiled and suggested, "Forget all that mood-killing stuff. Let's go check him out—and while we're at it, try the claw machine. Just shopping is so boring, right, Lillie? How about grabbing a few plushies to take home?"

"Ah?"

Lillie was momentarily taken aback. After a beat, she smiled and responded, "Sure, let's go—but I've never played this before…"

"Don't worry, I'll teach you!"

After agreeing, the four girls headed toward the claw machine shop. As they neared the crowd, a little kid suddenly shouted, "Come on, big brother of the claw machine!"

"Hmm?"

Curious, they moved closer—and then all stood dumbfounded. Right in front of the claw machine, beside Hoshino, there was a huge pile of ghost-type Pokémon plushies.

There he was, looking almost on the verge of a breakdown, relentlessly inserting coins to grab that last Gengar plush. His expression was completely strained…

"It really is him!"

"Wow, he's amazing… Were all those plushies his work?"

"He's a real claw machine genius…"

"Unbelievable…"

The girls couldn't quite understand, though they were deeply shocked. But when they realized it was this guy doing it, things began to make sense.

Hoshino didn't care how many people were watching him. He was simply baffled by why that final plushie just wouldn't be caught. If it were the machine's fault, then how do you explain that all the other plushies—and even other limited editions—had been successfully grabbed, yet this Gengar plush remained elusive?

"Gengar~"

"Hmm?"

He'd heard that mocking giggle multiple times now but couldn't pinpoint its source. As his final attempt failed, he slumped. He'd blown weeks of part-time wages, but at least he could recoup the losses.

With his final unsuccessful grab, his coins were completely spent—wiping out several days' wages in one go. He must be out of his mind, but at least he could still make money back.

"Cyclizar~"

Cyclizar caught several little brats who were stealthily trying to snatch his plushies, making them obediently hand the items over before letting them go.

Hoshino then turned to the onlookers and shouted, "Plushies for sale—freshly grabbed! Regular ones are cheaper, limited editions cost a bit more. If you want one, just give a shout!"

"Me!!"

Within minutes, everything sold out. The rare plushies alone covered his costs. No matter how unhinged he seemed, he always stayed sharp—this was just business.

As he packed up to start his shift, he noticed the girls staring.

"What's up?"

Selene, holding her Rowlet, asked curiously, "What are you doing here? Just playing the claw machine for resale?"

"Both. Unlike you rich kids, debt collectors kicked down my door this morning. Pinned me to the wall with a sword to my throat. Gotta hustle."

Hoshino counted the bills he'd just earned as he replied nonchalantly. "I was having the best sleep this morning until that Ceruledge suddenly burst in, yanked me off my newly bought bed, and pinned me against the wall. And then… well, that was that."

The girls gasped. This was the first time they'd heard about his… situation. Sword-wielding loan sharks? In Alola? Shouldn't they call the police?

Lana, usually calm and gentle suddenly asked, "Don't you have any family?"

"Lana!"

Mallow quickly called out her name, and Lana realized she'd misspoken. After all, they weren't fools—if debt collectors are after Hoshino, it certainly means there are no adults left at home.

But Hoshino just smirked. "Harsh. But nah—famous orphanage kid here. Used to it."

Ignoring the onlookers, he and Cyclizar turned and left, returning to work. But as he walked away, he couldn't help glancing back at the claw machine—especially at that lone Gengar plush, left behind because of him.

"Gengar~"

"..."

Hoshino squinted his eyes, said nothing, and turned back to resume his afternoon shift.

Soon, an hour passed. The store was as lively as ever. As long as no one intentionally caused trouble, it was fairly relaxed—just a bit too noisy. In that time, Cyclizar had learned plenty about adapting to human society; it no longer nipped at curious onlookers like it used to. Still, Hoshino wasn't entirely at ease, so he roamed around with it during work.

"Cyclizar!"

"Relax. If I couldn't grab that Gengar, no one can."

They patrolled past the claw machine, now refilled with new plushies. A group of kids swarmed it, but Hoshino warned, "Try stealing it, and I'll drag your parents here myself."

"They're pretty well-behaved… but if I catch you again, I'll have to call your parents!"

 As they turned to leave, a pristine white sunhat caught Hoshino's eye. Lillie sat alone at a Fairy-type claw machine, laser-focused on a shiny Clefairy plushie. Selene and the others were gone.

"Rich girl's solo now, huh…"

He lingered briefly, watching her fail twice. Her hands trembled, frustration barely hidden behind determination.

"...One more time!"

Lillie inserted another two coins. She'd lost count of her failures by then; her face was on the verge of tears, yet she forced herself to concentrate—though she still couldn't avoid failing.

"No matter how much you try to hide it, you can't change the fact that your inner balance is off. No matter how much you put on a brave face, in the end, you have to confront your true, cowardly self."

He'd clocked her act day one. This wasn't teenage angst—it was deeper. A claw machine shouldn't make someone look so… raw.To have a simple claw machine game bring out such raw emotion, she must have been pouring all her genuine feelings and troubles into it.

"By the way… what Pokémon is hers again?"

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[T/N]: I will release 10 chapters tomorrow; also check out my patreon for faster updates

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