Chapter 9: Pidove No. 8

Rick decided to purchase the Training Vest.

"That'll be 5,999 yuan. Here's your receipt—please keep it for the one-year warranty." After ringing up the sale, the clerk asked, "Would you like the vest packaged, or should we leave it on your Pokémon?"

"Just the bag and instructions, thanks."

"Understood."

Rick recalled Charmander into its Poké Ball and tucked the shrunken sphere into his pocket.

Poké Balls possessed the ability to shrink both themselves and the Pokémon inside for easy carrying. Crafted from Apricorns, these devices had evolved over the years into more than a dozen specialized varieties, making them one of a Trainer's most essential tools.

"Planning to have Charmander wear it during training?" Shiyu asked, eyeing the shopping bag.

"Let it adjust first." Rick didn't deny it.

After browsing a little longer, the two headed home since there was nothing else they needed.

That night, after dinner, Rick studied Pokémon-related materials in his study before turning in promptly at midnight.

He slept soundly—no dreams, no disturbances—and woke up feeling refreshed.

By the time he finished his morning routine and went downstairs, Shiyu was already there, bustling around the kitchen in an apron.

"Morning, Rick." She glanced up from taste-testing a soup with a ladle. "You could've slept a bit longer. It's still early."

"I'm good." As he spoke, Rick's gaze lingered on her apron.

Noticing his attention, Shiyu tugged at the sides of the apron and grinned. "Bought it yesterday. Isn't the Alcremie design adorable?"

Alcremie, a Pokémon resembling whipped cream, evolved from Milcery. Its evolution methods varied, resulting in different forms—nine known "flavors" so far. Its overwhelmingly cute appearance made it wildly popular, especially among male Trainers.

Why male Trainers?

Because it perfectly catered to their more sensibilities.

When Shiyu asked for his opinion on the apron's cuteness, Rick stroked his chin thoughtfully:

"Just the apron would be cuter."

"J-just the apron?" Shiyu blinked, then—after a second's realization—clapped her hands over her backside, her face turning apple-red. "P-pervert!"

"I'm offering sincere feedback."

"That serious tone of yours makes it worse!"

Having completed his daily mission of teasing Shiyu, Rick summoned Charmander. After a night of adjustment, the Pokémon could move more easily now, though running and jumping still required effort.

"Need a break?" Rick asked.

Charmander shook its head, seemingly unwilling to remove the vest yet.

Respecting its choice, Rick nodded. "Alright."

"Rick, breakfast's ready!"

"Coming."

Mid-meal, a cooing sound came from the window. Rick turned to see Pidove fluttering outside.

"A messenger?" Shiyu asked. The Pidove was clearly not wild.

"Probably." Rick walked over and retrieved an envelope from Pidove's delivery pouch.

"Coo." The Pidove eyed him expectantly, a QR code slip clutched in its beak.

Rick paused at the sight of the code, then scanned it with his phone—

Only to find an electronic feedback form.

"Even reviews require QR codes now?" He tapped a few times. "Pidove No. 8, was it? Left you a five-star."

"Coo!" Pidove bowed politely before flying off.

Back at the table, Shiyu eyed the envelope. "Your place gets a lot of Pidove deliveries. Letters from your parents?"

"Not always." He opened it to find a bank card, a postcard, and a note that read:

[ (.ω) Pokémon training must be expensive! Tell Mom if you need more! ]

"She could've just transferred money online," Rick sighed.

The postcard featured an unknown coastal landscape—azure seas under clear skies—quite picturesque.

"Maybe your parents couldn't transfer funds easily from abroad?" Shiyu suggested. Then, pulling out her own card—a limited-edition Eevee-themed one, one of only a hundred worldwide—she added, "I've got savings if you're short."

"I'm fine for now, especially with Mom's card." He shook his head.

After breakfast, they headed to the sports center for training.

Originally, Rick had planned a jogging session, but due to Charmander's vest, he downgraded it to a walk. Even so, the Pokémon expended far more energy than a normal run would demand.

Within an hour, Charmander collapsed, exhausted.

Rick sat beside it on the track, feeding it Poké Puffs to restore stamina. He'd assumed one box would last weeks, but at this rate, it'd be gone in seven days.

Well, I can just buy more Berries and ask Shiyu to make more Puffs later.

After a ten-minute break, Charmander stood again and resumed walking. Its stubborn determination was on full display now. Smiling, Rick got up to continue training alongside it.

They barely scraped through two hours before moving to the combat drills. The vest's resistance made even basic attacks like Metal Claw against training dummies far more grueling than the walk.

It took Charmander over a minute to muster a weak Metal Claw initially. Yet the exertion seemed to channel its destructive urges—its eyes gleamed with excitement as it unleashed the move repeatedly.

"This… should be fine, right?" Rick scratched his cheek at Charmander's almost-feral expression.

Ten minutes later, the Pokémon finely shredded a dummy. Panting, it cheered: "Charr!"

Watching its triumphant grin, Rick was reminded of a certain Husky's infamous meme smirk.