Up for contest?

She was watching him now. Not scared. Just… cautious.

It was progress.

Just as Ayan was about to reach for another cube—maybe to try again later—his mobile vibrated softly.

[Neil: Yo! You alive? You better come out and feed me. We gotta celebrate your first catch.]

Ayan huffed out a small laugh. Of course Neil would make it about food.

[Ayan: Fine. Give me 10 mins.]

He looked up at Shinx, who was still curled up. 

"Rain check on bonding. Gotta go feed a manchild."

He stood, recalling Shinx back into her Heal Ball with a flash of pink light. She didn't resist—just gave him one last thoughtful look before vanishing. Pidgey, still perched on the desk, hopped once and then flew to his shoulder as if reading his mind.

"You're coming too?"

"Pi." (Obviously.)

He grabbed his phone, slipped the PokéDex into the side pocket of his hoodie, and headed for the door. Just before leaving, he poked his head into the living room where his mother was still scrolling through her tablet with Leavanny knitting beside her.

"Mom, I'm going out. Gonna meet Neil."

"Okay, but be back before dinner." His mom said. 

"Sure mom." Ayan said. This world was really different because in his previous life he wasn't allowed to go out in the evening but this world encouraged people to go out and encounter Pokémon. Thus outdoor activities was always encouraged. 

The elevator ride was quiet, save for Pidgey's soft cooing as she adjusted her position on his shoulder. By the time they reached the ground floor, Ayan popped open his second Poké Ball with a casual flick of his wrist.

Oddish materialized with a soft "plop" onto the tiled entrance of the apartment building. He blinked up at Ayan, red eyes wide and wondering, then wobbled in place like an overgrown blueberry.

"Oddish!" (Why did it smell so sweet just now?!)

"C'mere, little dude." He scooped Oddish up like a pillow, squishing its chubby cheeks gently between his fingers. "You're way too cute to not bring around."

Oddish didn't resist. In fact, it snuggled into Ayan's chest like a sleepy pet, the leaves on its head rustling faintly as it relaxed.

"Great. Now I look like a daycare center," Ayan said as he stepped outside into the sunset. 

"Pi." (You always did.)

—

As Ayan walked down the street toward their usual hangout—an open plaza near the eastern edge of the city, just past the community Pokémon Center. One morning in the other world and now this. Two Pokémon curled against him. A third still cautious, but not rejecting him. It was a good day. 

No, a great day. 

Soon enough, he saw Neil waving with both arms like a maniac. He was seated on one of the circular plaza benches, a steaming tray of fries and burger half-devoured beside him.

"You're late! I was about to start crying and pretend I got stood up!"

"You were literally chewing when I walked up."

"Semantics." Neil grinned, then blinked when he saw Oddish in Ayan's arms. "Broooo… you got one now?!"

Ayan tried to keep his face neutral, but the smirk threatened to break through. He shrugged, gently bouncing Oddish in his arms.

"Yeah. She kind of… followed me home."

"What, like a stray cat?"

"More like a curious lion cub," Ayan said, setting Oddish gently on the bench beside him. Pidgey hopped down too and helped herself to one of Neil's leftover fries without asking.

"Oi! That's my potato currency!" Neil mock protested, but didn't stop her. He just leaned closer, eyeing Ayan suspiciously. "So this Oddish just followed you home?" Ayan met Neil's stare for a second longer than he needed to. Then casually looked away, picking at a fry.

"Yep. That's what happened."

"Dude. Why do you get all the anime-level luck?! What next? A Charizard offers you a ride to school?"

"That would save bus money."

"Ugh, I hate you. You know I hate you, right?"

"Love you too, buddy." Neil flopped sideways on the bench, legs sprawled out like a fainted Magikarp.

"You know what? That's it. I'm sticking with you from now on. Everywhere. Every step. You find shinies by breathing too loud, probably."

"Wouldn't recommend it. I talk to myself a lot. It gets awkward."

Neil grinned, straightening up again. He nudged Oddish, who blinked and gave him a sleepy little "Odd-ish?"

"At this rate, you're gonna be a full-on trainer by uni entrance time."

Ayan leaned back and gazed up at the sky, where dusk was starting to paint the clouds orange and violet.

"...Maybe."

"Not feeling it?"

"I don't know yet," Ayan said honestly. "I mean, being strong is tempting. But... being a trainer? That's a whole different path. It's not just battles."

"Fair. But hey—you've got six months of high school left. You've got time."

He paused, then nudged Ayan's side with a grin.

"Speaking of six months—Baby Cup. You in?"

"The city one? After boards?"

"Yup." 

Ayan thought about it. He'd never considered those kinds of local contests seriously before. But now, with Shinx, Oddish, Pidgey… maybe Charmander, depending on how things went…

"Yeah. I think I'm in." 

 "Let's goooo! Finally, I won't be the only idiot showing up with one Caterpie and a prayer!"

"You don't have a Caterpie yet." Ayan reminded him. 

"With my luck, I will be lucky enough to let my Pokémon hatch after I get it." 

"Don't worry you will do fine." Ayan gave him courage. It seemed like his two Pokémon had given him quite a bit of blow. Thankfully he didn't show him his Charmander and Shinx. He would have lost himself in sadness and depression. 

They talked about some other matters too like what Neil wanted to do, while Ayan ordered more food. He loved wraps and thus ordered two for both and it seemed like Pidgey liked the potato chips so he ordered that, and salad for Oddish. 

Having medium and small sized Pokémon around was common and thus were even allowed in.