"Ah! You're Mew? I didn't even recognize you!"
That night, after everyone had exhausted themselves playing and returned to rest, Chen Shi brought Jirachi into his room.
The moment they stepped inside, Mew eagerly dropped its Eevee disguise and returned to its true form.
Jirachi's eyes instantly sparkled.
"Mew! It's really you!"
It flew over happily.
Jirachi didn't have many friends.
Mew was one of the few.
To think that the Eevee who had been playing beside it all day was actually its old friend—how could it not be thrilled?
Mew, however, wore a resentful expression.
You've got some nerve saying that.
We played together all day and you didn't even recognize me.
Still, Mew was genuinely happy Jirachi had awakened.
It knew better than anyone how rare those seven days were.
Chen Shi gently patted Jirachi's head and pointed to the egg he had just taken out.
"Jirachi, can you give Little V some Victory energy so it can hatch faster?"
Fun aside, he hadn't forgotten the real issue.
Victini's hatching was crucial.
The sooner, the better.
But Jirachi shook its head.
"Not yet! Wishes can only be made on the seventh day!"
"…I guess I won't get to see Little V this time."
Its voice dimmed slightly.
After seven days, it would open the eye on its belly and channel the comet's power to grant a wish.
But immediately after—
another thousand years of sleep.
Chen Shi fell silent for a moment, then gently ruffled its hair.
He didn't bring up Victini again.
Seven days wasn't too long.
There was still time.
Jirachi snuggled into his arms and smiled brightly.
"It's okay! I still have seven days to play with Xiao Shi!"
"And in a thousand years, we'll meet again!"
"Then I can see Little V!"
A thousand years…
Chen Shi's mouth twitched.
In a thousand years, even the grass on his grave would probably be taller than Rayquaza's house.
How exactly was he supposed to meet it again?
But he didn't say that.
Let Jirachi keep its beautiful fantasy.
There was no need to tell it he was just an ordinary human who couldn't live that long.
Instead, he smiled.
"Then where do you want to go tomorrow?"
"I'm free these days."
"Hmm… I know!"
Jirachi suddenly waved its arms excitedly.
"I want to go to the amusement park!"
Chen Shi froze.
How did Jirachi know about amusement parks?
Then realization struck.
That had to be something his future self promised.
There was no way amusement parks existed a thousand years ago.
"Alright," he said with a grin. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to the amusement park."
"Yay!"
Jirachi's eyes curved into crescents as it nodded vigorously.
Last time, Xiao Shi had told it about the amusement park—
fun rides, delicious food, endless games.
He had promised that when Jirachi woke up next time, he'd take it there.
Jirachi had been waiting ever since.
Watching its excited expression, Chen Shi smiled.
He made a silent decision.
These seven days—
he would set everything else aside.
And just play.
...
The next morning, after breakfast, Chen Shi packed up and gathered everyone to head out.
Cynthia initially planned to stay home and train.
But when she heard Jirachi wanted to visit the amusement park—
she sighed and agreed.
Just as they were about to leave—
a familiar voice rang out from the ranch gate.
"Chen Shi-ge! Cynthia-jie! I'm back!"
A small dark-skinned girl came running in, waving energetically.
Chen Shi couldn't help laughing.
"She's got good timing. Any later and we'd already be gone."
"If she's back, the situation at Mt. Pyre must be stable."
Cynthia nodded slightly.
Phoebe rushed over.
"Are you going out? Where to? Can I come too?"
Chen Shi raised an eyebrow teasingly.
"What if I say no?"
Phoebe puffed out her cheeks proudly.
"Then I'll secretly follow you!"
"Wherever you go, I'm going!"
Chen Shi rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Then why even ask?"
"Hehe."
She scratched her head sheepishly.
"By the way," Chen Shi asked, "how are your grandparents and the Ghost-type sanctuary?"
"They're fine now! Grandpa and Grandma weren't seriously hurt, and the injured Pokémon have all recovered."
"They kicked me out of the sanctuary and told me to go train outside."
Aside from the stolen Red Orb and Blue Orb, Maxie and Archie hadn't done severe structural damage.
"That's good."
Chen Shi nodded casually.
Then added calmly,
"Don't worry. I've already found clues about the stolen orbs."
"I'll help you take them back."
Phoebe froze.
Then grabbed his arm excitedly.
"Really, Chen Shi-ge?!"
"You really found something?!"
She hadn't even known how important the orbs were until after they were stolen.
Only then had her grandparents explained everything.
So hearing this—
she couldn't help but feel hopeful.
"Alright, alright," Chen Shi said quickly, pulling his arm back. "Don't get too close. You know your Cynthia-jie gets jealous."
"Ah—oh! Sorry, Cynthia-jie!"
Phoebe instantly apologized.
Cynthia's eye twitched slightly as she shot Chen Shi a sideways glare.
Phoebe hurriedly continued,
"Then when are we going to catch those two bad guys?"
"Grandpa said if the orbs stay out there too long, it could cause a disaster."
Chen Shi shook his head calmly.
"Relax. I've already made arrangements."
"You just follow me. Leave the rest to me."
Phoebe looked a little disappointed but didn't argue.
Because she trusted him.
Chen Shi never lied.
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