Mauville City was considered one of the larger cities in Hoenn.
It was home to famous landmarks—the museum, the game corner—and attracted visitors from all over the region.
Of course, it also had a sizable amusement park. Many parents occasionally brought their children there for a day of fun.
That was their destination today.
Along the way, Chen Shi didn't bother hiding Jirachi at all. He held it openly in his arms without the slightest concern that anyone might recognize it.
First, Jirachi was a Mythical Pokémon—exceedingly rare.
Second, it was so unique that even the League probably only had scattered records of its existence. Recognizing it on sight? Highly unlikely.
To outsiders, it would simply look like some rare, unusual Pokémon.
No one would suspect it was a Mythical.
After arriving in Mauville City, they didn't rush straight to the amusement park. Instead, they let Jirachi explore and take in the sights first.
Jirachi blinked at the bustling crowds, a little intimidated.
The few times it had awakened before, it hadn't stayed conscious long—and certainly hadn't seen this many people.
It instinctively burrowed deeper into Chen Shi's arms.
He gently stroked its head.
"It's okay. Don't be scared."
"They're just passersby. No one means you any harm."
Jirachi peeked out cautiously.
Sure enough, the crowd flowed past without paying it any attention.
Gradually, its courage returned. It began looking around curiously.
Before long, they reached Mauville's famous food street.
"Come take a look! Fresh grilled skewers—if it's not tasty, don't pay!"
"Cotton candy! Five League coins a stick! You won't regret it!"
"Fried fish balls! Crispy and fragrant!"
"Freshly roasted Slowpoke Tails! Just out of the oven!"
Vendors shouted enthusiastically on both sides of the street. The center walkway bustled with pedestrians.
Jirachi's eyes sparkled.
Compared to earlier, it was far less timid now.
Very quickly, it locked onto a cotton candy stall.
The fluffy clouds of spun sugar gleamed under the lights.
A small, glistening line of drool slipped from Jirachi's mouth.
Chen Shi laughed.
Holding Jirachi with one arm, holding Cynthia's hand with the other, and with Phoebe trailing behind, he walked up to the stall.
"Four cotton candies, please!"
"Coming right up, handsome!"
The vendor got to work immediately.
Behind him, Phoebe puffed her cheeks.
"I want cotton candy too!"
Chen Shi rolled his eyes.
"That's what I'm buying."
"You, Jirachi, Eevee, and Togekiss—one each. I don't need one."
"Ah? Then Cynthia-jie doesn't want one either?"
"I'll get her ice cream later. She doesn't eat this."
Cynthia nodded. She wasn't a fan of cotton candy.
Too sticky. Too sweet in a clinging way.
She preferred ice cream.
At that moment, one of the Poké Balls at Chen Shi's waist popped open.
Togekiss came out on her own.
She had clearly heard the word "cotton candy."
As a qualified foodie, she didn't need to be called.
The vendor quickly finished the first one.
"Here you go!"
"Thanks!"
Chen Shi immediately handed it to Jirachi.
"Go ahead. I saw you drooling."
Jirachi blushed slightly but grabbed it eagerly.
"Thank you, Xiao Shi!"
The moment it spoke, the vendor froze.
He stared.
"What Pokémon is that? It just spoke!"
Chen Shi blinked innocently.
"Spoke? What are you talking about? Pokémon don't speak human language."
"Maybe you misheard?"
At the same time, he subtly squeezed Jirachi.
Jirachi instantly understood and focused intently on licking its cotton candy without making a sound.
"I definitely heard it!"
"It spoke human words!"
The vendor scratched his head.
"You must've misheard," Chen Shi insisted, turning to Cynthia and Phoebe with a pointed glance.
"You two heard anything?"
"I didn't hear anything," Cynthia replied calmly.
Phoebe shook her head vigorously.
"Nope! I've lived this long and never heard of a Pokémon talking!"
The vendor looked increasingly confused.
Did he imagine it?
"Hey, boss, focus! That cotton candy's coming out crooked!" Chen Shi suddenly called out.
"Ah—shoot!"
The vendor looked down and winced.
The misshapen cotton candy went straight into the trash.
He wasn't about to sell defective goods.
Soon, he forgot about the talking Pokémon and concentrated on his work.
Chen Shi quietly exhaled.
He had forgotten to warn Jirachi not to speak in public.
A talking Pokémon would definitely attract attention.
And today—
he just wanted a peaceful day of fun.
Soon the remaining cotton candies were finished.
Phoebe, Mew, and Togekiss happily dug in.
For Mew and Togekiss, this was a revelation.
Beyond ice cream—
the world had cotton candy too?
Their horizons had clearly been too narrow.
They silently resolved to make Chen Shi buy this more often.
Chen Shi, of course, was completely unaware of the schemes forming in their heads.
After paying, he and Cynthia continued strolling through the food street with Jirachi.
This, to Jirachi, felt like paradise.
Chen Shi bought a little of everything.
Jirachi accepted everything enthusiastically, its tiny mouth constantly munching.
If Chen Shi hadn't warned it not to speak earlier, it would've been squealing in delight.
Mew and Togekiss benefited as well—each snack came with extra portions for them.
They weren't fans of spicy fried fish balls though.
Tasty, yes.
But sweets were superior.
Undoubtedly.
And so the afternoon continued—
laughter, sugar, and the warm glow of a thousand-year reunion.
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