"Alright! Next stop—the amusement park!"
"Yay! The amusement park!"
The moment Jirachi heard those words, its eyes sparkled like tiny stars.
This was something it had been looking forward to for a thousand years.
Cynthia, on the other hand, wasn't particularly enthusiastic. But after being relentlessly persuaded by Chen Shi and Jirachi, she eventually gave in.
Before long, the group arrived at the ticket booth. After buying six tickets, Chen Shi led them inside.
The park looked similar to the amusement parks from his previous life, though with slight differences.
Since most visitors were children, there were plenty of slides and carousels.
Of course, larger attractions were present too—roller coasters, pendulum rides, and more.
Staff members dressed in Pokémon mascot costumes wandered about—Pikachu, Pachirisu, Charizard.
Children ran around laughing and playing.
The atmosphere was lively and joyful.
The moment they entered, Jirachi froze in awe, starry-eyed.
Phoebe looked just as excited.
"Chen Shi-ge! Let's go! Everything looks so fun!"
Chen Shi shot her a helpless look.
She was technically a World Championships Top 32 competitor.
Why did she look more excited than the actual kids?
But seeing Jirachi's eager expression, he had no choice but to agree.
Their first ride was the roller coaster.
Cynthia initially refused—but Chen Shi dragged her on anyway.
After waiting in line, it was finally their turn.
They claimed the very front row.
Chen Shi carefully fastened Jirachi's seatbelt.
The coaster began climbing slowly.
Jirachi's nervous excitement built with each second.
At the peak—
a brief pause.
Then—
it plunged downward.
Jirachi screamed in exhilaration.
Chen Shi and Phoebe shouted wildly, reveling in the thrill.
Even Cynthia found herself smiling.
Wind roared past their ears.
Jirachi's ribbon-like streamers fluttered wildly as laughter escaped it freely.
In that moment—
it forgot about everything.
Forgot about the thousand-year sleep.
Forgot about the countdown of seven days.
It simply enjoyed the present.
Afterward, they rode the giant pendulum, slid down slides, and crashed bumper cars into each other alongside the children.
By the end of the afternoon, they had practically conquered the entire park.
Jirachi had never felt so fulfilled.
Of all its awakenings—
today was the happiest.
Later, sitting on a bench in the park, Chen Shi glanced at the time.
Two in the afternoon.
"Let's rest a bit and head back. You must be hungry."
"Okay!"
Jirachi had eaten quite a lot earlier, so it wasn't actually hungry—but it still nodded obediently.
Phoebe leaned back against the bench, reluctant.
"So this is how fun amusement parks are? Why didn't I come earlier?"
"If I knew, I'd have come ages ago."
"Because you're still a three-year-old," Chen Shi replied dryly.
Phoebe had screamed the loudest on every ride.
It was ridiculous.
"It was fun!" she huffed.
"Alright, you two," Cynthia sighed, lightly tapping Chen Shi.
"Can you stop teasing her all the time? If she enjoys it, let her."
"You don't have to be sarcastic."
"Exactly!" Phoebe nodded fiercely and shot Chen Shi a glare.
Seeing Cynthia's tone sharpen slightly, Chen Shi wisely raised his hands in surrender.
...
They didn't linger in Mauville City.
After leaving the amusement park, they returned straight home.
Phoebe pointed at the trucks entering the ranch curiously.
"Chen Shi-ge, what's that?"
"Oh, that? Devon Corporation's building my research institute. Don't worry about it."
"Oh."
Satisfied, Phoebe lost interest.
She had just been curious about the heavy traffic.
When they pushed open the villa door, Chen Shi was about to call out for his grandparents—
when he noticed two familiar faces sitting inside.
"Chen Shi, where did you go?"
"You made Miss Diantha and I wait half the day."
Steven sounded mildly aggrieved.
He and Diantha had arrived at noon, only to be told Chen Shi was out.
Since Diantha had urgent business, they had waited.
And waited.
Until afternoon.
"Mr. Chen, we meet again."
Diantha stood gracefully.
"I came today because I have something to consult you about."
Chen Shi quickly apologized.
"Sorry, I had plans today. If you were coming, you should've called me—I had no idea."
"Please, have a seat."
"Oh? Phoebe? You're back?" Steven noticed her behind them.
He wasn't surprised to see Cynthia.
But Phoebe had returned to Mt. Pyre earlier.
"Steven-ge! Long time no see! I missed you!"
She ran over happily.
After first leaving Mt. Pyre, the people who treated her best were the Chen family—and Steven.
"Alright, we're all friends here. No need to be formal."
Chen Shi placed Jirachi gently on the sofa and began preparing tea.
Everyone sat.
Diantha wasted no time.
"Mr. Chen, may I ask—why can't my Gardevoir complete Mega Evolution?"
Chen Shi paused mid-motion.
"Can you describe exactly what happens?"
Diantha nodded.
"When Gardevoir and I attempt Mega Evolution, the light appears around her body."
"But when the light fades…"
"There's no change at all."
Ever since acquiring her Mega Stone at the auction, Diantha had tried multiple times.
Every attempt ended in failure.
At first, she assumed it was lack of familiarity.
But after coincidentally meeting Leon a few days ago, they discussed it.
Leon had already succeeded—and after only a few tries.
That answer nearly broke her confidence.
...
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