"Is it true that the pinker the color… the harder it hits…?"
Hoshino, drenched, limped into the store under the astonished gazes of the customers.
Seeing Gengar had knocked him into such a state with one punch, Gengar quickly moved to go over, but missed a step, tumbled from the counter, and was caught by Cyclizar's tail.
"Gengar?"
Gengar slid smoothly onto Cyclizar's back, then was held in its hands; although it was a Pokémon, it was only the size of a doll, easy to pick up.
"Cycli~"
Cyclizar held Gengar, looking very happy, clearly showing how much it liked this little sister; finally, there was a new member in the family.
Hoshino sat back down at the counter, looked at with disdain by Slowking, then he suddenly said, "Boss Slowking, your pink saturation is too low. Your last 'Minor protection punch' wasn't even as strong as Gengar's simple punch just now. Why not try dyeing yourself a bit more pink?"
"No thanks, Slowking is already pink enough."
Slowking responded indifferently, then glanced at Gengar, who was being held by Cyclizar, and said, "This little one is very strong, but still too small. It could easily be mistaken for a newly hatched child. Don't teach it any strange things."
"Don't worry."
Hoshino watched Gengar playing with Cyclizar as if he were watching his own child, even though he had never even been in a relationship…
But since Gengar had become his Pokémon, he naturally had to train it well. What if he started from scratch? That was the fun of raising it!
As for the training direction, it hadn't been decided yet, but it would definitely be close combat. That punch was quite powerful, and it also had a held item… Could it use a sword?
Although it was unclear why this Gengar didn't have the Poison-type, but rather the Fairy-type, what would happen if Zacian's sword was brought over? What a beautiful piece of equipment, putting it on would make it the King of Swords.
Thinking of this, Hoshino looked at Gengar and asked with a smile, "Gengar-chan, do you like to wield a sword?"
"Gengar?"
Seeing Gengar biting its hand, looking bewildered, Hoshino pointed at Ceruledge resting against the wall in the distance and explained to it, "Just like that cool Ceruledge over there, wielding a sword is very cool!"
As soon as he said this, Gengar hadn't responded yet, but Ceruledge first opened its eyes and looked over. Under its direct gaze, Gengar was startled again.
"Gengar…"
Gengar and Ceruledge silently looked at each other. Gengar remembered how Ceruledge had helped it adapt to its body with spiritual power before, and gradually, its gaze became grateful and adoring.
"Gengar!"
"Do you want to learn to use a sword?"
"Gengar!"
Hearing their conversation, Slowking, sucking on a lollipop, glanced at them and slowly said, "You've got a good plan there. Are you hoping Ceruledge will help you babysit later? Go to bed. Besides hating humans, it also hates little ones. If you don't want this little one to be cut in half, you'd better give up that idea."
Upon hearing this, Hoshino looked bewildered and retorted directly, "I can raise my own child!"
He was just showing Gengar what a sword looked like; it would still be punching, but it would naturally be equipped with a weapon to not waste its talent.
If it could really train, there might be a chance to go to Galar and get Zacian's sword; it wouldn't be impossible.
…
After dinner, they all returned upstairs. The door to the second floor had been repaired several times by Hoshino, and looking inside, there was already quite a bit of furniture arranged.
Entering the door, several Substitute dolls were placed on the shoe cabinet next to it, and then walking down the hallway, cheap sofas and a coffee table had been bought for the living room.
A wooden desk and chair were placed in front of the blinds, with a few Substitute dolls as decorations on top. Above this, near the ceiling, a blank plaque hung, with no idea what would be written on it.
Pulling open the sliding door, the bedroom was spotless. A cheap double bed was placed against the wall, bedding and everything neatly folded, and a Rowlet doll and a Cyclizar Substitute doll were on the nightstand.
On the floor against the wall on the other side, a blanket was also placed. Cyclizar especially liked to lie there and sleep; it was particularly warm.
Aside from anything else, Hoshino was always completely clean and tidy when it came to his home hygiene, showing the self-discipline of a single young man.
"This is our home. Although it's not very big, and not very lively, at least it's a home that can shelter us from the wind and rain."
"Gengar~"
Gengar sat on Cyclizar's head, and with just one glance, it instantly fell in love with the place. It was much more comfortable than staying in a claw machine.
"Alright, don't step into the bedroom yet. Wash yourself clean first, then come over. I'll mop the floor last."
"Cycli~"
Cyclizar consciously ran to the bathroom, because it had to run outside every day, so it would inevitably get dirty, and Pokémon couldn't all wear shoes.
It was fine to stay in the living room, but definitely not the bedroom. If it left footprints on the blanket, he would have a heart attack…
Hoshino took Gengar. The little one could move, but its proficiency with its body was still insufficient. Even though it had the Levitate ability, which some creatures envied, it couldn't fly freely yet.
While Cyclizar was taking a hot bath, Hoshino held Gengar and sat in the office chair. This would be his workstation for the Yorozuya later. Preparations were almost complete, just waiting to open.
He carefully examined the dirty Gengar in his arms and murmured, "Although it's a Ghost-type Pokemon, it seems to have more doll-like characteristics, similar to Stufful, but the debuffs are still there…"
Hoshino was referring to the doll's water-absorbing characteristic. This was like Altaria turning into a drowned rat after getting wet; dolls absorb water and become heavy, affecting their mobility, and they might also be vulnerable to Electric-type moves.
Upon hearing this, Gengar vigorously rubbed its still somewhat damp body. The sensation wasn't very good, and it was quite uncomfortable.
"I'll help you wash your body clean later, and then dry you with a hairdryer."
"Gengar~"
"But your skirt probably can't be saved. Some kid must have torn a hole in it. I'll make you a new one later, and the bow on your ear, I'll wash that too."
Hoshino took off the skirt, which was purely for decoration, and looked at the naked Gengar… Gengar was already naked!
"Let's go, I'll help you take a hot bath."
Watching Cyclizar run out of the bathroom refreshed, leaving wet footprints on the floor, Hoshino felt his blood pressure rise.
Cyclizar knew it was about to be scolded and quickly scurried into the bedroom, even slipping and falling when entering. This made him feel helpless, and then, dragging his injured body, he took Gengar to the bathroom.
…
A not-so-simple day passed. Although he suffered some injuries, a cute little one joined this not-yet-large family. Overall, it was quite fulfilling.
Hoshino had originally planned to open the Yorozuya after the winter break, but that night, after receiving an apology from the claw machine arcade owner, he also received a notice of dismissal.
After the parents found the kid who stole the doll, the kid cried and bit back, and coincidentally, a nearby camera captured someone taking the kid to an alley. Then, Jenny, who received the police report, went to the store that was about to close.
Back and forth, the owner, under pressure from the kid's parents, could only fire Hoshino and Cyclizar. He instantly became unemployed again, but he didn't care; he was already used to roller coasters.
"One job for a Gengar finding a home, I'm the one who profited the most. Since I still have a day off tomorrow with nothing to do, I won't look for a new job for now. Let's open the Yorozuya!"
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