Hoshino closed the panel. He would let Gengar try out the bow and arrow talent later, as he didn't have the time right now.
However, Cyclizar's performance today was excellent. It didn't matter that it had amnesia and couldn't remember its moves; it could slowly recall them, since its body still remembered.
He also saw Cyclizar's full power when it wasn't using Miraidon's strength, which gave him a general understanding of its current capabilities.
"Cycli~"
"Alright, the commission is over. Let's head back."
Hoshino patted its head, then looked at Gengar, who was fiddling with Lillie's ponytail, and called out, "Stop playing, it's time to go home."
"Gengar~"
Gengar immediately floated towards him with a smile. Lillie, recovering from her panic, quickly shouted, "Wait, I want to come too!"
Hearing this, Hau and Sun on the side froze simultaneously, then asked in unison, "What's going on between you two?"
Lillie sat on Cyclizar and replied, "We're friends. And don't overthink it. Although sometimes he can be quite annoying, if you get to know him better, you'll realize he's actually a pretty good person, just not good at expressing himself."
"…"
Hoshino's mouth twitched upon hearing that. Without explaining anything, he had Cyclizar start running.
Seeing them leave, Hau finally came to his senses, waving his hand and saying, "Big… big news! Quickly tell the class president, Lillie has been abducted!"
…
On the way back to the Wanderer District, the two didn't talk anymore. Kabukicho hadn't opened yet, so the surroundings were relatively quiet.
At the entrance of the street, there were some Meowth strolling around. When they saw Cyclizar appear, they all hid, watching them enter.
Lillie looked around curiously. She hadn't expected the place to look like this during the day, a stark contrast to how it was at night.
Soon, Cyclizar stopped at the entrance of the Izakaya. Hoshino took off his helmet and goggles, then turned back and said, "Come down, we're here."
"Okay."
The Izakaya wasn't open yet, but the familiar sweet scent of fruit wine wafted out, indicating that Boss Slowking was definitely brewing wine inside again.
Hoshino didn't knock to enter, but was about to take them up the stairs next to the building when the Izakaya door suddenly opened, and Slowking walked out with its hands behind its back.
"Alola~ What a coincidence."
Lillie kept her distance and greeted it. Slowking returned the greeting, then looked at Hoshino and slowly said, "Kid, I heard you did something incredible again. How did it turn out?"
"It went well. They all left happy, and the commission was successfully completed."
Although he didn't know how this guy found out, Hoshino still responded. But Slowking suddenly threw a thick envelope, and when he opened it, he found it was full of bills!
"What the heck? Boss Slowking, did you not take your medicine today? Or are you trying to trick me again?"
Slowking picked up a lollipop and replied, "That's your commission reward. The old man seems to have donated all his inheritance to the Pokémon School, and a portion of it was specifically for your reward, thanking you for battling them at the end."
"???"
Hoshino was bewildered, somewhat confused. A supernatural event? But Slowking didn't explain, instead slowly saying, "Going on a journey together, isn't this also a new journey? The relationship between Trainer and Pokémon is truly amazing, isn't it?"
After speaking, Slowking returned to the Izakaya and closed the door. Hoshino held the reward, looked at it, and found it wasn't particularly much, but enough to have a peaceful year.
"This really is…"
He smiled faintly and put away the reward. At this moment, Lillie whispered from behind, "Now that the commission is over, so I…"
"Let's talk upstairs."
"Okay."
Lillie immediately followed him upstairs, feeling both nervous and a little excited, because she hadn't seen the inside of the Yorozuya yet.
As soon as the two, along with Cyclizar and Gengar, reached the door, footsteps could be heard inside. Tandemaus had already sensed them and came to help open the door. Then, the two Tandemaus each jumped towards one person.
"!!!"
Suddenly pounced on by the little grey one, Lillie was completely caught off guard and froze at the doorway.
Hoshino petted the little white one, then moved aside to take the little grey one, and laughed, "It seems to really like you. How about trying to catch it?"
"No… no!"
Lillie took two steps back, almost falling, seemingly very resistant to the idea of catching a Pokémon.
"I just asked. Are you too excited?"
"Sorry…"
"Never mind, come in."
"Okay, then I'll intrude…"
Lillie responded softly and walked in, finally seeing the interior. She was somewhat surprised because it was too neat, even cleaner than her own room.
"Um… do I need to take off my shoes?"
"No need, I clean every day anyway."
"Alright."
The two arrived in the living room. The Pokémon egg was now placed on the sofa. Hoshino had Lillie sit on the other side of the sofa.
He sat at the desk, fingers intertwined, propping up his head, his expression instantly serious. He adopted the pose of Commander Ikari, looked at Lillie, and asked, "Tell me your dream!"
"Huh?"
"Didn't you want to join us? Consider the assessment passed. All that's left is the interview!"
"Uh…"
Lillie glanced at the Pokémon playing around. The atmosphere was too strange; she hadn't expected this sudden turn of events. However, she quickly responded seriously, "I want to do my part and use the knowledge I've learned in the right place!"
"Well said. So, do you know what our Yorozuya specifically does? And what role can you play here?"
"This… I don't care! As long as there's a place where I can help!"
Lillie responded earnestly. She didn't want to live forever under others' care and concern, nor did she want her holidays to be spent only reading books in the library, unable to do anything.
Hearing her answer, Hoshino nodded, then said, "Actually, our Yorozuya, besides the offline physical store, also has a website, but its main service target is Trainers…"
"So you want me to help manage the website?"
Lillie was a little disappointed. A website didn't seem to have much practical use. She wanted to participate in person, not just chat with people through a screen.
However, the next second, Hoshino shook his head and replied, "No, I'll handle the website. But it doesn't have any customers right now. I want to ask you to anonymously help promote it to your friends, because… you're my only human friend."
The last sentence was very quiet, but Lillie still heard it. A smile appeared on her face. She stood up, patted her chest, and replied, "That's easy, leave it to me! So I…"
"Yes." Hoshino nodded, also stood up, and said with a smile, "You are now a member of the Yorozuya."
"Yay!"
Lillie's suspended heart finally settled, and her expression instantly became excited. She then said, "I will diligently assist with the Yorozuya's commission work! If there's anything that needs help, just call me anytime!"
"Alright, work hard!"
Hoshino lightly patted her shoulder, then walked over, his expression finally unable to hold back. He was just short of laughing out loud.
What a good employee, what a kind child. She didn't even mention salary or benefits, and just joined this Yorozuya that had nothing, and would even voluntarily work overtime.
"Although it might be a bit troublesome, I still profited. The rest is to help her overcome her fear of Pokémon. It's a bit difficult, but not too much."
Thinking this, Hoshino turned back and said, "You haven't had lunch yet, have you? Then wait a bit, eat here, and then go back."
"Okay, do you need help?"
"No, you can rest assured about my cooking skills."
"Cycli!"
"Gengar!"
"Maus!"
Several Pokémon simultaneously expressed their approval, which surprised Lillie. There's no way his cooking could be better than Mallow's, right?
However, Hoshino went to the kitchen, so she could only continue to sit on the sofa, watching the Pokémon play around, not daring to approach them.
Afterward, she focused her attention on the Pokémon egg on the other side and moved closer. Although she still didn't dare to touch it, there was no problem if it didn't move.
"It's only been one day, and even he's slowly starting to change. Should I also…"
Lillie looked at the Pokémon egg, hesitating for a long time. She extended her hand, wanting to actively touch it, because Hoshino was right: the more you fear, the more you have to try, otherwise you'll always be afraid.
She naturally understood this principle, but it was very difficult to make up her mind to face her inner fear.
"Maus?"
The little grey one came close to her again. Lillie noticed and quickly said, "Don't get… um, sorry, please keep some distance from me."
She knew this would ruin goodwill, but she still said it instinctively. However, when she rescued the little grey one by the bridge earlier, she managed to touch it, so this fear was not insurmountable!
"I need a little courage!"
Lillie's eyes instantly became resolute. She suddenly placed both hands on the Pokémon egg. Her body instinctively wanted to react, but she still didn't take her hands away. She hugged the egg like that, and succeeded!
Seeing this, Gengar floated over and clapped, happy for her. The other Pokémon were also like this.
"It doesn't seem that hard after all…"
Although she was still afraid inside, Lillie managed a smile. This was her first active attempt. Even if the object was just a Pokémon egg, the first step had been taken, but…
Crack—
The sudden sound of cracking brought Lillie back to her senses. The next second, the egg she was holding suddenly glowed, and then a cool sensation came from her hands, a very comfortable feeling.
"Vul~"
Looking at the confused little white fox that was suddenly in her arms, Lillie's expression instantly froze. She completely freaked out on the spot, falling apart…
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