"Good morning! What are you two up to?"
"Morning! I'm just accompanying Absol for a stroll so it doesn't get too bored."
"Ab-sol."
Yang Lingfeng gave a natural explanation.
As for Absol, it still maintained its cold and aloof expression.
"Oh? I didn't expect your relationship to have become so good!"
Fei Xiao didn't remember exactly what had happened between them before.
She only knew that Absol had seemingly tried to help, only to end up being injured by her.
At Yang Lingfeng's suggestion, Absol had also been brought back to recover from its injuries.
After all, Fei Xiao's strike at the time was a bit...
"It looks like your injuries are almost healed. Have you thought about your plans for the future?"
"Ab-sol?"
Absol was momentarily stunned by the question; looking at its condition, it would indeed be fine in a few days.
As for after that? Would it just leave?
Thinking of this, Absol cast a subtle glance at Yang Lingfeng beside it.
However, Yang Lingfeng didn't notice the gaze and spoke impartially.
"Don't worry, once Absol's injuries are fully healed, we will have a dedicated person in charge of sending these Pokémon away."
Indeed, this disaster had caused Fei Xiao to blow away the homes of the local Pokémon in one go.
When she was brought back, she had earnestly requested help to temporarily settle many Pokémon that might need assistance.
Since the construction of the previously mentioned Pokémon House wasn't finished yet, they could only find other places to release the Pokémon.
Originally, many people wanted to take the opportunity to study Pokémon together, but the higher-ups emphasized that everything must be done with the Pokémon's voluntary consent.
If anyone forcibly controlled a Pokémon or recklessly threatened their lives, they would go straight to prison.
One could only say that Jiao Wuyan and his team were quite efficient in their work.
Fei Xiao looked at the serious Captain Yang and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"What's wrong?" Yang Lingfeng was suddenly puzzled.
Fei Xiao turned her head with a beaming smile toward the Absol beside him.
"It seems your reactions are quite slow; this little one seems to have other ideas!"
"What? You mean Absol?"
Only then did Yang Lingfeng notice that Absol's indifferent gaze was fixed steadily on him.
But within that icy stare, Yang Lingfeng clearly saw the expectation in its eyes.
Recalling Fei Xiao's words, he reacted instantly.
His originally calm expression showed a hint of surprise, and he tried pointing at himself, asking in an uncertain tone.
"Absol, you... do you want to follow me?"
Absol's gaze likewise locked onto his dark eyes.
Yang Lingfeng met the gaze without looking away, but his heart felt inexplicably nervous, and for a moment, his throat felt dry.
Finally, under Yang Lingfeng's anxious gaze, Absol slowly nodded.
"Ab-sol."
A definite response; even though its expression was cold, he could hear the joy in its heart.
Was this the heart-to-heart connection with a Pokémon?
Pfft!
Looking at the other's still indifferent expression, Yang Lingfeng couldn't help but chuckle.
Then, after awkwardly scratching his head, he straightened his posture, gave a military salute, and said happily.
"My name is Yang Lingfeng! Please look after me from now on, Absol."
"Ab-sol!"
Absol nodded slightly toward him, but this time its icy expression transformed into a cheerful smile.
This miraculous scene almost made Yang Lingfeng jump back in shock.
Fei Xiao stood with one hand on her hip, watching the sudden expressions of these two like a bystander enjoying the drama, and she smiled sweetly.
"Hahaha! Look at you!"
"Absol usually have a cold and unapproachable appearance because they don't have the best reputation and their personalities are naturally aloof."
"But their hearts are actually very kind. Even if they are misunderstood by people, they will still try to help humans."
Having said this, Fei Xiao stopped her laughing at the right time.
Then she looked at Absol with great interest.
"Just like how I was able to arrive in time this time, it was thanks to its appearance."
"And now that it can bluntly share the joy in its heart with you, it seems it truly acknowledges you!"
Finally, Fei Xiao offered her congratulations to Yang Lingfeng.
"Ah? Is that so... Thank you, Absol! From now on, I will never let your trust down!"
Hearing Fei Xiao's explanation,
Yang Lingfeng immediately understood that Absol had already completely regarded him as family.
That was why it was willing to show him its inner heart.
He happily stepped forward and gave Absol a hug.
Absol was momentarily stunned, but then it smiled and did not struggle away.
"Oh!!!" ×N
...
"Damn! Yang Lingfeng, you're not playing fair!"
"Captain, how can you do this!"
An unexpected wave of voices interrupted the quiet scene.
Yang Lingfeng and the others looked around in confusion.
On the previously quiet training ground, many people in camouflage uniforms were all staring in Yang Lingfeng's direction.
Early in the morning, Fei Xiao and the others weren't the only ones out for exercise.
It seemed their daily schedule was being followed very seriously!
And because Yang Lingfeng and the others hadn't lowered their voices,
the result was that Captain Yang's capture of Absol was discovered immediately.
The ones full of resentment just now were Jiao Xiaoyan and Zhou Long, who had rushed over to Fei Xiao and Yang Lingfeng.
"Wait? I won't even mention Xiao Yan, but Old Black, what are you doing?"
"And what's with everyone else?"
As soon as Yang Lingfeng spoke, Zhou Long pinned him down with a look of grief and indignation.
"Dammit, we clearly went on the mission together!"
"Why was I the one who got injured, and now you've captured such a cool Pokémon! You're taking all the good luck!"
"Tell me, is this how you treat me!"
Zhou Long kept shaking him to vent his dissatisfaction.
Yang Lingfeng speechlessly slapped away the other's hands, then briefly straightened his wrinkled clothes.
However, the upward curve of his lips betrayed his mood.
"Oh? Captain Yang, why is your grin so wide today?"
Fei Xiao held her hands behind her head, exposing his attempt to stay serious with a look that said she enjoyed the chaos.
Yang Lingfeng's movements stiffened, and he almost choked on his own spit.
Cough, cough, cough "Um, Xiao Yan, what's going on with you?"
Yang Lingfeng forcefully changed the subject.
But Jiao Xiaoyan's puffed-out cheeks clearly indicated it wasn't anything good.
"Captain, didn't you dislike Pokémon before! Now you've gone and secretly snatched one! This is way too much!"
Clearly, as the one among the three who was most accepting of Pokémon, she still didn't have one, yet this cheap captain had beaten her to it.
How hateful! Jealousy really makes one unrecognizable!
Yang Lingfeng was suddenly displeased! He immediately struck a humble pose.
"What are you saying! Your captain captured Absol based on his personal charm."
"This is your big brother's strength! Understand?"
"Boo~" ×N
Clearly, if the crowd hadn't seen a Pokémon standing beside him,
they would have definitely rushed forward together to teach him the meaning of humility.
At this moment, they could only curse his shamelessness in their hearts.
But there was no helping it; he really had managed to pull it off.
After all, in the army right now, Yang Lingfeng was indeed the first person to capture a Pokémon in the true sense.
Fei Xiao looked at the captain who was serious just a moment ago and was now acting like a smug little man, and for a moment she didn't know where to start roasting him.
She had long seen that Absol seemed interested in Yang Lingfeng; giving him a simple nudge was at least better than him being dense.
She closed her small hand, and a red-and-white Poké Ball suddenly appeared.
"Catch!"
Hearing this, Yang Lingfeng immediately turned around and reached out his hand.
Thud!!!
...
"Pfft... pfft... cough, take it! If you've watched my livestreams, you should know how to use it."
Fei Xiao covered her mouth, trying her best to maintain a normal tone.
Yang Lingfeng's expression was calm as he rubbed his numbing head while pressing the Poké Ball according to his Remembrance.
Then he turned his gaze toward Absol and threw the Poké Ball in his hand without hesitation.
"Come on, Absol!"
Absol stood in place without dodging.
Bang!!!
In the next second, Absol was sucked into the Poké Ball.
It shook three times, and then a final flash of starlight appeared.
Seeing this, Yang Lingfeng happily stepped forward to pick up the Poké Ball.
"Absol, please look after me from now on!"
------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the fanfiction has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 or more chapters in advance over on my patreon: patreon.com/FTLGenBen
Also every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone, Thanks.