"Thank you for the meal, the food was delicious."
Lillie put down her bowl and chopsticks with a satisfied expression. She hadn't expected Hoshino to be just as good at cooking as Mallow, which was truly surprising.
"Once you're done eating, you should head back. I still need to fix the door later. Remember to take Vulpix with you too."
Hoshino scratched his hair, already losing count of how many times his front door had been broken, and it seemed like it was always those guys downstairs who did it…
The Pokémon had all eaten their fill, but Vulpix still didn't want to leave Lillie's side, which left her a bit unsure of what to do.
"Vul~"
"…"
Watching Vulpix affectionately rub against her, Lillie pursed her lips, resisting the urge to instinctively jump away. She looked up at Hoshino across from her and asked, "Can I ask you for a favor?"
"Hmm? Go ahead."
"I'd like to board this Vulpix at the Yorozuya, because in my current state… it's impossible for me to be its Trainer. But I'll come to see it every day. Is that… okay?"
"…"
Hoshino glanced at them and didn't refuse. He nodded in agreement, "Alright then. Get used to it slowly and build up your bond. I'm not doing this just to help you; it's more to help this child."
"Okay!"
Lillie brightened up again, then looked at Vulpix, preparing to say goodbye.
She needed to go back and get ready, and she also had to help with the promotion of the Yorozuya website.
Perhaps knowing she was about to leave, Vulpix grabbed the hem of her skirt, letting out a "Vul Vul~" sound.
"...Don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow. Be a good Pokémon here, okay?"
"Vul…"
"I feel like this place is turning into a kindergarten."
Seeing this, Hoshino shook his head, then walked with Cyclizar to see Lillie off.
At the bus stop, to be safe, he reminded her again, "Don't just come here by yourself like a silly goose. When you want to come to the Yorozuya, text me, and I'll pick you up."
"Okay, thank you for the trouble."
Lillie bowed slightly, nodding gratefully, then said, "I'll get the website done very quickly. Vulpix is in your care for now."
"Don't worry about it."
Hoshino responded with a smile, then watched her leave. He hadn't expected to experience so much today, but for the Yorozuya, it was a good start.
"Let's go, we're heading back too."
"Cycli~"
…
Things settled down like this. Although there was another noisy fellow in the house, with Lillie coming on the first bus every day to take care of it, it gradually became familiar with everyone.
Vulpix could now move and eat normally without needing help from others, but it only let down all its guard when Lillie was around.
Hoshino had already told Jenny about it, and she was happy to agree after learning about the situation.
However, Tandemaus would have to wait until after the New Year to be sent back to the Paldea region. All the Pokémon rescued would be sent back, and there were still some things that needed to be investigated.
Lillie was very reluctant when she found out, but there was nothing she could do. Besides, Tandemaus also wanted to return to its hometown; it had been captured, and Tandemaus live in groups, with many companions waiting for them back in Paldea.
But all of this was for after the New Year. In the blink of an eye, it was already the end of the year.
During this time, besides helping two customers at the Izakaya solve some minor problems, there were no other requests, but the reputation of the Yorozuya finally started to improve.
Occasionally, one could hear customers at the Izakaya chatting about the Yorozuya, and some Pokémon passing by on the street would also curiously stop and look at the Yorozuya sign hanging on the second floor.
On the last day of the year, after many days, it snowed again, fitting the atmosphere. Lillie didn't come today; she reportedly went home. She was only staying at Burnet's house temporarily.
Vulpix sat on the railing in front of the Yorozuya, watching the snowflakes fall from the sky. It was waiting for someone to appear, but they never did.
"Vul…"
Hoshino appeared from behind, picked it up, and said, "Alright, she said she'll be back tomorrow afternoon. It's New Year's Day today, so be happy."
"Gengar~"
Gengar quietly appeared next to Vulpix, then smiled and took out its treasured trinkets, handing them over, comforting the other Pokémon by sharing.
Seeing this, Vulpix turned and jumped off the railing, running into the house. Gengar immediately floated behind, following it, and they started chasing and playing in the living room.
"You guys, keep it down."
Hoshino called out with a smile, then grabbed the railing, turning sideways to look at the street.
Over the past few days, there had been a noticeable decrease in Pokémon in Kabukicho, and many shops had temporarily closed. Everyone had gone home for the New Year.
But this had nothing to do with those who originally lived in Kabukicho. They would celebrate the New Year here and didn't need to go anywhere else.
He hadn't expected that on such a lively New Year's Day, Kabukicho would be at its quietest. It was a rather indescribable feeling.
"If it's quiet outside, we can just be lively ourselves. After all, I'm not alone."
Hoshino smiled calmly. Just as he was about to turn back into the house, Braixen suddenly walked out from the stairs and approached with a smile.
"Brai~"
"Hmm?"
Hoshino was slightly stunned, not quite understanding what it was saying. Slowking then also emerged from behind and explained, "It's asking you for New Year's money. Don't tell me you haven't prepared it."
"What are you talking about?"
Hoshino was even more confused. New Year's money? Was this some new term? He knew every character, but why couldn't he understand them when combined?
"It's pocket money given by elders to juniors. You haven't never received any, have you? (laughs)"
As he spoke, Slowking suddenly pulled out a handful of red envelopes, then walked into the house. Hoshino was stunned for a moment, then immediately followed, watching as Slowking gave one to each of his Pokémon.
"Cycli?"
Cyclizar opened the red envelope with a puzzled expression, not expecting it to contain so many bills. It immediately got excited. Now it could buy food when Kabukicho got lively again in a few days.
Gengar, Vulpix, and Tandemaus all got a share. The red envelopes indeed contained quite a few bills, making Hoshino a little envious. He immediately turned around and asked, "What about mine? I definitely have one too, right!"
"Don't worry, but it's not a red envelope, it's something else. I've raised your rent. Happy?"
"???"
"Oh, and as the boss of the Yorozuya, with such good business, your red envelopes for your employees and little ones must be more than mine, right? Don't hide them. Quickly give Braixen one."
"Brai~"
Hoshino: "???"
'Where the hell is my business? I can't even dream of good business. And no one told me I had to give New Year's money for New Year's! Can someone give me one, please? I'm a little one too!'
Hearing Slowking's words, Cyclizar and the others all looked over, their faces full of anticipation, waiting for big red envelopes.
Feeling so many gazes on him, Hoshino, completely unprepared, forced a smile, scratching his hair, and replied, "Well… do I even need to say it! Haha! It'll definitely be bigger than your red envelope!"
'…Bigger my ass. I just started learning how to save money, and this wave is going to wipe it all out.' But looking at the expectant eyes of these Pokémon, he couldn't refuse. Even if he didn't have it, he had to have it.
Seeing him like this, Slowking nodded with great satisfaction, "It seems you've indeed earned quite a bit. Raising your rent was certainly the right decision."
"…"
Hoshino finally understood. This guy purposely came to bring it up. He definitely still held a grudge about getting his tail shot with an arrow a few days ago.
But just then, Slowking suddenly pulled out another red envelope and threw it to him, then turned and walked outside, slowly saying, "You'll have to work hard to earn me rent again next year."
"…"
Looking at the red envelope suddenly in his hand, Hoshino was momentarily lost in thought. He hadn't expected to actually get one. He opened it and saw that it was the same as Cyclizar's and the others'. This was the first time in two lifetimes he had received New Year's money.
"If you're going to give it, give it earlier! Beating around the bush, and I still have to give more than this… Forget it. Who told me I'm the boss of this Yorozuya? Giving these guys some New Year's money is only right."
…
At night, the snow in Hau'oli City grew heavier, and the entire city was enveloped in the lively atmosphere of the New Year. Iki Town in the mountains was even livelier, hosting a New Year's Eve bonfire party.
Kabukicho was relatively quieter, but what needed to be hung was hung, and the scent of the New Year could also be felt here.
Inside the Yorozuya, Hoshino and the Pokémon were in the living room, eating hot pot and various dishes he had carefully prepared. They could also enjoy the snowy scenery outside the window through the drawn blinds.
Nai-chan had come by in the afternoon and also gave everyone a red envelope. She also brought some ingredients before leaving, which were now being put to good use.
Hoshino had found a good monitor screen at a second-hand market and hung it in the living room. During meals, he could cast videos from his phone to watch.
Currently, the screen was showing New Year's Eve programs from various regions. Some even invited very powerful Trainers to participate.
For example, the Kanto region's New Year's Eve party invited Red, this year's Champion of the World Tournament held in Galar. Then, watching him on stage, not saying a word, only responding with '.', causing an awkward silence.
Gengar and Cyclizar in front of the screen burst into laughter at the sight. Hoshino also couldn't hold back. Tandemaus didn't understand what it was, but also started laughing along.
Only Vulpix, mixed among them, seemed to have something on its mind. Hoshino gently stroked its head and comforted it, "Be happier. She definitely doesn't want to see you like this."
"Vul…"
At the same time, on an artificial island still under expansion in the Alola sea.
At the innermost luxurious mansion, although illuminated by many lights and appearing full of New Year's atmosphere, it seemed unusually quiet…
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