"You said its name is Munna?" The female employee stepped out from behind the counter, curious. "How did you know?"
Su Feng, ever the educator, gently patted Munna's head. "Because its species name is Munna."
"Munna, a rare Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon, thrives in lively, crowded places. It mimics human actions and expressions, trying to understand their emotions. If the mimicked person notices and reacts, Munna gets overjoyed."
Suddenly realizing he wasn't live-streaming, Su Feng awkwardly rubbed his nose. "Sorry, force of habit."
"Force of habit?" The employee tilted her head. "You know so much!"
The male employee, silent until now, pulled out his phone. After a quick comparison, he recognized Su Feng—despite the mask—by the ever-present Haunter.
"Bro… Bro Feng!" he stammered, approaching nervously.
"Uh, hi?" Su Feng looked up, surprised. How'd you recognize me?
"It is you!" The employee fumbled for a notebook. "Can I get your autograph?"
"Sure."
Su Feng signed with a flourish, his calligraphy practice finally paying off.
The employee beamed. "Bro Feng, where's the next stream location?"
Before Su Feng could answer, the female employee yanked her colleague's ear. "Stop prying! His work's none of your business."
Su Feng chuckled awkwardly. These two seem close.
As for the next location, Su Feng hadn't decided. Online polls favored Y City's mountains or H City's snowfields.
Meanwhile, Munna mimicked Haunter's floating, its clumsy attempts endearing.
Su Feng pulled out a jar of low-grade Pokéblocks. "Here. Save some for later."
The male employee recognized the treats. "Those are the candies you use on-stream!"
"Munna~"
Munna popped one into its mouth, eyes lighting up.
Though low-grade, the Pokéblock was a delicacy for a first-timer.
After snapping a few photos for the Pokédex, Su Feng bid the staff farewell.
Back home, Su Feng's phone rang. It was Old Chen.
"Su Feng, congratulations! Your efforts paid off—the Pokémon Protection Act is official. It'll be announced next week."
"Really!?" Su Feng's eyes sparkled.
"Would I lie to you?" Old Chen chuckled. "But there's something else. Jin showed us the Poké Ball."
Su Feng stayed silent, waiting.
"That technology… it's monumental. Jin mentioned you're willing to share it. We're grateful, but when do you plan to hand it over?"
Su Feng took a deep breath. "Old Chen, the timing isn't up to me—it's up to the people."
"Pokémon didn't choose to come here. They're victims too. Poké Balls are a double-edged sword. In the wrong hands, they could harm Pokémon."
"Until the public fully accepts Pokémon, I can't release the technology."
Old Chen paused, then sighed. "I understand."
"This world belongs to Pokémon as much as humans. I won't pressure you, but promise me one thing: always prioritize our nation's interests."
Su Feng smiled. "Old Chen, my loyalty to this country runs deeper than you think."
"Good, good."
Spotting his Berry Blender, Su Feng added, "Send someone to pick up some blueprints. It's not as groundbreaking as the Poké Ball, but it's vital for Pokémon."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Remember the Pokéblocks I fed Pokémon on-stream? It's the machine that makes them."