Su Feng: "..."
Did you use the wrong term?
Cheng Die didn't hide it: "Sister Cheng Meng is my biological sister."
"Biological sister?" Su Feng's lips twitched. Cheng Meng had never mentioned a sister.
"Mona, up." Die gently patted the Skitty, which obediently hopped onto the counter, curiously eyeing Su Feng and his Combusken.
"Wait… what's your Skitty's name?" Su Feng thought he'd misheard.
"Mona. Why?" Die blinked.
Su Feng: "..."
As if sensing a kindred spirit, Die's eyes lit up: "Brother Feng! You've played Persona 5 too?!"
Su Feng glanced at the Skitty named Mona and nodded grimly.
Confirmed. This kid's a full-blown chuunibyou.
"Brother Feng! Coffee?"
Learning her favorite streamer was her sister's friend—and a fellow gamer—Die turned enthusiastic, shedding her earlier lethargy.
Since she was Cheng Meng's sister, Su Feng didn't stand on ceremony. "Sure." He pulled up a stool, waiting as Die brewed coffee, but didn't forget his purpose.
"Die, where's the shop owner? I need their help."
"I am the owner," Die replied without turning, hands busy with the espresso machine.
Su Feng: "..."
"Stop joking. This is important."
What kid runs a shop like this?
Thud!
Die slammed a steaming cup before him, coffee splattering.
"Do you not believe me?!" She glared, offended.
Su Feng's skeptical silence answered.
"Hmph!" Die puffed her cheeks, waving dramatically. "Everything here—I made it all!"
"Haha, nice try." Su Feng chuckled, sipping the coffee. Rich aroma, perfect bitterness—the best he'd ever tasted. Not that he drank much coffee.
Die grabbed a wood block and carving knife from under the counter.
"What's this?"
"Proof!"
The ivory blade danced like a butterfly in her hands. Wood shavings flew. Fifteen minutes later, a Combusken statue materialized—feather textures, fierce eyes, every detail flawless despite Die never glancing at the actual Pokémon.
"Wow…" Su Feng stared. "This is incredible."
"Right? And it's not even waxed yet!" Die crossed her arms smugly. "Convinced?"
"Convinced."
Su Feng produced the Keystone and the clunky armguard from his system store. "Can you embed this into the gauntlet?"
Die gasped at the gem's rainbow glint—then grimaced at the armguard.
"Why ruin a pretty stone with this ugly thing?"
"It's… practical. Breathable. Temperature-regulating."
"Ugh. Fine!" She perked up at his flattery. "Leave it to Master Die! I'll make it fabulous!"
"Cost?"
"My rates start at thousands. But for family friends…" She waved. "Free!"
Family? We met an hour ago.
Su Feng handed her a tin of Normal-type Pokéblocks. "For Mona. Shinier fur, stronger moves, softer cuddles."
Die's eyes sparkled. "Deal! Come back tomorrow!"
Next Day
The redesigned armguard gleamed in its case—now an art piece. The Keystone sat in a protective clasp, its prismatic glow muted until release.
"Ta-daaa! The Explorer's Gauntlet!" Die announced.
Su Feng stared. "…Can it cast Arcane Shift?"