Modu City.
"If I remember correctly, it should be here, but..."
Bai Qianqian, a girl wearing blue hot pants that showed off her fair, slender, and very eye-catching long legs, tilted her head, looking at the storefront ahead.
Then she compared it with the address sent to her phone; the location should be correct.
The store's decoration was quite nice; it looked rather high-end.
But the store name her friend recommended was clearly Maya Pet Store, yet this store's name was Pokémon Home Pet Store?
What did that mean?
Moreover, she had never seen the platinum-colored alpaca cartoon logo next to the store name either.
"Forget it, I'll go in and see."
Since she was already here, Bai Qianqian walked into this store named Pokémon Home.
"Welcome."
As soon as she entered, a clear male voice reached Bai Qianqian's ears.
"Hello."
Bai Qianqian looked over curiously. It was a young man with delicate features, dressed simply, and with a clean aura. He looked to be around twenty years old.
Bai Qianqian quickly glanced around the store. The interior space wasn't small, the floor was very clean, the decorations were quite simple, and there were no unpleasant odors. Instead, there was a faint fresh scent.
But... this...
This didn't look like a pet store?
A question mark rose in Bai Qianqian's mind. Although it was her first time visiting a pet store, even a clean one shouldn't be completely devoid of pets, right?
"Um, may I ask, is this store a pet store?" Bai Qianqian asked the young man curiously.
"Yes, it is, Miss," Gu Xin replied with a smile.
"Please have a seat."
Gu Xin led Bai Qianqian to the rest area. This was his very first customer today!
"Thank you, but your store..."
Bai Qianqian politely thanked him, then voiced her confusion.
"It's like this: the store only opened two days ago. Also, my store is rather special, and the pets we sell are quite unique as well."
Gu Xin understood Bai Qianqian's confusion and patiently explained.
"Unique pets?"
Bai Qianqian paused. Common pets were obviously the usual cats, dogs, birds, and fish. So, what about special pets?
Bai Qianqian immediately thought of pets like venomous ones or reptiles. Her fair face showed some discomfort.
She really didn't like those types of pets at all!
"Sorry, uh, Mister," Bai Qianqian immediately stood up and apologized to Gu Xin, "I don't want to keep reptiles. I think I'll go check out other stores."
"Don't rush off, Miss! You might have misunderstood. The pets here aren't what you're thinking."
Gu Xin quickly said to Bai Qianqian. Good grief, he hadn't sold a single Pokémon in the past two days!
Although this customer looked young, Gu Xin had a discerning eye.
The bracelet on Bai Qianqian's wrist and the necklace around her neck were both quite valuable. Clearly, she was a young lady from a wealthy family.
Bai Qianqian paused her steps and turned her head to look at Gu Xin.
"When I say special, it's because the pets here have never appeared on the market before."
"Would you like to take a look? It won't waste much of your time."
Gu Xin said sincerely to Bai Qianqian.
"Ermm..."
Bai Qianqian blinked her large eyes twice. Perhaps it was because this clean-cut young man had given her a good first impression.
"Alright then. But Mister, let me make it clear first, I'll just take a look. If I don't like them, I won't buy."
"Absolutely! I believe this decision is the most correct one you could make!"
Gu Xin was deeply moved.
"Pfft~ Mister, you don't need to be so formal. We're about the same age. It feels strange when you keep using honorifics with me."
Bai Qianqian couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle softly.
"The customer is always right, after all. Come on, Miss, please press this."
Gu Xin picked up a tablet-like object from the table and handed it to Bai Qianqian.
"This is the Pokédex. Although my pet store isn't particularly large, the variety of pets is quite extensive."
"Currently, we don't offer direct selection. Customers make a random draw. I've always believed that fate is predestined."
"Pets are the most sincere companions and friends to people. So, Miss, who will your friend be? Come and try."
Gu Xin explained with a smile to Bai Qianqian, who was watching him doubtfully.
Although it sounded very grand, the simple understanding was: you could only draw randomly, you couldn't choose freely.
"Ha~ That's quite interesting, then."
But clearly, the art of language is just that magical; Bai Qianqian's interest was piqued by Gu Xin's words.
Taking the so-called Pokédex, Bai Qianqian tapped the large 'GO' on the screen.
The screen then began to scroll rapidly, image silhouettes flashing across it. Although they were all black, the diverse shapes of the silhouettes' outlines made Bai Qianqian quite curious.
Moreover, she felt that some silhouettes looked very strange. Why did the one with wings look so much like a fantasy dragon from Western mythology?
After a few breaths, the silhouette slowly came to a stop.
Not just Bai Qianqian, even Gu Xin leaned forward curiously to look.
Hopefully, it's a cute, cuddly one. Please don't let it be something like Rattata or Ekans...
Gu Xin prayed inwardly. After all, this young lady Bai Qianqian had already stated clearly that she disliked reptiles.
If it really turned out to be Ekans, a rattlesnake-type, or Arbok, a cobra-type, this customer would probably slip away again.
"Boss, is it this one?"
The image gradually became clear. Bai Qianqian showed the Pokédex to Gu Xin and asked curiously.
The image displayed a creature resembling a turtle, with a large bald head, a blue body, and a red turtle shell. It looked very cute. (Note: The original says red shell, though Squirtle's is typically brown/orange.)
Seeing this, Gu Xin breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. Thankfully, it was the water-squirting turtle...
"Yes, Miss. Your luck is very good! Its name is Squirtle. It's a very suitable and reliable partner for a beginner like you."
Gu Xin smiled at Bai Qianqian.
"It does look very cute! Could you bring it out for me to see now?"
"Of course. Please wait a moment."
Gu Xin gave Bai Qianqian a slight bow and walked towards the inner room of the store.
A minute later, Gu Xin returned to Bai Qianqian, holding a small blue turtle.
"Is this it?"
Bai Qianqian's large eyes lit up as she looked at Squirtle with pleasant surprise.
It was even cuter than in the picture. Its round, smooth head and large, watery eyes were full of life and curiosity.
"Yes. Squirtle, do you like this young lady?"
Gu Xin rubbed Squirtle's head and asked it with a smile.
"Squirtle~ Squirtle-squirtle~"
Squirtle blinked its eyes, then waved its small, stubby claws at Bai Qianqian, expressing its liking with clear, tender cries.
"Eh? Is that how turtles sound?"
Bai Qianqian was momentarily stunned, but then the light in her eyes grew brighter, and she immediately pushed the doubt to the back of her mind.
"Wow~ Can it understand what you're saying?"
Bai Qianqian looked at Squirtle with surprise and joy. So smart!
"Yes, Squirtle is a creature with very high intelligence. Although it cannot communicate with you using human language, it can understand the meaning you wish to convey."
"And Squirtle also has a traditional special trick."
Gu Xin handed Squirtle to Bai Qianqian, who happily took it.
She curiously and happily poked Squirtle's bald head and cheeks with her finger. The skin felt surprisingly nice to the touch.
"What special trick?"
"Squirtle, perform for the young lady. Use Water Gun."
Gu Xin picked up a disposable paper cup from the side and tossed it into the air.
"Squirtle~"
Squirtle puffed out its cheeks, and then a small jet of water shot out, directly hitting the paper cup in mid-air.
It was Water Gun!
Bai Qianqian was dumbfounded!
This blue turtle could actually spray water?!