Gu Qiu entered the Pokémon Living Space.
Several of the little ones were chasing each other around.
Greninja was having the most fun, grinning foolishly from time to time.
But Pikachu, Milotic, and Kirlia weren't there.
"Pikachu's probably off training again."
Gu Qiu sighed helplessly.
Pikachu was too hardworking.
Especially after meeting Mewtwo, it seemed to feel tremendous pressure.
I'm the big brother.
I'm everyone's big brother.
These foolish little siblings are all mine to protect!
Gu Qiu had built a training ground inside the space.
Not large—but normally only Pikachu used it.
Eevee and Vulpix were still young—at the playful stage.
Greninja, carrying the Naruto template, naturally loved companionship and playing with friends.
Milotic had inherited the Second Hokage's style—she enjoyed research.
She was probably in the lab or testing ninjutsu and new techniques on the practice field.
"As for Kirlia… she's been acting strange lately. Not playing with the others. She's probably in her room."
"Let's go take a look."
"Kirlia?"
Gu Qiu arrived at her door.
Her house had been designed in a rather feminine style.
"Kirlu?"
Hearing Gu Qiu's voice, Kirlia's face lit up with joy.
Master came to see her alone!
So happy!
She hurried toward the door—
Then suddenly noticed the photo in her hand.
It was a picture of Gu Qiu's bright, sunny smile.
Her face turned red instantly.
He absolutely cannot see this!
Too embarrassing!
In panic—
She stuffed the photo into her mouth and swallowed it.
"Kirlu!" (That took me forever to get… wuwuwu!)
From the outside:
"Kirlia? I'm coming in."
She almost cried.
The door opened.
Gu Qiu saw her teary, wronged expression.
"What's wrong? Who bullied you?"
"Kirlu!" (Wuwuwu!)
"Who bullied you?"
His eyes darkened with anger.
Who dared bully his adorable Kirlia?
He wouldn't spare anyone.
"Kirlu." (No one bullied me. I want hugs. And to be lifted high!)
Kirlia was more sensitive to emotions than most Pokémon.
She could feel Gu Qiu's genuine concern.
Her smile bloomed like a flower.
"Hugs? Lift you up?"
"You're still like a little kid."
He said that—
But still picked her up and lifted her high.
She was light. Soft. Fragrant.
"Kirlu kirlu!"
She laughed happily.
After playing for a while, Gu Qiu sensed her mood had greatly improved.
Raising Pokémon was like raising children.
Female Pokémon—cherish them like little angels.
Male Pokémon—go play somewhere else.
Just then, the outside announcement called his name.
"Kirlia, Master's going to fight."
"Kirlu!"
She tugged at him reluctantly.
"I'll come back after the match. I'll bring you something tasty."
Her eyes sparkled.
"Kirlu!" (I want Master to hold me while sleeping again, like before.)
"You're not scared of sleeping alone, are you? Such a cutie."
He laughed.
Earlier, he had upgraded the Living Space.
One-Star Elite Trainer expansion: 200×200 meters.
40,000 square meters.
Four times larger.
Cost: 300,000 Pokécoins.
He also upgraded:
PlaygroundLaboratoryTraining Ground
Each level-two upgrade cost 50,000.
He was nearly broke.
Being strong was expensive.
[System Notification: Competitive Exam detected.]
[Ranking-based rewards activated. Higher placement = better rewards.]
[Lucky Task triggered: Each victory grants one Lucky Draw.]
[Lucky Draw rewards include: Pokécoins, TMs, held items, evolution stones, etc.]
"Very thoughtful."
Aside from late reminders, the system had been generous.
No failure penalties.
Gu Qiu vanished from the Living Space.
Kirlia stared longingly at the empty air.
Then—
She smiled.
He'd come back tonight.
Wait.
Humans on dates usually prepared something special, right?
"What should I get…"
"No! I'll go out and prepare a romantic surprise for Master!"
Unlike the others—
Kirlia, Milotic, and Pikachu had free access in and out of the Living Space.
Gu Qiu trusted them.
He had also placed Flying Thunder God markers on them.
As for the other three—
Restricted.
Especially Greninja.
That one would definitely go vandalizing something.
Vulpix and Eevee were simply too young.
Also—
They were girls.
Naturally, he was a bit more protective.
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