School ended at 4 PM, and Kabukicho started operating at 6 PM, so there was no need to rush back.
However, because he had deliberately tricked Moon in the morning, all the students in the class now had no good impression of him and completely isolated him.
He successfully became an enemy of the entire class by himself, but just as it was his habit, he didn't care about what others thought of him, even if everyone hated him; he just ignored it and slept.
He had lived like this for over twenty years in his previous life, and even if he suddenly transmigrated back to being 15 years old, it wouldn't be so easy to change…
After school, he left the classroom alone under the indifferent gazes of everyone, but he was no longer alone like before; Cyclizar was waiting outside, and they would go back together.
"Cycli~"
"Let's go, we'll head to the commercial district first!"
Hoshino still needed to find a part-time job, the kind where he could work for a few hours after school every day, and then switch to other jobs on weekends.
After riding off on Cyclizar, he thought about the battle that morning, and it was indeed as Moon had said: he couldn't command Cyclizar to use moves.
Although he was very strong, moves were meaningless if they couldn't be used. That Rowlet was very agile; if he hadn't tricked the opponent, Cyclizar definitely wouldn't have caught it, and the battle would have dragged on until class ended without a clear winner.
"But there's no way…"
Hoshino was also helpless about this. He would have to wait until he saved enough money, then look for a suitable Pokémon during the winter break, one that could battle.
…
Hau'oli City's commercial district, as the most prosperous area in all of Hau'oli City, was filled with people shopping and enjoying themselves, even on weekdays.
Based on experience, he quickly found a part-time job at a claw machine arcade in the shopping mall. His main task was to keep an eye on the place, wander around the store, and help customers with various issues.
Perhaps it was because his post-injury demeanor and appearance were particularly "kind," the boss didn't hesitate to pass him in the interview, and the pay was quite good.
Moreover, this store allowed Pokémon to work, and Cyclizar also successfully interviewed, though its pay would be lower, and its main task was also to keep an eye on the place.
Generally, evenings were the busiest time in the commercial district, so his working hours were from 5 PM to 10 PM, and he could work a full day on weekends, paid by the hour.
As for why he went to a claw machine arcade, it was because Cyclizar wanted a Rowlet plushie, so he might as well go and try to win one…
Since he urgently needed money, he started working that very day, staying until 10 PM when the boss happily settled his wages. By then, there were only a few people left in the store.
"Turns out it's mostly kids and couples, so noisy and boisterous…"
Hoshino complained a bit, but now that work was over, he could relax. Since Cyclizar also worked with him, this was double pay.
"Cycli~"
"Alright, I'll take you to get a plushie."
He had also observed during work which machines were easy to win from and which were not, so he had a general idea.
However, he was also a master of claw machines; this time, his main purpose was to guide. Such things had no meaning if they weren't won by oneself!
Hoshino led Cyclizar to a claw machine filled with Substitute plushies. Mixed in with these Substitute plushies were a small number of Alola Region starter Pokémon plushies, and this was the only place in the entire store that had them.
"Did you get the coins?"
"Cycli!"
"Okay, I'll show you first how to play this thing!"
Hoshino had Cyclizar stand aside and observe, then inserted two coins. He gripped the joystick with one hand and placed the other hand on the button, beginning to operate.
He watched the claw move with a serious expression, then quickly lowered it, grabbed a Substitute plushie, and immediately pushed the joystick hard, swinging it over so it dropped perfectly into the exit and rolled out.
"See? It's that simple!"
Hoshino smiled as he retrieved the Substitute plushie, and Cyclizar instantly became excited upon seeing it.
"Cycli!"
"Don't rush, playing this requires patience. You play, and I'll direct from the side."
"Cycli!"
Two coins were inserted, and Cyclizar, mimicking his earlier actions, began to operate seriously. However, it was its first time playing such a thing; let alone winning a Rowlet plushie, it couldn't even win a Substitute plushie.
But with Hoshino's serious guidance, after continuous failures and the boss reclaiming half of its day's wages, it finally succeeded once, winning a Substitute plushie, which made it incredibly happy.
"Cycli Cycli~"
"Mm-hmm, keep up the good work. I see Rowlet's foot in that middle pile. First, throw aside the Substitute plushies on top."
"Cycli!"
Cyclizar continued to operate. Hoshino thought for a moment and decided not to give any more hints, just to see what it would do next.
After one success, it indeed became much simpler. Cyclizar consecutively won several Substitute plushies, and Hoshino helped it pick them up from the side.
But as the plushies inside began to decrease, it became increasingly difficult to win, with various empty grabs or plushies falling during ascent after being grabbed.
Finally, all of Cyclizar's wages were reclaimed by the boss. The spoils were ten Substitute plushies, and Rowlet still only showed a foot. It was a huge loss.
"Cycli…"
Cyclizar turned around pitifully, tears welling up in its eyes. It was too bad, couldn't win them, didn't want to play anymore, all its money was lost.
After Hoshino packed up all the Substitute plushies, he patted its head and encouraged it with a smile: "If you lose, you lose. I'll go get you more coins. No matter what you do, you must never give up!"
He didn't feel bad about the money. Since he said he would let Cyclizar win the Rowlet itself, he naturally had to follow through. Promises with Pokémon were very important to him.
Then the wage reclamation plan began again. They finished work at 10 PM but stayed until 11 PM, basically having spent almost all the money earned that night.
With the last two coins inserted, Cyclizar was fully focused, not daring to relax even a little. Hoshino observed carefully and began to direct.
Watching the claw sway and slowly descend, one claw hooked onto the tag on Rowlet's butt perfectly, and it was just the right time!
"Swing it directly!"
"Cycli!"
Cyclizar reacted instantly, almost breaking the joystick, finally pulling Rowlet out from amidst the Substitute plushies and successfully swinging it into the exit to drop!
"Cycli!"
Seeing the plushie that dropped out, Cyclizar was incredibly excited, as if it had accomplished something unprecedented, and then it bit Hoshino's head.
"Ow, ow, ow…"
After struggling free, Hoshino was also happy for it. He then took out the plushie, and his expression froze slightly, because this Rowlet was a bit different: it was light green and had cat ears.
"It's a limited collaboration edition, a Rowlet wearing a Sprigatito outfit! We broke even!"
"Cycli Cycli~"
The two fellows were as happy as mischievous children. The boss, who had completed his wage reclamation mission from afar, was even happier than them…
The final spoils were 21 Substitute plushies and 1 collaboration Rowlet plushie. Although almost all the wages were spent, it was ultimately not a loss.
Cyclizar hugged the Rowlet plushie, very happy. Hoshino also tidied up the Substitute plushies, preparing to go home for dinner.
But just then, his gaze caught sight of something. He quickly used his remaining wages to exchange for two more coins, then inserted them. With skillful operation, he won another Substitute plushie.
"Cycli?"
Cyclizar was a bit confused, not knowing what this was about. There were already so many, after all.
"Hehe, we hit the jackpot today!"
Hoshino picked up the plushie and showed it to Cyclizar, only to find that this Substitute plushie had a different color scheme, with a tire-like protrusion on its belly and blush on its face. It looked a bit like… who?
"Cycli?"
"That's right, this is your Substitute plushie!"
He hadn't expected this to be mixed in there, but Cyclizar's move, Shed Tail, was to create a Substitute, so it seemed normal for it to be mixed in.
"Cycli~"
Looking at this mini version of itself, Cyclizar was stunned and didn't take it. It had the Rowlet plushie, which was enough; this one should naturally be left for Hoshino.
"Alright, then let's take them all home to display. The house is empty, so it's good to put some things in it. Now let's go home~"
"Cycli~"
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