After walking for a considerable distance, Xiao Zhi finally arrived at Futaba Town, the closest town to the airport.
And luckily, Futaba Town's commercial street was right on the street not far from the entrance.
"So there's no Pokémon Center here? What a disappointment..."
At the entrance of Futaba Town, there was a map of the town. The content on the map was very simple, just roughly dividing the various areas of Futaba Town.
After all, this is just a very simple town, incomparable to Zhuqing City, let alone Unova's Castelia City.
If you travel in the latter two cities, you might accidentally get lost.
But that's because those cities have too many buildings, towering skyscrapers, and intricate roads. In Futaba Town, if you get lost, it's probably just because you have a poor sense of direction.
As for whether Xiao Zhi has a poor sense of direction, he probably does, right?
The paths he has gotten lost on during his travels could rival the paths many veteran Trainers have walked. Xiao Zhi has even come to view getting lost as a life philosophy.
It's clear that he himself has no way to overcome getting lost, but even so, he won't admit that he has a poor sense of direction. Getting lost must be due to fate!
"OKI!"
Compared to Xiao Zhi's current worries, Aipom seemed much happier.
After all, if Xiao Zhi retrieved his pokeball, he wouldn't be able to stay outside.
Although Aipom isn't as resistant to pokeballs as Pikachu, for him, who is naturally active, the outside world is definitely more appealing.
"No choice. It seems you'll have to stay outside a bit longer. Anyway, let's go to the commercial street first to buy some necessities, and grab lunch while we're at it. Otherwise, it'll be troublesome if we forget later."
"Pikachu!"
"OKI~"
Pikachu and Aipom both raised their hands in agreement with Xiao Zhi's plan, but what they agreed to wasn't shopping, but eating.
They spent most of their long flight sleeping. Although there was an in-flight meal, that was yesterday evening's affair.
And it had been a full day since Aipom last ate.
If it weren't for his somewhat carefree nature, not realizing he was still hungry until Xiao Zhi mentioned eating, he probably wouldn't have had so much energy.
"Let's go then."
Seeing Pikachu and Aipom looking hungrier than the other, Xiao Zhi smiled gladly and, without saying anything more, led them towards Futaba Town's commercial street.
...
Half an hour later.
Inside a certain supermarket.
"So, don't we already have a lot of ketchup? Is there really a need to buy more?"
"Pika—!" (This is a daily necessity!)
"What kind of daily necessity is that... You can still live without ketchup, can't you?"
"Pikachu pika!" (This is different!)
Just as Xiao Zhi was checking out and about to pay.
Pikachu somehow stealthily brought two bottles of ketchup from somewhere, and without any explanation, just tossed them into the shopping basket, making Xiao Zhi so annoyed he could understand what he was saying.
"How is it different?! If you're going to buy new ones, at least finish the ones in your backpack first!"
"Pikachu!!" (Better safe than sorry!)
"OKI......"
Aipom, who was usually the most boisterous, was now silent, watching Xiao Zhi and Pikachu argue.
It wasn't that he didn't want to chime in or break up the fight; it was just that the sympathetic looks from the people in the mall made him afraid to step forward and intervene. What if he was mistaken for being part of their group?
"Uh... that..."
Just as Aipom was about to leave, the cashier suddenly spoke:
"We're currently having an event here. If you spend over a certain amount, you get one chance to draw a prize. If you include these two new bottles of ketchup... you'll get five chances to draw. How about it? Want to give it a try?"
"......"
Alright, after hearing the cashier's voice, Xiao Zhi finally realized his Gaffe. It was mainly because Pikachu hadn't changed at all from before.
Even before he traveled back, Pikachu always liked to sneak in a bottle or two of ketchup when he was buying things.
If he had finished all his old stock, Xiao Zhi wouldn't have said anything.
The problem was that Pikachu always bought more before finishing the current ones, resulting in ketchup filling half of his backpack for a period of time.
"Then so be it......"
Under the cashier's gaze, Xiao Zhi waved his hand and said, effectively admitting defeat.
Pikachu, standing at Xiao Zhi's feet, happily made a peace sign, celebrating his victory.
Though even Aipom didn't know what there was to celebrate about such a thing.
"You can draw for prizes at the entrance with your receipt. Thank you for your patronage."
The cashier smiled as he saw Xiao Zhi off.
Although Xiao Zhi and Pikachu had a small comedic scene here, for the local residents who were used to the unchanging life of the town, their antics added a touch of fun to the peaceful life.
After all, they looked like they had a very good relationship; their arguments weren't real arguments, just playful bickering.
Holding the receipt the cashier handed him, Xiao Zhi shamefully patted his head and ambled over to the prize drawing area.
Guarding the prize booth was a stout middle-aged uncle wearing a white bandana.
Seeing Xiao Zhi's disheveled appearance, he generously patted Xiao Zhi's shoulder and said:
"Don't Mind! Young people should have some vitality! Don't take it to heart, everyone is just watching the show, no one will laugh at you!"
"...Although I don't know if your words had any comforting effect, never mind."
Xiao Zhi shook his head and handed over the receipt. The uncle, after a quick glance at the receipt, moved aside and said:
"Received, you get 5 draws in total, please go ahead~ Unlike previous prizes, our boss really put a lot of effort into coming up with the prize contents this time."
A lot of effort?
Xiao Zhi, hearing him say that, curiously looked up at the prize list posted on the wall.
First Prize—Full set of pokeball stickers (with matching Capsule Balls)
Second Prize—A year's supply of ketchup
Xiao Zhi: "???"
Pikachu: "!!!"
Although Xiao Zhi didn't want to continue reading after seeing the second prize, under the uncle's excited gaze, he continued to browse.
Third Prize—A month's supply of Razz Berries
Xiao Zhi: "???"
Aipom: "!!!"
Why does this world feel so malicious.......
Well, the first few prizes were indeed good, except they were useless to him.
Xiao Zhi covered his face, and through the corner of his eye in the gap between his fingers, he finally finished reading the remaining prizes.
Fourth Prize—One Futaba Restaurant voucher
Fifth Prize—One exquisite keychain
Consolation Prize—One pack of tissues
.......