"One week ago, the Extra Rice-Worthy team that lost contact during a livestream has now been confirmed to have safely returned. However, every one of them looks terrified and refuses to talk about what happened."
"And since then, Lavender Town has completely banned anyone from entering the top of the Pokémon Tower, sealing off the staircase entirely."
"So what exactly happened back then? And was that white face truly the 'Buried Alive' humanoid from urban legends? I'm afraid this will remain yet another mystery…"
Lumiere walked past the news screen playing at the Pokémon Center. Today was the day Eevee would be discharged.
For the past week, he and Rowlet had stayed here with Eevee, completely forgetting about things like staking out suspects.
When Volo heard about it, he dropped by once, stood there thoughtfully nodding for a while, then left again.
When Cabbage got out of school, she would also deliberately carry Gible and make a detour to check on Eevee's condition.
She'd even bring some food along. As for Lumiere working as a babysitter—well, that could wait until Eevee was discharged…
Nurse Joy put away her diagnostic equipment after another checkup, turned around, and smiled.
"Eevee is in good condition. She can be discharged at any time."
Hearing this, Lumiere immediately lit up. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Just be careful not to feed her Pokémon food for now, and don't give her human food either."
"Then what should she eat?"
"It's best to warm MooMoo Milk mixed with Oran Berry juice to about 35°C. Don't let her eat too much in one meal. After about half a month, she should be fine. If there's any abnormal reaction during this period, you can come back for a checkup at any time."
"Got it. Thank you."
After Nurse Joy left, Lumiere gently picked up the still-sleeping Eevee.
Feeling someone touch her, Eevee instinctively kicked with her tiny paws, the pink pads squishing adorably as she wriggled slightly in Lumiere's arms.
"Rowlet~"
Seeing this, Rowlet quickly flapped her wings, clearly saying she wanted a hug too.
"Easy, easy. You can hold her when we get home."
"Rowlet…"
Carrying Eevee and Rowlet, Lumiere had just stepped out of the Pokémon Center when he saw a yellow figure flash past in front of him.
"Again?"
He'd noticed that thing several times over the past few days. It always ran off immediately. He'd been too busy to care and still didn't know what it wanted.
All the way home, Rowlet couldn't wait to take Eevee from Lumiere's arms. It was obvious she genuinely liked her sister.
"Be careful—don't hurt her."
After reminding her, Lumiere headed to the kitchen, took out MooMoo Milk and Oran Berries from the fridge, and started preparing Eevee's food.
Rowlet sat on the sofa, skillfully grooming Eevee's fur.
Perhaps because of the movement, Eevee shifted slightly and slowly opened her eyes.
Looking at the unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar surroundings—and at Rowlet staring blankly at her—she let out a soft cry.
"Eevee~"
Seeing her awake, Rowlet instantly brightened up, switched into a Magikarp outfit, and started hopping around on the sofa to amuse Eevee.
"Eevee?"
Just then, Cynthia pushed the door open and walked in. "I'm back~"
The moment she entered, she saw Rowlet happily playing with Eevee on the sofa. Smiling, she walked over.
"Eevee~"
Cynthia reached out to rub her tail, but the instant she touched it, Eevee's fur stood on end. She immediately covered her head and started trembling, clearly terrified.
Rowlet instantly stepped in front of Eevee, soothing her while flapping her wings to signal Cynthia to back away.
"…Alright."
Cynthia could only withdraw her hand regretfully. Eevee didn't know her, and she had just been discharged—it was normal for her to be nervous. She'd adjust after some time.
At that moment, Cynthia's backpack suddenly shook. Gible poked her head out—she'd been stuck in there for so long she was about to suffocate.
"Gible~"
Cynthia took Gible out of the bag. Seeing her staring at the two Pokémon on the sofa, she immediately understood.
She set Gible down and gently patted her head. "Go play with them. You're all girls anyway. Just remember not to bully Eevee, okay? I'll go check what vegetables we have today."
"Gible~"
Once Cynthia left, Gible looked back at the sofa and hopped up.
She had only been born a week ago, had no real combat ability, and didn't even know how to battle. Cynthia mostly just carried her around to build affection.
She'd only seen Rowlet a few times at the Pokémon Center, so they weren't familiar at all. Without hesitation, she reached out and plucked a feather straight from Rowlet's red Poké Ball–like backside.
"Rowlet!"
Startled, Rowlet rubbed the spot where the feather had been pulled out, turning around angrily.
Seeing Gible happily hopping around with her feather, Rowlet held back.
After all, this was just a brat who'd been born not long ago. She was a princess—no need to stoop to that level.
So she turned back and continued soothing Eevee. Her sister was much more well-behaved.
After a while, Eevee finally lowered her guard. No longer afraid, she affectionately rubbed against Rowlet's wing, making Rowlet ridiculously happy.
But seeing that they seemed to be ignoring her, Gible walked over and chomped down on the tail of Rowlet's Magikarp outfit.
"!!!"
That tail was not just decoration—important people knew this!
Rowlet yanked her tail back and rubbed the sore spot with her wing. She held back again—Eevee was still there. She couldn't let her see a scene even parents couldn't handle.
Seeing Rowlet still unwilling to engage, Gible changed targets and grabbed Eevee's wagging tail.
"Eevee!"
Eevee, who had just been calmed down, was frightened again and curled up trembling.
Gible, however, grinned mischievously—until the next moment, when a wing whooshed through the air and slapped her hard!
Her laughter cut off instantly. A newly grown tooth was sent flying, caught by Rowlet and tossed straight into the sewing machine!
After instantly switching outfits, Rowlet grabbed Gible by the dorsal fin with her wing and lifted her straight up, staring her down with wide eyes—
Don't look down on me, brat!
Eevee peeked open her eyes and happened to see this scene. A trace of admiration immediately appeared in her gaze toward her sister.
But poor Gible, thoroughly bullied, finally couldn't take it anymore and burst into tears…
In the kitchen, Lumiere—currently being tormented by Cabbage's indecisiveness—tapped the counter lifelessly, waiting for her to finish choosing.
Then Gible's crying from the living room caught their attention. The two of them hurried past Spiritomb and rushed forward.
What they saw was the bizarre sight of Rowlet holding Gible up in midair.
〔Pokémon: Rowlet (Gible's appearance) ♀〕
〔Type: Grass/Flying (Dragon/Ground)〕
〔Ability: Sand Veil (hides its body in a sandstorm, with an effect comparable to "Dodge!")〕
〔Moves: Tackle, Sand Tomb, Metal Claw〕
〔Status: Animated Doll (cannot evolve, has no innate ability, cannot learn other moves)〕
〔Affection: 100 (your bond is practically overflowing)〕
Lumiere instantly felt a headache coming on. It had only been a few minutes—how had they already started fighting? Couldn't they behave for once?
"Gible!"
Cynthia anxiously took Gible back from Rowlet's grasp. Seeing her bury her face in her arms, utterly wronged, Cynthia didn't know what to say—the kid had lost a tooth!
Wasn't that a bit too rough? Lumiere rubbed his forehead and took a deep breath to calm himself.
Then he looked at Rowlet helplessly. "Apologize to Gible!"
The princess snorted and turned her head away. Seeing this, Lumiere hardened his heart.
"Then no dinner tonight. Reflect properly."
Hearing that, Rowlet stared at him in shock. No dinner? That was basically a death sentence!
But seeing that Lumiere clearly wasn't joking, Rowlet let out an angry cry, flapped her wings, and flew upstairs.
Seeing this, Cynthia quickly said, "Isn't that a bit too harsh? No matter what—"
"I've spoiled her too much. Everyone's at fault here," Lumiere waved her off, then asked, "How's Gible?"
"She lost a tooth. It'll take about ten days to grow back. Otherwise, she's just been frightened—nothing serious."
"That's good."
Lumiere finally relaxed a little. Eevee on the sofa looked on blankly, clearly not understanding what had just happened…
That night, Lumiere carried Eevee back to the room. She was terrified of everyone else, but extremely affectionate toward him—she probably really did see him as her mom.
In the room, Rowlet lay wrapped up in the blanket, unmoving, clearly sulking after being hungry all day.
After all, she hadn't even started it. Why was she the only one being punished? Totally unfair.
Hearing Lumiere approach, Rowlet shut her eyes and pretended to sleep. The princess decided she wouldn't talk to him for now.
Looking at the small round shape on the bed, Lumiere set Eevee aside, lifted the blanket, and pulled Rowlet out.
"Stop pretending. Your stomach's growling."
"…"
"Still mad at me?"
"…"
Seeing Rowlet still ignoring him, Lumiere lowered his voice. "Did you hit Gible because she bullied Eevee?"
At that question, Rowlet stayed silent for a long time—then nodded.
Lumiere smiled and rubbed her head. "You did well. As a big sister, you should stand up for your sister. You have to protect her."
Rowlet opened her eyes and shot him an annoyed look, as if asking: Then why did you scold me?
"You hit too hard. The injury was obvious at a glance. Next time something like this happens, don't leave evidence. We can't afford compensation."
"Rowlet~"
Rowlet seemed to understand something.
Lumiere, unaware that the princess had completely misunderstood him, picked her up to leave.
"Alright, I'll make you a midnight snack."
"Eevee~"
Seeing that they seemed about to leave her behind, Eevee hurriedly cried out.
"I want to make you one too, but Nurse Joy said you can't eat much per meal."
"Eevee…"
"…Alright, you can come too. Wouldn't want you staying upstairs alone and getting scared."
"Eevee~"
Eevee brightened immediately, burrowing into Lumiere's arms and snuggling up to Rowlet.
But just as he carried the two of them into the kitchen, Cabbage suddenly popped out from behind.
"You're having a midnight snack without calling me?"
Lumiere jumped in surprise, then snapped back, "Didn't we just have dinner?!"
"I'm hungry again. So let me think about what to eat for a midnight snack."
"…"
Seeing Lumiere once again wear a dead-inside expression, the two Pokémon in his arms rubbed against him and chirped happily.
And thus, a world was born where only one person—and one shark—were hurt…