Everyone Else Awakened, But I Just Opened a Pokémon Pet Shop

With so many Psyducks gathered in one place, a direct conflict could easily spell disaster—not for the wild Pokémon, but for Liu Yunlan and Murong Nan.

Sure, they could both hop on their Arcanines and escape in time, but it was clear they'd come out of it worse for wear.

That's why Su Bai had quickly stopped them.

Inside the Pokémon Center

Diancie took the communicator and, at Su Bai's signal, began to explain.

"Ahem, this is Diancie speaking~!"

"Big sisters Yunlan and Nan, this is Psyduck's original tribe."

"It was really happy to see them again and wanted to play with them... but it got rejected."

"That Golduck over there said that since Psyduck's already been tamed by a human, it's not welcome anymore!"

Diancie's voice grew sharper, tinged with indignation.

"That Golduck thinks any Pokémon raised by a human is weak and unworthy of joining the group it leads!"

"What a big meanie! So rude!"

"It even said that if Psyduck doesn't scram, it'll beat up both of you too!"

Diancie's little face scrunched up in irritation.

What's wrong with being raised by humans?!

These wild Pokémon just don't understand the beauty of bonds between Pokémon and people!

Listening to Diancie's sweet voice coming through the speaker, Murong Nan and Liu Yunlan exchanged a look.

So Psyduck went home… only to get rejected?

Why did this feel exactly like poor relatives showing up uninvited and being turned away?

"Golduck… That's Psyduck's evolved form, right?"

Liu Yunlan muttered, staring at the scene before her. Psyduck, scolded, had lowered its head while the Golduck stood tall and proud.

"So handsome… but such a jerk!"

Even as she complained, her face practically had the word "annoyed" written on it in bold.

"Are all Golducks this obnoxious?"

In the Pokémon Center, Su Bai watched both the broadcast and the curious expressions of the audience around him.

Honestly, he found it kind of amusing—he didn't expect Psyduck to randomly run into its own kind like this.

Would Diancie one day bump into a group of Carbink from the Diamond Domain too?

But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. He still had commentary to deliver.

Seeing the crowd's attention on him, he cleared his throat.

"Well… Golduck isn't usually an aggressive species toward humans."

"In fact, while this one does have a foul mouth, it hasn't actually attacked anyone, has it?"

"But since you asked, let's go over it."

"Golduck is the evolved form of Psyduck. See that gem on its forehead?"

"That's where it channels its psychic energy. While it's a Water-type Pokémon, it's also capable of powerful Psychic-type moves."

"Now, don't hold too much against it…"

Su Bai gestured toward the broadcast.

"Just like people, Pokémon have different personalities. This Golduck might just be proud—or maybe it thinks Pokémon shouldn't depend on humans."

"Still, even this Golduck would probably help a drowning human if it saw one."

"Let's just say... it's got a mean mouth, but a good heart."

That explanation made the crowd collectively speechless.

A trash-talking Golduck… that was also noble and proud?

This guy really had a strong personality.

"Ugh, really?" Liu Yunlan sulked.

She had been this close to picking a fight with Golduck just to let off some steam.

Worst-case scenario, she could hop on her Arcanine and bolt—there's no way Golduck could match that speed on land.

But if Su Bai said not to…

Sigh.

"Let's just go, Nan Nan. Bring your Psyduck, we've got exploring to do…"

She reached for Murong Nan's hand to pull her along.

After all, exploration scores were calculated based on how far you traveled, the treasures you found, and the Pokémon you caught.

If they wanted to be number one, they couldn't waste time here.

But to her surprise, Murong Nan pulled her hand away gently.

"Eh? Nan Nan, what are you—?"

Liu Yunlan stared blankly as her best friend flexed her wrists.

In all the time she'd known Murong Nan, the girl had never been the reckless type.

Was she seriously going to pick a fight with so many wild Pokémon?

But Murong Nan shook her head.

"No. I'm just tired of watching Golduck talk down to Psyduck like that."

"Today, I'm going to show that arrogant Golduck—our Psyduck is not weak!"

"We're not weak either!"

"Psyduck is going to grow stronger with me!"

"I challenge Golduck—with Psyduck!"

Her declaration stunned not only Liu Yunlan, but Psyduck itself.

Still cradling its head in its little arms, Psyduck slowly turned to look at Murong Nan.

Its eyes, wide and confused, were filled with disbelief.

"Daa~?"

Over the communicator, Diancie translated, clearing her throat:

"Psyduck says: Are you serious, Trainer? I'm going to die."

The expression on Psyduck's face—

A mix of fear, confusion, and reluctant wisdom—caused everyone in the Pokémon Center to burst into laughter.

They couldn't help it. The way Psyduck stared blankly yet knowingly—it was too relatable!

When Murong Nan heard that, her momentum almost broke entirely.

This Psyduck… is really not giving me anything to work with.

Just then, Empoleon stomped forward.

"Empo! Empo!"

Smack!

With a flap of its powerful wing, it slapped Psyduck on the head, making it stumble forward.

Its little brother was being humiliated, and as the proud elder Pokémon of Murong Nan's team, Empoleon wasn't having any of it.

If Psyduck kept embarrassing itself like this, it would make him look bad too!

"Empo! Empo! Empoooleon!"

Empoleon let loose a full barrage of angry quacks.

Diancie: "Uhh… yeah, I'm not going to translate that. Let's just say Empoleon was... very disappointed."

Her blank stare said it all. Even she didn't want to repeat whatever Empoleon just screamed.

Su Bai sighed, watching the screen.

"Still, looks like Empoleon's... encouragement… did the trick."

Psyduck, eyes still shimmering with confusion and trauma, finally broke free of its daze.

It stomped (wobbled) over to Murong Nan, puffed out its tiny chest, and let out a bold cry:

"DAA~DAA!!"

This time, no translation was needed.

Murong Nan's eyes lit up. Her Pokémon had finally found its nerve.

Psyduck, for all its self-doubt, was in.

"Whew~"

Murong Nan let out a long breath and gave Empoleon an approving nod.

Empoleon responded with a look that said:

This whole team would fall apart without me.

Satisfied, it waddled back beside her.

Then, Murong Nan turned to the arrogant Golduck, who now stood with arms crossed, staring her down.

"Alright then, Psyduck…"

"Let's show them what the bond between Trainer and Pokémon can do!"