Pokemon: Helping Pokemon Pays Off

To Unlock Bonus Chapters:

10 Powerstones - [1 chapter]

50 Powerstones - [3 chapters]

100 Powerstones - [5 chapters]

500 Powerstones - [7 chapters]

1000 Powerstones - [10 Chapters]

All bonus chapters will be released on friday!

Resets every Friday!

------------------------------

"..."

Hoshino had an inexplicable bad feeling, but was there any turning back now? Not anymore. There was no time to find new lodging today.

"Did you feel any strange gazes just now?" he asked, lowering his head.

"Mototz!"

The Cyclizar suddenly snapped back to attention, its eyes returning to normal. It looked dazed for a moment before resuming its usual cheerful expression.

Seeing this, Hoshino thought back to how it had taken down that Klawf in a single move the previous night. That memory eased his worries, and he sighed in relief. "Looks like whatever it is, you can handle it. Let's keep going!"

"Mototz! Mototz~"

It dashed down the middle of the road, deeper into the Vagabond District—a place supposedly inhabited by stray Pokémon.

Oddly enough, there wasn't a single other Pokémon in sight, let alone humans who might've chosen to live here for free.

However, the streets were exceptionally clean, as if someone tidied them regularly.

There were even quite a few shops and billboards along the road, though all were closed. Yet, the signs didn't look like they'd been abandoned for years.

"What kind of street is this? I'd believe it if you told me everyone took the day off. It doesn't look deserted at all—more like a night market that's just closed during the day…"

Hoshino kept glancing at the map, noting scattered flashing dots inside some buildings, but no landmarks were marked.

Just as he was puzzling over this, Cyclizar suddenly stopped and stared at a nearby building—plain, with no fancy decorations.

Though it was only two stories tall, it occupied a large area. A staircase on the side led directly to a second-floor balcony with a door.

The roof was designed with triangular tiles, giving it an Eastern architectural style that didn't really match the tropical vibes of Alola. Still, it somehow fit right in on this street.

Hoshino stared at the small two-story building in silence for a long time before muttering, "Haven't I seen this design in some anime before…?"

"Mototz! Mototz!"

Cyclizar called out toward the building. Hoshino couldn't understand what it was saying, so he got off and walked over together.

The map showed no flashing dots here. Whether there were Pokémon inside, he couldn't tell. But as they got closer, he caught a faint whiff of fruit wine drifting through the air.

"Someone's brewing alcohol?"

He was surprised. It seemed this place wasn't occupied by Pokémon after all—humans lived here. Cyclizar must've been drawn in by the aroma.

Looking up, Hoshino noticed a wooden sign mounted under the tiled awning between the first and second floors.

The writing on the sign had faded over time, possibly worn down by rain. Only up close could he barely make out the characters:

"Slow… Izakaya?"

Hoshino read it aloud softly. So, there was a shop here after all. What's up with this phone map? Not even as reliable as those shameless knock-off apps anymore!

"Mototz! Mototz!"

"Alright, alright, I know you're hungry. Stop trying to ram the door—be polite and knock instead!"

Hoshino stopped Cyclizar, then gently knocked twice on the izakaya's door. It was probably not open yet, hence the door was closed.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

After the three knocks, Hoshino patiently waited. Soon, slow, shuffling footsteps echoed from behind the door—plap, plap—sounding nothing like footsteps a human would make.

"Huh?"

Just as he was wondering, the izakaya door slowly creaked open, and a pink head, brimming with an air of wisdom, peeked out, staring blankly at him.

The creature had an orange-and-white collar resembling an umbrella around its neck, and atop its head sat a crown-like shell embedded with a ruby. That made its identity clear—it was a Slowking.

"Sloooow?"

"Sorry to bother you…"

Hoshino instinctively grabbed Cyclizar, ready to leave. He hadn't expected the resident here to be a Slowking. No wonder the place was called Slow Izakaya.

But after taking just one step away, he suddenly realized—Slowking wasn't exactly a dangerous Pokémon.

On the contrary, Slowking was highly intelligent and known for helping others solve problems. In some regions, there was even a saying: "When you're lost, just ask Slowking."

Realizing this, he quickly turned back, standing a bit awkwardly as he nervously said, "Um… sorry to bother you again."

"Sloooow?"

Seeing Slowking's perpetually dazed expression, Hoshino decided to get straight to the point. He pointed upstairs, leaning in to ask casually, "Boss Slow, is there anyone living upstairs?"

"Slooow~"

Slowking shook its head, hands tucked behind its back. That was clear enough—Hoshino's face lit up with joy. "So, it's fine if we move in upstairs, right?"

"Sloooow~"

This time, Slowking neither nodded nor shook its head. Instead, it tilted its head slightly, locking eyes with Hoshino in a vacant yet strangely intense stare.

Minutes passed with neither side backing down.

"Are you trying to hypnotize me into becoming slow like you?" Hoshino squinted suspiciously.

At that moment, Cyclizar couldn't hold back anymore and tried to enter the izakaya. Slowking's gaze finally shifted to it, and the two Pokémon began to communicate.

"Sloooow?"

"Mototz! Mototz~"

"Sloooow hmm~"

"Mototz?"

"Sloooow slooow~"

"Mototz! Mototz~"

"Slooow... can't be bothered anymore~"

Hoshino had no idea what they were talking about.

If there's an ability to understand Pokémon language, I really need to get one someday.

After their "conversation," Slowking suddenly turned and led Cyclizar back inside the izakaya.

Hoshino tried to follow, but Slowking held out a hand to stop him. Not sure what was going on, he could only wait at the door.

Moments later, Cyclizar emerged, carrying a pile of snacks and fruit juice Hoshino didn't recognize—probably Alolan specialties—along with a set of keys.

Baffled, Hoshino accepted everything and looked at the keys. Glancing at Slowking, who had also stepped outside, he asked curiously, "Are these for the second-floor door?"

"Sloooow~"

Slowking gave an intelligent nod, then turned back inside, closing the door behind it.

Hoshino still didn't understand what had just happened, but judging from Cyclizar's happy expression, it must've said something good.

"Whatever, no point overthinking. Let's check out the room—and hey, we've got dinner covered too!"

"Mototz! Mototz~"

They went up the side stairs to the second floor. The hallway was surprisingly clean, suggesting it was regularly maintained.

"The key…"

With a twist and a click, the lock opened smoothly.

The door was a wooden sliding type, similar to the one downstairs. Whatever wood it was made from, it looked pretty sturdy.

Inside, the room was dim, with a faint scent of air freshener lingering.

When Hoshino turned on the lights, he saw that both the faux-wood flooring and the ceiling were spotless—so clean he hesitated to step in.

After inspecting the place, he found it spacious, complete with a bathroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom. However, it was mostly empty—no furniture, not even a bed. They'd have to furnish it themselves.

"Clearly no one's lived here for a while, but it's been regularly cleaned. The owner's pretty diligent. Still, I'll give it another once-over later."

Overall, Hoshino was thrilled. Who would've thought they'd get such a nice place so easily—and for free!

Guess my luck's finally turning around. Today's been a rollercoaster, but after bad luck comes good fortune.

Standing in the living room, he pulled up the blinds. Harsh sunlight flooded the room—it was nearly dusk. The setting sun shone directly through the window, casting warm rays on the floor.

The apartment faced east. Every morning, he could open the door to greet the rising sun, and in the evening, sit in the living room, blinds open, to admire the sunset.

"Now this is living!"

"Mototz! Mototz~"

"Alright, let's eat—hey! Don't eat the packaging too! And that's not how you drink juice! Use the straw! The straw!"

Hoshino rushed over, patiently teaching Cyclizar how to eat the snacks. He was hungry too, but luckily, Slowking had provided enough food for a satisfying dinner.

After the meal, Cyclizar tried to crash on the bedroom floor, but Hoshino dragged it off for a bath.

Once that was done, Hoshino cleaned the floor again since it had gotten dirty. Exhausted, he finally settled down for the night.

With no bed or futon yet, he had to make do by lying on Cyclizar's back again.

"Goodnight~"

"Mototz~"

…

The sky darkened. Who knows how much time passed before the noisy sounds from the street woke Hoshino from his sleep.

Groggy, he blinked, glanced at the still-sleeping Cyclizar, then climbed off its back.

Crossing the living room, he noticed the sounds grew louder—not just from outside, but from downstairs as well.

Annoyed, he opened the door and stepped out, intending to ask what was going on.

But the moment he saw the scene below on the street, he froze.

"Did I… transmigrate again?"

…

patreon.com/Phaeron for more chapters