Pokémon: Dreams Come True Starting in Sinnoh

Futaba Town, a quiet little town, is known as the place where new leaves sprout.

Futaba Town is located on the southwestern edge of the Sinnoh region.

Because of its unique geographical location, it is regarded by the people of Sinnoh and even by the government as the starting point for trainers.

Of course, Futaba Town was chosen as the starting point because it is relatively close to the Yamanashi Research Institute.

The Yamanashi Laboratory is where the official trainers of the Sinnoh region receive their starter Pokémon, and Twinleaf Town, located even further south than the Yamanashi Laboratory, naturally got its name from it.

Although Futaba Town is called a small town, it is actually divided into a relatively wide area.

The town's houses are mostly detached villas, making it a perfect place to rest during life's journey.

The only drawback might be that the residential area is quite far from the town's well-known small commercial street, making shopping not particularly convenient.

However, this is an inconvenience that many small towns share. Compared to other small towns like Random Town, Twinleaf Town is considered relatively prosperous.

In Futaba Town, in a house with green tiles and ivory walls—

A girl with shoulder-length hair pushed open the second-floor window, leaned against it, and stretched comfortably while taking a deep breath of the fresh air outside.

"We can leave tomorrow."

A sweet smile appeared on the girl's face.

The girl's name is Hikari, a rookie trainer who is about to debut this year. In preparation for her upcoming trip, she hasn't had a good night's sleep for several days.

Even in her dreams, she thought about the things she might encounter and the places she might go on her travels—

Forests and grasslands, snow-capped mountains and deep valleys, beaches and seaside...

These are places she could only see on TV and in magazines before, and now she can embark on a journey to see them for herself. There is nothing more exciting than traveling alone!

Thinking about this, Xiao Guang's heart couldn't help but flutter, wondering what the future held for her.

"Hey! Hikaru! Come down here for a second!"

"?"

Just as Xiaoguang was still immersed in his fantasy, his mother's voice suddenly drifted over from downstairs.

"Eat? No... wait..."

Although it was almost lunchtime, judging from the sound... it seemed like there was something he needed to do.

It was a gentle voice, just like any other, but in a child's eyes, the adult's seemingly unchanging voice always contained other meanings.

Just like a child at home can clearly distinguish whether the footsteps at the door are those of their parents.

"Sigh, it doesn't look like it's going to be anything good."

Thinking this, Xiao Guang walked downstairs somewhat dejectedly.

There was nothing I could do. No matter how unwilling I was, this was the last day before leaving home, so even if I was being ordered around to do things, I couldn't really complain.

......

When he got downstairs, Hikaru saw his mother, Ayako, standing in the kitchen with a troubled look on her face. Seeing this, Hikaru knew that his intuition had been right again.

"You're moving so fast? I thought you were still packing in your room. Not bad, not bad."

Ayako praised her with a smile, as if she were a child who had just grown up.

Although it's already a compliment to say that Xiao Guang is only now growing up, he doesn't see it that way.

"The package is already packed! I'm just waiting to leave tomorrow."

"That's amazing. I only decided what to bring on the morning of my departure. It seems you're much better at this than I am."

"Of course!" Xiao Guang said proudly, puffing out his chest. "It should be common sense to know what to bring when going out. It's Mom who has no common sense."

Perhaps because he's going out tomorrow, Hikaru's tone towards Ayako has become a bit cocky, completely unafraid of the retaliation of washing dishes and mopping the floor after dinner.

However, Ayako was clearly in a good mood today and didn't hold a grudge against Hikaru at all.

"Yes, yes, I was being naive. Miss Xiaoguang, who is so knowledgeable, could you please go to the nearby shopping street and buy me some soy sauce? We've run out."

"Eh--"

"No, hey, since you came down so quickly, doesn't that mean you're ready to help? Although the shopping street is a little far, it shouldn't be a problem for the mature Miss Xiaoguang, right?"

"I see......"

Xiao Guang pouted and replied sullenly.

If she had known it was just an errand, she would have stayed in the room a little longer before coming down.

It's not that running errands is particularly tiring or bad.

There was nothing new about this town, which I was so familiar with that I could walk to the commercial street with my eyes closed. In addition, Futaba Town didn't hold any special events, and everyone in the commercial street was an old acquaintance.

Normally, Xiaoguang wouldn't seem so disappointed.

However, when I compare what I need to do today with what I need to do tomorrow, a sense of loss immediately washes over me.

"There's no need to make that face, is there? It's just going to buy something, it should be over in half an hour..."

Ayako looked at Hikaru, who was hanging his head, speechless for a moment, and then told him the news that made Hikaru's spirits and appearance immediately refreshed.

"By the way, I seem to remember there was some kind of event going on in the shopping district today~"

Ayako pressed her index finger to her lips, tilting her head as if looking troubled. But under Hikaru's curious gaze, Ayako quickly realized something, clapped her hands, and laughed:

"Ah! Right, right! I remember now, it seems to be a lucky draw event."

"What's going on? I thought it was something else..."

Xiao Guang's interest vanished immediately. The lucky draw was one of the most frequent events held in the commercial street, but the prizes were generally just so-so.

I remember the best reward I've ever received was a three-day, three-night trip to a small island.

Although Xiaoguang really wanted this prize back then, she wouldn't want it now even if she won it.

The most important thing right now is definitely tomorrow's trip and going to the Yamanashi Research Institute in Sandstone Town to get a starter Pokémon.

"Hmm...not interested? But I heard that this year's prizes include a complete set of stickers for the Grand Contest..."

"Let me go! No! Please let me go!"

Xiao Guang immediately changed his mind.

It turns out that your mom is still your mom, and you can't outmaneuver her when it comes to psychological tactics.

Take care!

Ayako leaned against the door, smiling as she watched Hikaru ride away on his bicycle.

"But that probably won't work."

After Hikaru's figure completely disappeared from her sight, Ayako murmured to herself:

"After all, the Poké Ball stickers are the first prize. Judging from that kid's luck, he'll probably only get a consolation prize of tissues."

Although Ayako was convinced that Hikaru wouldn't win the grand prize, she didn't feel any regret.

Since she was telling the truth, whether Hikaru gets the prize she wants is none of Aya's business.

Besides, it was just buying soy sauce, which Ayako could have done herself. She asked Hikaru to run the errand not because she was lazy, but because she wanted Hikaru to have more memories of home before his upcoming trip.

She also hoped to preserve more memories of Xiaoguang.

Time flies, and growing up happens in the blink of an eye.

This is especially true for trainers who travel a lot; how many days a year do they actually spend at home?

If we can get one or two weeks, that would be good.

Those who are away from home lead fulfilling lives, while those at home eagerly await their return.

So, using this method to communicate more with her daughter is a bit of Ayako's cunning as a mother.

.......