Pokémon: Dreams Come True Starting in Sinnoh

Well, what can I say? Xiao Zhi, who was initially somewhat interested in the raffle, now regrets it; these prizes seem pretty useless to him...

Pokémon stickers won't get you into the glamour contest; ketchup and banana flavor will only cause you trouble.

The rest are still somewhat useful, and the best one for Ash is probably the restaurant voucher.

Although Pokémon Trainers can enjoy discounts at various restaurants, it's still not as affordable as the Pokémon Center.

If Ash gets a voucher, he'll definitely go there and have a feast.

only.......

"OKI! OKI!"

"Pikachu!!"

Because the prizes included things that Pikachu and Aipom loved most, they both volunteered to try their luck in the draw. But was it really that easy...?

Looking at the hand-cranked lottery machine on the table, Xiao Zhi walked over and weighed it in his hand.

There must be at least 5 or 60 balls inside, right? The challenge is to draw out the few colored balls that represent the winning numbers from among so many...

Well, you should always give it a try.

"Since you two are so eager to draw, then it's up to you. You two each draw twice, and I'll draw the last time. Is that alright?"

"Pikachu!"

"OKI!"

Pikachu and Aipom answered happily, and it seemed they really wanted the two prizes.

Ash shook his head, picked up Pikachu, and let its paws grip the joystick of the lottery machine.

Then Pikachu started frantically spinning the lottery machine in front of it.

"Click click click~~"

Countless small balls collided continuously inside the lottery machine, making a clattering sound.

Pikachu stopped confidently, and a small ball fell out of the machine due to inertia, landing on the prize plate below.

"White!"

The man clapped his hands and, to Pikachu's astonishment, handed it to them...

"Congratulations, a pack of tissues."

"Pikachu?!"

That's it?

Pikachu couldn't help but think this.

It was trying so hard to draw the prize, and it was praying that even if it didn't get ketchup, it would at least get some other prize.

"...Well, there's still one more time. Don't give up so soon. What if it comes out next time?"

"Skin!"

After hearing Ash's words of comfort, Pikachu cheered up again.

Just like Ash said, even if you don't get it the first time, there's always another chance! As long as you still have a chance and haven't given up, Lady Luck will surely smile upon you!

Pikachu took a deep breath and shook the lottery machine again in full view of everyone.

.......

"One pack of tissues! Thank you for your patronage!"

"Pikachu..."

The same result occurred again; Pikachu had curled up into a ball and lay in the shadows.

Nothing is more painful than having a year's supply of ketchup in front of you, and being unable to get your hands on it.

If I had known this would happen, I probably would have preferred not to participate in the lottery...

Looking at Pikachu's dejected appearance, Ash suddenly regretted letting Pikachu participate in the lottery.

Its mood had initially improved considerably because it had bought two more bottles of ketchup, but now it seems... best not to mention it.

"OKI~KI~!"

Although Aipom is Pikachu's companion, it's the one who laughs the most when it sees Pikachu's bad luck.

Its personality of enjoying watching a good show is perfect for it.

After mentally underestimating Pikachu's luck, Aipom jumped directly onto the lottery platform without Ash's help, determined to obtain what it wanted through its own efforts.

The goal is the blue beads! A month's supply of banana-scented fruit!

"OKIIII!" (Charge!)

.......

"Thank you for your patronage, two packs of napkins please!"

Ash: "......"

Seeing the figure huddled in the corner turn from one to two, he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Pikachu can be considered unlucky, but Aipom's situation can only be described as deserved, right?

It's good that it was so arrogant before; it'll be a good opportunity to teach it a lesson.

"Never mind, let's see if I can pull it out..."

No matter how strict the criteria, Pikachu and Aipom are still my companions. Although I can't get two rewards with one ticket, at least I can get one of the things they want, which should liven up the atmosphere a bit.

I should have gone to eat first.

Ash sighed inwardly.

After playing around with the two of them for a while, he was really hungry, so he decided to finish up as soon as possible.

After thinking it over, Xiao Zhi reached out and began to gently shake the lottery machine. The clattering sound of the pillars hitting each other echoed throughout the convenience store.

The residents who had witnessed Ash and Pikachu arguing earlier were still silently watching Ash, wondering if he would be able to draw the item that Pikachu and Aipom wanted, or win some other prize.

Time slowly passed, and after about ten seconds, Ash finally put his hand down from the joystick. With a flash of golden light, a golden bead appeared on the plate below the lottery machine.

"This, this is!!!"

"Oh!"

"It actually happened..."

"Congratulations--!"

The uncle picked up the bell from the table and started shaking it frantically, announcing in this lively way that the grand prize had been won.

"Congratulations on winning the first prize! This is the prize for this time! A complete set of Pokémon stickers currently on sale! Congratulations!"

As the uncle handed the prize to Xiaozhi, a round of celebratory applause erupted from the audience.

Well, I just can't seem to feel happy...

Ash felt the resentful looks from Pikachu and Aipom in the corner and suddenly realized that winning the first prize was a hot potato.

He understood that Aipom and Pikachu weren't complaining that he hadn't helped them win the prizes they wanted, but rather that he was lamenting his own good luck.

Seeing him win was even more painful than me losing!

Perhaps this is the mindset that unlucky people inevitably have when facing lucky people?

Just as Xiaozhi was about to put away the prize and leave, a familiar voice, one that existed in his memory, suddenly came from behind him.

"Hey—am I too late? The prize has already been drawn!"

Xiao Guang...

Ash's pupils were blinking, and the person hunched over in front of him, panting and looking regretful, was none other than Dawn, his companion from his travels in the Sinnoh region.

Ash was staring at her, while she was staring at the prize in Ash's hand.

Blue hair streaked down her ears, and beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. One of the shoulder straps of the yellow backpack she was carrying had slipped down to her elbow.

Xiao Guang's appearance at this moment could not be described as disheveled, but it was not exactly presentable either. It was clear that she was in a hurry on her way here.

Is it really for... this...?

Now Ash's gaze fell on the prize in his hand. After roughly guessing the ins and outs of the matter, he suddenly felt that something was wrong.

......