Lovy asked the station owner to help hold the phone so the livestream viewers could have a better viewing experience.
"Guys, just tell me what camera angle you want! I usually watch streams—today I'm playing the role of mod myself!"
The owner took the phone and, seeing the constant stream of comments, couldn't help getting a little excited.
As an ordinary person, he didn't often get the chance to interact with so many people—or to be the center of so much attention.
[6666, owner, give us some close-ups of the Meowth!]
[You're not a mod, more like a backup host at best.]
[Backup host? No way—he's a phone stand! Owner, stop talking, you're interrupting the expert!]
"You guys, I call you brothers, and you call me a phone stand?!"
The owner laughed in disbelief. "Alright, alright, I'll stop talking!"
At the same time, he realized—being a streamer wasn't as easy as it looked.
Some of these online viewers were ruthless—you had to be tough to handle them!
He looked at Lovy. To attract a following like that, he had to have something special.
[This Meowth seems fine. Why was it abandoned?]
[Is it because of a bad temperament?]
[So cute! I'll take a dozen!]
[Streamer's been observing for a while... is there something seriously wrong?]
"Don't misunderstand—I'm just admiring it. It's a shame this Meowth is so alert. Otherwise, I'd really want to pet it."
Lovy glanced at the chat and replied, "I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with this Meowth."
[High EQ: 'Nothing seriously wrong.' Low EQ: 'A lot wrong!']
[LOL, the streamer doesn't dare touch it. Isn't that proof enough something's off?]
[Streamer, I'm in a rush! Give me a detailed breakdown!]
Seeing that last comment, Lovy nearly choked laughing: "King Jiji, you're always the most impatient one! And by the way, that line can totally be misinterpreted!"
Then he turned to the owner. "Did the previous owner say why they abandoned it?"
[Got it—streamer failed the assessment, now trying to dig info from the owner!]
[I came here just for this Meowth—don't let me down, streamer!]
"Well, the previous owner said this Meowth didn't seem to have any traits at all. It was left here for days and didn't bring back anything—just played with marbles."
The owner recalled, "I don't know much about Meowth, so I don't get it—does that really justify abandoning it?"
[That doesn't add up. Don't all Meowths naturally have Pickup?]
[So it's a useless Meowth. No wonder it was dumped.]
[Sigh… I heard some people buy Meowths just to see if they have Pickup. If they don't, they abandon them. But if they ever bring back gold or jewels, jackpot!]
[There are also battle-ability Meowths, I've heard. Never seen one though. Have you?]
[Only Meowths with Pickup can learn Pay Day, right?]
[Maybe it's too young or too nervous in a new home—maybe the trait just hasn't manifested yet?]
As the chat lit up, Lovy fell deep into thought.
As expected, in this Pokémon world, most people still saw Meowth only through the lens of "Pickup" and "Pay Day"—non-combat, utility traits.
Since there were no visible stat panels, people could only rely on experience and guesswork.
Even with dedicated researchers, with so many Pokémon and so many traits, it's inevitable some things get overlooked.
From what Lovy knew, in the Pokémon games, Meowth's usual traits include "Pickup" and "Technician." There's also the hidden trait "Unnerve."
Whether this world mirrored those exactly, Lovy couldn't be sure yet.
But one thing he could be sure of—this Meowth definitely wasn't without a trait.
It's just that the breeder and the person who abandoned it never noticed—or didn't even know what to look for.
"This Meowth doesn't have Pickup."
As soon as Lovy said that, the owner looked visibly disappointed. Did that mean it was traitless?
According to the chat, this would mean it was a "defective" Meowth—worth only slightly more than a regular house cat.
"But it absolutely isn't traitless—and it's certainly not 'useless.' In fact, it has a great trait. If properly raised, it has a bright future! Most people just can't see that."
Lovy's tone shifted.
He didn't agree with those calling it "useless."
"And let me emphasize something: in my view, a Pokémon's value has never been determined solely by IVs or traits. Even if it had no special trait at all, it's still a lovable companion Pokémon. One that can bring comfort to someone lonely. What part of that is 'useless'?"
As he said that, Lovy looked at his Snorlax, warmth in his eyes.
"My little Snorlax? I picked it up on the side of the road. Maybe it was considered trash or a burden to someone else. But now, it's my family. My treasure."
"Snorrr~"
Upon hearing keywords like "Snorlax" and "family," Snorlax perked up and shuffled closer.
As for "treasure," that was too complex a word—it didn't get it.
Snorlax didn't want to interrupt, but also wanted to be nearer to its trainer.
Even the Meowth in the incubator looked up, its gaze on Lovy a little less wary.
Meowths are smart and intuitive Pokémon. They can sense love and goodwill—even when unspoken.
(Regarding regional Meowth forms: some viewers asked, but since a Galarian Ponyta just appeared, the author wants to avoid reader fatigue and will schedule others later.)
"You're not wrong, but we can't ignore everything either. Everyone has different needs. For example, I want to give my niece a Pokémon. If I have the choice, why wouldn't I go for one with good looks and a good trait?"
The owner acknowledged Lovy's point, but also voiced his own.
"You're absolutely right," Lovy nodded. "That's why I said it's my personal belief. People can raise whatever kind of Pokémon they like, however they like—I don't control that. But as a Pokémon streamer—even though I'm not that big yet—I still count as a semi-public figure. I have to speak up about what I think is right."
"All I want is to encourage people to have more compassion and responsibility when it comes to Pokémon. Take them seriously. Care for them properly. Especially—don't just dump a Pokémon because it doesn't meet your expectations or you hit a rough patch."
The owner nodded. "Streamer, I respect people like you. I hope you stay true to yourself and don't get worn down by society like I did."
"You're too hard on yourself. I can tell—you love Pokémon too. Otherwise, you'd have thrown out this Meowth already."
The owner gave a bitter smile and didn't speak further.
Their exchange was overheard by the livestream audience and sparked a lively discussion.
Even with differing opinions, most exchanges remained respectful.
[Preach! This is the kind of wholesome Pokémon content I signed up for!]
[I may not be able to treat all Pokémon equally, but I respect this attitude.]
[The owner's in a tough spot too—if he accepted every Pokémon, his place would be a rescue center.]
[My sister's Growlithe has no trait and bad IVs, but it's her second pair of eyes.]
[Crying. Just visited her page and found out she's blind. That Growlithe is amazing. If anyone calls it 'trash,' I'll cry even harder.]
Then came a jarring comment:
[Stupid streamer. No idea why anyone watches this? Trash is still trash. No matter what you say. You want to raise garbage? Fine. Don't drag others into it, idiot!]
Clearly meant to provoke, it immediately sparked outrage:
[Can't read Chinese? Or were you dropped on your head by a bargain app?]
[Opening line and already spewing sewage? Really?]
[Toxic troll alert. Ban him permanently, streamer!]
Lovy gave that user a swift permanent ban and block. No need to reason with people who open with insults.
"Alright. I believe most people watching are kind and love Pokémon. Let's get back to this Meowth."
Lovy turned his attention back to its panel.
[Pokémon: Meowth (Class: Monster Cat)]
Level: 2
Type: Normal
Gender: Male
Base Stats: C-Rank (290)
IVs: B-Rank (91)
Trait: Technician
Nature: Careful
Moves: Growl, Fake Out, Scratch
Status: Slightly Nervous (Stabilizing)
Evolution: Meowth → Persian
"This Meowth has the trait Technician."
Lovy stated it definitively, not caring whether people had heard of it.
[Technician? What kind of trait is that? Never heard of it.]
[Breaking news: Streamer invents a new trait!]
[Breaking-er news: Meowth invents a new streamer!]
[You serious, streamer? I Googled it—nothing came up for that trait!]