After watching the match, Eichi felt his heart racing. He could not calm down for a long time.
He went to Amelie's Pokémon Day Care and greeted the staff with a smile. There were seven staff members, including Aunt Keiko. With Amelie, the Day Care had eight people in total.
Sometimes it could be very busy, and Eichi would help out. Even on normal days, things were manageable. But on weekends, there were more visitors, and they needed extra hands. That's when Eichi would step in, doing whatever was needed.
Recently, Eichi had learned a few massage techniques in the Day Care. He had even practiced them. Once, when they were short on staff, Amelie asked him to try, and the results were praised by the clients.
Eichi's talent was evident. He picked up the techniques easily. He also learned some Pokémon breeding knowledge that was not taught in classes. To better raise his Weedle and prepare for his future Pokémon, he wanted to learn carefully. If possible, he hoped to get a Breeder's license.
After finishing work, Eichi went shopping. The store was holding a sale, with everything at 20% off. He wanted to replenish his supplies, and the timing was perfect.
He planned to get a better Poké Ball for Weedle. At the counter, he asked for two Ultra Balls and two Net Balls.
Ultra Balls were two levels higher than standard Poké Balls and cost 1200p each. Net Balls were easier to catch Water- and Bug-type Pokémon, costing 1000p each. Since they were good for Bug-types, they would suit Weedle.
Eichi wanted Weedle to experience which ball was more comfortable. He had promised to give it a better Poké Ball, and he would keep that promise.
There were also Custom Poké Balls, designed specifically for a Pokémon. Eichi could not afford them now, but in the future, he would make one for Weedle, or for its eventual evolution, Beedrill.
Eichi also wanted to buy a Compression Backpack. Technology in the Pokémon world was quite advanced. It allowed items to be compressed, like inside Poké Balls and backpacks.
In the anime, Ash's backpack worked this way. It could hold many items without being heavy. Eichi's current backpack was ordinary. Now that he had money, he wanted a Compression Backpack.
The cheapest ones cost over 10,000p, while the most expensive reached over 1,000,000p. Larger backpacks had more space. Eichi bought a mid-range one for over 30,000p, taking advantage of the sale.
After packing his old backpack inside, it felt much lighter on his shoulders.
He then bought food for Weedle: Moo Moo Milk, honey, Pokémon food, and Pokéblocks. Pokémon food was not about "the best," but about the most suitable for the Pokémon. Eichi wanted the food that best suited Weedle.
For Pokéblocks, he chose Intermediate ones. The Beginner cubes no longer seemed effective.
When he returned home, he calculated his spending. Selling berries had given him over 150,000p, but recent purchases had taken 20,000p plus today's 50,000p. He now had just over 80,000p left. About half was gone. He would need to earn more when Weedle evolved into Beedrill.
Eichi released Weedle. "From today, you can live in a new ball," he said, showing the Ultra Ball and Net Ball. "Try both and see which is more comfortable."
Weedle happily tried both and chose the Ultra Ball.
Afterward, Eichi gave it a good dinner. Weedle resolved to train hard to earn daily treats.
It had been a busy and joyful day. Late at night, Eichi's body glowed with cyan energy, stronger than before. The energy flowed unconsciously into Weedle.
Weedle felt like walking on clouds. After a while, the energy stopped. It was content, then fell asleep.
The next day, during lunch, a knock sounded at the door. It was Tyler, sweating. "Eichi, Oscar and the others want to challenge us," he said.
They brought a helper. If we lost, they would mock us. Allan could not stand it, so he accepted a Pokémon battle.
"Eichi, help Allan!"
Oscar and his friends were the Youngsters, slightly stronger than Bug Catchers.
After finishing lunch, Eichi agreed. He grabbed his backpack, stored Weedle, and went out.
At the battle spot, Allan was facing a ten-year-old boy with an arrogant expression. The boy used a Bulbasaur. When Eichi arrived, Allan's Butterfree had been hit by Vine Whip and lost its battle capability.
Allan frowned as he recalled Butterfree. The boy laughed, mocking them: "You're too weak. Don't you know Bug-types are the weakest of all Pokémon types? Using your weakest Bug-types against me, how could you ever win?"
Eichi felt a surge of anger. He decided to teach the boy a lesson.
"Who said Bug-types are the weakest?"
The boy turned upon hearing his voice.