Birthday

Four years later.

In a forest, sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering dappled shadows across the ground. A gentle breeze brushed the treetops, rustling softly, and the forest was filled with life and vitality.

A boy was running through the woods. Though barefoot, his steps were light and powerful, each one closely connected to the earth.

Sweat slid down his forehead, but his gaze was steady and bright. His breathing was rapid yet rhythmic, as if he was fleeing from something.

Behind the boy was a massive beast-like Pokémon, its limbs as springy and agile as coiled steel. Each leap easily cleared the obstacles ahead.

Sometimes it paused, sometimes it sprinted, keeping close on the boy's heels, as if playing a game of cat and mouse.

Everything around them blurred past: trees, bushes, the occasional other Pokémon, all left far behind.

Many Pokémon seemed to have witnessed this scene before, apparently familiar with the pair. They hopped and shouted, cheering the boy on—Chikorita, Girafarig, Sentret, Nidoran, and others.

No one knew how long they had been running when the beast-like Pokémon behind suddenly lunged. The boy didn't even have time to react before he was tackled to the ground.

"Dad, I lost again. You're so fast!" the boy said, a little frustrated, pinned beneath the Pokémon.

"No kidding. I'm a Legendary Pokémon, after all. I can swim across the entire Johto Region in a dozen days. At your pace, little brat, it'd take you months. How could you possibly get away?"

Entei looked proud, as if chasing down a child was some great achievement.

The speaking Pokémon was none other than the Legendary Pokémon Entei, and the boy was naturally the human child he had adopted years ago.

Little Sun had given himself another name—Yan Yang—saying he wanted to take his father's surname. Entei had no objections.

Since he grew up in the wild with no one to teach him human speech, the two communicated entirely in Pokémon Language.

Yan Yang struggled to his feet. "I only have two legs, you have four, and you're so strong—how could I ever outrun you?"

"I've already held back my speed. It feels no different from walking to me, and you still can't keep up. Looks like you need more training." Entei helped brush the dust off the child's clothes, his tone serious.

"Got it. One day, I'll make sure you can't catch me," Yan Yang said with confidence.

"I hope I live to see that day."

"Alright, alright, I know you're amazing. I can't outrun you, but I'll work hard. So, can I go play with the other Pokémon now?" Yan Yang's face was full of anticipation.

"You little rascal. That last part was your real goal, wasn't it? Fine, fine, go play. Just remember to come home early. If you're out until midnight again like last time, I'll hit you with a Flamethrower."

"I know, but Dad, your Flamethrower is way too weak. It doesn't even hurt. Bleh bleh bleh." Yan Yang made a funny face at Entei and then dashed off in a flash.

Entei watched him run, thinking to himself: If you ever took a real Flamethrower from me, you'd be roasted meat on the spot.

Of course, that was an exaggeration. Humans have a natural resistance to Pokémon move power—likely a result of evolution. Otherwise, any careless Flamethrower from a Pokémon could seriously injure its Trainer.

Entei returned to his den. He hadn't gone out to work today. Every week, he set aside one full day to spend with Yan Yang—companionship, but also supervision for his training.

Even so, the child's physique was surprisingly robust. At least, Entei had never seen a human of Yan Yang's age who could run this far or have such incredible stamina.

Ever since the boy had called him "Dada," Entei felt he had changed a lot.

He used to be a Pokémon with a rather bad temper. Now, even he thought he had become much gentler—gentler than Suicune, he felt.

He could still recall how deeply that first "Dad" had moved him.

Surprise? Relief? Joy? Disbelief? Maybe all of them at once. At that moment, he truly felt something new settle in his heart—heavy, yet strangely reassuring.

He thought he finally understood a little why the Entei in his dreams had acted the way it did.

Back then, he had many questions. But all those doubts vanished with that sincere "Dad." Did anything else matter? No. Nothing mattered anymore.

Entei began quietly preparing things. Today was actually a special day. Four years ago on this day, he had found Yan Yang. Even though he wasn't sure if it was appropriate, he still treated this day as the boy's birthday.

Entei had lived for centuries without ever celebrating a birthday. It was only a few days ago, when he overheard conversations in a human city, that he learned birthdays were extremely important to humans.

He had been so absorbed in listening that he almost got caught. Luckily, he reacted quickly, or it would have caused a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Whenever a Legendary Pokémon appears, it always stirs up a commotion among humans.

Some humans even think about capturing them. As if that were possible.

As a proud Legendary Pokémon, he had his dignity. He would never casually acknowledge a human, not even the Brave of the Rainbow personally chosen by Lord Ho-Oh.

Whether they could beat him in a fight was one thing; whether he wanted to was the real issue. If he didn't want to, no human could ever confine him—even if they meant no harm.

If some despicable person tried to force him into doing things against his will, he would rather fight to the very end than give in.

Of course, most humans held deep reverence for him and wouldn't do anything so outrageous. He was naturally willing to offer them some help.

Ah, getting off track. He needed to think about what gift to prepare for the child's birthday. According to what those people said, giving birthday gifts was the most direct way to express feelings—a good method to strengthen the parent-child bond.

Even though their relationship was already close, it still needed reinforcement. He could sense a slight distance between himself and Yan Yang.

It was understandable. They were too different—not even the same species. A sense of separation was normal.

And the child was very smart. Even though Entei had never told him about his origins, he could probably guess some of it.

Thankfully, the boy's personality was fine. He was cheerful all day, loved making friends, and now had other Pokémon companions. Entei was happy about that. When he wasn't around, the boy wouldn't feel lonely.

Luckily, when he had first found clothes for Yan Yang, he had glanced at the calendar on that stall. The date was October 30th. Good thing he remembered.

Entei had a basic understanding of human writing.

October 30th—subtract one day, and it was October 29th. That was the day he first met Little Sun, and thus, his birthday.

As for his original birthday, the boy probably didn't remember it himself. And since he had been abandoned, there was no need to celebrate that one anymore.

A few days ago, when he first learned about the concept of birthdays, he also took the time to look up the date for that day. After converting it, today turned out to be October 29th.

This really is a day worth commemorating. Some human customs are actually quite interesting.

But as for himself—forget it. At his age, what was the point of celebrating a birthday?

Entei thought to himself as he ran outside, as if searching for something special to give Yan Yang as a gift.

If you find this book enjoyable, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose track of it next time.