The Poké Ball slowly opened, and Kyosuke's breathing almost stopped.
What came into view was a yellow head with pointy ears and red cheeks—a Pikachu avatar sticker!
Kyosuke's eyes instantly went wide as copper bells, his mouth forming an "O," his whole body freezing on the spot.
The next second, he jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Waaaah! It's Pikachu! Dad! It's Pikachu! I got Pikachu!"
His voice cracked from sheer excitement, almost lifting the roof off the toy store.
His father was infected by his happiness too, and smiled as he patted his head. "See, I told you. Good kids have good luck."
Then Kyosuke couldn't wait to press the power button, and a round, striped figure dragging a lightning-bolt tail appeared in the center of the screen.
"Pika! Pika!"
The crisp, highly recognizable electronic cry was like music from heaven!
Several children nearby who were also picking out electronic pets were immediately drawn over by Kyosuke's shouting.
When they clearly saw the yellow electric mouse on Kyosuke's screen, every one of them let out envious gasps.
"Wow! It really is Pikachu!"
"Your luck is way too good!"
A little fatty even leaned in and asked with eager eyes, "Big brother, your Pikachu... can you trade it for my Rattata? I'll add two candies!"
Kyosuke hugged Pikachu to his chest like a treasure, shaking his head like a rattle-drum. "No trade! Not even for any number of candies!"
His little face brimmed with pride and satisfaction like he had never felt before.
On Monday morning, sunlight lazily climbed into Class Two, Grade Three's classroom.
Kyosuke practically floated into the classroom.
He stuffed his schoolbag into his desk, but his movements were unusually gentle as he took his new treasure from the pocket of his