Taking the "Kids" to Scoop Goldfish

As the Shrine bell rang, every lantern in Kitakami Center lit up almost at once. Firecrackers went off, and gongs and drums sounded.

Kitakami Center came alive. People put on masks to get into the festival spirit.

Stalls offering all kinds of games opened for business after the bell rang, drawing in even some nearby Wild Pokémon.

"Wow... It's so lively."

Mingyou stood and watched the crowd moving along the street. The festival wasn't especially large, but he liked the atmosphere.

Everyone else seemed to be wearing light kimonos, while he was still in his everyday clothes. He felt a little out of place, especially when he saw tourists taking newly bought kimonos into the changing rooms.

Actually... never mind.

He had never cared much about how he dressed. In his previous life, his coworkers had teased him that if he made even a little effort, girls would be lining up to date him. Of course... he didn't believe that for a second.

"Let's go."

After asking Wyrdeer to watch the stall, Mingyou took Ogerpon's hand and led the "kids" into the crowd.

Latias bounced along beside him. Gible followed nervously behind, afraid of getting separated. Sinistcha, who had been hiding beneath the stall, finally flew out as well.

"Mo-wu~"

Sinistcha landed on Munchlax's head, but the matcha fragrance drifting from Sinistcha caught Munchlax's attention. Munchlax instinctively reached up to grab Sinistcha.

"Stop that."

Mingyou reacted quickly and pulled Munchlax back. Then he looked at Sinistcha, delighted. "Don't get lost, okay? If there's anything you want, just tell me. Oh, do you want a mask?"

"Mo-wu..."

The expression on Sinistcha's tea caddy changed. Why would Sinistcha need a mask? The caddy was enough.

"All right, then."

Since Sinistcha didn't want one, Mingyou didn't insist. Ogerpon and the others were curious