Inside the convenience store, Cheng Tian happily ate oden while Frogadier and Aron watched the Pokémon Egg on the table.
After draining the last of the broth, Cheng Tian wiped his mouth with a tissue in satisfaction. "All right, we should get going."
Just as he was about to stand up, he suddenly noticed that the green liquid that had filled the container had dropped a little at some point. Now it only just covered the Pokémon Egg.
"Huh?" Cheng Tian was a little astonished. "This little fellow absorbs nutrient solution so quickly?!"
Tapping the side of the container, Cheng Tian said cheerfully, "Grow up well so you can soar into the skies one day."
Picking up the Pokémon Egg, Cheng Tian prepared to leave. This time, instead of recalling Frogadier and Aron to their balls, he let the two little fellows walk with him.
"Please come again," the female clerk said to Cheng Tian with a smile before he left. The Smeargle inside waved goodbye too.
Having warmed himself up in the convenience store, Cheng Tian headed home without stopping. When he reached the foot of his apartment building, he could see a bunch of children playing in the snow. The sight of Cheng Tian carrying a Pokémon Egg by himself soon caught their attention.
Cheng Tian paid them no mind. All he wanted now was to get home quickly.
After taking the elevator up to his front door, Cheng Tian changed his shoes as he said to Frogadier, "Frogadier, knock on the door for me. My hands are full."
"Froga." Frogadier nodded, then reached out and knocked on the door. Almost at once, footsteps came from inside.
The door opened, revealing Cheng Tian's mother. Seeing the son she had not seen in so long, she could not help