"Huff... huff..."
"Meow?"
"Meow. (Don't worry, he's still alive. He's just sleeping...)"
After deciding to enter the contest, Squirtle had eaten a huge meal, set an alarm for seven days later, and gone to sleep.
By now, he had been asleep for several days. Seeing him lie motionless all that time, Litten had even begun to wonder whether Squirtle had died.
But his steady breathing made it clear that Squirtle was doing just fine.
This was the result of Squirtle learning from experience. Having fallen asleep from sheer boredom during his previous meditation contest with the other Pokémon, he had reflected on his painful lesson and decided to get plenty of sleep beforehand. That way, he wouldn't get drowsy and doze off during the contest.
His proactive attitude made Meownei wonder whether signing him up for this contest had been a mistake. She had no proof, but she had every reason to suspect that Squirtle was using this opportunity to slack off.
Yet when the alarm rang, Squirtle didn't linger in bed. He got up right on time and prepared for the contest.
The new shopping mall was in the Development District, part of the city's expansion project. To attract customers, it had arranged a special Staring Contest for its opening.
According to fairly reliable rumors, however, the contest was being held because something had gone wrong with their workflow. A large section had neither tenants nor decorations, leaving it completely empty.
And because of traffic restrictions, the performance troupe couldn't arrive on time.
Rather than leave the area so bare on opening day, they had come up with this contest.
The rules were simple. Humans and Pokémon alike could enter.
Contestants had to choose a comfortable position in the mall's empty area. Once they settled into position, they could