Chapter 83 - Chapter 83 - Moon Stone

The promo ended, and the TV screen returned to regular program previews, but the excitement in children's hearts couldn't be quelled.Kids erupted, shattering the calm of homes with joyous shouts, turning them into oceans of delight.Restoring Pokémon health sounded practical—not every player could keep their Pokémon in top shape.The link cable was thrilling.But what set their hearts racing was the mysterious "evolution stone," especially the Moon Stone, fresh from the anime—a bridge from dreams to reality.On the day of the promo, authorized stores sporting new "Pokémon Center" signs saw long lines form quietly.Kids, clutching parents' hands, faces brimming with eagerness and excitement, formed winding queues like awaiting a grand festival, not mere shopping.A flagship store in a bustling commercial district was packed, the atmosphere electric, nearly lifting the roof.To showcase these groundbreaking services, a young woman in the Pokémon Center's signature pink Nurse Joy uniform stood at the crowd's center, a star of the moment.Her gentle smile and confident poise captivated everyone as she pulled an electronic pet from her pocket.On the screen, a round, pink Jigglypuff blinked its big, watery eyes, emitting cute electronic sounds, instantly winning hearts."Hello, everyone, welcome to the Pokémon Center."Her sweet yet professional voice carried through a small microphone, reaching half the store."Today, I'll demonstrate our latest service—evolution stone evolution."Smiling, she explained the process clearly, each step precise and unambiguous.She placed her Jigglypuff pet on the evolution platform, gently connecting the data cable, treating it like a treasure.From under the counter, she revealed a sleekly packaged "Moon Stone" circuit board, showing it to the crowd, sparking a small uproar.The card shimmered faintly under the lights, as if imbued with mystical power, drawing every gaze.She inserted the Moon Stone into a dedicated slot beside the platform, a soft click resonating.Everyone held their breath, eyes glued to the tiny screen, afraid to miss a detail.Amid gasps and anticipation, the clerk pressed the platform's start button, a simple act tugging at every heart.Jigglypuff's image on the screen was enveloped in dazzling white light, flashing intensely, like a star's birth.An evolution sound, akin to the anime but with a unique electronic texture, echoed from the platform, striking heartstrings—familiar yet novel.The light lasted seconds, then receded like a tide, revealing the awaited result.On the screen, the petite, cute Jigglypuff had become a larger, more vibrant Wigglytuff, its curly forelock fluffier, eyes livelier, both stronger and cuter."Wow—it evolved! Jigglypuff really became Wigglytuff!"After a brief silence, thunderous cheers and screams erupted, nearly toppling the store's roof, joy spreading like a virus.This live evolution, witnessed firsthand, was a bombshell, stirring waves of excitement.Kids with Jigglypuff pets had red-rimmed eyes, glowing with disbelief, as if seeing a miracle.They instantly grasped what this meant, no explanation needed.The anime's Moon Stone could, in reality, evolve their Jigglypuff—dreams and reality merged perfectly.A feverish excitement, like an electric current, surged among the kids, forming an unstoppable tide.That day felt like an early festival for lucky Jigglypuff trainers, their joy infectious.From Hokkaido to Okinawa, Pokémon Centers nationwide saw crowds of kids with Jigglypuff pets, accompanied by parents, forming a unique spectacle.Lines stretched from stores to street corners, yet their enthusiasm only grew with the wait.They beamed, clutching 500-yen coins, eager to witness their beloved Jigglypuff evolve into a grander, cuter Wigglytuff—a moment of glory.Staff, busy yet happy, guided each young trainer, sharing their delight.Wigglytuff became the hottest topic, its calls and screen antics mimicked vividly.Kids with Wigglytuff stood prouder under envious gazes, their pride palpable, as if they owned the world.For Jigglypuff owners, these days were like a personal holiday, filled with joy and sharing, the air sweet.Kyosuke, without a Jigglypuff, cherished his unique Pikachu, their bond irreplaceable.But witnessing and hearing of Jigglypuff's evolution shook him, opening a new world.Electronic pets could be played this way, brimming with possibilities.Looking at his Pikachu's full experience bar, he felt new questions and anticipation, the black line now deeply mysterious.Could his Pikachu evolve someday through some special method, like Jigglypuff?At Sega's headquarters, in Takuya Nakayama's office, the first full Pokémon marketing campaign was still unfolding, but massive profits had already propelled him from deputy leader of Development Team 3 to operations executive, granting him authority to submit proposals directly to the board.Reviewing the Pokémon Center's first-day sales and new store applications, he nodded, murmuring, "Just milking consumers' wallets isn't enough—retailers won't escape either."