Just like the previous night, around 7:30 PM, with the bright moon already hanging above the treetops, Kaminari returned home, feelially drained.

  As soon as he opehe door, the familiar smell of food filled his nostrils, and the warm, f atmosphere immediately enveloped him. This was what home felt like. It recisely this feeling that made him willing to take ara hour-long train ride every day to get back here.

  "My son is home!"

  His mother was the first to notice Kaminari stepping through the door. Perhaps it was the sensitivity uo women or simply a mother's instinct.

  "Yeah, I'm back, Mom. Hi, Dad," Kaminari greeted while slipping into his bright yellow Pikachu slippers. He then handed his school bag to his mother's waiting hand. This was one of the little ways she showed she cared, so he never refused.

  "Son, you won't believe it! About that 'Pokémon'..." His father, clearly excited, was just about to unto something when his mother cut in, slightly displeased.

  "Talk busier. Our son hasn't evee."

  "ht, right... of course! Hahaha." Kaminari's dad awkwardly rubbed his nose, realizing he had been a bit too eager.

  Seeing his loving parents, Kaminari smiled warmly. He ged out of his school uniform into casual clothes, quickly freshened up, and then eagerly dove into the home-cooked dinner his mom had left out for him.

  In fact, Yaoyorozu had invited him to stay and have di her pce, but Kaminari politely deed. He khat had he stayed, he would've beeed to a vish meal, the kind he'd likely never experienced before.

  But... he still preferred his mom's home-cooked meals.

  "Someday, I'll treat my parents to a fancy meal too," he thought to himself as he ehe food.

  After dinner, his mom gathered the dishes with a gentle expression, while Kaminari settled onto the living room sofa to chat with his dad.

  "Dad, what was it you wao tell me about 'Pokémon'?" Kaminari asked, his curiosity finally piqued.

  "Ah, right!" His father perked up, looking relieved to finally share the news. "Our pany hit a stroke of luck! You know the Mitsui Corporatiht? Somehow, they found out we were pnning to produce a 'Pokémon' ic series, ahis—a rep from Mitsui's animation produ branch actually came by!"

  "Mitsui... them again?" Kaminari's expression darkened with suspi. He recalled how Mitsui had uedly takehe produ of Hero es, and now this?

  "But I don't remember knowing a Mitsui..." he muttered to himself.

  Unaware of his son's unease, his father tinued, beaming as he occasionally took sips from his coffee. "They offered to partner with us on produg 'Pokémon,' saying they could animate it and handle broadcasting on major TV works!"

  Kaminari remained calm and asked, "And what do they want iurn?"

  His dad, eyes gleaming, said, "That's the thing! There are no real ditions. They only ask that we cover the animation costs, and they're a 20% dist! you believe it? It's practically a gift! Animation prig is usually calcuted by the sed, and on top of that, Mitsui's c the broadcasting! It's unbelievable!"

  Kaminari leaned back, thinking carefully. "But, Dad, have you sidered why Mitsui is something so generous?"

  His father nodded, looking serious for a moment. "I have. I've been in business for years, of course I thought about it. I even had a wyer review the tract, and there's nothing shady in it. So, I figured, why not take advantage of their offer?"

  Kaminari nodded slowly. If that were the case, then there really wasn't any reason to refuse.

  "Alright, Dad. I trust you. With your experience, I'm sure you'll ha without falling into any traps."

  His father ughed heartily, clearly pleased. What father wouldn't love to hear his son express fidend admiration for him?

  At that moment, Kaminari cleared his throat. "Actually, I have something I wao talk to you about too."

  "Oh? What's that?"

  "Well, I've decided to form a band with two of my female cssmates. We've even e up with a he Pikachu Band,'" Kaminari said, grinning.

  "Wait, female cssmates?!" His mom, who had just fiidying the kit and walked into the living room, immediately perked up. She rushed to sit beside him, her eyes wide with curiosity.

  "Tell me, what kind of girls are they? Do you have any photos?"

  Well... this wasn't surprising. In Japan, families are often more rexed. As long as their children are in high school, dating isn't frowned upon. In some more open-minded families, particurly those with sons, parents might even ence their kids to find a girlfriend.

  Kaminari chuckled at his mom's enthusiasm, shaking his head with a helpless smile. "Mom, it's not what you think. We're just cssmates who like my music, so we decided to form a little band."

  "Oh, honey, you don't uand!" His mom's usually gentle expression was suddenly filled with pride. "My son is so talented and handsome! There's no way these girls don't have other thoughts about you after spending time together."

  Her tone was filled with certainty.

  "Okay, okay," Kaminari's dad chimed in, pulling his wife gently back toward him. "Let the boy finish."

  Kaminari smiled and tinued. "Anyway, I wrote a song for our band. I want it to be our debut track, and it's themed around Pokémon."

  His father immediately caught on. "Ah, I see! You want to use that song as the theme for our Pokémon animation, don't you?"

  Kaminari nodded, and his dad, already thinking it over, said, "That could work. We'd o discuss it with Mitsui, of course, but if your song fits well, I'm sure we could make it happen."

  His dad seemed determined. Even though Mitsui was the partner, he was clearly ready to fight for his son's opportunity. As long as Kaminari's song wasn't terrible, he was fident he could persuade Mitsui to go with it, even if they had a theme of their own in mind.

  Was this a shady tactic? Perhaps. But Kaminari's dad khat in this world, things weren't always fair.

  ***

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