As the sun's glow fully faded beh the horizon, the bustling world fell silent for a brief moment. Yet it wasn’t long before it sprang back to life, as if the noal staff had clocked in, ready to revel in the pleasures of the night.

  People often imagihe night to be tranquil.

  But in truth, the night is always teeming with stories, and the world of Pokémon is no exception.

  Many Pokémon that snooze away the day in their s stretched their stiff limbs and emerged from their cozy shelters to hunt for food. Even a bear waking from hibernation will prioritize g itself. After all, survival es first.

  Besides the naturally noal Pokémon, some others also chose the cover of night to avoid human activity.

  “Rustle, rustle.”

  “Munya?”

  A bush swayed gently, and a small, dark green head cautiously popped out.

  Its starry eyes were filled with nervousness and unease. Although it khis might be risky and perhaps even inappropriate, it couldn’t resist the allure of a certain pile of junk.

  Earlier that m, Natsume had cleared out some old, unusable items. Among the pile were broken furniture, children’s toys, marbles, pying cards, and toy soldiers.

  If young Natsume had e across these treasures, he would have beeatic. But as an adult, they failed to stir aions in him.

  No nostalgic joy. Ning embarrassment over old memories. It seemed those once-vivid and joyful recolles had quietly faded, like childhood and youth slipping away unnoticed. Perhaps that was simply growing up.

  “Munya.”

  The Pokémon in the bushes tilted its head, gazing curiously at the marbles sparkling uhe moonlight.

  Though cheap, the gss orbs took on a gem-like brilliance beh the silvery glow, exuding an air of value.

  And so, they captivated the attention of a little Pokémon with no cept of worldly riches.

  Peering at the seemingly silent two-story house nearby, the Pokémon firmed it was pletely dark and quiet.

  Although Persian, being noal, might still be awake, living alongside Natsume had partially adjusted its habits.

  After careful "analysis," the Pokémon decided the time was right to make its move.

  “Munya-munya.”

  It pulled out a stealth suit it had meticulously crafted earlier that day. Humming a cheerful tu dohe outfit. Though the melody was random and improvised, it brimmed with the whimsical charm of a child’s boundless imagination.

  Once fully dressed, the little figure’s eyes turned sharp and focused.

  Operation Nighttime Treasure Hunt! Initiate!

  Mimig a pose it had once seen somewhere, the Pokémon dived forward, fttening itself to the ground. ed tightly iealth suit, it cautiously peered through a gap, cheg the house for movement.

  All clear.

  Nodding in satisfa, the Pokémon admired its execution.

  I’ve got talent, don’t I?

  Even as it stifled its excitement, it remiself not to get cocky. Steeling its he Pokémon resumed its stealthy crawl forward:

  Wriggle, sneak, roll. Stop. Peer through the suit. Repeat.

  The so-called stealth suit was actually just a tattered, dark green windbreaker, adorned with makeshift camoufge like grass and ragged cloth strips. Though crude, the details revealed the creator’s earness in crafting the “gear.”

  Throughout its operation, the Pokémon adhered strictly to a silent approach, making no all.

  But it failed to notice several pairs of eyes watg from the sed-floor baly.

  ‘So this is the green-headed thing you mentioned?’

  Persian g the Corvisquire crouched beside it. Though silent, its expression spoke volumes.

  Corvisquire, spreading its wings, was about to unleash its signature raucous cry when Persian shot it a sharp gre. The glint of cws peeking through its paw made Corvisquire gulp.

  The g sound died in its throat.

  ‘Yeah, that’s the one spying arouerday!’

  ‘This creep’s totally a pervy stalker!’

  Corvisquire filed its wings and wides eyes to emphasize its point, attempting to unicate through exaggerated gestures.

  But the dispy... well, let’s just say it left much to be desired.

  ‘You might sider a career in pantomime or edy.’

  Butterfree patted Corvisquire’s wing with approval. This kid, it thought, could save the perf arts industry.

  While the others remained unbothered, Buneary appeared genuinely ed. Nudging Persian, it whispered softly into its ear.

  Should we go wake Natsume?

  Persian tilted its head, gng at the shadowy, wriggling figure on the ground below.

  After a brief pause, it nodded.

  Go ahead. It’s worth notifying him about this.

  Receiving approval, Buneary leaped from the railing and trotted baside.

  ---

  “Bun.”

  With a graceful leap, it nded softly on Natsume’s bed without disturbing him.

  Gently nudging his face, it whispered a call.

  “Hmm? What’s up, Buneary?”

  Rubbing his drowsy eyes, Natsume sat up, puzzled. Though his mind was still half-asleep, his hand instinctively reached out to pat Buneary's head—a familiar motion to anyone who’s ever kept a pet.

  “Bun.”

  Natsume, there’s a strange Pokémon outside.

  Buneary expihe situation iail: the Corvisquire secretly watg its phone on the rooftop earlier, dramatically posing uhe moonlight to "refle life," and then notig the strange creeping figure on the ground.

  “I see.”

  Casually dismissing the Corvisquire's dramatitiatsume quickly got dressed and headed to the roof.

  “Let’s go take a look. Remember to keep quiet, okay?”

  “Bun.”

  C its mouth with its ears, Buneary nodded solemnly. Not a peep from me!

  Gcell