Vulpix’s “Rival”

Smoochum, the Kiss Pokémon, is of the Ice and Psychic types.

It resembles a small girl with golden hair, pink skin, large eyes, and its signature thick lips.

Smoochum is naturally curious, and its lips are very sensitive. When it encounters something unfamiliar, it often uses its lips to touch and understand it first.

Its lips are also used to remember things it likes and dislikes.

To keep its lips moisturized, wild Smoochum regularly use tree sap as a lip balm.

It's not surprising for a Smoochum to constantly check its lips, even after taking a fall. So, its fixation with mirrors isn't unusual.

But if it truly feels like it would "die" without a mirror, that's no longer confidence—it's vanity.

This wasn't strictly a psychological issue.

It's somewhat similar to Eevee Eats Cabbage's Feebas. But while that Feebas was excessively self-conscious, this "[Forever Eighteen]" Smoochum is excessively vain.

After giving it some thought, Johan offered his advice.

[Grain in The Field]: "My suggestion is to intervene externally while also redirecting its focus, coupled with some 'hypnotic' guidance."

[Forever Eighteen]: "What specific method?"

[Grain in The Field]: "For example, you could hide all the mirrors. Or, you could try taking away its mirror while it's using it and offer it something like a Pokéblock to distract it."

[Forever Eighteen]: "One moment."

It wasn't long before the person sent over a video clip.

In the video, Smoochum was happily looking in the mirror, when suddenly, a pale hand snatched it away. In the next instant, Smoochum burst into tears.

The tears formed a small puddle on the ground, and Smoochum simply used the puddle as a mirror instead.

As for the offered Pokéblock, it didn't even spare a glance at it.

Johan: "…"

He retracted his earlier judgment.

This was indeed a psychological issue!

[Forever Eighteen]: "So… that's the situation."

Johan felt a slight headache coming on.

If a Pokémon was overly self-conscious, it could be helped by steadily boosting its confidence.

But if a Pokémon was overly confident to the point of vanity, it couldn't be cured with a heavy-handed approach.

Otherwise, it could backfire and lead to the opposite extreme—causing the Pokémon to spiral into deep self-doubt, which would be much harder to fix.

Otherwise, simply showing Smoochum what it would look like after evolution could suffice.

There was only one solution left.

Johan sighed.

He glanced at Alolan Vulpix, who was happily watching TV alongside Haunter.

"Well, you probably won't meet it anyway," he thought.

He then sent over a picture of Alolan Vulpix sitting in an ice cream cup from the recent Academy Festival.

[Forever Eighteen]: "So cute!"

"Message retracted."

Johan raised an eyebrow and pretended not to see that.

[Grain in The Field]: "Show it this, and let me know its reaction."

Soon after, a new photo arrived.

Smoochum was frozen in place, holding the tablet with a stunned expression.

Johan let out a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, Alolan Vulpix's cuteness worked like a charm.

[Forever Eighteen]: "It looks… a bit lost."

[Grain in The Field]: "Are you a Trainer?"

[Forever Eighteen]: "Yes."

[Grain in The Field]: "Then tell it that Alolan Vulpix trains hard, and that a Pokémon who trains is the most beautiful."

[Forever Eighteen]: "I'll try."

Ding-ding!

Another picture arrived. This time, Smoochum was earnestly lifting a pair of tiny dumbbells.

It seemed to be working, at least a little.

[Grain in The Field]: "This is just the first step. Keep a close eye on Smoochum's condition, and remember to praise it with words like 'strong,' 'diligent,' and 'hardworking' are what make a Pokémon truly beautiful. If there's any more trouble, feel free to reach out."

Confidence is a good thing, but if Smoochum becomes too fixated on its appearance, it could lead to a significant drop in self-esteem once it evolves.

Of course, it's possible that even after evolving, it could remain confident in its appearance—but in a more delusional way.

That's why it was necessary to shift its focus early on.

Johan specifically asked if they were a Trainer to gauge the best direction for this shift.

If they only saw Smoochum as a pet, the focus wouldn't have been as effective.

[Forever Eighteen]: "Thank you! (sigh of relief emoji)"

[Grain in The Field]: "You're welcome."

After that, Johan answered a few more messages.

He set the incubator back in place, took a quick shower, and prepared to go to bed with Alolan Vulpix.

Lately, he hadn't needed to "help with sleep" as much.

Well, it's not like I can freeload every day…

Silph Academy, Johto

"Heh, little Smoochum working out? Is the sun rising in the west tomorrow?"

Karen pushed open the door and found Smoochum diligently lifting its small dumbbells, making little grunting noises. She looked utterly surprised.

Lorelei adjusted her glasses and explained what she had consulted Johan about online earlier.

"Oh? Seems like our Senior Johan really knows his stuff."

They had felt a sense of familiarity with Johan, only to later discover that he had also attended Silph Academy, even though they weren't in the same department. Technically, he was their senior.

"Karen, how do you think I should thank him?" Lorelei asked.

Karen understood this wasn't just about the Smoochum matter. Lorelei had also gained insights from the Perish Song strategy.

"Just pay him, I guess."

Karen shrugged.

"I heard our Senior Johan used to work multiple part-time jobs."

Lorelei frowned.

It wasn't that she thought paying money was crude.

She was just worried that giving him money might hurt his pride.

"You're overthinking things," Karen said, rolling her eyes.

"Then, give him some training insights. He has an Alolan Vulpix, doesn't he? Since you're so good with Ice-types, give him some advice on raising them as a token of thanks."

"You think a Trainer who can command a Lapras to use Perish Song so adeptly needs my Ice-type insights?" Lorelei countered.

"True." Karen's eyes lit up mischievously. "Didn't Lance meet him too? You could always ask Lance…"

CRACK!

Lorelei's tablet suddenly displayed a noticeable crack.

After the Festival, the Academy granted a short holiday break.

Early in the morning, poverty drove Johan to wake up bright and early.

Upon waking, he saw Haunter on the ceiling, rubbing its sleepy eyes and looking disappointed.

Another failed attempt to lick Johan awake…

"Oowu—"

Alolan Vulpix stretched lazily, front and back legs extending in a long, luxurious stretch.

Today, Johan planned to head to the electronics district, hoping to find a second-hand Berry Blender. He had already prepared a detailed guide for the outing.

However, not long after getting out of bed, he heard a voice from downstairs.

"Hello, delivery for you! Please sign here!"

By the window, a Pidgeotto was preening its feathers while clutching a package.

A delivery?

Johan was puzzled.

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Powerstones?

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