When YoYo Day Care first started offering non-Pokémon products, it was the Pokéblocks, and the variety was quite limited.
Aiko, who had learned her lesson, would no longer underestimate YoYo Day Care. So, for the first time, she decided to purchase a YoYo Day Care product online – the Pokéblocks.
As expected, the items from YoYo Day Care didn't disappoint. The quality of the Pokéblocks was outstanding, and her Pokémon loved them. Thanks to this, their training efficiency improved significantly.
From that moment on, Aiko became a devoted fan of YoYo Day Care.
Later, YoYo Day Care's reputation grew, and their product range expanded, especially in the variety of Pokéblocks, with new ones added periodically.
Eventually, YoYo Day Care introduced its own high-end product – Incense.
Aiko was equally a steadfast supporter of this new venture. She had witnessed YoYo Day Care's growth from the beginning.
Today was another day when YoYo Day Care's official website opened its Pokémon reservation channel.
However, Aiko had now become quite indifferent to it. Though she continued to diligently wait in front of her computer at the designated time, she had lost hope of securing a reservation.
The competition was fierce, and her reaction time couldn't keep up.
Indeed, as soon as the time came, people online fought for reservation spots as if they had gone mad. Aiko was just one of many waiting for this day.
She watched the images representing Gligar, Trapinch, Clauncher, and Petilil dim as they became fully reserved. But she felt no emotion.
Although her determination remained, it had been repeatedly beaten down. Hope and enthusiasm had long deserted her.
It was then that Aiko noticed a bright red icon, very conspicuous, and she clicked on it casually.
Suddenly, fireworks erupted on her computer screen, and a colorful "Congratulations" message popped up.
"I... did I... successfully reserve?"
Aiko stared at the flashing "Congratulations" on her computer screen, her eyes wide, murmuring to herself.
As a long-time fan of YoYo Day Care, she was well aware of what the screen looked like after a successful reservation, as many people liked to share screenshots online.
But... hadn't she witnessed Gligar, Trapinch, Clauncher, and Petilil all being fully reserved?
So, what was happening?
Aiko was momentarily bewildered.
Right! A red icon! Had there ever been a red icon on YoYo Day Care's reservation page?
Definitely not! Aiko was sure of this.
Gligar had a purple icon, Trapinch was brown, Clauncher blue, and all Grass-type Pokémon had a green icon. So, why was there a red one now?
With these thoughts, Aiko returned to the reservation page and finally noticed the red icon.
In the center of the icon was a spirited little Ponyta, and below it was a brief introduction.
Ponyta? When did YoYo Day Care add Ponyta?
Aiko quickly found the notice about Ponyta being available for reservation on YoYo Day Care's main page, which she had previously overlooked.
Was this her stroke of luck?
Aiko couldn't help but think so.
She returned to the reservation page, gazing at the spirited little Ponyta on the icon, and her heart soared.
While she hadn't managed to reserve Gligar, Trapinch, Clauncher, or Petilil, Ponyta was a wonderful addition.
Looking at its bright, energetic eyes, flowing red mane, and strong limbs, it was just too adorable.
Since the icons on YoYo Day Care's official website represented the actual Pokémon that would be reserved, Aiko was looking at the very Ponyta she had reserved.
This particular Ponyta, captured so dynamically in the photo taken by Windy, enchanted Aiko. The more she looked at it, the more she loved it, and any thoughts of Gligar, Trapinch, and the others faded away.
At that moment, Aiko couldn't wait to visit YoYo Day Care and be with her beloved Ponyta.
And that's exactly what she did.
After YoYo Day Care added Ponyta to its lineup, it immediately sparked lively discussions among trainers on the comments section of the official website.
Many expressed great interest in Ponyta.
However, most people were complaining that the reservation spots were taken too quickly, and they couldn't react in time, only able to envy the lucky person who succeeded in reserving.
This was the first Fire-type Pokémon sold by YoYo Day Care, which held significant meaning.
However, YoYo Day Care excelled in maintaining the confidentiality of customer information, so no one knew who the fortunate individual was who had successfully reserved it.
On the third day after Ponyta was made available, YoYo Day Care welcomed a female customer who happened to be Aiko, the one who had reserved Ponyta.
She was personally received by Yuga.
Coming from the distant city of Ever Grande, Aiko had rushed here in just two days.
As a long-time fan of YoYo Day Care, getting the chance to visit the legendary owner of YoYo Day Care filled Aiko with excitement.
"Miss Aiko, please wait for a moment. We'll bring the Ponyta you reserved to you shortly," Yuga said with a smile, leading Aiko to a meeting room.
Aiko was somewhat dazed as she looked at Yuga.
This was the renowned Gym Leader of the Verdanturf Gym, an Elite level Trainer!
Aiko hadn't anticipated that she would be received by such a famous figure.
Soon, a well-behaved Ponyta, guided by a staff member who was Audino, entered the meeting room. Aiko finally laid eyes on her long-awaited Ponyta.
"Miss Aiko, as per our Day Care's rules, you'll need to spend some time with this Ponyta and gain its trust before you can take it with you," Yuga explained to Aiko.
"Yes, I understand, no problem."
Having followed YoYo Day Care for so long, Aiko was aware of this rule. Therefore, she agreed without hesitation, her eyes fixed on the Ponyta.
Ponyta was not afraid either and stared back at Aiko with its big eyes.
Watching this interaction between trainer and Pokémon, Yuga couldn't help but feel that they were a good match.
Next came the paperwork.
Because YoYo Day Care had some peculiar rules, there were several procedures to complete and contracts to sign when purchasing a Pokémon. Aiko didn't find it troublesome at all. For the sake of her long-awaited Ponyta, these matters were insignificant.
Subsequently, it was arranged for Aiko to stay at YoYo Day Care, accompanied by Audino.
Yes, from now on, customers who wanted to bond with their newly acquired Pokémon would stay at YoYo Day Care.
This was Suzuki Koen's suggestion to Yuga.
These customers visited every month, and instead of having them seek external accommodation, it was more convenient to have them stay at YoYo Day Care. It also facilitated further observation of them.
The new building of YoYo Day Care had many vacant rooms, all of which had been converted into guest rooms, specifically for customers needing to bond with their Pokémon.
Of course, Yuga wouldn't let them stay for free. There would be an appropriate accommodation fee.
Even if they wanted to dine at YoYo Day Care, Yuga would provide meals as long as they paid for them.