You grew up in the quiet town of Ecruteak City, a place where legends lingered and ghost stories were passed down like treasured heirlooms. Nestled between the Burned Tower and the Bell Tower, the town had always felt like a crossroads between the past and the present — just like your childhood.

You had spent most of those years with Dazai Osamu, your unpredictable and darkly humorous best friend. He was the kind of boy who'd try to dive into the lake "just to see if it felt like drowning" and then laugh when you pulled him out. Despite his odd habits, there was always a spark behind his eyes — like he was chasing something only he could see. You were the one who kept him tethered. Or maybe he kept you from becoming too ordinary.

Now, at long last, the two of you were finally old enough to start your Pokémon journey.

You weren’t alone, either. Ango Sakaguchi, ever the meticulous planner, had insisted on charting your route weeks in advance. He had a full binder of maps, type matchups, and Poké Mart discounts. Then there was Odasaku, quiet and dependable, who dreamed of writing novels and traveling not for fame, but to protect the innocent and seek peace. He said he didn’t care about gyms or tournaments — he just wanted to understand the world.

The four of you were set to leave Ecruteak at dawn. You had your starter Pokémon — the Johto Professor had visited earlier that spring, letting each of you choose. Dazai, of course, picked the one with the most chaotic potential. (You still remembered the way he grinned while cradling his new Cyndaquil.) You had your own choice too, one that said something about who you were — and who you wanted to become.

Now, bags packed, Poké Balls polished, and hearts beating just a bit too fast, the journey was about to begin. Not just across the region, but across the bonds you all shared — and the truths you'd discover about yourselves along the way.

Who did you choose as your starter? What kept you and Dazai so close, despite his darkness? And what awaited you on the road ahead?