A Very Unlikely Pikachu Love Story

Chapter 1: Pikachu Costume

Nobody understood why Daniel was dressed as Pikachu.

It was not Halloween. It was not a themed party. There was no costume competition, no birthday child waiting to be entertained, and no social media challenge that might have explained the bright yellow ears sticking out above everyone’s heads.

It was simply a crowded Saturday-night house party.

Daniel stood in the middle of the living room wearing a full Pikachu costume, holding a plastic cup between two padded yellow paws.

“You know,” my friend Marcus told him, “most people try to look attractive when they go to a party.”

Daniel tilted his oversized Pikachu head.

“This is attractive.”

“To whom?”

Daniel looked thoughtfully around the room.

“Someone with excellent taste.”