ACTION

[all_onis_are_true]

[Four Pokemon are playing around outside one of the houses in the Residential District. An oddly colored Smeargle is currently cheekily dotting the face of a Magnemite, while an Axew chortles nearby. A Metapod, meanwhile, has already been fully painted and seems to be quite proud of its new designs.

Meanwhile, a teenage boy with white hair watches them on the steps of his residence. A notebook is open, but he hasn't written anything in a while. Watching these Pokemon, he thinks back to how they joined him. He appreciates their companionship, but at the same time he's begun to realize something. In pretty much each case he can think of, it had been Takuro who had helped initiate the bond, not Hiroshi. Somehow, there was always a gap there, and Takuro seemed to be the one who always had to pull the two sides together. Even when he bonded with Hiroshi himself...

He's beginning to realize a fatal flaw. He doesn't really GET Pokemon, somehow.]

[VOICE ONLY]

[Yes, there's a video option now, but Hiroshi is too embarrassed by his request to use it.]

Excuse me, if I could have a moment of somebody's time? I am currently looking for someone with a great deal of experience in understanding Pokemon. I... am looking for someone to help me be a better trainer. If someone out there is willing to help out someone like me, could you let me know? ...I am sorry, I would rather not give my name before I get an offer for help. This is... not an easy thing for me to have to ask.

Thank you, and... sorry for any trouble.

Comments

[a_gentle_boy]

Um.

[Lucas pauses for a moment.]

You'll just have to find it, then.

I think the more afraid of it you are, the more difficult it'll be. If you tell yourself it's not something you can ever overcome, then... you probably won't.

But it sounds like you have a good teacher with you already.

[all_onis_are_true]

[...The more afraid of it, huh...]

I... see. ...I wonder if... no, never mind. You have given me something to think about, at least.

[A pause. He supposes since he did help...]

I am... Hiroshi Yamane. Thank you for your assistance.

[Depending on how old Lucas is and how much he bothers to listen to schoolyard rumors, that name might be a bit... infamous.]

[a_gentle_boy]

[Lucas dimly feels as if the name should be familiar, but he's a little younger than Hiroshi, most likely.]

I'm Lucas. It's nice to meet you.

...I kind of do the cheating thing, but... I grew up around Pokemon, too, so I'm not sure if maybe the ability came because of that or... the other way around.

I hope you can achieve what you're looking for.

I think... if you want it, then... you're probably already on your way.

[all_onis_are_true]

I cannot help but envy you. I have had to work quite hard just to get to where I am.

And yes, I do want it. Very badly. I wish to be a Pokemon researcher.

[a_gentle_boy]

Then, I'm sure you will.

If you want to understand Pokemon, try to spend as much time with them as you can.

...

And feed them. They like food.

[all_onis_are_true]

I, ah, would imagine many things like food.

[a_gentle_boy]

[Lucas nods sagely at this response.]

You'd be surprised how many Pokemon will like you more if you feed them.

[all_onis_are_true]

I will bear this in mind, thank you.

[At least general studies of Pokemon diets have found them to be oddly similar to one another.]

[a_gentle_boy]

...Well. Please let me know if you have any more questions, then. Good luck!

[all_onis_are_true]

I will. Thank you for your assistance.