Changed back into his clothes and returned to the previous private room.
"Natsuhiko, why were you in the bathroom for so long? The rookie exhibition match is already halfway through," Flint said when he saw Natsuhiko return, unable to hold back.
Natsuhiko sat down on the sofa next to him, casually picked up a piece of fruit and tossed it into his mouth.
Free stuff just tastes better.
He casually replied, "Stomach's a bit upset."
Flint didn't say more.
After all, nature calls.
At this moment, Hilona, standing by the glass, walked over, lightly tossed her golden hair, and gazed at Natsuhiko with a pensive expression.
Being stared at like this, Natsuhiko felt a bit embarrassed.
He coughed lightly, "Uh, Hilona, what's up?"
Hilona pursed her lips and shook her head, "Nothing, just thought I saw someone on the field with a figure similar to yours."
Natsuhiko: "..."
He had changed his appearance, hairstyle, clothing, and even height, but as for his silhouette...
Is there really anyone who can recognize someone just by their silhouette?
"Haha—must be a mistake..." Natsuhiko struggled to control his facial expressions.
Hilona gave him a deep glance.
She couldn't see anything suspicious on his face.
"Maybe, that person's Pokémon was a Togepi, quite a cute and interesting Togepi indeed."
Thinking of that adorable Togepi, Hilona couldn't help but smile.
For an instant, she suddenly developed a strong interest in Togepi.
Natsuhiko didn't continue the conversation.
Not that he was hiding something from them.
He had just encountered an attack from a mysterious organization a few days ago, forcing him to conceal his identity to avoid being targeted again.
He couldn't really explain clearly to Flint and Hilona why he had to hide his identity.
Couldn't say that he might be hunted down, so he had to hide in a public place, right?
Which could lead to the question of why he was being hunted down.
This would involve the Dark Stone, Onix, encounters in the underground tunnels, and some of his bold speculations.
So, rather than a lengthy explanation, it was better not to explain.
"Natsuhiko, what do you think about the Pokémon Togepi?" Hilona asked.
"Togepi..."
Natsuhiko pondered slightly for a moment.
He remembered that Hilona should have a Togekiss in the future.
As a Fairy and Flying Type Pokémon, it could well complement Hilona's Pokémon team.
Seen from the perspective of a Defensive Player and Controller, it was a good choice.
So he spoke up, "Not bad, especially if it has the Celestial Grace Trait or the Super Luck Trait; it can be quite effective."
Unlike other champions specializing in one type, Hilona's choice of Pokémon relied more on intuition and compatibility.
Hearing this, Hilona nodded, finding some sense in Natsuhiko's words.
The three chatted a bit longer in the private room, almost until the rookie exhibition match was about over when Flint stood up with a smile.
He tidied up his slightly wrinkled little suit.
"Natsuhiko, I'll be leaving Goldenrod City and Kanto later. Next time you have some free time, come to Hoenn. I'll show you around the local customs."
Hilona also stood up.
"I need to leave too."
Their main purpose for coming to Goldenrod City was to watch this champion exhibition match.
Since the exhibition match was over, there was no reason to stay longer.
They still had a lot of matters to handle, and their Pokémon training couldn't fall behind either.
"Alright." Natsuhiko stood up, nodding without saying much more.
They had their paths and goals, and he had his own.
At least for now, the friendship among the three seemed to be maintained and would likely continue chatting in the future.
"Okay then, before you leave, how about I give you something fun?" said Flint, taking out a phone and a special device.
"Hmm?" Natsuhiko and Hilona simultaneously looked at him in confusion.
Flint said with a smile, "It's a new gadget recently developed by the League, commissioned to us at Devon and Silver. The initial trial version is out, and it's fine for you to know."
So, Flint wasn't just representing the Devon Company of the Hoenn Region to come to Goldenrod City to watch the champion exhibition match, but also on a mission?
For this tool?
Devon Company allied with Silver Company, supported by the League behind the scenes...
The two watched as Flint took their phones, plugged the special device into them, and after a "beep" sound in a few seconds, it was done.
"All set."
Flint handed the phones back to them.
"What is it?" Hilona curiously fiddled with her phone.
"Simply put, it's to facilitate contact among the regional leagues and Trainers. To make it easier for Trainers across regions, we at Devon and Silver developed this tool together. Let me show you."
Following Flint's demonstration, Hilona and Natsuhiko roughly understood what this gadget was.
Simply put, it's a powerful tool software.
It encompasses communication, linking to the League's official site, Pokedex, banking, maps, and more.
It serves as a communication tool, a portable computer for accessing the League's official website, a simplified Pokedex without automatic identification, and a patchwork linking regional bank networks and navigation maps.
Natsuhiko's expression turned a bit odd.
Isn't this just a simplified version of the Pokedex?
The predecessor to the Pokedex?
It doesn't have the automatic identification feature but allows you to view most Pokémon information, including traits, techniques, and even habitat and training advice.
"Interesting..." Natsuhiko muttered.
If it could eventually include Pokémon and item transfer features, that would be great...
"Register yourselves; let's add each other as friends. With Devon, Silver, and the League's promotion, it should soon be available," Flint instructed them on how to create an account and log in.
Gotta say, this chat tool's interface...
It's really minimalist.
But as the predecessor of the Pokedex, such patchwork reasoning makes sense.
Natsuhiko always wondered why, despite the advanced technology in the Pokemon Realm and readily available internet, video calls always required visiting the Poke Center, even though phones existed?
It's always been a mystery.
Then the three added each other as friends, and Flint conveniently created a group and invited Natsuhiko and Hilona into it.
Natsuhiko: .
Stone-Loving Flint: .
User 1886****8: .
Stone-Loving Flint: Who is this?
User 1886****8: Me.
Natsuhiko: Hilona. (sweat.jpg)
Stone-Loving Flint: Why use this nickname?
User 1886****8: Still thinking about what name to choose.
Stone-Loving Flint: ...
Alright then.
As expected of Hilona, the real deal.
Guess it will take her a while to think of a name.
Having means to stay in contact will simplify communication in the future.
Some people may not speak much face-to-face, but through a screen, it's like they become a different person.
Natsuhiko deeply understood this.
Just as Natsuhiko was about to put his phone away, a private message suddenly popped up.
[Stone-Loving Flint transferred 100,000 Alliance coins, please check.]
Natsuhiko looked at Flint in surprise.
Flint just smiled happily, "It's for your sparring fees over this period. I'm not sure how your club charges, so anything extra is a token of gratitude for your warning in the Dark Ruins."
Never expected Flint to be like this.
[User 1886****8 transferred 200,000 Alliance coins, please check.]
Natsuhiko: "???"]
Hilona pursed her lips, "Thank you for your advice on Eevee's evolution and also for within the ruins... thank you."
Natsuhiko fell silent.
'Wouldn't mind having a dozen people like this.'