[Hello, streamer. I'm a viewer from Alola. How can I build a good relationship with my Pokémon?]
"Getting along with a Pokémon? It really depends on the person."
Grey thought for a moment, sent out Primeape, and set Ralts in front of the camera, rubbing both their heads. "Pokémon are individuals. Each one has a different temperament. The same petting motion can get very different reactions depending on species and personality."
He stopped petting.
Primeape's temple veins bulged. It grabbed Grey's retreating hand with both of its own, drew on Fighting energy, and tried to throw him.
Then…
Grey returned the favor.
"Praai—"
Primeape got counter-thrown and face-planted, rubbing its swelling head as it got up.
"Raa~"
Ralts, on the other hand, nuzzled into Grey's palm and didn't want to let go.
"So, how to get along with a Pokémon? It comes down to you and the specific Pokémon. If you don't mind sharing, Alola friend, what kind of Pokémon are you trying to bond with?"
Grey asked.
A storm of "???" flooded the chat.
[Bro what—did you just one-hand toss a Primeape?]
[I'm stunned. With that strength why be a trainer—just get in the ring yourself.]
[I hereby declare the next Kanto Fighting-type Elite is the streamer!]
"Uh—uh, I'm a Fighting-type trainer. Hitting the gym isn't illegal, right?"
Grey laughed it off and searched the backend for the Alola viewer's follow-up.
[I don't actually know what it is. It can Teleport though, so I think it's a Psychic-type?]
Grey rubbed his chin and clicked his tongue. "Psychic-types tend to be sensitive. Day to day you need to pay close attention to their emotional needs. Beyond that, there's only so much a streamer can do."
[Mhm! Thank you!]
"You're welcome. It's also a Gym Leader's job to help."
Grey flashed a sunny smile.
[Sobs, jealous of the Alola viewer. I want the streamer to smile at me like that too.]
[Streamer, you seem really close with Sabrina. Are you a Psychic too?]
"I'm not a Psychic, but I am an ability user. You can find me on the League's official site. If you check it out, don't forget to like my profile~"
Grey didn't hide it.
[Sigh. A tragic gulf between you and me now.]
[Unfollowed. Never thought the streamer was a stone-cold ability user.]
[Ability users are never any good! Especially in Saffron City! Get out of Kanto!]
The chat boiled over—every kind of troll crawled out, even ones smearing Sabrina for using her powers.
"What about it? L—Lance is an ability user too. Don't be biased."
Grey frowned at the scrolling chat and said, voice firm, "Some of you need to watch your tone. Say that out loud in Saffron—what, you want to turn ability users into 'freaks'? Most criminals in Saffron City are caught by ability users. Funny how nobody speaks up when it's time to give credit."
As he spoke, Grey held up the "Act of Bravery" pennant he'd gotten today, then pulled up a photo. "See this? Team Rocket members—caught by an ability user."
The frenzy died at once.
A few scattered "smartass streamer" comments drifted by, but viewer count didn't drop.
It spiked.
Hype soared.
[Handsome! I'm a Saffron City ability user. I didn't think much of the streamer—until now. Didn't expect you to speak up for us!]
[Crying. I had beef with him 'stealing our Gym Leader,' but after what he said, I'm a fan.]
[Hey haters, speak up! Or do you think Lance is a freak too? Come say that in Saffron. See what happens.]
[But streamer, why'd you call him "Lance-Lance" just now?]
[Curious +1]
[Can you explain? Sounds like there's something between you two.]
"Ahem. Challenger's here—gotta go."
Grey stepped away from the stream, leaving chat to power itself with speculation.
…
Ding-dong—
The bell chimed as Grey hurried over.
But when Sabrina suddenly Teleported to the door, Grey stopped. "Sabrina? Why'd you come out?"
"Someone from the Gym."
She shifted aside, taking a place just behind Grey.
"The Gym? Saffron Gym?"
He raised a brow.
"Mm. An apprentice."
She nodded.
"All right. Thought it was a challenger."
Grey sighed and opened the door.
A woman in a black trench coat stood there. She was about to ask about Sabrina—
—but then spotted Sabrina behind Grey.
"Leader, are you all right?"
Worry filled her face.
"I'm fine."
Sabrina shook her head. "I'm going back to my room."
She Teleported away mid-sentence.
"Ah! Wait—"
The woman could only watch her vanish and mutter, "Leader's still the same. Not exactly warm."
"Huh? Isn't this Fumika? What brings you to the dojo today?"
Bumiao came up from the front desk, eyes lighting up at the familiar face.
"I came to check on our Leader."
Fumika sighed, then explained, "With the Gym bombing, everyone's on edge. And Saffron Gym and your Fighting Dojo haven't exactly been best friends. If I hadn't heard what your Leader said, I wouldn't have come."
She turned an apologetic look to Grey and lifted the bag in her hand, offering it to him. "Leader Grey, a small token from Saffron Gym. Please accept it."
Grey took the bag—two big, round watermelons inside. He passed it to Bumiao without a change in expression and smiled. "Guests are guests. If you've got time, Fumika, why not sit for a while?"
"I would—but I'm here for something else."
Fumika shook her head, glanced at the Poké Balls on his belt, and said, "I want to see where the Fighting Dojo stands now—as a challenger."
"Eh?!"
Bumiao yelped, set the watermelons down, walked over, and felt Fumika's forehead. "You're not even running a fever—why the sudden urge to do something so unwise?"
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