Visiting Robert

At noon the next day, Yuga closed his shop and headed to the Pokémon Center to visit Robert.

Yesterday, due to his concern for the injured Pokémon, he hurried to the Pokémon Center and only managed to express his gratitude to Robert in passing.

"Nurse Joy!"

Yuga softly called out to Nurse Joy, who was engrossed in her work.

Hearing the voice, Nurse Joy looked up and then smiled, saying, "Oh, it's Mr. Shimizu. What can I do for you?"

Because Yuga trained his Pokémon every day, he often brought his own Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for check-ups. As a result, Nurse Joy had gradually gotten to know the owner of the only daycare in Verdanturf Town.

"I wanted to ask if there's a Mr. Robert staying here?"

Yuga didn't know whether Robert lived at the Pokémon Center or how to contact him, so he had to inquire here.

"Please wait a moment. Let me check for you."

Nurse Joy pondered for a moment, then took out the accommodation records from the side of her desk and began to search through them.

Halfway through the search, Nurse Joy suddenly looked up.

"Oh, I remember now. There is indeed a Mr. Robert staying here. How could I have forgotten?!"

Saying this, Nurse Joy lightly tapped her own head with her hand, appearing somewhat annoyed.

Yuga couldn't quite understand. With so many guests coming and going at the Pokémon Center every day, isn't it normal to forget one or two people?

"Could you tell me which room he's in? I need to talk to him."

"He's in the fourth room on the left side of the second floor."

Nurse Joy pointed towards the staircase leading to the second floor.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy."

After politely thanking her, Yuga turned to head upstairs to find Robert. Suddenly, he heard Nurse Joy muttering something under her breath from behind.

"That Mr. Robert is really handsome."

Hearing this, Yuga stumbled slightly. So even Nurse Joy can have a crush, it seems. No wonder she had been so arrogant about forgetting Robert; she was captivated by his looks.

Following Nurse Joy directions, Yuga easily found Robert room and knocked on the door.

Robert, who was getting ready to leave his room, heard the knocking and wondered who could be looking for him at this time. Opening the door, he found Yuga standing there.

"Yuga? Why are you here? Do you need something?"

"What's wrong? Can't I come see you if there's no specific reason?"

Yuga looked at Robert with a surprised expression and chuckled.

"Of course you can, come on in."

With that, he stepped aside to let him in.

"Have a seat."

Robert pointed to the only chair in the room, then sat on the bed himself.

The rooms at the Pokémon Center weren't spacious, especially the single rooms. Other than the single chair, there was only the bed to sit on.

Yuga sat down on the chair and glanced around the room. He casually joked, "Seeing you act like a young master, I thought you might be staying in a hotel. I came here just to see if I could find you. Didn't expect to find you here."

The original purpose of the Pokémon Center was to provide convenience for trainers on their journeys, so naturally, the conditions weren't luxurious.

Although as time went on, the League developed and the system improved, society became more stable, and the travel environment for trainers became safer, the Pokémon Center gradually evolved from its initial form of a supply point and rescue station into the current combination of a hotel and hospital. However, the conditions still couldn't compare to a proper hotel.

Looking at Yuga teasing gaze, Robert helplessly said, "So that's the impression I've given you. From the way I look, can't I stay at a Pokémon Center?"

Yuga waved his hand dismissively. "Haha... Haha... I'm just kidding. A talented trainer like you couldn't have achieved what you have now without enduring a bit of hardship."

Ignoring Yuga praise, Robert opened his mouth and said, "You still haven't said why you've come to find me. Did you make a special trip just to compliment me?"

Upon hearing Robert question again, Yuga straightened his expression, putting away his playful demeanor, and said, "I came primarily to thank you for what happened yesterday."

"Is that why you came? There's no need to thank me for that. We're friends, and helping you is only natural," Robert said nonchalantly, patting Yuga shoulder.

"Still, I must thank you. One good turn deserves another. If it weren't for you, I don't know what might have happened yesterday."

Recalling yesterday events, Yuga still felt a shiver down his spine. Given the circumstances, he was certain he wouldn't have been able to handle it alone. If Robert hadn't shown up, he didn't know whether he would have been attacked or captured by those people.

"The people who caused trouble for you yesterday were from Team Magma, right? How did you end up attracting their attention?"

"You know about Team Magma?"

Yuga hadn't expected Robert to know about Team Magma.

Robert replied, "Yes, this organization hasn't been around for long. It and another group called Team Aqua emerged in recent years. Both organizations have slogans like 'Protecting the Earth' and 'Protecting the Sea,' so when such organizations appear, they usually register with the League. However, they've been keeping a low profile and haven't caused any major issues, so the League has been lenient with them."

Yuga thought to himself, "They're not causing trouble now, but let's see if the League will be troubled by them in a few years."

However, Yuga also hadn't realized that Team Magma and Team Aqua Ship were still not infamous, and they were even considered semi-public organizations.

"Do you know that I have an Absol?"

"I know, it's the one you used in our battle before. That Absol is quite exceptional."

Yuga explained to Robert about capturing Absol and the events leading up to the attack by Team Magma.

Listening to Yuga account, Robert furrowed his brow and said, "Technically, if you've already captured that Absol, it's your Pokémon now. Why would they keep bothering you and go through such trouble to find you?"

"I don't know either."

Yuga suspected that Team Magma might be after Absol due to its faint ability to foresee the future, but these were just his own speculations. He didn't have any evidence to share with Robert.

Robert advised with concern, "Anyway, be cautious from now on. Who knows if they've given up or not."

Yuga nodded. "I will. By the way, have you had lunch? If you haven't, I'll treat you. Consider it my way of thanking you for saving my life."

"When you knocked on the door, I was actually about to go out for lunch! Since you're treating, I won't refuse."

Saying that, Robert patted Yuga shoulder and stood up. The two of them left the room together.