CHAPTER 47

047: Friendship, Xiao Hao's Lie!!

"In addition, if your goal is to become a Pokémon scholar and secure an internship at Professor Oak's Laboratory in the future, making casual connections and getting chummy in advance won't cut it. Instead of wasting time trying to flatter people, maybe try reading a few of Professor Oak's peer-reviewed publications on Pokémon biology and interspecies interaction."

"And one more thing while I acknowledge 'talent,' I have no patience for the word 'genius.' Regarding the so-called 'genius researcher' Professor Sakuragi you just mentioned I haven't come across any of his published work in the Kanto research archives or the Pewter City Conference abstracts, so I have no comments."

"But from what I do know," Kobayashi continued, adjusting the badge on his collar, "in Vermilion City, Kanto, the prominent researcher isn't Sakuragi, but rather Professor Bill famous for pioneering remote Pokémon Storage System tech and his landmark papers on fossil Pokémon behavior and ancient ecosystems. If anyone deserves that title, it's him."

"As for this Professor Sakuragi you keep name-dropping no offense, but forgive my ignorance. I've honestly never heard of him." Kobayashi's tone was dry, clinical, but stung like a Scyther's Slash. Xiao Hao flushed red with embarrassment, gripping his Holotch tightly as the other boy's voice echoed over the call.

"And my future research partner, Si Cong do you have anything to add to the evaluation I just laid out?"

With a confident smirk, Si Cong crossed his arms, nodding at Kobayashi's analysis.

"Professor Kobayashi, I agree with every point. But I'd like to add one more observation about this guy."

"Go ahead, Professor Si Cong." Kobayashi locked eyes with Xiao Hao, his expression unreadable.

"Here it is: someone who relies on connections, plays petty tricks, and constantly tries to name-drop people he barely knows he's not worthy of being our friend."

"And another thing this Professor Sakuragi you keep boasting about? He's your friend's father, not your own. Why act like his credentials make you important?"

"You see Gary over there? Brown hair, sitting in the second-last row? He's the actual grandson of Professor Oak. Yet over the past two days, he's been humble and respectful to everyone. Never once flaunted his background."

"And that friend of yours Miss Koharu Sakuragi? We haven't interacted much, but anyone can tell she's graceful, well-mannered, and never once used her father's status for attention."

"But you? I won't go so far as to insult you. I'll just say this you're insincere. And we're not interested in being friends with someone who puts on a fake face."

After his final words, Si Cong turned his head away, dismissing Xiao Hao entirely, his message as sharp and final as a Cut attack from a Scyther.

"You...you two!!!" Xiao Hao stammered, stunned by the complete rejection. Moments earlier, he'd approached them with high hopes thinking he might make two new friends before the summer camp even began.

But what he got instead was a harsh reality check two classmates who didn't hesitate to call out his attitude and motives, their blunt words piercing deeper than he expected.

Face burning with shame, Xiao Hao clenched his fists. He wanted to say something, anything in his defense, but his thoughts were jumbled, his tongue frozen. They weren't entirely wrong.

"Hmph~(╯^╰)~ Fine! If you don't want to be friends with me, then don't. Who needs you anyway?" he muttered bitterly, crossing his arms and turning his head with an exaggerated pout.

With a hairpin holding back his bangs and indignation stiffening his posture, Xiao Hao sank into his seat, legs crossed, pretending not to care.

"Kobayashi, let's just ignore him. We were in the middle of analyzing inter-regional Pokémon migration trends, remember?" Si Cong said, brushing the interruption off.

"..."

"..."

Meanwhile, Koharu unaware that her childhood friend had just experienced a humiliating confrontation was nervously making her way down the aisle, still searching for an open seat.

She hadn't found one yet and hadn't noticed Xiao Hao sitting several rows behind, lost in his own thoughts. At the moment, her worried eyes scanned each row, the summer camp barely begun, and yet emotions were already running high.

--

Fortunately, the number of seats on the chartered Indigo Plateau Camp bus exactly matched the number of students accepted for this year's Kanto-Johto interregional exchange so there was no concern about anyone being left without a seat. After nervously scanning the rows with hesitant steps and an anxious expression, Koharu Sakuragi (Xiaochun), finally spotted an open seat in the third row from the rear of the vehicle.

"Um... excuse me, is this seat taken? Would it be alright if I sit here?" Koharu asked softly, her tone barely audible as she stood beside the window seat, her hand tightly clutching the strap of her pastel pink satchel.

"Huh? Oh, no, it's free! Go ahead!" Stephanie (Xiaolan), who had been leaning over the backrest chatting with Ash and Gary in the row behind, turned her head when she heard the shy voice and responded brightly.

"Thank you—" Koharu bowed her head slightly, her voice just as quiet, and took the seat next to Stephanie after offering her thanks.

Stephanie, having noticed Koharu's nervous posture and the stiffness in her shoulders, gave a warm smile and struck up a conversation in her usual outgoing tone.

"Hi, I'm Stephanie. I think your name's Koharu, right? You're the girl Professor Sakuragi dropped off this morning."

"Yeah..." Koharu nodded timidly, still not quite sure how to relax around strangers.

Stephanie, who had always been the sociable type at school and had even helped organize the first day's camp check-in, reached out and gently placed her hand on top of Koharu's, which were still clenched tightly in her lap.

"Don't be nervous, Koharu. We're all here to learn and have fun together. Who knows, maybe we'll even become great friends by the end of the camp!" she said with a bright, sunny grin that matched her high-energy personality.

"Hey, are you still feeling sick to your stomach? I remember that boy Xiao Hao, right? said you weren't feeling well earlier. I brought some warm water from home in my thermos. I can pour you a bit if you'd like it might help settle your stomach."

Recalling what Goh had mentioned when the two had arrived late that Koharu had felt unwell Stephanie rummaged through her backpack, pulling out a stainless steel thermos decorated with Clefairy stickers.

But Koharu, startled by the offer, quickly waved her hands.

"No, no, I'm okay I wasn't sick or anything," she explained, her voice still gentle, but now clearly flustered.

In truth, Koharu's nerves had nothing to do with her stomach. Since childhood, she had only ever grown close to one person Goh. Making conversation with new people wasn't something that came naturally to her.

"Really? Then... what did Goh mean earlier ?" Stephanie began, but before she could finish her question, Ash sitting one row behind with Serena and Shauna suddenly leaned forward and joined the conversation.

"Hey, Koharu, I was wondering why were you and your friend Goh late earlier? We were about to leave when you two showed up," Ash asked, tilting his head with curiosity and flashing his usual warm, sincere smile.

Until that moment, most of the kids in the back rows had been busy in their own conversations. But hearing Ash speak up, everyone's interest shifted to Koharu.

Apologetic by nature, Koharu instinctively bowed her head slightly, addressing the group politely.

"I'm really sorry Goh and I were late. Thank you for waiting for us."

"It's no big deal," Ash said, shaking his head with a smile. "But what happened? Did something delay you guys?"

Since the question wasn't private or hard to answer, Koharu responded truthfully and without hesitation.

"Well... Goh said his shoes got muddy from walking along the dirt path outside the town. So, when we got near the bus terminal, he went to the public restroom nearby to clean them off."

Her voice remained soft, but steady.

...

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