005 | Text

[codeforhope]

[A recent conversation with Shaun- a bit of an unrelated one to what's on his mind, it was about sewing of all things- has got Chihiro thinking as he works on his PokeGear tonight, reviewing some strings of code that would be totally meaningless to most that he offered to Zip to play around with. The Porygon accepted the challenge with an enthusiasm that was almost adorable, really, along with serving to keep him busy for the past month.

His newly evolved Leavanny has been busy too, mostly interested in learning how to make clothing. Actual clothing that her trainer could wear. Naturally nothing had particularly been produced that would be suitable for a Pokemon to wear, much less a person, but nevertheless Chihiro is happy to be her model whenever she's gotten something done that she wants him to try on. Thank goodness for locks on doors, that's all he can say.

She'd been sticking to easy things, but she wanted to make full outfits. Most notable was her tendency to try to shape out patterns in spools of fabric that Chihiro bought for her for both skirts and pants for him to choose between. He always let her make the final decision, always. Chihiro's Pokemons' happiness always came first, it seemed.

Somehow, all of this culminates in a text to the network:]

Have you done anything recently that you could say you were particularly proud of? Maybe some sort of achievement or milestone that you have been trying to reach for a long time. Perhaps something you've been working to get over, and finally managed to overcome it.

You may respond anonymously if you would like...I am just curious to hear what you all have to say.

[Perhaps others have had more luck in that area than he has.]

Comments

[codeforhope]

That's right.

[Though-]

From my understanding, certain places may be different to different people, though. Since we come from different times as well as different places.

[text]

[ardent]

[It takes Ishimaru a little while to respond - not because he doesn't want to, but because it's a bit strange to really articulate what he wants to say. Normally he doesn't have much of a boundary when it comes to "this thing I'm going to say is probably really weird", but he's pretty sure this is something that doesn't really need to be said by most people.

But then, that's kind of the point, isn't it? Mnnngh.]

I've been working on talking to people about difficult things; it's been getting easier as time goes by, even if I still don't really like doing it.

It's not much, but it's improvement, and it's something that I've been needing to work on for a while.

[suncrushed]

Heehee, I'm not. You're such a nice person, Chihiro; it makes others want to be around you. I'd be surprised if they didn't.

[beholdmydemons]

[It's not really a secret, but when there are people like Saionji afoot, he'd like to avoid the potential headache of being taunted. And strangers tend to treat him a little differently when they realize it too quickly, so it's not exactly something he tries to broadcast, either.]

Before I came here I couldn't read or write but for a few odd words. It was normal where I came from. Still can't do either well or quickly enough to use the Pokegear without its help in reading aloud and typing out what I say. Burroughs is a quicker study than I am, it's nearly taken over that duty already.

But I'm learning. And it's odd, because on one I'm proud to finally read out a sign or a posted notice on my own, and on the other reading is so common here that it's strange I think so much of it. I've never made a habit of letting shame cut too deep, but it's strange what too many a pitying glance from who should be your equals can do, isn't it?

Not that it's enough to give up on trying. It's incredible what freedom reading gives you that I'd never have realized otherwise.

[codeforhope]

[..Give him a moment, Juniper. That's a hefty compliment to take in.]

I'm very glad you think so highly of me. You are nice too. Very nice.

[text]

[codeforhope]

[Ishimaru's response comes as a bit of a surprise- but it's a pleasant one, though.]

I'm very happy for you, Ishimaru-kun. Speaking comfortably to others can be difficult sometimes...and any little bit of progress is good, isn't it?

[suncrushed]

Oh my, thank you! Now it's my turn to say I'm very glad you think so highly of me.

[text]

[ardent]

I think so! It's just a matter of being willing to put in the work to overcome our hardships.

How about you, Fujisaki-kun? Is there something you've been working on?

[codeforhope]

[Chihiro takes his time reading over the message Walter sends, so a response is a little while coming. Being able to read and write properly really is something you don't think about, and take for granted when you've had the opportunity to learn at a young age.]

It is great to hear that you have been able to make such progress with your learning. I hadn't really thought about it much before now, but you're right. It is something that I am sure that all of us take for granted at some time or another.

But you are learning and improving, and that is what matters.

[codeforhope]

Mhm. We haven't known each other long, but you are a good friend, Juniper-san.

[Chihiro values friendship more than anything else, really. First impressions are vital, and you have managed to score very highly on that front.]

[text]

[codeforhope]

I have a few things I have been working toward accomplishing. One of them I have already achieved by breeding my first group of eggs last month. I bred far too many on accident the first time, but I'm glad I made the mistake so I can correct it in the future.

And there are still a lot of things I'm trying to learn, but it gives me something to do.

[There's a short pause, and then another message.]

I have also been trying to think about designing new software for the PokeGears. I haven't come up with anything yet, but it's something I have been thinking about doing.

[suncrushed]

[It's the same with her; she very much cherishes friendship and would even put her friends before her morals, as she's demonstrated once before, so she's very pleased.]

I think the same of you. You've been nothing but kind to me thus far, and I do appreciate everything you've done for me.

[Giving her the Meowth egg and helping her with her garden, for example.]

I'd like to do something in return for you someday, Chihiro.

[text]

[ardent]

Ah, that would be good, I think! Very useful, at least - and if anyone can figure it out, I'm sure it would be you!

[...GO FIGHT WIN, apparently.]

[codeforhope]

You've already done more than enough, you know. Inviting me to your home, and letting me help you with your garden. It was nice.

[...]

You've told me a little about your friends back home. Could you tell me a bit more about them?

[suncrushed]

[She supposes, but she wouldn't count that as 'enough' when you've literally given her a Pokémon, Chihiro.]

Oh! Sure, I wouldn't mind. It's a bit of a long story, though, if you're sure you wouldn't mind listening.

[text]

[codeforhope]

[HE WILL DO HIS BEST even though he has no idea what he's even...doing yet, but you know what he's trying and that's the best he can do right now.]

Thank you. I'm thinking about maybe asking sometime to see if there are things that other trainers personally think could be improved, and work from there. I'm sure everyone has ideas for what could be added...and I can't actually think of many, myself.

[Mostly because he's done very little traveling thus far and battles even less, so.]

[codeforhope]

[Look, he bred twenty eggs. He had to do something with them.]

Of course not. I'm listening.

[suncrushed]

[Storytelling time! ...She's just going to omit the parts about murder and bombings, however.]

Firstly, there's Thena. She's been my best friend for as long as I can remember, but she eventually ended up moving to Europe because of...certain circumstances. We ended up reuniting when I attended Themis, however, and by that time she earned her attorney's badge. She's a bit impulsive at times, but she does mean well, and I cheer her on in court every chance I get.

Robin and Hugh were the friends that I made while I was studying in Themis to become a judge, and we three swore to bring an end to the dark age of the law as an attorney, prosecutor, and judge. I care about them a lot, and I couldn't live with myself if I allowed something to happen to them. [Such as them being accused of committing murder and nearly going to jail had she not feigned a confession in time.]

Then there's Apollo. [If this were camera, she would be blushing up a storm right now.] Apollo is, to put it simply, like the sun. He's strong and bright and warm, and he does his best to help others in any way he can. He's saved me numerous times and has given me hope when there was none, and for that I am very grateful to him. He is very important to me.

[It takes her a moment to continue; she may or may not have started daydreaming just then.]

Other honourable mentions are Mr. Wright and Mr. Gavin. They've also helped me a few times, so I'm grateful to them as well. Then lastly, there's my mentor, Professor Courte, but she's... [Ah.] She's no longer with us. Still, she is worth mentioning because without her, I wouldn't be where I am today.

[text]

[ardent]

That sounds like a good idea, Fujisaki-kun! I'm sure Naegi-kun will help you with it as well when we get back; he's good for things like that.

[When in doubt, volunteer the protag.]

You ought to come out to Kanto sometime, by the way! The cities are interesting, at least.

[text]

[codeforhope]

Oh, yes.

[Right, there is a whole other region to this place, isn't there?]

When Togami-kun...was still here, he took me to Celadon City with him, before prom. We were only there for a few days, but it was nice. I would like to go visit there again.

[text]

[ardent]

Well, I'm sure one of us would go with you if you didn't want to go by yourself!

[.......]

Are you interested in traveling at all, Fujisaki-kun?

[codeforhope]

[He appreciates the censorship, he really does. He also really enjoys reading the messages Juniper sends him, here, and he takes his time doing so.]

They all sound like such wonderful people. You are very lucky to have so many good friends back home.

[suncrushed]

I'm glad that you think so. I'm very happy to have met them.

[...]

What about your friends, Chihiro? I've went on about mine, so it's only fair that I allow you the chance to talk about your own.

[text]

[codeforhope]

[There's a bit of a pause before he responds.]

I think I would like to sometime, yes...I guess I'm just a bit nervous about traveling very far. I would never go by myself, at least.

The trip with Togami-kun was very brief, and I came back to Goldenrod as soon as we had done what we came to do...I actually didn't stay there as long as he did.

[Which ultimately was a bit of a mistake- even though he's glad he went anyway-, since he had to come home alone, but somehow he seems to have survived the trip.

...so yes, never again.]

[codeforhope]

[......UUUUUUM.

Okay, going to just scoot by his own talk of murderschool here, yes. But where does he even begin...]

My friends...well...

We were all attending the same school, back home in Japan. Before then I didn't really have anyone I was particularly close with, other than my father. I don't know if you have met any of the others, but a lot of my classmates are here.

[There's a brief pause between messages.]

I won't bother you with trying to tell you about everyone, but...I do consider them all to be friends, whether or not they feel the same about me. If that makes sense. There's...Naegi-kun in particular. He was very nice to me when we first arrived, and spoke to me when I was too shy to talk to anyone else. It helped me a lot, you see.

[Chihiro's not sure if he could easily call any of his classmates his very best friends, because admittedly they didn't get to spend a lot of time together before now. But...]

Now that we have been here, I feel like I've become closer to them. And...there is also Nanami-san, who I first met here. She is very important to me as well.