After lunch,
Roy arrived at the academy's battle arena and found the Technical Machine Device tucked away in a corner. It really did look rather old.
He stood in front of the Technical Machine Device, lost in thought. Should he put Duskull inside first and then insert the disc, or insert the disc first and then put Duskull inside?
Whatever. He would try both. Roy released Duskull and tossed it into the machine's chamber, but after fiddling with it for half an hour, no matter which button he pressed, the entire machine showed no response at all.
Should he... initiate a Holographic Communication with Wallace again?
But when he remembered the other man's Holographic Communication ringtone from last night, Roy lost the courage to do so. He was not afraid of embarrassment, but he still had some dignity.
That ringtone was way too mortifying. Forget it.
"Roxanne, let's go this afternoon. You... I'm talking to you, you know? Did you hear me? Why have you been so absentminded lately?"
"Ah... okay. Either is fine with me."
Her friend was utterly speechless at Roxanne's perfunctory reply. Ever since Roxanne had hurried back to the dorm that day, something about her had seemed increasingly off.
Someone who normally barely used her communicator was now often hugging it by herself and grinning foolishly, and she was watching Rookie Cup matches.
Her friend remembered that Roxanne's dream was to become a Pokémon Trainer and eventually the Gym Leader of Rustboro City. Why was she watching Coordinator competitions now?
The two had originally come to the training grounds to train their Pokémon together, but they spotted a familiar figure staring blankly at the Technical Machine Device.
"Roxanne, look over there. Isn't that Roy from our class?"
Little stars appeared in Guimi's eyes. She had followed