Hoenn.
Devon Corporation headquarters, Rustboro City.
The main hall.
Baimu and the Aether Foundation family had been invited to the Porygon Phone launch.
Dr. Akihabara had rallied from his sickbed several times afterward, hoping to host the launch as he always did.
But after everyone worked hard to talk him out of it,
he finally gave up.
"So what if he's younger and better-looking than me? Even Unit One told me to stay offstage. Heartless, the lot of them..."
Dr. Akihabara bit his handkerchief, tears of frustration gathering in the corners of his eyes.
Past forty, he was unmistakably middle-aged. Only his youthful face kept him from looking older.
Compared with Steven, though, he was no match.
Baimu broke into a sweat.
"Doctor, I think updating the phone's operating system matters more than who hosts the launch."
Dr. Akihabara and Devon Corporation had developed the Porygon Phone's operating system together.
With less than six months of development, it still had plenty of minor bugs.
Baimu had been able to keep using his because Porygon2 quietly wrote patches on its own, and the prototype came loaded with features.
Ordinary Porygon had neither the authority to modify the system nor its resources.
Dr. Akihabara nodded absently.
Whether the Porygon family could rise at last depended on today.
"Baimu!"
A familiar voice called out.
Baimu turned and saw Wallace and his niece Lisia. Dressed to the nines, they drew countless eyes as they approached.
He smiled and went to greet them.
"Long time no see!"
"Haha! I never thought you'd accomplish all this in just a year!"
Wallace threw an arm around his shoulders, looking every bit the proud uncle.
Baimu quickly waved him off. "I only came up with the idea. You can't call this my accomplishment!"
Though he did get a