"There are fish in the lake north of Ecruteak City. Coming?"
Lin Hao opened Red's message, then slipped his phone back into his pocket. The Pikachu on his lap rolled over, paws resting on its belly, sleeping so soundly that even its ears stayed still. "Fishing all the way out in Ecruteak City. The former Champion's retirement sure is eventful."
Once the train pulled into the station, Lin Hao picked up his backpack and left the carriage. Ecruteak City's platform wasn't crowded. He had just passed through the ticket gate when he spotted a red cap beside the vending machine. Red held two cans of coffee, and the Pikachu on his shoulder was staring at Lin Hao.
The Pikachu on Lin Hao's shoulder gave the other one a sidelong glance, then buried its head back in his scarf. Red offered him one of the cans. "Here."
"What are you doing in Ecruteak City? Don't tell me there really are fish in that lake." Lin Hao took the coffee, pulled the tab, and had a sip.
Red didn't explain right away. He put his coffee away and turned toward the exit. "Team Galactic."
Lin Hao followed, squeezing the coffee can in his hand. "You're investigating them too?"
"Ran into them."
"Where?"
"The Whirl Islands."
Lin Hao set his coffee on top of a trash can and reached up to pat Pikachu's head. "You went fishing in the Whirl Islands?"
Red took out his phone. On the screen was a photo taken at night. Rows of cold white searchlights shone through the sea fog, heavy transport boats lay beside the reefs, and people in gray-blue uniforms were moving equipment. "Lots of Mantine there."
Lin Hao studied the photo for a while. "And you hooked Team Galactic instead?"
Red swiped to the next