Hoenn Region, Pokémon League.
About a week had passed since League Champion Steven finished his "assignment abroad."
However, although the Champion had returned in a flash, Wallace, who had fulfilled Steven's duties as acting Champion, had not returned to Sootopolis City. Instead, he had stayed at the Hoenn League.
After all, in peacetime, expecting Steven to do any work was a bit much.
He had ten thousand excuses for passing his work off to the other Elite Four members, who had even gotten used to it.
"Phew..."
Sitting in the League Champion's chair, Wallace finally finished his work and looked helplessly toward the other side of the room.
On the sofa, Steven was absorbed in his game. An enchanted diamond pickaxe dug away furiously in the center of the screen, while the score in the upper-right corner kept soaring.
This was Steven's favorite game. Apparently, he also held the current world-record score, which was more than twice that of his father in second place.
Wallace had no real objection to Steven's little hobby.
But...
"Hey! Could you stop openly playing games during work hours, Mr. Champion? Why don't you just let me be Champion instead...?"
Wallace held his forehead, his face a picture of exasperation.
"Haha, if you're willing, that's certainly an option."
Steven smiled faintly, his eyes still glued to the screen as he answered.
"If you were Champion, I could rest easy."
"..."
Honestly, Steven's shamelessness had exceeded Wallace's wildest expectations.
Giving up the Champion's position because he wanted more personal time? What kind of ridiculous excuse was that, Steven?!
"On second thought, forget it. You won that Champion's seat from me fair and square, so do your job properly!"
As Wallace complained, he got up and walked over to Steven, sitting down on the other end