"Yes..."
Kaim's consciousness stirred from sleep, accompanied by the sensation of being gently shaken. He opened his eyes, but all he could see was darkness.
"Ah."
When he lifted the book resting on his face, light flooded his vision. Everything blurred for a moment before quickly coming into focus. Apparently, he had fallen asleep in his office chair. Lucario was beside him.
"Lucario."
Lucario looked toward the Smartphone on the bed. The Smartphone kept vibrating.
"Crap, someone's calling. Thanks, Cario."
Kaim stood up and picked up his Smartphone. The caller's name appeared on its screen.
"Kota?"
The person on the other end was Heita, the Gym Leader of Oreburgh City. He had helped Kaim prepare a present for Daigo that day, and they had since become friends who occasionally kept in touch.
Kaim answered the call on his Smartphone.
"Hey, Kota. What's up?"
"Hi, Kaim. Huh? Your voice sounds a little hoarse. Are you all right?"
"Oh, sorry. I was asleep for a bit."
"You were working on your thesis, right? It must be tough with your gym duties too, but don't push yourself too hard."
For a moment, Kaim wondered whether he had told Kota that he was writing a thesis. But he had discussed it with Kota's father, Toogan, so it was hardly surprising that Kota knew, even if Kaim had never told him himself.
"Yeah. So, what's up?"
Kaim often chatted with Kota, but they rarely spoke over the phone. Aside from his family and Cynthia, Daigo was the only person Kaim regularly talked to by phone. As a result, Kaim seldom called anyone except on business, and the people around him rarely called either.
Daigo, however, frequently called him, perhaps because he liked hearing Kaim's voice directly.
"I've decided to go mining with my father this