After dinner, Heath returned to the dormitory to find Maple lying on the couch watching TV. Heath couldn't help but cover his face when he saw her lounging posture.
Every time Officer Maple was in her own room, she seemed like a completely different person. The stern and imposing Officer Maple of the day was gone, replaced by a yawning Maple who occasionally scratched her leg, with her uniform casually tossed onto a nearby chair.
If the other Officer Jennys saw her like this, they would be shocked. After all, Officer Maple was usually very serious and imposing in public.
Arcanine lay peacefully beside the couch, with Maple's feet resting on its furry body. Heath was a bit envious; using Arcanine as a footrest was probably the best feeling. Especially in winter, Arcanine's high body temperature made it feel like placing your feet on a heater—warm and comfortable, making one sleepy.
"Sister Maple, what if someone sees you like this?" Heath said helplessly as he picked up her uniform and tossed it into the washing machine.
Having known Maple for four years, Heath had a good understanding of this woman who took care of him. To Heath, Maple was a woman who was very serious about her work but very casual in her personal life. Since teaching Heath how to do laundry, she had left those chores to him.
"No one can see us here. Our dormitory is very private," Maple said, yawning and changing the TV channel with the remote.
Heath shook his head helplessly. It was the same response every time, and he was used to it. If Maple suddenly became serious, it would only mean an inspector was coming.
After putting the uniform in the washing machine, Heath wiped his hands and went to his room to organize his things. He noticed a bag hanging on his door handle.
Curious, Heath opened the bag and found a gift box inside. It was a nicely decorated box with a blue and white ribbon.
Heath glanced back at Maple, who was still watching TV.
"Sister Maple, did you buy this for me?" Heath asked as he opened the box to find a smartphone inside. It was the latest model from Silph Co., priced at over 5,000 League Coins, a significant amount of money.
In Viridian City, Maple's monthly salary was just 5,100 League Coins.
"Yes, you're planning to start your journey, right? I thought your old phone was too outdated, so I got you a new one," Maple said nonchalantly, scratching her belly. Heath was both amused and touched.
Maple was frugal. She wore the same few outfits and shoes repeatedly, mostly wearing her uniform. Her phone was an old model from several years ago.
"Thank you, Sister Maple," Heath said sincerely. He decided to give her a gift in return. Maple waved dismissively, looking annoyed.
Heath took the phone to his room and transferred his SIM card.
"It's a dual SIM phone, but I only use Porygon Telecom. The dual SIM isn't much use to me," Heath muttered.
The Pokémon world had communication companies, but unlike the three giants from his previous life, Kanto had only two major companies. Heath used Porygon Telecom, which had cheap plans but poor signal quality, sometimes requiring the phone to be held up to get a signal.
The other option, Meowth Telecom, was more expensive but offered better service. Its founder was inspired by the gold coin on Meowth's head, believing it to be lucky.
After setting up the new phone, Heath connected to the Wi-Fi. Pokémon world Wi-Fi signals were represented by Magneton; a full signal was Magnezone, poor signal was Magnemite, and average signal was Magneton. Heath didn't understand why the designers used Magnemite.
"Farfetch'd, did you know that when many Magnemite gather, they evolve into a unique and powerful Pokémon?" Heath remembered an episode from an old anime where a bunch of Magnemite gathered together.
Some said it was a new evolution, but Heath was skeptical until it was officially confirmed.
"Leek?" Farfetch'd looked at Heath, confused. It was training its arm strength, while Charmander was forced to rest, its bandages showing signs of wear. Heath worried Charmander's wound might reopen.
If it did, Nurse Snow would scold him to no end.
"But that's just a rumor, like Feebas evolving into Milotic," Heath shrugged.
In games, Feebas could evolve with a Prism Scale or high Beauty, but in reality, its evolution was still a mystery. This made Feebas and Milotic trainers rare. Heath only knew of Wallace, the Hoenn Coordinator Master, who had a Milotic.
Heath looked out the window, remembering Jenny Kim had mentioned a beautiful view just outside the cafeteria at eleven o'clock. Heath hadn't been there yet.
Heath recalled that spot was Viridian City's reservoir, which supplied the city's water. He hadn't visited before, but now he was interested.
"Let's go check out the night view," Heath said, calling his Pokémon. Staying in the dormitory was boring; tonight, he wanted to see the beautiful view Jenny Kim had mentioned.
"I want to read a novel~ Can you go by yourself, Trainer?" Zorua wagged its tail expectantly, but Heath grabbed its neck and took it along.
(End of Chapter)