You stared into your untouched cup of tea as you half listened to Steven ramble on about some rare stone or whatever. What should I do? you thought. I need to defeat him, and I was almost there! It's just that final stretch I need to get good at. Maybe I should train my pokemon to use a last resort kind of tactic? No, I don't think I could stomach much more training. I don't even know how I managed to get my pokemon to this level in the first place…
"Well anyway, that's enough about me for now. (y/n), tell me about your interests!" said Steven as you snapped out of your daze, remembering how you had somehow managed to make it into the Champion's rather barren office and was now sitting on his couch and (not) drinking his tea.
"My interests?" you blinked.
"Yes, what do you like to do in your spare time?"
You thought for a moment. Well what I actually like to do is anything to do with pokemon contests, I never wanted to get involved with this stupid Champion business! It's just what my dad wants… Well I guess I better give him a more appropriate answer.
"(y/n)?" asked Steven, slightly concerned.
"Hmm? Oh sorry, I - it's just I'm not sure if anyone's asked me that before…"
Steven gave you an empathetic smile as you realized how pitiful you sound.
"Oh no it's - ah - nevermind. Well what I like to do in my spare time is… training?" you winced, it came out so awkward. "Um, yes! Training! It's just - very - it's fantastic."
"I agree," said Steven, looking slightly amused, "but I much prefer looking for rare pokemon…"
Is there a way I can defeat him without training? Do I just try again and hope for the best? I mean I've trained all I can! I'm pretty sure my pokemon are at an even higher level than Steven's! Is there some tactic that I can use that doesn't involve training?
"...I'm not sure what I like so much about it. I guess it can get a bit lonely being the Champion…"
Lonely? He's lonely? Well I suppose he is lonely enough to invite one of his defeated opponents into his office for a cup of tea… Maybe I could use that? Get close to him? Seduce him into going easy on me when I eventually challenge him again? Wait a second… have I really sunk this low? You looked at Steven for a moment while the words 'never come back' echoed in your head. Yep, I've sunk this low. Well if I'm actually going through with this plan then I guess I better make more of an effort to listen to what he has to say…
"...but pokemon just seem to keep me company, give me a distraction…"
"I know exactly what you mean," you said, smiling. Well, it was true! It was nice to sometimes just spend time with pokemon and forget about your problems. Steven put his empty mug down on the coffee table in front of him. I guess I should also make more of an effort to drink his tea.
"I'm glad you understand," he said as you quickly tried to finish your tea without seeming rude. You managed to make an 'mhm' sound before you put down the empty mug next to Steven's.
"Well now that you're finished I guess we better part ways," he said finally.
"Ah, yes. Thank you… for everything," you said, standing up.
"It's no problem," Steven replied, shaking your hand lightly. "I'll hopefully be seeing you soon."
"You too!"
As you left the room, you couldn't help but smirk a little. Perhaps I may become Champion yet...