Chapter 4

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Flannery didn't think she was a narrow-minded person, but she heard once that a city which looked beautiful in both the sun and rain was a truly beautiful city. Rustboro City looked very nice in the sun, especially when the light hit the tall building windows at a certain angle, making them glisten like crystals. Rustboro in the rain was a different story. Rustboro in the rain was not beautiful.

So, that rainy late afternoon, Flannery concluded that Rustboro was not a truly beautiful city.

Her PokéNav was ringing even as she headed for Devon Corp, which was where she was meeting Steven for the promised dinner. Muttering dark things about the weather and Roxanne, Flannery quickly dug out the device from her raincoat. "Hey!" she greeted hastily. "Sorry, I'm on my way right now."

"…Flannery?"

"Grandpa!" She nearly walked into a telephone pole in her surprise. "Um, hi Grandpa. How are you?"

"Lonely without you of course," he sighed tragically, making her laugh. "But otherwise I'm as fit as a fiddle. How are you, my dear? You sound busy."

She could see Devon Corp looming before her like a giant. "Well, I'm actually meeting someone right now… Could I call you later tonight?"

"If you're busy then there's no need. I just wanted to hear your voice and make sure you're alright. I heard there was a robbery at Devon Corp yesterday."

"Oh. Yeah… that."

"But it sounds like you're safe and sound. Tell Roxanne I say hello. And don't worry about the Gym—you can travel for as long as you want. We can all manage somehow. And call me anytime you need anything, you hear?"

Despite the annoying weather, she felt a surge of love and gratitude rush through her cold body until even her fingertips felt warm. "I love you, Grandpa," Flannery said, knowing he heard everything else in those few words.

"I love you too, dear. Take care."

She tucked her PokéNav away with a smile, feeling all was right with the world. But as she stopped before the colossal building, she realized that even though her grandfather heard about the robbery, he had no clue she was involved. At least, he gave no real indication of knowing. That meant the media chose not to reveal her identity or didn't know she played a role, which also meant the police and Devon Corp must have either forbidden broadcast or decided not to make it public. Flannery wasn't sure how she felt about being on national TV, but seeing as one of her goals for this trip was to remain as inconspicuous as possible, this was probably a lucky break for her.

Her PokéNav rang again before she could step into Devon Corp. There was a slight frown on her brow as she considered ignoring it, but when she pulled it out and saw who was calling, the frown disappeared.

"Hey Steven. I'm standing in front of Devon Corp—"

"Don't go in."

She stopped mid-step. "What?"

"There are news reporters in there right now. I don't want them to see you."

Talk about irony. Flannery backed away from the doors. "What should I do?" she asked. Maybe they could arrange another meeting place where there were less people around to recognize him. Or maybe, she thought belatedly, they would just have to cancel the dinner altogether.

"Stay where you are," he replied calmly. "Is your umbrella dark blue?"

She blinked and glanced around, trying to look for him. "Yeah."

A slight noise of alarm slipped past her throat when someone unexpectedly ducked under her umbrella and pressed against her side, dripping rainwater. She stared as he grasped the umbrella and held it up higher, his bare hand just above her own. His clothes and hair were completely soaked, but when Steven looked down at her, he smiled warmly.

"Sorry about that," he apologized, leading them onto the street. "It wasn't easy trying to sneak out."

Her mouth fell open. "You didn't have to wait for me outside!" Flannery kept glancing at him, feeling the cold from his clothes seeping through her own coat sleeve. "You're going to get sick," she added with a little more worry.

He smiled at her again. "I'll be fine. Is there anywhere nearby you'd like to go? It's been a while since I've eaten out in this city." His voice became wry as he continued, "I'm afraid the restaurant I had in mind is not an option at this moment."

"Oh. Was it inside Devon Corp?"

"Yeah. The media got wind of you stopping the thief last night and demanded an interview." Steven quickly assured her, "Don't worry, we won't say anything about you. There's no need for outsiders to get involved in our mess."

His shoulder bumped hers lightly as they turned the corner. "Did you find the thief?" she asked.

"Not yet. The police picked up a trail in Slateport, but with so many people coming in and out of that city I doubt it'll be easy to find her."

"I see."

They squeezed past a cluster of teenagers and Flannery chewed her lip, thinking of an appropriate place to get out of the rain. Then she brightened as an idea struck her.

"Steven, do you know the bookstore café?"

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Flannery stirred the hot lemon tea absently with a small spoon and took a careful sip. The hot liquid passed through her mouth into her throat and settled comfortably in her stomach, making her smile. She looked up at Steven, who was also stirring his tea, and asked, "So why were you thinking of visiting Lavaridge?"

The bookstore café was quiet and nearly empty, exactly as she hoped. The café owner recognized her as Roxanne's friend from the night before. If he recognized the Devon Corp heir underneath the dripping clothes then he didn't show it. After handing out dry towels, the older man tactfully disappeared into the backroom, giving the two people some privacy. Soft music played from an old radio in the corner, accompanied by the pitter-patter of rain outside.

"My father was thinking of visiting the hot springs there," Steven explained. "He also wanted me to check out the hiking paths on Mt. Chimney, since it's supposed to have the best view in all of Hoenn."

"It does," she told him. "I'm not biased at all."

"Of course not," he chuckled and she smiled as well, pleased to make him laugh. She'd had the feeling that he was a cold and standoffish guy around people who weren't close to him, but the past five minutes or so had proven her completely wrong.

"If you do come to Lavaridge," she said, "then I would recommend staying for at least three nights. The owner of the hot spring inn gives discounts for three nights or more. Plus, that gives you enough time to tour the town and hike up Mt. Chimney." Flannery gave him her best winning smile. "I can give you the tour myself."

Steven shrugged. "How could anybody say no to an offer like that?" And she laughed.

He was very good at carrying any conversation topic that arose, even the trivial ones. He was surprisingly funny as well. Flannery never laughed as hard as she did when he told her how nervous Wallace was before his dates with Winona. She wanted to ask him about what Roxanne overheard, but gossiping about other people's love life didn't seem appropriate now. She was more interested in hearing about his pivotal Pokémon battles and what spelunkers actually did in those caves.

It wasn't until her PokéNav rang that Flannery realized how much time had passed.

"Flannery?"

"Hey Roxanne."

"Do you know what time it is? Are you still with Steven?"

She glanced at her watch at the same time Steven remarked, "Wow, it's this late."

"Sorry," she apologized. "You should go to sleep first. I'll be home soon." Flannery noticed too late when he got up to pay the bill. "Wait, Steven, I can split it—" But he waved it aside and she gave up reluctantly since Roxanne was hissing into the phone.

"Don't pay, let him! He's the man, he should do it."

"Okay."

"Is he paying?"

Flannery rolled her eyes at her friend's skeptical voice. "Yes, he's paying. All right, I'll be back soon. Don't wait up for me, Roxanne."

"Make sure he walks you home…!"

"Yeah, yeah, got it."

Steven came back and the café owner began closing up. Flannery smiled her thanks at him and, after grabbing their belongings, they left the shop. He, of course, offered to walk her home.

It had stopped raining. Outside, the smell of wet cement and trees permeated the night air. There were still a few people walking the streets, but unlike during the day it was quiet and calm. A cold breeze made her shiver in a pleasant way.

"There's a full moon," he commented, making her look up as well. In the clear sky the moon was particularly bright and round, nearly as illuminating as the sun.

"It's beautiful," she sighed, not paying attention to the road in front of her. He caught her elbow before she could run into a sign pole. "Whoa. Thanks," she said, feeling her face heat up despite the cool temperature.

"Be careful," he said gently.

It was as if the moon had weaved a spell and muddled up her brain. Flannery felt she was in a dream. All too soon they were standing in front of Roxanne's apartment and she was waiting for him to say goodnight.

"I had fun today," he told her with a smile.

"Even getting wet in the rain?"

He laughed. "It was worth it."

She smiled back, conscious of the moon lighting her face. "Good. Thanks for hanging out, Steven. Remember to call me if you're ever in Lavaridge."

"I will. Keep me updated on your travels."

They bid each other goodnight and he watched her go into the apartment building before walking back to his place. Flannery wondered why she felt oddly elated yet disappointed as she climbed the stairs.

Roxanne's door burst open before she could unlock it, and the brunette appeared in the doorway in her pajamas. She looked a little wild-eyed.

"So? How was the date? I saw him walk you home. Did he ask you out? What did you eat? Tell me everything young lady!" She marched her friend into the apartment as Flannery laughed.

After recounting the events of the evening down to the very last detail, Roxanne was satisfied. "I should be a matchmaker," she remarked, hugging the sofa pillow from her position on the ground. "When are you meeting him again?"

"It's not like that," Flannery sighed, knowing it would be useless on her friend. She tried to explain it anyway, knowing her friend would understand eventually. "I think I have a crush on him, but honestly I think it's more out of admiration and friendship. He's so well-known in the Pokémon world and I only hope I can do half the things he's done. If I want to be serious, then I have to focus on my own life and do the things I can do right now."

Roxanne slowly nodded. "I guess you're right. You're still young. There's plenty more chances to have a relationship later on. But… just don't do anything you'll regret, okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like me." When this didn't clarify anything, the brunette added, "Me and Brawly."

Flannery's expression cleared. "Ah." She heard in the barest details about how the two fought together during the Kyogre-Groudon incident and came close to death. She flumped back on the living room sofa and stared at the ceiling. "You know, I doubt me and Steven will ever experience something like that."

"You never know."

"Hmm." Flannery shook her head with a smile. "But near-death experiences would bring anybody close together. I mean… I'm not interested in dating anyone right now. Like you said, I'm still young and I have so many things I want to do. Just taking care of Grandpa and the gym is enough to keep me busy. I have no time for dating. And I doubt Steven does either." It almost sounded like she was convincing herself. Almost.

Roxanne gave her friend a thoughtful look and finally smiled tiredly. "It's your life, Flannery. Whatever you decide, I'll support you."

"Says the person who tried to set me up on a date."

"And succeeded. You had fun! And you got some experience, right? Now you know what to expect on a date and what kind of guy you're interested in."

"Eh. That's… true?" Flannery yawned. "I don't know anymore. I'm exhausted. What time do we have to get up tomorrow?"

Her friend stood up and tossed the pillow onto the sofa. "If you're planning on going to school with me, then seven-thirty. By the way, when do you plan on going to Petalburg?"

"It depends."

"On what?"

Flanner rolled over until she was peeking up at her friend. "On the weather. I'm not walking all the way down there in the rain."

"Lazybones. What if it doesn't stop raining until you have to go back home, huh?"

"Then I'll be keeping you company, roommate."

Roxanne smirked. "And you'll be paying me rent, tenant."

They laughed.

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The rain stopped the next morning. Flannery stayed in Rustboro for two more days and, after promising Roxanne to call soon, set off for Petalburg City.

In the sunlight, she decided that Rustboro was a truly beautiful city.