Ripple Effect

Chapter Six: Household Changes

Kevin groaned at the sound of a tune blaring from his cell phone, the battle theme from one of his favorite video games. "G'morning, this is Kevin."

"I'm sorry, Coach Collectum; did I wake you?"

The teen sat up abruptly in bed at the sound of Professor Gottum's voice. "Oh! Professor! Good morning!" he yelped, scratching at his head to help wake himself up; he had nearly forgotten that he had exchanged contact information with his unofficial mentor while at the tournament. "No, I've been awake for a while, now!"

A chuckle sounded from the speaker. "It's okay coach, you don't need to lie. I'm sorry for calling so early, but Professor Oak and I were wondering if you could help us."

Help a Pokémon professor? Kevin's sleep-addled brain tried to come up with a reason that a Pokémon professor would need his help, but no answer was forthcoming. So, he did the next best thing. "H-How can I help you?"

A noticeable pause. "I'm sure you've seen on the news about Pokémon abuse; in fact, Sam and- er, excuse me, Professors Oak and Rowan took several into custody the other day."

"Yeah, I saw it," Kevin acknowledged, finally starting to wake up proper. "But what did you need from me? How can I help?"

"We were hoping that you would be willing to take care of one for us; foster care, if you will."

Kevin's heart leaped at the idea of being able to help an abused Pokémon. He opened his mouth to reply, but remembered... "Um, Professor? Before we go on, there's something I should tell you."

"What is that?"

"How do I say this...?" Kevin mused as he continued to run his fingers through his hair, now more awkwardly. "You remember Amour? The Gothorita?"

"Of course," Professor Gottum replied, and Kevin could hear the smile in his tone. "She's a lovely young lady."

"Yeah..." the young coach said, remembering the way she'd smiled at him, the way she blushed when they held hands... "She's...pretty cool." He quickly regained his train of thought. "I'm not sure how to say this, but...Amour and I are...well, we're kinda...together."

"Together? As in, dating 'together'?"

Kevin felt his face heat up; fortunately, no one else was in the room to see it. "Yes, sir. She confessed to me the other night."

"I see."

"So I don't think I'd be a safe person for an abused Pokémon to be around. Sir." Kevin sighed, sad that he wouldn't be able to help but proud that he was able to be honest with the-

"I don't see that being a problem."

Kevin removed the phone to wiggle a finger in his ear as though to clear it. "I'm sorry sir, I must have heard you wrong; it sounded like you said that me being in a relationship with Amour would not be a problem."

"You heard me correctly, Coach," Professor Gottum said with mirth in his tone.

"But I'm basically dating a Pokémon," Kevin pressed. "Doesn't that make me a Pokephile?"

"You're dating only Amour, correct?"

"Yes, sir. I'm not-" Kevin ground to a halt as he realized what the older man was likely implying. "Wait a minute... Am I safe because I'm only dating one?"

"Exactly," Professor Gottum replied. "I know we haven't talked much, but from our interactions I see an honorable young man who wants the best for everyone, human and Pokémon, and would not do anything untoward without a good reason." A brief pause. "Besides, just now you were upfront with me regarding your relationship with your teammate due to how it might affect your ability to care for a vulnerable Pokémon. That, in my book, makes you eminently qualified."