A Day with Paulo

... ... ...

Oh, Scottie.

You look like you wanna ask what we're doing.

Oh, hi, Scottie. Not much.

I was just gazing out at the ocean with Lycanroc.

I was thinking we could watch the sunset, then head back once it got dark.

Yeah...I guess that's true.

Yeah...

So you think so, too, Scottie...

Before, I felt like I needed to rush. That feeling is gone now.

That's why I'm taking a page out of Tina's book...

and spending more time like this with Lycanroc instead of forcing ourselves to train.

Yeah. His appearance may have changed, but he's still the same friendly pup as before.

Haha, I bet he wants to spend some time with you, too, Scottie.

Lycanroc...or rather, Rockruff...was the very first Pokémon I got when I started out as a Trainer.

That's why I was always a little worried about not being able to evolve him for so long...

Where I come from, Rockruff is a relatively rare Pokémon.

Professor Bellis told me that maybe he wasn't compatible with that environment.

But...

I personally think there were other reasons why Rockruff didn't evolve.

I think maybe he was waiting until I was ready to handle his evolved form, Lycanroc...

In other words, he was waiting for me to grow as a Trainer before evolving. That's my theory.

Sometimes, inexperienced Trainers get overwhelmed when their Pokémon become really powerful after evolving.

I bet Rockruff could tell I was worried and rushing.

So in a way, I think him not evolving was a reflection of myself and all the parts of me that hadn't matured yet.

Well...maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

Either way, Lycanroc is still by my side.

In order to live up to the trust and hope he's put in me...

I'll definitely beat you one day.

Yeah, I won't either!

*chuckle* Thanks.

But...maybe another time.

Right now, let's just enjoy spending time with our Pokémon.