Hiromi pulled out an empty Pokeball from her skirt pocket, rolling it around in the palm of her hand. She was sitting on the sand once again, except this time that Magikarp was lying on the ground next to her. She had cleaned off his cuts and bruises to the best of her abilities, and the little fish Pokemon was feeling much better after being splashed with some water.

"My parents got me this for my birthday last year. I'm surprised they even remembered it..." Hiromi stared down at the red and white ball in the palm of her hand, talking to the little Magikarp. "They said maybe when I was old enough I could try to catch a Pokemon with it, but I don't think I can..."

The Magikarp just stared up at Hiromi, giving her a look that suggested he was asking her "why not?"

Hiromi sighed, then placed the Pokeball down next to her on top of the sand. "The kids in my class think I can't be a Pokemon Trainer. I don't even get to go on a journey when I turn ten because all the kids with more battling experience get starter Pokemon before me... And at this rate, since we can only give out three starters every year, I'd be fifteen before I get to leave for my journey..."

The Magikarp just stared at her with a blank stare. Well, you know. Since they can't change their facial expression.

Hiromi continued to rant on to the Magikarp who she believed either didn't understand what she was saying or just didn't care. "Everyone in my class hates me... They say I'm 'undesirable.' It's so mean... I really don't know why..."

The Magikarp began flopping on the sand again. Without even looking at him, Hiromi picked up a water bottle next to her and just dumped it on top of him. The Magikarp stopped flailing on the sand, going back to its completely boring state.

"My parents don't even like me. They have big fancy jobs as fancy CEO's for some big and fancy company that I don't even know what it does. They're always working, so our maids and butlers take care of me..." Hiromi wrapped her arms around her knees, placing her head on top. "No one cares about me. I guess they're right... Those kids at school, I mean. I really am undesirable..."

The Magikarp kept up its blank expression, then flailed its way over to Hiromi. He flopped his yellow fin onto her thigh. It was a cute gesture, but it also kinda grossed Hiromi out that there was a slimy wet fin trying to comfort her.

Even though she was grossed out, she didn't move the Magikarp's fin. "Thanks, little guy... I needed that..." Hiromi looked down at the little fish Pokemon, tilting her head to the side and wearing a warm smile. "You're not undesirable either, you know."

The Magikarp removed his fin and just stared up at her. Hiromi petted the wet scaly fish, even though it was kinda slippery and gross. Did he like it? Who knows. Hiromi wasn't sure if fish Pokemon liked to be petted. Dog Pokemon liked it, so she was just kind of winging it.

"You might be a less experienced battler compared to other Pokemon that are out there in the ocean, but... You're still special in your own unique way." She smiled at the Magikarp brightly, then stopped petting him. "Who cares if you're not the strongest battler? I think all Pokemon are special, especially you."

The Magikarp just continued to stare up at Hiromi, still wearing that blank look. That blank look creeped her out at first, but the longer she stayed and talked to the fish Pokemon, she kind of got used to those bubble-eyes staring at her.

"I don't think you're undesirable." Hiromi kissed two of her fingers (on the hand that wasn't previously petting the Magikarp, of course) and she pressed it onto the Magikarp's forehead. "I think you're special in your own way. And even if no one else loves you for who you are..."

...

"I do."