Your heart celebrates as you are on your way to Gear Station to meet with Ingo!
The two of you have been exchanging messages the day before about your collection of League Cards from Galar. At some point of the conversation, Ingo asked if you would accept to give him one of yours that was printed after your victory against Kabu. As a memento.
His request gave you Butterfree in the stomach.
"Can you believe it? Ingo specifically asked for my League Card! Hee hee, I'm so excited and proud!", you told your Pokémon partners, who rejoiced for you.
You alight from the car and try to find your friend who advised he would be waiting here for you.
You look around and your gaze falls on Emmet, giving information to passengers a little further along the platform. When he is done, you tap him on the shoulder to get his attention.
"Hi, Emmet!"
"(N-Name)!", he jumps in surprise.
"Sorry! Did I startle you?"
"I-indeed... oh, er, I mean, h-hi, (Name)! I am Emmet!"
You notice his cheeks are turning crimson red and his lips are trembling, as if he was forcing himself to smile. He appears to be grimacing rather than smiling.
"Are you okay, Emmet? You look hurt!", you ask with concern.
He coughs and partially hides his face behind the collar of his coat. He is becoming agitated.
"Y-yeah! A-actually, I must h-have caught a cold last night! Ahem, p-please, don't get any closer, I don't want you to get sick, too! Hum hum!", he advises with a husky voice.
"O-oh no! I'm sorry, Emmet! You should go home and rest!"
"I, hum, cannot... I-Ingo is counting on me, e-hem, today! "
He keeps clearing his throat and avoiding your eyes.
"Ingo will understand! He won't get mad at you for being sick, I'm sure of it!"
"Hmm hmm!"
"Let's look for him! Is he around? We agreed to meet on the platform this morning, there's something I need to give him!", you explain with an enamoured smile.
"Ah! Your League Card!", he exclaims cheerfully.
You blink twice and cock your head to the side.
"Yes! Did he tell you about it?"
"Why, yes! We have no secrets for each other!", he justifies nervously.
"T-that's not a secret... It's only my League Card!"
Your eyes suddenly widen in shock. You take a step closer to him and poke his chest with your index finger.
"Wait a minute! What do you mean you have no secrets for each other?! I hope you haven't told him anything about my secret!"
"Y-your secret...?"
"Stop pulling my leg! You know perfectly well which one I'm referring to!", you groan.
"T-the t-top secret secret?"
"That one!"
"Absolutely! I would never, ever betray you!"
You examine him from top to bottom, dubious.
"You must be verrry sick if you aren't even teasing me about it! After all, he wants my League Card!"
"Why would I tease you? You are about to make Ingo's day! He will get very... ahem, verrrry excited about it and I must thank you for your kind intention! Say, can I see it, too? I am curious, now."
"Sure!"
You take the card out and hand it to Emmet, whose eyes are sparkling with joy. His smile looks contrived, though.
"Wonderful! I am fond of the holographic pattern you chose - It is verrry much like you! That autograph is neat!", he begins to tell excitedly before switching to a monotonous tone. Somehow, he seems to have a hard time controlling his intonation.
"Thanks! Even though it was printed many years ago, I'm still satisfied with the result! It captures my party's spirit well!"
Emmet is quiet and has a soft expression while admiring your card.
"You can keep it, if you'd like! I brought more of them. I'll give another one to Ingo!"
"Really?! How nice of you! Thanks! Ingo will be ecstatic having two of them! You should know he... we are your biggest fans!"
"Hey! Cheers! Coming from the most popular Trainers in Unova, that means a lot!"
"Hehe, you are too kind!", he applauds.
You continue to observe him for a little while and say, "Emmet, what's going on? You're not trying to chat me up, are you?"
Emmet gasps and flails his arms in panic.
"Obviously not! C-come on! Ahem, I thought you knew me better than that!", he vehemently objects with a weird, broken voice.
"I was joking! Just getting back at you for all the times before! More seriously, I know you enjoy making fun of me, but I don't want Ingo believing we're flirting or what not..."
Pensive, Emmet does not utter a word.
"No... of course you don't want that. You know, I'm pretty sure Ingo is aware anyway that there's nothing more than a strong bond of friendship between you and me, so that is fine by now. He trusts us. Sorry, I made you feel uncomfortable...", he apologises.
"That's okay, don't overthink it! Tee hee... You sounded just like Ingo, this instant! When he talks sweetly and thoughtfully... I liked that a lot!", you giggle with rosy cheeks.
Emmet pulls on the visor of his cap to make his face less visible.
"W-we are twins! In the end, we have a lot to learn from each other! Hem, hum hum... Or maybe I acted this way because I feel under the weather..."
"You're right, must be the fever! Your face is all red now, like a Cherrim!"
Emmet bites his lips and lets his shoulders slump, rendered unable to speak as his breath is becoming erratic.
"(N-Name), truth be told, I--"
"Gooood morning, (Name)! I trust you are well?"
Ingo is walking in your direction at a confident pace, seemingly happy.
"Ingo! Good morning!", you beam.
"Hi, Ingo!", Emmet greets him and straightens up. The brothers salute each other.
"Thank you kindly, Emmet, for keeping (Name) company in my absence! Please forgive me, I had an emergency to deal with!"
"Nothing too serious, I hope?"
"There isn't any problem I can't fix... All good now! (Name), I must say I feel rejuvenated thanks to your dazzling presence among us! Please, allow me to compliment you on your looks today as I find you stunningly radiant!"
You blush at his words.
"T-thank you, Ingo!", you fiddle with your fingers, too shy to look at him in the eyes.
