{T/N: Don't forget to vote and Review...}
...
Steven felt like he had never been this exhausted in his life...
After signing autographs for fans all morning, his hand was practically numb.
It wasn't until the last person left that he remembered the actual reason he was here.
Sensing the timing, the school principal suggested: "Champion Steven, it's already noon. Would you like to have lunch at our cafeteria first?"
Steven, who was indeed hungry, nodded and followed the school administrators to the dining hall...
In just half a day, news of the Hoenn Champion's visit had spread across the entire campus.
The excited chatter of two nearby students who were gushing about Steven in admiration snapped Caleb out of his thoughts.
'Why was Steven here?' he mused.
Just then, a commotion erupted at the cafeteria entrance.
Caleb looked up and saw a man with distinct silver-white hair walking in, surrounded by school officials like a moon encircled by stars.
It was Steven...
Much like Lance's iconic fiery red hair, Steven's unique hair color made him instantly recognizable to anyone who had watched the anime or played the games.
Caleb had already finished his meal and was wiping his lips with a napkin when a blushing girl approached... She was clutching a pink gift box.
The girl bowed deeply, her body forming a perfect ninety-degree angle, and nervously extended the box toward him, "Caleb-kun, please accept this!"
Caleb's eyes immediately caught the heart-adorned pink envelope on the box.
The surrounding students, sensing drama, erupted into playful howls and whistles.
Amid the noise, Steven who was walking with the school staff instantly picked up on the name Caleb Chase in the chatter. He turned just in time to catch a whiff of floral perfume as the girl hurried past him.
"Ooooh!" The onlookers jeered, "Rejected! But that guy is seriously handsome!"
"I heard he's a new student who just enrolled today, in Class 103. Ugh, why didn't we get someone like him in our class?"
"Wait, what's his name?! I'm gonna confess to him!"
"Caleb, I think? But are you sure? What if you get turned down?"
"Pfft, who cares? If it works, it's a win. If not, no loss!"
Steven couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange. His gaze drifted toward the center of the commotion.
"Champion Steven, this…" Having witnessed the scene, the principal worried that Steven might think poorly of the school's atmosphere.
But Steven simply waved it off, "Young love, I get it. No need to worry. Everyone goes through that phase.
The principal sighed in relief at that, only to see Steven suddenly stride toward the boy in question.
It was then that the principal remembered the real purpose of the Champion's visit.
He turned to the dean beside him and asked, "What's that student's name?"
"Caleb Chase," the dean replied.
The principal nodded and instructed quietly: "Keep an eye on him. Accommodate any needs he has. Building a good relationship with the Champion is always beneficial."
....
Steven sat down directly across from Caleb and Lily...
He smiled at the siblings and asked, "You're Caleb Chase, right?"
The baffled Caleb nodded.
Steven noticed his confusion, then he explained: "The passenger ship you were on this morning is owned by Devon Corporation. I wanted to personally thank you for saving everyone aboard."
Now Caleb understood...
Devon Corporation was a famous enterprise in the Pokémon world. Its influence in Hoenn was comparable to tech giants from his past life.
And Steven... Well, he was the son of its president, Mr. Stone.
Steven pondered for a moment, then said earnestly, "Is there anything you'd like? Within reason of course. Our company can provide it."
The phrasing felt oddly familiar... Caleb was pretty sure Lance had said something similar before.
When Caleb didn't respond immediately, Steven assumed he was being modest and added:
"Don't hold back. If that ship had sunk, Devon's reputation would've taken a massive hit. We might've even faced bankruptcy from public backlash. Poor President Stone would've been begging on the streets with a tin can and getting pelted with rotten eggs..."
"...But thanks to you driving off those Sharpedos, none of that happened. So really, this is your rightful reward. If you don't pick, I'll choose for you."
Steven had zero guilt in his generosity... after all, it wasn't his money.
"How about 100 000 Pokédollars, a crate of high-grade Pokéblocks, and lifetime early access to Devon's new products?"
Caleb gave him a deadpan look, thinking, 'Do you really talk about your dad like that?'
After a beat, he said: "Can the last two be swapped for TM moves for my Pokémon?"
Steven: "Of course. Which ones?"
"Swords Dance."
Steven nodded, "Done. I'll arrange it. They should arrive by evening."
With that, the Champion excused himself and left without even touching his food...
...
Once Steven was gone, Jinpei materialized out of nowhere, his eyes gleaming:
"Aha! So that's why you made Pokéblocks 'successfully' on your first try! You know Champion Steven!"
Caleb had no idea what kind of logic this guy was running on, "And how are those two things related?"
Jinpei crossed his arms, "Don't play dumb. Steven must've taught you secret Pokéblock-making techniques, right?"
Caleb: "…I'm really just a Bug Catcher from a small town. I didn't even know Steven before today."
"Bug Catcher?" Jinpei had heard the term before.
It didn't refer to a single person, but a whole category... trainers from modest backgrounds who caught Bug-type Pokémon to battle passersby for spare change (Though some did it purely for fun)...
"Then show me your Pokémon!" Jinpei challenged.
Caleb: "I've only caught two so far."
"What are they? Weedle? Caterpie?" Jinpei pressed.
Caleb shook his head, "Neither…"
Lily chimed in helpfully: "Onii-chan has a Dragonite and Mimikyu!"
Jinpei had never heard of Mimikyu, but he definitely knew Dragonite... a rare Dragon-type from the Kanto region.
And 'Mimikyu' didn't sound like a Bug-type Pokémon either.
He gasped dramatically, pointing an accusing finger, "You liar! What kind of Bug Catcher doesn't have a single Bug Pokémon?!"
Caleb: "…."
Even he had to admit his assigned backstory in this world made zero sense...
Does the Infinite World assign roles based on playthrough count instead of team strength?