"It's her job! Usually the people receiving first Pokemon are kids, so the profs' assistants go to them rather than the other way around."

"Even if they require a Pokémon escort, why can't their parents bring them?"

She shrugs.

"Huh, never thought about it. I guess maybe they don't want the parents tagging along for the kid receiving the Pokemon? The gap year is supposed to be your first taste of independence."

"Oh, I see."

"Want to chat about getting your high school equivalent diploma while we wait for Bianca? I highly recommend it, it opens up so many more jobs that pay well and make full use of your intellectual abilities."

"I rather think I should catch up to the language first, and then I will need some kind of - tutoring, probably?"

"Yes, tutoring would be my recommendation! There's adult tutoring available here at the high school in the evenings, one-on-one and in small groups. It's government-subsidized, helps immigrants get integrated and productive faster. You can get language tutoring here as well, and for practice on your own time I can recommend you some free apps."

"I would appreciate a language app."

She gets Kyeo's contact info and texts him some recommendations! The top one has a Rowlet icon.

Seems like as good an icon as any. Poke.

The app has a short quiz to establish Kyeo's current level of proficiency and then presents him with exercises matched to that level.

His current level of proficiency is very low but he will doggedly perform memorization exercises.

The counselor is happy to work on her own thing while he does so and waits for the professor's assistant to show up.

The assistant shows up!

"Hi there! I'm Bianca."

"Hello, Bianca, I'm Kyeo."

"Nice to meet you! So, you're interested in a partner Pokemon?"

"It seems to be the done thing."

"Excellent! I have some options with me," she says to Kyeo.

She turns to address the counselor and asks, "is there a good place to send them out so Kyeo can get a look at them?"

"Yes! The football field should work, practice is just ending."

Bianca walks in that direction.

He will trot along behind her. "Are they very large?"

"None of the ones I've got with me today are, but schools can be strict about Pokemon indoors."

"Otherwise they... fight in the classrooms?"

"There's some concern about temptation to do so! And even if the vast majority of teens are well-behaved, it only takes one incident to inspire a response."

Nod nod.