Usually, if you're quiet, people will do one of two things, tell you they can't hear you or lean closer to hear you better. That's what Jesse is doing. You can imagine Jesse's tone is probably softer at this point too. It's clear Seiji is uncomfortable and shutting down, his arm is reaching across himself, he's trying to protect and hide himself.
Unlike other interactions they've had, Jesse doesn't start out immediately trying to get a rise out of Seiji. Jesse wanted to talk to him because he still doesn't actually understand why Seiji's upset. His smirk and charming facade don't exist right now either. (You can see his smirk when they're walking in the hall but it disappears) It’s only for this moment, but Jesse is being gentle and quiet.
Moments like these are what their friendship was built on. When they met, we learn Seiji is shy, Jesse isn't. Now, if you're an introvert and your best friend is an extrovert, Jesse's naturally gonna become more gentle and quieter if only not to stress out Seiji. Nicholas does the same thing.
This gentle side of Jesse is a side only Seiji knows, so it's only after Seiji turns away, Jesse goes cold again and treats Seiji like he would the world, not his.
“Welcome. I was hoping I would get to see you make it here one day. Tell me... What have you seen on your journey with your Pokémon? What have you felt, meeting so many other Trainers out there? Traveling this rich land of Hoenn... Has it awoken something inside you? I want you to come at me with all that you've learned. My Pokémon and I will respond in turn with all that we know! Let it begin!”
More Hoenn with our Champion! The remake definitely made him even snazzier than before :D And we're almost done with the Hoenn now, all that's left is a few from ORAS's Delta Episode!
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