[Joey awkdwardly scratches at the back of his head again at being called-out. He really is bad at explaining technical stuff, especially when so much is running through his head. He's sure he can make it sensible in time, provided he gets the chance, but for now it's just a deluge.]

Y-yeah. I'm no good at explainin' it, but I swear I've gotten da hang of da actual battles! I've even gone and read different strategies n' such! Yugi's Gramps taught me better'n ta slack-off when coming-ta-grips with somethin' new.

[God he hopes he isn't coming off as too much of mess. He really has put a lot of work into getting good at this whole Pokemon thing, but he can't really say that without fear of coming off pompous.

Lost trying to sort out the jumbled knot that is his thoughts, Mai's quip about a date catches Joey completely off-guard. As it dawns on him what he'd walked himkself into his face goes beet red.]

I, uh ah, I wasn't tryin' to say a date or nuthin!

[Joey turns his face away from Mai, hoping to conceal the red-hot condition of his face.]

I just, y'know... I don't wantcha to have to go it alone.

[Realizing that might also have been too on-the-nose he quickly continues.]

Dis is a big place n' all, and der's all kinds'a hazahds n' such too. I've pretty much a solo act since comin' here, and dat was six months ago. I don't want ya to have ta do the same thing I did.

[Joey knows all-too-well how long Mai has had to be alone, and having to go it largely alone himself coming in here has him dead-set on making sure she doesn't have to do the same. Though he's not just going to come out and say it, he wants to make sure she's got someone to lean on in this crazy new world they've been sucked into.]