[Referring to what Asche said >here<]
Asche: “Nonononono that can’t be right! If not friendship then what in the world would it be!? Do you know how many evolution methods there are!? Pokémon can evolve by being in specific places, using specific items, by leveling up in the presence of another specific Pokémon, by leveling up while being upside-down, by having stats in a specific way, by spinning in a specific direction for a specific amount of time, by being pretty-- and who knows how many more that I don’t know! I’m not even an expert!!”
“D-Do I have to do a triple mortal flip while jumping from some high place? Do I have to breakdance on top of a Wailmer? Do I have to eat an Oddish whole? Do I have to kick Arceus in the shins!? As far as I know my evolution method could be some absolutely random crap! No, no, nonono, it’s gotta be friendship, it has to be... for my sanity!”