The Middle-Aged Dream Team (54/55)

After special training ended,

Baimu could clearly tell that the rancher and his Pokémon had changed. Maybe their levels had gone up?

In any case, he easily defeated Chuck, who had battled at one-badge strength, in his Cianwood Gym challenge. When the match ended, the two middle-aged men exchanged smiles and clasped each other's hands in a firm grip.

[You defeated Chuck, the leader of Cianwood Gym, and obtained the Strike Badge.]

[You heard Chuck's wife tease him about the spare tire around his waist. You felt a little awkward because you had one too.]

The weakness of middle-aged men... a potbelly.

Though with the rancher's build, that spare tire probably served as extra padding, making him a tank who could take hits and dish them out.

Well.

Pokémon battles didn't usually require the trainer to step into the ring.

While Baimu was thinking that, the rancher had already run over to show off his two badges to his daughter. Set to Terry's relaxed music, the scene had an inexplicably warm, familial feel.

The Simulator even cut to the pasture. The ranch girl's Ponyta was nestled against the rancher's Rapidash, while Tauros and Ampharos each had offspring of their own.

The man had reached middle age, and so had his Pokémon. They had found a place to belong...

A middle-aged dream team entering the tournament together, huh?

Baimu wondered whether, when he reached middle age, he would still have an opportunity like that—or the same outlook.

Having just turned seventeen, Baimu turned and hugged Chansey, imagining what life would be like after thirty.

On the screen,

the rancher spent the night at home, then set off for Goldenrod City, which was closer than Ecruteak City.

That got Baimu wondering whether he knew Whitney. He knew Chuck and Jasmine,