The Gym Was Shutting Down

Baimu had once assumed Junshu and Shushu were orphans.

Only after talking with them did he learn that their parents had gone traveling around the world and came home just a few times a year.

Must be nice.

Their eight-year-old son was left to fend for himself. It was downright irresponsible.

Junshu had to run a Pokémon Gym and raise a little troublemaker like Shushu. Baimu had to give him credit.

There were three ways to become a Gym Leader. First, inherit someone else's Pokémon Gym. Second, gain the recommendation of several respected figures. Third, start with an unofficial Pokémon Gym, then apply to the Pokémon League once it had built enough of a reputation. A Pokémon Inspector would come to assess and investigate it.

Junshu had become a Gym Leader through the second route.

"Sorry, could I ask you something a little personal?"

Baimu watched Junshu's expression. When Junshu nodded, he asked, "Shushu said your Pokémon Gym might be closing soon?"

Junshu's face stiffened before he gave a rueful smile. "Yes. I hate to admit it, but I haven't awarded enough badges over the past year. When the Pokémon Inspector comes next time, my Pokémon Gym may be shut down."

"How many is 'not enough'?"

"Three."

"Whoa." Baimu sucked in a breath. "Do you get that few challengers?"

"A lack of challengers is part of it," Junshu said awkwardly. "My standards might be a little too high."

"What do you mean?"

"I usually set the difficulty to the same standard as Mr. Norman. Some trainers think that's rather arrogant of me."

The young Gym Leader sighed.

As a devoted fan of Mr. Norman, Junshu had modeled not only the appearance of his Pokémon Gym on Petalburg Gym, but its rules and requirements as well. He had copied it down