Glazed City.
An island of tranquility under clear skies.
Although they had agreed to return after handling the necessary matters, Baimu felt inexplicably hesitant when he approached the Glazed Gym again.
Why?
He thought for a moment and realized it was likely because his life at the Glazed Gym only involved one-sided "taking" without any "contributions" or "returns" to the Gym itself.
Faced with the generosity and goodwill of Adam and Mikoli, his sense of shame was strongly at play.
However, before he could dwell on it for too long, the ever-elusive old butler Sebastian once again appeared silently behind him and bowed, saying:
"Welcome back, Mr. Baimu. Would you like me to prepare some hot water for you to wash away the dust of travel?"
"Grandpa Butler!"
Baimu was startled but soon broke into a smile, pulling out a small box from his backpack and handing it over with both hands, saying, "Long time no see. I have to trouble you again. This is something I brought back from Carlos, just a small token of my respect."
"A host gift?"
The old butler raised his eyelids slightly, took the box in hand, and said, "Hehehe... I didn't expect you to still think of this old body. I'm flattered, very flattered."
"I am genuinely grateful for all the care you've given me before."
Baimu said softly, "I also prepared some gifts for Teacher Adam and the others. Could you tell me if they're in the Gym?"
The old butler nodded, "Of course... I cannot refuse your kind gesture, thank you very much."
"You're welcome."
With that, any dilemmas he had quickly faded away, and he was led back into the Gym half-willingly.
As always.
In the garden, Adam crafted a gigantic floating water ball to train Water-type Pokémon in anticipation of the monthly celebration performance entrusted by the mayor.
Mikoli was in the battle arena welcoming new challengers; the annual badge distribution did not mean he could completely avoid Gym challenges.
Liuqia usually snuggled up with Altaria in the specially made recording studio. She always paid great attention to the performance aspects of the Gorgeous Competition and even had plans to sing and battle simultaneously in the competition.
Baimu's return did not cause much of a ripple—
On the surface.
Needless to say, Liuqia stayed in touch with him throughout his time in Carlos, often chatting when there was nothing else to do.
Baimu had broadcasted live to her when he visited the headquarters of "Golduck's Smile" in Lumiose City.
Even the gifts he brought back for Adam and the others were discussed between them.
Liuqia seemed to increasingly enjoy the teasing nickname "Teacher Liuu," and when she received a sky-blue feather hair accessory as a surprise gift, her joyful expression was genuine.
On the other hand.
Despite Adam and Mikoli acting calmly upon receiving the gifts, the old butler secretly exposed their behavior of treating the gifts as treasures, fearing Baimu would be discouraged.
The expensive red wine bought for Adam was housed in the only safe in the wine cellar.
The masterpiece portrait of a Milotic bought for Mikoli was hung in the most noticeable place in his room that very night.
This made Baimu very happy.
There's nothing more touching than seeing specially chosen gifts valued.
The next morning.
At the dining table.
Mikoli gave an unexpected request.
"I have to go out of town for about a week and was wondering if you could serve as temporary Gym Leader and greet challengers?"
"Huh?"
Baimu instinctively glanced at Adam at the head of the table, who said nothing but elegantly ate his breakfast.
"Would you like to accept? Credentials aren't an issue. I can send an email to the League, and they'll send back a temporary Gym Leader certificate which can be handed over to Sebastian to handle."
Mikoli said with a cheerful smile: "I know you're eager to prepare for the grand celebration, but there won't be many challengers...
"You can treat it as a mood-changing battle after practicing hard; usually, you go out to find Trainers in Glazed City, right?"
"Okay."
After thinking briefly, he glanced at Adam again, and seeing no objections from the latter, he nodded in agreement.
Indeed, as Mikoli said, to accelerate the cooling of the simulator, he often went out to battle people, bringing the battlefield into the Gym instead saved him the trouble of going out.
However...
"Do I need to use the Gym's Pokémon? Ours is a Water Attribute Gym, right?" Baimu only had an Altered-color Milotic that was Water-type and couldn't use it from start to finish.
Mikoli chuckled, "Using your own Pokémon is perfectly fine; you can defeat your opponents directly without considering any badge issuance."
Because the numbers were enough...
Baimu jokingly mumbled to himself, then saw Liuqia entering the room yawning along with the drowsy Altaria.
"Good morning~"
The young girl with long blue hair waved to greet.
Recently, without hustle from announcements, Liuqia's routine had become more normal.
Baimu told her about serving as temporary Gym Leader.
Liuqia's eyes lit up with little stars, and she excitedly said:
"Eh? Really? Really? Baimu, are you going to be the next Glazed Gym Leader?"
"...It's a temporary Gym Leader; Mr Mikoli is going out for something."
Baimu replied helplessly.
"I see."
Liuqia instantly regained her composure, smiled again, and said: "Taking the role of Gym Leader should be a very interesting experience, good luck~!"
Across the table, Mikoli's forehead was sweating, and the corners of his mouth twitched, while Adam's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.
Theoretically, Liuqia was the third generation of the Glazed Gym, the rightful future inheritor. What's the deal with her getting so excited upon hearing someone else took up the Gym Leader role?