Raihan was headed away from yet another day of working at the dragon type gym. He hated to admit it, but he was running low on cash. Everyone assumes a Gym Leader is rich based on their status, but not Raihan. More frequently than ever, he has been battling Leon and other trainers, losing to them all the while.

At the moment, he hadn't enough money to rub together to afford his house, let alone more than three meals a week, the only thing he had was breakfast. He was always so cocky. He couldn't lose, oh no. He was the great Raihan. He had a legacy to uphold.

Everyone knew about how he lost to Leon, but the amount of rebellious teenagers he had lost to in the last month was so ridiculous. Some of them held amulet coins, some of them spammed potions, and one of them was Leon. There was something about the Champion that Raihan just couldn't shake. He had to beat him.

And I can't confess about how much money I have, because everyone will think I'm an idiot. I just need to get my head on straight. Oh look, another cameraman and interviewer. Oh, a Challenger too. Great. He found himself thinking this day by day.

He couldn't win. He got mocked. His Gym went down to Minor distinction within eight hours, which was the Galarian record. Raihan rubbed at his temples and let out an annoyed grunt.

He watched as yet another challenger won their way through his Gym Trainers and went to face him. He put up the facade yet again of being the "mighty Raihan" and tried to get his head into gear.

The kid made her way down to his Duraludon, and Gigantamaxed her Centiskorch. At this point, Raihan got his head into gear and ploughed through the non-Dynamaxed second Pokémon who had set up the hail.

Just as his self esteem rose, it was shattered again when she fainted his Duraludon. He handed her a dragon badge and almost half of his pocket money, making Raihan feel ever so slightly miffed.

He went out of the Gym to train against the Pokèmon in Route 7. He was training for a few hours before he bumped into one particular Galarian celebrity. Leon.

If he's here to battle me, I'll lose the last of my money. I swear to Arceus, Leon. Don't battle me today, he thought it over.

"Rai?"  the Champion asked.

"No, Leon. I don't want to battle today," Raihan snapped.

What Raihan said was ignored by the purple haired celebrity. "Rai, you look a bit peaky. Are you alright?" Leon inquired.

"Why do you care all of a sudden?! I'm your 'greatest rival', remember?" the Dragon type master huffed, turning away.

"So I'm not allowed be concerned about a rival?" Leon whimpered, looking up at Raihan with puppy dog eyes.

"Shut up, goofball. Hangin' around me makes you look like a loser..." Raihan mumbled, staring at the ground.

"You do not make me look like an idiot, Rai!" Leon shouted, looking at Raihan with eager golden eyes.

"You're my goofball, Leon..." Raihan muttered. "And I won't let you leave me if I'm poor..."