Chapter 436: Sina and Sia

"Leader, the Gym's construction is fully completed. All the basic living facilities have also been installed, and we've signed contracts with various shops for future supply deliveries, they'll send everything regularly."

Amber gave his report to Sato in great detail. Everything had been arranged in perfect order. Sato barely needed to worry about a thing.

"With Miss Joy's help, all the medical equipment has been installed as well. It can handle basic Pokémon treatment, and everything's good on my end too," Joseph followed up with his own report.

"Alright. Mark, how's the assessment of the local kids going?" Sato nodded to Joseph, then turned to Mark.

"There are a few candidates, but I still want to discuss it with you. It'd be best if you came and saw them yourself," Mark said, scratching his messy bedhead, looking a bit conflicted.

"Of course. If no one else is busy, come along. Those chosen will be the core of our Gym, we'd rather have quality than quantity."

"Mhm! I wanna go! I wanna go!" Trish eagerly raised her small hand. She was currently the most idle person in the Gym.

The Eevee and Houndour that Sato promised to give her hadn't arrived yet, and everyone else was busy. Aside from reading, she had practically nothing to do.

"Alright, let's all go," Sato said, seeing that neither Amber nor Joseph objected.

After all, Mark had lived here for over a decade… he could at least manage not to get lost in Shadownight Town.

However, instead of taking everyone to someone's house, Mark led them to an abandoned factory.

"Runaway kids?"

Sato guessed it immediately.

Mark was surprised but quickly tried to explain. "There's a brother and sister living here. The older one, Sina, is eleven. His sister, Sia, is nine. Their parents were adventurers. Two years ago, they went deep into the Forest of Shadows and never came back.

They don't have any other relatives. Sia was sick back then, and Sina had to ask the neighbors for help. He sold their house to pay for her treatment.

The illness was cured, but the two of them ended up homeless. Sina refused to accept further help and left with his sister. I only found out they've been living here when I returned this time and they're actually doing okay."

"Doing okay?"

"Yeah. Their parents were adventurers, so both kids have their own Starter Pokémon: Gligar and Marill.

With their help, they've become adventurers themselves. They explore the outskirts of the Forest of Shadows and use that to support themselves."

"You're making it sound more impressive than it is. It's only because some uncles and aunties occasionally help us out that my sister and I are still alive."

A cold voice suddenly came from behind, startling even Sato. He immediately turned around, he hadn't noticed anyone approaching.

"Sina, you remember me, right?" Mark said, a bit surprised. They'd been good friends as kids.

"Of course. I heard you've been out traveling for a year now… how nice." A trace of envy flickered in Sina's eyes, but his tone remained cold. Clearly, that was just his personality, it wasn't aimed at anyone.

"And little Sia? I haven't seen her in forever," Mark asked, looking around.

"Her name's Sia," Sina replied, visibly frowning.

"Okay, okay, calling her that won't kill me. Your sister, Sia, where is sheeee~?" Mark clearly did it on purpose, dragging out the last part.

"She went out to buy something. Come on in. The place is simple, sorry for the poor hospitality."

Sina didn't seem to notice Mark's teasing. Instead, the words "your sister" had completely disarmed him. He warmly invited everyone in.

Yup… serious siscon. The kind that's beyond saving.

After sitting down, Sato realized the space was actually two abandoned ship containers fused together into a room. Most of the furniture was old, but everything was clean and tidy. It was clear the siblings had already survived the hardest days.

With Mark making introductions, everyone got to know each other. Sato didn't hesitate and got straight to the point about why he had come.

"…You're a Gym Leader?" For once, Sina looked genuinely surprised, though he quickly returned to his usual cold tone.

"Thank you for coming personally, Leader. But my sister and I are doing fine for now. We don't plan on joining any organization."

Sato wasn't surprised. Sina rejected the offer without hesitation. To endure such a sudden change at home and still take care of his sister; Sina was clearly independent and proud.

"Sina, this is a League-certified Gym registration! Ethan's parents would do anything to get him in. The first person I thought of was you, how could you just..." Mark started panicking but was quickly held back by both Joseph and Sato.

"Thanks, Mark. Really. Over the past two years, all the uncles and aunties have secretly helped me and my sister. Those random bits of money… the barely damaged but still usable sofas, tables, chairs, and appliances, I knew exactly who was leaving them at the factory gate.

I've already received more than enough kindness from your family. Just being able to live well with my sister is more than enough for me now."

Sina's voice trembled slightly. Back then, in order to survive with his sister, he silently accepted the help from Mark's parents and kept it in his heart, hoping to repay them one day.

But Sina also knew that no one could help them forever. Only by being self-reliant could they survive. So this time, there was no way he could agree.

Sato looked at Sina, thinking, 'He's still just a kid, after all.'

"I told Mark to recommend candidates, not to decide for me," Sato suddenly said. "Yes, the Gym is newly built and needs people. But I'd rather have none than choose wrong, so whether you get in is still up in the air."

"Boss…"

"Shut it."

Mark tried to say something else but was silenced by a cold glare from Sato.

"You've become an adventurer, collecting items from the Forest of Shadows to support yourself and your sister. That's impressive for your age… but only just that. I heard you have a Gligar. How strong is it? Let me see."

Sato's tone was calm, but everyone could feel the pressure.

Sina hesitated, then obediently released his Gligar.

"Joseph, check it for me."

"Sure."

Joseph replied and walked up to the Gligar. Under Sina's surprised gaze, Joseph casually grabbed both of Gligar's pincers, gently touched its soft, fragile wings, opened its mouth to examine its teeth, and finally had it lie down to feel the muscle on its thighs.

Throughout the entire process, Gligar was very cooperative. In the end, it even showed signs of affection toward Joseph.

"Good boy~ Try this, it should suit your taste." Joseph took out two Pokéblocks and fed them to Gligar, who showed a look of pure bliss it had never displayed before.

…At last, Sina showed a truly astonished expression.