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He may be old enough to be Stow-on-Side’s Gym Leader, but many forget that, behind his skill in battle, Allister is still just a child. Kabu knows better than most how Allister longs to be strong and independent (“Like you,” Allister once mumbled not long after they first met, leaving Kabu embarrassingly near tears), but he also knows how much Allister struggles to talk to others and deal with the roaring crowds in a busy Stadium, and how his young friend breaks down after a long day of public interaction, totally exhausted.
But at least Kabu knows from experience how to help Allister cope, rubbing his back as Allister clings to his sleeve and rocks back and forth, soothing him through the shutdown.