Such a shame you could never really hang out with the gym leaders before or after battling them. It'd be real neat since as far as I know you don't really get to talk to them much outside of I think a few rematches. I think it would be cool if Pokémon would lean into the idea that you get to hang out or at least get to know the gym leaders and by extension the towns they reside in.

Now, since when were hotheads comfortable with water?

FLANNERY MY BELOVED

Cool!