"Getting s-stronger?" T.J. says, smiling a little. "W-we have something in com-m-mon then. B-but I'm on trainer's leave, s-so I need something tangible every few months or I either have to go home or d-d-drop out." The thought of doing that is really scary to him. What would his parents think if he dropped out? Is going home a failure even worse? "B-badges are just sort of a very standard, t-tangible sign of improvement."