Zaire is only ever mediocre at best. It doesn't stop him from trying, but it chafes that he's nothing more than a stereotypical statistic. As he's grown, he's become bitter, resentful with his lot in life to the point of a midlife crisis. It prompts him to put aside what he feels he's obligated to do (quit his standard, middle of the road job, for instance, to stop prioritizing financial security or other societal / family pressures for interpersonal relationships and settling down). His wife divorces him after 6 years of failed pregnancies because she blames herself, and it inadvertently triggers Zaire to focus on his real passions in life. He's on a journey to find himself and learn how to be happy, to leave a legacy.
Zaire grew up in a suffocating and toxic household in middle class suburbs. His parents often screamed at one another over the most mundane and simple of reasons. Zaire internalized most of his father's rants to him, about how to be a man and what was expected of him when he grew up. Avoidant of conflict, even as a child, Zaire spent most of his childhood in the woods behind his home playing with his beloved pokémon, Thief. They went on mini adventures together, but were always home in time for his parents to not miss him.
When Zaire was eleven, he decided to run away from home after a particularly nasty slap to the face from his father. He stole away into the night with Thief and a backpack of his most precious belongings, including, but not limited to, his stuffed Chansey plush, potions stolen from his father, and money from his mother's purse. He made it a significant distance from home before his parents found him. They were so relieved to catch him that they took him home, made him his favorite meal, and watched pokémon battles before bed. It's the happiest memory in Zaire's memory of his childhood.
After the divorce, Zaire sets out on his Pokémon journey to "catch them all". He has only what he can carry with him, and a sizeable sum of money in his bank account. Unfortunately, despite his fervent goal, he's bad at training his pokémon. Pokémon moves are a struggle for him to memorize, and he's too squeamish to see a battered friend and know he caused it. His dream of "catching them all" peters out quickly, but a new goal is formed: breeding pokémon.
After studying under a pokémon breeder for a year to learn the ropes, Zaire discovers an unexpected skill in taming pokémon and breeding them. He enjoys the long days, and the even more rewarding baby pokémon that hatch from eggs. His pessimism begins to transform itself into a more realistic world view after the first successful and profitable year at his own Pokémon Day Care. With a team of pokémon at the ready to help him, Zaire's finally found his calling in life.
