Xiu noted Eevee's shortcomings during the battles – its reliance on physical attacks made it predictable, vulnerable to strong defenses (like the Squirtle's shell), and its smaller size meant it lacked durability, likely taking significant damage if a solid hit landed. These were weaknesses that could potentially be exploited, especially as Eevee grew and faced tougher opponents. But for now, against the current level of competition Shirley faced, Eevee's speed, agility, and ruthless aggression were clearly dominant.
By the time Xiu returned to Director Bao Ba's residence later that evening, Yuto and Shirley were already back from their own afternoon activities.
Training, even the relatively light regimen Xiu had started her on, was clearly taking its toll on Shirley. While Yuto looked energetic as usual, Shirley was practically draped over the living room sofa, listlessly watching television again, looking utterly drained. Her Vulpix mirrored its trainer's exhaustion, curled up beside her, its normally fluffy tails lying limp.
"Where's Yuto?" Xiu asked, approaching Shirley with a faint smile.
"Ugh, at the back," she mumbled, barely turning her head, her voice lacking its earlier spark. "Went off… training with Growlithe… again."
Xiu nodded, then asked gently but pointedly, "After your own training session this afternoon… did you remember to give Vulpix its recovery food, like I showed you? And the grooming, the massage?"
Shirley shifted uncomfortably on the sofa, avoiding his gaze. "Well… I… uh…"
Seeing her hesitation, Xiu knew she'd likely forgotten or skipped the crucial post-training care routine. He sighed inwardly but kept his tone gentle. He reached down and carefully picked up the lethargic Vulpix. After several days of interaction and care, Vulpix no longer resisted his touch, especially when tired. It merely offered a weak protesting whine before settling into his arms.
"Training is tiring, Shirley, I know," Xiu began patiently, retrieving the prepared nutrient paste and some berries from his backpack. "But you have to remember, you're not the only one working hard. Your Pokémon feels the strain too. As its Trainer, taking care of it after the training is just as important as the training itself."
He began gently feeding Vulpix the recovery paste while continuing his explanation. "Proper cool-down, the right food, even just gentle grooming… it helps reduce muscle soreness, replenishes energy faster, and prevents injuries. It also relieves mental stress. Think of it as essential maintenance." He found a small, soft brush in his pack and began lightly grooming Vulpix's fur along its back, eliciting a soft purr of contentment from the small Pokémon.
"And," Xiu added, meeting Shirley's gaze, "this time, right after training, when you're both tired but relaxed… it's also the best opportunity to strengthen your bond. To communicate, build trust, and deepen your understanding of each other. That connection, that 'bond' people talk about… it's built through these quiet moments of shared care, not just through battles."
Shirley listened silently, watching Xiu's skillful movements, seeing the obvious comfort and enjoyment Vulpix displayed under his gentle touch. Something seemed to click within her. The lethargy faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression. Infected by the quiet moment, perhaps, she slowly sat up properly on the sofa.
Vulpix, sensing Shirley's shift in attention, turned its head and affectionately rubbed its cheek against her arm.
Xiu smiled and handed the soft brush to Shirley. "Alright then," he said softly. "Your turn."
Shirley took the brush, her movements initially hesitant, then growing more confident as she mimicked Xiu's earlier actions, gently grooming Vulpix's fur while holding the small Pokémon in her lap.
Seeing her focused and engaged, Xiu chuckled inwardly. He picked up an Oran Berry. "You should eat something too," he offered, holding it out to her. "Helps with physical recovery."
Shirley looked up, surprised, then leaned forward slightly and took a bite directly from his hand, just as Happiny sometimes did. Xiu didn't comment, just held the berry steady, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips.
After taking a bite, Shirley quickly looked away again for some reason, lowering her head, focusing intently on grooming Vulpix, a slight flush perhaps creeping up her neck.
The peaceful moment didn't last long. Xiu, ever the pragmatist, broke the silence. "Alright," he began, his tone shifting back towards analysis. "Based on the information you gave me earlier, and the three battles I observed Chanel fight at the Pokémon Center today…"
He proceeded to give Shirley a blunt, detailed assessment of Chanel and her Eevee, highlighting Eevee's speed, its ruthless attack patterns, its confirmed skills (Quick Attack, Sand Attack), its potential weaknesses (lack of durability, predictability against strong defenses), and Chanel's confident, aggressive command style.
Listening to Xiu's objective breakdown, comparing it to her own experiences of being dominated by Chanel, Shirley's earlier spark of motivation seemed to dim again. "Is… is the gap really that big?" she asked, her voice small.
Xiu couldn't resist a slight tease. "Well," he replied lightly, "while she was likely training diligently every day, you were apparently perfecting the art of sleeping in and avoiding homework. So, yes, there's currently a gap."
Shirley flushed, wanting to argue, to defend herself, but couldn't honestly refute the accusation. She resorted to pointedly ignoring him again.
"Haha~" Xiu chuckled softly. "But," he added, his tone becoming encouraging again, "like I said, she's not invincible. Eevee has weaknesses. And Vulpix has potential. As long as you commit to the training, really commit, and do exactly what I tell you… there's definitely a way to win."
"Really?" Shirley looked up again, hope rekindled in her eyes, clinging to his confidence. Victory felt possible again.
"Of course," Xiu affirmed smoothly, the smile still in place. He then promptly pulled out one of the dense Breeder textbooks. "But not right now. Your rest period is over. Time to study."
"Ah~" Shirley groaned, her hopeful expression collapsing instantly into one of pure misery. But this time, she didn't argue, just reluctantly accepted the textbook.
— — —
Later, back out in the secluded training area in the woods near the apartment. Xiu held a simple, sturdy slingshot he'd fashioned from a Y-shaped tree branch and strips of tough, elastic material salvaged from old machinery back at the factory.
Shirley stood nearby, watching him with apprehensive eyes. "Are… are you sure about this, Xiu? That thing… it won't hurt Vulpix, will it?"
"Eevee is fast," Xiu replied patiently, testing the slingshot's tension. "So Vulpix needs to be faster. Faster reactions, faster dodging. This drill," he held up the slingshot, "is essential for developing that evasion capability. And yes," he added, meeting her worried gaze, "I can control the force. It'll sting if it hits, enough to motivate dodging, but it won't cause real injury. Trust me. If you don't believe me…"
He suddenly drew back the slingshot, aimed towards Scyther practicing speed drills nearby, and fired. A small pebble zipped through the air with surprising speed.
Shirley gasped, hearing the distinct whizz of the projectile cutting through the air.
Scyther, already moving at high speed, seemed to sense the incoming projectile instantly. Without breaking stride, it twisted its body fluidly, the pebble whistling harmlessly past its shoulder. It glanced briefly towards Xiu, registered the source of the 'attack', then continued its drill without missing a beat.
Xiu nodded towards Scyther, then turned back to Shirley. "See? Perfectly harmless. If you're fast enough."
Shirley rolled her eyes, unconvinced. She'd seen the pebble bury itself deep in the soft earth where it landed. 'Harmless if you're a lightning-fast, armored bug-mantis maybe!' She knew Vulpix, despite Scyther's natural toughness and intense training, couldn't compare in raw speed or durability. How can Vulpix possibly dodge that?
"Can't we… try something else?" she pleaded again. "Something… gentler?"
"Don't worry," Xiu sighed, reaching into his pocket again. "I anticipated your reaction." He pulled out a small, brightly colored, fist-sized elastic ball. "Phase one. We start with this. Soft and bouncy. Get Vulpix used to dodging this first. Once it masters evasion against the ball, then we graduate to the pebbles."
"Oh!" Shirley looked relieved. "Well, why didn't you just show me this first?"
"Because," Xiu replied with a wry smile, stuffing the ball into Shirley's hand, "if I'd shown you this first, you would have argued even harder against ever moving on to the pebbles." He gestured towards Vulpix, waiting patiently nearby. "Alright. Practice diligently. Don't waste the time you freed up by conveniently 'forgetting' your homework." He then turned and walked towards where Scyther was finishing its speed drills, leaving Shirley to begin the new training exercise.
He'd figured out Shirley's personality pretty quickly over the past few days. Gentle encouragement mixed with firm expectations, plus a healthy dose of leveraging her competitive spirit against Chanel, seemed the most effective approach.
Shirley looked down at the bouncy ball in her hand, then at Vulpix. She took a deep breath, a determined glint returning to her eyes. "Okay, Vulpix!" she called out, her voice firm. "Training time! Let's show that annoying Xiu what we can do! We will beat Chanel!"
Vulpix yipped softly in response, then trotted out, stopping about seven or eight meters away, bracing itself expectantly.
Shirley took aim and threw the ball with surprising force. It sailed wide, missing Vulpix by several feet. Her accuracy, like her battle tactics, needed work.
"Come on! Again!" Shirley called out, retrieving the ball, undeterred. She threw it again.
Xiu watched them peripherally for a moment, satisfied they were engaged, before turning his full attention back to his own Pokémon. He approached Scyther as it finished its cool-down lap.
"Alright, Scyther," he began, his tone shifting back to analytical assessment. "Your speed is improving, endurance is better. But let's talk energy manipulation. During that last sprint, did you feel it? That internal heat build-up? Were you able to consciously control its dissipation this time?"