"We're here!"
After disembarking the maglev train, the small group took two more buses and finally reached their destination.
After checking into the resort and inspecting their reserved rooms, everyone was satisfied and decided to have a meal together.
It wasn't until the afternoon that they officially began to relax.
Kai and Eevee stepped onto the sand, and a soft, comfortable sensation instantly spread through their bodies and minds.
"How is it, Eevee?"
Barefoot on the pleasantly warm sand, Kai took a deep breath and felt refreshed….
The sea was azure blue, the sky matched, and a gentle sea breeze blew—it was relaxing. And, most notably, there was a group of young women in swimsuits.
"Vee vee~"
Eevee kept rolling in the sand. It was its first time at the beach, and everything was new.
It wasn't just Kai's group; many Trainers and Pokémon were on the beach.
Staryu, Seel, Slowpoke, Oddish, Psyduck, Dratini… all kinds of Pokémon.
Wait a minute…
Dratini?
Big spender.
In addition, many adults and children were on the beach. Some kids were digging with shovels, others were splashing each other, some were preparing to swim with floaties, and some were building sandcastles!
When Eevee saw another Eevee building a sandcastle, it immediately imitated it. Using its two small paws, it began to stir the sand around it. Interestingly, Eevee learned quickly. Though it was its first attempt, it made a decent sandcastle.
"Not bad."
Kai simply sat down beside Eevee and watched it play attentively. In Kai's eyes, its sandcastle was much better than the other Eevee's.
After a while, Kai realized the castle's design was exactly like one from a movie they'd watched yesterday… The little guy remembered.
After finishing, Eevee compared its work with the other's. This made Eevee very proud. It blinked, looked left and right, then down, and finally raised its chin high, seeming very satisfied with its masterpiece.
However, when Eevee looked around again, it inadvertently spotted a girl and her Pokémon also playing in the sand and couldn't help showing a hesitant expression.
It was a Sandshrew. The castle it had built was clearly more spectacular, making Eevee look at its own piled castle with some doubt. Kai followed Eevee's gaze and saw the Ground-type Pokémon. It was understandable that Eevee wasn't as good with sand. But to Kai's surprise, while he was thinking, Eevee patted its castle with one paw, collapsed it, and started over as if determined to outdo the opponent, trying to build something even grander.
"Vee vee!!"
While piling sand, Eevee asked Kai to wait. Seeing Eevee's serious expression, Kai grinned. How had he not noticed before that this little guy was so tenacious?
The simple game of sandcastle building was no longer simple. It made Eevee serious for the first time. Kai was happy to see Eevee so engaged and didn't hurry to do anything else. He quietly accompanied Eevee, watching it pile and perfect the sand….
Meanwhile, after a brief tour, the Psychology Club group found Kai and said, "We checked; there aren't many people at the 'wave pool' now. Let's go play there."
"Eh… are you guys building sandcastles?"
"Well, Eevee seems very interested. Sorry. Why don't you go ahead? I'll stay here with Eevee."
Luis said, "It's okay. Building sandcastles is fun too. Shall we join? Let's see whose Pokémon can build a better castle."
Maya said, "Sure."
Then Maxwell and Dawn also agreed. The Pokémon around them immediately looked at Eevee with eager expressions, ready to try sandcastle building.
Given permission, the group's Pokémon sprang into action. Persian, Graveler, Gloom, Golbat all rushed toward the beach….
In the competition, Maxwell's Graveler's work was the most exquisite, followed by Maya's Persian. Little Eevee only ranked third. This comparison made Eevee even more disheartened.
Eevee: Σ(° △ °|||)︴ — It seemed quite struck.
"Vee…" Eevee let out a few defeated groans, then looked again at the Sandshrew's sandcastle, which was still the most spectacular.
So it was actually fourth….
"Haha…" Kai rubbed Eevee's head. "It doesn't matter. I'll bring you back tomorrow during free time. We'll try to make more and better castles."
"Vee…" Little Eevee nodded.
Kai exhaled, relieved his Eevee was sensible.
Putting that aside, they headed to the water park to play.
However, Kai decided to return with Eevee tomorrow. It was rare for Eevee to take something so seriously. Kai felt that as its Trainer, he had no reason not to support it. Just as his parents supported his choices, he wanted to support Eevee.
Even if it was just piling sand, letting Eevee be happy and gain a sense of achievement was worthwhile.
And it so happened that tomorrow the group planned to split for free time, allowing Kai and Eevee to be alone.
At the water park, the group played wildly. The thrill of the amusement facilities helped Eevee temporarily shift its focus.
But the fun didn't make it forget the sandcastle. The next morning, Eevee woke up earlier than Kai.
The little one urgently patted Kai's face, wearing a determined expression, and called, "Vee Vee!" as if reminding Kai of their agreement.
"I know, I know."
Lying in bed, Kai picked up Eevee from his face and yawned.
"Don't worry, I'll stay with you all day," Kai said.
Beautiful free time—something to look forward to. Though Senior Sister Maya had invited him elsewhere, for Eevee's sake, Kai declined.
Free time with Senior Sister was precious, but for Eevee, both could be set aside!
It was still early; the temperature outside wasn't as warm as yesterday, and the sand felt slightly cool, but it didn't dampen Eevee's enthusiasm. Running to yesterday's spot, it immediately began piling sand without a word.
It built sandcastles resembling the magnificent structures from the movies.
Kai also realized Eevee's memory was excellent—it remembered those architectural details clearly. He felt almost inferior.
"Vee vee!" It didn't take long to finish. But recalling yesterday's Sandshrew's castle, it immediately shook its head in dissatisfaction and collapsed its own again.
"Take your time." Kai encouraged.
Eevee showed a resolute expression.
Time passed slowly.
One hour… Two hours… Three hours…
Kai was surprised; after so long, Eevee was still working hard.
The sandcastle had improved significantly, but compared to yesterday's Sandshrew, there was still a gap, which made Kai feel a little sorry for Eevee.
By then, more people were on the beach, and the temperature was rising. Kai stretched and suddenly showed a surprised expression—he saw yesterday's girl and Sandshrew duo.