Sandshrew is a bipedal mammalian Pokémon resembling a mouse but runs on all fours.
Its hide is yellowish-brown, hard, and dry, with a brick-like pattern resembling a wall. The lower jaw and abdomen are cream-colored, with a thick conical tail. Its forelimbs have three small sharp claws, hind limbs have two toes, and its ears are small and triangular, giving it a simple look.
The blue and black eyes of the distant Sandshrew kept glancing toward Kai, clearly noticing his gaze.
Sandshrew's actions naturally didn't escape its Trainer—a girl with short brown hair about Kai's age.
When she looked over, Kai responded with a polite smile before refocusing on Eevee.
Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon, Ground-type. Timid by nature, it digs burrows in sand to avoid predators and is an expert digger. As Kai expected, no matter how hard Eevee tried, its sandcastles couldn't surpass Sandshrew's.
By mealtime, Eevee was still painstakingly modifying its work. Only after Kai's call did it snap back to reality, its stomach growling as it gave a pitiful look.
The Sandshrew and its Trainer had left by then, but its sandcastle—which Eevee had glanced at countless times—remained. Though Eevee's work surpassed most others on the beach, that sandcastle still left it dissatisfied.
"We'll come back after eating."
Kai picked up Eevee and patted its head. Though a small matter, it reflected Eevee's tenacious will—a rare and precious spirit worth preserving. Even if the next few days were spent only building sandcastles, it would be worth it.
"Vee Vee~"
Having Kai's permission, Eevee paused, then cried out happily.
That afternoon, Kai and Eevee didn't encounter the Sandshrew or the girl, and its sandcastle was gone. Though Eevee couldn't compare directly, it kept revising from memory.
However, due to size limitations, Eevee couldn't carve details as perfectly as Sandshrew….
In terms of seriousness and effort, it didn't lose to Sandshrew.
Just as Eevee prepared to start over, Kai stopped it, pointing nearby. Eevee understood immediately and found a fresh area to build.
Looking at Eevee's best and most time-consuming masterpiece so far, Kai couldn't bear to see it knocked down. He first took a photo, then used a small tool to help carve details.
He had photographed Eevee's previous works as keepsakes to show it later.
"Vee…."
Eevee, having moved to a nearby spot, heard the movement, turned, and saw Kai beside the sandcastle. Its mood grew complex. Recalling Kai accompanying it all day, a strange, new feeling arose in its heart, different from any before. This made it stop building and carefully watch Kai's movements.
In that moment, Eevee felt it could see from Kai's perspective, feeling every grain of sand. Suddenly, the sand beneath it grew warm, as if a strange energy emerged, resonating with its body.
The sensation panicked it, and it let out a confused cry, immediately drawing Kai's attention. Looking over, Kai saw Eevee's slender forelegs seem to manipulate the sand, violently pushing it aside.
After this incredible experience, Eevee felt normal again, but remembered that strange feeling clearly—as if its body had memorized it and could do it again.
"This is… the move Sand Attack?"
Kai was surprised by Eevee's sudden display. He thought Eevee would need training to learn this move, not acquire it spontaneously like this.
Learning a new move in reality was difficult. Even moves learned by leveling up in games weren't guaranteed in real life.
Sand Attack was a Ground-type move that manipulates sand to reduce an opponent's accuracy. In games, it was an early move Eevee could learn by leveling up. But in reality, without levels, Pokémon needed specific triggers or training to learn moves. Learning it through focused sand play spoke to Eevee's excellent understanding—likely stemming from its total concentration on building.
"Vee…" After perceiving Sand Attack, Eevee seemed confused and hesitant. When Kai picked it up, it felt reassured.
Kai looked at the scattered sand expectantly. If Eevee's understanding of Sand Attack was tied to this game, could the move help build a more perfect sandcastle?
"It's amazing that a move can be understood this way."
Kai gently set Eevee down, and they began a new round of work.
From experience, they knew sandcastle details depended on the sand-to-water ratio. Too little water wouldn't bind the sand; too much couldn't hold shape. The best ratio was about 99% sand to 1% water for stability, especially for tall, thin structures. They had guessed before, but with Sand Attack, Eevee could better sense the sand's moisture, easily finding the ideal proportion.
Eevee's claws were flexible and sharp, far easier than carving tools. Before long, they rebuilt a sandcastle comparable to Sandshrew's.
"Excellent, but there's still a flaw."
They hadn't accounted for water evaporation, so the castle wasn't perfect. Kai and Eevee looked at each other, smiled, and joyfully began again using their newfound Sand Attack skills.