At the street corner, they passed a souvenir shop. The display window was filled with all kinds of Azure Wave Island-themed crafts—Pokémon patterns made from shells, smoothly polished coral ornaments, and postcards painted with island scenery.
Xinhai stopped to look around, picked out a postcard printed with a sunrise over the sea, and planned to mail it to Brawly and the others later.
After making their purchase, Xinhai and the others took another road toward the shore, strolling slowly along the coastal walkway.
Sunlight scattered across the sea, making the waves shimmer. Several Wingull skimmed across the nearby surface, trailing strings of tiny splashes behind them.
Charmander and Axew chased a Wingull that had landed on the walkway railing for over a dozen meters. Only after the bird fluttered away did the two little ones run back, panting heavily.
Xinhai leaned against the railing and looked at the line where sea met sky in the distance as the ocean breeze brushed through his hair and tugged at his clothes.
Eevee sat on his shoulder, its fluffy tail swaying softly behind it. Its large brown eyes gazed out at the vast ocean. After a quiet moment, it rubbed its cheek against Xinhai's.
"Vee~" it let out a satisfied little cry.
Gardevoir stood beside Xinhai, her red eyes also fixed on the distance, a gentle smile resting on her lips.
Charmander and Axew had tired themselves out and squatted on either side of Xinhai's feet. They tilted their heads up at him, Berry candy still in their mouths and their cheeks puffed out.
Xinhai looked down at them with a smile, rubbed Eevee's little head, then gently patted Charmander's and Axew's heads.
"You're all tired, right? Come on, let's go back and cook. I'll make something tasty for you today."
"Vee!" Eevee