8:00am at Squid Sisters Apartment..

Marie's POV

I just finished today's show and the series had finally came to an end. When I was about to take the elevator and head outside the building along with my manager. I got a call from the staff that the boss wanted to see me. I nod and curious about what he has something to say. Probably preparing another schedule for me.. *sigh*

Timeskip...

I had arrived at the office, he soon notices me immediately as I push the door and enter. The boss seems to be delighted, but in serious looks.

Boss: Nice job at your previous show, Marie. The views is still quite fabulous and outstanding in these past few months. But sad is it all came to an end.

After he finished, I add in with a bit annoy, but didn't show it to him.

Marie: So you're gonna prepare another tomorrow schedule for me in the next show?

He stops for a while.. Knowing that she had been doing her best in her job and she haven't get a day off since the start of her previous show. Then, he gently coughs to clear his throat.

Boss: Yes.. I know how you feel but of course I wanna repay you somehow. I just prepared another one for the next show started after three days ago. So you can relax yourself before rehearsal for the next show.

After hearing it, my eyes widened a bit in shocked.. I was about to burst out in happiness after for not getting a single time off for a long while, but I contain it all inside.

Marie: Really? Is that true?

The boss nods with a slight grin..

Boss: We all need some R&R sometimes. Plus, you had done very well in our company so you earned it.

After he finishes, a phone rang from his pocket.

Boss: Oh, you two can leave now. I got a call to deal with.

Marie: Alright then. Thanks.

After this, I exit his office and take the elevator to head outside with my manager..

Timeskip...

Manager: So what you gonna do with your three-in-a-row days off, Miss Marie?

Marie: I don't know.. You got any ideas?

Manager: Just like the boss said, a R&R would be good for you before coming back to the workplace. Perhaps you should hang out or having a short trip with your friends?

Marie: Hm...

I dwell into my mind a bit.. Trying to find the best idea for the three of us.. Then, I got it..

Marie: Ah.. That sounds good enough for me. I'd like a short, nice vacation with my cousin and my..

Manager: My?

Marie: Well, my "almost like my brother." And that's for sure. *giggles*

She then follows giggling on how Marie describes her best friend..

Manager: Okay. Should I send you off to the Apartment?

Marie: Well, let me call Lai first. And help me get a cab in the meanwhile.

Manager: Yes, will do!

Meanwhile...

Lai's POV

I was at home in Squid Sisters Apartment, currently developing a new cocktail recipe in the kitchen. As I finished pouring the beverage onto the glass. I got a call from Marie. I grab and pick up the call immediately.

Lai: Hello Marie?

Marie: Ah, Lai! You got a sec?

Lai: Yeah, just finished developing a new cocktail recipe. But I haven't taste a sip of it. What's up?

Her voice slightly change a bit with delightful tone through the call..

Marie: Well, good news is! I got a rare three days off in a row! Isn't it nice?

Lai: Cool, you got a plan for it?

Marie: Yeah, I was planning to take a trip back to our hometown with the three of us!

Lai: Sounds great! But should we take Cap'n with us? There are no signs of any Octarians activities in these past couple of months so it should be fine. Plus, he didn't get to visit his hometown even once.

Marie: Hm.. Maybe it would be better if gramps is with us.

Lai: Yeah, the more the merrier. Did you tell Callie yet?

Marie: Nope. You'll be the one doing it and I'll go notify gramps about this and help him out. Just prepare our suitcases. I'll send you the list of my clothes to get prepared with after this.

Lai: Okay! See you at home!

I quickly make another one to Callie as soon as the call got hung out. Hopefully, she manages to answer my call.

Lai: Hey Cal.

Callie: Hey Lai! What's up?

Lai: Do you have a time?

Callie: Currently having a break. But please make it quick, they still need me for some films to shoot but I'll be heading home as fast as I can after this!

Lai: Well, Marie just got herself a three-in-a-row days off and she was planning to have a trip back to our hometown with all three of us and Cap'n! Mind if I prepare a suitcase for you?

Callie: Oh, cool! But..

Lai: Hm? What's wrong?

Her voice suddenly change into disappointment tone.

Callie: I don't wanna disappoint you, Lai. Because I still got an appointment that I can't miss out. But I might still have time to see you off at the station.

Lai: Oh...

I stop as I hear it from Callie.. Then, Callie breaks the silence.

Callie: Lai? You there? Are you okay?

Lai: Ah yeah, I'm fine. Just feel kinda pity tho..

Callie: Don't worry. After all this, I promise that I'll catch up at the next day with you guys. So please wait for me! Ah gotta go now! Love you!

Lai: Ah okay... Love you too.

She hung out the call first and I let out a big sigh. The phone vibrates as I was about to set it on the kitchen counter. Then, I opened up the message and saw the content that just sent from Callie.

Callie: I love you to the most, Lai!😙😄

I chuckle as I could tell that she's trying to make it up for me and I smile a bit at the message before I send back with my utmost satisfaction reply to her.

Lai: I love you more than anyone else in this entire world.😙☺

After that, I waited for her reply but it didn't take me long..

Callie: Hehe~! 💜💙

I smiled as her reply finally satisfies me before cleaning the kitchen counter and putting all the tools back in the cabinets. Then, I quickly went preparing the suitcases for the three of us and start folding the clothes that Marie had made a list for me. I also pack up Callie's before mine. Soon, I brought out the suitcases to the living room. Then finally went to take a sip of the beverage that I just made and finished up the drink with one single gulp.

Lai: Ah~ Refreshing as ever.. Might wanna teach Vadelma with this someday while I have time.

Timeskip... 10:00am

Callie's POV

I just finished today's shooting and now ready to head my way back to home along with my manager. Tanaka speaks out in polite tone.

Tanaka: Should I get you a cab, Miss Callie? We still have an appointment after a few hours.

Callie: Nah, I'll take the train. It should be faster in that way. I can send you off first if you wanna!

Tanaka: No thanks, Miss Callie. I accept your kindness but I bet you can't wait to make a reunion with your friends, right? Plus, it should be my job doing that anyway.

Callie: Yeah, my cousin and my boyfriend had prepared our suitcases for the vacation back to our hometown. And they probably might be waiting for me at home so I have to get back as soon as possible.

Tanaka: Then, I'll be the one sending you off at the apartment first so I can make sure that you'll be safe on your way home.

Callie: Thanks manager!

He chuckles..

Tanaka: You're welcome as always, Miss Callie. Let's go!

We both hurriedly went to the train station.

Timeskip... 11:00am at the Squid Sisters Apartment.

Callie: Ah.. Finally back home.. Hope they won't be mad that I'm late.. ><"

After murmuring, she opens the door and sees Lai sitting on the couch, already got himself dressed up with his newly bought hoodie for the vacation. He turns around as he notices her presence immediately..

Lai: Hey Cal, you're back!

Callie: Hey Lai! Sorry for being late that you guys have to wait for me!

Lai: It's fine. Marie just got back home from a while and now she's changing in the bathroom. You should be get changed as well.

Callie: But I got an appointment tonight so I guess I'll do that tomorrow. Sorry about that.

Lai: Ah okay.. At least you still have time to see us off at the station..

His smile slowly disappears as soon as he hears it. Callie sits on the couch beside her boyfriend and reaches her hand to his..

Callie: Lai.. I know it's getting hard for us to reunion like this and you can't even do anything about it. But we're still living together under the same roof and I trusted you to take care of me and Marie, especially our home. So I'll be here for you, supporting you as much as I can, just like you were there for me.

After she finished saying, Callie plants a warm smooch onto his cheek for a while. Tears began to rush down from his eyes as soon as he felt that. As for his girlfriend, she breaks the kiss and gently wipes off the tears with her thumb while her palm strokes his cheek slowly. But suddenly, he made a move that caught her surprisingly, he pulls her face with his hand placed behind her neck and locked their lips together, forming a passionate kiss like all the couples would do. The black-haired beauty didn't try to resist it. In fact, she knows that they both want more of this so she follows. After a couple of minutes, their kiss got interrupted by a voice came from the hallway. They both saw Marie was just standing there, pouting.. Callie stood up from the couch immediately as she saw her cousin. Then, she pulled Marie into a loving hug.

Marie: Ahem.. You two seems to be enjoying this, huh?

Callie: Ah! We both just waiting for you to get ready! And I missed you so much, Marie!

The Squid Sisters broke their hug.. But with their both hands still holding together..

Marie: Geez... I missed you too, Cal. Should we get going now? Gramp's waiting for us outside the Jels restaurant.

Callie: Aww... You guys are the best! Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!

Lai: Okay!

Timeskip... 12:30pm at the train station..

After they all had their lunch and bought their tickets to Calamari Region at the train station, Callie prepared to see them off before she left for the appointment..

Callie: I guess this is it.. Have fun at there.

Cap'n Cuttlefish: We will but, you sure you can catch up to us in tomorrow?

Callie: Of course I can, Gramps! Just wait for me at the train station in tomorrow morning then I'll be there in no time! Just tell my parents I'm on my way!

Marie: Don't worry about her. She can take care of herself on the way.. Plus, we'll just call her if she lates again.

Callie: I won't, Marie! There's no way that I would miss out such rare vacation like this! ^^"

Marie: Now that's the Cal I know..

Lai: Hey! The train's coming!

They all turn to the train which it's just arrived in front of us. The door opens and people starts flooding out. After the courses all clear, Cap'n and Marie board on the train first. And Lai walks up to her as he still has something to say to her.

Lai: We all gonna miss you, Callie. Just be careful on your way..

She smiles at him with a bit flush on her cheek.

Callie: Don't worry about me, just have fun at there with Marie and gramps!

After saying, she gently gives out a kiss onto one of his eyelids. Then, she asks him cheerfully.

Callie: I guess you knew what it means, right?

He chuckles as he replies back..

Lai: That's what our love is, a pure and endless one. And we both really showed a deep sense of attachment to each other as well.

She giggles out happily and teases him affectionately..

Callie: That's correct! I guess you really did a research on that too. Not only about making cocktails.

Lai: Anything that can understand us even more..

She gives out a kiss one more time on his lips as a reward. He turns around and joins Marie and Cap'n in the train as they break the hug. They all wave their hands to Callie as the train closes the door and ready to head on to the next station. Then, they all find themselves a place to sit in a line of four seats. Marie was sitting in the middle while Lai on his left and Cap'n on the right. There's a seat besides Lai still left to be occupied by the other people in this train. He sighs as he stares at the empty seat next to him.

Lai: Callie could've come with us without the appointment she had..

Marie: At least she's still be able to catch up with us tomorrow. And at least I'm not alone here..

Lai: Yeah..

Without her, their hearts felt like a part of it is missing.. Even they're not alone.

Timeskip... 4:00pm

The train had just arrived at the station in Calamari. It took them three and a half hours to get there. They all grab their suitcases when the people floods out from the train as soon as the door opens, including them. They all exit out from the station when the course's finally clear for them to head on. Finally, the three of them had arrived at their hometown, Calamari Region. Lai took a deep breath of fresh air.

Lai: Finally, we're back in Calamari. I can't believe this..

Marie: Guess we all really missed our hometown after all..

Cap'n Cuttlefish: Let's go meet up with Agent 2's parents first! I'm sure they'll be happy seeing you back! Glad thing is, I still remember the road to your house. Just in case that you forgot about it.

Marie: Yeah, I barely could remember the road since I had spent most of my childhood with Callie in gramps house.

Marie: Sure! C'mon, Lai!

He nods.

Lai: Okay!

Timeskip...

We walked along the road to the village where we all used to live when we're young. Some enviroments seems to be still pretty old but most of it were improved into a modern style a bit judging by the structures of the buildings and the houses. The people in the village still recognize them as they all walked in, except to Lai. Soon, they had arrived at Marie's house and knocked the door where it just few houses away from Cap'n's. Her parents came opened the door and they both got shocked and were overjoyed as they saw her daughter finally come back home. Then, her parents gave Marie a hug as they welcomed all three of us in. Cap'n introduces his newest Agent, Agent 3.. Or Agent 4 to Marie's parents. Then, Marie and her parents are having their moment by sitting on the porch together, basking in the sun and whiling the day away as she told them all about her latest exploits in Inkopolis and all of the adventures in these past few years, especially the great times she had with her cousin and her "almost like her brother" in Inkopolis. They both laughing and smiling during their talk, or so it seemed at that time..

Timeskip... 8:00pm.

Lai's POV

After having dinner with Marie's parents, this time it was me sitting on the porch alone, watching the moon shines in the night sky. Marie notices me as she was about to go for a walk around the yard. Then, she decides to sit with me.

Marie: What's wrong? Still worrying about Callie?

Lai: Yes, a part of me still couldn't take out my mind about her.

Marie: Yeah me too.. I thought all my worries would be float away until my parents interjected with questions about Callie during the conversation. I struggled to reply them back and only I did was just "She was fine.", "She's doing okay with her own." and "We both are just really busy with our own things, you know?"

She places her hand to her chest where her heart is as she seems to be hurt. Like an unseen needle is picking on her heart.

Marie: You're the closest to her so I guess you know how she's doing, right?

Lai: Yeah, you're right. She's doing okay.. That's the answer I always get whenever I went to visit her in the workplace. But I'm not sure...

She stutters..

Marie: Wha- What do you mean?

Lai: She always put on her bubbly face to me. But it was clear for me to see that she missed you a lot and felt guilty about it.

After hearing, her eyes widened..

Marie: That's what I felt too..

Lai: And I can't even do anything about it as well. I'm so sorry, Marie.

Marie: No, you really did your best to accompany by her side. Just.. Can I lay on your shoulder?

Lai: Sure..

She slowly lays her head onto my shoulder and I put both of my arms behind to support me from her head laying on my shoulder. She calls out to me.

Marie: Lai?

Lai: Hm?

Marie: Did you plan anything to meet with your parents?

Lai: Not sure, I need to wait for Callie first before doing that.

Marie: Oh, okay..

Lai: Let's get some sleeps for tomorrow. Maybe this would help you for taking off your mind.

Marie: Sure.. Glad my parents didn't see us here. Or else this is gonna be a troublesome..

Her head left from my shoulder and we both stand up. Her house doesn't have another free room for me to sleep in so we both went into her room and I grab out the mattress, then place it beside the bed that Marie sleeps on. Marie went to her bathroom to get dress into her pyjamas first before me. After that, we both switch off the lights and prepare to sleep.

Lai: Good night, Marie.

Marie: Good night too, Lai.

Then, we went into our sleep. Hoping that Callie would join us tomorrow.

End Of Chapter...