7:00am.. In Squid Sisters Apartment.

Callie's POV

It's been three days now since we both start making our own song and we both finally finished it together. I still woke up early as usual so I went to have a glass of water to sober up myself, I still remember what happened in that day before yesterday in the bathroom and I still felt totally weird and uncomfortable at the same time. When I was about to go back to Marie's room, an Idea sparks in my mind. I turn into my Squid Form and sneak past the door without making a single sound or noise. Then, I keep sneaking until I reach the bed. I climb up and glad that Marie still sleeping soundly in the bed. I turn back to my Inkling Form as I get close to her.

Callie: (Good, she's still asleep. Now it's my chance to scare her awake!)

As I'm about to get my payback, something just grabs my hand and prevent me from escaping. Then, Marie's eyes both open.

Marie: Don't.. You.. Dare..

I got shocked..

Callie: Marie!? Wha..? How long were you awake!?

Marie: The moment you opened that door when you exit out my room..

Callie: ><"

I look away as I feel something rush through my cheek as I got nervous. Marie senses that from my expression.

Marie: You still feeling unease about that night?

Callie: Y- Yeah! I wanna get my payback after what you had done to me!

Marie: Too bad you can't.. Soo... Do you know what happens to cousins who tries to wake the other cousin up early in the morning?

I got confused and clueless what she's saying.

Callie: Uhm... I don't know.. What happens?

She then pulls me into her surprise hug gently but forcefully. I struggle and giggle from her hug as we both play along happily.

Marie: She gets a huge hug attack and you can't escape from me now! Take that!

Callie: Oh no! I just got caught by my own sister! Somebody help me! x3

Marie: Nah-uh! You're not going anywhere so you won't disappear from me and Lai again!

Callie: I won't anymore! Just stop! You're tickling me! ❤

Few minutes later..

After the tickle and hug war, we both breathe heavily and my head is now resting on her chest as she still hugs me close to her.

Callie: Ah..! ❤

Marie: Yeah. I almost forgot to say this. Good morning, Callie..

Callie: Good morning too, Marie..

As I stare at my cousin, I feel like I was drowning into an eternal happiness. Marie feels the same way too so we both decided to stay like this a bit longer. Cuddling and snuggling in our hugs as True Sisters would do to each other. Until a ringtone interrupts our moment and it came from Marie's phone. Marie picks up the call as she unplugs the charger from her phone.

Marie: Hello?

Tanaka: Ah! Morning, Miss Marie! It's been three days now since I had a contact to the producer. Is the lyrics finished?

Marie: Yeah.. I'll summit it in this morning, meet me at the Cafe first.

Tanaka: Okay. I'll be there. Don't be late.

Marie: Yeah yeah, got it..

The call hung up.. I asked..

Callie: So are we going right now?

Marie gives a half-smile to me as she tosses her phone to the side of the bed.

Marie: Nope, we still got time to enjoy our moment, Cal.. Shall we continue?

I nodded in cheerful tone..

Callie: Sure, I'd love to!

Marie: That's my girl.. I knew you would..

Callie: Hehe~

Marie starts hugging me back and this time even tighter as I rest my head on her stomach. After a while, I ask her as I start thinking about Lai..

Callie: Marie..

Marie: Hm?

Callie: I'm really glad that we both have him around us in the first place, right?

She smiles at me..

Marie: Yeah.. It was the best choice I've ever made in my entire life.. Like I feel it was destined to be..

Callie: And he always tries to pull us back together.. Like back in those days.

She sighs..

Marie: Yeah.. I missed all of those days. It was golden.

Callie: Do you think we can actually able to live back in those days?

Marie: I don't know.. It depends on our schedule.. Some people will try to keep us busy everyday for their own benefits.. And I hate that.. Even Lai couldn't help it at all..

I grunt and pout..

Callie: That's so frustrated.. What should we do?

Marie: I don't know.. Just don't feel that way, Cal. Lai will be upset if he sees you like this..

Callie: But what about us? I know I can cope it but what about him? Keeping us together and never be drifted apart was the only wish he had.

Marie: Did he really said that?

Callie: Yeah.. Remember our mission during in Squidmas year? He said that he would spend his whole life with the two of us and never be drifted apart.

Marie: I remember that.. But I didn't really know he chose that as his wish.

Callie: Yeah this is why..

Marie: Oh..

Callie: You got any ideas?

Marie: Well.. Let's try talk to our managers and this is the least we can do. Maybe they can sort it out by matching our schedules so we can have time together even more.

Callie: It sounds great but how?

Marie: We'll try.. And we have to, no matter what happens.. For the sake of us and our future.. Beside, I promised him that I'll make another hometown trip for us.

Callie: Yeah.. I wonder how my folks were doing there..

Marie stares at the time and it is now 7:26am..

Marie: It is time now. We should go.

Callie: Sure.

We both got out from the bed and dressed ourselves before heading to the Cafe for the meeting.

Timeskip... 11:00am

After testing out the song and finally got our first album before publishing it. Marie and I had snuck our way to the Manhole since many people were already here at this hour and someone might notice us, but our stealth still far from being rusty so we both reached inside the Manhole without anyone seeing us at all.

In Octo Canyon.. Tentakeel Outpost..

*Blop* *Blop*

They both got out from the Manhole and saw Cap'n was staring at his old friend, DJ Octavio who's still in coma in the Snow Globe. Then, he notices them immediately.

Cap'n Cuttlefish: Oh morning, Agents! How are you girls doing?

Callie: We're fine today. Thanks for asking!

Marie: How's his condition?

Cap'n Cuttlefish: Still in coma as well. You two got the cure already?

Marie: Yeah.. But I highly doubted if this would work on his limiter..

Cap'n Cuttlefish: But you two had came this far for him so I believe it'll work. Don't lose your hope yet, Marie..

Marie: But still, I had a feeling that I don't believe myself..

Callie pat on her cousin's shoulder..

Callie: Come on, Marie. Lai's just in front of us and he's waiting for us to wake him up. I know we can do this as long as we're together..

She silences a bit and her head bows down until she notices and grabs ahold onto the pendant that Lai gave her and Callie during the last splatfest. Then, she nods..

Marie: Yeah.. We just gotta try.. We can't give him up yet.

Cap'n Cuttlefish: That's the spirit. The boombox should be in the storage room. I believe it still functionable.

Callie: Thanks, Gramps. Let's go Marie. I'll get it.

Marie: Okay.

They both continue their way to the Cuttlefish Cabin. Callie slowly pulls the door open and enters first before Marie. They both saw Lai who was still sleeping on the mattress and his face was still pale and skinnier. Callie goes to grab the boombox out while Marie takes care of him. Then, she notices a hole marked onto his forehead as she brushes his hairs off.

Marie: So this is how a limiter looks like... We'll get it fixed soon..

Callie: I got the boombox out. You ready, Marie?

Her cousin nods back..

Marie: Yeah, Callie.. Let's do this..

She picks up the CD and put it inside the player. She pushes it back before pressing the play button.

Callie: Here goes..

The song called "Fresh Start" starts playing and both of the Squid Sisters are about to sing along together.

"Lalalala lalala la la la la la la"

"What is there after this crazy journey?"
"I don't know where I should go from here"
"As long as I'm with you"
"Oh, won't you follow me wherever?"
"It's not worth my time just to worry"
"I'll face the future and leave my fears"
"As long as I'm with you"
"I don't care where I go to now"

"So grab the reins"
"take a trip to the unknown times"
"Who knows what joys we're gonna find?"
"There will be some trials but we can take it"
"And learn to make it right again."

"Look alive!"
"Turn your life into the dream you're dreamin'"
"Look alive!"
"There's a star that's shining down on you
It's your life!"
"There is always something to believe in."
"It's time to make the most of your life."

"Look alive!"
"Turn your life into the dream you're dreamin'"
"Look alive!"
"There's a star that's shining down on you"
"It's your life!"
"There is always something to believe in."
"It's time to make the most of your life."

As the music had reached the part where they can take a break from their singing. They both grab the chance and take a glance on Lai's forehead and it starts disappearing..

Callie: Look, it's recovering!

Marie: Keep it up! We're doing great!

Tears start forming on Callie's eyes and Marie notices it immediately..

Marie: You okay, Callie!? You looked down a bit!

She wipes off the tears and smiles..

Callie: *sob* I'm fine! I'm really glad it worked out!

Marie: Yeah but focus on what we're doing right now!

Callie: *nod* Okay!

The lyrics came back up..

"What do I even bother for?"
"If you leave or stay that is your choice in the end"
"What's the point when nobody cared before?"
"Couldn't we still be friends?"

"Oh, the past is the past"
"Don't let the now go fast"
"Let's allow it to last"

"I knew you could do it! "
"You won the battle for me."

"So grab the reins "
"take a trip to the unknown times"
"Who knows what joys we're gonna find."
"There will be some trials but we can take it"
"And learn to make it right again."

(Music playing)

"Never let dreams just wither."

Music suddenly paused as Callie couldn't take it anymore from holding her cries and tears flows out from her eyes even more. Marie soothes her..

Marie: Callie... Don't cry..

She cries a bit as they both start thinking and feeling bad about Lai.. Then, a mysterious voice suddenly comes out..

"Take a star... Let it glimmer..."

Callie: Huh?

Marie: Lai?

They both couldn't believe what they had heard just now. They stare down on Lai who's now struggling to open his eyes and his fingers are moving while tears streams down through his cheek. He make his final requests to the Squid Sisters.

Lai: Please.... Continue.....

Callie: *nod and sobs* Okay..

The long-haired Inkling continues..

"But I'm still not sure I can do it..."

Then, Marie adds up in sync..

"I know that you can."

The Squid Sisters continue along with the music starts playing again..

"Look alive!"
"Turn your life into the dream you're dreamin'"
"Look alive!"
"There's a star that's shining down on you
It's your life!"
"There is always something to believe in."
"It's time to make the most of your life."

"Look alive!"
"Turn your life into the dream you're dreamin'"
"Look alive!"
"There's a star that's shining on us!"
"That star is you! I believe in you and me."
"We can take the reins and
make a fresh start!"

(Music playing)

"As long as I'm with you"
"I don't care where I go to now"

(Music finished)

After the music finally finished playing.. Lai had recovered from his coma while his limiter is being fixed and the hole on his forehead disappeared. He smiles at them faintly as the Squid Sisters both overjoyed. Callie hugs him tightly..

Callie: Lai! You're..! You're finally awake!

Lai: Yeah.. Just like I promised... That I would come back for you two..

Marie: Oh thank cod it really worked out! I was worried that you'd be goner for sure!

Lai: Not in a million years.. I said I would.. Bring you two back together, didn't I?

Callie: And you did.. You really did.. We both had so much fun together and it all thanks to you.

Lai: Glad to hear it from you.. But now..

His arm lifts up and wipes off the tears with his hand. He asked in curious as he tries to get up into sitting..

Lai: Geez.. How long did I slept?

Marie: Three months I guess.

Lai: Wha-? That's too long.. No, I don't buy that one. You know it's not the time for joking, Marie..

Marie: Ah, you got me. Don't worry, it's just three days only.

Lai: Oh thank cod.. But what should we do next?

Marie: Let's celebrate Callie's return in Inkopolis after this. But for now, you should get yourself rested.

Callie adds up..

Callie: And we'll stay here with you until you're fully recovered!

Lai: Thanks girls..

Marie: You're welcome..

They both smiled in the end..

End Of Chapter...

Bonus,

Outside the Cabin..

Cap'n Cuttlefish: Ah.. I guess those three are finally back together.

He stares at the Snow Globe.. Cap'n sighs..

Cap'n Cuttlefish: I hope you won't bother my grandchildren from now on after learning your lessons, my old friend.