At 1:00pm, Cuttlefish Cabin at Octo Canyon.

After lunch...

Cap'n Cuttlefish: So you're going back to the Square?

Lai: Yeah, I haven't finish exploring yet.

Cap'n Cuttlefish: Great, why don't you go for a walk with Agent 2?

Marie: No thanks, Cap'n. I'll stay here for a while. Gonna check for any Octarians activities.

Lai: ...Okay, call me if something's happens.

Marie: Thanks.. We'll be fine..

I went to the manhole and entered in my Squid Form.

Timeskip...

*blop*

I just got back to the Square, thankfully no one's even noticed me since they always busy hanging with their friends as usual. I decided to set off to the Galleria first and visit every stores at there. As I was about to enter, I saw a lot of Inklings were having their food near a food truck which runs by Crusty Sean. I went there and greet at him.

Lai: Hey Sean.

Sean: Hey, what's kraken, squiddo!?

I observe at the food truck a bit and the numbers of customers.. Then, I reply to him.

Lai: Looks like you're running your own business pretty well!

Sean: Yeah! But we used tickets instead of cash!

Lai: What do you mean?

Sean: You see, if you give me a ticket and I'll fry up foods and drinks which provides various, special benefits for the sealings. Giving them much more faster and easier in leveling themselves and their gears and increase the cash flow in every 20 battles. Sounds good, right?

Lai: Yeah, absolutely.. But where do I get those tickets?

Sean: Oh, you can get those by earning capsule bonuses from the Grizzco Industries or some other places.

Lai: Okay, thanks for the info.

Sean: Peace, squiddo! So how's the Squid Sisters were doing right now?

I try make an excuse for him.

Lai: Oh.. Marie is still busy in her career and Callie is......

I stopped and I couldn't say the last word... Sean sensed that and try to say something that would soothes my worries.

Sean: *sigh* I get it.. She must be having hard time in these days. But we all know that she's a really nice girl, her parents sure would be proud of her someday.

I beamed at him after listening to his comfort.

Lai: Thanks, Sean. *smile*

Sean: You're welcome and peace, squiddo!

He waved at me and I waved back as reply. Then, I start exploring the Galleria. First, I entered the Shella Fresh that runs by Bisk the Spider Crab.

Lai: Hello?

Bisk: Dude! Welcome to Shella Fresh!

Lai: You're..?

Bisk: It's Bisk, the owner of Shella Fresh! You can get yourself with the Freshest pair of shoes here!

Lai: Nice!

Bisk: But may I have your ID first?

Lai: Uhm... Sure..

I gave him my turf war ID, he scans it and then he returns it to me.

Bisk: Hm... You're new here, right?

Lai: Well, yeah I guess. But I was a battler at the Inkopolis Plaza.

Bisk: Whoa! You're from Plaza!? That's ridiculously fresh, dude!

Lai: Something's wrong?

Bisk: Sorry dude, a few of Inklings like you would moved out to the Square from the Plaza and most of them were just staying there.

Lai: Why there are just a few of them?

Bisk: Haven't you heard the news?! Inklings that moved out to here from the Plaza must reset their levels to level 1 in order to balance the status.

Lai: Wait so I'm level 1 newbie!?

He crossed his arms and then nodded as reply..

Bisk: *nod* Yeah dude but good news is your turf war ID status is still saved in Plaza. So better freshen up yourself here first! I'll be waiting for your arrival again!

Lai: Phew... Okay then...

I went outside the Shella Fresh...

Lai: I wonder how the others would react this one..

I walked to the next store which it called "Headspace" that runs by Flow the Sea Slug and Craymond the Emperor Shrimp.

Flow: Ah, hello my little Inkfish. I've never seen you before. You're new here?

Lai: Yeah but I was a battler at the Plaza.

Flow: Is it true? No wonder, I could feel your spirit is glowing much different than my other inkfishes I met.

Lai: Thanks, you sure remind me of Annie and Moe. Except they don't do face-to-face interrogation.

Flow: Hm? Why do you say so?

Lai: Back the time in Plaza, Annie and Moe were the one who runs Cooler Heads in Booyah Base. Annie has a shy personality, extremely reserved and constantly ruminating every time when talking to her customers. Plus, Moe always acts hostile towards Inklings like us and insult us at every single opportunity. That's why they never do face-to-face interrogation, especially with the Inklings..

Flow: Oh, that must be hurting for you, my little Inkfish. By the way, I'm Flow and this is Craymond. It's rude of me for not introducing myself in our first met.

Lai: The name's Lai! And yeah, sure glad they're not here anymore. Anyway, I'm just looking around tho. Then, I'll visit here again someday.

Flow: Thanks, sweetie. I'm looking forward to it.

As I exit out the store, Craymond blurts out words after Flow finishes talking..

Craymond: Don't be strange!

At the Galleria...

Lai: Alright, one more store to go..

After visiting Shella Fresh and Headspace in Galleria, I'm now heading to the next one which is the Clothing store with an outdated terminology name, Ye Olde Cloth Shoppe.

Lai: *sigh* Let's go, Lai. Good luck communicating with him.

I entered the Clothing store and start looking around. The store design was modern and simple. Despite of the name, he is still up to date with the freshest and the hottest trends as I take a look at the Clothing.

Lai: Whoa, I've never seen these clothes before..

Then, Jelfonzo showed up and greet at me..

Jelfonzo: Welcome to Ye Olde Clo- Fie! Thou hast all the freshness of a piece of salted cod! Lo! A salted codpiece! You here new are?

Lai: Uhm...

I nodded with confused looks.

Jelfonzo: From thy Plaza thou you are?

I nodded even more confused...

Lai: Yes? I guess?

Jelfonzo: Good! You'll get thy freshest clo-fie in this store.

Lai: Well, I'm just looking around tho. I'll come back in someday.

Jelfonzo: Bye, cousin!

I let out a sigh as I exit out the store.

Lai: Right, only left is the Ammo Knights.

I headed to the Ammo Knights and meet up with Sheldon who's currently tinkering his weapons.

Lai: Hey Sheldon..

Sheldon: Oh hey Lai! What brings you here?

Lai: Just looking around tho, since my level got resetted back to level 1.

Sheldon: Ah, don't worry about that! We had known each other for a long time and I haven't repay you for helping me.

Lai: Really!?

Sheldon: Yeah!

He took out the Splat Roller, Splattershot and Splat Charger from the counter and set it on top of it. But the design of the weapons was different from back then. I grabbed the Splattershot and inspected it for a while..

Sheldon: These weapons are the newest designs in Inkopolis Square! And you're the one who'll be testing it for me!

Lai: Sweet! Eh?

I noticed there's an Enhancifier at a corner behind the counter.

Lai: What's over there?

Sheldon: Oh, It's the Ammo Knights Enhancifier! Your Captain had spoke to me. And it's my honor to work with the-

Lai: Shh-!!

Sheldon: Oh yeah, I forgot.

Lai: Well, you can save it for tomorrow in Octo Canyon. Anyway, you want me to try out these weapons?

Sheldon: Yes, although it still equipped with Burst Bomb but I had applied with the new specials called "Splashdown" instead of Bomb Rush.

I said with disappointment tone.

Lai: But Bomb Rush was Callie's favorite tho...

Sheldon scratches his head...

Sheldon: Well, they replaced it with the new specials called "Bomb Launcher". But it's still the same as the Bomb Rush.

I looked down for a while as I felt depressed..

Lai: Okay, I get it..

I set down the Splattershot back onto the counter.

Sheldon: So what do you say?

Lai: I guess I'll be leaving now..

Sheldon: Wait! You're not gonna try these weapons?!

Lai: Sorry Sheldon, I feel I don't have the mood for turf war today.

Sheldon: ...

I exit out the weapon store...

Sheldon: Geez...

At the Square... My head still facing down as I walked around the Square.

Lai: ...Everything's changed, huh? *sigh* No more Cann-On-Krak from now on. At least Charge-And-Roll still available but no more Kraken special.

Meanwhile...

With Pearl and Marina chatting in Off The Hook studio.. Pearl notices someone..

Pearl: Huh?

Marina: What's wrong, Pearl?

Pearl: Hey Marina, isn't that the fresh kid who usually hangs around with the Squid Sisters?

Marina: Yeah he is! But what's he doing here? He seems down..

Pearl: I don't know.. Let's check it out!

Marina: Wait! How do we meet up with him without anyone noticing us?

Pearl: Don't worry, I just got the right jam for this!

Marina: Sounds a bit scary tho. ^^"

Pearl: Don't worry, I won't hurt him.

Timeskip...

I just exit out from the Shoal since none of the arcades would lift up the mood. As I stared at the time, I realized that I only just spent two hours so it's just 2:00pm right now. I sighed and headed to the Deca Tower. As I walked my way to the Tower, I noticed an Inkling girl just standing at the right side of the Deca Tower that leads to the back alley. She went there alone by herself and I followed her in curiosity. As I got there, I only saw a closed store and the entrance to the subway station but it's closed as well. There was no sight of her. I heard the hammer cocks and noticed a gun was pointing at me from behind but I didn't look back and raised both of my hands on the air. Then, I heard the girl's voice..

???: So you must be Lai, huh?

I recognized this voice but I couldn't remember when and who.

Lai: Who are you?

???: Just turn around and let me see your face.

I turned around to her as she commands. I saw she's holding a pair of Splat Dualies, currently aiming me with one of her pair. I couldn't see her face due of she's wearing her ninja mask. But I could see her light golden eyes with pale yellow pupils in the shape of a plus, I found it a bit similiar to Callie's and Marie's. My eyes widened as I couldn't believe it.

Lai: Is that really you?

She got nervous...

???: Ehh? Wha- Who?

Lai: Callie? Is that you?

She went collapsed and stood up...

???: No! I'm not Callie! Haven't you heard that she went missing from the news!?

Lai: Oh yeah, already heard. Thanks a lot for reminding me... -_-

Lai: But who're you anyway?

???: Just answer me first!

Lai: What if it's a no?

???: Then, I'll splat you for silencing.

I drew out my Splattershot Jr and she dodge roll to aside. I got surprised by that.

???: Ha! Can't get me now!?

*Bam*

She crashes to the wall in accident while dodge rolling.. She got herself fainted and I got dumbfounded...

Lai: What? What was that?

Then, I heard another voice...

???: Wait!

Lai: Hm?

I looked my left and saw an Octoling. She had black tentacles with teal tips, dark skin, and wore a pretty revealing black crop vest along with a black skirt over neon green tights, and black boots with giant zippers. I recognized her immediately..

Lai: You're.. Marina?

Marina: Yeah! And that was actually Pearl!

I got shocked for a while, then I went and grabbed her immediately.

Lai: Sorry! I thought she was an imposter!

Marina: Oh Pearlie, I told you that wasn't a good idea tho.

Pearl: But.. That was my best idea....

Lai: Wait, what you girls tried to plan for?

She stutters...

Marina: Uhm... Well...

To be continued...

End Of Chapter...

Bonus,

Author's note: Welp, I actually don't have any other ideas on how they'll met so this was the best idea tho. Don't worry, I advised Lai to take care of Pearl tho..

Pearl: Ow! Gentle a bit, will ya!?

Lai: Then, you shouldn't keep dodge rolling in a small place like the back alley.