At 10:00am, Tuesday.

In Cafe Cardamari...

Vadelma: Thanks for the help, Lai!

Lai: You're welcome.

*Ding*

Marian: Morning.

Vadelma: Morning!

Lai: Whinter didn't come with you?

Marian: No, he always been late. Same goes to Logan tho.

Vadelma: Here's your breakfast bowl~

Marian: Thank you, Vadelma. Oh! Where's your team?

Lai: Probably in work right now.

Marian: So you're back to solo?

Lai: Maybe... I don't know.. What you gonna do for today?

Marian: Training Whinter, he's still new to my team and I decided to give him some practices.

Lai: No wonder, I never saw him use his specials during the battle yesterday.

Marian: Trust me, he told me that he can't use his Kraken special to any girls. Especially Clementine. And he said it's inappropriate for him to do that.

Lai: What? *Sweatdropped*

Marian: Weird right? I had no idea what's in his mind tho. Maybe you do?

Lai: Better not to think about it...

Marian: ...Tell me..

*Ding*

Whinter: Morning!

Lai: Hey, Whinter! (Great, just in time.)

Marian: -_- *Groan*

Vadelma: Larvender tea?

Marian: *sigh* Thank you, Vadelma.

Whinter: Oh gosh, can you get me something, Vadelma? I'm starving right now. Also thanks!

Vadelma: Sure thing dear, no problem~

Whinter looks at his team captain and then he asks his friend, Lai.

Whinter: Hm? What's wrong with her?

Lai: Uhm... Let's not talk about this...

Marian: Yeah, thanks to you. We lost to his team in 3 v 4.

Whinter: Eh?! Why me?

Lai: Because you didn't use your special at all, not even once.

Whinter: ...Oh cod.. That's awkward to explain..

Lai: I know I know... I feel you. I saw that clearly.

Marian: ...

*Ding*

As Logan arrives, they try to change the subject..

Lai: Oh! And there's Logan!

Whinter: Oh hey bro!

Logan: ..Hrm... Morning...

Marian: -_- *Groan again*

Vadelma: Mo-More Larvender tea?

Lai: *silenced giggle*

I turn my sight to the window, viewing around the Plaza a bit. Until I saw someone with a strange looking hairstyle coming out from the Manhole. Then, Whinter calls out to me.

Whinter: Hey buddy, what's in your thought?

Lai: Oh nothing, just looking around. What is it?

Whinter: We'll be start battling after breakfast. You coming?

Lai: Sure!

Whinter: Cool!

Timeskip...

At 1:00pm... After some matches with the Team Splat Jam..

Marian: Alright team, that's all for today's training. Go get some rest now. And thanks for battling with us, Lai.

Lai: No problem.

Whinter: You still wanna keep on?

Lai: Nah, I'll take a break for a while.

Whinter: Well, see ya!

Lai: See you guys next time!

Vadelma: Bye!

The blue team were left from the Tower and I was about to buy a soft drink from the vending machine.

Lai: Huh?

I saw someone was sneaking around the Plaza and it was wearing a kettle as the headgear and the Octoling armor, but he/she didn't armed with anything else tho. As I get a closer look, I noticed a strange looking tentacle had exposed out from the kettle. The suction cups were actually on the colored tentacles. Inkling's suction cups should be in the underside of the tentacles, which is the white part. I confirmed that it's not an Inkling. So..

Lai: Is that.. An Octoling?

I took out my phone and I was about to inform Agent 1 and Agent 2. But on the second thought...

Lai: Better go check it out first..

I grab a hold on my N Zap 89, preparing to draw out as I get close to it..

???: So this is the Inkopolis, huh?

Then, I drew out the gun at it..

Lai: Alright, who are you?

???: Oh, great timing!

Lai: Huh?

The Octoling took out the headgear. Revealing that it was a girl. More surprised is, she was the one of those Octolings that I had fought at the Kelp Dome stage. I shocked immediately and dropped my guard...

???: Uhm... What's with that face? You looked like you're seeing a ghost.

I hide my weapon behind my back and try to make an excuse, better not tell her about that.

Lai: *shook head* Ah... No, it.. It was my first time seeing an Octoling in Inkopolis. But what are you doing here?

???: Oh I just got here for a while, I heard there are a lot of fresh kids were gathered here and playing turf war.

Lai: ...Only you got here just by yourself?

???: Yeah, maaaybe.

Lai: What's your name?

Tetrox: Oh, the name's Tetrox Gorgonzola! And I just got my turf war license an hour ago.

Lai: You looked awfully friendly tho.. (And weird.)

Tetrox: Because there are so many great things to do in Inkopolis! I had a change of heart because of that! Oh cod, It's so fresh!!

Lai: Okay... Tetrox, huh? So what you gonna do for your first day in Inkopolis?

Tetrox: Oh, here! I made a list!

She hands over the gear list to Lai...

Lai: What's this?

Tetrox: See, could you help me get these clothes?

Lai: What!? Why?

Tetrox: I don't have any money and I'm just level 1 newbie.

Lai: Ugh... Fine.. Just put your kettle on. We don't wanna let anyone suspicious you. Plus, you're not fresh enough to get into the shops anyway.

Tetrox: So what should I do?

Lai: Just wait here till I get back..

Tetrox: Okay!

Timeskip...

Lai: Okay, here's the gears you want from the list. (*sigh* Here goes my money I earned from the morning matches.)

Tetrox: Whoa, thanks a lot!

Lai: So what's next?

Tetrox: Oh, wanna play turf? You know, as in return!

Lai: N-

Another timeskip, in Saltspray Rig.. *sigh again*

Lai: -O... My cod...

Tetrox: Booyah! This is gonna be fun!

My two other teammates suddenly look at her... They asked in curiosity.. Then I joke around.

Inkling 1: Is that a rare headgear?

Inkling 2: Looks kinda creepy tho..

Lai: Nah, it's cool. It's a 3 stars Cuttlegear brand headgear with full Special Charge Up abilities.

Inkling 1: Really!? Where did you get it!?

Lai: Oh.. Uhm... I don't know, it's not mine. (*facepalm* Oh my cod, they actually fall for it.)

Ready...

Go!!

Lai: Alright Tetrox, try to ink as much as you can and...

*Pew!!*

Before I could finish, she dashed away to the center..

Lai: Try stay away from getting splatted.. *sweatdropped*

During the battle... Assist Splat..

*Splat*

Inkling 1: Thanks!

Tetrox: Teehee~

Another Assist Splat..

*Splat*

Inkling 2: Whoa, thanks!

Tetrox: You're welcome~

Then, after a couple of seconds had passed..

Lai: Got you now!

Purple Inkling: Ugh... Huh? Ahhh!!!!!

Lai: Huh? What's with that scream?

I saw a shadow had ran above us, I turned and looked up behind me. Then, an Inkstrike had been sent and it's gonna drop straight to us..

Lai: Well, sh- 😒

*Splash!!!!*

Tetrox: Hehe~

The whistle had blew and the match just ended..

Inkling 2: Wow, you kicked sac!

Inkling 1: Join my team!

I groaned as the other players were praising her performance during the battle.

Lai: Now she stole my limelight...

At 5:00pm.. Outside the Tower...

Tetrox: Booyah! We sure win a lot of matches!

Lai: Yeah yeah, we sure did.. (Managed to cover up the losses, finally.)

As I knew her long enough, something's wrong about her. She didn't recognize me about the fight in Kelp Dome. And even, she doesn't hold any grudge to the Inklings about the Great Turf War.

Lai: Hey, do you remember what happened in Kelp Dome?

Tetrox: You mean the stage we just played?

Lai: No, in Octo Valley. Don't you remember anything?

Tetrox: No... Not at all.. My memories were became blank, only had the blurry one.

Lai: Oh that's bad. So you don't remember your parents or your friends?

Tetrox: ...I don't have any of them..

Lai: So you wanna search for the memories you had?

Tetrox: How? And where should we start?

Lai: ..I don't know... Sorry..

Tetrox: Nah, it's fine.. It's all already in past tho. And I'll try not dwell on it too much, might ended up hurting myself..

Lai: ...Guess you're right..

Tetrox: But now, you Inklings aren't so bad after all. That's what I know right now.

Lai: You do?

Tetrox: Yeah! I had so much fun with you!

Lai: Glad to hear...

...

Tetrox: So...

Lai: ?

Tetrox: What should I do next?

Lai: I guess you should try find a team.. I'm sure they'll look after you.

Tetrox: Do you have a team?

Lai: Uhm.. No.. I decided to be solo since the start..

Tetrox: Well, I should be get going then. See you next time!

Lai: See you later..

As she left from the Plaza, I felt a strange feeling about her and what happened to the Octo Valley. Of course she don't remember me, but why? And how? Why she isn't with her soldiers instead of coming here all along by herself? Most important is, she seems don't have the intend to hurt anyone or anybody else. I just don't get it..

Lai: Ugh... My mind's gonna blown off because of this...

I took a deep breath to clear out my thoughts. Then, I mumbled under my breath.

Lai: Well, she's right, Lai. Don't dwell on it too much..

Marie: Dwell on what?

I shocked and turn around immediately. Noticed that the Squid Sisters was just behind me.

Lai: Wha-?! Did you just eavesdropped me again!?

Marie: Well, we did called out to you but you didn't respond at all.

Callie: What happened?

Lai: Nothing.. Just tired. I've been battling in all day tho. Don't worry.

Marie: Geez, we can't concentrate on our work if you make us worry.

Lai: Well... *shook head* I'll be fine in the next day so let's just go home and get some rest. *smile*

Callie: Alright, let's go then!

They all went home after dinner...

End Of Chapter.

Bonus,

The next day... At 12:00pm

With everyone from the Team Splat Jam, Vitamin Ink and Petal Splash at the lobby after they just finished their last turf war match. The team captain seems are getting along well right now. Same goes to the others as well.

Marian: I swear, Clementine! Next time I'll win, so wipe that grin off your face!

Clementine: Ha! You got lucky this time! You better get used for losing!

Jonquil: I'm usually happy to get between two ladies but let's calm down and admit it was a good match all around.

With Lai, Whinter and Vadelma...

Whinter: It's nice to see our teams being friends!

Vadelma: Yes, I've never seen Marian and Clementine getting along so well!

Lai: Well in the end, they're become friends after having fun during battles..

Vadelma: Agreed!

Whinter: True. That's totally true.

She claps her hand for informing everyone.. Decided to treat us all.

Vadelma: Alright, everyone! I'll treat us all at Cafe Cardamari!

Jonquil: How sweet of you! But my team will be playing one more casual match.

Clementine: Alright, see you later!

They all left from the lobby except for the Team Petal Splash.. After they entered for the matchmaking...

???: Guys, what'd you say we go greet one of my old friends?

Then, it continues on the next day..