The end of the day has been reached. 48 hours of what could possibly the most intense Splatfest ever have just been passed, and the results are in.
Thousands of Inklings have gathered on the Plaza, around the large TV hanging above the Squid Sisters studio. Those who couldn't make it to the Inkopolis Plaza are almost literally hugging the TV in their own home. It's time for the last newsflash of
the day.
After the logo splash, the iconic pop idol duo of Inkopolis popped on the TV.
"Hold on to your tentacles...", Callie began, followed by Marie saying: "It's Inkopolis News time!"
"Now before we go with the usual routine, some special news", the black-tentacled Squid Sister started off the first segment. Marie commented: "Though, I'm sure you know what it is about already..."
"That's right", Callie said. "It's time for the results of the last Splatfest!" The screen showed the theme for said Splatfest. It were the Squid Sisters themselves, with Callie on the left side and Marie on the right, much like the actual Squid Sisters.
"The most important one too", her gray-tentacled companion added to the last comment.
The Inklings in front of the TV were all silent, awaiting the final scores with tension.
"First, let's look at whose side got the most votes", Callie said.
After some drumrolling, it turns out that (unsurprisingly) Marie was more popular, with 54%. Her team was usually more popular than Callie's. The green-clad Squid Sister grinned with glee.
"Hmph, fair enough", Callie said a bit grumpily. "BUT! The more important factor is whose side got the most wins!"
"Bring it on", Marie replied smugly.
A bit curious about Marie's remark is that, using sharp eyes, one could read a slight nervousness in her eyes, a bit unusual for the normally coolheaded Marie. The fans aren't sure why. Did she actually mean those words, or was she bluffing?
A bit more surprisingly is that Marie's side also won more matches: 51% of the time to be precise.
The final results were now being counted. The final score is based on the popularity's percentage score, added to the percentage score of wins, multiplied by six.
It showed that Marie is the winner, with 360 points.
Both Squid Sisters are actually quite surprised. "HOLY CARP", they both exclaimed.
"I... I won", Marie stammered. "I won! I WON!"
Marie was quite pleased with the results, but then saw Callie being all grumpy.
"Fine", Callie grumbled. "Go ahead and insult me all you want. It's not like I'll hear the last of this, anyway"
Marie was now making a sadder face than before. It seems like guilt can be read all over her face now. In fact, it's almost like Marie has been feeling guilt all the time.
The ringhat-wearing idol feels like now is the time for a confession, as if she's been waiting for it.
She started: "Umm... I feel like it's time for me to do a confession..."
How was she going to say this? It's quite hard.
"Callie? You're listening?", Marie asked.
Callie still looked angry at Marie, but she's all ears.
"I... I'm sorry for saying all those mean things, Callie. All those insults were... scripted, made up by our boss. He said that it would increase views."
Callie's grumpy face became less grumpy and more surprised, as Marie's eyes got more teary as she said: "I... I thought you knew that they were scripted too. He said he'd tell you."
"He never told me anything like that", Callie replied. "He told me a different story."
Then Callie realized: "Wait, this isn't one of your pranks, is it?"
"No, Cal", Marie said, still teary-eyed. Then she showed her contract. "I got proof right here."
Callie took a peek at the document. The autographs seem legit and the handwriting is obviously her boss's. But why would Marie sign this, if it meant that she had to do something she didn't like... but then she read the small lettering.
"Wait", Callie said. "He was literally going to fire you if you didn't agree?"
"Y-yes...", Marie said, as tears dripped over her cheeks. Some of her mascara got smudged due to it.
Callie remembered in her and Marie's initial contract for their current job, that it included small text saying that their boss could propose anything to them he wants or get them fired for both their newscast job and their pop idol one, if they objected.
Who knew ill behavior was what their boss wanted?
"Oh cod", Callie realized, getting teary-eyed herself. "And all those insults I did towards you... I actually meant those! I feel so sorry now."
"No, you got all the rights to call me names", Marie told Callie. "I've been a huge jerk to you all this time. I deserve the hate."
Callie went a bit silent before saying: "...I got something to confess too."
Marie was perplexed. Innocent Callie got something to confess too? That just got interesting.
"You remember that I won six Splatfests in a row, right?" Callie asked.
"Don't tell me...", Marie feared.
"Yes... They're slightly rigged in my favor", Callie said. "But this never was my idea, it came straight from the boss."
Marie was about to say something, but Callie continued: "Moreover, he wanted me to brag as much on my Splatfest wins as possible." Then she showeda contract of her own. "Or else I'd get fired."
So this was the different story Callie meant earlier.
Marie quickly puzzled together what their boss ultimately wanted: "So he deliberately set us up in a rivalry like in those fake wrestler shows... Now I get why he thinks insults would increase views."
"Marie, we're no wrestlers", Callie said. "We're performers."
"I think he got this idea when we proposed Splatfest in the first place", Marie realized.
"You think so?"
"Sure. Pitting two teams with the opposite ideals can be just as competitive."
"Marie, I still feel incredibly rotten for all those mean things I said", Callie said.
"Me too", Marie responded.
The two decide to hug it out.
Then, they realized that they were still recording a live newscast. The squid idols looked awkwardly at the cameraman, a jellyfish, with blushing faces in their own ink color. They stopped their embracing as Callie stammered: "W-whoops, that was a bit
embarrassing". Marie added: "In retrospect, I should've apologized off-camera."
"Aaaanyway, your Sea Snail prizes are waiting for you at the Plaza right now", Callie said quickly, still blushing pink. Marie quickly added with green blushing cheeks: "And uh, you also have to return the Splatfest Tee, if you still haven't." What was
she saying? Of course they have already.
The Squid Sisters signed off with their trademark "Stay fresh!" catchphrase and the broadcast ended.
The Inklings watching the broadcast... actually didn't mind what just happened. Overall, at least: there were some snickering jerks here and there.
But several groups of Inklings were so caught up in the drama, they completely forgot it was still a news show. There were even some sentimental ones that cried. Some others got fuzzy feelings from the fact that the Squid Sisters seem
to have made up.
Regardless, this moment is likely going to be top news; with millions of Squeets, Miiverse posts, Vibe videos, CrawTube videos, and maybe even more being made and shared all over the internet.
Returning to their table in the studio, Callie was a bit panicked: "Oh no, what if they're making fun of us, now, Marie? What if they're gonna hate us?!"
"Relax, Callie", Marie said, a bit less panicking. "I'm a bit afraid too, but I believe it'll turn out fine. And in case some jerk decides to degrade us, I'll keep you supported."
The green Squid Sister took a sip from her milk tea.
"Besides", Marie continued as Callie desperately checks her Squitter, "I do believe my public apology was necessary, so our fans know my true face instead of some salty, grumpy sore loser I have to pretend as." She said that last part in a mocking tone.
Then she continued: "I just didn't expect it to take such prominence."
She rests her left hand. "But I meant everything I said during the apology. I am truly sorry for being such a jerk."
Callie couldn't react much to Marie as she still was in panic mode. However, she calmed down after reading hundreds of positive Squeets about their last broadcast. "Oh, how fortunate", she sighed. "They sill like us."
Callie then smiled. "You know, Marie", she beamed. "I'm truly haven't felt any happier before then now. Pretending to be so mean and bragging about it always felt like a burden. I'm glad I finally can stop carrying it.
The two Squid Sisters then looked outside of the window. A bunch of Inklings were still looking at them, cheerfully greeting them and happy for their idols. The cousins waved to them just as cheerfully.
The Squid Sisters will be leaving work in just an hour.
"Oh, I almost forgot to congratulate you", Callie said. "I think you truly earned your win. You're just the best!"
"Nah", Marie said. "You are."
The two laughed.
It seems like things couldn't get any better.
In an office in the same building, however, there was one person who wasn't content with the recent broadcast. He just so happened to be the boss/manager of the Squid Sisters and was a silver-green barracuda named Sullivan Phishfaes. Or also known as
'the silly fishface' by the playfully mocking.
He was often regarded as a respectable businessman. And why not? He funded for the game of Splatoon, the paintball sport named after the legendary Squidbeak Splatoon that got millions of Inklings still playing. He made Squid Force the brand
for Turf Warring. He imports all the weapons for Ammo Knights (save for the sets Sheldon made himself, or his grandpappy). And he hired the Squid Sisters as newscasters and was their manager in the music business.
If there was a problem with him, however, he was stubborn. He felt like he was always right (which is easy to believe when you always made success after success). And he also thought a bit too much like a stereotype businessman at times, trying to appeal
to the demographic by looking at charts and following them step by step.
The reason why he wanted Callie and Marie to act mean to each other was because pro wrestling, which featured a lot of rivalry talk, was extremely popular if the charts were to believed. And since Splatfest is all about rivalry, why not let the hosts
bicker to each other? Make Callie brag, make Marie salty. Sullivan believed that this would bring in tons and tons of views. And so far, he seemed right.
However, the two cousins were way too nice to each other. Sullivan was afraid they would lose views when they keep with this behavior, which is why he felt those two contracts he made were a necessary move.
With the recent broadcast, it seems like the two broke their extra contracts with that confession. And to top it all of, they even hugged! This isn't what a rivalry's supposed to be! Now Inkopolis News will lose views for sure!
...Granted, the views so far have been higher than ever, but the fishface was sure it's just because it's the final Splatfest's results. Of course the views would be high. But they'll be lower than the deepest sea level by the end of tomorrow, just you
wait!
Sullivan feels like he has no choice. He has to find a new talent to keep the views consistent.
He buzzed in at his secretary: "Dominique, bring Callie and Marie to my office. I want to speak to them after their latest broadcast."