Ninko bounced anxiously in line. Sometime after their announcement, the Squid sisters set up booths where the Inklings could sign up for which of the sisters they wanted to support. An even number between the two were lined up.

"Thanks a bunch for joining." Marie said as she handed an Inkling their official "Team Marie" t-shirt. Grinning happily, Penny checked it out and saw it was just her size. As she walked in between the two sides, she spotted her friend sweating nervously.

"Hey Ninko. Aren't you excited, you're gonna meet Callie face to face." She asked.

The moment he heard her voice, Ninko jumped in shock before turning to see his friend.

"Yeah… well no. Yes… I'm just so nervous." He shook. "I…. I can't do it… I'm gonna opt out of Splat fest."

Suddenly Ninko was lifted up from the ground by one of Penny's tentacles while the other slapped his face repeatedly. Rubbing his face, Ninko looked to his friend.

"Better?" She asked.

"Yeah… thanks." He told her as his cheeks burned red.

"Alright, I'll be getting myself some lunch. You can join me."

Ninko was about to take a step towards her.

"After you sign up for team Callie."

Ninko went back to his spot, twiddling his hands nervously. There were only two Inklings between him and her.

"I'll meet you there Penny." Ninko told her.

Penny smiled at him. "Alright buddy, good luck."

Ninko waved to her before turning to see there was only one Inkling now between him and Callie. He tapped his feet impatiently before seeing the Inkling move and her calling "next". Stepping forward, the Inkling shook nervously.

"H-h-h-hello…" He said.

"Oh hi there!" Callie greeted happily, smiling to him. "I know you. You come by and visit me and my sister almost everyday."

'She remembers me...' was what popped into the young boys head.

"Y-yeah… that's me. Unless there are others who visit you everyday which…. then I'm one of them I guess." Ninko said to her.

Callie giggled before reaching behind her to pull out a "Team Callie" t-shirt. "Here ya go! Hope to see you later tonight." She said.

"I will be there!" Ninko said as he accepted the shirt. He turned into his squid form and slid off a short distance.

Peaking around the corner of a building, he smiled and examined the shirt.

"I met her…. and she knew who I was…" His face heated up. He was bursting with excitement and happiness. "I gotta tell Penny. She'll be so happy."

Just as he was about to turn into his squid form, a voice from nearby sounded. It was deep, and the voice behind sounded like it could tower over Ninko.

"Pffbt, yeah right." A male voice said. Stepping out of the shadows was indeed a large kid with purple ink.

"AH!" Ninko squeaked in surprise when he saw him. "You… you startled me."

"Yeah, cause you're a big baby." He said. "You have fun trying to be good in a turf war, while my skills will impress Callie so much she'll marry me!"

"Uhm… good luck….?" Ninko told him.

"Whatever, out of my way." The kid shoved Ninko aside and walked off to the plaza. Shrugging, the young inkling transformed back into a squid and made his way to a near by food court where he found Penny waiting for him.

"Hey dude, how did it go?" She asked.

"Great…" He said, taking his seat.

"Well, tell me about it." Penny said to him.

"Uh…" Ninko thought.

"Ninko, you alright?" Penny asked.

"I'm fine, I just uh…."

Sighing Penny looked at him. "Wait here, I'll get you something to drink."

"Oh… thanks Penny."

Penny went for a while, leaving Ninko to his thoughts. He mostly forgot about that mean kid he just ran into. Doubtful he'd hear from him again. She wasn't gone long and came back with two slushies.

"Here, I think the heat is getting to you." She said, worried.

"Yeah… maybe." He said before taking a drink.

"So can you at least tell me anything?" She asked.

"Oh! She knew who I was cause I visit her almost every day." Ninko said happily.

"Oh that's so sweet of her." Penny cooed. "I knew she would be nice to you."

"Oh really?" Ninko asked.

"Yeah! She's…" Penny rubbed the back of her neck. "I can tell she's nice to her fans."

"Well that's good." Ninko told her before taking another sip. "Well I gotta get home and nap. I'll see you tonight."

Penny waved. "Of course buddy, take care."

Ninko hopped off his seat. "You too, thanks for the drink." He told her.

Turning to his squid form, Ninko swam back to his house. His parents left a note saying that Muida was at Daycare while they were working. Seeing as he had the house to himself, Ninko threw off his shoes and put his feet up on a table and turned on the tv to see news from Inkopolis plaza. A female reporter as live on the scene.

"Today, several Inklings are lining up to join teams for tonights Splat festival. The pop stars, the Squid sisters, have set up teams under their own name. Squids can sign up to support who their favorite sister is in turf wars. We reached out to the two, and this is what they had to say."

The camera cut to Marie. "Ya know, the fans have been really supportive and we have heard about who their favorite between us is and we thought it would make a great Splat fest idea.

The next shot showed Callie. Ninko sighed happily as he watched. "We've always adored our fans, and we're very excited to see them tonight."

His cheeks turned a light orange after hearing that. He could tell she was referring to him after seeing her. Ninko turned the volume up a little more.

"And of course, there's one fan I just absolutely adore. I can't wait to Turf war with him tonight."

"Really… who?" Ninko asked the tv.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Ninko went over to answer it and found Callie waiting for him with a Charger.

"Come on Ninko, we're going splatting." She told him, grabbing his hand.

"Alright!" Ninko cheered as Callie ran with him to the plaza. The two were greeted with Fireworks as the crowd was cheering.

"Come on! We're gonna have so much fun together!" Callie said.

"Yeah… we are." Ninko said, squeezing her hand. Suddenly, Callie leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek.

She smiled at him. Ninko smiled back, the two blushing as their faces closed in on each other.

Ninko pulled his lips away to find them dry. The pillow had a noticeable ink spot on it. It was night time, he had fallen asleep.

Putting a hand to his face, Ninko felt the cheek that was smooched in his dream.

"Maybe…" He said.

Suddenly, the room glowed a pink hue. Ninko looked outside to see Fireworks going off.

"Oh man! I'm late!" He exclaimed before grabbing his gun and running outside. The plaza seemed waiting with him, with several squids dancing together as the two performed.

"Wow…." He said in awe, looking around. Ninko looked up to see Callie singing, doing a synchronized dance with her sister.

"She's amazing." He sighed, a sparkle in his eyes.

"Hey you." A voice said, before a tap was felt on his shoulder. Ninko turned around to see a group of three Inklings, two boys and a girl, standing before him.

"Oh… hey…" He said.

"Hey there, we need a fourth. You interested?" The girl asked.

"Oh…. s-s-sure…" He said.

"Perfect. Come on kid, stick with us and you'll be at the top of the ranks in no time."

Ninko smiled to them. "Do… do you think we can be so good Callie will have us for the house party?"

"Totally." One of them said. "You good at turf wars?"

"Uh…." Ninko sweated. "Yeah… yes I am." He told them.

He hoped he was good enough to at least win once.